The grass fell before the flashing scythe, the sun
flamed behind the trees, and I was happy as I had never
known happiness in my life before.
I had done only what all the soldiers are doing every day of
their lives. I had been only where they always were.... But
I felt that I need never be afraid again. Every one knows
how an early summer morning can give one confidence; in my
happiness, God forgive me, I thought that my struggles were
at an end, that I had met my enemy and defeated him ... that
I was worthy and able to defend Marie.
These things may seem foolish now when one knows what
followed them, but the happiness of that morning at least
was real. Perhaps all over Europe there were men, at that
moment, happy as I was, because they had proved something to
themselves. Then Nikitin called to me, laughing.
"Tea, 'Mr.' and _bulki_ (white bread) and sausage?"
"All right, I'm coming," I answered. "Listen, _golubchik_,"
I called to the soldier.
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