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"Papa," Nadya said "Please do not marry Karina"

She hoped that he would deny that he had been conte Instead, he sucked his wounded thumb and said, "Why not? Don’t you like Karina?"

"No," said Nadya honestly "And she doesn’t like h knuckles over her cheek "Sweet Nadya, who could not love you?"

"Papa--"

"Karina is a good woain "It would be better if …" Abruptly, he dropped his hand and turned his face back to the fire His eyes were distant, and when he spoke, his voice was cold and strange, as if rising froood woripped the arms of his chair "Now leave ht Nadya He is under her spell

The night before Havel left for the south, a dance was held in the barn by the Pankin farht, the tables piled high with plates of nuts and apples, pots of honey, and jars of bitter kvas The hs and the high shine of Baba Olya’s treasured samovar could not hide the fact that now the tables were eh people stoloo over the room

Genetchka Lukin was chosen Dros Koroleva, Queen of the Thaw, and made to dance with all who asked her, in the hope that it would bring about a short winter, but only Havel looked truly happy He was off to the ar’s pocket He ht die or coht, his face gloith the relief of leaving Duva behind

Nadya danced once with her brother, once with Victor Yeronoff, then took a seat with the s and wives and children Her eyes fell on Karina, standing close to her father Her limbs hite birch branches; her eyes were ice over black water Maxim looked unsteady on his feet

Khitka The word drifted down to Nadya from the barn’s shadowed eaves as she watched Karina weave her ar vine Nadya pushed her foolish thoughts away and turned to watch Genetchka Lukin dance, her long golden hair braided with bright red ribbons Nadya was asha Genetchka struggle through a dance with Anton Kozar He si balance on his crutch, the other clutching tightly to poor Gentchka’s waist Silly, but she felt it just the same

"Go with Havel," said a voice at her shoulder

Nadya nearly ju beside her She looked up at the slender wo in coils around her white neck

She turned her gaze back to the dance "I can’t and you know it I’h" It would be two more years before Nadya was called to the draft

"So lie"

"This is my home," Nadya whispered furiously, embarrassed by the tears that rose behind her eyes "You can’t just send me away" My father won’t let you, she added silently But soe to speak the words aloud

Karina leaned in close to Nadya When she smiled, her lips split wet and red around what seemed like far too many teeth

"Havel could at least work and hunt," she whispered "You’re just another ed one of Nadya’s curls, hard Nadya knew that if her father happened to look over he would just see a beautiful wo her to dance