‘Are you known to the Boyar?’ he asked.
‘I am known to the Boyar,’ I replied, ‘and I have, moreover, for those who serve me kindly—this!’
I showed a silver rouble, at which he looked greedily.
‘And who are these enemies the Barin speaks of?’ the man asked cautiously. ‘Can so beautiful, so adorable a Barishnya have enemies?’
‘You will see, if you allow me to abide a while here, that she both has enemies and that if necessary her friends—as myself—should be constantly on the watch at this time, lest they do her an injury.’
‘Do her an injury?’ squealed the gardener’s wife with fury. ‘The rascals! The villains! Would you have her enemies do our Barishnya an injury, Vaiseuk? Let this Barin do as he desires, I say; he will put her upon her guard. Take the rouble and let him come in!’
‘Peace, Masha, fool!’ said Vaiseuk. ‘Well, give me the rouble,’ he continued, holding out his hand. ‘The Barishnya shall see you from a safe distance as she passes out, and we shall soon know if you are friend or enemy!’
Thus I was able to take up the best of positions, and old Vaiseuk was soon justified in his confidence in me; for when Vera passed out and caught sight of me, she gave an exclamation of such joyful surprise that he quickly found I was indeed the friend I had declared myself.
‘You see I am here, Vera, and here shall remain until you tell me I need watch no longer,’ I said. ‘Tell my good friend Vaiseuk to let me be his guest and to keep his mouth shut.’
Vera joyfully did so. ‘This is my best of friends,’ she explained, ‘who has saved me from much misery already, and is now busy in my service.’