Martuin ran out in the cold. “Let him go, Babushka; forgive him for Christ’s sake.”
“I will forgive him so that he won’t forget it till the new broom grows! I am going to take him to the police.”
“Let him go, Babushka, let him go for Christ’s sake. He will never do it again.”
The old woman let him loose. The boy tried to run, but Martuin kept him back.
“Ask Babushka’s forgiveness,” he said, “and never do it again. I saw you take the apple.”
With tears in his eyes the boy began to ask forgiveness.
“There, that’s all right,” said Martuin; “take the apple. I will pay for it.”
“You ruin the good-for-nothings,” said the old woman. “He should be well punished. He deserves it.”
“Perhaps,” answered Martuin, “but God forgives us though we deserve it not.”
“Well, well,” said the old woman, appeased, “after all it was but a childish trick.” She started to lift the bag upon her shoulder.