Page:Korolenko - Makar's Dream and Other Stories.djvu/256

232 He jumped up, and the devil rose too; they stood facing one another. The Jew whispered something in the devil's ear, motioning toward some object behind him under the sycamore tree. He pointed it out to the devil with his crooked forefinger.

"That's number one!"

"You're lying; it can't be true!" the devil answered, a little startled, peering toward the trees where Philip was hiding.

"Ha, ha, I know better! Just wait a moment."

Once more he whispered something, and then said aloud:

"Number two! And this——" again he whispered in the devil's ear. "Makes three, as I am an honest Jew!"

The devil shook his head and answered doubtfully:

"It can't be true."

"Let's make a bet. If I am right you shall let me go free when a year is up, and repay me my losses into the bargain."

"Ha! I agree. What a joke it would be! Then I should try my power——"

"You're getting a fine bargain, I can tell you!"

At that moment the cock in the village crowed once more, and although his voice was so sleepy that again no other bird answered him out of the silent night, Khapun shuddered.

"Here, what am I standing here gaping at you for