Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/62

Rh copeks to buy these shoes, where shall I find money to purchase boots?"

"And why dost thou not marry, Vania?"

"Who would give me his daughter?"

"I, if thou wilt! Kiss me on the mouth."

And they came to an understanding.

At the rich man's house there was no lack of beer and brandy. The girl and the lad were wed forthwith, high feast was held, and then the best man conducted the young people to their sleeping chamber and put them to bed. One knows the sequel. Ivan pierced the young girl till she bled and there was a road by which he might travel.

"What a blockhead, what a fool I have been!" thought Dounnuka. "What have I done? How much better had I taken one richly-endowed! But where hath he found this yard? I will question him."

And she questioned him, saying:

"Hearken, Ivanouchka. Where hast got this yard?"

"I have hired it from mine uncle for one night."

"Ah! my little dove! Beg it of him for yet another night."

A second night passed and she said to him again:

"Little dove! Beg of thine uncle if he will not sell thee the yard outright. But bargain well."

"Good. One can always bargain."

He went to the house of his grandsire, came to an understanding with him, and returned to his home.