A thin old man with a pointed beard squinted at the lake glistening in the sun, threw a couple of fishing rods into the boat, and began to untie it slowly, but suddenly heard a clear voice calling him.
"Good morning!" Anna greeted him cheerfully.
"Didn't you leave yesterday?" the old man asked, not responding to her greeting.
"I tried to catch the night train. I sat at the station until morning, but it never came. I don't think they'll be running any time soon."
"That's for sure... What should I do with you?"
In response, the girl just shrugged silently.
"Well, okay... What can you do... Stay with us for now. The old woman will be glad that at least someone is eating her jam..." the scientist said reluctantly, finally untying the rope. "In the meantime, get in the boat, young lady. I happen to have a second fishing rod. Can you handle it?"
"I'll try," Anna replied cheerfully, jumping into the boat and settling down at the bow, watching as the scientist started the motor. "You're just like the hero of "The Old Man and the Sea"..."
"You might as well mention "A Farewell to Arms". I hate Hemingway..." the old man frowned.
"Who is your favourite writer?" asked the girl, deciding to continue the small talk on literary topics.
"Alexei Nikolayevich Tolstoy."