“What, and see nothing of your betrothed?”
“Just so—what is the good of looking at her? When you go on campaign ask in our company for Lukáshka the Broad. But what a lot of boars there are in our parts! I’ve killed two. I’ll take you.”
“Well, good-bye! Christ save you.”
Lukáshka mounted his horse, and without calling on Maryánka, rode caracoling down the street, where Nazárka was already awaiting him.
“I say, shan’t we call round?” asked Nazárka, winking in the direction of Yámka’s house.
“That’s a good one!” said Lukáshka. “Here, take my horse to her and if I don’t come soon give him some hay. I shall reach the company by the morning anyway.”
“Hasn’t the cadet given you anything more?”
“I am thankful to have paid him back with a dagger—he was going to ask for the horse,” said Lukáshka, dismounting and handing over the horse to Nazárka.
He darted into the yard past Olénin’s very window, and came up to the window of the cornet’s hut. It was already quite dark. Maryánka, wearing only her smock, was combing her hair preparing for bed.
“It’s I—” whispered the Cossack.