,MA/] & ,MAN 

#ahie 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TAGS 3 OLD MAN1 OLD WOMAN1 HORSE1 SL$GE1 SN[1 W9D1 ROAD1 RI<T1 NI<T1 H\SE4 

,SECTIONS 7,T,O,C7 3 
     

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,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

O ,*APT] #a 

,IT HAPP5$ 9 ! 'SEV5TIES 9 W9T]1 ON ! DAY AFT] ,/4 ,NI*OLAS'S ,DAY4 ,!RE WAS A FETE 9 ! P>I% & ! 9NKEEP]1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* ,BREKHUNOV1 A ,SECOND ,GUILD M]*ANT1 BE+ A *UR* ELD] HAD TO GO TO *UR*1 & HAD ALSO TO 5T]TA9 HIS RELATIVES & FRI5DS AT HOME4 

,BUT :5 ! LA/ ( !M HAD GONE HE AT ONCE BEGAN TO PREP>E TO DRIVE OV] TO SEE A NEI<BOR+ PROPRIETOR AB\T A GROVE :I* HE HAD BE5 B>GA9+ OV] = A LONG TIME4 ,HE WAS N[ 9 A HURRY TO />T1 LE/ BUY]S FROM ! T[N MI<T =E/ALL HIM 9 MAK+ A PR(ITABLE PUR*ASE4 

,! Y\?FUL L&[N] WAS ASK+ T5 ?\S& RUBLES = ! GROVE SIMPLY BECAUSE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS (F]+ SEV5 ?\S&4 ,SEV5 ?\S& WAS1 H[EV]1 ONLY A ?IRD ( ITS REAL VALUE4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* MI<T P]HAPS HAVE GOT IT D[N TO HIS [N PRICE1 = ! WOODS W]E 9 HIS DI/RICT & HE HAD A LONG-/&+ AGREEM5T ) ! O!R VILLAGE DEAL]S ?AT NO ONE %\LD RUN UP ! PRICE 9 ANO!R'S DI/RICT1 BUT HE HAD N[ LE>N$ ?AT SOME TIMB]-DEAL]S FROM T[N MEANT TO BID = ! ,GORYA*K9 GROVE1 & HE RESOLV$ TO GO AT ONCE & GET ! MATT] SETTL$4 ,SO AS SOON AS ! FEA/ WAS OV]1 HE TOOK SEV5 HUNDR$ RUBLES FROM HIS /RONG BOX1 ADD$ TO !M TWO ?\S& ?REE HUNDR$ RUBLES ( *UR* MONEY HE HAD 9 HIS KEEP+1 SO AS TO MAKE UP ! SUM TO ?REE ?\S&2 C>EFULLY C\NT$ ! NOTES1 & HAV+ PUT !M 9TO HIS POCKET-BOOK MADE HA/E TO />T4 

,NIKITA1 ! ONLY ONE ( ,VASILI ,&REEVI*'S LABOR]S :O WAS NOT DRUNK ?AT DAY1 RAN TO H>NESS ! HORSE4 ,NIKITA1 ?\< AN HABITUAL DRUNK>D1 WAS NOT DRUNK ?AT DAY BECAUSE S9CE ! LA/ DAY BE=E ! FA/1 :5 HE HAD DRUNK HIS COAT & LEA!R BOOTS1 HE HAD SWORN (F DR9K & HAD KEPT HIS V[ = TWO MON?S1 & WAS /ILL KEEP+ IT DESPITE ! TEMPTATION ( ! VODKA ?AT HAD BE5 DRUNK EV]Y:]E DUR+ ! FIR/ TWO DAYS ( ! FEA/4 

,NIKITA WAS A PEASANT ( AB\T FIFTY FROM A NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE1 'NOT A MANAG]' AS ! PEASANTS SAID ( HIM1 MEAN+ ?AT HE WAS NOT ! ?RIFTY HEAD ( A H\SEHOLD BUT LIV$ MO/ ( HIS TIME AWAY FROM HOME AS A LABOR]4 ,HE WAS VALU$ EV]Y:]E = HIS 9DU/RY1 DEXT]ITY1 & /R5G? AT WORK1 & /ILL MORE = HIS K9DLY & PLEASANT TEMP]4 ,BUT HE NEV] SETTL$ D[N ANY:]E = LONG BECAUSE AB\T TWICE A YE>1 OR EV5 (T5]1 HE HAD A DR9K+ B\T1 & !N BESIDES SP5D+ ALL HIS CLO!S ON DR9K HE BECAME TURBUL5T & QU>RELSOME4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* HIMSELF HAD TURN$ HIM AWAY SEV]AL TIMES1 BUT HAD AFT]W>DS TAK5 HIM BACK AGA9--VALU+ HIS HONE/Y1 HIS K9DNESS TO ANIMALS1 & ESPECIALLY HIS *EAPNESS4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID NOT PAY ,NIKITA ! EI<TY RUBLES A YE> SU* A MAN WAS WOR?1 BUT ONLY AB\T =TY1 :I* HE GAVE HIM HAPHAZ>D1 9 SMALL SUMS1 & EV5 ?AT MO/LY NOT 9 CA% BUT 9 GOODS FROM HIS [N %OP & AT HI< PRICES4 

,NIKITA'S WIFE ,M>?A1 :O HAD ONCE BE5 A H&SOME VIGOR\S WOMAN1 MANAG$ ! HOME/EAD ) ! HELP ( H] SON & TWO DAU<T]S1 & DID NOT URGE ,NIKITA TO LIVE AT HOME3 FIR/ BECAUSE %E HAD BE5 LIV+ = SOME TW5TY YE>S ALREADY ) A COOP]1 A PEASANT FROM ANO!R VILLAGE :O LODG$ 9 !IR H\SE2 & SECONDLY BECAUSE ?\< %E MANAG$ H] HUSB& AS %E PLEAS$ :5 HE WAS SOB]1 %E FE>$ HIM LIKE FIRE :5 HE WAS DRUNK4 ,ONCE :5 HE HAD GOT DRUNK AT HOME1 ,NIKITA1 PROBABLY TO MAKE UP = HIS SUBMISSIV5ESS :5 SOB]1 BROKE OP5 H] BOX1 TOOK \T H] BE/ CLO!S1 SNAT*$ UP AN AX1 & *OPP$ ALL H] UND]G>M5TS & DRESSES TO BITS4 ,ALL ! WAGES ,NIKITA E>N$ W5T TO HIS WIFE1 & HE RAIS$ NO OBJECTION TO ?AT4 ,SO N[1 TWO DAYS BE=E ! HOLIDAY1 ,M>?A HAD BE5 TWICE TO SEE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* & HAD GOT FROM HIM :EAT FL\R1 TEA1 SUG>1 & A QU>T ( VODKA1 ! LOT CO/+ ?REE RUBLES1 & ALSO FIVE RUBLES 9 CA%1 = :I* %E ?ANK$ HIM AS = A SPECIAL FAVOR1 ?\< HE [$ ,NIKITA AT LEA/ TW5TY RUBLES4 

',:AT AGREEM5T DID WE EV] DRAW UP ) Y\8' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI* TO ,NIKITA4 ',IF Y\ NE$ ANY?+1 TAKE IT2 Y\ WILL WORK IT (F4 ,I'M NOT LIKE O!RS TO KEEP Y\ WAIT+1 & MAK+ UP ACC\NTS & RECKON+ F9ES4 ,WE DEAL /RAI<T-=W>DLY4 ,Y\ S]VE ME & ,I DON'T NEGLECT Y\4' 

,& :5 SAY+ ?IS ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS HONE/LY CONV9C$ ?AT HE WAS ,NIKITA'S B5EFACTOR1 & HE KNEW H[ TO PUT IT SO PLAUSIBLY ?AT ALL ?OSE :O DEP5D$ ON HIM = !IR MONEY1 BEG9N+ ) ,NIKITA1 CONFIRM$ HIM 9 ! CONVICTION ?AT HE WAS !IR B5EFACTOR & DID NOT OV]REA* !M4 

',YES1 ,I UND]/&1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ,Y\ KN[ ?AT ,I S]VE Y\ & TAKE AS MU* PA9S AS ,I W\LD = MY [N FA!R4 ,I UND]/& V]Y WELL6' ,NIKITA W\LD REPLY4 ,HE WAS QUITE AW>E ?AT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS *EAT+ HIM1 BUT AT ! SAME TIME HE FELT ?AT IT WAS USELESS TO TRY TO CLE> UP HIS ACC\NTS ) HIM OR EXPLA9 HIS SIDE ( ! MATT]1 & ?AT AS LONG AS HE HAD NO:]E TO GO HE MU/ ACCEPT :AT HE C\LD GET4 

,N[1 HAV+ HE>D HIS MA/]'S ORD] TO H>NESS1 HE W5T AS USUAL *E]FULLY & WILL+LY TO ! %$1 /EPP+ BRISKLY & EASILY ON HIS RA!R TURN$-9 FEET2 TOOK D[N FROM A NAIL ! HEAVY TASSEL$ LEA!R BRIDLE1 & J+L+ ! R+S ( ! BIT W5T TO ! CLOS$ /ABLE :]E ! HORSE HE WAS TO H>NESS WAS /&+ BY HIMSELF4 

',:AT1 FEEL+ LONELY1 FEEL+ LONELY1 LITTLE SILLY8' SAID ,NIKITA 9 ANSW] TO ! L[ :9NY ) :I* HE WAS GREET$ BY ! GOOD-TEMP]$1 M$IUM-SIZ$ BAY /ALLION1 ) A RA!R SLANT+ CRUPP]1 :O /OOD ALONE 9 ! %$4 ',N[ !N1 N[ !N1 !RE'S TIME 5\<4 ,LET ME WAT] Y\ FIR/1' HE W5T ON1 SPEAK+ TO ! HORSE JU/ AS TO SOMEONE :O UND]/OOD ! WORDS HE WAS US+1 & HAV+ :ISK$ ! DU/Y1 GROOV$ BACK ( ! WELL-F$ Y\NG /ALLION ) ! SKIRT ( HIS COAT1 HE PUT A BRIDLE ON HIS H&SOME HEAD1 /RAI<T5$ HIS E>S & =ELOCK1 & HAV+ TAK5 (F HIS HALT] L$ HIM \T TO WAT]4 

,PICK+ HIS WAY \T ( ! DUNG-/REWN /ABLE1 ,MUKHORTY FRISK$1 & MAK+ PLAY ) HIS H9D LEG PRET5D$ ?AT HE MEANT TO KICK ,NIKITA1 :O WAS RUNN+ AT A TROT BESIDE HIM TO ! PUMP4 

',N[ !N1 N[ !N1 Y\ RASCAL6' ,NIKITA CALL$ \T1 WELL KN[+ H[ C>EFULLY ,MUKHORTY ?REW \T HIS H9D LEG JU/ TO T\* HIS GREASY %EEPSK9 COAT BUT NOT TO /RIKE HIM--A TRICK ,NIKITA MU* APPRECIAT$4 

,AFT] A DR9K ( ! COLD WAT] ! HORSE SI<$1 MOV+ HIS /RONG WET LIPS1 FROM ! HAIRS ( :I* TRANSP>5T DROPS FELL 9TO ! TR\<2 !N /&+ /ILL AS IF 9 ?\<T1 HE SUDD5LY GAVE A L\D SNORT4 

',IF Y\ DON'T WANT ANY MORE1 Y\ NE$N'T4 ,BUT DON'T GO ASK+ = ANY LAT]1' SAID ,NIKITA QUITE S]I\SLY & FULLY EXPLA9+ HIS CONDUCT TO ,MUKHORTY4 ,!N HE RAN BACK TO ! %$ PULL+ ! PLAYFUL Y\NG HORSE1 :O WANT$ TO GAMBOL ALL OV] ! Y>D1 BY ! RE94 

,!RE WAS NO ONE ELSE 9 ! Y>D EXCEPT A /RANG]1 ! COOK'S HUSB&1 :O HAD COME = ! HOLIDAY4 

',GO & ASK :I* SL$GE IS TO BE H>NESS$--! WIDE ONE OR ! SMALL ONE--!RE'S A GOOD FELL[6' 

,! COOK'S HUSB& W5T 9TO ! H\SE1 :I* /OOD ON AN IRON F\NDATION & WAS IRON-RO($1 & SOON RETURN$ SAY+ ?AT ! LITTLE ONE WAS TO BE H>NESS$4 ,BY ?AT TIME ,NIKITA HAD PUT ! COLL> & BRASS-/UDD$ BELLY-B& ON ,MUKHORTY &1 C>RY+ A LI<T1 PA9T$ %AFT-B[ 9 ONE H&1 WAS LEAD+ ! HORSE ) ! O!R UP TO TWO SL$GES ?AT /OOD 9 ! %$4 

',ALL RI<T1 LET IT BE ! LITTLE ONE6' HE SAID1 BACK+ ! 9TELLIG5T HORSE1 :I* ALL ! TIME KEPT PRET5D+ TO BITE HIM1 9TO ! %AFTS1 & ) ! AID ( ! COOK'S HUSB& HE PROCE$$ TO H>NESS4 ,:5 EV]Y?+ WAS NE>LY READY & ONLY ! RE9S HAD TO BE ADJU/$1 ,NIKITA S5T ! O!R MAN TO ! %$ = SOME /RAW & TO ! B>N = A DRUGGET4 

',!RE1 ?AT'S ALL RI<T6 ,N[1 N[1 DON'T BRI/LE UP6' SAID ,NIKITA1 PRESS+ D[N 9TO ! SL$GE ! FRE%LY ?RE%$ OAT /RAW ! COOK'S HUSB& HAD BR\<T4 ',& N[ LET'S SPREAD ! SACK+ LIKE ?IS1 & ! DRUGGET OV] IT4 ,!RE1 LIKE ?AT IT WILL BE COM=TABLE SITT+1' HE W5T ON1 SUIT+ ! ACTION TO ! WORDS & TUCK+ ! DRUGGET ALL R\ND OV] ! /RAW TO MAKE A SEAT4 

',?ANK Y\1 DE> MAN4 ,?+S ALWAYS GO QUICK] ) TWO WORK+ AT IT6' HE ADD$4 ,& GA!R+ UP ! LEA!R RE9S FA/5$ TOGE!R BY A BRASS R+1 ,NIKITA TOOK ! DRIV]'S SEAT & />T$ ! IMPATI5T HORSE OV] ! FROZ5 MANURE :I* LAY 9 ! Y>D1 T[>DS ! GATE4 

',UNCLE ,NIKITA6 ,I SAY1 ,UNCLE1 ,UNCLE6' A HI<-PIT*$ VOICE %\T$1 & A SEV5-YE>-OLD BOY 9 A BLACK %EEPSK9 COAT1 NEW :ITE FELT BOOTS1 & A W>M CAP1 RAN HURRI$LY \T ( ! H\SE 9TO ! Y>D4 ',TAKE ME ) Y\6' HE CRI$1 FA/5+ UP HIS COAT AS HE RAN4 

',ALL RI<T1 COME ALONG1 D>L+6' SAID ,NIKITA1 & /OPP+ ! SL$GE HE PICK$ UP ! MA/]'S PALE ?9 LITTLE SON1 RADIANT ) JOY1 & DROVE \T 9TO ! ROAD4 

,IT WAS PA/ TWO O'CLOCK & ! DAY WAS W9DY1 DULL1 & COLD1 ) MORE ?AN TW5TY DEGREES ,FAHR5HEIT ( FRO/4 ,HALF ! SKY WAS HIDD5 BY A L[]+ D>K CL\D4 ,9 ! Y>D IT WAS QUIET1 BUT 9 ! /REET ! W9D WAS FELT MORE KE5LY4 ,! SN[ SWEPT D[N FROM A NEI<BOR+ %$ & :IRL$ AB\T 9 ! CORN] NE> ! BA?-H\SE4 

,H>DLY HAD ,NIKITA DRIV5 \T ( ! Y>D & TURN$ ! HORSE'S HEAD TO ! H\SE1 BE=E ,VASILI ,&REEVI* EM]G$ FROM ! HI< POR* 9 FRONT ( ! H\SE ) A CIG>ETTE 9 HIS M\? & WE>+ A CLO?-COV]$ %EEP-SK9 COAT TI<TLY GIRDL$ L[ AT HIS WAI/1 & /EPP$ ONTO ! H>D-TRODD5 SN[ :I* SQUEAK$ UND] ! LEA!R SOLES ( HIS FELT BOOTS1 & /OPP$4 ,TAK+ A LA/ :IFF ( HIS CIG>ETTE HE ?REW IT D[N1 /EPP$ ON IT1 & LETT+ ! SMOKE ESCAPE ?R\< HIS MU/A*E & LOOK+ ASKANCE AT ! HORSE ?AT WAS COM+ UP1 BEGAN TO TUCK 9 HIS %EEPSK9 COLL> ON BO? SIDES ( HIS RUDDY FACE1 CLEAN-%AV5 EXCEPT = ! MU/A*E1 SO ?AT HIS BREA? %\LD NOT MOI/5 ! COLL>4 

',SEE N[6 ,! Y\NG SCAMP IS !RE ALREADY6' HE EXCLAIM$ :5 HE SAW HIS LITTLE SON 9 ! SL$GE4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS EXCIT$ BY ! VODKA HE HAD DRUNK ) HIS VISITORS1 & SO HE WAS EV5 MORE PLEAS$ ?AN USUAL ) EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS HIS & ALL ?AT HE DID4 ,! SI<T ( HIS SON1 :OM HE ALWAYS ?\<T ( AS HIS HEIR1 N[ GAVE HIM GREAT SATISFACTION4 ,HE LOOK$ AT HIM1 SCREW+ UP HIS EYES & %[+ HIS LONG TEE?4 

,HIS WIFE--PREGNANT1 ?9 & PALE1 ) H] HEAD & %\LD]S WRAPP$ 9 A %AWL SO ?AT NO?+ ( H] FACE C\LD BE SE5 BUT H] EYES--/OOD BEH9D HIM 9 ! VE/IBULE TO SEE HIM (F4 

',N[ REALLY1 Y\ \<T TO TAKE ,NIKITA ) Y\1' %E SAID TIMIDLY1 /EPP+ \T FROM ! DOORWAY4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID NOT ANSW]4 ,H] WORDS EVID5TLY ANNOY$ HIM & HE FR[N$ ANGRILY & SPAT4 

',Y\ HAVE MONEY ON Y\1' %E CONT9U$ 9 ! SAME PLA9TIVE VOICE4 ',:AT IF ! WEA!R GETS WORSE6 ,DO TAKE HIM1 = GOODNESS' SAKE6' 

',:Y8 ,DON'T ,I KN[ ! ROAD ?AT ,I MU/ NE$S TAKE A GUIDE8' EXCLAIM$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 UTT]+ EV]Y WORD V]Y DI/9CTLY & COMPRESS+ HIS LIPS UNNATURALLY1 AS HE USUALLY DID :5 SPEAK+ TO BUY]S & SELL]S4 

