the witch and other stories-第15章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


took　up　my　thought。　〃What　are　you　sprawling　here　for？　You
shameless　hussy！〃

Agafya　started；　took　her　head　from　his　knees；　glanced　at　me；　and
sank　down　beside　him　again。

〃You　ought　to　have　gone　long　ago；〃　I　said。

Agafya　turned　round　and　got　up　on　one　knee。　。　。　。　She　was
unhappy。　。　。　。　For　half　a　minute　her　whole　figure；　as　far　as　I
could　distinguish　it　through　the　darkness；　expressed　conflict　and
hesitation。　There　was　an　instant　when；　seeming　to　come　to
herself；　she　drew　herself　up　to　get　upon　her　feet；　but　then　some
invincible　and　implacable　force　seemed　to　push　her　whole　body；
and　she　sank　down　beside　Savka　again。

〃Bother　him！〃　she　said；　with　a　wild；　guttural　laugh；　and　reckless
determination；　impotence；　and　pain　could　be　heard　in　that　laugh。

I　strolled　quietly　away　to　the　copse；　and　from　there　down　to　the
river；　where　our　fishing　lines　were　set。　The　river　slept。　Some
soft；　fluffy…petalled　flower　on　a　tall　stalk　touched　my　cheek
tenderly　like　a　child　who　wants　to　let　one　know　it's　awake。　To
pass　the　time　I　felt　for　one　of　the　lines　and　pulled　at　it。　It
yielded　e　asily　and　hung　limply　　nothing　had　been　caught。　。　。　。
The　further　bank　and　the　village　could　not　be　seen。　A　light
gleamed　in　one　hut；　but　soon　went　out。　I　felt　my　way　along　the
bank；　found　a　hollow　place　which　I　had　noticed　in　the　daylight；
and　sat　down　in　it　as　in　an　arm…chair。　I　sat　there　a　long　time。　。
。　。　I　saw　the　stars　begin　to　grow　misty　and　lose　their
brightness；　a　cool　breath　passed　over　the　earth　like　a　faint　sigh
and　touched　the　leaves　of　the　slumbering　osiers。　。　。　。

〃A…ga…fya！〃　a　hollow　voice　called　from　the　village。　〃Agafya！〃

It　was　the　husband；　who　had　returned　home；　and　in　alarm　was
looking　for　his　wife　in　the　village。　At　that　moment　there　came
the　sound　of　unrestrained　laughter：　the　wife；　forgetful　of
everything；　sought　in　her　intoxication　to　make　up　by　a　few　hours
of　happiness　for　the　misery　awaiting　her　next　day。

I　dropped　asleep。

When　I　woke　up　Savka　was　sitting　beside　me　and　lightly　shaking　my
shoulder。　The　river；　the　copse；　both　banks；　green　and　washed；
trees　and　fields　　all　were　bathed　in　bright　morning　light。
Through　the　slim　trunks　of　the　trees　the　rays　of　the　newly　risen
sun　beat　upon　my　back。

〃So　that's　how　you　catch　fish？〃　laughed　Savka。　〃Get　up！〃

I　got　up；　gave　a　luxurious　stretch；　and　began　greedily　drinking
in　the　damp　and　fragrant　air。

〃Has　Agasha　gone？〃　I　asked。

〃There　she　is；〃　said　Savka；　pointing　in　the　direction　of　the
ford。

I　glanced　and　saw　Agafya。　Dishevelled；　with　her　kerchief　dropping
off　her　head；　she　was　crossing　the　river；　holding　up　her　skirt。
Her　legs　were　scarcely　moving。　。　。　。

〃The　cat　knows　whose　meat　it　has　eaten；〃　muttered　Savka；　screwing
up　his　eyes　as　he　looked　at　her。　〃She　goes　with　her　tail　hanging
down。　。　。　。　They　are　sly　as　cats；　these　women；　and　timid　as
hares。　。　。　。　She　didn't　go；　silly　thing；　in　the　evening　when　we
told　her　to！　Now　she　will　catch　it；　and　they'll　flog　me　again　at
the　peasant　court　。　。　。　all　on　account　of　the　women。　。　。　。〃

Agafya　stepped　upon　the　bank　and　went　across　the　fields　to　the
village。　At　first　she　walked　fairly　boldly；　but　soon　terror　and
excitement　got　the　upper　hand；　she　turned　round　fearfully；
stopped　and　took　breath。

〃Yes；　you　are　frightened！〃　Savka　laughed　mournfully；　looking　at
the　bright　green　streak　left　by　Agafya　in　the　dewy　grass。　〃She
doesn't　want　to　go！　Her　husband's　been　standing　waiting　for　her
for　a　good　hour。　。　。　。　Did　you　see　him？〃

