When she had reached the wattle fence of her home she stopped and turned to the Cossack who was running beside her and still trying to persuade her to stay a while with him.
'Well, what do you want to say, midnight-gadabout ?' and she again began laughing.
'Don't laugh at me, Maryanka! By the Heaven! Well, what if I have a sweetheart?
May the devil take her! Only say the word and now I'll love you--I'll do anything you wish.

Here they are!' and he jingled the money in his pocket.

'Now we can live splendidly.

Others have pleasures, and I?
I get no pleasure from you, Maryanka dear!' The girl did not answer.

She stood before him breaking her switch into little bits with a rapid movement of her fingers.
Lukashka suddenly clenched his teeth and fists.
'And why keep waiting and waiting?
Don't I love you, darling?
You can do what you like with me,' said he suddenly, frowning angrily and seizing both her hands.
The calm expression of Maryanka's face and voice did not change.
'Don't bluster, Lukashka, but listen to me,' she answered, not pulling away her hands but holding the Cossack at arm's length.