But Malva did not come on that Sunday either. And as he lay down to sleep, Vassili cursed his work, which prevented his going to the mainland, and he awoke constantly with a start, thinking he heard in the distance the sound of oars. Then he would shield his eyes with his hand and watch the troubled dark sea. Over there, where the fishery was established, two fires burnt, but no one was coming over the sea.
"It's all very well, my girl!" said Vassili threateningly. And he went off into a heavy sleep.
What had happened at the fishery during that day was this. Jakoff rose early before the sun was up, and whilst a fresh, life-giving breeze was blowing from the sea. He walked from the hut towards the water in order to get a wash, and on the shore he saw Malva. She was seated in the bows of a big boat which was anchored close in to the shore, whilst with her bare feet hanging over the sides, she was combing out her wet hair.
Jakoff stopped, and watched her with curiosity.
Her cotton blouse open in front half showed one of her shoulders; and this shoulder looked so white, so tempting!
The waves rocked the boat, and Malva rose and fell with its movements, so that her bare feet almost at times touched the water.
"I say! Have you been bathing?" called out Jakoff.
She turned her face towards him, glanced at her feet; then continuing to comb her hair, she replied--
"Yes, I've been bathing.... But why did you get up so early?"
"If you follow my way of living, you will have to look out for yourself!" she continued.
"Oh! how you frighten me!" said Jakoff chaffingly.
Then stooping down over the water he began to wash himself. With the palms of his hands held close together, he scooped up the water, threw it over his face, and then shook himself as he experienced the crisp fresh sensation of cold. Wiping himself with the edge of his shirt, he said to Malva--"Why do you always try and frighten me?"
"And you, why do you try and gobble me up with your eyes?"
Jakoff could not remember that, he had looked at her more than at other women at the fishery, but now he said to her suddenly--
"If your father hears of your goings on, he'll give you something to tempt you!"
She threw a provoking sly glance at him. Jakoff burst out laughing, and climbed into the boat He did not know what "goings on" she was referring to; but as she said so, he must of course have been running after her. And this thought made him feel suddenly quite lively.