I lay in the bushes. They passed by me. Then I rose and
off I went; and for two nights and a whole day I walked without
stopping. My feet'll ache for a week."
He was evidently satisfied with himself. A smile shone in his hazel
eyes. His full red lips quivered.
"I'll set you up with some tea soon. You wash yourself while I get
the samovar ready."
"I'll give you the note." He raised his leg with difficulty, and
frowning and groaning put his foot on the bench and began to untie
the leg wrappings.
"I got frightened. 'Well,' thinks I, 'I'm a goner.'"
Nikolay appeared at the door. Ignaty in embarrassment dropped his
foot to the floor and wanted to rise, but staggered and fell heavily
on the bench, catching himself with his hands.
"You sit still!" exclaimed the mother.
"How do you do, comrade?" said Nikolay, screwing up his eyes
good-naturedly and nodding his head. "Allow me, I'll help you."
Kneeling on the floor in front of the peasant, he quickly unwound
the dirty, damp wrappings.
"Well!" the fellow exclaimed quietly, pulling back his foot and
blinking in astonishment. He regarded the mother, who said, without
paying attention to his look:
"His legs ought to be rubbed down with alcohol.
Pages:
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513