"Why didn't you come Sunday?" said Vassili, as the two men went back to
the cabin.
"I couldn't."
"You were drunk?"
"No, I was watching your son and his step-mother," said Serejka,
phlegmatically.
"A new worry on your shoulders," said Vassili, sarcastically and with a
forced smile. "They are only children." He was tempted to learn where
and how Serejka had seen Malva and Iakov the day before, but he was
ashamed.
"Why don't you ask news of Malva?" asked Serejka, as he gulped down a
glass of brandy.
"What do I care what she does?" replied Vassili, with indifference,
although he trembled with a secret presentiment.
"As she didn't come Sunday, you should ask what she was doing. I know
you are jealous, you old dog!"
"Oh, there are many like her," said Vassili, carelessly.
"Are there?" said Serejka, imitating him. "Ah, you peasants, you're all
alike. As long as you gather your honey, it's all one to you."
"What's she to you?" broke in Vassili with irritation. "Have you come
to ask her hand in marriage?"
"I know she's yours," said Serejka. "Have I ever bothered you? But now
Iakov, your son, is all the time dancing around her, it's different.
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