The old dog Lapa barked in the porch, ran after the cart, returned and howled. Vitek called it; but it paid no heed. It smelt the farm-yard, entered Antek’s empty rooms, ran round them one or twice, rushed into the passage, barked again, whined, fawned on Yuzka, and again tore about as though distracted: then it sat down on its hind quarters with a strange air of imbecility—and finally made off, with its tail between its legs, on Antek’s trail. “Even Lapa has gone after them!” “Do not fear, Yuzka,” her father answered tenderly; “Lapa is coming back soon. They will have no food for him. Come, no silly puling, but prepare the other rooms: Roch is to live in them. Call Yagustynka to help you.... You must take household matters in hand now; being housekeeper, you’ll have many a care on your head.... No, no! no whimpering, dear!” He took her head in both his hands, and stroked it, and drew her caressingly to his heart. “When I go to town, I’ll buy you a pair of shoes.” “Oh, will you, will you, Father?” “Yes, I will indeed, and many another thing besides. Only be a good girl, and take care of the place.” “And will you buy me a caftan like Nastusia’s?” “Certainly, dear, I’ll buy you one.” “And ribbons too?—But long ones ... such as I shall want for your wedding-day.” “Say but what you need, little one, and you shall have it ... all you want!” CHAPTER XI “Are you sleeping, Yagna?” “How can I sleep? I woke at dawn ... with the thought that I am to be married to-day.” “You are sorry, darling, are you?” she whispered; there was in her heart a mingling of hope and fear. “Wherefore? Shall I be sorry that I must leave your home, and go to my own?” Dominikova, crushing down the pang which suddenly seized her at the words, did not reply at once. She rose from her bed, dressed herself carelessly, and went out to wake up the lads in the stable. These had overslept themselves somewhat, the “Unbinding of Hair”[20] having taken place in the cabin the evening before. It was broad daylight, and the morning, clad in hoarfrost, flooded the world with silvery splendour. ----- Footnote 20: As Polish peasant-girls’ tresses are cut after the wedding, they have a little domestic party the evening before, to which only girls are invited, and the tresses are then unbound, ready to be shorn.—_Translator’s Note._ Dominikova washed her face in the passage, and went quietly about the house, ever and anon peeping at Yagna, whose face was scarcely discernible in the shades of the bedroom, dark as yet.