2. An Unknows Traveler

The old woman interrupted her:

“You don’t understand me. When the life of our country is at stake we do not calculate, we do not ask ourselves, ‘Shall we succeed?’ But we say, ‘It is our duty,’ and we rush into the fight. If we are killed, we die gloriously; it is a better lot than to live meanly. My children acted thus. May God keep their souls! If it were to be done over, they would do the same again.”

“You are right, you are right,” said many of the women.

Others said nothing, but wept. The children also were troubled; they did not play, they neither laughed nor cried, but stood in the corners, breathing softly, observing the faces of the older people and listening to their conversation.

A little, very little girl, with golden hair, extremely brilliant large eyes and rosy lips, alone seemed entirely absorbed by her own affairs. She had pieces of straw in her apron and was braiding a pretty mat.

The evening wore away; it grew darker and darker, more and more quiet. Everybody was still; the little girl fell asleep with the unfinished mat in her hand.

Night came and the stars began to shine.

Suddenly someone knocked at the door.

It was so unexpected that no one could believe his ears; but there was a second, and again a third knock, very distinct, very loud.

The master of the house arose and went to open the door. His guests and friends lighted their pipes and began to smoke. Another knock, sharper and more distinct, was heard on the window. The smokers started; the children looked at each other; Danilo half-opened the door.

“Who is there?” he asked.

A voice answered, a strong, manly voice, that a lost traveler asked for hospitality.

“You are welcome,” said Danilo, and he opened wide the door, inviting the traveler to enter.

A few stars were seen, a fresh breath of the night air entered the warm room; then, upon the doorstep appeared a man of great height, so very tall that he was obliged to lower his head in order to enter the door.

Beauty is not rare in Ukraine, nevertheless the traveler who entered the room could with difficulty have found his equal.

His face was one of those noble faces by which the most careless glances are arrested with a sudden feeling of respect. Everyone would say on seeing him: “This man is a man among all men.” His tall figure was well formed and supple. His entire person betokened calmness and strength; but never were diamonds, stars, or the lightning so bright as the black eyes which shed light around him.