Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/207

 “She died, he said, in prison. She poisoned her husband.”

Varvara lay down beside Sophia, thought, and said softly —

“I could murder my Aliosha without a qualm.”

“You talk nonsense, God be with you.”

When Sophia was almost asleep Varvara pressed against her and whispered in her ear —

“Let us murder Diudya and Aliosha!”

Sophia shuddered and said nothing at first. After a moment she opened her eyes and looked steadfastly at the sky.

“People would find out,” she said.

“Nobody'll find out. Diudya is old; his time, in any case, has come; and Aliosha, they'll say, killed himself with drink.”

Neither of the women slept. Both thought, silently.

“It's cold,” said Sophia, beginning to shudder. “I expect it will soon be light. Are you asleep?”

“No. . . . Pay no attention to what I said to you,” whispered Varvara. “I lose my temper with them, accursed, and sometimes don't myself know what I say. . . . Go to sleep!”

The two women were silent, and gradually calmed down and went to sleep.

Old Afanasievna awoke first of all. She called Sophia, and both went to the shed to milk the cows.