On the bridge stood my father, with his arms behind him and a quenched pipe in one hand. Leaning on the railing of the bridge, he was looking thoughtfully at the water and the morning dawn. It was evident that he as well as I had been unable to sleep, and he had gone out to breathe the morning air, or perhaps to look here and there at the management. I did not see him at once, for I was walking at the side of the road, so the willows hid the railing of the bridge from me; but I was not more than ten yards away. I hid behind the willows, not knowing at the moment what to do. But my father stood in the same place all the time. I looked at him. Sleeplessness and anxiety were apparent on his face. He cast his eyes at the pond and muttered the morning prayer. To my ears came the words,-- "Hail, Mary, full of grace! The Lord be with Thee!" Here he whispered the continuation, and again aloud,-- "And blessed be the fruit of Thy womb. Amen!" I was impatient at standing behind the willows, and I determined to slip by quietly over the bridge. I could do that, for my father was turned toward the water; and, besides, he was a little deaf, as I have mentioned, for during his time in the army he had been deafened by the excessive roar of artillery. Stepping along cautiously, I was passing the bridge beyond the willows, but unfortunately a badly fastened plank moved. My father looked around. "What art thou doing here?" asked he. "Oh, to walk, father,--I am going to walk only," answered I, growing as red as a beet. My father approached me, and opening slightly the cloak with which I had covered myself carefully, he pointed to the sabre and pistols. "What is this?" asked he. There was no help for it; I had to confess. "I will tell father everything," I said; "I am going to fight with Selim." I thought that he would burst out in anger, but beyond my expectation he only asked,-- "Who was the challenger?" "I." "Without consulting thy father, without saying a word." "I challenged him yesterday in Ustrytsi, immediately after the pursuit. I could not ask about anything, father, and, besides, I was afraid that thou wouldst forbid me." "Thou hast guessed right. Go home. Leave the whole affair to me." My heart was straitened in me with such pain and despair as never before.