But Peredonov was always pleased when he saw boys cry, especially when he so arranged it that they cried and apologised at the same time. Vladya's confusion, the suppressed tears in his eyes and his timid, guilty smile, all these gave Peredonov joy. He decided to accompany Marta and Vladya. "Very well, I'll come with you," he said to Marta. Marta was glad but a little frightened. Of course she wanted Peredonov to go with them, or it would perhaps be more truthful to say that Vershina wanted it for her, and had instilled the desire into her by suggestion. But now that Peredonov said that he would come, Marta somehow felt uneasy on Vladya's account--she felt sorry for him. Vladya also became sad. Surely Peredonov was not going on his account? In the hope of appeasing Peredonov, he said: "If you think, Ardalyon Borisitch, that it will be a tight squeeze, then I will go on foot." Peredonov looked at him suspiciously and said: "That's all very well, but if I let you go alone, you'll run away somewhere. No, I think we had better take you to your father and he'll give you what you deserve!" Vladya flushed once more and sighed. He began to feel uneasy and depressed, and indignant at this cruel, morose man. To soften Peredonov's heart, he decided to make his seat more comfortable. "I'll make it so that you won't feel the jolts," he said. And he scurried hastily towards the cart. Vershina looked after him, still smoking, with her wry smile, and said quietly to Peredonov: "They're all afraid of their father. He's very stern with them." Marta flushed. Vladya wanted to take with him to the village his new English fishing-rod, bought with his saved-up money. And he wanted to take something else. But this would have occupied room in the cart and so Vladya carried all his goods back into the house. The weather was moderate, the sun was beginning to decline. The road, wet with the morning rain, was free of dust. The cart rolled evenly over the fine stones, carrying its four passengers from the town; the well-fed grey cob trotted along as if their weight were nothing, and the lazy, taciturn driver, Ignaty, drove the cob on a light rein. Peredonov was seated beside Marta. They had made him a wide seat, so that Marta's was very uncomfortable. But he did not notice this. And even if he had noticed it, he would have thought it quite proper, since he was the guest. Peredonov felt on very good terms with himself. He decided to talk very amiably to Marta, to joke with her and to entertain her. This is how he began: "Well, are you going to rebel soon?" "Why rebel?" asked Marta. "You Poles are always getting ready to rebel--but it's useless." "I'm not thinking about it at all," said Marta, "and there's no one among us who wants to rebel." "Oh, you only say that--you really hate the Russians." "We haven't any such idea," said Vladya, turning to Peredonov from the front seat.