268 A SUMMER ON THE YENESEI 



was a wrench, for most of his twenty-four years of life 

 had been spent at Golchika, and of the world which lay 

 beyond the Yenesei he knew as little as any English 

 schoolboy of half his age. He talked the matter out 

 in his slow, persevering way, and it was almost midnight 

 before he left the hut. Vassilli came in half an hour 

 later with the news that Gerasim Androvitch had come 

 out to meet his son, and abused him roundly for some 

 fancied neglect. " I would not speak to a dog as he 

 spoke to Joseph Gerasimvitch," said Vassilli virtuously, 

 " but Joseph did not answer a single word." 



We found the situation rather a delicate one, for 

 while we sympathised heartily with the Giant in the wish 

 to escape from his miserable home and participation in 

 the very doubtful transactions of his father, yet we did 

 not like to appear to influence his decision. However, 

 on the following evening, when Joseph went past the 

 door with the slow, dignified step that was peculiar to 

 him, he did not stop, but merely bowed good-night 

 with a stately inclination of his curly head and passed 

 on. It was just as well that he did so, for shortly 

 afterwards our door opened without a preliminary 

 knock, and the two old Prokopchuks entered. They 

 asked for cigarettes, and made a few uneasy remarks 

 as they smoked them, while we wondered what this 

 visitation might portend. However, they took their 

 leave without saying anything, and it was not until 

 afterwards that we realised that the worthy couple had 

 paid us a surprise visit in order to find out whether 

 Joseph was spending the evening at our house. 



The gale blew itself out on 2nd September, and at 



