The Precipice Part 19

"You promised not to pick any without me. Now you have not put in an appearance for more than two weeks. The cornflowers are all withered, and what can I do with them?"

"Come with me, and we'll pick some fresh ones."

"Wait," called Tatiana Markovna. "You can never sit quiet, you have hardly had time to show your nose, the perspiration still stands on your forehead, and you are aching to be off. First you must have breakfast.

And you, Marfinka, find out if that person, Markushka, will have anything. But don't go yourself, send Egorka."

Marfinka seized the carp's head with two fingers, but when he began to wave his tail hither and thither, she uttered a loud cry, hastily dropped him on the floor, and fled down the corridor.

Vikentev hurried after, and a few moments later Tatiana Markovna heard a gay waltz in progress and a vigorous stampede, as if someone were rolling down the steps. Soon the two of them tore across the courtyard to the garden, Marfinka leading, and from the garden came the sound of chattering, singing and laughter. Tatiana Markovna shook her head as she looked through the window. c.o.c.ks, hens and ducks fled in panic, the dogs dashed barking at Marfinka's heels, the servants put their heads out of the windows of their quarters, in the garden the tall plants swayed hither and hither, the flower beds were broken by the print of flying feet, two or three vases were overturned, and every bird sought refuge in the depths of the trees.

A quarter of an hour later, the two culprits sat with Tatiana Markovna as politely as if nothing had happened. They looked gaily about the room and at one another, as Vikentev wiped the perspiration from his face and Marfinka fanned her burning face with her handkerchief.

"You are a nice pair," remarked Tatiana Markovna.

"He is always like that," complained Marfinka, "he chased me. Tell him to sit quiet."

"It wasn't my fault, Tatiana Markovna. Marfa Va.s.silievna told me to go into the garden, and she herself ran on in front."

"He is a man. But it does not become you, who are a girl, to do these things."

"You see what I have to endure through you," said Marfinka.

"Never mind, Marfa Va.s.silievna. Granny is only scolding a little, as she is privileged to do."

"What do you say, Sir?" said Tatiana Markovna, catching his words. "Come here, and since your Mama is not here, I will box your ears for you."

"But, Tatiana Markovna, you threaten these things and never do them," he said, springing up to the old lady and bowing his head submissively.

"Do box his ears well, Granny, so that his ears will be red for a month."

"How did you come to be made of quicksilver?" said Tatiana Markovna, affectionately. "Your late father was serious, never talked at random, and even disaccustomed your mother from laughter!"

"Ah, Marfa Va.s.silievna," broke in Vikentev. "I have brought you some music and a new novel."

"Where are they?"

"I left them in the boat. That's the fault of the carp. I will go and fetch them now."

In a moment he was out of the door, and Marfinka would have followed if her aunt had not detained her.

"What I wanted to say to you is----" she began.

She hesitated a little, as if she could not make up her mind to speak.

Marfinka came up to her, and the old lady smoothed her disordered hair.

"What then, Granny?"

"You are a good child, and obey every word of your grandmother's. You are not like Veroshka...."

"Don't find fault with Veroshka, Granny!"

"No, you always defend her. She does indeed respect me, but she retains her own opinion and does not believe me. Her view is that I am old, while you two girls are young, know everything, and read everything. If only she were right. But everything is not written in books," she added with a sigh.

"What do you want to say to me?" asked Marfinka curiously.

"That a grown girl must be a little more cautious. You are so wild, and run about like a child."

"I am not always running about. I work, sew embroider, pour out tea, attend to the household. Why do you scold me, Grandmother," she asked with tears in her eyes. "If you tell me I must not sing, I won't do it."

"G.o.d grant that you may always be as happy as a bird. Sing, play----"

"Then, why scold me?"

"I don't scold you; I only ask you to keep within bounds. You used to run about with Nikolai Andreevich--"

Marfinka reddened and retired to her corner.

"That is no harm," continued Tatiana Markovna. "There is nothing against Nikolai Andreevich, but he is just as wild as you are. You are my dearest child, and you will remember what is due to your dignity."

Marfinka blushed crimson.

"Don't blush, darling. I know that you will do nothing wrong, but for other people's sake you must be careful. Why do you look so angry. Come and let me kiss you."

"Nikolai Andreevich will be here in a moment, and I don't know how to face him."

Before Tatiana Markovna could answer Vikentev burst in, covered with dust and perspiration, carrying music and a book which he laid on the table by Marfinka.

"Give me your hand, Marfa Va.s.silievna," he cried, wiping his forehead.

"How I did run, with the dogs after me!"

Marfinka hid her hand, bowed, and returned with dignity:

_"Je vous remercie, monsieur Vikentev, vous etes bien amiable."_

He stared first at Marfinka, then at her aunt, and asked whether she would try over a song with him.

"I will try it by myself, or in company with Grandmother."

"Let us go into the park, and I will read you the new novel," he then said, picking up the book.

"How could I do such a thing?" asked Marfinka, looking demurely at her aunt. "Do you think I am a child?"

"What is the meaning of this, Tatiana Markovna," stammered Vikentev in amazement. "Marfa Va.s.silievna is unendurable." He looked at both of them, walked into the middle of the room, a.s.sumed a sugary smile, bowed slightly, put his hat under his arm, and struggling in vain to drag his gloves on his moist hands began: "_Mille pardons, mademoiselle, de vous avoir derangee. Sacrebleu, ca n'entre pas. Oh mille pardons, mademoiselle_."

"Do stop, you foolish boy!"

Marfinka bit her lips, but could not help laughing.