Late that evening, after writing this letter, Olenin went to his hosts' hut.

The old woman was sitting on a bench behind the oven unwinding cocoons.

Maryanka with her head uncovered sat sewing by the light of a candle.

On seeing Olenin she jumped up, took her kerchief and stepped to the oven.

'Maryanka dear,' said her mother, 'won't you sit here with me a bit ?' 'No, I'm bareheaded,' she replied, and sprang up on the oven.