| 178 | 179 | 180 | 181 | 182 |
| 1 | 73 | 145 | 218 | 290 |
|
CHAPTER VI.
The brothers, having finished their houses, moved into them and lived
apart from their father and brother. Ivan, when he had completed his
plowing, made a great feast, to which he invited his brothers, telling
them that he had plenty of beer for them to drink. The brothers,
however, declined Ivan's hospitality, saying, "We have seen the beer
moujiks drink, and want none of it."
Ivan then gathered around him all the peasants in the village and
with them drank beer until he became intoxicated, when he joined the
Khorovody (a street gathering of the village boys and girls, who sing
songs), and told them they must sing his praises, saying that in return
he would show them such sights as they had never before seen in their
lives. The little girls laughed and began to sing songs praising Ivan,
and when they had finished they said: "Very well; now give us what you
said you would."
Ivan replied, "I will soon show you," and, taking an empty bag in his
hand, he started for the woods. The little girls laughed as they said,
"
What a fool he is!" and resuming their play they forgot all about him.
Some time after Ivan suddenly appeared among them carrying in his hand
the bag, which was now filled.
"Shall I divide this with you?" he said.
180
Page
Quick Jump
|