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Pioneers | 117 36 The next day, Friday, Mirkin and his closest comrades were in a state of great agitation. The role of each in Beryasheva’s escape was very precisely defined. Hillel was supposed to spend the night at the Beryashevs’ to help Sonya if necessary; and in case the plot was discovered the very night she’d run away, he was to inform Mirkin about it immediately. Mirkin and Faevich were to be waiting for the runaway at midnight next to her house. As soon as she emerged, Faevich would take her bundle and carry it to the garden; Mirkin would escort her through the remote and deserted streets. Uler, Tsiporin, and Geverman had also decided to be in the garden to bid farewell to Beryasheva. Kornblat, after lengthy hesitation, decided to remain at home with his books. Tsiporin was the most anxious of all. He didn’t work all day, ran to see Mirkin for no reason at all, had a worried and severe expression, and swore several times at the expense of these “aristocrats.” Hillel was the least anxious, but genuinely resented the sudden departure of Tsipa Zvulovina, who’d definitively managed to win his heart. Singing her praises, he said candidly and simply, “I’d even be willing to marry such a girl tomorrow! I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment! I’ve never seen such ‘fire’! She’s a real Cossack!” Around midnight, when the Beryashevs and their servants were sound asleep at home, Sonya, who’d not gone to bed, took from under her bed a bundle prepared earlier and cautiously went out into the dining room. Approaching the sofa where Hillel slept in the darkness, she whispered to him barely audibly, “Farewell, Hillel. . . . Thank you!” “Shh. . . . Safe journey,” he replied in a whisper. Bending down to his face, Sonya whispered with agitation, “If something happens to my mother . . . try to calm her down . . . convince her that I’m not planning to convert. . . . Swear to her. . . .” “Shh. . . . I’ll do everything as needed. . . . Now go!” Beryasheva carefully threw the bolt that secured the door, opened it, walked out, and paused on the threshold. Faevich appeared immediately right next to her, took the bundle from her hands in silence, and promptly disappeared. Just as inaudibly, like a shadow, Mirkin approached, took the girl by the arm, and led her through the deserted lanes. Trembling from inner agitation, she walked behind him in silence and haste. At the prearranged spot near the municipal garden, they found Yegorova with Sonya’s bundle in hand, and a little further on, the entire group with Faevich. 118 | Pioneers Yegorova walked up to Beryasheva and silently shook her hand. Then, yielding to some impulse, embraced her. After that she shook Mirkin’s hand in comradely fashion and said in a business-like voice, “I’ve made different arrangements. We’ll spend the night at the house of my acquaintances, the Grozdevs, Russian landowners. They live two versts away from the station. Tomorrow she’ll leave from there. It’s much safer. I’ve already been there and negotiated with the Grozdevs . They’ve agreed with delight and have even sent a carriage for us. It’s waiting outside the garden. . . . Well, say your goodbyes.” She walked away, leaving Mirkin alone with Beryasheva. Mirkin handed her the letter to his acquaintance in Kishinev and some money for the road, then shook her hand firmly. “Here’s to your new life of reason!” he exclaimed. The other comrades approached and shook Beryasheva’s hand hesitantly, warmly wishing her well. Yegorova, joining the group, extended her hand to Mirkin and said in a lively manner, “Rest assured—she’ll be well looked after! I’ve taken all the necessary precautions. I myself will see her off at the train tomorrow. . . . Goodbye!” “Goodbye, Yegorova!” replied Mirkin and shook her hand in a firm, comradely manner. Their gazes met—in their eyes there was an expression of serene, confident, comradely emotion. 37 Mirkin awoke early the next morning. Uler was sleeping all curled up, snoring , on the bench. After dressing, Mirkin was about to go into the kitchen to wash when all of a sudden some strange noise reached him from the street and the outer door slammed shut forcefully. He hardly had time to think before old man Beryashev stormed into his room. He had a fierce expression on his face, and his eyes were bloodshot. A young man followed him in, his relative...

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