“No, I’m not lying! Oi, Galya, Galya! I can’t live without loving you!”
“You lie like a dog! Who was it sent the match-makers to Makogon?”
“Whether I sent them or not, I’ll tell you the whole truth and swear to it if you like. I’m pining and fading away without you. And I’m going to tell you just what we’ll do, and if you’re a sensible girl you’ll listen to me. But I make one condition: listen with your ears and answer with your tongue. No hand play this time! If there is, I’ll be angry.”
“You’ve a funny way of doing things,” said Galya, folding her arms. “However, I’ll listen to you; but I warn you, if you begin to talk nonsense don’t call on your God to help you!”
“It won’t be nonsense. You see—oh, how did Kharko begin?”
“Kharko? What has Kharko to do with you and me?”
“Oh, do be quiet or I won’t be able to get anything straight. Listen to me: used you to love me?”
“Would I have kissed an ugly face like yours if I hadn’t?”
“And what was I then, a workman in the mill or not?”
“A workman, of course. I wish to goodness you had never become a miller!”