Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/328

322 "As it came to our pear tree," said Grandmother. "And where did you put her?"

"I had her carried to our house; it was the nearest. I am going to take charge of the funeral myself, although her relatives object. I've been to the village to announce it. I did not think we should lose her so soon. I shall miss her," said the gamekeeper.

The tolling of the bell was now heard from Zernov. They signed themselves and began to pray; they knew it was for Victorka.

"May we go to see her?" begged the chidren.

"To-morrow you may come, when she is laid out!" said the gamekeeper, taking his leave.

"Poor Victorka won't come to our house any more; we shall never again hear her singing above the dam; she has gone to heaven!" said the children returning to their tasks without even asking Grandmother about the Countess.

"Certainly she is in heaven, for she suffered enough upon earth," thought Grandmother.

The news of Victorka's death spread quickly over the whole neighborhood; every one who knew her pitied her, and was glad, therefore, that death found her, especially such a death, they said, "as God sends to but few people." They had always pitied her, but now that pity was joined with reverence.

The next day, when Grandmother and the children went to the castle to be sketched and painted, the Princess spoke of Victorka. The Countess, hearing how the unfortunate girl was loved both at The Old Bleachery and the gamekeeper's, promised that she would paint for them copies of the