"Pashka, dear, how nice it is!" cried Vyera, delighted. "Ah! it's hot! Hullo, you there, Ilya, leave off! Can't you look enough? Get one for yourself!" "But she must be pretty," said Vyera, with a strange emphasis, looking Ilya in the eyes. "Prettier than you can't be found," sighed Ilya, and laughed. "Don't talk of things you don't understand," said Vyera, softly. "He knows his way about," said Pashka. Then, turning to Ilya, went on, wrinkling his brow: "Here, now, everything is so clean and jolly, and then, all of a sudden--one thinks--It cuts one's heart." "Don't think then!" cried Vyera, and bent over the table. Ilya looked at her, and saw how her ears grew red. "You must think--" she went on, softly but firmly--"if I have only a day, still it's mine! It isn't easy for me, either, but I don't mix up the joy and the trouble; I keep it, like the song says: 'The sorrow I alone will bear, the joy together we shall share.'" Pavel listened, but hardened his heart, in his sulky mood. Ilya longed to say something comforting, encouraging, and, after a pause, began: "What's to be done when the knots won't be loosened? If I had lots of money, a thousand or ten thousand roubles, I'd give it to you, and say: 'There, take it, take it because of your love,' for I see it and feel it; for you it's a real true heart affair, and that is always pure to the conscience, and all the rest you can spit at." A warm feeling flamed up and thrilled through him. He stood up when he saw the girl lift her head and look at him gratefully, while Pavel smiled, as though he waited for him to say more. "It's the first time in my life I've seen such a beautiful thing," Ilya went on. "It's the first time I have seen how people can love one another; and, Pavel, it's the first time I've really got to know you--I've looked into your soul. I sit here and say frankly, I envy you; I'm sad and merry at the same time. God grant that all may be well with you! And--and as for the rest, let me say something. Suppose--I dislike Chuvashai and Mordvij, they're dirty and blear-eyed. But I bathe in the same river and drink the same water as they do. Am I to avoid the river because they are objectionable? Why should I? God cleanses it again." "That's it, Ilya! You're a good fellow," cried Pavel, excitedly. "But do you drink out of the river?" said Vyera, softly. "I must find it first," laughed Ilya. "Pour me out a glass of tea to go on with, Vyera!" "You're a nice boy!" cried the girl. "Many thanks," said Ilya, seriously, bowed to her, and sat down again. His words and the whole scene acted on Pavel like wine. His animated face reddened, his eyes shone with excitement, he sprang from his chair and paced the room joyously. "Ah, devil take it!" he cried, "the world's a jolly place, if men are as simple as children. It was a good thing I did when I brought you along, Ilya! Drink, brother! Fill up, Vyerunka!"