“He does. What of that?” said Maryánka with a sudden blush.
“Now I’m a simple lass. I tell everybody. Why should I pretend?” said Ústenka, and her bright rosy face suddenly became pensive. “Whom do I hurt? I love him, that’s all about it.”
“Grandad, do you mean?”
“Well, yes!”
“And the sin?”
“Ah, Maryánka! When is one to have a good time if not while one’s still free? When I marry a Cossack I shall bear children and shall have cares. There now, when you get married to Lukáshka not even a thought of joy will enter your head: children will come, and work!”
“Well? Some who are married live happily. It makes no difference!” Maryánka replied quietly.
“Do tell me just this once what has passed between you and Lukáshka?”
“What has passed? A match was proposed. Father put it off for a year, but now it’s been settled and they’ll marry us in autumn.”
“But what did he say to you?”