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A hawk flew high over a forest far away with slow sweep of its

wings; another flew with exactly the same motion in the same

direction and vanished. The birds twittered more and more loudly

and busily in the thicket. An owl hooted not far off, and Laska,

starting, stepped cautiously a few steps forward, and putting her

head on one side, began to listen intently. Beyond the stream was

heard the cuckoo. Twice she uttered her usual cuckoo call, and

then gave a hoarse, hurried call and broke down.

"Imagine! the cuckoo already!" said Stepan Arkadyevitch, coming

out from behind a bush.

"Yes, I hear it," answered Levin, reluctantly breaking the

stillness with his voice, which sounded disagreeable to himself.

"Now it's coming!"

Stepan Arkadyevitch's figure again went behind the bush, and

Levin saw nothing but the bright flash of a match, followed by

the red glow and blue smoke of a cigarette.

"Tchk! tchk!" came the snapping sound of Stepan Arkadyevitch

cocking his gun.