"'But God, little Grandchild,
Is high, and the Tsar
Far away,' said Savyéli.
"I cried, 'Yet I'll reach them!'
"But Grandfather answered,
'Now hush, little Grandchild,
You woman of sorrow,
Bow down and have patience; 460
No truth you will find
In the world, and no justice.'
"'But why then, Savyéli?'
"'A bondswoman, Grandchild,
You are; and for such
Is no hope,' said Savyéli.
"For long I sat darkly
And bitterly thinking.
The thunder pealed forth
And the windows were shaken; 470
I started! Savyéli
Drew nearer and touched me,
And led me to stand
By the little white coffin:
"'Now pray that the Lord
May have placed little Djóma
Among the bright ranks
Of His angels,' he whispered;
A candle he placed
In my hand…. And I knelt there 480
The whole of the night
Till the pale dawn of daybreak:
The grandfather stood
Beside Djómushka's coffin
And read from the book
In a measured low voice…."
CHAPTER V
THE SHE-WOLF
"'Tis twenty years now
Since my Djóma was taken,
Was carried to sleep
'Neath his little grass blanket;
And still my heart bleeds,
And I pray for him always,
No apple till Spassa[53]
I touch with my lips….