WASHING IN THE RIVER
"Now then, my sugars," she said to them, "we shall see what there is for you to do! Some work there must be for one and the other. But a square pane will not fit a round window, so we must give you something that you can do out of doors. You, Banda Bela, shall go to help the swine-herd, and Marushka shall be goose girl."
"Oh, I should like that!" cried Marushka. "I think the geese are so funny and I like to see them eat."
"You shall learn to embroider, and, as you sit on the meadow watching the geese, you can place many stitches. When you marry you will have whole chests full of embroideries, like any well brought up maiden. Otherwise you will be shamed before your husband's people.
"Banda Bela, you shall go with the swine-herd. That will keep you out of doors, and you will like that, I am sure."
"I will try," said Banda Bela. "But I have never worked."
"Quite time you learned, then," said the good woman. "We will start in the morning. To-day you and Marushka may go about the village and make yourselves at home. You will find much to interest you. Come back when the big bell of the church rings. That will be dinner time."
"Oh, Banda Bela, see those people jumping up and down in the river!" said Marushka. "What are they doing?"
"Washing, I think," said Banda Bela. "See, they take a dress or an apron and put it in the stream and tread on it, stamping it against the stones until the dirt all comes out, then they rinse it out and put it in their wooden trays and take another piece and wash it."