Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 02.djvu/201

Rh face. Lukáshka understood her, and nodded, smiling softly. She was telling him that her brother ought to have treated the girls, and that the girls liked him, and that the girl Maryánka was better than any of them, and that she loved him. She indicated Maryánka by pointing rapidly in the direction of her yard, and to her brows and face, smacking her lips, and shaking her head. "She loves you," she said by pressing her hand to her breast, kissing her hand, and as though hugging something. The mother returned to the room, and when she saw what the dumb girl was saying she smiled and shook her head. The dumb girl showed her the honey-cakes, and again shouted for joy.

"I told Ulítka the other day that I would send a go-between," said the mother. "She received my remarks kindly."

Lukáshka looked silently at his mother.

"But, mother, you must take down the wine! I need a horse."

"I will take it down when I have time. I will fix the casks," said the mother, obviously not wishing to have her son meddle with domestic affairs. "When you go," said the old woman to her son, "take along the bag in the vestibule. I have borrowed from people to let you have something at the cordon. Or shall I put it in the saddle-bag?"

"Very well," replied Lukáshka. "If Giréy-khan from across the river comes to see me, send him to the cordon, for they won't let me off for quite awhile. I have some business with him."

He was getting ready.

"I will send him, Lukáshka, I will. So you have been celebrating at Yámka's, I suppose?" said the old woman. "When I got up in the night to attend to the cattle, I thought I heard your voice singing."

Lukáshka did not reply. He walked out into the