Page:More Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/137

Rh He looked up, and there was Dina squatting on her haunches with her knees hunched up higher than her head; she was leaning forward, her necklaces were visible, and were swinging to and fro right over the hole. Her little eyes gleamed like tiny stars, and she drew out of her sleeve two cheese-cakes and threw them to him.

Zhilin took them and said: "Why have you been so long gone? I have been making playthings for you. Look!" And he began to fling them to her one by one.

But she shook her head and would not look at them. "I don't want 'em," she said. She sat silent for a while, and then she said, "Ivan, they want to kill thee," and she drew her hand across her throat.

"Who wants to kill me?"

"Father, the elders have bidden him do it. But I'm sorry for thee."

"If you are sorry for me," said Zhilin, "bring me a long pole."

She shook her head to signify that it was impossible. He put together his hands and besought her.

"Dina, I pray thee do it! Dear little Dina, bring it to me!"

"Impossible," said she, "they are all at home, you see!" and off she ran.

So Zhilin sat there all the evening and thought: "What will come of it, I wonder?" He kept looking up all the time. The stars were visible, but the moon had not yet risen. The mullah's shrill cry was heard—and then all was silent. Zhilin began to