Matreona was thus engaged, her thoughts wandered toward Simeon and his purchase of the sheepskins for the coat, when she murmured to herself:
"Perhaps he has been cheated by the sheepskin dealer, as he is not sharp enough for such people. He never cheats any one, and a little child could get the best of him. Eight rubles is a great deal of money. A very fine coat could be purchased for that amount. During last winter we had a hard time to get along without a furcoat. It was impossible to do my washing in the river, or to go anywhere else in the intensely cold weather. He has my jacket on him now, and I am left without anything to wear. He should have returned by this time. Perhaps my angel has gone on the spree."
At this point her meditation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps in the porch. Some one had entered the house, and, putting her needle aside, she went into the hall. She saw
