He returned to the fishery at the end of five days, alone and in a sailing-boat; he had been sent ashore to fetch provisions. It was noon when Jakoff arrived; the workmen were resting after their dinner. It was intolerably hot, the sand burnt the feet, the fish-bones and scales pricked them. Jakoff walked carefully towards the huts, wishing all the time he had put his shoes on. He hesitated about returning to the boat, he wanted to eat his dinner quickly and to find Malva. During the tedious hours at sea he had often thought of her. He would have liked to have known if his father and she had seen each other, and what had passed between them.... Perhaps the old man had beaten her? That wouldn't have mattered; it would have made her more gentle. Otherwise she was too provoking, too bold. The deserted fishery slumbered: the long wooden huts with all the windows standing open, seemed exhausted with the heat. In the inspector's office a child was crying.... Behind a heap of barrels the whisper of voices was heard. Jakoff went in that direction; he thought he distinguished Malva's voice. But when he reached the barrels he stopped and paused. In the shade, lying on his back, his arms under his head, was the red-headed Sereja. Near him, on one side, was Vassili, and on the other side Malva. Jakoff thought, "What is my father doing here? Has he left his employment so as to be near Malva, and to watch her? The old devil!... If only my mother knew what he was up to?" Should he speak to them or not? "That's it," Sereja was saying. "Therefore you must say good-bye to each other. And then be off, and go and scratch your land ..." Jakoff started, and his face grew joyful. "I am going," said Vassili. Then Jakoff stepped forward boldly. "Good-morning, all of you!" His father threw a rapid glance at him, and then turned away. Malva did not move. Sereja kicked out his leg, and said in a forced voice-- "Here is our well-beloved son Jakoff, who is returning from a far country." Then he added in his ordinary voice-- "Let us skin him alive, and mate drums out of his skin." Malva laughed softly. "It's hot," said Jakoff, sitting down by them. Vassili glanced at him once more, as if unwillingly. "I have been expecting you here all the morning, Jakoff. The inspector told, me that you were to come." His voice seemed to the young man to be weaker than usual, and his face seemed altered. "I have come to fetch some provisions," said Jakoff. And he asked Sereja for a cigarette. "I have no tobacco for a fool like you!" replied the latter without moving. "I'm going home, Jakoff!" said Vassili gravely, digging at the sand with his finger. "Why?" asked his son innocently. "Never mind.... Shall you remain here?" "Yes, I shall remain.... What could both of us do at home?"