[14]. Benjamin.
[15]. Father.
[16]. The Devil in this story is the popular myth of the water-god or spirit, The Vodyanóy.
[17]. Countesses.
[18]. Village priest.
[19]. Death is feminine in Russian.
[20]. Ilyá Múromets is one of the heroes of the Byliny: his great feat is the slaying of the Nightingale Robber. This tale may be eponymous of geography; Svyatogór (Svyáty Góry, Sacred Mountains) Múrom is on the river Oka, in the Province of Vladímir, one of the oldest cities in Russia; the village of Karachárovo is not far off.
[21]. Affectionate term for old servant, equivalent to uncle.
[22]. The word means velvet.
[23]. Hut.