LITMIR.BIZ

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this once after all these years, so let’s not talk about depressing things like that.”

      “Very well, then let’s talk about something else.”

      The young woman suddenly stands up. Someone is coming along the path, walking very quickly.

      “Well, at least he’s turned up.”

      It’s a youth carrying a canvas satchel. He doesn’t slow down and keeps walking. The young woman looks away.

      “It’s not the person she’s waiting for. Life’s often that way, oddly enough.”

      “She’s crying.”

      “Who?”

      The young woman sits down with her hands raised; her hands are raised and seem to be covering her face, but it can’t be seen clearly. Birds are twittering.

      “So there are still birds here.”

      “It’s not only in forests that there are birds.”

      “Well, there are still sparrows here.”

      “You’ve become quite arrogant.”

      “That’s how I managed to survive. If I hadn’t kept that bit of arrogance, I wouldn’t be here today.”

      “Don’t be so cynical; you’re not the only person who has suffered. Everyone was sent to work in the country. You should realise that it was much worse for the young women sent to the country, where they had neither relatives nor friends. The reason I married him was because I had no better option. His parents arranged for my transfer back to the city.”

      “I wasn’t blaming you.”

      “No-one has the right to blame anyone.”

      The streetlights have come on and produce a wan yellow light among the green leaves of the trees. The night sky is grey and indistinct; even the stars can’t be seen clearly in the city sky, making the light from the streetlights among the trees appear too bright.

      “I think we should leave.”

      “Yes, we shouldn’t have come here.”

      “People might think we are lovers. If your husband finds out, he won’t misunderstand, will he?”

      “He’s not that kind of person.”

      “Then he’s a pretty good person.”

      “You can come and stay at our place.”

      “Only if he invites me.”

      “Won’t it be the same if I invite you?”

      “Too bad I didn’t know your address. That was why I went to look you up at your workplace. Otherwise, I would have gone directly to your home to visit you.”

      “You don’t have to go into all that nonsense.”

      “There’s no need for us to snipe at each other like that.”

      “It’s you who is saying one thing and meaning something else.”

      “Let’s change the subject.”

      “All right.”

      It has become dark in the grove and the young woman can no longer be seen. However, with the light shining on them, the lustrous green leaves of a white poplar seem to glow. There’s a hint of a breeze, and the trembling leaves of the white poplar shimmer like satin.

      “She hasn’t left yet, has she?”

      “No, she’s leaning against a tree.”

      A big tree stands a few paces from the empty stone bench, and someone is leaning against it.

      “What’s she doing?”

      “Crying.”

      “It’s not worth it!”

      “Why not?”

      “It’s not worth crying over him. She won’t have a problem finding a good man who loves her, a person worthy of her love. She should just leave.”

      “But she’s still hoping.”

      “Life’s road is wide and she will find her own way.”

      “Don’t think you know everything; you don’t understand how a woman feels. It’s just so easy for a man to hurt a woman. The woman is always weaker.”

      “If she knows she is weaker, why doesn’t she try to learn to be stronger?”

      “Fine-sounding words.”

      “There’s no need to look for things to worry about. There are enough worries in life. One should be able to accept things.”

      “There are so many things that should be.”

      “I’m saying that people should only do the things that they should do.”

      “That’s the same as saying nothing.”

      “Quite right. I shouldn’t have come to see you.”

      “That’s also saying nothing.”

      “All right, we should go. I’ll buy you dinner.”

      “I don’t want to eat. Can’t we talk about something else?”

      “What about?”

      “Talk about yourself.”

      “Let’s talk about the next generation. What’s your daughter’s name?”

      “I wanted to have a son.”

      “Having a daughter is the same.”

      “No. When a boy grows up he won’t have to suffer as much.”

      “People of the future won’t have as much suffering, because we’ve already suffered for them.”

      “She’s crying.”

      The leaves rustle in the breeze overhead, but the sound of weeping can be clearly heard, and it is coming from the direction of the stone bench and the tree.

      “We should go and console her.”

      “It wouldn’t help.”

      “But we should still try.”

      “Then you go.”

      “In such a situation it would only be appropriate for a woman to go.”

      “She doesn’t need that sort of consolation.”

      “I don’t understand.”

      “You don’t understand anything.”

      “Best not to. Once you do, it becomes a burden.”

      “Then why do you want to console others? Why don’t you just console yourself?”

      “What do you mean?”

      “You don’t understand how other people feel. If feelings are a burden, it’s best for you not to understand.”

      “Let’s leave.”

      “Will you come to my home?”

      “There’s no need.”

      “Are we going to say goodbye just like that? I’ve already invited you to come for dinner tomorrow. He’ll be there, too.”

      “I think it would be best if I didn’t come. What do you think?”

      “That’s entirely up to you.”

      In the darkness, the sound of weeping becomes more distinct. Intermittently, stifled sobs mingle with the sound of leaves trembling in the evening breeze.

      “When I get married I’ll write you a letter.”

      “It’s

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