12. Conversation and Music

The old man sang some more songs of the same kind, to the great joy of the soldiers, who at last came to him from all corners of the camp; then he arose and said farewell to his numerous friends. Some of them offered to show him the way.

“Stay here, obstinate old fellow, stay until morning. The nights are cold, and the roads are not safe. Tell him, little girl, to stay until tomorrow. Good shelter and a good supper are worth waiting for. Zounds! He needn’t be in such a hurry! Your receipts have been good. The blond officer put a gold piece into your hand. I saw him. Your grandfather can buy you a nice dress with it.”

The old man was firm. “A wandering singer must be on the wing,” he said smiling.

And he disappeared with the little girl in the shades of night.

“Do you know?” Maroussia said to him, “I heard some officers say the last battle had been so severe, that they would not be ready to attack Tchigurine for two weeks?”