Platonov kept silent, trying not to look at Jennka. He felt oppressed and frightened.
“I don’t know,” said he, finally, with an effort. “I don’t want to lie to you.”
Jennka sighed, and smiled with a pitiful, twisted smile.
“Well, thanks, my dear. And thanks for even that much ... I wish you happiness. With all my soul. Well, good-bye...”
She turned away from him and began slowly, with a wavering walk, to climb up the hill.
Platonov returned to work just in the nick of time. The gathering of tramps, scratching, yawning, working out their accustomed dislocations, were getting into their places. Zavorotny, at a distance, with his keen eyes caught sight of Platonov and began to yell over the whole port:
“You did manage to get here in time, you round-shouldered devil ... But I was already wanting to take you by the tail and chase you out of the gang ... Well, get in your place! ...”
“Well, but I did get a he-dog in you, Serejka! ...” he added, in a kindly manner. “If only it was night; but no,—look you, he starts in playing ring-around-a-rosie in broad daylight...”
CHAPTER V.
Saturday was the customary day of the doctor’s inspection, for which they prepared very carefully and with quaking in all the houses; as, however, even society ladies prepare themselves, when getting ready for a visit to a physician-specialist; they diligently made their intimate toilet and inevitably put on clean underthings, even as dressy as possible. The windows toward the street were closed with shutters, while at one of those windows, which gave out upon the yard, was put a table with a hard bolster to put under the back.