Suddenly the village sergeant galloped up to the square, stopped his sorrel at the steps of the town hall, and waving his whip in the air, shouted to the peasant. The shouts rattled against the window panes, but the words were indistinguishable. The peasant rose and stretched his hand, pointing to something. The sergeant jumped to the ground, reeled, threw the reins to the peasant, and seizing the rails with his hands, lifted himself heavily up the steps, and disappeared behind the doors of the town hall.
Quiet reigned again. Only the horse struck the soft earth with the iron of his shoes.
A girl came into the room. A short yellow braid lay on her neck, her face was round, and her eyes kind. She bit her lips with the effort of carrying a ragged-edged tray, with dishes, in her outstretched hands. She bowed, nodding her head.
"How do you do, my good girl?" said the mother kindly.
"How do you do?"
Putting the plates and the china dishes on the table, she announced with animation:
"They've just caught a thief. They're bringing him here."
"Indeed? What sort of a thief?"
"I don't know."
"What did he do?"