He saw hundreds of hairy hands reach also for the flower from behind him, and there was a sound of scampering in his rear.

He half closed his eyes, and plucked sharply at the stalk, and the flower remained in his hand.
All became still.
Upon a stump sat Basavriuk, quite blue like a corpse.

He did not move so much as a finger.

Hi eyes were immovably fixed on something visible to him alone; his mouth was half open and speechless.

Nothing stirred around.