XII
WE knocked at the door and went into the passage. The priest himself opened the door. He was old, of small stature, and had one front tooth missing. His wife, a little old woman, began to blow up the fire. We both fell at his feet.
"Save us, let us warm ourselves, and hide us until evening."
The Reverend Father asked:
"Who are you, my dear children? Have you booty, or are you only fugitives?"
"We have taken nothing from anybody," answered Arkadie, we are fleeing from the brutality of Count Kamensky, and want to go to the Turkish village, Khrushchuk, where many of our people are already living. They will not find us there. We have got our own money, and we will give you a piece of gold for one night's lodging, and if you marry us three pieces of gold. Marry us if you can; if not we can be wedded in Khrushchuk."
"No, no, why can't I marry you?" said the priest? I can do so? What is the good of being
168
