and the servant who had been with the gentleman came
in.

"Good day," said he.

"Good day," replied Simon. "What can we do for you?"

"My mistress has sent me about the boots."

"What about the boots?"

"Why, my master no longer needs them. He is dead."

"Is it possible?"

"He did not live to get home after leaving you, but died in the
carriage. When we reached home and the servants came to help him alight,
he rolled over like a sack. He was dead already, and so stiff that
he could hardly be got out of the carriage. My mistress sent me here,
saying: 'Tell the bootmaker that the gentleman who ordered boots of him
and left the leather for them no longer needs the boots, but that he
must quickly make soft slippers for the corpse. Wait till they are
ready, and bring them back with you.' That is why I have come."

Michael gathered up the remnants of the leather; rolled them up, took
the soft slippers he had made, slapped them together, wiped them down
with his apron, and handed them and the roll of leather to the servant,
who took them and said: "Good-bye, masters, and good day to you!"

VIII

Another year passed, and another, and Michael was now living his sixth
year with Simon. He lived as before. He went nowhere, only spoke when
necessary, and had only smiled twice in all those years--once when
Matryona gave him food, and a second time when the gentleman was in
their hut. Simon was more than pleased with his workman. He never now
asked him where he came from, and only feared lest Michael should go
away.

They were all at home one day. Matryona was putting iron pots in the
oven; the children were running along the benches and looking out of the
window; Simon was sewing at one window, and Michael was fastening on a
heel at the other.

One of the boys ran along the bench to Michael, leant on his shoulder,
and looked out of the window.

"Look, Uncle Michael! There is a lady with little girls! She seems to be
coming here. And one of the girls is lame."

When the boy said that, Michael dropped his work, turned to the window,
and looked out into the street.

Simon was surprised. Michael never used to look out into the street,
but now he pressed against the window, staring at something. Simon also
looked out, and saw that a well-dressed woman was really coming to
his hut, leading by the hand two little girls in fur coats and woolen
shawls. The girls could hardly be told one from the other, except that
o