It was some months afterwards. The flood was over, and the people of
Viletna had begun to rebuild their log houses, and collect what could
be found of their scattered belongings.
A portion of the great dyke had remained standing, so that the lake
did not completely empty itself; and the peasants were able, with some
help from the Government, to rebuild it.
Everyone had suffered; but the heaviest blow had fallen upon the great
house, for Madame Olsheffsky never returned to it. Her boat had been
upset and carried away, with the sudden force of the current, and
though Alexis managed to save himself by clinging to an uprooted pine
tree, Madame Olsheffsky had been torn from him, and sucked under by
the rush of the furious water.
Elena's face had grown pale and thin during these sad weeks,
and she and Boris looked older; for they had begun to face the
responsibilities of life, with no kind mother to stand between them
and the hard reality.
To add to their misfortunes, the wooden box containing the title-deeds
of their estate, and all their other valuable papers; had been swept
away with the rest of Lawyer Drovnine's property, and there seemed no
chance that it would ever be recovered again.
In the interval, as no defence was forthcoming, the lawsuit had been
decided in favour of the Olsheffsky's cousin; and the children were
now expecting every day to receive the notice that would turn them out
of their old home, and leave them without a place in the world that
really belonged to them.
The few relations they had, made no sign to show they knew of their
existence; but they were not without friends, and one of the first and
truest of these was Volodia.
"Don't trouble about this lawsuit, Elena Andreïevna," he said, on one
of his frequent visits to the great house. "If the wickedness of the
world is so great, that they rob you of what rightfully belongs to
you; take no notice of it--it is the will of God. _You_ will come down
with Boris Andreïevitch, and Daria Andreïevna, to my house, where
there is plenty of room for everyone; and my wife will be proud and
honoured. Then Var-Vara can live with her brother close by--a good
honest man, who is well able to provide for her; and Adam will hire a
little place, and retire with his savings. Alexis shall find a home
for Toulu--You know Alexis works for his father on the farm now, and
is really getting quite active. You see, _Matoushka_, every one is
nicely provided for, and no one will suffer!"
"But how can we all live with you, when we have no money?" said Elena.
"Good, kind Volodia! It would not be fair for us to be a burden to
you!"
"How can you talk of burdens, Elena Andreïevna! It's quite wrong of
you, and really almost makes me angry! Your grandfather gave me all
the money with which I started in life, and it's no more than paying
back a little of it. Besides, think of the honour! Think what a proud
thing it will be for us. All the village will be envious!"
Elena smiled sadly. "I suppose we shall have a little money left,
shan't we, Volodia?"
"Of course, _Matoushka_. Plenty for everything you'll want."
And so, after much argument and discussion, with many tears and sad
regrets, the three children said good-bye to the great house; and
drove with Toulu down the hill for the last time, to Volodia's large
new wooden house, which had been re-built in a far handsomer style
than the log hut he had lived in formerly.