“Come on.” “No, I don’t like to….” “Don’t like to?” “Well, but … they’re girls … young ladies … I don’t think it’s quite proper.” “You’re a silly fool!” laughed Sanine, “Do you mean to say that you wouldn’t like to see them?” “Perhaps I should, but …” “Very well, then, let’s go. No mock modesty! What man wouldn’t do the same, if he had the chance?” “Yes, but if you reason like that, you ought to watch them openly. Why hide yourself?” “Because it’s so much more exciting,” said Sanine gaily. “I dare say, but I advise you not to—” “For chastity’s sake, I suppose?” “If you like.” “But chastity is the very thing that we don’t possess!” “If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out!” said Ivanoff. “Oh! please don’t talk nonsense, like Yourii Svarogitsch! God didn’t give us eyes that we might pluck out.” Ivanoff smiled, and shrugged his shoulders. “Look here, my boy,” said Sanine, steering towards the bank, “if the sight of girls bathing were to rouse in you no carnal desire, then you would have a right to be called chaste. Indeed, though I should be the last to imitate it, such chastity on your part would win my admiration. But, having these natural desires, if you attempt to suppress them, then I say that your so-called chastity is all humbug.” “That’s right enough, but, if no check were placed upon desires, great harm might result.” “What harm, pray? Sensuality, I grant you, sometimes has evil results, but it’s not the fault of sensuality.” “Perhaps not, but….” “Very well, then, are you coming?” “Yes, but I’m—” “A fool, that’s what you are! Gently! Don’t make such a noise,” said Sanine, as they crept along through the fragrant grass and rustling reeds. “Look there!” whispered Ivanoff, excitedly. From the smart frocks, hats and petticoats lying on the grass, it was evident that the party of bathers had come out from the town. Some were merrily splashing about in the water which dripped in silver beads from their round, soft limbs. One stood on the bank, erect and lithe, and the sunlight enhanced the plastic beauty of her form that quivered as she laughed. “Oh! I say!” exclaimed Sanine, fascinated by the sight. Ivanoff started backwards as in alarm. “What’s the matter?” “Hush! It’s Sina Karsavina!” “So it is!” said Sanine aloud. “I didn’t recognize her. How charming she looks!” “Yes, doesn’t she?” said the other, chuckling. At that moment laughter and loud cries told them that they had been overheard. Karsavina, startled, leaped into the clear water from which alone her rosy face and shining eyes emerged. Sanine and Ivanoff fled precipitately, stumbling back through the tall rushes to their boat. “Oh! how good it is to be alive!” said Sanine, stretching himself. Down the river, floating onward, Ever onward, to the sea. So he sang in his clear, resonant voice, while behind the trees the sound of girlish laughter could still be heard. Ivanoff looked at the sky. “It’s going to rain,” he said.