"Is all ready?" cried the fishermen.
"Let go!" commanded Serejka, jumping to the ground. "Be careful. Go far out so as not to entangle the net."
The big boat slid down the greased planks to the water, and the fishermen, jumping in as it went, seized the oars, ready to strike the water directly she was afloat. Then with a big splash the graceful bark forged ahead through the great plain of luminous water.
"Why didn't you come Sunday?" said Vassili, as the two men went back to the cabin.
"I couldn't."
"You were drunk?"
"No, I was watching your son and his step-mother," said Serejka, phlegmatically.
"A new worry on your shoulders," said Vassili, sarcastically and with a forced smile. "They are only children." He was tempted to learn where and how Serejka had seen Malva and Iakov the day before, but he was ashamed.
"Why don't you ask news of Malva?" asked Serejka, as he gulped down a glass of brandy.
"What do I care what she does?" replied Vassili, with indifference, although he trembled with a secret presentiment.