',REALLY Y\ \<T TO TAKE HIM4 ,I BEG Y\ 9 ,GOD'S NAME6' HIS WIFE REPEAT$1 WRAPP+ H] %AWL MORE CLOSELY R\ND H] HEAD4 

',!RE1 %E /ICKS TO IT LIKE A LEE*6444 ,:]E AM ,I TO TAKE HIM8' 

',I'M QUITE READY TO GO ) Y\1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1' SAID ,NIKITA *E]FULLY4 ',BUT !Y MU/ FE$ ! HORSES :ILE ,I AM AWAY1' HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO HIS MA/]'S WIFE4 

',I'LL LOOK AFT] !M1 ,NIKITA DE>4 ,I'LL TELL ,SIMON1' REPLI$ ! MI/RESS4 

',WELL1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 AM ,I TO COME ) Y\8' SAID ,NIKITA1 AWAIT+ A DECISION4 

',IT SEEMS ,I MU/ HUMOR MY OLD WOMAN4 ,BUT IF Y\'RE COM+ Y\'D BETT] PUT ON A W>M] CLOAK1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 SMIL+ AGA9 AS HE W9K$ AT ,NIKITA'S %ORT %EEPSK9 COAT1 :I* WAS TORN UND] ! >MS & AT ! BACK1 WAS GREASY & \T ( %APE1 FRAY$ TO A FR+E R\ND ! SKIRT1 & HAD 5DUR$ MANY ?+S 9 ITS LIFETIME4 

',HEY1 DE> MAN1 COME & HOLD ! HORSE6' %\T$ ,NIKITA TO ! COOK'S HUSB&1 :O WAS /ILL 9 ! Y>D4 

',NO1 ,I WILL MYSELF1 ,I WILL MYSELF6' %RIEK$ ! LITTLE BOY1 PULL+ HIS H&S1 R$ ) COLD1 \T ( HIS POCKETS1 & SEIZ+ ! COLD LEA!R RE9S4 

',ONLY DON'T BE TOO LONG DRESS+ Y\RSELF UP4 ,LOOK ALIVE6' %\T$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 GR9N+ AT ,NIKITA4 

',ONLY A MOM5T1 ,FA!R1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*6' REPLI$ ,NIKITA1 & RUNN+ QUICKLY ) HIS 9TURN$ TOES 9 HIS FELT BOOTS ) !IR SOLES PAT*$ ) FELT1 HE HURRI$ ACROSS ! Y>D & 9TO ! WORKM5'S HUT4 

',>9U%KA6 ,GET MY COAT D[N FROM ! /OVE4 ,I'M GO+ ) ! MA/]1' HE SAID1 AS HE RAN 9TO ! HUT & TOOK D[N HIS GIRDLE FROM ! NAIL ON :I* IT HUNG4 

,! WORKM5'S COOK1 :O HAD HAD A SLEEP AFT] D9N] & WAS N[ GETT+ ! SAMOV> READY = H] HUSB&1 TURN$ *E]FULLY TO ,NIKITA1 & 9FECT$ BY HIS HURRY BEGAN TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS HE DID1 GOT D[N HIS MIS]ABLE WORN-\T CLO? COAT FROM ! /OVE :]E IT WAS DRY+1 & BEGAN HURRI$LY %AK+ IT \T & SMOO?+ IT D[N4 

',!RE N[1 Y\'LL HAVE A *ANCE ( A HOLIDAY ) Y\R GOOD MAN1' SAID ,NIKITA1 :O FROM K9DHE>T$ POLIT5ESS ALWAYS SAID SOME?+ TO ANYONE HE WAS ALONE )4 

,!N1 DRAW+ HIS WORN N>R[ GIRDLE R\ND HIM1 HE DREW 9 HIS BREA?1 PULL+ 9 HIS LEAN /OMA* /ILL MORE1 & GIRDL$ HIMSELF AS TI<TLY AS HE C\LD OV] HIS %EEPSK94 

',!RE N[1' HE SAID ADDRESS+ HIMSELF NO LONG] TO ! COOK BUT ! GIRDLE1 AS HE TUCK$ ! 5DS 9 AT ! WAI/1 'N[ Y\ WON'T COME UNDONE6' ,& WORK+ HIS %\LD]S UP & D[N TO FREE HIS >MS1 HE PUT ! COAT OV] HIS %EEPSK91 >*$ HIS BACK MORE /RONGLY TO EASE HIS >MS1 POK$ HIMSELF UND] ! >MPITS1 & TOOK D[N HIS LEA!R-COV]$ MITT5S FROM ! %ELF4 ',N[ WE'RE ALL RI<T6' 

',Y\ \<T TO WRAP Y\R FEET UP1 ,NIKITA4 ,Y\R BOOTS >E V]Y BAD4' 

,NIKITA /OPP$ AS IF HE HAD SUDD5LY REALIZ$ ?IS4 

',YES1 ,I \<T TO4444 ,BUT !Y'LL DO LIKE ?IS4 ,IT ISN'T F>6' & HE RAN \T 9TO ! Y>D4 

',WON'T Y\ BE COLD1 ,NIKITA8' SAID ! MI/RESS AS HE CAME UP TO ! SL$GE4 

',COLD8 ,NO1 ,I'M QUITE W>M1' ANSW]$ ,NIKITA AS HE PU%$ SOME /RAW UP TO ! =EP>T ( ! SL$GE SO ?AT IT %\LD COV] HIS FEET1 & /[$ AWAY ! :IP1 :I* ! GOOD HORSE W\LD NOT NE$1 AT ! BOTTOM ( ! SL$GE4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 :O WAS WE>+ TWO FUR-L9$ COATS ONE OV] ! O!R1 WAS ALREADY 9 ! SL$GE1 HIS BROAD BACK FILL+ NE>LY ITS :OLE R\ND$ WID?1 & TAK+ ! RE9S HE IMM$IATELY T\*$ ! HORSE4 ,NIKITA JUMP$ 9 JU/ AS ! SL$GE />T$1 & SEAT$ HIMSELF 9 FRONT ON ! LEFT SIDE1 ) ONE LEG HANG+ OV] ! $GE4 

O ,*APT] #b 

,! GOOD /ALLION TOOK ! SL$GE ALONG AT A BRISK PACE OV] ! SMOO?-FROZ5 ROAD ?R\< ! VILLAGE1 ! RUNN]S SQUEAK+ SLI<TLY AS !Y W5T4 

',LOOK AT HIM HANG+ ON !RE6 ,H& ME ! :IP1 ,NIKITA6' %\T$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 EVID5TLY 5JOY+ ! SI<T ( HIS 'HEIR1' :O /&+ ON ! RUNN]S WAS HANG+ ON AT ! BACK ( ! SL$GE4 ',I'LL GIVE IT Y\6 ,BE (F TO MAMA1 Y\ DOG6' 

,! BOY JUMP$ D[N4 ,! HORSE 9CREAS$ HIS AMBLE &1 SUDD5LY *ANG+ FOOT1 BROKE 9TO A FA/ TROT4 

,! ,CROSSES1 ! VILLAGE :]E ,VASILI ,&REEVI* LIV$1 CONSI/$ ( SIX H\SES4 ,AS SOON AS !Y HAD PASS$ ! BLACKSMI?'S HUT1 ! LA/ 9 ! VILLAGE1 !Y REALIZ$ ?AT ! W9D WAS MU* /RONG] ?AN !Y HAD ?\<T4 ,! ROAD C\LD H>DLY BE SE54 ,! TRACKS LEFT BY ! SL$GE-RUNN]S W]E IMM$IATELY COV]$ BY SN[ & ! ROAD WAS ONLY DI/+UI%$ BY ! FACT ?AT IT WAS HI<] ?AN ! RE/ ( ! GR\ND4 ,!RE WAS A SWIRL ( SN[ OV] ! FIELDS & ! L9E :]E SKY & E>? MET C\LD NOT BE SE54 ,! ,TELYAT9 =E/1 USUALLY CLE>LY VISIBLE1 N[ ONLY LOOM$ UP OCCASIONALLY & DIMLY ?R\< ! DRIV+ SN[Y DU/4 ,! W9D CAME FROM ! LEFT1 9SI/5TLY BL[+ OV] TO ONE SIDE ! MANE ON ,MUKHORTY'S SLEEK NECK & C>RY+ ASIDE EV5 HIS FLUFFY TAIL1 :I* WAS TI$ 9 A SIMPLE KNOT4 ,NIKITA'S WIDE COAT-COLL>1 AS HE SAT ON ! W9DY SIDE1 PRESS$ CLOSE TO HIS *EEK & NOSE4 

',?IS ROAD DOESN'T GIVE HIM A *ANCE--IT'S TOO SN[Y1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 :O PRID$ HIMSELF ON HIS GOOD HORSE4 ',I ONCE DROVE TO ,PA%UT9O ) HIM 9 HALF AN H\R4' 

',:AT8' ASK$ ,NIKITA1 :O C\LD NOT HE> ON ACC\NT ( HIS COLL>4 

',I SAY ,I ONCE W5T TO ,PA%UT9O 9 HALF AN H\R1' %\T$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',IT GOES )\T SAY+ ?AT HE'S A GOOD HORSE1' REPLI$ ,NIKITA4 

,!Y W]E SIL5T = A :ILE4 ,BUT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WI%$ TO TALK4 

',WELL1 DID Y\ TELL Y\R WIFE NOT TO GIVE ! COOP] ANY VODKA8' HE BEGAN 9 ! SAME L\D TONE1 QUITE CONV9C$ ?AT ,NIKITA MU/ FEEL FLATT]$ TO BE TALK+ ) SO CLEV] & IMPORTANT A P]SON AS HIMSELF1 & HE WAS SO PLEAS$ ) HIS JE/ ?AT IT DID NOT 5T] HIS HEAD ?AT ! REM>K MI<T BE UNPLEASANT TO ,NIKITA4 

,! W9D AGA9 PREV5T$ ,NIKITA'S HE>+ HIS MA/]'S WORDS4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* REPEAT$ ! JE/ AB\T ! COOP] 9 HIS L\D1 CLE> VOICE4 

',?AT'S !IR BUS9ESS1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ,I DON'T PRY 9TO !IR AFFAIRS4 ,AS LONG AS %E DOESN'T ILL-TREAT \R BOY--,GOD BE ) !M4' 

',?AT'S SO1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',WELL1 & WILL Y\ BE BUY+ A HORSE 9 SPR+8' HE W5T ON1 *ANG+ ! SUBJECT4 

',YES1 ,I CAN'T AVOID IT1' ANSW]$ ,NIKITA1 TURN+ D[N HIS COLL> & LEAN+ BACK T[>DS HIS MA/]4 

,! CONV]SATION N[ BECAME 9T]E/+ TO HIM & HE DID NOT WI% TO LOSE A WORD4 

',! LAD'S GR[+ UP4 ,HE MU/ BEG9 TO PL[ = HIMSELF1 BUT TILL N[ WE'VE ALWAYS HAD TO HIRE SOMEONE1' HE SAID4 

',WELL1 :Y NOT HAVE ! LEAN-CRUPP]$ ONE4 ,I WON'T *>GE MU* = IT1' %\T$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 FEEL+ ANIMAT$1 & CONSEQU5TLY />T+ ON HIS FAVORITE OCCUPATION--?AT ( HORSE-DEAL+--:I* ABSORB$ ALL HIS M5TAL P[]S4 

',OR Y\ MI<T LET ME HAVE FIFTE5 RUBLES & ,I'LL BUY ONE AT ! HORSE-M>KET1' SAID ,NIKITA1 :O KNEW ?AT ! HORSE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WANT$ TO SELL HIM W\LD BE DE> AT SEV5 RUBLES1 BUT ?AT IF HE TOOK IT FROM HIM IT W\LD BE *>G$ AT TW5TY-FIVE1 & !N HE W\LD BE UNABLE TO DRAW ANY MONEY = HALF A YE>4 

',IT'S A GOOD HORSE4 ,I ?9K ( Y\R 9T]E/ AS ( MY [N--ACCORD+ TO CONSCI5CE4 ,BREKHUNOV ISN'T A MAN TO WRONG ANYONE4 ,LET ! LOSS BE M9E4 ,I'M NOT LIKE O!RS4 ,HONE/LY6' HE %\T$ 9 ! VOICE 9 :I* HE HYPNOTIZ$ HIS CU/OM]S & DEAL]S4 ',IT'S A REAL GOOD HORSE4' 

',QUITE SO6' SAID ,NIKITA ) A SI<1 & CONV9C$ ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ MORE TO LI/5 TO1 HE AGA9 RELEAS$ HIS COLL>1 :I* IMM$IATELY COV]$ HIS E> & FACE4 

,!Y DROVE ON 9 SIL5CE = AB\T HALF AN H\R4 ,! W9D BLEW %>PLY ONTO ,NIKITA'S SIDE & >M :]E HIS %EEPSK9 WAS TORN4 

,HE HUDDL$ UP & BREA!D 9TO ! COLL> :I* COV]$ HIS M\?1 & WAS NOT :OLLY COLD4 

',:AT DO Y\ ?9K--%ALL WE GO ?R\< ,K>AMY%EVO OR BY ! /RAI<T ROAD8' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

,! ROAD ?R\< ,K>AMY%EVO WAS MORE FREQU5T$ & WAS WELL M>K$ ) A D\BLE R[ ( HI< /AKES4 ,! /RAI<T ROAD WAS NE>] BUT LITTLE US$ & HAD NO /AKES1 OR ONLY POOR ONES COV]$ ) SN[4 

,NIKITA ?\<T A:ILE4 

',?\< ,K>AMY%EVO IS F>!R1 IT IS BETT] GO+1' HE SAID4 

',BUT BY ! /RAI<T ROAD1 :5 ONCE WE GET ?R\< ! HOLL[ BY ! =E/1 IT'S GOOD GO+--%ELT]$1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 :O WI%$ TO GO ! NE>E/ WAY4 

',JU/ AS Y\ PLEASE1' SAID ,NIKITA1 & AGA9 LET GO ( HIS COLL>4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID AS HE HAD SAID1 & HAV+ GONE AB\T HALF A V]/ CAME TO A TALL OAK /AKE :I* HAD A FEW DRY LEAVES /ILL DANGL+ ON IT1 & !RE HE TURN$ TO ! LEFT4 

,ON TURN+ !Y FAC$ DIRECTLY AGA9/ ! W9D1 & SN[ WAS BEG9N+ TO FALL4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 :O WAS DRIV+1 9FLAT$ HIS *EEKS1 BL[+ ! BREA? \T ?R\< HIS MU/A*E4 ,NIKITA DOZ$4 

,SO !Y W5T ON 9 SIL5CE = AB\T T5 M9UTES4 ,SUDD5LY ,VASILI ,&REEVI* BEGAN SAY+ SOME?+4 

',EH1 :AT8' ASK$ ,NIKITA1 OP5+ HIS EYES4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID NOT ANSW]1 BUT B5T OV]1 LOOK+ BEH9D !M & !N AHEAD ( ! HORSE4 ,! SWEAT HAD CURL$ ,MUKHORTY'S COAT BETWE5 HIS LEGS & ON HIS NECK4 ,HE W5T AT A WALK4 

',:AT IS IT8' ,NIKITA ASK$ AGA94 

',:AT IS IT8 ,:AT IS IT8' ,VASILI ,&REEVI* MIMICK$ HIM ANGRILY4 ',!RE >E NO /AKES TO BE SE56 ,WE MU/ HAVE GOT (F ! ROAD6' 

',WELL1 PULL UP !N1 & ,I'LL LOOK = IT1' SAID ,NIKITA1 & JUMP+ D[N LI<TLY FROM ! SL$GE & TAK+ ! :IP FROM UND] ! /RAW1 HE W5T (F TO ! LEFT FROM HIS [N SIDE ( ! SL$GE4 

,! SN[ WAS NOT DEEP ?AT YE>1 SO ?AT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO WALK ANY:]E1 BUT /ILL 9 PLACES IT WAS KNEE-DEEP & GOT 9TO ,NIKITA'S BOOTS4 ,HE W5T AB\T FEEL+ ! GR\ND ) HIS FEET & ! :IP1 BUT C\LD NOT F9D ! ROAD ANY:]E4 

',WELL1 H[ IS IT8' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI* :5 ,NIKITA CAME BACK TO ! SL$GE4 

',!RE IS NO ROAD ?IS SIDE4 ,I MU/ GO TO ! O!R SIDE & TRY !RE1' SAID ,NIKITA4 

',!RE'S SOME?+ !RE 9 FRONT4 ,GO & HAVE A LOOK4' 

,NIKITA W5T TO :AT HAD APPE>$ D>K1 BUT F\ND ?AT IT WAS E>? :I* ! W9D HAD BL[N FROM ! B>E FIELDS ( W9T] OATS & HAD /REWN OV] ! SN[1 COLOR+ IT4 ,HAV+ SE>*$ TO ! RI<T ALSO1 HE RETURN$ TO ! SL$GE1 BRU%$ ! SN[ FROM HIS COAT1 %OOK IT \T ( HIS BOOTS1 & SEAT$ HIMSELF ONCE MORE4 

',WE MU/ GO TO ! RI<T1' HE SAID DECID$LY4 ',! W9D WAS BL[+ ON \R LEFT BE=E1 BUT N[ IT IS /RAI<T 9 MY FACE4 ,DRIVE TO ! RI<T1' HE REPEAT$ ) DECISION4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* TOOK HIS ADVICE & TURN$ TO ! RI<T1 BUT /ILL !RE WAS NO ROAD4 ,!Y W5T ON 9 ?AT DIRECTION = SOME TIME4 ,! W9D WAS AS FI]CE AS EV] & IT WAS SN[+ LI<TLY4 

',IT SEEMS1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 ?AT WE HAVE GONE QUITE A/RAY1' ,NIKITA SUDD5LY REM>K$1 AS IF IT W]E A PLEASANT ?+4 ',:AT IS ?AT8' HE ADD$1 PO9T+ TO SOME POTATO V9ES ?AT %[$ UP FROM UND] ! SN[4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* /OPP$ ! P]SPIR+ HORSE1 :OSE DEEP SIDES W]E HEAV+ HEAVILY4 

',:AT IS IT8' 

',:Y1 WE >E ON ! ,ZAKH>OV L&S4 ,SEE :]E WE'VE GOT TO6' 

',NONS5SE6' RETORT$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',IT'S NOT NONS5SE1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ,IT'S ! TRU?1' REPLI$ ,NIKITA4 ',Y\ CAN FEEL ?AT ! SL$GE IS GO+ OV] A POTATO-FIELD1 & !RE >E ! HEAPS ( V9ES :I* HAVE BE5 C>T$ H]E4 ,IT'S ! ,ZAKH>OV FACTORY L&4' 

