Mockery

ThereishungerinSiberiaduringtheRussianCivilWar.Dim-wittedpeasantSergeiissearchingcorpsesforfood.HemeetsamysteriousyoungwomanlookingforthetownofNovokursk.SheasksSergeitotellanyonetheymightmeetthatheisherhusband.Theyfindanabandonedhousewheretheycanrest...butastrangerishidinginside.Sergeiwashesthewoman'sfeetandpreparesabedforher.Thestrangerrevealshimselfandissoonjoinedbycossacks;theydonotbelievethatthewomanisapeasant'swife.TheybeatSergeibuthedoesnotbetrayher.ThetwoarerescuedbyWhitecavalry.ThewomanisinfacttheCountessAlexandrova.InNovokursk,thecountessstayswiththerichGaidarofffamily.WhenSergeileaveshospital,hegoestoseehis"friend".Thecountessbegrudginglyprovidesajobinthehousehold.SergeiisexposedtotherevolutionarytalkofIvan,aservant.WhentheWhitesleavetowntocounteranattack,theRedsarefreetoact...