A post-sledge was gliding rapidly over the frozen road towards
Viletna; and as it neared the village, a thin worn man, with white
hair, who was sitting in it alone, leant forward and touched the
driver.
"I want to go to the great house. You remember?"
"Oh, you're going to see Mikhail? He hasn't come to the great house
yet, though. It's all being done up."
"No, I'm going to Madame Olsheffsky's!"
"Anna Olsheffsky! Haven't you heard she was drowned in the flood?
Washed away. Just before the children lost their property to that
thief of a cousin!"
The driver went on adding the details, not noticing that the gentleman
had fallen back, and lay gasping as if for air.
"You knew Anna Olsheffsky, perhaps?" he said at last, turning towards
the traveller. Then seeing his face, "Holy Saints! What is the matter?
He'll die surely, and no help to be had!"
"She was my wife," said the gentleman hoarsely. "You don't remember
me? I am André Olsheffsky."
"To think that I shouldn't have known you, _Barin!_" cried the driver
in great excitement, dropping the reins. "Not that it's much to be
wondered at, and you looking a young man when you left! Welcome home!
Welcome home!"
"Where are the children?" said André Olsheffsky, brokenly. "Perhaps
they're dead, too?"
"Oh, the children are all well, _Barin_! They are at Volodia
Ivanovitch's."
"Drive me there, then," said Mr. Olsheffsky; and the sledge dashed off
with a peal of its bells, and drew up with a flourish in front of
Volodia's doorway.
"Do look out, Elena!" cried Boris, who was carving a wooden man with
an immense pocket-knife. "Here's a sledge stopped, and a funny tall
gentleman getting out--not old, but all white!"
Elena went to the window, but the stranger had disappeared into the
shop.
They could hear voices talking, now loud, now soft, then a cry of
astonishment from Maria. The door burst open, and Volodia, his grey
hair flying, the tears rolling down his cheeks, dragged in the
white-haired gentleman by the hand.
"Oh, children! children! this is a happy day. The _Barin's_ come home.
This is your father!"