One
can't feel dull in his company. The women are mad for him; all run
after him. Malva's the only one that keeps aloof. No, no sign of her!
What a cursed woman! Perhaps she's angry because I beat her."
Thus, thinking of his son, of Serejka, but more often of Malva, Vassili
paced up and down the sandy beach, turning every now and then to look
anxiously out to sea. But Malva did not come.
This is what had happened.
Iakov rose early, and on going down to the beach as usual to wash
himself, he saw Malva. She was seated on the bow of a large fishing
boat anchored in the surf and letting her bare feet hang, sat combing
her damp hair.
Iakov stopped to watch her.
"Have you had a bath?" he cried.
She turned to look at him, and glanced down at her feet: then,
continuing to comb herself, she replied:
"Yes, I took a bath. Why are you up so early?"
"Aren't you up early?"
"I am not an example for you. If you did all I do, you'd be in all
kinds of trouble."
"Why do you always wish to frighten me?" he asked.
"And you, why do you make eyes at me?"
Iakov had no recollection of having looked at her more than at the other
women on the fishing grounds, but now he said to her suddenly:
"Because you are so--appetizing.
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