Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/311

Rh tina, don't go alone to the socage, they will question you and grieve your heart, don't go. And that good-for-nothing.—that clerklet"

"How foolish he is! Does he think that I could" frowned Christina, but began reading further: "would not let you alone. Stay near Tomesh. I charged him before I left to be your right hand. Give him my greeting,—and Anna, too! Remember me also to my folks, to Grandmother and the children, and to all my friends. I could say so much more, that it could not be put upon a piece of paper the size of Zernov hill; but I must go to stand guard. When I stand guard at night, I sing:

You remember we sang it together the evening before I left; you broke down and wept. O, heavens! how those little stars used to cheer us up; but only God knows whether they will ever cheer us again. May God bless you. Good bye!"

Christina folded the letter, and turned her questioning eyes to Grandmother's face.

"You can be comforted; he is a good boy; give him my greeting and tell him to trust in God; tell him the darkest days pass away and the sun shines again, and his sun, too, will shine. I cannot tell you positively, it is thus or so, as long as I am not certain. When it is necessary, go with the reapers; I want you to present the garland to the Princess at the harvest festival, for since you work in her fields, it will be becoming for you to do it?"

Christina was comforted by these words, and