“W-well, yes, life is sterner than character.... Ah, but she has broken you....”
“That still remains to be seen—whether I’m stronger or she,” smiled Tuchkov.
They became silent.
Behind them loomed the dark wall of the softly whispering forest; the bonfire crackled merrily; around it danced the silent shadows; and across the field lay an impenetrable darkness.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Head of village community.