Thegardenswerecalledthewidows’becausetheywerekeptbytwowidows，motheranddaughter。Acampfirewasburningbrightlywithacracklingsound，throwingoutlightfararoundontheploughedearth。ThewidowVasilisa，atall，fatoldwomaninaman’scoat，wasstandingbyandlookingthoughtfullyintothefire；herdaughterLukerya，alittlepock-markedwomanwithastupid-lookingface，wassittingontheground，washingacaldronandspoons。Apparentlytheyhadjusthadsupper。Therewasasoundofmen’svoices；itwasthelabourerswateringtheirhorsesattheriver。
“Hereyouhavewinterbackagain，“saidthestudent，goinguptothecampfire。“Goodevening。“
Vasilisastarted，butatoncerecognizedhimandsmiledcordially。
“Ididnotknowyou；Godblessyou，“shesaid。
“You’llberich。“