Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/317

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.


On the Edge of the World
301

"Well," I said, "I forgot to give you money; that was wrong of me, but what a cruel man that master must be, who would not trust you, and took away your cap in this frost."

"Nobody took away my cap."

"What happened then."

"I myself threw it down."

He told me that he had walked all day following the signs and had at last come to a hut; in the but the carcass of a bear was lying, but the master was not there.

"Well?"

"I thought it would be long for you to wait, Bachka; you'd die."

"Well?"

"I cut off the bear's leg and ran back again, but I left him my cap."

"Why?"

"That he should not think badly, Bachka."

"But this master does not know you."

"This one does not know me, Bachka, but the Other knows me."

"What other?"

"That Master, Who looks from above."

"Hm! Who looks from above?"

"Yes, Bachka, of course, He sees everything, Bachka."

"He sees all, brother, He sees all."