18. Do Not Play With Daggers

“There,” he said in a mournful voice, “the sun will not incommode you.”

The Russian lord, watchful by nature, noticed that the shoulders of the old singer seemed very broad and strong, and was surprised to see that the coarse shirt which he wore was as white as the driven snow. He would have been glad to look at the old man’s face, but the Ataman in a great excess of goodness had said to him:

“You may keep on your cap, old man.” After a prelude, the old minstrel began to sing. What a powerful, sweet voice he had, and how much talent!

The Ataman, an amateur musician himself, was much affected by it. The song was beautiful. It was one of those Christian hymns which bring man and his soul into the presence of his Creator. Attracted by his magnificent song, the Ataman’s wife and his sister-in-law appeared at the end of the terrace, very near the old singer.

Méphodiévna recognized the little girl who had given her the red handkerchief, and whom she had invited to come to the palace. Leaning on a large box in which a rare plant was blooming, she motioned to Maroussia to come to her. The box was so high and the child so small that she was entirely hidden from the view of the Ataman and the Russian lord.

Maroussia drew a dagger out of her sleeve and slipped it into the sister-in-law’s dress pocket.

Did Méphodiévna notice this action? Her face gave no sign of it. Her large eyes, lost in space, were wholly intent on the music.

Maroussia took her place again near her good friend, without anyone having perceived that she had left it for an instant.

The old man continued to sing:

“Heaven is for the just, for them alone.”

“For them alone,” murmured the great Ataman.

“The oppressors, the conquerors will see their slaves enter there, but the angel with a flaming sword will bar their passage.”

The Russian lord had heard enough of this music. He pretended to conceal a yawn.

“These are things,” said the great Ataman, “which we must never forget.”

“Do you know the song of the bandit? ” the Russian asked the musician, “sing it for us, old man.”