The story takes place in Ukraine at the start of 19th century. It shows how a local clerk, Fintyk, tries to seduce a female farmer, Tetyana, whose husband, Mykhailo, as a Chumak left for Crimea for nine weeks to transport salt. The couple was taken by surprise when a Russian army soldier came over and asked for a stay. All soldiers, if they were not cossacks and, of course, did...