VIRGIN SOIL
beginning. Snanduliya sat down to this 'harpsichord,' struck a few chords. . . . Such toothless, acid, wizened, crazy notes Nezhdanov had never heard before in his life; but the old people began singing promptly:
`Is it to feel the smart,'
began Fomushka,
'That's hid in love,
The gods gave us a heart
Attuned to love?'
'Was there a love-sick heart,'
responded Fimushka,
`In the world ever,
Quite free from woe and smart?'
'Never! never!'
put in Fomushka.
`Never! never!'
repeated Fimushka.
`Pain is of love a part
Ever! ever!'
they both sang together.
'Ever! ever!'
Fomushka warbled alone.
'Bravo!' cried Paklin; 'that's the first verse, now the second.'
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