Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/219

Rh Milo was the most welcome visitor, for with his jack knife he made the boys little sleighs, plows, and wagons, or prepared the faggots for lighting, and the boys did not stir a step from him. When the spinners related ghost stories, and Willie clung to him, he would say: "Don't you be afraid, Willie; against the devil we will take the cross, and a cane for the ghost, and we'll beat them both."

This pleased the boys and they would have gone anywhere with Milo, even at midnight. Grandmother agreeing with him said: "A man is a man."

"Yes, indeed, and Milo is not afraid even of the devil, nor of the steward, who is worse than the devil," said Christina.

"How is it, Milo, is there any prospect of your getting work on the manor farm?" asked Grandmother.

"I fear not, they are pressing upon me from two directions, and several malicious women are meddling with my business," replied Milo.

"Do not speak in this way, perhaps it may yet be arranged," said Christina sorrowfully.

"I desire it as much as you; but, really, I see no way out of the difficulty. The steward's daughter can never forgive me for that trick I played upon the Italian. They say she was in love with him, and when, on account of that trouble, he was discharged by the Princess, the young lady's plans were brought to naught. Now she uses all her influence to induce her father not to take me into service. That is one enemy, the other is Lucie, the Squire's daughter. She has taken it into her head that I shall be her king on Long Night,