Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/304

 288 "I shall run to the right, Bachka."

"Why will you run that way?"

"To bring you grub."

"You lie!" I said. "You want to desert me."

But without the slightest confusion he answered;

"No, I shall bring you grub."

"Where will you find grub?"

"Don't know, Bachka."

"You don't know then where you are running?"

"To the right."

"Who is there to the right?"

"Don't know, Bachka."

"If you don't know, why are you running away?"

"Have found a sign—there's a tent."

"You lie, my dear fellow," I said. "You want to leave me here alone."

"No, I will bring grub."

"Well, go, only it's better not to lie, go where you like."

"Why lie, Bachka, not good lie."

"It's not at all good, brother, but you are lying."

"No, Bachka, I don't lie; come with me. I show you sign."

He caught up the snow-shoes, and his stick, and