And wherever she went, whatever she did, she shed a kind of radiance, entirely different from all the other actors on the stage. And how she sang! much sweeter and higher than all the others! When she trilled, her voice seemed to come out of her throat all of its own accord. But the finest thing of all was when she stamped her foot and said "Go to the Devil." Once she even said "Damn."
"I can say 'Go to the Devil' too," Gesima whispered, somewhat sorrowful and jealous.
"You?"
He gazed at her as if she had promised him St. Peter's miraculous draught of fishes. And when she actually stamped her foot and shouted loudly and clearly "Go to the Devil! Damn!" he shrieked with joy and hugged her rapturously several times.
Suddenly he let her go, and turned his eyes into the distance, as if he had caught sight of an important thought there. Then he put both hands on her shoulders and looked solemnly into her face.
"Will you please be my partner at the school party next winter? You needn't be ashamed to go with me, because in the late autumn I'll be promoted and I'll be an Officer. When I go to the party I'll have a sword hanging down, and a broad red sash with tassels and fringes reaching to my knees. And I'll have gold grenades embroidered on my collar and facings, which are black velvet, you know. And patent-leather boots, and white breeches of course. Will you, Gesima?"
"Yes, on one condition, that you bow to me."
He gave a short little bow from the waist, as if he were hinged there.
79
