Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/206

200 "Did not Sybilla prophesy that much misery was to come to Bohemia, that there would be wars, famines, and plagues, but that the worst time would come when the father did not understand the son, the brother his brother, when the given word or promise would not be held sacred; that then the Bohemian land should be carried over the earth upon the hoofs of horses?"

"You have remembered well, but God forbid that any such thing should ever happen!" sighed Grandmother.

Barunka, kneeling at Grandmother's feet, her clasped hands upon her knees, her bright eyes fixed confidently upon that old dignified face, asked further: "What was that prophesy you told us about the Blanick Knights of St. Vaclav and St. Prokop?"

"That is the prophecy of the Blind Youth," replied Grandmother.

"O, Grandma, sometimes I am so afraid that I cannot even express it; you would not want our country to be carried over the earth upon the hoofs of horses, would you?"

"Dear child, how could I wish such a misfortune! do we not pray every day for our country, because it is our mother? Well, if I saw my mother going to destruction, could I be indifferent? What would you do, if somebody wanted to kill your mother?"

"We should cry and scream," quickly replied the boys.

"You are but children," smiled Grandmother.

"We should have to help her, shouldn't we?" asked Barunka, her eyes brightening.