They're bringing him here."
"Indeed? What sort of a thief?"
"I don't know."
"What did he do?"
"I don't know. I only heard that they caught him. The watchman
of the town hall ran off for the police commissioner, and shouted:
'They've caught him. They're bringing him here.'"
The mother looked through the window. Peasants gathered in the
square; some walked slowly, some quickly, while buttoning their
overcoats. They stopped at the steps of the town hall, and all
looked to the left. It was strangely quiet. The girl also went to
the window to see the street, and then silently ran from the room,
banging the door after her. The mother trembled, pushed her valise
farther under the bench, and throwing her shawl over her head,
hurried to the door. She had to restrain a sudden, incomprehensible
desire to run.
When she walked up the steps of the town hall a sharp cold struck
her face and breast. She lost breath, and her legs stiffened.
There, in the middle of the square, walked Rybin! His hands were
bound behind his back, and on each side of him a policeman,
rhythmically striking the ground with his club. At the steps stood
a crowd waiting in silence.
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