Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/342

336 younger bridesmaid was to weave the wreath for the bride, the older the one for the groom; the others, one apiece for their partners. The rosemary that was left was made into wedding favors for all the guests. Even the horses that were to take the bride to church had their harness trimmed with ribbons and rosemary. The eyes of the bride beamed with joy and love, whenever she glanced at the stalwart form of the groom. He was standing among his friends, each of whom had more liberty to speak with his own love than he had to address his bride, upon whom he could only cast a longing glance. The bridesman waited upon the bride, and the groom was obliged to give his attention to the first bridesmaid. Every one, except the bride and groom, had full liberty to be gay, to joke, to make witty remarks; the last, however, was expected of the spokesman especially. Christina spoke but little; with downcast eyes she sat behind the rosemary-covered table. When the younger and older bridesmaids began to weave the wreaths, and all joined in singing:

the bride covered her face with her white apron and wept.

The groom looked at her anxiously and asked the spokesman: "Why does she weep?"

"You know, groom, that joy and grief are bed-fellows, and thus it happens that the one often wakes the other. Never mind. 'To-day weeping, to-morrow rejoicing.'"