Widow by Isaac Babel. Short summary

5 seconds

Commander Shevelev dies because of a serious wound. He gives his last will to the wife and coachman of the commander. However, Lyovka does not wait for the funeral and demands that the widow comply with the deceased’s wishes.

1 minute

The regimental commander, Shevelev, dies on the medical line. At his feet sits his wife Sashka. Nachdiv’s coachman Lyovka heats up food in a cauldron and says something. The wounded man asks Lyovka to see to it that all the gold goes to Sashka, and the house, his clothes and medal go to his mother.

Lyovka begs Sashka to give himself to him. At that time the wounded Shevelev is lying nearby. Sashka returns to her husband and bandages his wounds. She says to Shevelev: «By tomorrow you will be gone, she is in your gut, death…».

The enemies were advancing. Lyovka and Sashka had to go with the dying Shevelev to the dressing station. However, the regimental commander dies on the way. Sashka lays on his side and covers the dead man with her immense body.

Sashka rode behind her husband’s coffin to a mournful shriek. Lyovka immediately rushed to her. He demanded that the widow follow his orders and send Shevelev’s mother his things. Sashka made it clear that this conversation was not quite appropriate. Lyovka was smashing her face so that she would not forget the deceased’s wish.