Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/227

 books, thought, and reasoned it out. And my face grew radiant with a smile of victory. On the one hand, it was profitable to possess another's secret; on the other, it was flattering that persons in authority, like Sasha and Zinotchka, had been detected in ignorance of the social proprieties. Now they had fallen into my power; and their peace henceforth depended only on my generosity. They would know that soon!

“When bedtime came, Zinotchka as usual came to the nursery to make sure that I had said my prayers and had not got into bed in my clothes. I looked at her pretty, radiant face, and grinned. The secret rent me asunder, and demanded an outlet. I began with hints, and revelled in the eflect.

“‘Aha, I know!’ I began. ‘Aha!’

“‘What do you know?’

“‘Aha ! I saw you kissing Sasha behind the willows. I went after you, and watched!’

“Zinotchka started and turned a fiery red. Struck dumb by my words, she dropped into a chair on which were a glass of water and a candlestick.

“‘I saw you and Sasha. . . kissing. . .’ I repeated, hopping, and enjoying her confusion. ‘Aha! Wait till I tell mother.’

“At first Zinotchka looked at me earnestly and in terror. Then, convinced that I really did know everything, she seized my hand despairingly, and whispered tremulously —