Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/260

254 "But the girls play with their dolls; indeed, I saw them," said John.

"You seem to be blossoms from Satan's own garden; the schoolmaster must have the patience of Job to stand it all." The children related much more about the school, and what they had seen and heard on their way; it was their first journey from home, and they felt as proud as if they had returned from Paris. "Where are your cheeses, did you eat them?" asked Grandmother, fearing that they might have indulged their appetites too much.

"One we ate, the other I wanted to bring home; but while I was writing at the blackboard, Anton Kopriva smuggled it out of my hand bag. He sits behind me. If I had said anything to him he would have beaten me on my way home. He is a fine fellow!"

Grandmother did not take the children's part, but in her soul she thought: "We were not any better." They knew that she was a great deal more lenient than their mother; she winked at many a caper that the boys cut up, and did not object when Barunka engaged in some boisterous game. For this reason the children confided in her much more than in their mother.