ithout calling on Maryanka, rode
caracoling down the street, where Nazarka was already awaiting him.

'I say, shan't we call round?' asked Nazarka, winking in the direction
of Yamka's house.

'That's a good one!' said Lukashka. 'Here, take my horse to her and if
I don't come soon give him some hay. I shall reach the company by the
morning anyway.'

'Hasn't the cadet given you anything more?'

'I am thankful to have paid him back with a dagger--he was going to ask
for the horse,' said Lukashka, dismounting and handing over the horse
to Nazarka.

He darted into the yard past Olenin's very window, and came up to the
window of the cornet's hut. It was already quite dark. Maryanka,
wearing only her smock, was combing her hair preparing for bed.

'It's I--' whispered the Cossack.

Maryanka's look was severely indifferent, but her face suddenly
brightened up when she heard her name. She opened the window and leant
out, frightened and joyous.

'What--what do you want?' she said.

'Open!' uttered Lukashka. 'Let me in for a minute. I am so sick of
waiting! It's awful!'

He took hold of her head through the window and kissed her.

'Really, do open!'

'Why do you talk nonsense? I've told you I won't! Have you come for
long?'

He did not answer but went on kissing her, and she did not ask again.

'There, through the window one can't even hug you properly,' said
Lukashka.

'Maryanka dear!' came the voice of her mother, 'who is that with you?'

Lukashka took off his cap, which might have been seen, and crouched
down by the window.

'Go, be quick!' whispered Maryanka.

'Lukashka called round,' she answered; 'he was asking for Daddy.'

'Well then send him here!'

'He's gone; said he was in a hurry.'

In fact, Lukashka, stooping, as with big strides he passed under the
windows, ran out through the yard and towards Yamka's house unseen by
anyone but Olenin. After drinking two bowls of chikhir he and Nazarka
rode away to the outpost. The night was warm, dark, and calm. They rode
in silence, only the footfall of their horses was heard. Lukashka
started a song about the Cossack, Mingal, but stopped before he had
finished the first verse, and after a pause, turning to Nazarka, said:

'I say, she wouldn't let me in!'

'Oh?' rejoined Nazarka. 'I knew she wouldn't. D'you know what Yamka
told me? The cadet has begun going to their house. Daddy Eroshka brags
that he got a gun from the cadet for getting him Maryanka.'