The gentry cannot be expected to keep cripples in their houses, so I was sent on here where I have some relations. And here I live, as you see."

Loukeria again stopped, and again tried to smile.

"But, it's dreadful, this state you're in!" I exclaimed, and not knowing what to say next, added: "And how about Vassily Poliakof?" not a very discreet question to ask.

Loukeria turned away her eyes a little.

"Poliakof? He was very unhappy for some time. And then he married another girl, one from Glinnoe. Do you know Glinnoe? It's not far off. Her name is Agra- fena. He was very fond of me; but he was a young man, you know; he couldn't always remain unmarried. And what sort of a helpmate should I have been for him? He has a wife who is good and comely, and they have children. He is employed in the steward's office of a neighboring estate -- your mother gave him a permit -- and all goes well with him, thank God!"

"And so you're always lying here without moving?" I asked.

"This is the seventh year, Barin, I've been lying here. During the summer I remain in this hut. When it turns cold, I am removed to the outer room of the bath-house."

"And who looks after you?"

"There are kind folks here as well as elsewhere. I am not deserted, and I don't want much looking after. As for victuals -- why, I scarcely eat anything; and for drink -- there is water in that pitcher. It always stands there, with plenty of fresh spring-water. I can get at it without help. One of my arms is still serviceable, and, besides, there is a young girl, an orphan, who comes to see after me, God bless her! She was here just now. Didn't you meet her? A fair-haired girl, and so pretty! She brings me flowers. I am so fond of flowers. I haven't any garden ones; I had some once, but they're all gone. But see how charming the wild flowers are; and they smell even sweeter than the garden ones. See, here are some lilies of the valley--what can be prettier?"

"And you don't find the life you lead wearisome or painful, my poor Loukeria?"

"What can one do? I won't say what isn't true. At first it was very dreary. But after I got accustomed to it and learned to be patient, it seemed a mere nothing. There are others still worse off."

"How so?"

"There are some who are homeless, there are others who are blind or deaf. But I, thank God! see quite well and hear everything, everything. If a mole burrows underground I can hear it, and I can enjoy every scent, however faint it may be. When the buckwheat is in flower in the fields, or the lime-trees in the garden, there is no need to tell me of it.