moments to release the gases pent up in the
poor beast, and the two women heard the
rush of wind and saw the roan visibly diminish
in girth.

"If I lose that horse, Mr. Burden," Antonia
exclaimed, "I never stay here till Ambrosch
come home! I go drown myself in the pond
before morning."

When Ambrosch came back from Mr.
Bushy's, we learned that he had given Marek's
wages to the priest at Black Hawk, for masses
for their father's soul. Grandmother thought
Antonia needed shoes more than Mr. Shi-
merda needed prayers, but grandfather said
tolerantly, "If he can spare six dollars,
pinched as he is, it shows he believes what
he professes."

It was grandfather who brought about a
reconciliation with the Shimerdas. One morn-
ing he told us that the small grain was coming
on so well, he thought he would begin to cut
his wheat on the first of July. He would need
more men, and if it were agreeable to every
one he would engage Ambrosch for the reaping
and thrashing, as the Shimerdas had no small
grain of their own.

"I think, Emmaline," he concluded, "I will

[[152]]

p151 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p152w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p153

v?