The Cossacks: A Tale of 1852 Read online

  Chapter XXXII

  He stopped once or twice, listening to the ringing laughter of Maryankaand Ustenka who, having come together, were shouting something. Oleninspent the whole evening hunting in the forest and returned home at duskwithout having killed anything. When crossing the road he noticed heropen the door of the outhouse, and her blue smock showed through it. Hecalled to Vanyusha very loud so as to let her know that he was back,and then sat down in the porch in his usual place. His hosts nowreturned from the vineyard; they came out of the outhouse and intotheir hut, but did not ask of the latch and knocked. The floor hardlycreaked under the bare cautious footsteps which approached the door.The latch clicked, the door creaked, and he noticed a faint smell ofmarjoram and pumpkin, and Maryanka's whole figure appeared in thedoorway. He saw her only for an instant in the moonlight. She slammedthe door and, muttering something, ran lightly back again. Olenin beganrapping softly but nothing responded. He ran to the window andlistened. Suddenly he was startled by a shrill, squeaky man's voice.

  'Fine!' exclaimed a rather small young Cossack in a white cap, comingacross the yard close to Olenin. 'I saw ... fine!'

  Olenin recognized Nazarka, and was silent, not knowing what to do orsay.

  'Fine! I'll go and tell them at the office, and I'll tell her father!That's a fine cornet's daughter! One's not enough for her.'

  'What do you want of me, what are you after?' uttered Olenin.

  'Nothing; only I'll tell them at the office.'

  Nazarka spoke very loud, and evidently did so intentionally, adding:'Just see what a clever cadet!'

  Olenin trembled and grew pale.

  'Come here, here!' He seized the Cossack firmly by the arm and drew himtowards his hut.

  'Nothing happened, she did not let me in, and I too mean no harm. Sheis an honest girl--'

  'Eh, discuss--'

  'Yes, but all the same I'll give you something now. Wait a bit!'

  Nazarka said nothing. Olenin ran into his hut and brought out tenrubles, which he gave to the Cossack.

  'Nothing happened, but still I was to blame, so I give this!--Only forGod's sake don't let anyone know, for nothing happened...'

  'I wish you joy,' said Nazarka laughing, and went away.

  Nazarka had come to the village that night at Lukashka's bidding tofind a place to hide a stolen horse, and now, passing by on his wayhome, had heard the sound of footsteps. When he returned next morningto his company he bragged to his chum, and told him how cleverly he hadgot ten rubles. Next morning Olenin met his hosts and they knew nothingabout the events of the night. He did not speak to Maryanka, and sheonly laughed a little when she looked at him. Next night he also passedwithout sleep, vainly wandering about the yard. The day after hepurposely spent shooting, and in the evening he went to see Beletski toescape from his own thoughts. He was afraid of himself, and promisedhimself not to go to his hosts' hut any more.

  That night he was roused by the sergeant-major. His company was orderedto start at once on a raid. Olenin was glad this had happened, andthought he would not again return to the village.

  The raid lasted four days. The commander, who was a relative ofOlenin's, wished to see him and offered to let him remain with thestaff, but this Olenin declined. He found that he could not live awayfrom the village, and asked to be allowed to return to it. For havingtaken part in the raid he received a soldier's cross, which he hadformerly greatly desired. Now he was quite indifferent about it, andeven more indifferent about his promotion, the order for which hadstill not arrived. Accompanied by Vanyusha he rode back to the cordonwithout any accident several hours in advance of the rest of thecompany. He spent the whole evening in his porch watching Maryanka, andhe again walked about the yard, without aim or thought, all night.