All was as before. Only Vassili, who the last time awaited her coming with peaceful security, was now filled with impatience. Last Sunday she had not come; to-day she would surely come. He did not doubt it for a moment, but he wanted to see her as soon as possible. Iakov, at least, would not be there to embarrass them. The day before yesterday, as he passed with the other fishermen, he said he would go to town on Sunday to buy a blouse. He had found work at fifteen roubles a month. Except for the gulls, the sea was still deserted. The familiar little black spot did not appear, "Ah, you're not coming!" said Vassili, with ill humor. "All right, don't. I don't want you." And he spat with disdain in the direction of the water. The sea laughed. "If, at least, Serejka would come," he thought. And he tried to think only of Serejka. "What a good-for-nothing the fellow is! Robust, able to read, seen the world--but what a drunkard! Yet good company. One can't feel dull in his company. The women are mad for him; all run after him. Malva's the only one that keeps aloof. No, no sign of her! What a cursed woman! Perhaps she's angry because I beat her." Thus, thinking of his son, of Serejka, but more often of Malva, Vassili paced up and down the sandy beach, turning every now and then to look anxiously out to sea. But Malva did not come. This is what had happened. Iakov rose early, and on going down to the beach as usual to wash himself, he saw Malva. She was seated on the bow of a large fishing boat anchored in the surf and letting her bare feet hang, sat combing her damp hair. Iakov stopped to watch her. "Have you had a bath?" he cried. She turned to look at him, and glanced down at her feet: then, continuing to comb herself, she replied: "Yes, I took a bath. Why are you up so early?" "Aren't you up early?" "I am not an example for you. If you did all I do, you'd be in all kinds of trouble." "Why do you always wish to frighten me?" he asked. "And you, why do you make eyes at me?" Iakov had no recollection of having looked at her more than at the other women on the fishing grounds, but now he said to her suddenly: "Because you are so--appetizing." "If your father heard you, he'd give you an appetite! No, my lad, don't run after me, because I don't want to be between you and Vassili. You understand?" "What have I done?" asked Iakov. "I haven't touched you." "You daren't touch me," retorted Malva. There was such a contemptuous tone in her voice that he resented this. "So I dare not?" he replied, climbing up on the boat and seating himself at her side. "No, you dare not." "And if I touch you?" "Try!" "What would you do?" "I'd give you such a box on the ear that you would fall into the water." "Let's see you do it" "Touch me if you dare!" Throwing his arm around her waist, he pressed her to his breast. "Here I am. Now box my ears."