Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/300

294 That song was the echo of a melody that was heard in their own hearts.

Grandmother arose, and the tears rolled down her cheeks; Barunka also wept. Grandmother placed her hand upon Milo's shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "God go with you and comfort you, Jacob! Do your duty willingly, and it will not seem so hard. If God grants success to my plan, your parting will not be for long. Hope! You, my child, if you love him, do not make this parting so much more grievous by your lamentations! Farewell!" Thus saying she blessed Milo with the cross, pressed his hand, and turning quickly took the little girls by the hands and hurried home, having the sweet consciousness that she had comforted the sorrowing.

The lovers, into whose hearts Grandmother's words fell like dew upon a perishing flower, quickening it to new life, stood under the blossoming apple tree clasped in each other's arms. A wagon was heard entering the yard; it came for the soldiers. Somebody called from the inn: "Milo!—Christina!" But they did not hear. What cared they? what was the whole world tothem? They held their world in their arms.

In the afternoon, Mr. Beyer, too, bade his kind hostess good bye. Mrs, Proshek, as usual, loaded him and his son with food for the journey. Each of the boys gave Orel something as a keepsake, and Barunka presented him with a band for his hat. When Adelka asked Grandmother what she should give, she told her to give the rose that the Countess had given her.