The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-11
III.

He did as Aga1ya naQ tOlQ MN. On TeaCn-
ing zinovyef's house he begged shelter for
the night. They let him in.
On entering the hut he, as was his custom
crossed himself In the direction OF the ikons
and greeted the hosts.
You are cold, grandfather. Get up on to
the ~$stove," said a wrinkled, merry old
woman who was busy with the table.
Agafya's husband, a young looking peas
ant, was seated on the bench by the table
trimming the lamp.
"Oh,, but you are wet, grandfather" said
he. However, never mind. Dry yourself
Korney took Off his coat and boots, hung
up his leg rags in front OF the stove and
climbed upon it.
Agafya came into the hut with a Jug.
She had already had time to drive the herd
! home and had finished with the COWS.
Hasn't the old pilgrim Gomez" she asked
Il told him to come here
There he is" said the master, pointing
, to the stove where Korney was sitting rub
bling his hairy, bony legs.
At teatime his hosts called Korney. He
climbed down and seated himself on the
| edge Of the bench. They gave him a cup
and q bit Of sugar.
The conversation was about the weather
and the getting in Of the harvest. The work
was not progressing. The and owners
sbeaves had begun to sprout where they
we're piled in the fields, As soon as they be-
gan to cart them rain came.
The peasants had housed their own
sheaves, but the landowners we're idly
rotting, and there we're a lot Of mice in the
sheaves In the fields.
Korpa- roIofaI how N, his -au ha hnI
seen a whole field full OF sheaves.
The young woman poured him a fifth
cup Of pale weak tea and passed it to him.
Never mind. Drink, grandfather, and
welcome she said when he refused.
whats the matter with your arm, .
he asked her, carefully taking the full cup
from her and twitohing his brows.
1T was broken in childhood. 1t was
her father who wanted to kill our Agashka, .
| said the ohatty old mother-in-law
why So" asked Korney. And looking
at the young woman's face he suddenly
| recalled Evstigney Bell and his blue eyes ,
AMI the hand which was holding the cup
began to tremble so that he spilled half the
tea before be could replace the cup on the
table.
He lived at Gaya,' the woman e on
'Hs was called Honey yassilief by name.
He was rich. Once he got in a rage with
bis wife, beat her and crippled this one
Korney vas silent, glancing alternately
at the host and at Agashka from under his
constantly twitching black eyebrows.
For what reason" he asked, biting off
q bit OF sugar.
who knows! There is always gossip
about us women. and then we have to
| answer for it," said the old woman. Some
| thing occurred in connection with a work
man OF theirs. The workman was a good
fellow from our village. He died in their
house,
He died." asked Korney, clearing his
throat.
"Yes, a long time ago. II was from them
that We took our young woman They
used to live well when the master was
alive. They we're the first in the village
And what about the husband" asked
Korney.
NO doubt also dead. He has disap-
peared since then. 1t must be fifteen
years ago"
More" interjected the younger women,
Il think; my mother told me she had on,y
just finished feeding me-"
We'll, and dent you bear him a grudge
because ~he-beoause your rm--' said
Korney and suddenly began to cry.
'He wa mt a stranger. He was my
father. Well, have some more tea after
the cold. Shall I pour it out?"
Honey did not answer, but sobbed.
whats the trouble2"
Nothing in particular. God bless you'll
And KoI ney. catching hold with his
trembling Lands Of the post and the edge
Of the stove, climbed up with his long,
thin legs.
did you see" said the old woman torher
sen with a wink in the direction Of the
aid man,