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Olenin could only see a knee, and one of her shapely legs hanging down from the oven. He treated the old woman to tea. She treated her guest to clotted cream which she sent Maryanka to fetch. But having put a plateful on the table Maryanka again sprang on the oven from whence Olenin felt her eyes upon him. They talked about household matters.
The triple contrast in the book is powerfully shown: first, the contrast between the majesty of the mountains and the pettiness of man; second, the contrast between the noble simplicity of the Cossack women and the artificiality of the padded shapes of society females; third, the contrast between the two ways of life, that which Olenin recognises as right, the Christian law of self-denial, but which he does not follow, and the almost sublime pagan bodily joy of old Uncle Yeroshka, who lives in exact harmony with his creed.
I am all alone, she cried, thrusting her round, naive little face through the vines. Olenin did not answer nor move from his place. Maryanka went on cutting and continually looked up at Olenin. He was about to say something, but stopped, shrugged his shoulders and, having jerked up his gun, walked out of the vineyard with rapid strides.
'Wait a bit, said he and reached out of the window. 'Khm, he coughed, and bellowed, 'Maryanka dear. Hallo, Maryanka, my girlie, won't you love me, darling? I'm a wag, he added in a whisper to Olenin.
If yours cured people, Cossacks and Chechens would go to you for treatment, but as it is your officers and colonels send to the mountains for doctors. Yours are all humbugs, all humbugs. Olenin did not answer. He agreed only too fully that all was humbug in the world in which he had lived and to which he was now returning. 'How is Lukashka? You've been to see him? he asked.
They are worse than Tartars, I do declare though they consider themselves Christians! A Tartar is bad enough, but all the same he is more noble. Gone to the KRIGA indeed! What this KRIGA they have invented is, I don't know! concluded Vanyusha, and turned aside. 'It's not as it is in the serfs' quarters at home, eh? chaffed Olenin without dismounting.
Olenin felt angry with Beletski and with himself, yet against his wish he introduced French phrases into his own conversation, was interested in the Commander-in-Chief and in their Moscow acquaintances, and because in this Cossack village he and Beletski both spoke French, he spoke contemptuously of their fellow officers and of the Cossacks, and was friendly with Beletski, promising to visit him and inviting him to drop in to see him.
Olenin was surprised by the boys' behavior towards the old hunter, but was still more struck by the expressive, intelligent face and the powerful build of the man whom they called Daddy Eroshka. 'Here Daddy, here Cossack! he called. 'Come here! The old man looked into the window and stopped. 'Good evening, good man, he said, lifting his little cap off his cropped head.
'Why should I! answered Maryanka. Both the girls started running. Olenin went on by himself thinking over all that had happened. He had spent the whole evening alone with her in a corner by the oven. Ustenka had not left the hut for a single moment, but had romped about with the other girls and with Beletski all the time. Olenin had talked in whispers to Maryanka.
'And Maryanka too? Olenin stooped towards Maryanka. 'You'll come? Please do, if only for a minute. I must speak to you. 'If the other girls come, I will. 'Will you answer my question? said he, bending towards her. 'You are in good spirits to-day. She had already moved past him. He went after her. 'Will you answer? 'Answer what?
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