"He can make a very beautiful bench," said Ondrejko. "We can go and
watch the sheep for him in the meantime."
The doctor stroked the boy's golden hair. "I would like to see you
turn in the sheep."
"But he would not have to do that," remarked Palko; "for that purpose
we have Whitie and Playwell. They are very wise dogs."
"Well, now; we shall see what can be done. But the bench must be put
here. I would like to taste that water."
Palko ran for the flowered pitcher and a cup. They all drank their
fill. The water was excellent. Then they sat beside the brook, and the
doctor pulled cheese and bread out of his pocket. Each of the boys
had his own bread--and quite a big piece at that. When Bacha cut the
bread, he counted also on the appetites of Dunaj and Fido. The doctor
divided the cheese. They ate the cheese and bread, and drank water. It
tasted good to all of them.
Dunaj did not move his eyes from Palko, who shared with him
faithfully. Greedy Fido ran from one comrade to the other and even sat
down in front of the doctor, and not in vain. But when he came near
Palko, Dunaj growled at him, which certainly in a dog's language
meant, "Are you not ashamed?" So Fido did not try it a second time.
The doctor saw how the children enjoyed their food and noticed that
Ondrejko also ate with a good appetite. He suddenly began to say,
"Palko, you said that you would carry wood to the cottage. That will
not be necessary. I will have a cord of wood brought and cut, but if
you would take care of bringing the flowers that would be very good.
The lady is to drink whey. As long as she is weak you could also bring
that to her every morning. As soon as she is strong enough she will
have to go to the sheepfold herself, and ask for it at the hut. Now,
what do you say? Will you help me so that she will get better soon?"
They all heartily agreed that they would do it.
"I will tell you what is the matter with her. For a long time she made
day out of night, but she could not change the day into night. Thus
she lacked many nights' rest. Now she would like to sleep, but she
cannot! She is a sad, unhappy person, and has lived to see much
sorrow. It will be well if you help me to cheer her up; then she will
recover sooner."
"And does the lady understand Slovak?" fearlessly asked Palko. The
doctor smote his forehead.
"You are a wise little fellow, boy. I didn't think of that. But wait!
I overheard when she bought oranges, she spoke in Czech. Then you will
be able to understand each other. Do you want to help me, boys?"
"We would like to very much," said Ondrejko.
"If Bacha will permit us," added Petrik. Palko thought that nothing
would hinder him as long as he was there.
In good spirits the boys returned to the sheepcote. The doctor left
them at the "Old Hag's Rock." They took from him a closely-written
note for Bacha Filina, who readily enough agreed to everything. He
even sent Stephen to build the bench, and also gave permission to the
boys to carry whey and flowers to the sick lady.