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'But I don't know how to do the work, replied Olenin, trying not to look through the green branches under the wagon where he had now noticed Maryanka's blue smock and red kerchief. 'Come, I'll give you some peaches, said the old woman. 'It's only according to the ancient Cossack hospitality. It's her old woman's silliness, said the cornet, explaining and apparently correcting his wife's words.
'Yes, it's all right for them as they have two huts, replied an old woman on Maryanka's behalf, 'but at Fomushkin's now they also have one of the chiefs quartered on them and they say one whole corner is packed full with his things, and the family have no room left. Was such a thing ever heard of as that they should turn a whole horde loose in the village? she said.
Olenin involuntarily noticed how Maryanka's sunburnt but small hand closed on two round peppermint nuts and one brown one, and that she did not know what to do with them. The conversation was halting and constrained, in spite of Ustenka's and Beletski's free and easy manner and their wish to enliven the company.
Maryanka, wearing only her smock, was combing her hair preparing for bed. 'It's I whispered the Cossack. Maryanka's look was severely indifferent, but her face suddenly brightened up when she heard her name. She opened the window and leant out, frightened and joyous. 'What what do you want? she said. 'Open! uttered Lukashka. 'Let me in for a minute. I am so sick of waiting! It's awful!
It is not my fault that I love. It has come about against my will. I tried to escape from my love by self-renunciation, and tried to devise a joy in the Cossack Lukashka's and Maryanka's love, but thereby only stirred up my own love and jealousy.
Stooping down towards Maryanka, he said, 'I'll kiss, oh, how I'll kiss you! ... Maryanka's eyes met his and she suddenly blushed and stepped back. 'Oh, bother you! you'll crush my feet, she said, and bending her head looked at her well-shaped feet in their tightly fitting light blue stockings with clocks and her new red slippers trimmed with narrow silver braid.
The sun had already sunk behind the fence of the vineyards, and its broken rays glittered through the translucent leaves when Olenin returned to his host's vineyard. The wind was falling and a cool freshness was beginning to spread around. By some instinct Olenin recognized from afar Maryanka's blue smock among the rows of vine, and, picking grapes on his way, he approached her.
'And why keep waiting and waiting? Don't I love you, darling? You can do what you like with me, said he suddenly, frowning angrily and seizing both her hands. The calm expression of Maryanka's face and voice did not change. 'Don't bluster, Lukashka, but listen to me, she answered, not pulling away her hands but holding the Cossack at arm's length. 'It's true I am a girl, but you listen to me!
The latch clicked, the door creaked, and he noticed a faint smell of marjoram and pumpkin, and Maryanka's whole figure appeared in the doorway. He saw her only for an instant in the moonlight. She slammed the door and, muttering something, ran lightly back again. Olenin began rapping softly but nothing responded. He ran to the window and listened.
'No really ... what I wanted to say to you, ... whispered Lukashka. 'By the Heavens! Do come! Maryanka shook her head, but did so with a smile. 'Nursey Maryanka! Hallo Nursey! Mammy is calling! Supper time! shouted Maryanka's little brother, running towards the group. 'I'm coming, replied the girl. 'Go, my dear, go alone I'll come in a minute. Lukashka rose and raised his cap.
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