Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/356

350 mother's bed. The first of all was Barunka, who came with the nightingale. He came back to his nest by Grandmother's window, and Barunka found her old place in Grandmother's room. There her bed used to stand, there she used to listen to the music of the sweet singer, there, rising up and lying down, Grandmother used to bless her. They were together again; the same voices were heard around them, these were the same stars upon which they had gazed together, the same hands rested upon Barunka's head. It was the same head, but different thoughts crowded in it, and the tears which Grandmother saw rolling down the cheeks of her beloved grandchild were different from the tears of childhood, which a pleasant smile dried from the rosy cheeks, when, as yet a little girl, she slept in her little bed in Grandmother's room. Those tears bedewed, but did not dim the eyes.

Grandmother knew she had not many days to live; therefore, like a good housewife, she set her house in order. First she made her peace with God, then she distributed her little property. Each one received a keepsake. For all who came to see her she had a kind word, and when they left, her eyes followed them till they were out of sight. Even the Princess, with the son of Hortense, came to see her, and when they were leaving, she looked long after them; for she knew she should never see them again. Even those dumb brutes, the cats and dogs, were not forgotten. She called them to her bed, caressed them and allowed Sultan to lick her hand. "See to them," she said to Adelka and the servants, "for every creature is grateful for kindness." But Vorsa she called to herself and said: "When I die,