Part 5 (1/2)

Even thus Ondrejko de Gemer, wandering through the woods, wondered if all was true that had pa.s.sed in the last seven days, or if it was merely a dream. Oh, it was no dream, really. She came, the sick lady.

Truly, she lived in Palko's cottage and though Ondrejko had carried the whey there already three times he had not seen her. Aunty always said that she was asleep, and must sleep very much. Ah, why did she always sleep just when he came? She had spoken already to Petrik, and gave him a box full of candy. Palko had already read to her from his Book, and had told her that she was almost as beautiful as his mother at home; Ondrejko, alone, had not seen her yet.

How much he had prayed already, especially that morning, that she might not be asleep again when he went there, that he also might welcome her to those woods and mountains. Formerly Ondrejko didn't think of it, but he did now, when the herdsmen, especially Stephen, again and again reminded him that these sheepfolds were his father's, and therefore his also, and that he had a rightful claim to everything. When they gave him cheese and b.u.t.ter for the lady, they gave him plenty, saying, ”Just take it; it is yours.” This thought seemed to appeal to him--all is ours. If Palko could say ”our cottage,” why could not Ondrejko say, ”our sheepfolds, our land, and our woods? Oh, then she came to us though she lived in the cottage of Palko. When she gets stronger she will come to us to drink whey from our sheep.”

Lost in his meditation, the boy did not realize that he had come to the parting of the paths, one of which turned above to the ”Old Hag's Rock,” and the other, below to the cottage in the valley. The weather was again so clear that from the green clearings in the woods you could hear the great bells of the rams and the little ones of the sheep.

”There is the ringing of the bells of our sheep,” smiled the happy Ondrejko. He ran quickly to the bench, intending to sit upon it and rest, but he did not do so for it was occupied by someone like one of the fairies from the woods of which Stephen often told him, that on St. John's Night came out of the ”Old Hag's Rock” and danced on the meadows. None of them could be more beautiful than the lady sitting on the bench, with its firm back covered with a flowery blanket; a similar cus.h.i.+on lay on the arm-rest, and on the cus.h.i.+on rested a white arm. On the small narrow palm a forehead was resting, and beautiful dark-gray eyes looked far away above the mountains.

The boy set down the crock and folded his arms.

Thus he looked at the lily-white face, and the lips which seemed as if the Lord G.o.d had made just for song. And again his heart felt as if someone carried him far, far away, into the land of remembrances. It is too bad that the lady, covered with a light yellow Cashmere shawl does not look at the boy. Is he not also good-looking? and how beautiful! On Sat.u.r.day the doctor sent him a new suit, almost the same kind as Palko had, but the s.h.i.+rt was embroidered with flowers, with broad sleeves, narrow pants, decorated sandals, a round hat with bands, and a small embroidered bag. Petrik also received a new suit, the kind that he used to wear. Ondrejko was very glad that now he would be altogether like his comrades. When they were all three in the church yesterday, the people looked around at them.

If the lady would only look this way! Surely she never saw such a beautiful little Slovak! But she did not look. At last, the boy came to himself. Oh, surely, it must be she!--surely, herself! Who else would be sitting on his bench? And she had that beautiful cat beside her. Here she was, already up, and he was just bringing her breakfast.

He was late! Oh, he knew it was necessary for the whey to be warm.

When, then, will she eat her breakfast?

He took courage and greeted her. The lady aroused herself, opened her big eyes, and in surprise looked at the boy timidly drawing near.

”Good morning,” greeted Ondrejko. ”I am bringing you the whey, but surely too late. However, I have hurried quite a bit, therefore please do not be angry at me.”

”Do you bring me my breakfast?” the lady asked astonished. She arose and took the heavy crock out the hand of the boy. ”It must be very heavy for you.”

”It was not,” said Ondrejko, more at ease, as he fastened his beautiful eyes on the lady's face. Oh, how happy he was that finally he too could see her, and that she talked with him and even took him by the hand.

”And what is your name?”

”Ondrejko,” he replied.

”And do you live here at these sheepfolds?”

”Yes,” said he, ”I live with Bacha Filina. I like it very much.”

The lady walked with the boy and he carried the crock. She was small in stature, but every movement reminded one of a princess.

”Why did not Petrik or Palko bring this whey?” she asked, to start a conversation with Ondrejko.

”We change about,” said he.

”Change about? But I have never seen you before.”

”I have carried the whey already three times, but you have always been asleep,” said Ondrejko.

”So, I have always been asleep during your visits? Therefore I will not leave you quickly today. You must rest with us. Look, Aunty is already waiting.” The lady stopped and almost joyfully handed the crock to Aunty Moravec.

”Look who brought the whey for us today, but you are already acquainted. We have seen each other for the first time now! Please prepare a good breakfast for my guest.” The hands of Aunty shook somewhat when she received the crock, and she hastened to heat the whey at once.

Who could have told Ondrejko how the Lord Jesus would answer his prayer? Petrik saw the lady only in the kitchen, but she took him into her room. How beautifully she had things arranged there! A plush sofa and arm-chair, and many such things as they had in the castle de Gemer were in the room. He was permitted to sit with her on the sofa and look over a large book with photographs, all of beautiful lands and cities. She pointed them out and named them.

”And you have been in all these places?” he dared to ask.