The peasant's face, tanned by wind and sun, was bent
close to hers and his great blond beard tickled her neck. The young
woman was motionless; only the gradual and regular rise and fall of her
bosom showed her to be alive. Vassili's eyes wandered in turn from the
sea to this woman by his side. He told Malva how tired he was of living
alone and how painful were his sleepless nights filled with gloomy
thoughts. Then he kissed her again on the mouth with the same sound
that he might have made in chewing a hot piece of meat.
They stayed there three hours in this way, and finally, when he saw the
sun setting, Vassili said with a bored look:
"I must go and make some tea. Our guest will soon he awake."
Malva rose with the indolent gesture of a languorous cat, and with a
gesture of regret he started towards the cabin. Through her half-open
lids the young woman watched him as he moved away, and sighed as people
sigh when they have borne too heavy a burden.
* * * * *
Fifteen days later it was again Sunday and again Vassili Legostev,
stretched out on the sand near his hut, was gazing out to sea, waiting
for Malva.
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