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 word of any news. Elška knew not what to do. She consulted Bára, who encouraged her to be brave and further incensed her against the steward, but all this was no real help to her.

The next day came—the day when the ghost did not haunt-and the steward arrived all dressed up in finery to do his courting. Miss Pepinka cooked and baked from earliest dawning in order the better to honor the guest. Even wine came to the table to celebrate the glorious day. Bára was also at the parish and only on her persuasion was Elška able to stand on her feet at all, for the whole affair made her terribly ill.

When he actually pressed his demands, Elška told him to come back a week later for her final word. She hoped against hope that in the meantime some word would come from Prague. The steward was not pleased with her evasive answer nor the cold demeanor of his bride-to-be, for he saw something was not right. But there was nothing to do but keep still and trust in his protectress, Miss Pepinka. Despite his chagrin, the food and drinks tasted excellently and his cheeks fairly burned. That day he wore a blue frock-coat so the contrast was all the more marked.

When evening approached, the steward wished to go home, but the priest did not wish to let him go yet. An hour later when he again spoke of going the priest said: “Just stay a little longer. Vlček will accompany you, and also the hostler. It’s possible that some sort of rabble does infest our forest.”