',DE> ME1 H[ WE HAVE GONE A/RAY6' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',:AT >E WE TO DO N[8' 

',WE MU/ GO /RAI<T ON1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,WE %ALL COME \T SOME:]E--IF NOT AT ,ZAKH>OVA1 !N AT ! PROPRIETOR'S F>M1' SAID ,NIKITA4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* AGRE$1 & DROVE AS ,NIKITA HAD 9DICAT$4 ,SO !Y W5T ON = A CONSID]ABLE TIME4 ,AT TIMES !Y CAME ONTO B>E FIELDS & ! SL$GE-RUNN]S RATTL$ OV] FROZ5 LUMPS ( E>?4 ,SOMETIMES !Y GOT ONTO A W9T]-RYE FIELD1 OR A FALL[ FIELD ON :I* !Y C\LD SEE /ALKS ( WORMWOOD1 & /RAWS /ICK+ UP ?R\< ! SN[ & SWAY+ 9 ! W9D2 SOMETIMES !Y CAME ONTO DEEP & EV5 :ITE SN[1 ABOVE :I* NO?+ WAS TO BE SE54 

,! SN[ WAS FALL+ FROM ABOVE & SOMETIMES ROSE FROM BEL[4 ,! HORSE WAS EVID5TLY EXHAU/$1 HIS HAIR HAD ALL CURL$ UP FROM SWEAT & WAS COV]$ ) HO>-FRO/1 & HE W5T AT A WALK4 ,SUDD5LY HE /UMBL$ & SAT D[N 9 A DIT* OR WAT]-C\RSE4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WANT$ TO /OP1 BUT ,NIKITA CRI$ TO HIM3 

',:Y /OP8 ,WE'VE GOT 9 & MU/ GET \T4 ,HEY1 PET6 ,HEY1 D>L+6 ,GEE UP1 OLD FELL[6' HE %\T$ 9 A *E]FUL TONE TO ! HORSE1 JUMP+ \T ( ! SL$GE & HIMSELF GETT+ /UCK 9 ! DIT*4 

,! HORSE GAVE A />T & QUICKLY CLIMB$ \T ONTO ! FROZ5 BANK4 ,IT WAS EVID5TLY A DIT* ?AT HAD BE5 DUG !RE4 

',:]E >E WE N[8' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',WE'LL SOON F9D \T6' ,NIKITA REPLI$4 ',GO ON1 WE'LL GET SOME:]E4' 

',:Y1 ?IS MU/ BE ! ,GORYA*K9 =E/6' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 PO9T+ TO SOME?+ D>K ?AT APPE>$ AMID ! SN[ 9 FRONT ( !M4 

',WE'LL SEE :AT =E/ IT IS :5 WE GET !RE1' SAID ,NIKITA4 

,HE SAW ?AT BESIDE ! BLACK ?+ !Y HAD NOTIC$1 DRY1 OBLONG WILL[-LEAVES W]E FLUTT]+1 & SO HE KNEW IT WAS NOT A =E/ BUT A SETTLEM5T1 BUT HE DID NOT WI% TO SAY SO4 ,& 9 FACT !Y HAD NOT GONE TW5TY-FIVE Y>DS BEYOND ! DIT* BE=E SOME?+ 9 FRONT ( !M1 EVID5TLY TREES1 %[$ UP BLACK1 & !Y HE>D A NEW & MELAN*OLY S\ND4 ,NIKITA HAD GUESS$ RI<T3 IT WAS NOT A WOOD1 BUT A R[ ( TALL WILL[S ) A FEW LEAVES /ILL FLUTT]+ ON !M H]E & !RE4 ,!Y HAD EVID5TLY BE5 PLANT$ ALONG ! DIT* R\ND A ?RE%+-FLOOR4 ,COM+ UP TO ! WILL[S1 :I* MOAN$ SADLY 9 ! W9D1 ! HORSE SUDD5LY PLANT$ HIS =ELEGS ABOVE ! HEI<T ( ! SL$GE1 DREW UP HIS H9D LEGS ALSO1 PULL+ ! SL$GE ONTO HI<] GR\ND1 & TURN$ TO ! LEFT1 NO LONG] S9K+ UP TO HIS KNEES 9 SN[4 ,!Y W]E BACK ON A ROAD4 

',WELL1 H]E WE >E1 BUT HEAV5 ONLY KN[S :]E6' SAID ,NIKITA4 

,! HORSE KEPT /RAI<T ALONG ! ROAD ?R\< ! DRIFT$ SN[1 & BE=E !Y HAD GONE ANO!R HUNDR$ Y>DS ! /RAI<T L9E ( ! D>K WATTLE WALL ( A B>N %[$ UP BLACK BE=E !M1 ITS RO( HEAVILY COV]$ ) SN[ :I* P\R$ D[N FROM IT4 ,AFT] PASS+ ! B>N ! ROAD TURN$ TO ! W9D & !Y DROVE 9TO A SN[-DRIFT4 ,BUT AHEAD ( !M WAS A LANE ) H\SES ON EI!R SIDE1 SO EVID5TLY ! SN[ HAD BE5 BL[N ACROSS ! ROAD & !Y HAD TO DRIVE ?R\< ! DRIFT4 ,& SO 9 FACT IT WAS4 ,HAV+ DRIV5 ?R\< ! SN[ !Y CAME \T 9TO A /REET4 ,AT ! 5D H\SE ( ! VILLAGE SOME FROZ5 CLO!S HANG+ ON A L9E--%IRTS1 ONE R$ & ONE :ITE1 TR\S]S1 LEG-B&S1 & A PETTICOAT--FLUTT]$ WILDLY 9 ! W9D4 ,! :ITE %IRT 9 P>TICUL> /RUGGL$ DESP]ATELY1 WAV+ ITS SLEEVES AB\T4 

',!RE N[1 EI!R A LAZY WOMAN OR A DEAD ONE HAS NOT TAK5 H] CLO!S D[N BE=E ! HOLIDAY1' REM>K$ ,NIKITA1 LOOK+ AT ! FLUTT]+ %IRTS4 

O ,*APT] #c 

,AT ! 5TRANCE TO ! /REET ! W9D /ILL RAG$ & ! ROAD WAS ?ICKLY COV]$ ) SN[1 BUT WELL )9 ! VILLAGE IT WAS CALM1 W>M1 & *E]FUL4 ,AT ONE H\SE A DOG WAS B>K+1 AT ANO!R A WOMAN1 COV]+ H] HEAD ) H] COAT1 CAME RUNN+ FROM SOME:]E & 5T]$ ! DOOR ( A HUT1 /OPP+ ON ! ?RE%OLD TO HAVE A LOOK AT ! PASS+ SL$GE4 ,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! VILLAGE GIRLS C\LD BE HE>D S++4 

,H]E 9 ! VILLAGE !RE SEEM$ TO BE LESS W9D & SN[1 & ! FRO/ WAS LESS KE54 

',:Y1 ?IS IS ,GRI%K9O1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',SO IT IS1' RESPOND$ ,NIKITA4 

,IT REALLY WAS ,GRI%K9O1 :I* MEANT ?AT !Y HAD GONE TOO F> TO ! LEFT & HAD TRAVEL$ SOME SIX MILES1 NOT QUITE 9 ! DIRECTION !Y AIM$ AT1 BUT T[>DS !IR DE/9ATION = ALL ?AT4 

,FROM ,GRI%K9O TO ,GORYA*K9 WAS AB\T ANO!R F\R MILES4 

,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! VILLAGE !Y ALMO/ RAN 9TO A TALL MAN WALK+ D[N ! MIDDLE ( ! /REET4 

',:O >E Y\8' %\T$ ! MAN1 /OPP+ ! HORSE1 & RECOGNIZ+ ,VASILI ,AN]EEVI* HE IMM$IATELY TOOK HOLD ( ! %AFT1 W5T ALONG IT H& OV] H& TILL HE REA*$ ! SL$GE1 & PLAC$ HIMSELF ON ! DRIV]'S SEAT4 

,HE WAS ,ISAY1 A PEASANT ( ,VASILI ,&REEVI*'S ACQUA9TANCE1 & WELL KN[N AS ! PR9CIPAL HORSE-?IEF 9 ! DI/RICT4 

',AH1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*6 ,:]E >E Y\ (F TO8' SAID ,ISAY1 5VELOP+ ,NIKITA 9 ! ODOR ( ! VODKA HE HAD DRUNK4 

',WE W]E GO+ TO ,GORYA*K94' 

',& LOOK :]E Y\'VE GOT TO6 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE GONE ?R\< ,MOL*ANOVKA4' 

',%\LD HAVE1 BUT DIDN'T MANAGE IT1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 HOLD+ 9 ! HORSE4 

',?AT'S A GOOD HORSE1' SAID ,ISAY1 ) A %REWD GLANCE AT ,MUKHORTY1 & ) A PRACTIC$ H& HE TI<T5$ ! LOOS5$ KNOT HI< 9 ! HORSE'S BU%Y TAIL4 

',>E Y\ GO+ TO /AY ! NI<T8' 

',NO1 FRI5D4 ,I MU/ GET ON4' 

',Y\R BUS9ESS MU/ BE PRESS+4 ,& :O IS ?IS8 ,AH1 ,NIKITA ,/EPANY*6' 

',:O ELSE8' REPLI$ ,NIKITA4 ',BUT ,I SAY1 GOOD FRI5D1 H[ >E WE TO AVOID GO+ A/RAY AGA98' 

',:]E CAN Y\ GO A/RAY H]E8 ,TURN BACK /RAI<T D[N ! /REET & !N :5 Y\ COME \T KEEP /RAI<T ON4 ,DON'T TAKE TO ! LEFT4 ,Y\ WILL COME \T ONTO ! HI< ROAD1 & !N TURN TO ! RI<T4' 

',& :]E DO WE TURN (F ! HI< ROAD8 ,AS 9 SUMM]1 OR ! W9T] WAY8' ASK$ ,NIKITA4 

',! W9T] WAY4 ,AS SOON AS Y\ TURN (F Y\'LL SEE SOME BU%ES1 & OPPOSITE !M !RE IS A WAY-M>K--A L>GE OAK1 ONE ) BRAN*ES--& ?AT'S ! WAY4' 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* TURN$ ! HORSE BACK & DROVE ?R\< ! \TSKIRTS ( ! VILLAGE4 

',:Y NOT /AY ! NI<T8' ,ISAY %\T$ AFT] !M4 

,BUT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID NOT ANSW] & T\*$ UP ! HORSE4 ,F\R MILES ( GOOD ROAD1 TWO ( :I* LAY ?R\< ! =E/1 SEEM$ EASY TO MANAGE1 ESPECIALLY AS ! W9D WAS APP>5TLY QUIET] & ! SN[ HAD /OPP$4 

,HAV+ DRIV5 ALONG ! TRODD5 VILLAGE /REET1 D>K5$ H]E & !RE BY FRE% MANURE1 PA/ ! Y>D :]E ! CLO!S HUNG \T & :]E ! :ITE %IRT HAD BROK5 LOOSE & WAS N[ ATTA*$ ONLY BY ONE FROZ5 SLEEVE1 !Y AGA9 CAME )9 S\ND ( ! WEIRD MOAN ( ! WILL[S1 & AGA9 EM]G$ ON ! OP5 FIELDS4 ,! /ORM1 F> FROM CEAS+1 SEEM$ TO HAVE GR[N YET /RONG]4 ,! ROAD WAS COMPLETELY COV]$ ) DRIFT+ SN[1 & ONLY ! /AKES %[$ ?AT !Y HAD NOT LO/ !IR WAY4 ,BUT EV5 ! /AKES AHEAD ( !M W]E NOT EASY TO SEE1 S9CE ! W9D BLEW 9 !IR FACES4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* SCREW$ UP HIS EYES1 B5T D[N HIS HEAD1 & LOOK$ \T = ! WAY-M>KS1 BUT TRU/$ MA9LY TO ! HORSE'S SAGACITY1 LETT+ IT TAKE ITS [N WAY4 ,& ! HORSE REALLY DID NOT LOSE ! ROAD BUT FOLL[$ ITS W9D+S1 TURN+ N[ TO ! RI<T & N[ TO ! LEFT & S5S+ IT UND] HIS FEET1 SO ?AT ?\< ! SN[ FELL ?ICK] & ! W9D /R5G!N$ !Y /ILL CONT9U$ TO SEE WAY-M>KS N[ TO ! LEFT & N[ TO ! RI<T ( !M4 

,SO !Y TRAVEL$ ON = AB\T T5 M9UTES1 :5 SUDD5LY1 ?R\< ! SLANT+ SCRE5 ( W9D-DRIV5 SN[1 SOME?+ BLACK %[$ UP :I* MOV$ 9 FRONT ( ! HORSE4 

,?IS WAS ANO!R SL$GE ) FELL[-TRAVEL]S4 ,MUKHORTY OV]TOOK !M1 & /RUCK HIS HO(S AGA9/ ! BACK ( ! SL$GE 9 FRONT ( !M4 

',PASS ON444 HEY !RE444 GET 9 FRONT6' CRI$ VOICES FROM ! SL$GE4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* SW]V$ ASIDE TO PASS ! O!R SL$GE4 

,9 IT SAT ?REE M5 & A WOMAN1 EVID5TLY VISITORS RETURN+ FROM A FEA/4 ,ONE PEASANT WAS :ACK+ ! SN[-COV]$ CR\P ( !IR LITTLE HORSE ) A LONG SWIT*1 & ! O!R TWO SITT+ 9 FRONT WAV$ !IR >MS & %\T$ SOME?+4 ,! WOMAN1 COMPLETELY WRAPP$ UP & COV]$ ) SN[1 SAT DR[S+ & BUMP+ AT ! BACK4 

',:O >E Y\8' %\T$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',FROM ,A-A-A444' WAS ALL ?AT C\LD BE HE>D4 

',I SAY1 :]E >E Y\ FROM8' 

',FROM ,A-A-A-A6' ONE ( ! PEASANTS %\T$ ) ALL HIS MI<T1 BUT /ILL IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE \T :O !Y W]E4 

',GET ALONG6 ,KEEP UP6' %\T$ ANO!R1 CEASELESSLY BEAT+ HIS HORSE ) ! SWIT*4 

',SO Y\'RE FROM A FEA/1 IT SEEMS8' 

',GO ON1 GO ON6 ,FA/]1 ,SIMON6 ,GET 9 FRONT6 ,FA/]6' 

,! W+S ( ! SL$GES BUMP$ AGA9/ ONE ANO!R1 ALMO/ GOT JAMM$ BUT MANAG$ TO SEP>ATE1 & ! PEASANTS' SL$GE BEGAN TO FALL BEH9D4 

,!IR %AGGY1 BIG-BELLI$ HORSE1 ALL COV]$ ) SN[1 BREA!D HEAVILY UND] ! L[ %AFT-B[ &1 EVID5TLY US+ ! LA/ ( ITS /R5G?1 VA9LY 5DEAVOR$ TO ESCAPE FROM ! SWIT*1 HOBBL+ ) ITS %ORT LEGS ?R\< ! DEEP SN[ :I* IT ?REW UP UND] ITSELF4 

,ITS MUZZLE1 Y\NG-LOOK+1 ) ! NE!R LIP DRAWN UP LIKE ?AT ( A FI%1 NO/RILS DI/5D$ & E>S PRESS$ BACK FROM FE>1 KEPT UP = A FEW SECONDS NE> ,NIKITA'S %\LD] & !N BEGAN TO FALL BEH9D4 

',JU/ SEE :AT LIQUOR DOES6' SAID ,NIKITA4 ',!Y'VE TIR$ ?AT LITTLE HORSE TO DEA?4 ,:AT PAGANS6' 

,= A FEW M9UTES !Y HE>D ! PANT+ ( ! TIR$ LITTLE HORSE & ! DRUNK5 %\T+ ( ! PEASANTS4 ,!N ! PANT+ & ! %\TS DI$ AWAY1 & >\ND !M NO?+ C\LD BE HE>D BUT ! :I/L+ ( ! W9D 9 !IR E>S & N[ & !N ! SQUEAK ( !IR SL$GE-RUNN]S OV] A W9DSWEPT P>T ( ! ROAD4 

,?IS 5C\NT] *E]$ & 5LIV5$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 & HE DROVE ON MORE BOLDLY )\T EXAM9+ ! WAY-M>KS1 URG+ ON ! HORSE & TRU/+ TO HIM4 

,NIKITA HAD NO?+ TO DO1 & AS USUAL 9 SU* CIRCUM/ANCES HE DR[S$1 MAK+ UP = MU* SLEEPLESS TIME4 ,SUDD5LY ! HORSE /OPP$ & ,NIKITA NE>LY FELL =W>D ONTO HIS NOSE4 

',Y\ KN[ WE'RE (F ! TRACK AGA96' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',H['S ?AT8' 

',:Y1 !RE >E NO WAY-M>KS TO BE SE54 ,WE MU/ HAVE GOT (F ! ROAD AGA94' 

',WELL1 IF WE'VE LO/ ! ROAD WE MU/ F9D IT1' SAID ,NIKITA CURTLY1 & GETT+ \T & /EPP+ LI<TLY ON HIS PIGEON-TO$ FEET HE />T$ ONCE MORE GO+ AB\T ON ! SN[4 

,HE WALK$ AB\T = A LONG TIME1 N[ DISAPPE>+ & N[ REAPPE>+1 & F9ALLY HE CAME BACK4 

',!RE IS NO ROAD H]E4 ,!RE MAY BE F>!R ON1' HE SAID1 GETT+ 9TO ! SL$GE4 

,IT WAS ALREADY GR[+ D>K4 ,! SN[-/ORM HAD NOT 9CREAS$ BUT HAD ALSO NOT SUBSID$4 

',IF WE C\LD ONLY HE> ?OSE PEASANTS6' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',WELL !Y HAV5'T CAU<T US UP4 ,WE MU/ HAVE GONE F> A/RAY4 ,OR MAYBE !Y HAVE LO/ !IR WAY TOO4' 

',:]E >E WE TO GO !N8' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',:Y1 WE MU/ LET ! HORSE TAKE ITS [N WAY1' SAID ,NIKITA4 ',HE WILL TAKE US RI<T4 ,LET ME HAVE ! RE9S4' 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* GAVE HIM ! RE9S1 ! MORE WILL+LY BECAUSE HIS H&S W]E BEG9N+ TO FEEL FROZ5 9 HIS ?ICK GLOVES4 

,NIKITA TOOK ! RE9S1 BUT ONLY HELD !M1 TRY+ NOT TO %AKE !M & REJOIC+ AT HIS FAVORITE'S SAGACITY4 ,& 9DE$ ! CLEV] HORSE1 TURN+ FIR/ ONE E> & !N ! O!R N[ TO ONE SIDE & !N TO ! O!R1 BEGAN TO :EEL R\ND4 

