04-polikushka-第5章
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mare。
His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart; and was scarcely
able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next
day (which was to be a holy…day)。 The children also anxiously
awaited their father's appearance; and; though for different
reasons; could hardly restrain their impatience。 The noblewoman
and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself;
while the children were interested most in what he would bring
them from the town。
The only news received by the villagers during the day concerning
Polikey was to the effect that neighboring peasants had seen him
running up and down the road and asking every one he met if he or
she had found an envelope。
One of them had seen him also walking by the side of his
tired…out horse。 〃I thought;〃 said he; 〃that the man was drunk;
and had not fed his horse for two daysthe animal looked so
exhausted。〃
Unable to sleep; and with her heart palpitating at every sound;
Akulina lay awake all night vainly awaiting Polikey's return。
When the cock crowed the third time she was obliged to get up to
attend to the fire。 Day was just dawning and the church…bells
had begun to ring。 Soon all the children were also up; but there
was still no tidings of the missing husband and father。
In the morning the chill blasts of winter entered their humble
home; and on looking out they saw that the houses; fields; and
roads were thickly covered with snow。 The day was clear and
cold; as if befitting the holy…day they were about to celebrate。
They were able to see a long distance from the house; but no one
was in sight。
Akulina was busy baking cakes; and had it not been for the joyous
shouts of the children she would not have known that Polikey was
coming up the road; for a few minutes later he came in with a
bundle in his hand and walked quietly to his corner。 Akulina
noticed that he was very pale and that his face bore an
expression of sufferingas if he would like to have cried but
could not do so。 But she did not stop to study it; but excitedly
inquired: 〃What! Illitch; is everything all right with you?〃
He slowly muttered something; but his wife could not understand
what he said。
〃What!〃 she cried out; 〃have you been to see our mistress?〃
Polikey still sat on the bed in his corner; glaring wildly about
him; and smiling bitterly。 He did not reply for a long time; and
Akulina again cried:
〃Eh? Illitch! Why don't you answer me? Why don't you speak?〃
Finally he said: 〃Akulina; I delivered the money to our mistress;
and oh; how she thanked me!〃 Then he suddenly looked about him;
with an anxious; startled air; and with a sad smile on his lips。
Two things in the room seemed to engross the most of his
attention: the baby in the cradle; and the rope which was
attached to the ladder。 Approaching the cradle; he began with
his thin fingers quickly to untie the knot in the rope by which
the two were connected。 After untying it he stood for a few
moments looking silently at the baby。
Akulina did not notice this proceeding; and with her cakes on the
board went to place them in a corner。
Polikey quickly hid the rope beneath his coat; and again seated
himself on the bed。
〃What is it that troubles you; Illitch?〃 inquired Akulina。 〃You
are not yourself。〃
〃I have not slept;〃 he answered。
Suddenly a dark shadow crossed the window; and a minute later the
girl Aksiutka quickly entered the room; exclaiming:
〃The boyarinia commands you; Polikey Illitch; to come to her this
moment!〃
Polikey looked first at Akulina and then at the girl。
〃This moment!〃 he cried。 〃What more is wanted?〃
He spoke the last sentence so softly that Akulina became quieted
in her mind; thinking that perhaps their mistress intended to
reward her husband。
〃Say that I will come immediately;〃 he said。
But Polikey failed to follow the girl; and went instead to
another place。
From the porch of his house there was a ladder reaching to the
attic。 Arriving at the foot of the ladder Polikey looked around
him; and seeing no one about; he quickly ascended to the
garret。
* * * * * * *
Meanwhile the girl had reached her mistress's house。
〃What does it mean that Polikey does not come?〃 said the
noblewoman impatiently。 〃Where can he be? Why does he not come
at once?〃
Aksiutka flew again to his house and demanded to see Polikey。
〃He went a long time ago;〃 answered Akulina; and looking around
with an expression of fear on her face; she added; 〃He may have
fallen asleep somewhere on the way。〃
About this time the joiner's wife; with hair unkempt and clothes
bedraggled; went up to the loft to gather the linen which she had
previously put there to dry。 Suddenly a cry of horror was
heard; and the woman; with her eyes closed; and crazed by fear;
ran down the ladder like a cat。
〃Illitch;〃 she cried; 〃has hanged himself!〃
Poor Akulina ran up the ladder before any of the people; who had
gathered from the surrounding houses; could prevent her。 With a
loud shriek she fell back as if dead; and would surely have been
killed had not one of the spectators succeeded in catching her in
his arms。
Before dark the same day a peasant of the village; while
returning from the town; found the envelope containing Polikey's
money on the roadside; and soon after delivered it to the
boyarinia。