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the two were connected。 After untying it he stood for a few
moments looking silently at the baby。
Akulina did not notice this proceeding； and with her cakes on the
board went to place them in a corner。
Polikey quickly hid the rope beneath his coat； and again seated
himself on the bed。
〃What is it that troubles you； Illitch？〃 inquired Akulina。 〃You
are not yourself。〃
〃I have not slept；〃 he answered。
Suddenly a dark shadow crossed the window； and a minute later the
girl Aksiutka quickly entered the room； exclaiming：
〃The boyarinia commands you； Polikey Illitch； to come to her this
moment！〃
Polikey looked first at Akulina and then at the girl。
〃This moment！〃 he cried。 〃What more is wanted？〃
He spoke the last sentence so softly that Akulina became quieted
in her mind； thinking that perhaps their mistress intended to
reward her husband。
〃Say that I will come immediately；〃 he said。
But Polikey failed to follow the girl； and went instead to
another place。
From the porch of his house there was a ladder reaching to the
attic。 Arriving at the foot of the ladder Polikey looked around
him； and seeing no one about； he quickly ascended to the
garret。
* * * * * * *
Meanwhile the girl had reached her mistress's house。
〃What does it mean that Polikey does not come？〃 said the
noblewoman impatiently。 〃Where can he be？ Why does he not come
at once？〃
Aksiutka flew again to his house and demanded to see Polikey。
〃He went a long time ago；〃 answered Akulina； and looking around
with an expression of fear on her face； she added； 〃He may have
fallen asleep somewhere on the way。〃
About this time the joiner's wife； with hair unkempt and clothes
bedraggled； went up to the loft to gather the linen which she had
previously put there to dry。 Suddenly a cry of horror was
heard； and the woman； with her eyes closed； and crazed by fear；
ran down the ladder like a cat。
〃Illitch；〃 she cried； 〃has hanged himself！〃
Poor Akulina ran up the ladder before any of the people； who had
gathered from the surrounding houses； could prevent her。 With a
loud shriek she fell back as if dead； and would surely have been
killed had not one of the spectators succeeded in catching her in
his arms。
Before dark the same day a peasant of the village； while
returning from the town； found the envelope containing Polikey's
money on the roadside； and soon after delivered it to the
boyarinia。