Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/156

150 trees like a sparrow.Grandmother and the children slowly wended their way to The Old Bleachery.

The next day was beautiful, the sky was as clear as if it had been swept. Before the house stood a carriage; in the carriage were John and Willie in white trousers and red jackets, and holding garlands in their hands. Mr. Proshek stood admiring the fine horses, patting their shining hips, or playing with their luxuriant manes, and with a practiced eye studying their harness. From time to time he stepped toward the house, calling into the window: "Are you not ready yet? Do hurry up!"

"In a minute, father, in a minute!" voices from the inside reply; but that "minute" proves to be a long while. Finally Grandmother sallies out with the little girls, among whom is Manchinka. They are followed by Mrs. Proshek, Betsey, and Vorsa. "Take good care of everything and don't neglect the poultry," said Grandmother as she was starting.

Sultan wanted to play with Adelka; he smelled her garland, but she raised it above her head, while Grandmother drove him away, saying: "You foolish fellow, don't you see Adelka cannot play with you to-day?"

"They look like angels," said Betsey to Vorsa, as the girls were getting into the carriage.

Mr. Proshek mounted to the box beside the coachman, gathered up the reins, and made a peculiar smacking noise with his lips; upon which the horses raised their heads proudly, and the carriage rattled off to the mill as if carried by the wind. The dogs started to follow, but when the master shook his whip at them, they turned back to