Lyubka

Tchirikov, who had been lately killed by some sledge-drivers, had left a wife and a daughter called Lyubka, who had come to the hospital two years before as a patient.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

"Listen, Merik," said Lyubka, and her voice grew soft and tender.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

Merik bent down to Lyubka and whispered something in her ear; she looked towards the door and laughed through her tears.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

"Get out of the way!" he said to Lyubka, who hurriedly bolted the door of the entry and stood across the threshold.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

Exhausted and almost breathless, Lyubka sank on to his bosom and leaned against him as against a post, and he put his arms round her, and looking into her eyes, said tenderly and caressingly, as though in jest:

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

Merik appeared in a coat and cap, then Lyubka with a candle in her hand.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

"Do stay, Merik," said Lyubka in an imploring voice.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

Lyubka excited him as she crept about the floor by the bench, and he thought that if Merik had not been there he would certainly have got up and embraced her, and then one would see what would happen.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

He walked along thinking of nothing but Lyubka, of the peasants with whom he had passed the night; he remembered how, after Lyubka struck him the second time, she had bent down to the floor for the quilt, and how her loose hair had fallen on the floor.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

Lyubka went out and soon afterwards came back wearing a green kerchief and beads.

The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882