The Torrents Of Spring

She seemed so happy that Sanin was simply astonished; her face even
wore at times that sedate expression which children sometimes have
when they are very … very much pleased.
They rode at a walking pace for the short distance to the city walls, but
then started off at a vigorous gallop along the high road. It was magnificent,
real summer weather; the wind blew in their faces, and sang and
whistled sweetly in their ears. They felt very happy; the sense of youth,
health and life, of free eager onward motion, gained possession of both;
it grew stronger every instant.
Maria Nikolaevna reined in her mare, and again went at a walking
pace; Sanin followed her example.
‘This,’ she began with a deep blissful sigh, ‘this now is the only thing
worth living for. When you succeed in doing what you want to, what
seemed impossible – come, enjoy it, heart and soul, to the last drop!’ She
passed her hand across her throat. ‘And how good and kind one feels
oneself then! I now, at this moment … how good I feel! I feel as if I could
embrace the whole world! No, not the whole world… . That man now I
couldn’t.’ She pointed with her whip at a poorly dressed old man who
was stealing along on one side. ‘But I am ready to make him happy.
Here, take this,’ she shouted loudly in German, and she flung a net purse
at his feet. The heavy little bag (leather purses were not thought of at that
time) fell with a ring on to the road. The old man was astounded, stood
still, while Maria Nikolaevna chuckled, and put her mare into a gallop.
‘Do you enjoy riding so much?’ Sanin asked, as he overtook her.
Maria Nikolaevna reined her mare in once more: only in this way
could she bring her to a stop.
‘I only wanted to get away from thanks. If any one thanks me, he
spoils my pleasure. You see I didn’t do that for his sake, but for my own.
How dare he thank me? I didn’t hear what you asked me.’
‘I asked … I wanted to know what makes you so happy to-day.’
‘Do you know what,’ said Maria Nikolaevna; either she had again not
heard Sanin’s question, or she did not consider it necessary to answer it.
‘I’m awfully sick of that groom, who sticks up there behind us, and most
likely does nothing but wonder when we gentlefolks are going home
again. How shall we get rid of him?’ She hastily pulled a little pocketbook
out of her pocket. ‘Send him back to the town with a note? No …
that won’t do. Ah! I have it! What’s that in front of us? Isn’t it an inn?’
Sanin looked in the direction she pointed. ‘Yes, I believe it is an inn.’
‘Well, that’s first-rate. I’ll tell him to stop at that inn and drink beer till
we come back.’
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