Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/182

Rh were near when I, too, shall be thus congratulated?"

"You, sir, cannot get along without teasing somebody," replied the girl, wiping her eyes. With the tears still in his eyes, but joy and content in his heart, Mr. Proshek stepped to the table and poured out a goblet of wine. "To the health of all!" he said, drinking the first goblet. Then they all drank to his health, and soon their faces beamed with good cheer. John was the happiest of all; the gamekeeper had given him a couple of rabbits; the miller's wife had brought him an immense cake covered with such sauces as he liked best; and Grandmother had presented him one of those coins she had in the little green bag in her chest. Just after dinner the Princess and Countess came into the orchard, and when the family went out to meet them, the Countess presented Johnny with a beautiful book full of pictures of animals.

"I have come to see how you are enjoying yourself," said the Princess to her equerry.

"With my family, your Grace, and several good friends I am always happy," replied Mr. Proshek.

"Who is with you?"

"My neighbors, the miller with his family, and the Riesenburg gamekeeper."

"Do not let me keep you, return to them," said the Princess, preparing to leave.

Mr. Proshek bowed, not presuming to ask his mistress to remain; but the simple-hearted Grandmother began:

"Oh, indeed! what manners would that be, to let her Grace and Miss Hortense go without even