Frost crunched on the ground like fine broken glass beads. Snowdrifts — almost to the roofs. Winter has gone wild in the Ukrainian way: lavishly, richly, on a grand scale. The wind, the damned scamp, howled in the pipes, climbed into the cracks — and froze on the spot, unable to stand his own arrogance. And you're in the hut. In front of the mirror, which hung crookedly above the chest of drawers, she turned in front of him as if in front of a judge. The beads are amber, as if the sun has frozen in them. The bows are scarlet, like drops of young wine. A handkerchief with gold embroidery, as if it were reserved for the princess. Every movement is like a challenge: Look what it is! He entered inaudibly, as only someone who is used to knocking not on doors, but on hearts would enter. He took off his hat, shook the frost from his moustache, and froze at the threshold. Everything is strength, calmness, hard work. There is no pleading in his eyes, no demand, but a quiet confidence: I will do whatever you wish. Even the impossible. —Oh, you..." You didn't even turn around. The voice is light, like a snowflake, but cutting, like ice in an ice hole. "What do you want here?" "My darling,— he began, and there was that simple truth in his voice that only happens to those who know how to make things for the ages: "the chest is almost ready. I'll cover it with paintings — poppies, birds, convolvulus… This is not to be found in the whole Settlement. And they probably won't see it in Poltava either. You finally took a look, fleetingly, as if by accident. And you grinned. Not maliciously. Worse is boredom. "You're boring." Everything is done, covered, decorated… And you're not having any fun. My friends will be here soon, it's time to carol, and you're like an oak tree in a ravine: standing and standing... — Get out. He didn't flinch. He didn't hunch over. He just nodded, slowly, proudly, and walked out. He put on his hat on the porch. The door closed softly behind him. And without waiting, you rushed to the window — and when you saw him walking away, to where the forest is blue, where the wind is stronger, you laughed. Easy. Cruelly.