Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/63

Rh for the girls. When they had played till they were tired, the whole company rushed into the yard, and Manchinka announced to the mother that they were very hungry. The mother was not at all surprised at this news, and fed them all, even those whose lips were repulsive to her on account of the squirrels. The miller, however, always teased her, and when the children came in he began: "I don't know what is the matter, I feel a pressure upon my breast. How is it, Celia, haven't you a piece of hare at your house? Couldn't you"

His wife coughed and went away. Grandmother shook her finger at him saying: "What a rogue you are, sir! if I were your wife, I would give you roast crow with peas." The miller turned his snuff box, closed his eyes, and smiled grimly.

When they sat in the garden, the foreman of the mill usually joined their party. They discussed the morning's sermon, told what the announcements had been, for whom prayers had been said, and whom each one had seen at church; from this their conversation drifted to the crops, the flood, storms and hail, weaving and bleaching linen, how the flax was this year, till at last they came to discuss soldiers and the prison. The foreman was very talkative, but towards evening as the farmers began to come in with the grist, remembering the rule, "first come first served," he was obliged to go to the mill, while the miller went to see what was doing at the inn.

In the winter, the children spent the whole afternoon on top of the large oven that was built in the corner of the room. The servant had her bed