oice of a drunken
woman sang hysterically words devoid of sense.

* * * * *

In the dawn's pure light the sea still slumbered, reflecting the
pearl-like clouds. On the headland a party of fishermen still only half
awake moved slowly about, getting ready the rigging of their boat.

Serejka, bareheaded and tattered as usual, stood in the bow hurrying the
men on with a hoarse voice, the result of his drunken orgy of the
previous night.

"Where are the oars, Vassili?"

Vassili, moody as a dark autumn day, was arranging the net at the bottom
of the boat. Serejka watched him and, when he looked his way, smacked
his lips, signifying that he wanted to drink.

"Have you any brandy," he asked.

"Yes," growled Vassili.

"Good. I'll take a nip when they've gone."

"Is all ready?" cried the fishermen.

"Let go!" commanded Serejka, jumping to the ground. "Be careful. Go
far out so as not to entangle the net."

The big boat slid down the greased planks to the water, and the
fishermen, jumping in as it went, seized the oars, ready to strike the
water directly she was afloat. Then with a big splash the graceful bark
forged ahead through the great plain of luminous water.

"Why didn't you come Sunday?" said Vassili, as the two men went back to
the cabin.

"I couldn't."

"You were drunk?"

"No, I was watching your son and his step-mother," said Serejka,
phlegmatically.

"A new worry on your shoulders," said Vassili, sarcastically and with a
forced smile. "They are only children." He was tempted to learn where
and how Serejka had seen Malva and Iakov the day before, but he was
ashamed.

"Why don't you ask news of Malva?" asked Serejka, as he gulped down a
glass of brandy.

"What do I care what she does?" replied Vassili, with indifference,
although he trembled with a secret presentiment.

"As she didn't come Sunday, you should ask what she was doing. I know
you are jealous, you old dog!"

"Oh, there are many like her," said Vassili, carelessly.

"Are there?" said Serejka, imitating him. "Ah, you peasants, you're all
alike. As long as you gather your honey, it's all one to you."

"What's she to you?" broke in Vassili with irritation. "Have you come
to ask her hand in marriage?"

"I know she's yours," said Serejka. "Have I ever bothered you? But now
Iakov, your son, is all the time dancing around her, it's different.
Beat him, do you hear? If not, I will. You've got