There was a strange alternation of sadness and joy in her heart.

She wished the afternoon whistle would sound.
They reached the square where the church stood.

Around the church within the paling a thick crowd was sitting and standing.

There were some five hundred gay youth and bustling women with children darting around the groups like butterflies.

The crowd swung from side to side.
The people raised their heads and looked into the distance in different directions, waiting impatiently.
"Mitenka!" softly vibrated a woman's voice.