Lukáshka, as if ashamed of his generosity, took off his cap and wiping his forehead with his sleeve came up to Maryánka and Ústenka. “Answer me, my dear, dost thou hold me in contempt?” he said in the words of the song they had just been singing, and turning to Maryánka he angrily repeated the words: “Dost thou hold me in contempt? When we shall married be thou wilt weep because of me!” he added, embracing Ústenka and Maryánka both together. Ústenka tore herself away, and swinging her arm gave him such a blow on the back that she hurt her hand. “Well, are you going to have another turn?” he asked. “The other girls may if they like,” answered Ústenka, “but I am going home and Maryánka was coming to our house too.” With his arm still round her, Lukáshka led Maryánka away from the crowd to the darker corner of a house. “Don’t go, Maryánka,” he said, “let’s have some fun for the last time. Go home and I will come to you!” “What am I to do at home? Holidays are meant for merrymaking. I am going to Ústenka’s,” replied Maryánka. “I’ll marry you all the same, you know!” “All right,” said Maryánka, “we shall see when the time comes.” “So you are going,” said Lukáshka sternly, and, pressing her close, he kissed her on the cheek. “There, leave off! Don’t bother,” and Maryánka, wrenching herself from his arms, moved away. “Ah my girl, it will turn out badly,” said Lukáshka reproachfully and stood still, shaking his head. “Thou wilt weep because of me...” and turning away from her he shouted to the other girls: “Now then! Play away!” What he had said seemed to have frightened and vexed Maryánka. She stopped, “What will turn out badly?” “Why, that!” “That what?” “Why, that you keep company with a soldier-lodger and no longer care for me!” “I’ll care just as long as I choose. You’re not my father, nor my mother. What do you want? I’ll care for whom I like!” “Well, all right...” said Lukáshka, “but remember!” He moved towards the shop. “Girls!” he shouted, “why have you stopped? Go on dancing. Nazárka, fetch some more _chikhir_.” “Well, will they come?” asked Olénin, addressing Belétski. “They’ll come directly,” replied Belétski. “Come along, we must prepare the ball.” Chapter XXXIX