The pigs were running about in the yard; she looked back at them from the passage.
'Malusha! malu, malu, malu!'
The pigs came running up to her, squeaking; she brought out a bowlfull of potatoes and emptied it. The mother-pig began to eat greedily, and the piglets poked their pink noses into her and pulled at her until nothing but their loud smacking could be heard.
Antkowa lighted a small lamp above the fireplace and tore open the chaplet, with her back turned towards the window. A sudden gleam came into her eyes, when a number of banknotes and two silver roubles fell out.
'It wasn't just talk then, his saying that he'd put by the money for the funeral.' She wrapped the money up in a rag and put it into the chest.
'You Judas! May eternal blindness strike you!'
She put the pots and pans straight and tried to cheer the fire which was going out.
'Drat it! That plague of a boy has left me without a drop of water.'
She stepped outside and called 'Ignatz! Hi! Ignatz!'
A good half-hour passed, then the snow creaked under stealthy footsteps and a shadow stole past the window. Antkowa seized a piece of wood and stood by the door which was flung wide open; a small boy of about nine entered the room.