'Peasants'


 * 'Peasants'**
 * ....."Sounds like Kiryak's back," the old man said. "Talk of the devil." Everyone went quiet. And a few moments later they heard that cry again, coarse and drawling, as though it was coming from under the earth. "Ma-arya!" Marya, the elder sister, turned pale and huddled closer to the stove, and it was somehow strange to see fear written all over the face of that strong, broad-shouldered woman. Suddenly her daughter - the same little girl who had been sitting over the stove looking so apathetic - sobbed out loud. "And what's the matter with you, you silly cow?" Fyokla shouted at her - she was strong and broad-shouldered as well. "I don't suppose he's going to kill you." Nikolay learned from the old man that Marya didn't live in the forest, as she was scared of Kiryak, and that whenever he was drunk he would come after her, make great racket and always beat her mercilessly. "Ma-arya!" came the cry - this time right outside the door. "Please, help me, for Christ's sake, my own dear ones..." Marya mumbled breathlessly, panting as though she had just been dropped into freezing water. "Please protect me..." Every single child in the hut burst out crying, and Sasha gave them all one look and followed suit......**