With an amazing regularity
I keep seeing one and the same dream.
It seems to make me return
to the place, poignantly dear to my
heart,
where my grandfather's house
used to be,
in which I was born 40 years ago
right on the dinner table.
Each time I try to enter it, something
prevents me from doing that.
I see this dream again and again.
And when I see those walls made of
logs and the dark entrance,
even in my dream I become aware
that I'm only dreaming it.
And the overwhelming joy is clouded
by anticipation of awakening.
At times something happens
and I stop dreaming
of the house and the pine trees
of my childhood around it.
Then I get depressed.
And I can't wait to see
this dream
in which I'll be a child again
and feel happy again
because everything will be still
ahead, everything will be possible...
Mommy!
- Mom, they opened up!
- What's the matter with you?
Hello.
Hello.
- Are you Nadezhda Petrovna?
- I don't think I...
I'm Matvey Ivanov's stepdaughter.
He was a friend of your husband.
What Matvey?
The doctor. He used to live here.
Then he moved to Yurievets
and became a legal expert.
Are you from town?
We're from Moscow,
but we have a room in Yurievets.
We were evacuated last fall.
The air raids on Moscow began
and I have two kids.
My mother has some old connections
here...
My husband is not here,
he's in town.
Stop scratching yourself!
Actually I came to see you.
It's a ladies' little secret.
Come on in.
Don't stand there...
Wipe your feet.
Masha's just washed the floor.
Sit here for a while.
We won't be long.
Why are you sitting in the dark?
Did it go out?
You should've called us.
- What's your name?
- Alyosha.
I've got a son, too.
Not so big as you, of course.
It's not easy having kids now,
with the war going.
I wish I had a girl too.
Want to have a look? He's asleep.
We'll be quiet.
He's such a darling.
The other day he asked his father:
"Why is 5 kopecks bigger
than 10 kopecks?"
I was just dumfounded, and
his father didn't know what to say.
He always wanted a daughter.
He even thought of a girl's name.
And I prepared a pink layette.
Then I had to make everything anew.
He put us up to a lot of trouble,
little rascal.
We woke you up, didn't we?
That's your mommy's fault,
she just can't stop talking.
See, we've got company.
Some strangers, aren't they?
You just wouldn't wake up,
would you?
All right, honey, go back to sleep.
Do they become me? And the ring?
- What's wrong?
- I just felt queasy.
Of course, you've made a long trip.
I should have known better.
Have a drink. It will warm you up.
I just talk and talk
when I ought to make supper.
Oh please, you don't have to do it.
- But I can't let you go like that.
- We had a meal before leaving.
I don't like his cough!
Well, he runs wild...
We must have my husband
examine him.
We can't wait, we have a two-hour
walk to make.
And what about the earrings?
My husband's got the money.
We're going to have a cock
slaughtered. Only may I ask you...
I'm three months pregnant
and having fits of sickness.
Even when I'm milking a cow,
it gets so bad...
As for the cock...
Could you?
Well, I myself...
What, you too?
No, but I've never done it before.
Oh, it's nothing. Sure, in Moscow
you ate them already slaughtered.
I usually do it right here,
on this little log.
Here's the axe. My husband
has sharpened it this morning.
- You mean, right in the room?
- We'll put a basin under.
And tomorrow you'll take
a chicken with you.
No, I can't.
Maybe we'll ask Alyosha to do that?
After all, he's a man.
Why Alyosha?
All right, hold it tight. If it breaks
loose, it'll smash the dishes.
Oh no, I don't feel... Well?
Calm down. Everything will be
all right.
I wish I could see you
not only when I feel too bad.
- Do you hear me?
- Yes.
At last I soared up.
What's wrong, Marousia?
You feel bad?
Don't be surprised.
I love you.
Are you leaving already? And the