The Mantle and Other Stories

call us good-for-nothing scapegraces. Better go to bed!" So Levko said one evening to his companions, who were trying to persuad

the silence he heard the sound of a whispered conversation. Levko stood still. Between the trees there

In vain he strained his eyes; the whole figure was hidden in shadow, and the slightest forward step on Levko's part would expose him to the risk

ll man in an undertone. "If I ever fi

d Levko to himself, stretching out his head and endeavouring to miss no

he had finished. "You are lying and deceivi

the stranger's voice were not quite unknown to him, and that he must have heard it somewhere or other.) "But Levko shall learn to know

ve stretched the stranger on the ground in spite of his strength. At that moment, however, a ray of light fell on the latter's face, and Le

pproaching footsteps. Hanna ran hastily in

had stolen up and embraced the headman, but star

t speedily executed a somersault in conse

a!" exclaimed several you

hands and feet. "What kind of Hanna do you take me for? Hang yourselves like your fathers did

the headman!" cried the youths,

! And I wonder and puzzle my head why he pretends to be deaf when I only touch on the matter! Wait, you old sinner, I will teach you to cajole other people's sweethearts. Hi! you fellows,

the village. "I always feel uncomfortable if I do not have a good fling, and play some practical jokes. I always feel as tho

t to bait the head

hea

carries on as though he were a duke. It is not only that he tr

true!" exclaimed all

ff than he? We are, thank God! fr

ted. "But when we go for the headm

n occurs to me. Go on! I will teach it you!" continued Levko, striking the

s. "Long live freedom! When one lets the reins go, one thinks of the good old time

women, aroused from their sleep, looked through the windows, crossed t