Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/178

 (looking for something in the coffer, and grumbling). You never can find a thing when you need it.

. What are you looking for?

. I am looking for a cross to baptize it with. God grant it will die! It will be a sin to let it die unbaptized.

. Of course, you must do everything as is proper. Well, have you found it?

. I have. (Exit.)

. That's it. I would have given her mine. O Lord!

(jumping down and trembling). Oh, oh, grandfather! Don't fall asleep, for Christ's sake! I am afraid.

. What are you afraid of?

. The baby will, no doubt, die. The midwife baptized Aunt Arína's baby, and it died, too.

. If it will die they will bury it.

. Maybe it would not have died if Grandmother Matréna were not here. I heard what grandmother said, truly, I did.

. What did you hear? Sleep, I say! Cover up your head, that's all.

. If it should live, I would take care of it.

(bellowing). O Lord!

. Where will they put it?

. They will put it where it belongs. It is not your sorrow. Sleep, I say! Mother will come and will give it to you! (Silence.)

. Grandfather! They did not kill the girl you told me about?

. What girl? Oh, that one! She came out all right.