Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/156

146 of his grandchildren pattered around him; he heard their merry shouts, their ringing laughter at their play. He felt tempted to call them; he almost believed that if he called they would come to him. At last he heard the footstep that he loved best—so plain, so near, that he thought he must be dreaming. How strangely fancy must be cheating him! Surely that was Feodor—his Feodor—trying in jest, as he was wont to do, to steal upon him unawares and surprise him. Surely, as in the old happy days, the boy had slipped off his lapti, and was stepping softly and noiselessly upon the rugs that strewed the floor. Surely he was close to him now—his breath was touching his very cheek. All unconsciously the name escaped his lips, and he called aloud, "Feodor!"

"Dädushka," the voice he loved seemed to answer.

"O God!" sobbed the old man, for the first time completely unnerved, "leave me my senses. Do not let me lose myself in vain delirious dreams. Grant that I may give up my soul to thee in peace."

"Dädushka, do not be afraid. It is I—it is your little Feodor." And now he knew it was no dream, for Feodor's arms were around him, Feodor's face was buried in his breast.

"Did you think I could leave you, dädushka? Did you think I could really go away with the others? Of course I pretended to go; but I watched my opportunity, slipped off, and came back to you as soon as I dared. I have been hiding ever since."

"My child, my child, I must send you from me."

"Dädushka, you must not, for I cannot go. Listen—I have sworn upon bended knees before the picture of my saint that where you die there will I die also."

"My boy, I cannot have it—the old have so little life to give, the young so much!"

"Dädushka, I will not live after you; for am I not yours altogether? My mother is dead, and my father too. You