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Updated: May 16, 2025
The day following the quarrel, Iakov went off with a party to fish thirty miles out at sea. He returned alone five days later for provisions. It was midday when he arrived, and everyone was resting after dinner. It was unbearably hot. The sand burned his feet and the shells and fish bones pricked them. As Iakov carefully picked his way along the beach he regretted he had no boots on.
Only Vassili, who the last time awaited her coming with peaceful security, was now filled with impatience. Last Sunday she had not come; to-day she would surely come. He did not doubt it for a moment, but he wanted to see her as soon as possible. Iakov, at least, would not be there to embarrass them.
She is getting old. Tell him that, Iakov, my little Iakov, for the love of God. Mother will soon be an old woman. She's always alone, always at work. In Christ's name, tell him that." And she had wept silently, hiding her face in her apron. Iakov had not pitied her then, but he did now. And his face took on a hard expression before Malva, as if he were about to abuse her.
The kettle, Serejka, is buried in the sand near the bow of the green boat." "What does he want with the kettle?" asked Iakov. "He has taken my place yonder on the headland," explained Vassili. Iakov looked enviously at Serejka, then at Malva. "Farewell, all! I'm going." Vassili waved his hand to them and moved away. Malva followed him. "I'll accompany you a bit of the road."
You'll get your pay Saturday and trot home to the village do you understand?" "I won't go," said Iakov, firmly. "What!" cried Vassili, and leaning his two hands on the edge of the table he rose to his feet. "Have I spoken, yes or no? You dog, barking at your father! Do you forget that I can do what I please with you?"
Then intimidated by the silence, he said aloud: "I forgot my bag in the boat. I'll go and get it." Iakov rose leisurely and went out. Vassili appeared a moment later. He bent down towards Malva and said rapidly with anger: "What did you want to bring him for? What shall I tell him about you?" "What's that to me? Am I afraid of him? Or of you?" she asked, closing her green eyes with disdain.
"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. Beat him, do you hear?
"You'll find work," replied Malva with assurance, examining him critically with her green eyes. He paid no attention to her, and with his sleeve wiped away the perspiration that covered his face. She suddenly began to laugh. "Your mother probably sent messages for your father by you?" Iakov gave a shrug of ill humor and replied: "Of course. What if she did?" "Oh, nothing."
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.
Iakov did not want to give twenty kopeks, but they had warned him to be on his guard when dealing with Serejka, and to put up with his whims. The tramp never demanded much, but if he was refused he spread evil tales about you or else he would beat you. So Iakov, sighing, put his hand in his pocket.
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