We do housekeeping here by
turns. To-day Ignaty provides us with food and drink."
"To-day I'd be glad to yield my turn," remarked Ignaty, gathering up
pieces of wood and branches for an open-air fire.
"We're all interested in our guests," said Yefim, sitting down by
Sofya's side.
"I'll help you," said Yakob softly.
He brought out a big loaf of bread baked in hot ashes, and began
to cut it and place the pieces on the table.
"Listen!" exclaimed Yefim. "Do you hear that cough?"
Rybin listened, and nodded.
"Yes, he's coming," he said to Sofya. "The witness is coming. I
would lead him through cities, put him in public squares, for the
people to hear him. He always says the same thing. But everybody
ought to hear it."
The shadows grew closer, the twilight thickened, and the voices
sounded softer. Sofya and the mother watched the actions of the
peasants. They all moved slowly and heavily with a strange sort
of cautiousness. They, too, constantly followed the women with
their eyes, listening attentively to their conversation.
A tall, stooping man came out of the woods into the glade, and
walked slowly, firmly supporting himself on a cane.
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