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Artzybashev, Mikhail Petrovich, 1878-1927

"Sanine"

Just as they passed
a man's voice sang:
_The heart affair lady
Is wayward as the wind across the wheat_...

When they got within a short distance of Sina's home they sat down on a
bench where it was very dark. In front of them lay the broad street,
all white in the moonlight, and the church topped by a cross that
gleamed as a star above the black linden trees.
"Look! How pretty that is!" exclaimed Sina, as she pointed to the
church. Yourii glanced admiringly at her white shoulder which, in the
costume of Little Russia that she wore, was exposed to view. He longed
to clasp her in his arms and kiss her full red lips. It seemed as if he
must do so, and as if she expected and desired this. But he let the
propitious moment pass, laughing gently, almost mockingly, to himself.
"Why do you laugh?"
"Oh! I don't know!--nothing!" replied Yourii nervously, trying to
appear unmoved.
They were both silent as they listened to faint sounds that came to
them through the darkness.
"Have you ever been in love?" asked Sina, suddenly.
"Yes," said Yourii slowly.


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