Page:Selected Czech tales - 1925.djvu/23

 a good turn he does it with all his heart. He has a temper, that’s true, but who is perfect?’

‘Who could have prophesied to Vendulka Paloucky that she would marry Lukas after all? Since the day when his banns were up, she hasn’t gone to a single dance or feast, and yet Vendulka is a spirited girl, and nimble as a doe. Because she was not allowed to marry Lukas, she would not be any one else’s wife.’

‘But why were his parents against her? I can’t take that in. She is a good, handsome girl; she is not poor either, and she’s thoroughly fond of work.’

‘And she’s a sort of cousin of his.’

‘That is just why he was not allowed to marry her. His parents were of the old confession, and believed they were committing a sin if they let them marry, because their great-grandfathers were brothers. Even the priest could not persuade them. They thought that no one but themselves understood the will of God. They really imagined they alone of all people possessed the key of heaven.’

‘So that was it? I’ve often and often puzzled about it. You see, I married into this place only a year ago. Vendulka’s heart