Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/61

Rh "Behold! the good God hath sent me a fiancée after my liking!"

She returned to her house, sat down in a secluded corner, and fell to pouting. Presently all the family seated themselves at table, calling on her to come, but she replied in anger:

"I will not!"

"Come, Douniouchka," said the mother. "What art thinking of? Tell me."

The father intervened.

"Why dost pout? Perchance thou dost desire to wed? Thou wouldst wed with this one and not with that?"

The young girl had but one idea in her head: to wed Ivan the No-Yard.

"I will wed," she replied, "neither this one nor that. An it please ye or not, I will wed Ivan."

"What sayest thou, little fool? Art enraged, or hast lost thy reason? Thou wouldst share thy life with him?"

"He is my destiny. Seek not to marry me to another, else I will drown or strangle myself."

Hitherto the old father had not honoured the poverty-stricken Ivan with so much as a look, but now he went himself to the lad to make him release his daughter. He approached. Ivan was seated, repairing an old hempen shoe.

"Good day, Ivanouchka."

"Good day, old man."

"What dost thou?"

"I seek to mend my hempen shoes."

"Shoes? Thou hast need of new boots."

"Since I have with difficulty amassed fifteen