Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/284

278 Thus saying he pushed his son forward, who without any bashfulness stepped up and shook hands with the boys. Just then Barunka came, together with Grandmother and Adelka. "My boy, here you see Barunka, who I told you is always the first to bid me good morning when I stay here over night. This year I see it is different; you attend school, and so Johnny must rise as early as his sister. And how do you like it at school, Johnny, would you not prefer to roam about in the woods? You see, my Orel must go with me everywhere, and soon he will know how to shoot as well as his father," continued Mr. Beyer.

"O, do not tell such things," said Grandmother; "John will get wild and will want to see Orel's gun."

"Well, why should he not see it? Go, Orel, show him your gun; it is not loaded."

"No, for you remember I fired the last charge at that buzzard," replied the boy.

"Yes, and killed it, too. You can show it to the boys." The boys ran outdoors delighted, but Grandmother was not satisfied; she followed them, although Mr. Beyer assured her that Orel would be careful.

"Why, you have a name like a bird," said Adelka to Orel, while John and Willie were examining the buzzard.

"My name is really Aurel, but father prefers to call me Orel, and I like it too," replied the boy, smiling at Adelka's question. "The eagle is a fine bird; father once shot an eagle."

"I should think so," said John, "I will show you