on the door of the head of the department. Toiboldy was still asleep. When he opened his eyes and saw Yesirkep leaving for the Black Sea, with a face that looked as if he had just killed a man, the head of the department pulled his head away from the pillow. ‘Oh… Wh-what happened? ‘Two carts are needed,’ Yesirkep muttered. ‘What do you need carts for? Is everything alright?!’ ‘Everything is alright. Give me two carts. I’ll bring them back in the evening.’ When he received the carts, Yesirkep began noisily loading his belongings into them. ‘Where the hell are you going?’ cried his wife, followed by the children. ‘Wherever you go… Shut up! Shut up!’ Yesirkep shouted, throwing things at the carts. When almost all the belongings had been packed, a crowd of old men, led by Tarakbai, suddenly came into the courtyard of his house. Among them were the four men. Struggling to comprehend after yester- day’s feast what was going on in Yesirkep’s house, they looked at the tractor carts full of household belongings for a long time… Finally, having understood what was going on, Tashkenbai clutched his head: ‘Forgive us, we are such fools! How were we supposed to know you’d be so worried?!’ He wailed hysterically. By lunchtime, the belongings had been unloaded and put back in their places. Tarakbai cut up a sheep and the others ran to the shop. In the evening, a big toast was held at Yesirkep’s house. All four of them repeatedly asked for forgive- ness. And they wept tears of remorse. Yesirkep also wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. Tashkenbai raised his glass and made a toast: ‘Happy housewarming! ‘What bastards you are,’ said Yesirkep, smiling happily.
1984