',! ONE ?+ HE CAN'T DO IS TO TALK1' ,NIKITA KEPT SAY+4 ',SEE :AT HE IS DO+6 ,GO ON1 GO ON6 ,Y\ KN[ BE/4 ,?AT'S IT1 ?AT'S IT6' 

,! W9D WAS N[ BL[+ FROM BEH9D & IT FELT W>M]4 

',YES1 HE'S CLEV]1' ,NIKITA CONT9U$1 ADMIR+ ! HORSE4 ',A ,KIRGIZ HORSE IS /RONG BUT /UPID4 ,BUT ?IS ONE--JU/ SEE :AT HE'S DO+ ) HIS E>S6 ,HE DOESN'T NE$ ANY TELEGRAPH4 ,HE CAN SC5T A MILE (F4' 

,BE=E ANO!R HALF-H\R HAD PASS$ !Y SAW SOME?+ D>K AHEAD ( !M--A WOOD OR A VILLAGE--& /AKES AGA9 APPE>$ TO ! RI<T4 ,!Y HAD EVID5TLY COME \T ONTO ! ROAD4 

',:Y1 ?AT'S ,GRI%K9O AGA96' ,NIKITA SUDD5LY EXCLAIM$4 

,& 9DE$1 !RE ON !IR LEFT WAS ?AT SAME B>N ) ! SN[ FLY+ FROM IT1 & F>!R ON ! SAME L9E ) ! FROZ5 WA%+1 %IRTS & TR\S]S1 :I* /ILL FLUTT]$ DESP]ATELY 9 ! W9D4 

,AGA9 !Y DROVE 9TO ! /REET & AGA9 IT GREW QUIET1 W>M1 & *E]FUL1 & AGA9 !Y C\LD SEE ! MANURE-/A9$ /REET & HE> VOICES & SONGS & ! B>K+ ( A DOG4 ,IT WAS ALREADY SO D>K ?AT !RE W]E LI<TS 9 SOME ( ! W9D[S4 

,HALF-WAY ?R\< ! VILLAGE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* TURN$ ! HORSE T[>DS A L>GE D\BLE-FRONT$ BRICK H\SE & /OPP$ AT ! POR*4 

,NIKITA W5T TO ! LI<T$ SN[-COV]$ W9D[1 9 ! RAYS ( :I* FLY+ SN[-FLAKES GLITT]$1 & KNOCK$ AT IT ) HIS :IP4 

',:O IS !RE8' A VOICE REPLI$ TO HIS KNOCK4 

',FROM ,KRE/Y1 ! ,BREKHUNOVS1 DE> FELL[1' ANSW]$ ,NIKITA4 ',JU/ COME \T = A M9UTE4' 

,SOMEONE MOV$ FROM ! W9D[1 & A M9UTE OR TWO LAT] !RE WAS ! S\ND ( ! PASSAGE DOOR AS IT CAME UN/UCK1 !N ! LAT* ( ! \TSIDE DOOR CLICK$ & A TALL :ITE-BE>D$ PEASANT1 ) A %EEPSK9 COAT ?R[N OV] HIS :ITE HOLIDAY %IRT1 PU%$ HIS WAY \T HOLD+ ! DOOR FIRMLY AGA9/ ! W9D1 FOLL[$ BY A LAD 9 A R$ %IRT & HI< LEA!R BOOTS4 

',IS ?AT Y\1 ,&REEVI*8' ASK$ ! OLD MAN4 

',YES1 FRI5D1 WE'VE GONE A/RAY1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',WE WANT$ TO GET TO ,GORYA*K9 BUT F\ND \RSELVES H]E4 ,WE W5T A SECOND TIME BUT LO/ \R WAY AGA94' 

',JU/ SEE H[ Y\ HAVE GONE A/RAY6' SAID ! OLD MAN4 ',PETRU%KA1 GO & OP5 ! GATE6' HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO ! LAD 9 ! R$ %IRT4 

',ALL RI<T1' SAID ! LAD 9 A *E]FUL VOICE1 & RAN BACK 9TO ! PASSAGE4 

',BUT WE'RE NOT /AY+ ! NI<T1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',:]E WILL Y\ GO 9 ! NI<T8 ,Y\'D BETT] /AY6' 

',I'D BE GLAD TO1 BUT ,I MU/ GO ON4 ,IT'S BUS9ESS1 & IT CAN'T BE HELP$4' 

',WELL1 W>M Y\RSELF AT LEA/4 ,! SAMOV> IS JU/ READY4' 

',W>M MYSELF8 ,YES1 ,I'LL DO ?AT1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',IT WON'T GET D>K]4 ,! MOON WILL RISE & IT WILL BE LI<T]4 ,LET'S GO 9 & W>M \RSELVES1 ,NIKITA4' 

',WELL1 :Y NOT8 ,LET US W>M \RSELVES1' REPLI$ ,NIKITA1 :O WAS /IFF ) COLD & ANXI\S TO W>M HIS FROZ5 LIMBS4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* W5T 9TO ! ROOM ) ! OLD MAN1 & ,NIKITA DROVE ?R\< ! GATE OP5$ = HIM BY ,PETRU%KA1 BY :OSE ADVICE HE BACK$ ! HORSE UND] ! P5?\SE4 ,! GR\ND WAS COV]$ ) MANURE & ! TALL B[ OV] ! HORSE'S HEAD CAU<T AGA9/ ! BEAM4 ,! H5S & ! COCK HAD ALREADY SETTL$ TO ROO/ !RE1 & CLUCK$ PEEVI%LY1 CL++ TO ! BEAM ) !IR CLAWS4 ,! DI/URB$ %EEP %I$ & RU%$ ASIDE TRAMPL+ ! FROZ5 MANURE ) !IR HOOVES4 ,! DOG YELP$ DESP]ATELY ) FRI<T & ANG] & !N BUR/ \T B>K+ LIKE A PUPPY AT ! /RANG]4 

,NIKITA TALK$ TO !M ALL1 EXCUS$ HIMSELF TO ! F[LS & ASSUR$ !M ?AT HE W\LD NOT DI/URB !M AGA91 REBUK$ ! %EEP = BE+ FRI<T5$ )\T KN[+ :Y1 & KEPT SOO?+ ! DOG1 :ILE HE TI$ UP ! HORSE4 

',N[ ?AT WILL BE ALL RI<T1' HE SAID1 KNOCK+ ! SN[ (F HIS CLO!S4 ',JU/ HE> H[ HE B>KS6' HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO ! DOG4 ',BE QUIET1 /UPID6 ,BE QUIET4 ,Y\ >E ONLY TR\BL+ Y\RSELF = NO?+4 ,WE'RE NOT ?IEVES1 WE'RE FRI5DS4444' 

',& !SE >E1 IT'S SAID1 ! ?REE DOME/IC C\NSELORS1' REM>K$ ! LAD1 & ) HIS /RONG >MS HE PU%$ UND] ! P5T-RO( ! SL$GE ?AT HAD REMA9$ \TSIDE4 

',:Y C\NSELORS8' ASK$ ,NIKITA4 

',?AT'S :AT IS PR9T$ 9 ,PAULSON4 ,A ?IEF CREEPS TO A H\SE--! DOG B>KS1 ?AT MEANS 0,BE ON Y\R GU>D60 ,! COCK CR[S1 ?AT MEANS1 0,GET UP60 ,! CAT LICKS H]SELF--?AT MEANS1 0,A WELCOME GUE/ IS COM+4 ,GET READY TO RECEIVE HIM60' SAID ! LAD ) A SMILE4 

,PETRU%KA C\LD READ & WRITE & KNEW ,PAULSON'S PRIM]1 HIS ONLY BOOK1 ALMO/ BY HE>T1 & HE WAS FOND ( QUOT+ SAY+S FROM IT ?AT HE ?\<T SUIT$ ! OCCASION1 ESPECIALLY :5 HE HAD HAD SOME?+ TO DR9K1 AS TO-DAY4 

',?AT'S SO1' SAID ,NIKITA4 

',Y\ MU/ BE *ILL$ ?R\< & ?R\<1' SAID ,PETRU%KA4 

',YES1 ,I AM RA!R1' SAID ,NIKITA1 & !Y W5T ACROSS ! Y>D & ! PASSAGE 9TO ! H\SE4 

O ,*APT] #d 

,! H\SEHOLD TO :I* ,VASILI ,&REEVI* HAD COME WAS ONE ( ! RI*E/ 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,! FAMILY HAD FIVE ALLOTM5TS1 BESIDES R5T+ O!R L&4 ,!Y HAD SIX HORSES1 ?REE C[S1 TWO CALVES1 & SOME TW5TY %EEP4 ,!RE W]E TW5TY-TWO MEMB]S BELONG+ TO ! HOME/EAD3 F\R M>RI$ SONS1 SIX GR&*ILDR5 7ONE ( :OM1 ,PETRU%KA1 WAS M>RI$71 TWO GREAT-GR&*ILDR51 ?REE ORPHANS1 & F\R DAU<T]S-9-LAW ) !IR BABIES4 ,IT WAS ONE ( ! FEW HOME/EADS ?AT REMA9$ /ILL UNDIVID$1 BUT EV5 H]E ! DULL 9T]NAL WORK ( DIS9TEGRATION :I* W\LD 9EVITABLY LEAD TO SEP>ATION HAD ALREADY BEGUN1 />T+ AS USUAL AMONG ! WOM54 ,TWO SONS W]E LIV+ 9 ,MOSC[ AS WAT]-C>RI]S1 & ONE WAS 9 ! >MY4 ,AT HOME N[ W]E ! OLD MAN & HIS WIFE1 !IR SECOND SON :O MANAG$ ! HOME/EAD1 ! ELDE/ :O HAD COME FROM ,MOSC[ = ! HOLIDAY1 & ALL ! WOM5 & *ILDR54 ,BESIDES !SE MEMB]S ( ! FAMILY !RE WAS A VISITOR1 A NEI<BOR :O WAS GODFA!R TO ONE ( ! *ILDR54 

,OV] ! TABLE 9 ! ROOM HUNG A LAMP ) A %ADE1 :I* BRI<TLY LIT UP ! TEA-?+S1 A BOTTLE ( VODKA1 & SOME REFRE%M5TS1 BESIDES ILLUM9AT+ ! BRICK WALLS1 :I* 9 ! F> CORN] W]E HUNG ) ICONS ON BO? SIDES ( :I* W]E PICTURES4 ,AT ! HEAD ( ! TABLE SAT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* 9 A BLACK %EEPSK9 COAT1 SUCK+ HIS FROZ5 MU/A*E & OBS]V+ ! ROOM & ! PEOPLE >\ND HIM ) HIS PROM95T HAWK-LIKE EYES4 ,) HIM SAT ! OLD1 BALD1 :ITE-BE>D$ MA/] ( ! H\SE 9 A :ITE HOMESPUN %IRT1 & NEXT HIM ! SON HOME FROM ,MOSC[ = ! HOLIDAY--A MAN ) A /URDY BACK & P[]FUL %\LD]S & CLAD 9 A ?9 PR9T %IRT--!N ! SECOND SON1 ALSO BROAD-%\LD]$1 :O ACT$ AS HEAD ( ! H\SE1 & !N A LEAN R$-HAIR$ PEASANT--! NEI<BOR4 

,HAV+ HAD A DR9K ( VODKA & SOME?+ TO EAT1 !Y W]E AB\T TO TAKE TEA1 & ! SAMOV> /&+ ON ! FLOOR BESIDE ! BRICK OV5 WAS ALREADY HUMM+4 ,! *ILDR5 C\LD BE SE5 9 ! TOP BUNKS & ON ! TOP ( ! OV54 ,A WOMAN SAT ON A L[] BUNK ) A CRADLE BESIDE H]4 ,! OLD H\SEWIFE1 H] FACE COV]$ ) WR9KLES :I* WR9KL$ EV5 H] LIPS1 WAS WAIT+ ON ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

,AS ,NIKITA 5T]$ ! H\SE %E WAS (F]+ H] GUE/ A SMALL TUMBL] ( ?ICK GLASS :I* %E HAD JU/ FILL$ ) VODKA4 

',DON'T REFUSE1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 Y\ MU/N'T6 ,WI% US A M]RY FEA/4 ,DR9K IT1 DE>6' %E SAID4 

,! SI<T & SMELL ( VODKA1 ESPECIALLY N[ :5 HE WAS *ILL$ ?R\< & TIR$ \T1 MU* DI/URB$ ,NIKITA'S M9D4 ,HE FR[N$1 & HAV+ %AK5 ! SN[ (F HIS CAP & COAT1 /OPP$ 9 FRONT ( ! ICONS AS IF NOT SEE+ ANYONE1 CROSS$ HIMSELF ?REE TIMES1 & B[$ TO ! ICONS4 ,!N1 TURN+ TO ! OLD MA/] ( ! H\SE & B[+ FIR/ TO HIM1 !N TO ALL ?OSE AT TABLE1 !N TO ! WOM5 :O /OOD BY ! OV51 & MUTT]+3 ',A M]RY HOLIDAY6' HE BEGAN TAK+ (F HIS \T] ?+S )\T LOOK+ AT ! TABLE4 

',:Y1 Y\'RE ALL COV]$ ) HO>-FRO/1 OLD FELL[6' SAID ! ELDE/ BRO!R1 LOOK+ AT ,NIKITA'S SN[-COV]$ FACE1 EYES1 & BE>D4 

,NIKITA TOOK (F HIS COAT1 %OOK IT AGA91 HUNG IT UP BESIDE ! OV51 & CAME UP TO ! TABLE4 ,HE TOO WAS (F]$ VODKA4 ,HE W5T ?R\< A MOM5T ( PA9FUL HESITATION & NE>LY TOOK UP ! GLASS & EMPTI$ ! CLE> FRAGRANT LIQUID D[N HIS ?ROAT1 BUT HE GLANC$ AT ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 REMEMB]$ HIS OA? & ! BOOTS ?AT HE HAD SOLD = DR9K1 RECALL$ ! COOP]1 REMEMB]$ HIS SON = :OM HE HAD PROMIS$ TO BUY A HORSE BY SPR+1 SI<$1 & DECL9$ IT4 

',I DON'T DR9K1 ?ANK Y\ K9DLY1' HE SAID FR[N+1 & SAT D[N ON A B5* NE> ! SECOND W9D[4 

',H['S ?AT8' ASK$ ! ELDE/ BRO!R4 

',I JU/ DON'T DR9K1' REPLI$ ,NIKITA )\T LIFT+ HIS EYES BUT LOOK+ ASKANCE AT HIS SCANTY BE>D & MU/A*E & GETT+ ! ICICLES \T ( !M4 

',IT'S NOT GOOD = HIM1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 MUN*+ A CRACKNEL AFT] EMPTY+ HIS GLASS4 

',WELL1 !N1 HAVE SOME TEA1' SAID ! K9DLY OLD HO/ESS4 ',Y\ MU/ BE *ILL$ ?R\<1 GOOD S\L4 ,:Y >E Y\ WOM5 DAWDL+ SO ) ! SAMOV>8' 

',IT IS READY1' SAID ONE ( ! Y\NG WOM51 & AFT] FLICK+ ) H] APRON ! TOP ( ! SAMOV> :I* WAS N[ BOIL+ OV]1 %E C>RI$ IT ) AN EF=T TO ! TABLE1 RAIS$ IT1 & SET IT D[N ) A ?UD4 

,MEAN:ILE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS TELL+ H[ HE HAD LO/ HIS WAY1 H[ !Y HAD COME BACK TWICE TO ?IS SAME VILLAGE1 & H[ !Y HAD GONE A/RAY & HAD MET SOME DRUNK5 PEASANTS4 ,!IR HO/S W]E SURPRIS$1 EXPLA9$ :]E & :Y !Y HAD MISS$ !IR WAY1 SAID :O ! TIPSY PEOPLE !Y HAD MET W]E1 & TOLD !M H[ !Y \<T TO GO4 

',A LITTLE *ILD C\LD F9D ! WAY TO ,MOL*ANOVKA FROM H]E4 ,ALL Y\ HAVE TO DO IS TO TAKE ! RI<T TURN+ FROM ! HI< ROAD4 ,!RE'S A BU% Y\ CAN SEE JU/ !RE4 ,BUT Y\ DIDN'T EV5 GET ?AT F>6' SAID ! NEI<BOR4 

',Y\'D BETT] /AY ! NI<T4 ,! WOM5 WILL MAKE UP B$S = Y\1' SAID ! OLD WOMAN P]SUASIVELY4 

',Y\ C\LD GO ON 9 ! MORN+ & IT W\LD BE PLEASANT]1' SAID ! OLD MAN1 CONFIRM+ :AT HIS WIFE HAD SAID4 

',I CAN'T1 FRI5D4 ,BUS9ESS6' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',LOSE AN H\R & Y\ CAN'T CAT* IT UP 9 A YE>1' HE ADD$1 REMEMB]+ ! GROVE & ! DEAL]S :O MI<T SNAT* ?AT DEAL FROM HIM4 ',WE %ALL GET !RE1 %AN'T WE8' HE SAID1 TURN+ TO ,NIKITA4 

,NIKITA DID NOT ANSW] = SOME TIME1 APP>5TLY /ILL 9T5T ON ?AW+ \T HIS BE>D & MU/A*E4 

',IF ONLY WE DON'T GO A/RAY AGA91' HE REPLI$ GLOOMILY4 ,HE WAS GLOOMY BECAUSE HE PASSIONATELY LONG$ = SOME VODKA1 & ! ONLY ?+ ?AT C\LD ASSUAGE ?AT LONG+ WAS TEA & HE HAD NOT YET BE5 (F]$ ANY4 

',BUT WE HAVE ONLY TO REA* ! TURN+ & !N WE %AN'T GO WRONG4 ,! ROAD WILL BE ?R\< ! =E/ ! :OLE WAY1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',IT'S JU/ AS Y\ PLEASE1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ,IF WE'RE TO GO1 LET US GO1' SAID ,NIKITA1 TAK+ ! GLASS ( TEA HE WAS (F]$4 

',WE'LL DR9K \R TEA & BE (F4' 

,NIKITA SAID NO?+ BUT ONLY %OOK HIS HEAD1 & C>EFULLY P\R+ SOME TEA 9TO HIS SAUC] BEGAN W>M+ HIS H&S1 ! F+]S ( :I* W]E ALWAYS SWOLL5 ) H>D WORK1 OV] ! /EAM4 ,!N1 BIT+ (F A T9Y BIT ( SUG>1 HE B[$ TO HIS HO/S1 SAID1 ',Y\R HEAL?6' & DREW 9 ! /EAM+ LIQUID4 

',IF SOMEBODY W\LD SEE US AS F> AS ! TURN+1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',WELL1 WE CAN DO ?AT1' SAID ! ELDE/ SON4 ',PETRU%KA WILL H>NESS & GO ?AT F> ) Y\4' 

