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"Why are you so sharp, Aleksei?" she asked. "You don't like it, comrade?" he asked in return. "No, I don't like it," said Elisaveta in simple, unmistakable tones. Stchemilov did not reply at once. He grew thoughtful, then said: "The abyss that separates us from your cousin is too broad. And even between us and your father. It is hard to come together with them.
The boat touched the landing, and Stchemilov sprang out gracefully. Piotr remarked derisively as he bowed with exaggerated politeness: "My homage to the proletariat of all lands." Stchemilov answered quietly: "My most humble respects to the gentleman student." He exchanged greetings with all; then, turning with special deference towards Elisaveta, said: "I've rowed back your property.
To-night we are to hold our mass meeting." "Is it really to-night?" asked Elisaveta. She grew cold from agitation and confusion as she recalled that she had promised to speak that evening. "Yes, to-night," said Stchemilov; "I hope you haven't changed your mind. You will speak, eh?" "I thought it was to be to-morrow," she replied. "Just wait a moment. I'll get a small bundle of clothes.
As he stood here, with his naked legs in the water, he became gentle and calm. Elena soon came there also. She stood silently on the bank and looked at the water. For some reason she felt sad and wanted to cry. The water glided past her tranquilly, almost noiselessly. Its surface was smooth and thus it ran on. Elisaveta looked at Stchemilov with mild displeasure.
Elisaveta said: "Misha, let's see who can throw the better. Let's try for pennies." They began to play. Misha was losing. At the turn of the river, from the direction of the town, a rowing-boat appeared. Piotr looked searchingly into the distance, and said in a vexed voice: "Mr. Stchemilov, our intelligent workman, the Social Democrat of the Russia Party, is again about to honour us."
Others began to come in: there was the school-instructor Bodeyev, instructor Voronok of the town school, and the imported orator, who came accompanied by Alkina. Elisaveta was attired by now in a simple dark blue dress. "It's time to start," said Stchemilov. Once seated in the rowing-boat, the members of the party became silent and slightly nervous.
Elisaveta began to put things in order and to clean and to scrub. She moved about with agile grace. Stchemilov admired her graceful limbs; it was fascinating to watch the play of the muscles under the brown skin of her calves. He exclaimed in a clear, almost ecstatic voice: "How graceful you are, Elisaveta! Like a statue! I never saw such arms and legs." "I feel embarrassed, comrade Aleksei.
"I've skipped," answered Stchemilov calmly. "I'm leading an illegal life now." Piotr soon left. "To-day?" asked Stchemilov. "Here?" "Yes, we'll meet here to-day," replied Trirodov. "He hasn't left yet, and there are several matters and reports to attend to. It is necessary to arrange a meeting and to let various people know about it." "You have a convenient house here," said Stchemilov.
She herself did not know how these words came to be spoken. Love another! So unexpectedly the secret of her heart revealed itself in superficial words. But did he love her, that other one? They were both flustered. Stchemilov strove heroically to control his agitation. As he looked with his confused eyes into her clear blue ones he said: "Forgive me, Elisaveta, and forget what I have said.
A good characteristic specimen of a kham is your Stchemilov, with whom, Elisaveta, you sympathize so strongly. He's a familiar young fellow, a handsome flunkey." This type has come very much into vogue since Gorky has put him into his stories. Piotr fixed his eyes on Elisaveta. She replied calmly: "I think you very unjust to him. He is a good man." Every one was glad when dinner was ended.
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