knew by now that the old man he had taken under his wing was no ordinary mortal, and that there was magic in the whistle. The whistle really brought him luck. At half-time the president of another club came to Honza and asked him to visit his town. The next day all the newspapers sang his praises, and he received one commission after another as referee. He no longer hesitated, but went here and there and took charge of the game, and since he was by no means a stupid boy he soon learnt what football was all about, and he became a referee such as the world had never seen before. He soon left off sewing the gold coins into his coat-lining, and had new clothes, and was soon quite a fine gentleman. The golden whistle served him well and faithfully, for Honza’s character had not changed and he had remained the same good lad as when he left home. But it was not always pleasant for him to exercise his office. For the whistle was inexorable and passed judgment even when it was not on the football field. And Honza was forced to recognize that in this life it is often embarassing never to let an injustice pass. 98
UkĂĄzka elektronickĂŠ knihy, UID: KOS201753