"A man can't make calculations against bad people,"--replied the old man;--"and as for him, the dishonest scoundrel, if any one were to teach him a good lesson, some gentleman, for instance, or any other power,--what cause would there be to fear him? The wolf recognised his prey."--And the old man put on his cap and departed.
Avdótya had but just returned from church when she was informed that her husband's uncle was inquiring for her. Up to that time she had very rarely seen him; he had not been in the habit of coming to their inn, and in general he bore the reputation of being a queer fellow; he was passionately fond of snuff, and preserved silence most of the time.
"What dost thou want, Petróvitch? Has anything happened, pray?"
"Nothing has happened, Avdótya Aréfyevna; thy husband is asking for thee."
"Why, in the village; he 's sitting in his cottage."
"Well, Petróvitch,"--she asked, looking him straight in the eye,--"is he angry?"
"Well, come along,"--she said, throwing on a large kerchief, and the two set out. They walked in silence until they reached the village. But when they began to draw near to the cottage, Avdótya was seized with such alarm that her knees trembled under her.
"Dear little father, Petróvitch,"--she said,--"do thou go in first.... Tell him that I have come."
Petróvitch entered the cottage and found Akím sitting buried in profound thought, on the selfsame spot where he had left him.
"Well,"--said Akím, raising his head;--"has n't she come?"
"Yes, she has come,"--replied the old man.--"She 's standing at the gate...."
The old man went out, waved his hand to Avdótya, said to her: "Go along!" and sat down again himself on the earthen bank along the cottage wall. With trepidation Avdótya opened the door, crossed the threshold and paused....
"Well, Aréfyevna,"--he began,--"what are we--thou and I--to do now?"
"Ekh, Aréfyevna, we are all sinful folks. What 's the use of discussing it!"
"That villain has ruined both of us,"--began Avdótya in a voice which jingled and broke, and the tears streamed down her face.--"Thou must not let things stand as they are, Akím Semyónitch; thou must get the money from him. Do not spare me. I am ready to declare under oath that I lent the money to him. Lizavéta Prókhorovna had a right to sell our house, but why should he rob us?.... Get the money from him."