Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/43

Rh pray 'Angel of God, Guardian Mine.'" They entered the house, and Grandmother blessed them with holy water and tucked them up in their little nests. The little ones fell asleep at once, but Barunka often called her Grandma, saying that she could not sleep. She came, took her granddaughter's hands in her own, and began to pray with her, and they prayed until the girl's eyes were closed.

Grandmother's bedtime was ten o'clock. She knew the hour by her eyelids—they felt heavy then. Before she retired, she examined all the doors to see if they were locked. She called the cats and shut them up in the garret, lest they should come into the bed rooms and choke the children. She put out every spark of fire, and placed the tinder box upon the stove. Whenever a storm appeared to be brewing, she got out the blessed candle, and wrapping a loaf of bread in a white napkin placed it upon the table, while she admonished the servants: "Now, don't you forget, should a fire break out, the first thing to be saved is the bread; for then a person doesn't lose his presence of mind."

"But the lightning won't strike," objected the servants.

This answer she did not like at all. "Only God, who is omnipotent, knows that. What do you know about it? Besides one never loses anything by being careful."

When all was in order, she knelt before the crucifix and prayed. This done, she blessed herself and Barunka with holy water, placed the rosary under her pillow, and commending herself to God's care fell asleep.