“I was asleep,” he said, and by the sound of his voice she knew that he was smiling.

“Well, can I get out?” he asked.

“No! the Cossack is here;” and, saying this, she glanced at the Cossack sleeping in the cart.

And, strange to say, though the Cossack was snoring, his kind blue eyes were open. He looked at her, and only when their glances met did he shut his eyes again.

“Was it only my fancy, or was he really awake?” Albína asked herself. “It must have been my fancy,” she thought, and again turned to the box.

“Bear it a bit longer,” she said. “Do you want something to eat?”

“No; I want to smoke.”

Albína looked at the Cossack. He was asleep.

“Yes, I only fancied it,” she thought.