Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/249

Rh Not a trace was left of this little establishment. "You simpletons," said Grandmother, laughing when she heard the children bemoaning their loss, "how could you expect your plaything would stand before the force of those angry waters that in their course overturn houses and root up trees centuries old!"

Before many days passed the sun dried the fields, meadows, and roads, the wind carried away much of the debris, the grass grew more lush, the damages were repaired, and hardly a trace remained of the destructive flood; but the people spoke of it for a long time. The swallows returned, and the children welcomed them gladly; they hoped that Mr. Beyer, too, would soon come, and after him their father.

It was the evening of Philip and James' day, Grandmother took chalk that had been blessed upon Three Kings' day, and made three crosses upon every door, not only of the house, but of the stables, pens, and chicken coops, as a protection against witches. This being done, she went with the children to the hill near the castle, the boys carrying an old broom upon their shoulders. Christina and Jacob Milo were already there, as well as the young people from the manor and from the mill. Wenzel Kuderna, with his brothers, was helping Jacob to cover the brooms with pitch, and the others were arranging the wood for the bonfires.

The night was beautiful. A gentle breeze swept the young grain into small billows, and carried the fragrance of the flowers and blooming