Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/80

74 giving this fruit to the little children. If a mother has not been self-denying, and has eaten of this fruit, when the Virgin comes to the child of such an one she says: 'Poor child, there isn't much left for you; your mother ate your share.' For this reason mothers abstain from eating this fruit before St. John's, and if they can do it till St. John's they can do it after," added Grandmother.

The Princess held in her fingers a large strawberry, as red as her own beautiful lips; but on hearing this tale, she placed it back in the basket, saying: "I cannot eat now, and the children would have nothing themselves."

"O, your Grace, that makes no difference. Only eat, or take them home with you; we can gather some more," quickly said Barunka, pushing back the basket that the Princess was offering her.

"Thank you," replied the lady accepting the gift and smiling at the simple heartedness of the child. To-morrow, however, you must come to the castle and get your basket; and be sure to bring your Grandma with you, do you understand?"

"We will!" exclaimed the children with as much assurance as they showed when they were invited to the mill by the miller's wife. Grandmother, indeed, wanted to raise some objections, but it was too late; the Princess bowed to her, smiled at the children, and was gone, disappearing among the trees like a beautiful vision.

"O Grandma, won't it be delightful to go to the castle! Papa says they have so many beautiful pictures there," said Barunka.

"And they have a parrot that speaks," cried John, clapping his hands.