Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/162

156 the young men on the walk as the carriage rolled by.

"Yes, indeed, haven't I cause!" he replied as he cast a glance into the carriage. One of the young men who had thus spoken and who was his best friend waved his cap and hummed,

The last was not heard on account of the rumbling of the carriage.

"I wonder if you prayed, boys?" asked Grandmother.

"I prayed, but I don't believe Willie did," said John.

"Don't you believe him, Grandma, I said the Lord's prayer over and over again, but John pushed me and wouldn't let me alone in the procession," said Willie.

"Johnny, Jonnny, you Godless child! This year I must complain of you to St. Nicholas," said Grandmother very severely.

"And you won't get anything, wait!" said Adelka.

"What kind of presents do you get, Christina?" asked Barunka.

"None; it is not the custom among us to give presents. Once, however, I got a wish from a certain tutor who gave lessons at the steward's in the castle. I have it here in my prayer book." As she said this she took out a piece of folded paper, upon which was a wish in verse; around the verse was painted a wreath of roses with