A SUMMER ON THE YENESEI 255 



had fallen completely, we were obliged to row most of 

 the way home. The two young Prokopchuks were both 

 very uncertain what their reception would be, after their 

 two nights' absence. Joseph was tempted to shirk the 

 interview with his father by spending the night at the 

 fish station. However, he was too generous to leave 

 Marusia to bear the blame alone, and so, in the end, he 

 went home with her. 



The hut was quite quiet as we rowed up to it, but 

 as the boat ran ashore, the door opened and the tousled 

 head of Gerasim Androvitch looked out. He had 

 very obligingly come down to sleep there during our 

 absence, for a good deal of pilfering went on round the 

 houses in the settlement when there was no one at 

 home to look after the property. Marusia and her 

 brother slunk home at once, but we persuaded Gerasim 

 Androvitch to stay for an impromptu supper. This 

 invitation, and a glass of cognac, softened his heart, 

 and next day his son and daughter escaped without 

 the scolding that they had expected. 



