Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/116

110 so afraid of Victorka that he left his place. The girls laughed at him, but what of it! he who runs away wins, and his absence will not keep the grain from growing. We have not missed him.

"There now, Grandma," concluded the gamekeeper, " you have Victorka's whole history, partly as I heard it from the late blacksmith's wife, and partly from her sister Mary. What happened besides, who knows? but she must have had a hard time, and he who carries her ruin upon his conscience has a heavy load!"

Grandma wiped her tear-stained cheeks, and said with a pleasant smile: "I am a thousand times obliged. One must confess that you can relate a story as well as a writer; one could listen and listen and forget that the sun is behind the mountain." Grandmother pointed to the long shadow in the room and began to put up her work.

"Wait a few moments, till I feed the poultry, and I will go with you down the hill," begged the hostess, and Grandmother gladly waited. And I'll escort you down to the bridge, for I must go to the woods yet," said the gamekeeper, rising from the table.

The housekeeper hurried outside and presently there was heard in the yard a loud calling: "Chick, chick, chick!" and the poultry were seen flying from all directions. First came a flock of sparrows as though the call were meant for them. The housewife remarked: "Well, well, you are always the first;" but they acted as though they did not hear her.

Grandmother stood by the door, keeping the children near her lest they should frighten away