“Ivanouchka,” quoth the young girl, “my father hath bade me have pleasant discourse with thee.”
“My father hath instructed me likewise,” answered the youth.
“What shall we do? Where sleepest thou, Ivanouchka?”
“In the hay.”
“As for me,” quoth the girl, “I sleep in the coach-house. Come this night to me, and we will hold pleasant converse together.”
Thus it was. During the night Ivanouchka went and lay down with Machoutka.
“Camest thou by the threshing-floor?” asked she.
“Yea. Hast thou seen the heap of dung?”
“I have seen it.”
“What shall we do now?”[119]