In another story, from the Viatka Government, the poor man is invited to a house-warming at his rich brother’s, but he has no present to take with him.
“We might borrow, but who would trust us?” says he.
“Why there’s Need!” replies his wife with a bitter laugh. “Perhaps she’ll make us a present. Surely we’ve lived on friendly terms with her for an age!”
“Take the feast-day sarafan,”[236] cries Need from behind the stove; “and with the money you get for it buy a ham and take it to your brother’s.”
“Have you been living here long, Need?” asks the moujik.
“Yes, ever since you and your brother separated.”
“And have you been comfortable here?”
“Thanks be to God, I get on tolerably!”
The moujik follows the advice of Need, but meets with a cold reception at his brother’s. On returning sadly home he finds a horse standing by the road side, with a couple of bags slung across its back. He strikes it with his glove, and it disappears, leaving behind it the bags, which turn out to be full of gold. This he gathers up, and then goes indoors. After finding out from his wife where she has taken up her quarters for the night, he says:
“And where are you, Need?”