',WELL1 !N1 PUT 9 ! HORSE1 LAD1 & ,I %ALL BE ?ANKFUL TO Y\ = IT4' 

',OH1 :AT =1 DE> MAN8' SAID ! K9DLY OLD WOMAN4 ',WE >E HE>TILY GLAD TO DO IT4' 

',PETRU%KA1 GO & PUT 9 ! M>E1' SAID ! ELDE/ BRO!R4 

',ALL RI<T1' REPLI$ ,PETRU%KA ) A SMILE1 & PROMPTLY SNAT*+ HIS CAP D[N FROM A NAIL HE RAN AWAY TO H>NESS4 

,:ILE ! HORSE WAS BE+ H>NESS$ ! TALK RETURN$ TO ! PO9T AT :I* IT HAD /OPP$ :5 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* DROVE UP TO ! W9D[4 ,! OLD MAN HAD BE5 COMPLA9+ TO HIS NEI<BOR1 ! VILLAGE ELD]1 AB\T HIS ?IRD SON :O HAD NOT S5T HIM ANY?+ = ! HOLIDAY ?\< HE HAD S5T A ,FR5* %AWL TO HIS WIFE4 

',! Y\NG PEOPLE >E GETT+ \T ( H&1' SAID ! OLD MAN4 

',& H[ !Y DO6' SAID ! NEI<BOR4 ',!RE'S NO MANAG+ !M6 ,!Y KN[ TOO MU*4 ,!RE'S ,DEMO*K9 N[1 :O BROKE HIS FA!R'S >M4 ,IT'S ALL FROM BE+ TOO CLEV]1 IT SEEMS4' 

,NIKITA LI/5$1 WAT*$ !IR FACES1 & EVID5TLY W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO %>E 9 ! CONV]SATION1 BUT HE WAS TOO BUSY DR9K+ HIS TEA & ONLY NODD$ HIS HEAD APPROV+LY4 ,HE EMPTI$ ONE TUMBL] AFT] ANO!R & GREW W>M] & W>M] & MORE & MORE COM=TABLE4 ,! TALK CONT9U$ ON ! SAME SUBJECT = A LONG TIME--! H>MFULNESS ( A H\SEHOLD DIVID+ UP--& IT WAS CLE>LY NOT AN AB/RACT DISCUSSION BUT CONC]N$ ! QUE/ION ( A SEP>ATION 9 ?AT H\SE2 A SEP>ATION DEM&$ BY ! SECOND SON :O SAT !RE MOROSELY SIL5T4 

,IT WAS EVID5TLY A SORE SUBJECT & ABSORB$ !M ALL1 BUT \T ( PROPRIETY !Y DID NOT DISCUSS !IR PRIVATE AFFAIRS BE=E /RANG]S4 ,AT LA/1 H[EV]1 ! OLD MAN C\LD NOT RE/RA9 HIMSELF1 & ) TE>S 9 HIS EYES DECL>$ ?AT HE W\LD NOT CONS5T TO A BREAKUP ( ! FAMILY DUR+ HIS LIFETIME1 ?AT HIS H\SE WAS PROSP]+1 ?ANK ,GOD1 BUT ?AT IF !Y SEP>AT$ !Y W\LD ALL HAVE TO GO BEGG+4 

',JU/ LIKE ! ,MATVEEVS1' SAID ! NEI<BOR4 ',!Y US$ TO HAVE A PROP] H\SE1 BUT N[ !Y'VE SPLIT UP NONE ( !M HAS ANY?+4' 

',& ?AT IS :AT Y\ WANT TO HAPP5 TO US1' SAID ! OLD MAN1 TURN+ TO HIS SON4 

,! SON MADE NO REPLY & !RE WAS AN AWKW>D PAUSE4 ,! SIL5CE WAS BROK5 BY ,PETRU%KA1 :O HAV+ H>NESS$ ! HORSE HAD RETURN$ TO ! HUT A FEW M9UTES BE=E ?IS & HAD BE5 LI/5+ ALL ! TIME ) A SMILE4 

',!RE'S A FABLE AB\T ?AT 9 ,PAULSON1' HE SAID4 ',A FA!R GAVE HIS SONS A BROOM TO BREAK4 ,AT FIR/ !Y C\LD NOT BREAK IT1 BUT :5 !Y TOOK IT TWIG BY TWIG !Y BROKE IT EASILY4 ,& IT'S ! SAME H]E1' & HE GAVE A BROAD SMILE4 ',I'M READY6' HE ADD$4 

',IF Y\'RE READY1 LET'S GO1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',& AS TO SEP>AT+1 DON'T Y\ ALL[ IT1 ,GR&FA!R4 ,Y\ GOT EV]Y?+ TOGE!R & Y\'RE ! MA/]4 ,GO TO ! ,JU/ICE ( ! ,PEACE4 ,HE'LL SAY H[ ?+S %\LD BE DONE4' 

',HE C>RIES ON SO1 C>RIES ON SO1' ! OLD MAN CONT9U$ 9 A :9+ TONE4 ',!RE'S NO DO+ ANY?+ ) HIM4 ,IT'S AS IF ! DEVIL POSSESS$ HIM4' 

,NIKITA HAV+ MEAN:ILE F9I%$ HIS FIF? TUMBL] ( TEA LAID IT ON ITS SIDE 9/EAD ( TURN+ IT UPSIDE D[N1 HOP+ TO BE (F]$ A SIX? GLASS4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO MORE WAT] 9 ! SAMOV>1 SO ! HO/ESS DID NOT FILL IT UP = HIM4 ,BESIDES1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS PUTT+ HIS ?+S ON1 SO !RE WAS NO?+ = IT BUT = ,NIKITA TO GET UP TOO1 PUT BACK 9TO ! SUG>-BAS9 ! LUMP ( SUG> HE HAD NIBBL$ ALL R\ND1 WIPE HIS P]SPIR+ FACE ) ! SKIRT ( HIS %EEPSK91 & GO TO PUT ON HIS OV]COAT4 

,HAV+ PUT IT ON HE SI<$ DEEPLY1 ?ANK$ HIS HO/S1 SAID GOOD-BYE1 & W5T \T ( ! W>M BRI<T ROOM 9TO ! COLD D>K PASSAGE1 ?R\< :I* ! W9D WAS H[L+ & :]E SN[ WAS BL[+ ?R\< ! CRACKS ( ! %AK+ DOOR1 & FROM !RE 9TO ! Y>D4 

,PETRU%KA /OOD 9 HIS %EEPSK9 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! Y>D BY HIS HORSE1 REPEAT+ SOME L9ES FROM ,PAULSON'S PRIM]4 ,HE SAID ) A SMILE3 

 ',/ORMS ) MI/ ! SKY CONCEAL1 ,SN[Y CIRCLES :EEL+ WILD4 ,N[ LIKE SAVAGE BEA/ 'TWILL H[L1 ,& N[ 'TIS WAIL+ LIKE A *ILD4'  
  

,NIKITA NODD$ APPROV+LY AS HE >RANG$ ! RE9S4 

,! OLD MAN1 SEE+ ,VASILI ,&REEVI* (F1 BR\<T A LANT]N 9TO ! PASSAGE TO %[ HIM A LI<T1 BUT IT WAS BL[N \T AT ONCE4 ,& EV5 9 ! Y>D IT WAS EVID5T ?AT ! SN[/ORM HAD BECOME MORE VIOL5T4 

',WELL1 ?IS IS WEA!R6' ?\<T ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',P]HAPS WE MAY NOT GET !RE AFT] ALL4 ,BUT !RE IS NO?+ TO BE DONE4 ,BUS9ESS6 ,BESIDES1 WE HAVE GOT READY1 \R HO/'S HORSE HAS BE5 H>NESS$1 & WE'LL GET !RE ) ,GOD'S HELP6' 

,!IR AG$ HO/ ALSO ?\<T !Y \<T NOT TO GO1 BUT HE HAD ALREADY TRI$ TO P]SUADE !M TO /AY & HAD NOT BE5 LI/5$ TO4 

',IT'S NO USE ASK+ !M AGA94 ,MAYBE MY AGE MAKES ME TIMID4 ,!Y'LL GET !RE ALL RI<T1 & AT LEA/ WE %ALL GET TO B$ 9 GOOD TIME & )\T ANY FUSS1' HE ?\<T4 

,PETRU%KA DID NOT ?9K ( DANG]4 ,HE KNEW ! ROAD & ! :OLE DI/RICT SO WELL1 & ! L9ES AB\T 'SN[Y CIRCLES :EEL+ WILD' DESCRIB$ :AT WAS HAPP5+ \TSIDE SO APTLY ?AT IT *E]$ HIM UP4 ,NIKITA DID NOT WI% TO GO AT ALL1 BUT HE HAD BE5 ACCU/OM$ NOT TO HAVE HIS [N WAY & TO S]VE O!RS = SO LONG ?AT !RE WAS NO ONE TO H9D] ! DEP>T+ TRAVEL]S4 

O ,*APT] #e 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* W5T OV] TO HIS SL$GE1 F\ND IT ) DIFFICULTY 9 ! D>KNESS1 CLIMB$ 9 & TOOK ! RE9S4 

',GO ON 9 FRONT6' HE CRI$4 

,PETRU%KA KNEEL+ 9 HIS L[ SL$GE />T$ HIS HORSE4 ,MUKHORTY1 :O HAD BE5 NEI<+ = SOME TIME PA/1 N[ SC5T+ A M>E AHEAD ( HIM />T$ AFT] H]1 & !Y DROVE \T 9TO ! /REET4 ,!Y DROVE AGA9 ?R\< ! \TSKIRTS ( ! VILLAGE & ALONG ! SAME ROAD1 PA/ ! Y>D :]E ! FROZ5 L95 HAD HUNG 7:I*1 H[EV]1 WAS NO LONG] TO BE SE571 PA/ ! SAME B>N1 :I* WAS N[ SN[$ UP ALMO/ TO ! RO( & FROM :I* ! SN[ WAS /ILL 5DLESSLY P\R+ PA/ ! SAME DISMALLY MOAN+1 :I/L+1 & SWAY+ WILL[S1 & AGA9 5T]$ 9TO ! SEA ( BLU/]+ SN[ RAG+ FROM ABOVE & BEL[4 ,! W9D WAS SO /RONG ?AT :5 IT BLEW FROM ! SIDE & ! TRAVEL]S /E]$ AGA9/ IT1 IT TILT$ ! SL$GES & TURN$ ! HORSES TO ONE SIDE4 ,PETRU%KA DROVE HIS GOOD M>E 9 FRONT AT A BRISK TROT & KEPT %\T+ LU/ILY4 ,MUKHORTY PRESS$ AFT] H]4 

,AFT] TRAVEL+ SO = AB\T T5 M9UTES1 ,PETRU%KA TURN$ R\ND & %\T$ SOME?+4 ,NEI!R ,VASILI ,&REEVI* NOR ,NIKITA C\LD HE> ANY?+ BECAUSE ( ! W9D1 BUT !Y GUESS$ ?AT !Y HAD >RIV$ AT ! TURN+4 ,9 FACT ,PETRU%KA HAD TURN$ TO ! RI<T1 & N[ ! W9D ?AT HAD BL[N FROM ! SIDE BLEW /RAI<T 9 !IR FACES1 & ?R\< ! SN[ !Y SAW SOME?+ D>K ON !IR RI<T4 ,IT WAS ! BU% AT ! TURN+4 

',WELL N[1 ,GOD SPE$ Y\6' 

',?ANK Y\1 ,PETRU%KA6' 

',/ORMS ) MI/ ! SKY CONCEAL6' %\T$ ,PETRU%KA AS HE DISAPPE>$4 

',!RE'S A POET = Y\6' MUTT]$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 PULL+ AT ! RE9S4 

',YES1 A F9E LAD--A TRUE PEASANT1' SAID ,NIKITA4 

,!Y DROVE ON4 

,NIKITA1 WRAPP+ HIS COAT CLOSELY AB\T HIM & PRESS+ HIS HEAD D[N SO CLOSE TO HIS %\LD]S ?AT HIS %ORT BE>D COV]$ HIS ?ROAT1 SAT SIL5TLY1 TRY+ NOT TO LOSE ! W>M? HE HAD OBTA9$ :ILE DR9K+ TEA 9 ! H\SE4 ,BE=E HIM HE SAW ! /RAI<T L9ES ( ! %AFTS :I* CON/ANTLY DECEIV$ HIM 9TO ?9K+ !Y W]E ON A WELL-TRAVEL$ ROAD1 & ! HORSE'S SWAY+ CRUPP] ) HIS KNOTT$ TAIL BL[N TO ONE SIDE1 & F>!R AHEAD ! HI< %AFT-B[ & ! SWAY+ HEAD & NECK ( ! HORSE ) ITS WAV+ MANE4 ,N[ & !N HE CAU<T SI<T ( A WAY-SIGN1 SO ?AT HE KNEW !Y W]E /ILL ON A ROAD & ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ = HIM TO BE CONC]N$ AB\T4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* DROVE ON1 LEAV+ IT TO ! HORSE TO KEEP TO ! ROAD4 ,BUT ,MUKHORTY1 ?\< HE HAD HAD A BREA?+-SPACE 9 ! VILLAGE1 RAN RELUCTANTLY1 & SEEM$ N[ & !N TO GET (F ! ROAD1 SO ?AT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* HAD REPEAT$LY TO CORRECT HIM4 

',H]E'S A /AKE TO ! RI<T1 & ANO!R1 & H]E'S A ?IRD1' ,VASILI ,&REEVI* C\NT$1 '& H]E 9 FRONT IS ! =E/1' ?\<T HE1 AS HE LOOK$ AT SOME?+ D>K 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,BUT :AT HAD SEEM$ TO HIM A =E/ WAS ONLY A BU%4 ,!Y PASS$ ! BU% & DROVE ON = ANO!R HUNDR$ Y>DS BUT !RE WAS NO F\R? WAY-M>K NOR ANY =E/4 

',WE MU/ REA* ! =E/ SOON1' ?\<T ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 & ANIMAT$ BY ! VODKA & ! TEA HE DID NOT /OP BUT %OOK ! RE9S1 & ! GOOD OB$I5T HORSE RESPOND$1 N[ AMBL+1 N[ SL[LY TROTT+ 9 ! DIRECTION 9 :I* HE WAS S5T1 ?\< HE KNEW ?AT HE WAS NOT GO+ ! RI<T WAY4 ,T5 M9UTES W5T BY1 BUT !RE WAS /ILL NO =E/4 

',!RE N[1 WE MU/ BE A/RAY AGA91' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 PULL+ UP4 

,NIKITA SIL5TLY GOT \T ( ! SL$GE & HOLD+ HIS COAT1 :I* ! W9D N[ WRAPP$ CLOSELY AB\T HIM & N[ ALMO/ TORE (F1 />T$ TO FEEL AB\T 9 ! SN[1 GO+ FIR/ TO ONE SIDE & !N TO ! O!R4 ,?REE OR F\R TIMES HE WAS COMPLETELY LO/ TO SI<T4 ,AT LA/ HE RETURN$ & TOOK ! RE9S FROM ,VASILI ,&REEVI*'S H&4 

',WE MU/ GO TO ! RI<T1' HE SAID /]NLY & P]EMPTORILY1 AS HE TURN$ ! HORSE4 

',WELL1 IF IT'S TO ! RI<T1 GO TO ! RI<T1' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 YIELD+ UP ! RE9S TO ,NIKITA & ?RU/+ HIS FREEZ+ H&S 9TO HIS SLEEVES4 

,NIKITA DID NOT REPLY4 

',N[ !N1 FRI5D1 /IR Y\RSELF6' HE %\T$ TO ! HORSE1 BUT 9 SPITE ( ! %AKE ( ! RE9S ,MUKHORTY MOV$ ONLY AT A WALK4 

,! SN[ 9 PLACES WAS UP TO HIS KNEES1 & ! SL$GE MOV$ BY FITS & />TS ) HIS EV]Y MOVEM5T4 

,NIKITA TOOK ! :IP ?AT HUNG OV] ! FRONT ( ! SL$GE & /RUCK HIM ONCE4 ,! GOOD HORSE1 UNUS$ TO ! :IP1 SPRANG =W>D & MOV$ AT A TROT1 BUT IMM$IATELY FELL BACK 9TO AN AMBLE & !N TO A WALK4 ,SO !Y W5T ON = FIVE M9UTES4 ,IT WAS D>K & ! SN[ :IRL$ FROM ABOVE & ROSE FROM BEL[1 SO ?AT SOMETIMES ! %AFT-B[ C\LD NOT BE SE54 ,AT TIMES ! SL$GE SEEM$ TO /& /ILL & ! FIELD TO RUN BACKW>DS4 ,SUDD5LY ! HORSE /OPP$ ABRUPTLY1 EVID5TLY AW>E ( SOME?+ CLOSE 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,NIKITA AGA9 SPRANG LI<TLY \T1 ?R[+ D[N ! RE9S1 & W5T AHEAD TO SEE :AT HAD BR\<T HIM TO A /&/ILL1 BUT H>DLY HAD HE MADE A /EP 9 FRONT ( ! HORSE BE=E HIS FEET SLIPP$ & HE W5T ROLL+ D[N AN 9CL9E4 

',:OA1 :OA1 :OA6' HE SAID TO HIMSELF AS HE FELL1 & HE TRI$ TO /OP HIS FALL BUT C\LD NOT1 & ONLY /OPP$ :5 HIS FEET PLUNG$ 9TO A ?ICK LAY] ( SN[ ?AT HAD DRIFT$ TO ! BOTTOM ( ! HOLL[4 

,! FR+E ( A DRIFT ( SN[ ?AT HUNG ON ! $GE ( ! HOLL[1 DI/URB$ BY ,NIKITA'S FALL1 %[]$ D[N ON HIM & GOT 9SIDE HIS COLL>4 

',:AT A ?+ TO DO6' SAID ,NIKITA REPROA*FULLY1 ADDRESS+ ! DRIFT & ! HOLL[ & %AK+ ! SN[ FROM UND] HIS COLL>4 

',NIKITA6 ,HEY1 ,NIKITA6' %\T$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI* FROM ABOVE4 

,BUT ,NIKITA DID NOT REPLY4 ,HE WAS TOO OCCUPI$ 9 %AK+ \T ! SN[ & SE>*+ = ! :IP HE HAD DROPP$ :5 ROLL+ D[N ! 9CL9E4 ,HAV+ F\ND ! :IP HE TRI$ TO CLIMB /RAI<T UP ! BANK :]E HE HAD ROLL$ D[N1 BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO3 HE KEPT ROLL+ D[N AGA91 & SO HE HAD TO GO ALONG AT ! FOOT ( ! HOLL[ TO F9D A WAY UP4 ,AB\T SEV5 Y>DS F>!R ON HE MANAG$ ) DIFFICULTY TO CRAWL UP ! 9CL9E ON ALL F\RS1 !N HE FOLL[$ ! $GE ( ! HOLL[ BACK TO ! PLACE :]E ! HORSE %\LD HAVE BE54 ,HE C\LD NOT SEE EI!R HORSE OR SL$GE1 BUT AS HE WALK$ AGA9/ ! W9D HE HE>D ,VASILI ,&REEVI*'S %\TS & ,MUKHORTY'S NEI<+1 CALL+ HIM4 