Savka　said　the　last　words　with　a　smile；　but　they　sent　a　chill　to
my　heart。　In　the　village；　near　the　furthest　hut；　Yakov　was
standing　in　the　road；　gazing　fixedly　at　his　returning　wife。　He
stood　without　stirring；　and　was　as　motionless　as　a　post。　What　was
he　thinking　as　he　looked　at　her？　What　words　was　he　preparing　to
greet　her　with？　Agafya　stood　still　a　little　while；　looked　round
once　more　as　though　expecting　help　from　us；　and　went　on。　I　have
never　seen　anyone；　drunk　or　sober；　move　as　she　did。　Agafya　seemed
to　be　shrivelled　up　by　her　husband's　eyes。　At　one　time　she　moved
in　zigzags；　then　she　moved　her　feet　up　and　down　without　going
forward；　bending　her　knees　and　stretching　out　her　hands；　then　she
staggered　back。　When　she　had　gone　another　hundred　paces　she
looked　round　once　more　and　sat　down。

〃You　ought　at　least　to　hide　behind　a　bush　。　。　。〃　I　said　to　Savka。
〃If　the　husband　sees　you　。　。　。〃

〃He　knows；　anyway；　who　it　is　Agafya　has　come　from。　。　。　。　The
women　don't　go　to　the　kitchen　garden　at　night　for　cabbages　　we
all　know　that。〃

I　glanced　at　Savka's　face。　It　was　pale　and　puckered　up　with　a
look　of　fastidious　pity　such　as　one　sees　in　the　faces　of　people
watching　tortured　animals。

〃What's　fun　for　the　cat　is　tears　for　the　mouse。　。　。〃　he　muttered。

Agafya　suddenly　jumped　up；　shook　her　head；　and　with　a　bold　step
went　towards　her　husband。　She　had　evidently　plucked　up　her
courage　and　made　up　her　mind。


AT　CHRISTMAS　TIME

I

〃WHAT　shall　I　write？〃　said　Yegor；　and　he　dipped　his　pen　in　the
ink。

Vasilisa　had　not　seen　her　daughter　for　four　years。　Her　daughter
Yefimya　had　gone　after　her　wedding　to　Petersburg；　had　sent　them
two　letters；　and　since　then　seemed　to　vanish　out　of　their　lives；
there　had　been　no　sight　nor　sound　of　her。　And　whether　the　old
woman　were　milking　her　cow　at　dawn；　or　heating　her　stove；　or
dozing　at　night；　she　was　always　thinking　of　one　and　the　same
thing　　what　was　happening　to　Yefimya；　whether　she　were　alive
out　yonder。　She　ought　to　have　sent　a　letter；　but　the　old　father
could　not　write；　and　there　was　no　one　to　write。

But　now　Christmas　had　come；　and　Vasilisa　could　not　bear　it　any
longer；　and　went　to　the　tavern　to　Yegor；　the　brother　of　the
innkeeper's　wife；　who　had　sat　in　the　tavern　doing　nothing　ever
since　he　came　back　from　the　army；　people　said　that　he　could　write
letters　very　well　if　he　were　properly　paid。　Vasilisa　talked　to
the　cook　at　the　tavern；　then　to　the　mistress　of　the　house；　then
to　Yegor　himself。　They　agreed　upon　fifteen　kopecks。

And　now　　it　happened　on　the　second　day　of　the　holidays；　in　the
tavern　kitchen　　Yegor　was　sitting　at　the　table；　holding　the　pen
in　his　hand。　Vasilisa　was　standing　before　him；　pondering　with　an
expression　of　anxiety　and　woe　on　her　face。　Pyotr；　her　husband；　a
very　thin　old　man　with　a　brownish　bald　patch；　had　come　with　her；
he　stood　looking　straight　before　him　like　a　blind　man。　On　the
stove　a　piece　of　pork　was　being　braised　in　a　saucepan；　it　was
spurting　and　hissing；　and　seemed　to　be　actually　saying：
〃Flu…flu…flu。〃　It　was　stifling。

〃What　am　I　to　write？〃　Yegor　asked　again。

〃What？〃　asked　Vasilisa；　looking　at　him　angrily　and　suspiciously。
〃Don't　worry　me！　You　are　not　writing　for　nothing；　no　fear；　you'll
be　paid　for　it。　Come；　write：　'To　our　dear　son…in…law；　Andrey
Hrisanfitch；　and　to　our　only　beloved　daughter；　Yefimya　Petrovna；
with　our　love　we　send　a　low　bow　and　our　parental　blessing　abiding
for　ever。'　〃

〃Written；　fire　away。〃

〃　'And　we　wish　them　a　happy　Christmas；　we　are　alive　and　well；　and
I　wish　you　the　same；　please　the　Lord　。　。　。　the　Heavenly　King。'　〃

Vasilisa　pondered　and　exchanged　glances　with　the　old　man。

〃　'And　I　wish　you　the　same；　please　the　Lord　the　Heavenly　King；'　〃
she　repeated；　beginning　to　cry。

