Chapter 27 - Page 2

I'll take you.'
'Well, good-bye! Christ save you.'

Lukashka mounted his horse, and without calling on Maryanka, rode
caracoling down the street, where Nazarka was already awaiting
him.

'I say, shan't we call round?' asked Nazarka, winking in the
direction of Yamka's house.

'That's a good one!' said Lukashka. 'Here, take my horse to her
and if I don't come soon give him some hay. I shall reach the
company by the morning anyway.'

'Hasn't the cadet given you anything more?'

'I am thankful to have paid him back with a dagger--he was going
to ask for the horse,' said Lukashka, dismounting and handing over
the horse to Nazarka.

He darted into the yard past Olenin's very window, and came up to
the window of the cornet's hut. It was already quite dark.
Maryanka, wearing only her smock, was combing her hair preparing
for bed.

'It's I--' whispered the Cossack.

Maryanka's look was severely indifferent, but her face suddenly
brightened up when she heard her name. She opened the window and
leant out, frightened and joyous.

'What--what do you want?' she said.

'Open!' uttered Lukashka. 'Let me in for a minute. I am so sick of
waiting! It's awful!'

He took hold of her head through the window and kissed her.

'Really, do open!'

'Why do you talk nonsense? I've told you I won't! Have you come
for long?'

He did not answer but went on kissing her, and she did not ask
again.

'There, through the window one can't even hug you properly,' said
Lukashka.

'Maryanka dear!' came the voice of her mother, 'who is that with
you?'

Lukashka took off his cap, which might have been seen, and
crouched down by the window.

'Go, be quick!' whispered Maryanka.

'Lukashka called round,' she answered; 'he was asking for Daddy.'

'Well then send him here!'

'He's gone; said he was in a hurry.'

In fact, Lukashka, stooping, as with big strides he passed under
the windows, ran out through the yard and towards Yamka's house
unseen by anyone but Olenin. After drinking two bowls of chikhir
he and Nazarka rode away to the outpost. The night was warm, dark,
and calm. They rode in silence, only the footfall of their horses
was heard. Lukashka started a song about the Cossack, Mingal, but
stopped before he had finished the first verse, and after a pause,
turning to Nazarka, said:

'I say, she wouldn't let me in!'

'Oh?' rejoined Nazarka. 'I knew she wouldn't. D'you know what
Yamka told me? The cadet has begun going to their house. Daddy
Eroshka brags that he got a gun from the cadet for getting him
Maryanka.'

'He lies, the old devil!' said Lukashka, angrily.