',I'M COM+6 ,I'M COM+6 ,:AT >E Y\ CACKL+ =8' HE MUTT]$4 

,ONLY :5 HE HAD COME UP TO ! SL$GE C\LD HE MAKE \T ! HORSE1 & ,VASILI ,&REEVI* /&+ BESIDE IT & LOOK+ GIGANTIC4 

',:]E ! DEVIL DID Y\ VANI% TO8 ,WE MU/ GO BACK1 IF ONLY TO ,GRI%K9O1' HE BEGAN REPROA*+ ,NIKITA4 

',I'D BE GLAD TO GET BACK1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 BUT :I* WAY >E WE TO GO8 ,!RE IS SU* A RAV9E H]E ?AT IF WE ONCE GET 9 IT WE %AN'T GET \T AGA94 ,I GOT /UCK SO FA/ !RE MYSELF ?AT ,I C\LD H>DLY GET \T4' 

',:AT %ALL WE DO1 !N8 ,WE CAN'T /AY H]E6 ,WE MU/ GO SOME:]E6' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

,NIKITA SAID NO?+4 ,HE SEAT$ HIMSELF 9 ! SL$GE ) HIS BACK TO ! W9D1 TOOK (F HIS BOOTS1 %OOK \T ! SN[ ?AT HAD GOT 9TO !M1 & TAK+ SOME /RAW FROM ! BOTTOM ( ! SL$GE1 C>EFULLY PLUGG$ ) IT A HOLE 9 HIS LEFT BOOT4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* REMA9$ SIL5T1 AS ?\< N[ LEAV+ EV]Y?+ TO ,NIKITA4 ,HAV+ PUT HIS BOOTS ON AGA91 ,NIKITA DREW HIS FEET 9TO ! SL$GE1 PUT ON HIS MITT5S & TOOK UP ! RE9S1 & DIRECT$ ! HORSE ALONG ! SIDE ( ! RAV9E4 ,BUT !Y HAD NOT GONE A HUNDR$ Y>DS BE=E ! HORSE AGA9 /OPP$ %ORT4 ,! RAV9E WAS 9 FRONT ( HIM AGA94 

,NIKITA AGA9 CLIMB$ \T & AGA9 TRUDG$ AB\T 9 ! SN[4 ,HE DID ?IS = A CONSID]ABLE TIME & AT LA/ APPE>$ FROM ! OPPOSITE SIDE TO ?AT FROM :I* HE HAD />T$4 

',VASILI ,&REEVI*1 >E Y\ ALIVE8' HE CALL$ \T4 

',H]E6' REPLI$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',WELL1 :AT N[8' 

',I CAN'T MAKE ANY?+ \T4 ,IT'S TOO D>K4 ,!RE'S NO?+ BUT RAV9ES4 ,WE MU/ DRIVE AGA9/ ! W9D AGA94' 

,!Y SET (F ONCE MORE4 ,AGA9 ,NIKITA W5T /UMBL+ ?R\< ! SN[1 AGA9 HE FELL 91 AGA9 CLIMB$ \T & TRUDG$ AB\T1 & AT LA/ QUITE \T ( BREA? HE SAT D[N BESIDE ! SL$GE4 

',WELL1 H[ N[8' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',:Y1 ,I AM QUITE WORN \T & ! HORSE WON'T GO4' 

',!N :AT'S TO BE DONE8' 

',:Y1 WAIT A M9UTE4' 

,NIKITA W5T AWAY AGA9 BUT SOON RETURN$4 

',FOLL[ ME6' HE SAID1 GO+ 9 FRONT ( ! HORSE4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* NO LONG] GAVE ORD]S BUT IMPLICITLY DID :AT ,NIKITA TOLD HIM4 

',H]E1 FOLL[ ME6' ,NIKITA %\T$1 /EPP+ QUICKLY TO ! RI<T1 & SEIZ+ ! RE9 HE L$ ,MUKHORTY D[N T[>DS A SN[-DRIFT4 

,AT FIR/ ! HORSE HELD BACK1 !N HE J]K$ =W>D1 HOP+ TO LEAP ! DRIFT1 BUT HE HAD NOT ! /R5G? & SANK 9TO IT UP TO HIS COLL>4 

',GET \T6' ,NIKITA CALL$ TO ,VASILI ,&REEVI* :O /ILL SAT 9 ! SL$GE1 & TAK+ HOLD ( ONE %AFT HE MOV$ ! SL$GE CLOS] TO ! HORSE4 ',IT'S H>D1 BRO!R6' HE SAID TO ,MUKHORTY1 'BUT IT CAN'T BE HELP$4 ,MAKE AN EF=T6 ,N[1 N[1 JU/ A LITTLE ONE6' HE %\T$4 

,! HORSE GAVE A TUG1 !N ANO!R1 BUT FAIL$ TO CLE> HIMSELF & SETTL$ D[N AGA9 AS IF CONSID]+ SOME?+4 

',N[1 BRO!R1 ?IS WON'T DO6' ,NIKITA ADMONI%$ HIM4 ',N[ ONCE MORE6' 

,AGA9 ,NIKITA TUGG$ AT ! %AFT ON HIS SIDE1 & ,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID ! SAME ON ! O!R4 

,MUKHORTY LIFT$ HIS HEAD & !N GAVE A SUDD5 J]K4 

',?AT'S IT6 ,?AT'S IT6' CRI$ ,NIKITA4 ',DON'T BE AFRAID--Y\ WON'T S9K6' 

,ONE PLUNGE1 ANO!R1 & A ?IRD1 & AT LA/ ,MUKHORTY WAS \T ( ! SN[-DRIFT1 & /OOD /ILL1 BREA?+ HEAVILY & %AK+ ! SN[ (F HIMSELF4 ,NIKITA WI%$ TO LEAD HIM F>!R1 BUT ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 9 HIS TWO FUR COATS1 WAS SO \T ( BREA? ?AT HE C\LD NOT WALK F>!R & DROPP$ 9TO ! SL$GE4 

',LET ME GET MY BREA?6' HE SAID1 UNFA/5+ ! K]*IEF ) :I* HE HAD TI$ ! COLL> ( HIS FUR COAT AT ! VILLAGE4 

',IT'S ALL RI<T H]E4 ,Y\ LIE !RE1' SAID ,NIKITA4 ',I WILL LEAD HIM ALONG4' ,& ) ,VASILI ,&REEVI* 9 ! SL$GE HE L$ ! HORSE BY ! BRIDLE AB\T T5 PACES D[N & !N UP A SLI<T RISE1 & /OPP$4 

,! PLACE :]E ,NIKITA HAD /OPP$ WAS NOT COMPLETELY 9 ! HOLL[ :]E ! SN[ SWEEP+ D[N FROM ! HILLOCKS MI<T HAVE BURI$ !M ALTOGE!R1 BUT /ILL IT WAS P>TLY %ELT]$ FROM ! W9D BY ! SIDE ( ! RAV9E4 ,!RE W]E MOM5TS :5 ! W9D SEEM$ TO ABATE A LITTLE1 BUT ?AT DID NOT LA/ LONG & AS IF TO MAKE UP = ?AT RESPITE ! /ORM SWEPT D[N ) T5FOLD VIGOR & TORE & :IRL$ ! MORE FI]CELY4 ,SU* A GU/ /RUCK !M AT ! MOM5T :5 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 HAV+ RECOV]$ HIS BREA?1 GOT \T ( ! SL$GE & W5T UP TO ,NIKITA TO CONSULT HIM AS TO :AT !Y %\LD DO4 ,!Y BO? B5T D[N 9VOLUNT>ILY & WAIT$ TILL ! VIOL5CE ( ! SQUALL %\LD HAVE PASS$4 ,MUKHORTY TOO LAID BACK HIS E>S & %OOK HIS HEAD DISCONT5T$LY4 ,AS SOON AS ! VIOL5CE ( ! BLA/ HAD ABAT$ A LITTLE1 ,NIKITA TOOK (F HIS MITT5S1 /UCK !M 9TO HIS BELT1 BREA!D ONTO HIS H&S1 & BEGAN TO UNDO ! /RAPS ( ! %AFT-B[4 

',:AT'S ?AT Y\ >E DO+ !RE8' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',UNH>NESS+4 ,:AT ELSE IS !RE TO DO8 ,I HAVE NO /R5G? LEFT1' SAID ,NIKITA AS ?\< EXCUS+ HIMSELF4 

',CAN'T WE DRIVE SOME:]E8' 

',NO1 WE CAN'T4 ,WE %ALL ONLY KILL ! HORSE4 ,:Y1 ! POOR BEA/ IS NOT HIMSELF N[1' SAID ,NIKITA1 PO9T+ TO ! HORSE1 :I* WAS /&+ SUBMISSIVELY WAIT+ = :AT MI<T COME1 ) HIS /EEP WET SIDES HEAV+ HEAVILY4 ',WE %ALL HAVE TO /AY ! NI<T H]E1' HE SAID1 AS IF PREP>+ TO SP5D ! NI<T AT AN 9N1 & HE PROCE$$ TO UNFA/5 ! COLL>-/RAPS4 ,! BUCKLES CAME UNDONE4 

',BUT %AN'T WE BE FROZ58' REM>K$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',WELL1 IF WE >E WE CAN'T HELP IT1' SAID ,NIKITA4 

O ,*APT] #f 

,AL?\< ,VASILI ,&REEVI* FELT QUITE W>M 9 HIS TWO FUR COATS1 ESPECIALLY AFT] /RUGGL+ 9 ! SN[-DRIFT1 A COLD %IV] RAN D[N HIS BACK ON REALIZ+ ?AT HE MU/ REALLY SP5D ! NI<T :]E !Y W]E4 ,TO CALM HIMSELF HE SAT D[N 9 ! SL$GE & GOT \T HIS CIG>ETTES & MAT*ES4 

,NIKITA MEAN:ILE UNH>NESS$ ,MUKHORTY4 ,HE UN/RAPP$ ! BELLY-B& & ! BACK-B&1 TOOK AWAY ! RE9S1 LOOS5$ ! COLL>-/RAP1 & REMOV$ ! %AFT-B[1 TALK+ TO HIM ALL ! TIME TO 5C\RAGE HIM4 

',N[ COME \T6 COME \T6' HE SAID1 LEAD+ HIM CLE> ( ! %AFTS4 ',N[ WE'LL TIE Y\ UP H]E & ,I'LL PUT D[N SOME /RAW & TAKE (F Y\R BRIDLE4 ,:5 Y\'VE HAD A BITE Y\'LL FEEL MORE *E]FUL4' 

,BUT ,MUKHORTY WAS RE/LESS & EVID5TLY NOT COM=T$ BY ,NIKITA'S REM>KS4 ,HE /EPP$ N[ ON ONE FOOT & N[ ON ANO!R1 & PRESS$ CLOSE AGA9/ ! SL$GE1 TURN+ HIS BACK TO ! W9D & RUBB+ HIS HEAD ON ,NIKITA'S SLEEVE4 ,!N1 AS IF NOT TO PA9 ,NIKITA BY REFUS+ HIS (F] ( ! /RAW HE PUT BE=E HIM1 HE HURRI$LY SNAT*$ A WISP \T ( ! SL$GE1 BUT IMM$IATELY DECID$ ?AT IT WAS N[ NO TIME TO ?9K ( /RAW & ?REW IT D[N1 & ! W9D 9/ANTLY SCATT]$ IT1 C>RI$ IT AWAY1 & COV]$ IT ) SN[4 

',N[ WE WILL SET UP A SIGNAL1' SAID ,NIKITA1 & TURN+ ! FRONT ( ! SL$GE TO ! W9D HE TI$ ! %AFTS TOGE!R ) A /RAP & SET !M UP ON 5D 9 FRONT ( ! SL$GE4 ',!RE N[1 :5 ! SN[ COV]S US UP1 GOOD FOLK WILL SEE ! %AFTS & DIG US \T1' HE SAID1 SLAPP+ HIS MITT5S TOGE!R & PUTT+ !M ON4 ',?AT'S :AT ! OLD FOLK TAU<T US6' 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* MEAN:ILE HAD UNFA/5$ HIS COAT1 & HOLD+ ITS SKIRTS UP = %ELT]1 /RUCK ONE SULFUR MAT* AFT] ANO!R ON ! /EEL BOX4 ,BUT HIS H&S TREMBL$1 & ONE MAT* AFT] ANO!R EI!R DID NOT K9DLE OR WAS BL[N \T BY ! W9D JU/ AS HE WAS LIFT+ IT TO ! CIG>ETTE4 ,AT LA/ A MAT* DID BURN UP1 & ITS FLAME LIT UP = A MOM5T ! FUR ( HIS COAT1 HIS H& ) ! GOLD R+ ON ! B5T =EF+]1 & ! SN[-SPR9KL$ OAT-/RAW ?AT /UCK \T FROM UND] ! DRUGGET4 ,! CIG>ETTE LI<T$1 HE EAG]LY TOOK A :IFF OR TWO1 9HAL$ ! SMOKE1 LET IT \T ?R\< HIS MU/A*E1 & W\LD HAVE 9HAL$ AGA91 BUT ! W9D TORE (F ! BURN+ TOBACCO & :IRL$ IT AWAY AS IT HAD DONE ! /RAW4 

,BUT EV5 !SE FEW PUFFS HAD *E]$ HIM4 

',IF WE MU/ SP5D ! NI<T H]E1 WE MU/6' HE SAID ) DECISION4 ',WAIT A BIT1 ,I'LL >RANGE A FLAG AS WELL1' HE ADD$1 PICK+ UP ! K]*IEF :I* HE HAD ?R[N D[N 9 ! SL$GE AFT] TAK+ IT FROM R\ND HIS COLL>1 & DRAW+ (F HIS GLOVES & /&+ UP ON ! FRONT ( ! SL$GE & /RET*+ HIMSELF TO REA* ! /RAP1 HE TI$ ! H&K]*IEF TO IT ) A TI<T KNOT4 

,! K]*IEF IMM$IATELY BEGAN TO FLUTT] WILDLY1 N[ CL++ R\ND ! %AFT1 N[ SUDD5LY /REAM+ \T1 /RET*+ & FLAPP+4 

',JU/ SEE :AT A F9E FLAG6' SAID ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 ADMIR+ HIS H&IWORK & LETT+ HIMSELF D[N 9TO ! SL$GE4 ',WE %\LD BE W>M] TOGE!R1 BUT !RE'S NOT ROOM 5\< = TWO1' HE ADD$4 

',I'LL F9D A PLACE1' SAID ,NIKITA4 ',BUT ,I MU/ COV] UP ! HORSE FIR/--HE SWEAT$ SO1 POOR ?+4 ,LET GO6' HE ADD$1 DRAW+ ! DRUGGET FROM UND] ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

,HAV+ GOT ! DRUGGET HE FOLD$ IT 9 TWO1 & AFT] TAK+ (F ! BREE*B& & PAD1 COV]$ ,MUKHORTY ) IT4 

',ANYH[ IT WILL BE W>M]1 SILLY6' HE SAID1 PUTT+ BACK ! BREE*B& & ! PAD ON ! HORSE OV] ! DRUGGET4 ,!N HAV+ F9I%$ ?AT BUS9ESS HE RETURN$ TO ! SL$GE1 & ADDRESS+ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 SAID3 ',Y\ WON'T NE$ ! SACKCLO?1 WILL Y\8 ,& LET ME HAVE SOME /RAW4' 

,& HAV+ TAK5 !SE ?+S FROM UND] ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 ,NIKITA W5T BEH9D ! SL$GE1 DUG \T A HOLE = HIMSELF 9 ! SN[1 PUT /RAW 9TO IT1 WRAPP$ HIS COAT WELL R\ND HIM1 COV]$ HIMSELF ) ! SACKCLO?1 & PULL+ HIS CAP WELL D[N SEAT$ HIMSELF ON ! /RAW HE HAD SPREAD1 & LEAN$ AGA9/ ! WOOD5 BACK ( ! SL$GE TO %ELT] HIMSELF FROM ! W9D & ! SN[4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* %OOK HIS HEAD DISAPPROV+LY AT :AT ,NIKITA WAS DO+1 AS 9 G5]AL HE DISAPPROV$ ( ! PEASANT'S /UPIDITY & LACK ( $UCATION1 & HE BEGAN TO SETTLE HIMSELF D[N = ! NI<T4 

,HE SMOO!D ! REMA9+ /RAW OV] ! BOTTOM ( ! SL$GE1 PUTT+ MORE ( IT UND] HIS SIDE4 ,!N HE ?RU/ HIS H&S 9TO HIS SLEEVES & SETTL$ D[N1 %ELT]+ HIS HEAD 9 ! CORN] ( ! SL$GE FROM ! W9D 9 FRONT4 

,HE DID NOT WI% TO SLEEP4 ,HE LAY & ?\<T3 ?\<T EV] ( ! ONE ?+ ?AT CON/ITUT$ ! SOLE AIM1 MEAN+1 PLEASURE1 & PRIDE ( HIS LIFE--( H[ MU* MONEY HE HAD MADE & MI<T /ILL MAKE1 ( H[ MU* O!R PEOPLE HE KNEW HAD MADE & POSSESS$1 & ( H[ ?OSE O!RS HAD MADE & W]E MAK+ IT1 & H[ HE1 LIKE !M1 MI<T /ILL MAKE MU* MORE4 ,! PUR*ASE ( ! ,GORYA*K9 GROVE WAS A MATT] ( IMM5SE IMPORTANCE TO HIM4 ,BY ?AT ONE DEAL HE HOP$ TO MAKE P]HAPS T5 ?\S& RUBLES4 ,HE BEGAN M5TALLY TO RECKON ! VALUE ( ! WOOD HE HAD 9SPECT$ 9 AUTUMN1 & ON FIVE ACRES ( :I* HE HAD C\NT$ ALL ! TREES4 

