"'You are heartily welcome,' said the other, pointing to the glowing fire; 'but how are you going to carry it home?'
"'Oh, dear me!' cried poor Stepka, striking his forehead, 'I never thought about that!'
"'Well, that shows that you were very much in earnest, my friend,' said the other, laughing; 'but never mind; I think we can manage it for you. Lay down your coat.'
Stepka pulled off his old patched coat and laid it on the ground, wondering what was to come next; but what was his amazement when the man coolly threw two great shovelfuls of blazing wood into the coat, as coolly as if it were a charcoal bucket!
"'Hallo! hallo!' cried Stepka, seizing his arm, 'what on earth are you about, burning my coat that way?'
"'Your coat will be none the worse, brother,' said the charcoal-burner, with a curious smile. 'Look and see!'
"And, sure enough, the fire lay quietly in the hollow of the coat, and never singed a thread of it! Stepka was so startled, that for a moment he thought he had to do, not with charcoal-burners, but with something worse; but, remembering how they had greeted him in the Holy Name, he became easy again.
"'Good luck to you, my lad,' said the strange man, as the Cossack took up his load. 'You'll get it home all right, never fear.'
STEPKA CARRIES THE FIRE IN HIS CLOAK.