Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/83

Rh "Where is your wife?" asked Grandmother as she entered the room and saw no one.

Just make yourself at home till I call her; you know she is always busied about something."

The attention of the boys was attracted by a case in which gleamed hunters' knives and other arms. The girls played with the fawn that had followed them into the house. Grandmother, taking in at a glance the order and cleanliness of the room, remarked: "That's a fact, let a person come here on Friday or Sunday, everything is as clean as glass." Just then her eye fell upon the spinning that lay near the stove, tied up and marked ready for the weaver. As she was examining it very attentively, the door opened, and the mistress of the house entered the room.

She was still young, and in her neat house-dress and white cap cut a very handsome figure. Her welcome was hearty, and her honest face showed that it was sincere. "I was out sprinkling the linen; I am delighted with it; this year it will be as white as cambric," she remarked after excusing her absence.

"What industry!" replied Grandmother. "A piece out bleaching, and here a lot ready for the weaver. This will make cloth like parchment; if only he would work it up well, and not cheat you. By the way, are you satisfied with your weaver?"

"My dear Grandma, you know they all cheat."

"O you women, you women! I'd just like to know how the weaver could cheat you? You have everything reckoned out to the last thread!" laughed the gamekeeper. "But do sit down," he said to Grandmother who was still standing, admiring the spinning.