How is it
you haven't been here for so long?"
"I couldn't snatch away the time, nohow-camping. You know
yourself... We had to put away twenty-five versts a day. The whole
day drilling and drilling: field, formation, garrison. With a full
pack. Used to get so fagged out from morning to night that towards
evening you couldn't feel your legs under you... We were at the
manoeuvres also... It isn't sweet..."
"Oh, you poor little things!" Little White Manka suddenly clasped
her hands. "And what do they torture you for, angels that you are?
If I was to have a brother like you, or a son--my heart would just
simply bleed. Here's to your health, little cadet!"
They clinked glasses. Jennka was just as attentively scrutinizing
Gladishev.
"And you, Jennechka?" he asked, extending a glass.
"I don't want to," she answered listlessly, "but, however, ladies,
you've drunk some wine, chatted a bit--don't wear the welcome off
the mat."
"Perhaps you'll stay with me the whole night?" she asked
Gladishev, when the others had gone away. "Don't you be afraid,
dearie; if you won't have enough money, I'll pay the difference
for you.
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