"
"Let's not disturb her; let's go away," suggested Sofya.
"Well, we have to work. I'd like to have a chat with you; but we'll
put it off until evening. Come, boys."
CHAPTER IV
The three men walked away, leaving Sofya in the cabin. Then from
a distance came the sound of the ax blows, the echo straying through
the foliage. In a half-dreamy condition of repose, intoxicated with
the spicy odor of the forest, Sofya sat just outside the door,
humming a song, and watching the approach of evening, which gradually
enfolded the forest. Her gray eyes smiled softly at some one. The
reddening rays of the sun fell more and more aslant. The busy
chirping of the birds died away. The forest darkened, and seemed
to grow denser. The trees moved in more closely about the choked-up
glade, and gave it a more friendly embrace, covering it with shadows.
Cows were lowing in the distance. The tar men came, all four together,
content that the work was ended.
Awakened by their voices the mother walked out from the cabin,
yawning and smiling. Rybin was calmer and less gloomy. The surplus
of his excitement was drowned in exhaustion.
"Ignaty," he said, "let's have our tea.
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