Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/122



. God bless you, my dear!

(looking around, throws down her work and claps her hands from joy). I did not expect you, aunty. God has sent me a precious guest in proper time.

. What is up?

. I am all mixed up. It is just terrible!

. I understand he is still alive.

. Don't mention it. He is neither alive nor dead.

. Has he given up his money to any one?

. He has just sent for his sister Márfa. No doubt, he wants to talk to her about the money.

. Of course. But has he not in the meantime given it to anybody?

. No. I have been watching him like a hawk.

. Where is it?

. He will not tell, and I cannot find out. He is hiding it now in one place, now in another, and I can't do anything in Akulína's presence. She is a silly girl, but she keeps a sharp lookout. Oh, my head! I am all worn out.

. Oh, my dear, if he gives the money away to any one but you, you will have to weep all your life. They will kick you out of the farm with nothing. You have worried your life away with an unpleasant man, and now you will have to go a-begging as a widow.

. Don't say that, aunty! My heart is aching, and I do not know what to do, and there is nobody who can advise me. I told Nikíta about it, but he is afraid to take part in it. He told me yesterday that it was under the floor.

. Well, did you go to see?