Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/251

Rh her fiery mallet till it rained a thousand sparks, and then fell down again amid the shouts of the people. "Look! how high she flies!: said Manchinka, pointing toward Zernov hill. One of the women, however, pulled down her hand, saying that she must never point at a witch, lest one of the fiery darts pierce through her finger.

It was late when Grandmother returned home with the children. "Grandma, don't you hear something?" whispered Barunka, stopping in the middle of the blooming orchard, "it seems to me I hear something rustling."

"It's nothing but the breeze playing with the leaves," replied Grandmother, and then added: "That breeze does much good."

"Why, Grandma?"

"Because it bends the trees together. They say that when blossoming trees embrace and kiss each other, there will be an abundant harvest."

"O, Grandma, what a pity that now, when there will be cherries and strawberries, and everything will be gay, we must be shut up in the schoolhouse all day,” said John sorrowfully.

"That cannot be otherwise, my boy; you cannot always remain at home and play. Now you are beginning to have new tasks and new pleasures."

"Oh, I shall be glad to go to school," said Barunka, "only I shall be so lonesome not to see you all day, Grandma!"

"I shall miss you, too, my children, but it must be so; the tree blossoms, the child grows; the fruit ripens and falls, the child grows up and leaves. It is God's will. While the tree is sound, it bears fruit; when it dies they cut it down and cast it