Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/175

Rh found time to glance into the sitting room now and then with the admonition: "Be good, don't cut up," and then went about her work again.

Grandmother was going into the garden to cut some parsley, when she saw Christina coming carrying something tied up in a handkerchief. "Good morning, Grandma!" she said with a countenance so bright and happy that Grandmother gazed on her for a moment without speaking.

"Why, child, you look as if you had slept on roses," said Grandmother smiling. "You have guessed right; my pillowcases are covered with flowers," replied Christina.

"Oh, I see, you do not wish to understand; but no matter, let it be as it will, if only it be well. Is not that so, my dear girl?"

"Yes, yes, Grandma," said Christina, blushing.

"What have you there?"

"A present for John; he liked our doves, so I'm bringing him a pair of young ones, he can raise them."

"Why did you do it? he did not need them."

"Never mind, Grandma; I like children, and children find much pleasure in such things; then why should he not have them? But it seems to me that I did not tell you what happened at our house day before yesterday."

"Yesterday, your house was like the bridge at Prague. I recollect that you wanted to tell me something about the Italian, but we were too busy to talk. Tell me now, but leave a word out of