Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/220

Tales from Tolstoi Elisyei grew weary; he wanted to rest and have a drink, but Tarasuich didn't stop. Tarasuich was a stronger walker, and it became a little difficult for Elisyei to keep up with him.

"Shall we have a drink, eh?" he asked.

"Drink if you like, but I don't want any."

Elisyei stopped.

"Don't wait," said he. "I'll just skip into that hut and have a mouthful. I'll catch you up in a twinkling."

"All right," said the other, and so Efim went on. Tarasuich continued his way alone, but Elisyei turned into the hut.

The hut was small, and painted black below and white above, but the coat of paint was already peeling off—'twas plain it had not had a fresh coat of paint for a long time, and part of the roof was open to the sky. The way into the hut was by way of a courtyard. Elysei went through this courtyard, and saw lying in the trench a haggard-looking, beardless man, with his shirt inside his hose, after the manner of the khokli. The man was plainly lying there for the sake of coolness, yet the sun was shining right upon him. There he lay, but he was not asleep. Elisyei called to him and asked for a drink; the man did not answer. Is it sickness or rudeness? thought Elisyei, and he approached the door. He heard in the hut the voices of two children crying. Elisyei knocked with the door-ring—"Master!" But there was no answer.

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