dark, yellow snow still lay in the ravines from under which flowed icy streamlets; on the surface it was thawing, and last year's grass pointed up like stiff golden arrows to the cold heavens. here and there, in bright sunny patches, appeared the first yellow flowers. the sky was dull and overcast, laden with massy, leaden-coloured clouds.
a carrion-crow flew low over the trees and the twittering birds fell silent. when the menace had passed they broke forth anew in triumphant song, once more absorbed by the joy of living,
the swelling earth gurgled happily beneath the soft kiss of the warm humid wind, and from somewhere afar came reverberating sounds of spring; perchance from the people in the village across the water, or perchance from the warbling birds over the streams.
ivanov the forester came out on to the door-step which had already dried, and lighted a cigarette; it burned but slowly in the moist atmosphere of the deepening twilight.
"it will be hot, mitrich, thank god!" remarked the watchman, ignat, as he passed by with some buckets…. "snipe will be about to-morrow, and we will have to hunt right into easter."
he went into the cow-house, then returned, sat down on a step, and rolled a cigarette.
the pungent odour of his bad tobacco mingled with the sweet aroma of dying foliage and melting snow. beyond the river a church bell was ringing for the lenten festival, and there was a melancholy thrill in its notes as they crossed the water.
"that must be the seventh gospel," said ignat. "they will be coming out with the candles soon." then he added abruptly: "the river won't reach to a man's waist in the summer and now it is like a torrent; they have been hardly able to cross it in the long boat … spring, ah!… well, i shall certainly have to clean out my double-barrelled gun to-day." with a business-like air he spat into a puddle and vigorously inhaled his cigarette smoke.
"the cranes will come down by the garden for the night, at dusk, judging by all portents, and to-morrow we will go after the grouse," replied ivanov, and listened intently to the myriad sounds of evening.
ignat also listened, bending his shaggy head sideways to the earth and the sky. he caught some desired note and agreed:
"yes, it must be so. i can hear the beat of their wings. i am truly thankful. at dawn to-morrow we must get out the drosky. we will go to the ratchinsky wood and have a look. we can get through all right by the upper road."
from the right of the steps, his daughter aganka skipped gaily on to the terrace and began beating the dust out of a sheep-skin coat with thin brown sticks. it was cold and she commenced to dance for warmth, singing in a shrill voice:
"the nightingale sings
in the branches above—
the nightingale brings
no rest to his love!"
ignat gave her an indulgent look; nevertheless he said sternly:
"come, come! that is sin … it is lent and you singing!"
aganka merely laughed.
"there is no sin now!" she retorted, turning her back to the steps and propping up her right leg as she vigorously beat the sheepskin coat.
ignat playfully threatened her—then smiled and said to ivanov: "a fine girl, isn't she?… she is not yet sixteen and is already a flirt! its no use talking to her. she won't remain in the house at night, but must go slipping off somewhere."
aganka turned round sharply, tossing her head. "well, i am not a dead creature!"
"you are not, my girl; indeed you are not—only hold your tongue!"
ivanov glanced at her. she was like a little wild fawn with her fresh young body and sparkling eyes, always so ready to bewitch. his own weary eyes involuntarily saddened for a moment; then he said cheerily, in a louder tone than necessary:
"well, isn't that the right attitude? isn't it the best way? love while you can, aganka, have a happy time."
"oh, yes, let her have a happy time by all means … it is young blood's privilege." replied ignat.
the bells again rang out for the gospel. the sky grew darker and darker. ravens croaked hoarsely amidst the verdant foliage of the trees. ignat put his ear to the ground, listening. from the distance, from the garden, the ravines, and the pasturage came the low cries of cranes, barely audible amid the subdued rustling of the spring. ignat thrust forward his bearded face, it looked at first serious and attentive, then it grew cunning and became animated with joy.
"the cranes have come down!" he cried in an excited whisper, as though afraid of frightening them. then he began to bustle about, muttering:
"i must grease the double-barrel…."
ivanov also bestirred himself. because while tracking the cranes he would be seeing her, arina's image now came vividly before him— broad, strong, ardent, with soft sensual lips, and wearing a red handkerchief.
"get the drosky out at dawn to-morrow," he ordered ignat. "we will go to the ratchinsky wood. i will go there now and have a look round."