She　could　say　nothing　more。　And　yet　before；　when　she　lay　awake
thinking　at　night；　it　had　seemed　to　her　that　she　could　not　get
all　she　had　to　say　into　a　dozen　letters。　Since　the　time　when　her
daughter　had　gone　away　with　her　husband　much　water　had　flowed
into　the　sea；　the　old　people　had　lived　feeling　bereaved；　and
sighed　heavily　at　night　as　though　they　had　buried　their　daughter。
And　how　many　events　had　occurred　in　the　village　since　then；　how
many　marriages　and　deaths！　How　long　the　winters　had　been！　How
long　the　nights！

〃It's　hot；〃　said　Yegor；　unbuttoning　his　waistcoat。　〃It　must　be
seventy　degrees。　What　more？〃　he　asked。

The　old　people　were　silent。

〃What　does　your　son…in…law　do　in　Petersburg？〃　asked　Yegor。

〃He　was　a　soldier；　my　good　friend；〃　the　old　man　answered　in　a
weak　voice。　〃　He　left　the　service　at　the　same　time　as　you　did。　He
was　a　soldier；　and　now；　to　be　sure；　he　is　at　Petersburg　at　a
hydropathic　establishment。　The　doctor　treats　the　sick　with　water。
So　he；　to　be　sure；　is　house…porter　at　the　doctor's。〃

〃Here　it　is　written　down；〃　said　the　old　woman；　taking　a　letter
out　of　her　pocket。　〃We　got　it　from　Yefimya；　goodness　knows　when。
Maybe　they　are　no　longer　in　this　world。〃

Yegor　thought　a　little　and　began　writing　rapidly：

〃At　the　present　time〃　he　wrote　　〃since　your　destiny　through
your　own　doing　allotted　you　to　the　Military　Career；　we　counsel
you　to　look　into　the　Code　of　Disciplinary　Offences　and
Fundamental　Laws　of　the　War　Office；　and　you　will　see　in　that　law
the　Civilization　of　the　Officials　of　the　War　Office。〃

He　wrote　and　kept　reading　aloud　what　was　written；　while　Vasilisa
considered　what　she　ought　to　write：　how　great　had　been　their　want
the　year　before；　how　their　corn　had　not　lasted　even　till
Christmas；　how　they　had　to　sell　their　cow。　She　ought　to　ask　for
money；　ought　to　write　that　the　old　father　was　often　ailing　and
would　soon　no　doubt　give　up　his　soul　to　God　。　。　。　but　how　to
express　this　in　words？　What　must　be　said　first　and　what
afterwards？

〃Take　note；〃　Yegor　went　on　writing；　〃in　volume　five　of　the　Army
Regulations　soldier
　is　a　common　noun　and　a　proper　one；　a　soldier　of　the　first　rank
is　called　a　general；　and　of　the　last　a　private。　。　。　。〃

The　old　man　stirred　his　lips　and　said　softly：

〃It　would　be　all　right　to　have　a　look　at　the　grandchildren。〃

〃What　grandchildren？〃　asked　the　old　woman；　and　she　looked　angrily
at　him；　〃perhaps　there　are　none。〃

〃Well；　but　perhaps　there　are。　Who　knows？〃

〃And　thereby　you　can　judge；〃　Yegor　hurried　on；　〃what　is　the　enemy
without　and　what　is　the　enemy　within。　The　foremost　of　our　enemies
within　is　Bacchus。〃　The　pen　squeaked；　executing　upon　the　paper
flourishes　like　fish…hooks。　Yegor　hastened　and　read　over　every
line　several　times。　He　sat　on　a　stool　sprawling　his　broad　feet
under　the　table；　well…fed；　bursting　with　health；　with　a　coarse
animal　face　and　a　red　bull　neck。　He　was　vulgarity　itself：　coarse；
conceited；　invincible；　proud　of　having　been　born　and　bred　in　a
pot…house；　and　Vasilisa　quite　understood　the　vulgarity；　but　could
not　express　it　in　words；　and　could　only　look　angrily　and
suspiciously　at　Yegor。　Her　head　was　beginning　to　ache；　and　her
thoughts　were　in　confusion　from　the　sound　of　his　voice　and　his
unintelligible　words；　from　the　heat　and　the　stuffiness；　and　she
said　nothing　and　thought　nothing；　but　simply　waited　for　him　to
finish　scribbling。　But　the　old　man　looked　with　full　confidence。
He　believed　in　his　old　woman　who　had　brought　him　there；　and　in
Yegor；　and　when　he　had　mentioned　the　hydropathic　establishment　it
could　be　seen　that　he　believed　in　the　establishment　and　the
healing　efficacy　of　water。

Having　finished　the　letter；　Yegor　got　up　and　read　the　whole　of　it
through　from　the　beginning。　The　old　man　did　not　understand；　but
he　nodded　his　head　trustfully。

〃That's　all　right；　it　is　smooth　。　。　。〃　he　said。　〃God　give　you
health。　That's　all　right。　。　。　。〃

They　laid　on　the　table　three　five…kopeck　pieces　an