The Cossacks: A Tale of 1852

ots as a sign that the company was stationed in comfortable quarters, was in excellent spirits. He looked attentively but not benevolently at Eroshka, as at a wil

is mind to be very gentle. 'My master has sent me to g

ranging the kerchief on her head before a little T

yusha, jingling the coppers in his pocket. 'Be kin

the old woman ab

for them,' said Granny

e cask that's be

and a decanter and we

yus

nting to Maryanka, who was passing the window. The ol

ove me, darling? I'm a wag,' he added in a whisper to Olenin. The girl, not turning her head and swinging her arms regularly and vigorously,

houted Eroshka, winking, and he

ag!' he added. 'She's a reg

' said Olenin.

ck, a brave, who killed an abrek the other day. I'll find you a better one. I'll find you one that wi

such things,' replied O

ve her? Is that so in your parts? ... No, my dear fellow, it's not a sin, it's salvation! God made you and God made the girl too. He made it

smiled as he looked at her. He thought it very funny that she had only a smock on, close-fitting behind and tucked up in front, and still funnier that she wore a necklace of silver coins. He thought th

, you devil!' the girl suddenly shouted

nter with cool red win

yus

he said, pushing away the han

sha l

good-naturedly, irresolutely shuffling with h

gan to

! Are yo

idedly. 'We are so kind that wherever we have stayed our ho

stood l

master marrie

, because noble gentlemen can never ma

ffalo he is-and too young to marry! I

mself, knows him,' proudly explained Vanyusha. 'We are not like those other beggars in the line regiment, and our papa himself was a Senator. He had more than a thous

up,' said the girl

unced that 'La fille c'est tres joulie,'