',! OAKS WILL GO = SL$GE-RUNN]S4 ,! UND]GR[? WILL TAKE C>E ( ITSELF1 & !RE'LL /ILL BE SOME ?IRTY SAZHE5S ( FIRE-WOOD LEFT ON EA* DESYAT91' SAID HE TO HIMSELF4 ',?AT MEANS !RE WILL BE AT LEA/ TWO HUNDR$ & TW5TY-FIVE RUBLES' WOR? LEFT ON EA* DESYAT94 ,FIFTY-SIX DESYATI9S MEANS FIFTY-SIX HUNDR$S1 & FIFTY-SIX HUNDR$S1 & FIFTY-SIX T5S1 & ANO!R FIFTY-SIX T5S1 & !N FIFTY-SIX FIVES4444' ,HE SAW ?AT IT CAME \T TO MORE ?AN TWELVE ?\S& RUBLES1 BUT C\LD NOT RECKON IT UP EXACTLY )\T A C\NT+-FRAME4 ',BUT ,I WON'T GIVE T5 ?\S&1 ANYH[4 ,I'LL GIVE AB\T EI<T ?\S& ) A D$UCTION ON ACC\NT ( ! GLADES4 ,I'LL GREASE ! SURVEYOR'S PALM--GIVE HIM A HUNDR$ RUBLES1 OR A HUNDR$ & FIFTY1 & HE'LL RECKON ?AT !RE >E SOME FIVE DESYAT9S ( GLADE TO BE D$UCT$4 ,& HE'LL LET IT GO = EI<T ?\S&4 ,?REE ?\S& CA% D[N4 ,?AT'LL MOVE HIM1 NO FE>6' HE ?\<T1 & HE PRESS$ HIS POCKET-BOOK ) HIS =E>M4 

',GOD ONLY KN[S H[ WE MISS$ ! TURN+4 ,! =E/ \<T TO BE !RE1 & A WAT*MAN'S HUT1 & DOGS B>K+4 ,BUT ! DAMN$ ?+S DON'T B>K :5 !Y'RE WANT$4' ,HE TURN$ HIS COLL> D[N FROM HIS E> & LI/5$1 BUT AS BE=E ONLY ! :I/L+ ( ! W9D C\LD BE HE>D1 ! FLAPP+ & FLUTT]+ ( ! K]*IEF TI$ TO ! %AFTS1 & ! PELT+ ( ! SN[ AGA9/ ! WOODWORK ( ! SL$GE4 ,HE AGA9 COV]$ UP HIS E>4 

',IF ,I HAD KN[N ,I W\LD HAVE /AY$ ! NI<T4 ,WELL1 NO MATT]1 WE'LL GET !RE TO-MORR[4 ,IT'S ONLY ONE DAY LO/4 ,& ! O!RS WON'T TRAVEL 9 SU* WEA!R4' ,!N HE REMEMB]$ ?AT ON ! #i? HE HAD TO RECEIVE PAYM5T FROM ! BUT*] = HIS OX54 ',HE MEANT TO COME HIMSELF1 BUT HE WON'T F9D ME1 & MY WIFE WON'T KN[ H[ TO RECEIVE ! MONEY4 ,%E DOESN'T KN[ ! RI<T WAY ( DO+ ?+S1' HE ?\<T1 RECALL+ H[ AT !IR P>TY ! DAY BE=E %E HAD NOT KN[N H[ TO TREAT ! POLICE-(FIC] :O WAS !IR GUE/4 ',( C\RSE %E'S ONLY A WOMAN6 ,:]E C\LD %E HAVE SE5 ANY?+8 ,9 MY FA!R'S TIME :AT WAS \R H\SE LIKE8 ,JU/ A RI* PEASANT'S H\SE3 JU/ AN OATMILL & AN 9N--?AT WAS ! :OLE PROP]TY4 ,BUT :AT HAVE ,I DONE 9 !SE FIFTE5 YE>S8 ,A %OP1 TWO TAV]NS1 A FL\R-MILL1 A GRA9-/ORE1 TWO F>MS LEAS$ \T1 & A H\SE ) AN IRON-RO($ B>N1' HE ?\<T PR\DLY4 ',NOT AS IT WAS 9 ,FA!R'S TIME6 ,:O IS TALK$ ( 9 ! :OLE DI/RICT N[8 ,BREKHUNOV6 ,& :Y8 ,BECAUSE ,I /ICK TO BUS9ESS4 ,I TAKE TR\BLE1 NOT LIKE O!RS :O LIE AB$ OR WA/E !IR TIME ON FOOLI%NESS :ILE ,I DON'T SLEEP ( NI<TS4 ,BLIZZ>D OR NO BLIZZ>D ,I />T \T4 ,SO BUS9ESS GETS DONE4 ,!Y ?9K MONEY-MAK+ IS A JOKE4 ,NO1 TAKE PA9S & RACK Y\R BRA9S6 ,Y\ GET OV]TAK5 \T ( DOORS AT NI<T1 LIKE ?IS1 OR KEEP AWAKE NI<T AFT] NI<T TILL ! ?\<TS :IRL+ 9 Y\R HEAD MAKE ! PILL[ TURN1' HE M$ITAT$ ) PRIDE4 ',!Y ?9K PEOPLE GET ON ?R\< LUCK4 ,AFT] ALL1 ! ,MIRONOVS >E N[ MILLIONAIRES4 ,& :Y8 ,TAKE PA9S & ,GOD GIVES4 ,IF ONLY ,HE GRANTS ME HEAL?6' 

,! ?\<T ?AT HE MI<T HIMSELF BE A MILLIONAIRE LIKE ,MIRONOV1 :O BEGAN ) NO?+1 SO EXCIT$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI* ?AT HE FELT ! NE$ ( TALK+ TO SOMEBODY4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO ONE TO TALK TO4444 ,IF ONLY HE C\LD HAVE REA*$ ,GORYA*K9 HE W\LD HAVE TALK$ TO ! L&LORD & %[N HIM A ?+ OR TWO4 

',JU/ SEE H[ IT BL[S6 ,IT WILL SN[ US UP SO DEEP ?AT WE %AN'T BE ABLE TO GET \T 9 ! MORN+6' HE ?\<T1 LI/5+ TO A GU/ ( W9D ?AT BLEW AGA9/ ! FRONT ( ! SL$GE1 B5D+ IT & LA%+ ! SN[ AGA9/ IT4 ,HE RAIS$ HIMSELF & LOOK$ R\ND4 ,ALL HE C\LD SEE ?R\< ! :IRL+ D>KNESS WAS ,MUKHORTY'S D>K HEAD1 HIS BACK COV]$ BY ! FLUTT]+ DRUGGET1 & HIS ?ICK KNOTT$ TAIL2 :ILE ALL R\ND1 9 FRONT & BEH9D1 WAS ! SAME FLUCTUAT+ :ITY D>KNESS1 SOMETIMES SEEM+ TO GET A LITTLE LI<T] & SOMETIMES GR[+ D5S] /ILL4 

',A PITY ,I LI/5$ TO ,NIKITA1' HE ?\<T4 ',WE \<T TO HAVE DRIV5 ON4 ,WE %\LD HAVE COME \T SOME:]E1 IF ONLY BACK TO ,GRI%K9O & /AY$ ! NI<T AT ,T>AS'S4 ,AS IT IS WE MU/ SIT H]E ALL NI<T4 ,BUT :AT WAS ,I ?9K+ AB\T8 ,YES1 ?AT ,GOD GIVES TO ?OSE :O TAKE TR\BLE1 BUT NOT TO LOAF]S1 LIE-AB$S1 OR FOOLS4 ,I MU/ HAVE A SMOKE6' 

,HE SAT D[N AGA91 GOT \T HIS CIG>ETTE-CASE1 & /RET*$ HIMSELF FLAT ON HIS /OMA*1 SCRE5+ ! MAT*ES ) ! SKIRT ( HIS COAT4 ,BUT ! W9D F\ND ITS WAY 9 & PUT \T MAT* AFT] MAT*4 ,AT LA/ HE GOT ONE TO BURN & LIT A CIG>ETTE4 ,HE WAS V]Y GLAD ?AT HE HAD MANAG$ TO DO :AT HE WANT$1 & ?\< ! W9D SMOK$ MORE ( ! CIG>ETTE ?AN HE DID1 HE /ILL GOT TWO OR ?REE PUFFS & FELT MORE *E]FUL4 ,HE AGA9 LEAN$ BACK1 WRAPP$ HIMSELF UP1 />T$ REFLECT+ & REMEMB]+1 & SUDD5LY & QUITE UNEXPECT$LY LO/ CONSCI\SNESS & FELL ASLEEP4 

,SUDD5LY SOME?+ SEEM$ TO GIVE HIM A PU% & AWOKE HIM4 ,:E!R IT WAS ,MUKHORTY :O HAD PULL$ SOME /RAW FROM UND] HIM1 OR :E!R SOME?+ )9 HIM HAD />TL$ HIM1 AT ALL EV5TS IT WOKE HIM1 & HIS HE>T BEGAN TO BEAT FA/] & FA/] SO ?AT ! SL$GE SEEM$ TO TREMBLE UND] HIM4 ,HE OP5$ HIS EYES4 ,EV]Y?+ >\ND HIM WAS JU/ AS BE=E4 ',IT LOOKS LI<T]1' HE ?\<T4 ',I EXPECT IT WON'T BE LONG BE=E DAWN4' ,BUT HE AT ONCE REMEMB]$ ?AT IT WAS LI<T] BECAUSE ! MOON HAD RIS54 ,HE SAT UP & LOOK$ FIR/ AT ! HORSE4 ,MUKHORTY /ILL /OOD ) HIS BACK TO ! W9D1 %IV]+ ALL OV]4 ,ONE SIDE ( ! DRUGGET1 :I* WAS COMPLETELY COV]$ ) SN[1 HAD BE5 BL[N BACK1 ! BREE*+ HAD SLIPP$ D[N & ! SN[-COV]$ HEAD ) ITS WAV+ =ELOCK & MANE W]E N[ MORE VISIBLE4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* LEAN$ OV] ! BACK ( ! SL$GE & LOOK$ BEH9D4 ,NIKITA /ILL SAT 9 ! SAME POSITION 9 :I* HE HAD SETTL$ HIMSELF4 ,! SACK+ ) :I* HE WAS COV]$1 & HIS LEGS1 W]E ?ICKLY COV]$ ) SN[4 

',IF ONLY ?AT PEASANT DOESN'T FREEZE TO DEA?6 ,HIS CLO!S >E SO WRET*$4 ,I MAY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE = HIM4 ,:AT %IFTLESS PEOPLE !Y >E--SU* A WANT ( $UCATION1' ?\<T ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 & HE FELT LIKE TAK+ ! DRUGGET (F ! HORSE & PUTT+ IT OV] ,NIKITA1 BUT IT W\LD BE V]Y COLD TO GET \T & MOVE AB\T &1 MOREOV]1 ! HORSE MI<T FREEZE TO DEA?4 ',:Y DID ,I BR+ HIM ) ME8 ,IT WAS ALL H] /UPIDITY6' HE ?\<T1 RECALL+ HIS UNLOV$ WIFE1 & HE ROLL$ OV] 9TO HIS OLD PLACE AT ! FRONT P>T ( ! SL$GE4 ',MY UNCLE ONCE SP5T A :OLE NI<T LIKE ?IS1' HE REFLECT$1 '& WAS ALL RI<T4' ,BUT ANO!R CASE CAME AT ONCE TO HIS M9D4 ',BUT :5 !Y DUG ,SEBA/IAN \T HE WAS DEAD--/IFF LIKE A FROZ5 C>CASS4 ,IF ,I'D ONLY /OPP$ ! NI<T 9 ,GRI%K9O ALL ?IS W\LD NOT HAVE HAPP5$6' 

,& WRAPP+ HIS COAT C>EFULLY R\ND HIM SO ?AT NONE ( ! W>M? ( ! FUR %\LD BE WA/$ BUT %\LD W>M HIM ALL OV]1 NECK1 KNEES1 & FEET1 HE %UT HIS EYES & TRI$ TO SLEEP AGA94 ,BUT TRY AS HE W\LD HE C\LD NOT GET DR[SY1 ON ! CONTR>Y HE FELT WIDE AWAKE & ANIMAT$4 ,AGA9 HE BEGAN C\NT+ HIS GA9S & ! DEBTS DUE TO HIM1 AGA9 HE BEGAN BRAGG+ TO HIMSELF & FEEL+ PLEAS$ ) HIMSELF & HIS POSITION1 BUT ALL ?IS WAS CONT9UALLY DI/URB$ BY A /EAL?ILY APPROA*+ FE> & BY ! UNPLEASANT REGRET ?AT HE HAD NOT REMA9$ 9 ,GRI%K9O4 

',H[ DIFF]5T IT W\LD BE TO BE LY+ W>M ON A B5*6' 

,HE TURN$ OV] SEV]AL TIMES 9 HIS ATTEMPTS TO GET 9TO A MORE COM=TABLE POSITION MORE %ELT]$ FROM ! W9D1 HE WRAPP$ UP HIS LEGS CLOS]1 %UT HIS EYES1 & LAY /ILL4 ,BUT EI!R HIS LEGS 9 !IR /RONG FELT BOOTS BEGAN TO A*E FROM BE+ B5T 9 ONE POSITION1 OR ! W9D BLEW 9 SOME:]E1 & AFT] LY+ /ILL = A %ORT TIME HE AGA9 BEGAN TO RECALL ! DI/URB+ FACT ?AT HE MI<T N[ HAVE BE5 LY+ QUIETLY 9 ! W>M HUT AT ,GRI%K9O4 ,HE AGA9 SAT UP1 TURN$ AB\T1 MUFFL$ HIMSELF UP1 & SETTL$ D[N ONCE MORE4 

,ONCE HE FANCI$ ?AT HE HE>D A DI/ANT COCK-CR[4 ,HE FELT GLAD1 TURN$ D[N HIS COAT-COLL> & LI/5$ ) /RA9$ ATT5TION1 BUT 9 SPITE ( ALL HIS EF=TS NO?+ C\LD BE HE>D BUT ! W9D :I/L+ BETWE5 ! %AFTS1 ! FLAPP+ ( ! K]*IEF1 & ! SN[ PELT+ AGA9/ ! FRAME ( ! SL$GE4 

,NIKITA SAT JU/ AS HE HAD DONE ALL ! TIME1 NOT MOV+ & NOT EV5 ANSW]+ ,VASILI ,&REEVI* :O HAD ADDRESS$ HIM A C\PLE ( TIMES4 ',HE DOESN'T C>E A BIT--HE'S PROBABLY ASLEEP6' ?\<T ,VASILI ,&REEVI* ) VEXATION1 LOOK+ BEH9D ! SL$GE AT ,NIKITA :O WAS COV]$ ) A ?ICK LAY] ( SN[4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* GOT UP & LAY D[N AGA9 SOME TW5TY TIMES4 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT ! NI<T W\LD NEV] 5D4 ',IT MU/ BE GETT+ NE> MORN+1' HE ?\<T1 GETT+ UP & LOOK+ >\ND4 ',LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT MY WAT*4 ,IT WILL BE COLD TO UNBUTTON1 BUT IF ,I ONLY KN[ ?AT IT'S GETT+ NE> MORN+ ,I %ALL AT ANY RATE FEEL MORE *E]FUL4 ,WE C\LD BEG9 H>NESS+4' 

,9 ! DEP? ( HIS HE>T ,VASILI ,&REEVI* KNEW ?AT IT C\LD NOT YET BE NE> MORN+1 BUT HE WAS GR[+ MORE & MORE AFRAID1 & WI%$ BO? TO GET TO KN[ & YET TO DECEIVE HIMSELF4 ,HE C>EFULLY UNDID ! FA/5+ ( HIS %EEPSK91 PU%$ 9 HIS H&1 & FELT AB\T = A LONG TIME BE=E HE GOT TO HIS WAI/COAT4 ,) GREAT DIFFICULTY HE MANAG$ TO DRAW \T HIS SILV] WAT* ) ITS 5AMEL$ FL[] DESIGN1 & TRI$ TO MAKE \T ! TIME4 ,HE C\LD NOT SEE ANY?+ )\T A LI<T4 ,AGA9 HE W5T D[N ON HIS KNEES & ELB[S AS HE HAD DONE :5 HE LI<T$ A CIG>ETTE1 GOT \T HIS MAT*ES1 & PROCE$$ TO /RIKE ONE4 ,?IS TIME HE W5T TO WORK MORE C>EFULLY1 & FEEL+ ) HIS F+]S = A MAT* ) ! L>GE/ HEAD & ! GREATE/ AM\NT ( PHOSPHORUS1 LIT IT AT ! FIR/ TRY4 ,BR++ ! FACE ( ! WAT* UND] ! LI<T HE C\LD H>DLY BELIEVE HIS EYES4444 ,IT WAS ONLY T5 M9UTES PA/ TWELVE4 ,ALMO/ ! :OLE NI<T WAS /ILL BE=E HIM4 

',OH1 H[ LONG ! NI<T IS6' HE ?\<T1 FEEL+ A COLD %UDD] RUN D[N HIS BACK1 & HAV+ FA/5$ HIS FUR COATS AGA9 & WRAPP$ HIMSELF UP1 HE SNUGGL$ 9TO A CORN] ( ! SL$GE 9T5D+ TO WAIT PATI5TLY4 ,SUDD5LY1 ABOVE ! MONOTON\S RO> ( ! W9D1 HE CLE>LY DI/+UI%$ ANO!R NEW & LIV+ S\ND4 ,IT /EADILY /R5G!N$1 & HAV+ BECOME QUITE CLE> DIM9I%$ JU/ AS GRADUALLY4 ,BEYOND ALL D\BT IT WAS A WOLF1 & HE WAS SO NE> ?AT ! MOVEM5T ( HIS JAWS AS HE *ANG$ HIS CRY WAS BR\<T D[N ! W9D4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* TURN$ BACK ! COLL> ( HIS COAT & LI/5$ ATT5TIVELY4 ,MUKHORTY TOO /RA9$ TO LI/51 MOV+ HIS E>S1 & :5 ! WOLF HAD CEAS$ ITS H[L+ HE %IFT$ FROM FOOT TO FOOT & GAVE A W>N+ SNORT4 ,AFT] ?IS ,VASILI ,&REEVI* C\LD NOT FALL ASLEEP AGA9 OR EV5 CALM HIMSELF4 ,! MORE HE TRI$ TO ?9K ( HIS ACC\NTS1 HIS BUS9ESS1 HIS REPUTATION1 HIS WOR? & HIS WEAL?1 ! MORE & MORE WAS HE MA/]$ BY FE>1 & REGRETS ?AT HE HAD NOT /AY$ ! NI<T AT ,GRI%K9O DOM9AT$ & M+L$ 9 ALL HIS ?\<TS4 

