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LABOULAYE’S FATRY BOOK
quite new. Shingles, lath, nails, and tiles, he tore off every¬
thing, and scattered them all to the winds. When the
farmer returned the house was open to the sky.
“Villain!” said he, "what new trick have you played
me?"
"1 have obeyed you, master,” answered Coranda. "You
told me to do exactly what I saw others do. Are you not
satisfied?" " And he took out his knife.
" Satisfied!" returned the farmer; "why should I not be
satisfied? A few shingles more or less will not ruin me."
But he sighed.
Night came, the farmer and his wife said to each other
that 1t was high time to get rid of this incarnate demon.
As is always the case with sensible people, they never did
anything without consulting their daughter, it being the
custom in Bohemia to think that children always have
more wit than their parents.
" Father, said Helen, "I will hide in the great pear-tree
early in the morning, and call like the cuckoo. You can
tell Coranda that the year is up, since the cuckoo is singing;
pay him and send him away.”
Early in the morning the plaintive cry of the cuckoo was
heard through the fields. The farmer seemed surprised.
" Well, my boy, spring is come,” said he. "Do you hear
the cuckoo singing yonder? I will pay you and we will
part good friends.”
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