"Jakov!" cried the girl joyfully, eager to tell him. "I'm going away, on the pilgrimage. Ilya's promised to speak to the hunchback, he'll take me with him," and she laughed delightedly.
"Will he do it?" Jakov asked thoughtfully.
"Why not? She won't get in the way, and it's a good thing for her. Look at her, her eyes are shining, hardly like a live person."
"Yes—yes," said Jakov. After a moment's pause, he began to whistle softly.
"What's up," asked Ilya.
"Now I'm done for, all alone here, like the moon in the sky."
"Oh, hire a nurse," said Ilya laughing.
"I'll take to drink," said Jakov, shaking his head.
Masha looked at him, hung her head, and went towards the door; from there she spoke in a reproachful, sad voice:
"How weak you are, Jakov!"