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then！ I would give all my land to your family； to make them
shut their mouths； and we two might go to Siberia； or
somewhere far away。 They would ask； 'Who is she？' 'My wife！
Do you understand？'
〃We could get some sort of paper or document。 We could open
a shop somewhere in a village； and live。 And we could expiate
our sin before God。 We could help other people to live； and
they would help us to appease our consciences。 Isn't that so；
Marsha？〃
〃Yes；〃 said she； with a deep sigh； closing her eyes as if in
thought。
248 ON A RAFT
They remained silent for a while； the water murmured。
〃He is sickly。 He will； perhaps； die soon；〃 said Silan after
a time。
〃Please God it may be soon！〃 said Marka； as if in prayer； and
making the sign of the cross。
The rays of the spring sun broke through the clouds； and
touched the water with rainbow and golden tints。 At the breath
of the wind all nature thrilled； quickened； and smiled。 The
blue sky between the clouds smiled back at the sun…warmed
waters。 The raft； moving on； left the clouds astern。
Gathering in a thick and heavy mass； they hung motionless； and
dreaming over the bright river； as if seeking a way to escape
from the ardent spring sun； which； rich in color and in joy；
seemed the enemy of these symbols of winter tempests。
Ahead； the sky grew clearer and brighter； and the morning sun；
powerless to warm； but dazzling bright as it glitters in early
spring； rose stately and beautiful from the purple…gold waves
of the river； and mounted higher and ever higher into the blue
limpid sky。 On the right showed the brown； high banks of the
river； surmounted by green woods； on the left emerald green
fields glittered with dew diamonds。 In the air； floated the
smell of the earth； of fresh springing grass； blended with the
aromatic scent of a fir wood。
Sergei and Mitia stood as if rooted to their oars； but the
expression on their faces could not be distinguished by those
on the forward part of the raft。
Silan glanced at Marka。
249 ON A RAFT
She was cold。 She leaned forward on her pole in a doubled…up
attitude。 She was looking ahead with dreaming eyes； and a
mysterious； charming smile prayed on her lipssuch a smile as
makes even an ugly woman charming and desirable。
〃Look ahead； lads！ Ahoy！ Ahoy！〃 hailed Silan； with all the
force of his lungs； feeling a powerful pulse of energy and
strength in his strong breast。
And all around seemed to tremble with his cry。
The echo resounded long from the high banks on either side。
End