By some instinct Olenin recognized from afar Maryanka's blue smock among the rows of vine, and, picking grapes on his way, he approached her.

His highly excited dog also now and then seized a low-hanging cluster of grapes in his slobbering mouth.

Maryanka, her face flushed, her sleeves rolled up, and her kerchief down below her chin, was rapidly cutting the heavy clusters and laying them in a basket.

Without letting go of the vine she had hold of, she stopped to smile pleasantly at him and resumed her work.

Olenin drew near and threw his gun behind his back to have his hands free.