Then Bacha Filina showed Ondrejko’s estate to his brother.  Since the lady had already had the deed recorded, they all rode to the castle.  Petrik and Palko had to go with them also.  The boys played there in the park with the rubber balls which grandfather had brought from America.  The servants brought a folding-chair for the lady, since the doctor ordered her to rest in the shadow of the horse-chestnuts.  She watched the play of the boys and took pleasure in their joy.  Ondrejko left his comrades once in a while, ran to her, laid his curly head beside hers, kissed his mother, and on receiving her kiss, ran again with a loud “hallo” after his ball.  Who could understand how much joy now filled the once-forsaken heart?

In the meantime the assistant manager showed the lady’s father all the buildings and those cattle which were not in the pasture.  He noticed that Mr. Slavkovsky understood the affairs of the estate, and when he pointed out one thing and another that should have been different, Mr. Slavkovsky said seriously, “I see it.”  Finally he spoke up, “There will have to be a different management from the bottom up, in order that everything may prosper.”

In the meantime the cook prepared a splendid repast for the new owners.  She set it outside under the horse-chestnuts, so the lady would not have to enter the house.  The castle had been bought with all its furnishings.  If the proud Lady de Gemer, the grandmother of the last lord, could have awakened from the dead and seen how her porcelain dishes and table-covers were spread before the despised Slovaks, she would have turned over in her beautiful casket.  But now that could not be helped.  Bacha Filina arranged his matters with the housekeeper.  At the repast he ate very little because he could not take his eyes from the boys, how they ate, and how Ondrejko urged his comrades to eat.  The lady also rejoiced very much over them.  Even the doctor laughed heartily about it, but at the same time took care that his patient did not forget to eat.  He did not urge her to take the various sweets served, but he did the fruit.  Only Mr. Slavkovsky was somewhat buried in thought.  They almost had to force him into conversation.

After their meal the boys again began to play, and asked the two boys of the assistant manager to help them.  Mr. Slavkovsky walked along the lane till, from a turn in it, he could overlook the beautiful, but now neglected garden.  Suddenly he took off his hat and prayed.  By the time he ended, Bacha stood beside him.

“Is there something which does not suit you, my brother?” he asked thoughtfully.  “Do you think we have paid too much for the estate, since everything is so neglected?”

“I do not think so, Peter.  It is really cheaply bought in spite of all its neglect.”  He smiled kindly on his brother.

“Nevertheless you seem to be troubled by something.”