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146 doctors, and if he is to die, the whole apothecary shop cannot save him."

"Are all those in your apron medicinal herbs?" asked the Countess."

"Oh, no, Miss Hortense," replied Barunka quickly; "these in our aprons are flowers for garlands. Tomorrow is Corpus Christi, and Manchinka and I are to march in the procession and carry garlands."

"And I, too, I am going with Hela," added Adelka.

"And we are to be little peasants!" exclaimed the boys.

"Who is Hela?" asked the Countess.

"Hela is from town; she is the daughter of my godmother, who lives in that big house that has the lion on it."

"You should say from the hotel," explained Grandmother.

"Miss Hortense, will you go to the procession, too?" asked Barunka.

"Certainly," replied the young lady, as she seated herself in the grass and began to help sort the flowers.

"Did you ever carry garlands on Corpus Christi?" further asked Barunka.

"No; but while I lived in Florence I once carried a garland upon a festival of the Madonna."

"Who is the Madonna?"

"Madonna is what they call the Virgin in Italy."

"Miss Hortense then comes from Italy? Is it where our soldiers are now quartered?" asked Grandmother.

"Yes; but not in Florence, the city I come