Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/94

88 not remain a secret; it was told everywhere, till it went across the fields to the next village.

In a few days there appeared at Victorka's home a certain well dressed man from the neighboring village. Their conversation turned on this and that, until he owned up that his neighbor desired to have his son marry, that his son liked Victorka, and that he was sent as a match-maker, to find out whether or not they could come to arrange the betrothal.

"Wait a moment, I must ask Victorka. As far as I am concerned, I know Simon and his son Anton, and have nothing against it," said the father and went to call Victorka into the spare room for consultation.

As soon as Victorka heard the proposal she said: "Let them come." The father thought it strange that she should decide so quickly, and asked her if she knew Anton, saying that she must not decide in haste and then change her mind and have them come to no purpose. But she remained firm, replying that she knew Anton Simon well, and that he was a very estimable young man.

"I am rejoiced at this,” said the father, "besides, it's your own choice. In God's name let them come."

When the father had gone to tell the match-maker the result of the conference, the mother entered the room, and making the sign of the cross upon Victorka's head wished her joy.

"What pleases me the most is that you will not have either a mother-in-law or a sister-in-law in the house, that you will be the housekeeper yourself," said the mother.