Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/157

Rh the house, stretched themselves in the sun at the door, and soon began to snore.

How beautiful it is in the city! The houses are decorated with greens, the streets are covered with rushes, and the oval-shaped common is like a grove. Along the sides of the common altars are set up, each more beautiful than the last. In the middle, where stands the statue of St. John under the green lindens, is a mortar, around which are gathered a group of boys and young men.

"They are going to shoot from that," said Mr. Proshek to the children. "Oh, I shall be afraid!" exclaimed Adelka.

"Why should you be afraid, it won't make any more noise than when a pot falls from the shelf," said Manchinka to reassure the little girl.

Such sounds Adelka was accustomed to hear at home, so she was satisfied.

The carriage stopped at a large house, upon which hung a shield with a white lion and a large bunch of grapes.

The party were met at the door by Mr. Stanicky, who, raising his plush cap decorated with a long tassel, welcomed them warmly. Mrs. Stanicky, in her silver embroidered cap and short silk basque, smiled graciously upon the comers, and when little Hela tried to hide behind her, she took her by the hand, and seizing Adelka with the other placed them side by side, saying: "Come, show yourself, that we may see how you will look together!"

"Like twins," decided Grandmother. The little girls cast sidelong glances at each other, but again bashfully hung their heads.

Mr. Stanicky gave his arm to Mr. Proshek, and