Maryánka smiled.
“What should he say? He said he loved me. He kept asking me to come to the vineyards with him.”
“Just see what pitch! But you didn’t go, did you? And what a dare-devil he has become: the first among the braves. He makes merry out there in the army too! The other day our Kírka came home; he says: ‘What a horse Lukáshka’s got in exchange!’ But all the same I expect he frets after you. And what else did he say?”
“Must you know everything?” said Maryánka laughing. “One night he came to my window tipsy, and asked me to let him in.”
“And you didn’t let him?”
“Let him, indeed! Once I have said a thing I keep to it firm as a rock,” answered Maryánka seriously.
“A fine fellow! If he wanted her, no girl would refuse him.”
“Well, let him go to the others,” replied Maryánka proudly.
“You don’t pity him?”
“I do pity him, but I’ll have no nonsense. It is wrong.”