“I might sleep another five minutes,” he said, yawning. “I shall be late, anyway....” “We might be just in time,” came a voice from the outer room. “All days are not alike; the train may be late for a bit of luck.” The postman got up, and stretching lazily began putting on his coat. Savely positively neighed with delight when he saw his visitors were getting ready to go. “Give us a hand,” the driver shouted to him as he lifted up a mail-bag. The sexton ran out and helped him drag the post-bags into the yard. The postman began undoing the knot in his hood. The sexton’s wife gazed into his eyes, and seemed trying to look right into his soul. “You ought to have a cup of tea...” she said. “I wouldn’t say no... but, you see, they’re getting ready,” he assented. “We are late, anyway.” “Do stay,” she whispered, dropping her eyes and touching him by the sleeve. The postman got the knot undone at last and flung the hood over his elbow, hesitating. He felt it comfortable standing by Raissa. “What a... neck you’ve got!...” And he touched her neck with two fingers. Seeing that she did not resist, he stroked her neck and shoulders. “I say, you are...” “You’d better stay... have some tea.” “Where are you putting it?” The driver’s voice could be heard outside. “Lay it crossways.” “You’d better stay.... Hark how the wind howls.” And the postman, not yet quite awake, not yet quite able to shake off the intoxicating sleep of youth and fatigue, was suddenly overwhelmed by a desire for the sake of which mail-bags, postal trains... and all things in the world, are forgotten. He glanced at the door in a frightened way, as though he wanted to escape or hide himself, seized Raissa round the waist, and was just bending over the lamp to put out the light, when he heard the tramp of boots in the outer room, and the driver appeared in the doorway. Savely peeped in over his shoulder. The postman dropped his hands quickly and stood still as though irresolute. “It’s all ready,” said the driver. The postman stood still for a moment, resolutely threw up his head as though waking up completely, and followed the driver out. Raissa was left alone. “Come, get in and show us the way!” she heard. One bell sounded languidly, then another, and the jingling notes in a long delicate chain floated away from the hut.