"Do you think, that he'd believe you?"
"When I take the trouble to talk, I am generally believed," asserted Sereja. "And you'd catch it from him!"
"I'm not afraid!" said Jakoff.
"Then you'd catch it from me!" Sereja announced, narrowing his eyes as he spoke.
Jakoff did not want to give twenty kopecks, but he had been warned that he must look out where Sereja was concerned, and must put up with some of his fancies. It was not much he asked for, but if it was refused he would give you trouble during working-hours, or else he would beat you. So with a sigh Jakoff put his hand in his pocket.
"That's right!" said Sereja, in a tone of encouragement ; and he threw himself on the sand by the side of them. "It's always wiser to obey me.... And you?" he said to Malva. "When are you going to marry me? I am not going to wait much longer."
"You are too ragged. Mend all those holes first, and we'll talk about it afterwards!" replied Malva.
Sereja considered the holes critically, and shook his head.
"Give me one of your petticoats, that will be the best thing."
"Yes, that would be the thing!" said Malva, laughing.