Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/155

Rh live they will not forget to pray for you and for her Grace, the Princess."

"For all that, they have no one to thank but you, Grandma, and your good word," said the Countess.

"Yes, but what would it have profited if that good word had not fallen upon good ground? no blessing could have come from it," replied Grandmother.

The bouquets arranged, Grandmother and the children were ready to start for home.

"I'll go with you to the cross-road," said the Countess, taking her pony by the bridle. "If you wish, boys, you may have a short ride."

The boys gave a shout of delight, and in an instant John was upon the saddle.

"O, that's a madcap!" said Grandmother seeing how boldly he acted. Willie, too, acted as though he were not afraid, but when the Countess helped him to mount, he turned red clear to his ears, and only when John laughed at him did he become more courageous. Little Adelka, too, was seated upon the pony, but the Countess walked by her side and held her. The children were delighted, but the boys laughed at her, said she sat up there like a midget, like a little monkey, and made fun of her until Grandmother ordered them to be still.

At the cross-roads the Countess herself mounted her white pony, dropped her blue skirt down over the stirrups, fastened her black hat, and once more bowing to Grandmother and the children rode away. As soon as her pony heard the order "Avanti!" he flew with her through the rows of