Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/284

 behind it only joyful, living, touching recollections; and how terribly cold was this death, which was now so near. Better not think of it! The lamp went out. And the darkness, the two windows, bright with moonshine, the silence, the cradle's creak somehow reminded them that life was now past, and that it would never ^return. They slumbered, lost consciousness; then suddenly some one jostled their shoulders, or breathed into their cheeks — and there was no real sleep; through their heads crept thoughts of death; they turned round and forgot about death; but their heads were full of old, mean, tedious thoughts, thoughts of need, of forage, of the rise in the price of flour; and again they remembered that life had now passed by, and that it would never return.

“O Lord!” sighed the cook.

Some one tapped cautiously at the window. That must be Fekla. Olga rose, yawned, muttered a prayer, opened the inner door, then drew the bolt in the hall. But no one entered. A draught blew and the moon shone brightly. Through the open door, Olga saw the quiet and deserted street, and the moon itself, swimming high in the sky.

“Who's there?” she cried.

“I!” came a voice. “It's I.”

Near the door, pressing close to the wall, stood Fekla, naked as she was born. She shuddered from