"Always do what I tell you and you'll be
happy. And you," he went on, turning to Malva--"when are you going to
marry me? Better be quick. I don't like to wait long."
"You are too ragged. Begin by sewing up your holes and then we'll see,"
replied Malva.
Serejka regarded his rents with a reproachful air and shook his head.
"Give me one of your skirts, that'll be better."
"Yes, I can," said Malva, laughing.
"I'm serious. You must have an old one you don't want."
"You'd do better to buy yourself a pair of trousers."
"I prefer to drink the money."
Serejka rose and, jingling his twenty kopeks, shuffled off, followed by
a strange smile from Malva.
When he was some distance away, Iakov said:
"In our village such a braggart would goon have been put in his place.
Here, every one seems afraid of him."
Malva looked at Iakov and replied, disdainfully:
"You don't know his worth."
"There's nothing to know. He's worth five kopeks a hundred."
She did not reply, but watched the play of the waves as they chased one
after the other, swaying the fishing boat. The mast inclined now to
right, now to left, and the bow rose and then fell suddenly, striking
the water with a loud splash.
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