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328 her when she declared that they looked as if they could open their lips and speak.

When years had passed and the children had left home, Grandmother often said: "Although it is not the custom among the common people to have their pictures painted, nevertheless it is a good custom. For my part, I remember each face well; but years will pass away, the memory will fade, the image will grow dim, and then what a comfort it will be when I can look at this picture." The last sheaves were taken in from the manorial fields. Since the Princess was anxious to hasten her departure to Italy, the steward ordered that the harvest festival should be held at the end of the wheat harvest.

Christina was the most beautiful maiden in the whole neighborhood, and therefore everybody was pleased that Grandmother selected her to present the harvest wreath to the Princess.

There was a large open place behind the castle covered partly with grass and partly with straw stacks. In the middle of this space, the young men set up a long pole decorated with red handkerchiefs, ribbons, evergreens, wild flowers, and ears of grain. Benches were put around the straw stacks, booths were built of evergreens, and the ground was trampled down to make a dancing floor.

"Grandmother, Grandmother," said Christina, "you have fed me on hope, I lived on your words, sent armfuls of comfort to Jacob; and behold! the harvest festival is here, and still we know not what to expect. Tell me, dearest Grandma, was it only the apples of promise that you showed us, to keep