Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/163

Rh pricked in the paper. "I kept it on account of the wreath; for I don't understand the wish at all."

"Isn't it Bohemian?" asked Grandmother.

"It is Bohemian, but so learned; hear how it begins: 'Hear me, dearest lady ward!' Now, I don't know what he means, and he goes on in this way through the whole wish. I am not a ward, for thank God, I still have my mother; I believe that man's books turned his head so that he himself did not understand what he wrote."

"You must not think so, dear girl. That was a man of great wisdom, well versed in learning; such an one's reason cannot come down to ours. While I lived at Kladran, near us dwelt just such a literary master; his housekeeper,—they say all such men abjure marriage,—used to come to our house quite often and tell us what a grumbling fellow he was. The whole day long he was buried in his books like a mole; if Susannah had not said: 'Master, dinner's ready,' he would not have thought of eating. Susannah had to remind him of everything; but for her the moths would have eaten him up. Every day he spent an hour out walking, but all alone, for he did not like company. As soon as he went out I used to run over to see Susannah; she was fond of sweet mixed drinks, and although I never liked that burning stuff, I had to drink a small goblet with her. She used to say: 'My master must not see it, for he drinks only water, unless he puts in a few drops of wine. He says to me: "Susannah, water of all drinks is the most healthful; always drink water, and you will be well and happy." And I