IV.
A half-hour passed by. The baby began to cry. Akulína took him, and gave him the breast. She was no longer weeping; but resting her thin, tear-stained face on her hand, she fixed her eyes on the flickering candle, and asked herself why she had got married, and why so many soldiers were needed, and, still more, how she might pay back the joiner's wife.
Her husband's steps were heard; she wiped away the traces of the tears, and got up to light his way. Polikéï came in with an air of triumph, threw his hat on the bed, drew a long breath, and began to take off his clothes.
"Well, what was it? why did she call you?"
"Hm! a good reason! Polikushka is the lowest of men; but, when there is something needed, who is called on? Polikushka!"
"What is it?"
Polikéï did not make haste to reply: he smoked his pipe, and kept spitting.
"She wants me to go to the merchant, and get her money."
"Get her money!" repeated Akulína.