The recruit lifted his head. "I've got a mother," he said. "I've got a father[46] too. They've all given me up, though. Listen, old woman!" he added, seizing Ilyushkin's mother by the hand. "I made you a present. Listen to me, for Christ's sake. Go to my village of Vodnoe, ask there for Nikonof's old woman,—she's my own mother, you understand,—and tell this same old woman, Nikonof's old woman—third hut at the end—new pump—tell her that Alyókha—your son—you know—Come! musician, strike up!" he screamed.
And once more he began to dance, talking all the time, and spilling the vodka that was left in the jug all over the ground.
Ignat climbed into his wagon, and started to drive on.
"Good-by, good luck to you," cried the old woman, as she wrapped herself up in her sheepskin.
The recruit suddenly stopped.
"Go to the devil!" he shouted, threatening the teams with his doubled fist.
"Oh, good Lord!"[47] ejaculated Ilyushkin's mother, crossing herself.
Ignat started up the mare, and the teams drove away. Alekséi the recruit still stood in the middle of the road, and doubling up his fists, with an expression of wrath on his face, berated the mushíks to the best of his ability.
"What are you standing here for? She's gone. The devil, cannibals!" he screamed. "You won't escape from me! You devils! You dotards!"
With these words his voice failed him; he fell at full length, just where he stood in the middle of the road.