"You demon, what are you doing here? The devil take you," she said, addressing him.
"I've been showing this traveller here the way," answered the young fellow. "And what have you been bringing here?"
"Dairy produce, and I am to bring more in the morning."
The guide said something in answer that made not only the women but even the sentinel laugh, and, turning to Nekhludoff, he said:
"You'll find your way alone? Won't get lost, will you?
"I shall find it all right."
"When you have passed the church it's the second from the two-storied house. Oh, and here, take my staff," he said, handing the stick he was carrying, and which was longer than himself, to Nekhludoff; and splashing through the mud with his enormous boots, he disappeared in the darkness, together with the women.
His voice mingling with the voices of the women was still audible through the fog, when the gate again rattled, and the sergeant appeared and asked Nekhludoff to follow him to the officer.