Page:Halek's Stories and Evensongs.pdf/129

 and we boys to ourselves, that we might take counsel about things of greater dignity.

Then began a comparing of notes as to who knew of any nests, how many eggs the chaffinch lays, how the partridge makes its nest, what nestlings have yellow beaks, and what the nightingale’s eggs look like. Some of us knew also already of cuckoos’ nests—aye, even of pies’ nests, and such among us were worthy of special admiration.

Next in order came bird-traps, which all of us knew how to make, and how proud was he who had already caught most birds, and how very high and mighty he who had succeeded in catching a tom-tit! By doing this he had proved that he was a master of trap-making, for the tom-tit will creep through the smallest crevice in a trap.

Grey-haired Vorjech also listened: and so we caught him by both ears and put him through tricks I had taught him here before the others had yet arrived at grandfather’s.

This made us lively. After a little time we released Vorjech, and began to wrestle with one another.

In this way each had the best opportunity of showing what he had learnt since last festival, and which of us was “captain”.

If sometimes on these occasions a smarter blow than usual fell, or if blood showed itself, that was no great matter. Besides, we knew that if the battle became serious our papas would soon appear on the threshold and read us a homily, although we were allowed special freedom at festival time at grandfather’s. And even if all our papas had come with the warmest proofs of paternal affection, we knew that grandmother would take us under her wing, and indeed at festival time our consciences were very accommodating.

After battles people usually make peace that they may drub one another afresh, but in a different manner. So also did we. We ceased blood-letting and divided ourselves into two camps to compete in notching pennies against a wall. This game diverted us most of all, for it touched our pockets and our livelihood. And he who lost most was very glad if he had not vexed his father too much in the previous battle, for uncles don’t give coppers twice and so father must make up deficiencies.

Having then quite exhausted in the forenoon all the amusement the farmyard could furnish, we were not at all sorry when grandfather summoned us to dinner. On this occasion he always presented himself in company with his sons, our uncles and