His black mustache twitched uneasily, and
his upper lip turned up nervously, showing the gleaming white enamel
of his clenched teeth. A keen joy beat and sang in her heart like
a bird, her eyebrows quivered, and continuing deftly to serve her
customers she muttered to herself:
"There's more! There's more!"
Through the whole day she felt a sensation of delightful newness
which embraced her heart as with a fondling caress. And in the
evening, when she had concluded her work at Marya's house, and was
drinking tea, the splash of horses' hoofs in the mud was heard,
and the call of a familiar voice. She jumped up, hurried into the
kitchen, and made straight for the door. Somebody walked quickly
through the porch; her eyes grew dim, and leaning against the
doorpost, she pushed the door open with her foot.
"Good evening, mother!" a familiar, melodious voice rang out, and a
pair of dry, long hands were laid on her shoulders.
The joy of seeing Andrey was mingled in her bosom with the sadness
of disappointment; and the two contrary feelings blended into one
burning sensation which embraced her like a hot wave. She buried
her face in Andrey's bosom. He pressed her tightly to himself,
his hands trembled.
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