VII + 

Lesha’s stories about the white mamma won over Fedota and his wife. As they put him to bed on Easter eve, they hung a white candied egg above his head. + 

“It’s from the white mamma,” said Christina, “only you darling mustn’t touch it; at least not until the resurrection, when you’ll hear the bell ring.” + 

Lesha lay down obediently. He looked long at the egg of joy and at last fell asleep. + 

Saksaoolov was sitting alone in another room. Just before midnight an unconquerable drowsiness again closed his eyes, and he was glad that he would soon see Tamar. + 

At last she came, all in white, joyous, bringing with her glad tidings from afar. She smiled gently, then bent over him, and⁠—unspeakable happiness!⁠—Saksaoolov’s lips felt a tender contact. + 

A sweet voice said softly: “Christoss Voskress!” (Christ has risen). + 

Saksaoolov, without opening his eyes stretched out his arms and embraced a slender, gentle body. It was Lesha who climbed on his knees and gave him the kiss of Easter. + 

The church bell had awakened the boy. He seized the white egg and ran to Saksaoolov. + 

Saksaoolov opened his eyes. Lesha laughed as he showed him the egg. + 

“White mamma has sent it,” he lisped, “and I’ll give it to you, and you can give it to Aunt Valeria.” + 

“Very well, my dear boy, I’ll do as you say,” said Saksaoolov. + 

He put Lesha to bed, then went to Valeria Mikhailovna with Lesha’s white egg, a gift from the white mamma, but which really seemed to him at that moment to be a gift from Tamar herself. + 