We crowded forward to meet her, and when she came in, contrary to our usual custom, we met her in silence. Looking at her with all our eyes, we knew not what to say to her, what to ask her. We stood before her a gloomy, silent crowd. She was visibly surprised at this unusual reception--and all at once we saw her grow pale, uneasy, fidget in her place, and inquire in a subdued voice: "What's the matter with you?" "And how about yourself?" the master-baker sullenly said, never taking his eyes off her. "Myself? What do you mean?" "Oh, nothing, nothing." "Come, give me the biscuits!--quick!" Never before had she been so sharp with us. "You're in a hurry," said the baker, not moving and never taking his eyes from her face. Then she suddenly turned round and disappeared through the door. The baker caught up his shovel and, turning towards the stove, remarked quietly: "It means--she's all ready for him. Ah, that soldier ... the scoundrel ... the skunk!" We like a flock of sheep, rubbing shoulders with each other, went to our table, sat down in silence, and wearily began to work. Presently, someone said: "Yet is it possible...?" "Well, well, what's the good of talking?" screeched the baker. We all knew that he was a wise man, far wiser than we. And we understood his exclamation as a conviction of the victory of the soldier.... We felt miserable and uneasy. At twelve o'clock--dinner-time--the soldier arrived. He was as usual spruce and genteel and--as he always did--looked us straight in the eyes. But we found it awkward to look at _him._ "Well, my worthy gentlemen, if you like, I'll show you a bit of martial prowess," said he, laughing proudly. "Just you come out into the outhouse and look through the crevices--do you understand?" Out we went, elbowing each other on the way, and glued our faces to the crevices in the boarded-up wall of the outhouse looking upon the courtyard. We had not long to wait. Very soon, at a rapid pace, and with a face full of anxiety, Tanya came tearing through the yard, springing over the puddles of stale snow and mud. Shortly afterwards, in not the least hurry and whistling as he went, appeared the soldier, making his way in the same direction as Tanya, evidently they had arranged a rendezvous. His arms were thrust deep down in his pockets, and his moustaches were moving up and down.... He also disappeared.... Then the rain came, and we watched the raindrops falling into the puddles, and the puddles wrinkle beneath their impact. The day was damp and grey--a very wearying day. Snow still lay upon the roofs, and on the earth dark patches of mud were already appearing. And the snow on the roofs also got covered with dirty dark-brown smuts. The rain descended slowly with a melancholy sound. We found it cold and unpleasant to stand waiting there, but we were furious with Tanya for having deserted us, her worshippers, for the sake of a common soldier, and we waited for her with the grim delight of executioners.