',DEVIL TAKE ! =E/6 ,?+S W]E ALL RI<T )\T IT1 ?ANK ,GOD4 ,AH1 IF WE HAD ONLY PUT UP = ! NI<T6' HE SAID TO HIMSELF4 ',!Y SAY IT'S DRUNK>DS ?AT FREEZE1' HE ?\<T1 '& ,I HAVE HAD SOME DR9K4' ,& OBS]V+ HIS S5SATIONS HE NOTIC$ ?AT HE WAS BEG9N+ TO %IV]1 )\T KN[+ :E!R IT WAS FROM COLD OR FROM FE>4 ,HE TRI$ TO WRAP HIMSELF UP & LIE D[N AS BE=E1 BUT C\LD NO LONG] DO SO4 ,HE C\LD NOT /AY 9 ONE POSITION4 ,HE WANT$ TO GET UP1 TO DO SOME?+ TO MA/] ! GA!R+ FE> ?AT WAS RIS+ 9 HIM & AGA9/ :I* HE FELT HIMSELF P[]LESS4 ,HE AGA9 GOT \T HIS CIG>ETTES & MAT*ES1 BUT ONLY ?REE MAT*ES W]E LEFT & !Y W]E BAD ONES4 ,! PHOSPHORUS RUBB$ (F !M ALL )\T LI<T+4 

',! DEVIL TAKE Y\6 ,DAMN$ ?+6 ,CURSE Y\6' HE MUTT]$1 NOT KN[+ :OM OR :AT HE WAS CURS+1 & HE FLUNG AWAY ! CRU%$ CIG>ETTE4 ,HE WAS AB\T TO ?R[ AWAY ! MAT*BOX TOO1 BUT *ECK$ ! MOVEM5T ( HIS H& & PUT ! BOX 9 HIS POCKET 9/EAD4 ,HE WAS SEIZ$ ) SU* UNRE/ ?AT HE C\LD NO LONG] REMA9 9 ONE SPOT4 ,HE CLIMB$ \T ( ! SL$GE & /&+ ) HIS BACK TO ! W9D BEGAN TO %IFT HIS BELT AGA91 FA/5+ IT L[] D[N 9 ! WAI/ & TI<T5+ IT4 

',:AT'S ! USE ( LY+ & WAIT+ = DEA?8 ,BETT] M\NT ! HORSE & GET AWAY6' ,! ?\<T SUDD5LY OCCURR$ TO HIM4 ',! HORSE WILL MOVE :5 HE HAS SOMEONE ON HIS BACK4 ,AS = HIM1' HE ?\<T ( ,NIKITA--'IT'S ALL ! SAME TO HIM :E!R HE LIVES OR DIES4 ,:AT IS HIS LIFE WOR?8 ,HE WON'T GRUDGE HIS LIFE1 BUT ,I HAVE SOME?+ TO LIVE =1 ?ANK ,GOD4' 

,HE UNTI$ ! HORSE1 ?REW ! RE9S OV] HIS NECK & TRI$ TO M\NT1 BUT HIS COATS & BOOTS W]E SO HEAVY ?AT HE FAIL$4 ,!N HE CLAMB]$ UP 9 ! SL$GE & TRI$ TO M\NT FROM !RE1 BUT ! SL$GE TILT$ UND] HIS WEI<T1 & HE FAIL$ AGA94 ,AT LA/ HE DREW ,MUKHORTY NE>] TO ! SL$GE1 CAUTI\SLY BALANC$ ON ONE SIDE ( IT1 & MANAG$ TO LIE ON HIS /OMA* ACROSS ! HORSE'S BACK4 ,AFT] LY+ LIKE ?AT = A :ILE HE %IFT$ =W>D ONCE & AGA91 ?REW A LEG OV]1 & F9ALLY SEAT$ HIMSELF1 SUPPORT+ HIS FEET ON ! LOOSE BREE*+-/RAPS4 ,! %AK+ ( ! SL$GE AWOKE ,NIKITA4 ,HE RAIS$ HIMSELF1 & IT SEEM$ TO ,VASILI ,&REEVI* ?AT HE SAID SOME?+4 

',LI/5 TO SU* FOOLS AS Y\6 ,AM ,I TO DIE LIKE ?IS = NO?+8' EXCLAIM$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ,& TUCK+ ! LOOSE SKIRTS ( HIS FUR COAT 9 UND] HIS KNEES1 HE TURN$ ! HORSE & RODE AWAY FROM ! SL$GE 9 ! DIRECTION 9 :I* HE ?\<T ! =E/ & ! =E/]'S HUT MU/ BE4 

O ,*APT] #g 

,FROM ! TIME HE HAD COV]$ HIMSELF ) ! SACKCLO? & SEAT$ HIMSELF BEH9D ! SL$GE1 ,NIKITA HAD NOT /IRR$4 ,LIKE ALL ?OSE :O LIVE 9 T\* ) NATURE & HAVE KN[N WANT1 HE WAS PATI5T & C\LD WAIT = H\RS1 EV5 DAYS1 )\T GR[+ RE/LESS OR IRRITABLE4 ,HE HE>D HIS MA/] CALL HIM1 BUT DID NOT ANSW] BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO MOVE OR TALK4 ,?\< HE /ILL FELT SOME W>M? FROM ! TEA HE HAD DRUNK & FROM HIS 5]GETIC /RUGGLE :5 CLAMB]+ AB\T 9 ! SN[DRIFT1 HE KNEW ?AT ?IS W>M? W\LD NOT LA/ LONG & ?AT HE HAD NO /R5G? LEFT TO W>M HIMSELF AGA9 BY MOV+ AB\T1 = HE FELT AS TIR$ AS A HORSE :5 IT /OPS & REFUSES TO GO FUR!R 9 SPITE ( ! :IP1 & ITS MA/] SEES ?AT IT MU/ BE F$ BE=E IT CAN WORK AGA94 ,! FOOT 9 ! BOOT ) A HOLE 9 IT HAD ALREADY GR[N NUMB1 & HE C\LD NO LONG] FEEL HIS BIG TOE4 ,BESIDES ?AT1 HIS :OLE BODY BEGAN TO FEEL COLD] & COLD]4 

,! ?\<T ?AT HE MI<T1 & V]Y PROBABLY W\LD1 DIE ?AT NI<T OCCURR$ TO HIM1 BUT DID NOT SEEM P>TICUL>LY UNPLEASANT OR DREADFUL4 ,IT DID NOT SEEM P>TICUL>LY UNPLEASANT1 BECAUSE HIS :OLE LIFE HAD BE5 NOT A CONT9UAL HOLIDAY1 BUT ON ! CONTR>Y AN UNCEAS+ R\ND ( TOIL ( :I* HE WAS BEG9N+ TO FEEL WE>Y4 ,& IT DID NOT SEEM P>TICUL>LY DREADFUL1 BECAUSE BESIDES ! MA/]S HE HAD S]V$ H]E1 LIKE ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 HE ALWAYS FELT HIMSELF DEP5D5T ON ! ,*IEF ,MA/]1 :O HAD S5T HIM 9TO ?IS LIFE1 & HE KNEW ?AT :5 DY+ HE W\LD /ILL BE 9 ?AT ,MA/]'S P[] & W\LD NOT BE ILL-US$ BY ,HIM4 ',IT SEEMS A PITY TO GIVE UP :AT ONE IS US$ TO & ACCU/OM$ TO4 ,BUT !RE'S NO?+ TO BE DONE1 ,I %ALL GET US$ TO ! NEW ?+S4' 

',S9S8' HE ?\<T1 & REMEMB]$ HIS DRUNK5NESS1 ! MONEY ?AT HAD GONE ON DR9K1 H[ HE HAD (F5D$ HIS WIFE1 HIS CURS+1 HIS NEGLECT ( *UR* & ( ! FA/S1 & ALL ! ?+S ! PRIE/ BLAM$ HIM = AT CONFESSION4 ',( C\RSE !Y >E S9S4 ,BUT !N1 DID ,I TAKE !M ON ( MYSELF8 ,?AT'S EVID5TLY H[ ,GOD MADE ME4 ,WELL1 & ! S9S8 ,:]E AM ,I TO ESCAPE TO8' 

,SO AT FIR/ HE ?\<T ( :AT MI<T HAPP5 TO HIM ?AT NI<T1 & !N DID NOT RETURN TO SU* ?\<TS BUT GAVE HIMSELF UP TO :ATEV] RECOLLECTIONS CAME 9TO HIS HEAD ( !MSELVES4 ,N[ HE ?\<T ( ,M>?A'S >RIVAL1 ( ! DRUNK5NESS AMONG ! WORK]S & HIS [N R5UNCIATION ( DR9K1 !N ( !IR PRES5T J\RNEY & ( ,T>AS'S H\SE & ! TALK AB\T ! BREAK+-UP ( ! FAMILY1 !N ( HIS [N LAD1 & ( ,MUKHORTY N[ %ELT]$ UND] ! DRUGGET1 & !N ( HIS MA/] :O MADE ! SL$GE CREAK AS HE TOSS$ AB\T 9 IT4 ',I EXPECT Y\'RE SORRY Y\RSELF ?AT Y\ />T$ \T1 DE> MAN1' HE ?\<T4 ',IT W\LD SEEM H>D TO LEAVE A LIFE SU* AS HIS6 ,IT'S NOT LIKE ! LIKES ( US4' 

,!N ALL !SE RECOLLECTIONS BEGAN TO GR[ CONFUS$ & GOT MIX$ 9 HIS HEAD1 & HE FELL ASLEEP4 

,BUT :5 ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 GETT+ ON ! HORSE1 J]K$ ! SL$GE1 AGA9/ ! BACK ( :I* ,NIKITA WAS LEAN+1 & IT %IFT$ AWAY & HIT HIM 9 ! BACK ) ONE ( ITS RUNN]S1 HE AWOKE & HAD TO *ANGE HIS POSITION :E!R HE LIK$ IT OR NOT4 ,/RAI<T5+ HIS LEGS ) DIFFICULTY & %AK+ ! SN[ (F !M HE GOT UP1 & AN AGONIZ+ COLD IMM$IATELY P5ETRAT$ HIS :OLE BODY4 ,ON MAK+ \T :AT WAS HAPP5+ HE CALL$ TO ,VASILI ,&REEVI* TO LEAVE HIM ! DRUGGET :I* ! HORSE NO LONG] NE$$1 SO ?AT HE MI<T WRAP HIMSELF 9 IT4 

,BUT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID NOT /OP1 BUT DISAPPE>$ AMID ! P[D]Y SN[4 

,LEFT ALONE ,NIKITA CONSID]$ = A MOM5T :AT HE %\LD DO4 ,HE FELT ?AT HE HAD NOT ! /R5G? TO GO (F 9 SE>* ( A H\SE4 ,IT WAS NO LONG] POSSIBLE TO SIT D[N 9 HIS OLD PLACE--IT WAS BY N[ ALL FILL$ ) SN[4 ,HE FELT ?AT HE C\LD NOT GET W>M] 9 ! SL$GE EI!R1 = !RE WAS NO?+ TO COV] HIMSELF )1 & HIS COAT & %EEPSK9 NO LONG] W>M$ HIM AT ALL4 ,HE FELT AS COLD AS ?\< HE HAD NO?+ ON BUT A %IRT4 ,HE BECAME FRI<T5$4 ',LORD1 HEAV5LY ,FA!R6' HE MUTT]$1 & WAS COM=T$ BY ! CONSCI\SNESS ?AT HE WAS NOT ALONE BUT ?AT !RE WAS ,ONE :O HE>D HIM & W\LD NOT AB&ON HIM4 ,HE GAVE A DEEP SI<1 & KEEP+ ! SACKCLO? OV] HIS HEAD HE GOT 9SIDE ! SL$GE & LAY D[N 9 ! PLACE :]E HIS MA/] HAD BE54 

,BUT HE C\LD NOT GET W>M 9 ! SL$GE EI!R4 ,AT FIR/ HE %IV]$ ALL OV]1 !N ! %IV]+ CEAS$ & LITTLE BY LITTLE HE BEGAN TO LOSE CONSCI\SNESS4 ,HE DID NOT KN[ :E!R HE WAS DY+ OR FALL+ ASLEEP1 BUT FELT EQUALLY PREP>$ = ! ONE AS = ! O!R4 

O ,*APT] #h 

,MEAN:ILE ,VASILI ,&REEVI*1 ) HIS FEET & ! 5DS ( ! RE9S1 URG$ ! HORSE ON 9 ! DIRECTION 9 :I* = SOME REASON HE EXPECT$ ! =E/ & =E/]'S HUT TO BE4 ,! SN[ COV]$ HIS EYES & ! W9D SEEM$ 9T5T ON /OPP+ HIM1 BUT B5D+ =W>D & CON/ANTLY LAPP+ HIS COAT OV] & PU%+ IT BETWE5 HIMSELF & ! COLD H>NESS PAD :I* PREV5T$ HIM FROM SITT+ PROP]LY1 HE KEPT URG+ ! HORSE ON4 ,MUKHORTY AMBL$ ON OB$I5TLY ?\< ) DIFFICULTY1 9 ! DIRECTION 9 :I* HE WAS DRIV54 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* RODE = AB\T FIVE M9UTES /RAI<T AHEAD1 AS HE ?\<T1 SEE+ NO?+ BUT ! HORSE'S HEAD & ! :ITE WA/E1 & HE>+ ONLY ! :I/LE ( ! W9D AB\T ! HORSE'S E>S & HIS COAT COLL>4 

,SUDD5LY A D>K PAT* %[$ UP 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,HIS HE>T BEAT ) JOY1 & HE RODE T[>DS ! OBJECT1 ALREADY SEE+ 9 IMAG9ATION ! WALLS ( VILLAGE H\SES4 ,BUT ! D>K PAT* WAS NOT /ATION>Y1 IT KEPT MOV+2 & IT WAS NOT A VILLAGE BUT SOME TALL /ALKS ( WORMWOOD /ICK+ UP ?R\< ! SN[ ON ! B\ND>Y BETWE5 TWO FIELDS1 & DESP]ATELY TOSS+ AB\T UND] ! PRESSURE ( ! W9D :I* BEAT IT ALL TO ONE SIDE & :I/L$ ?R\< IT4 ,! SI<T ( ?AT WORMWOOD TORM5T$ BY ! PITILESS W9D MADE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* %UDD]1 HE KNEW NOT :Y1 & HE HURRI$LY BEGAN URG+ ! HORSE ON1 NOT NOTIC+ ?AT :5 RID+ UP TO ! WORMWOOD HE HAD QUITE *ANG$ HIS DIRECTION & WAS N[ HEAD+ ! OPPOSITE WAY1 ?\< /ILL IMAG9+ ?AT HE WAS RID+ T[>DS :]E ! HUT %\LD BE4 ,BUT ! HORSE KEPT MAK+ T[>DS ! RI<T1 & ,VASILI ,&REEVI* KEPT GUID+ IT TO ! LEFT4 

,AGA9 SOME?+ D>K APPE>$ 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,AGA9 HE REJOIC$1 CONV9C$ ?AT N[ IT WAS C]TA9LY A VILLAGE4 ,BUT ONCE MORE IT WAS ! SAME B\ND>Y L9E OV]GR[N ) WORMWOOD1 ONCE MORE ! SAME WORMWOOD DESP]ATELY TOSS$ BY ! W9D & C>RY+ UNREASON+ T]ROR TO HIS HE>T4 ,BUT ITS BE+ ! SAME WORMWOOD WAS NOT ALL1 = BESIDE IT !RE WAS A HORSE'S TRACK P>TLY SN[$ OV]4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* /OPP$1 /OOP$ D[N & LOOK$ C>EFULLY4 ,IT WAS A HORSE-TRACK ONLY P>TIALLY COV]$ ) SN[1 & C\LD BE NONE BUT HIS [N HORSE'S HO(PR9TS4 ,HE HAD EVID5TLY GONE R\ND 9 A SMALL CIRCLE4 ',I %ALL P]I% LIKE ?AT6' HE ?\<T1 & NOT TO GIVE WAY TO HIS T]ROR HE URG$ ON ! HORSE /ILL MORE1 PE]+ 9TO ! SN[Y D>KNESS 9 :I* HE SAW ONLY FLITT+ & FITFUL PO9TS ( LI<T4 ,ONCE HE ?\<T HE HE>D ! B>K+ ( DOGS OR ! H[L+ ( WOLVES1 BUT ! S\NDS W]E SO FA9T & 9DI/9CT ?AT HE DID NOT KN[ :E!R HE HE>D !M OR M]ELY IMAG9$ !M1 & HE /OPP$ & BEGAN TO LI/5 9T5TLY4 

,SUDD5LY SOME T]RIBLE1 DEAF5+ CRY RES\ND$ NE> HIS E>S1 & EV]Y?+ %IV]$ & %OOK UND] HIM4 ,HE SEIZ$ ,MUKHORTY'S NECK1 BUT ?AT TOO WAS %AK+ ALL OV] & ! T]RIBLE CRY GREW /ILL MORE FRI<TFUL4 ,= SOME SECONDS ,VASILI ,&REEVI* C\LD NOT COLLECT HIMSELF OR UND]/& :AT WAS HAPP5+4 ,IT WAS ONLY ?AT ,MUKHORTY1 :E!R TO 5C\RAGE HIMSELF OR TO CALL = HELP1 HAD NEI<$ L\DLY & RESONANTLY4 ',U<1 Y\ WRET*6 ,H[ Y\ FRI<T5$ ME1 DAMN Y\6' ?\<T ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ,BUT EV5 :5 HE UND]/OOD ! CAUSE ( HIS T]ROR HE C\LD NOT %AKE IT (F4 

',I MU/ CALM MYSELF & ?9K ?+S OV]1' HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 BUT YET HE C\LD NOT /OP1 & CONT9U$ TO URGE ! HORSE ON1 )\T NOTIC+ ?AT HE WAS N[ GO+ ) ! W9D 9/EAD ( AGA9/ IT4 ,HIS BODY1 ESPECIALLY BETWE5 HIS LEGS :]E IT T\*$ ! PAD ( ! H>NESS & WAS NOT COV]$ BY HIS OV]COATS1 WAS GETT+ PA9FULLY COLD1 ESPECIALLY :5 ! HORSE WALK$ SL[LY4 ,HIS LEGS & >MS TREMBL$ & HIS BREA?+ CAME FA/4 ,HE SAW HIMSELF P]I%+ AMID ?IS DREADFUL SN[Y WA/E1 & C\LD SEE NO MEANS ( ESCAPE4 

,SUDD5LY ! HORSE UND] HIM TUMBL$ 9TO SOME?+ &1 S9K+ 9TO A SN[-DRIFT1 BEGAN TO PLUNGE & FELL ON HIS SIDE4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* JUMP$ (F1 & 9 SO DO+ DRAGG$ TO ONE SIDE ! BREE*B& ON :I* HIS FOOT WAS RE/+1 & TWI/$ R\ND ! PAD TO :I* HE HELD AS HE DISM\NT$4 ,AS SOON AS HE HAD JUMP$ (F1 ! HORSE /RUGGL$ TO HIS FEET1 PLUNG$ =W>D1 GAVE ONE LEAP & ANO!R1 NEI<$ AGA91 & DRAGG+ ! DRUGGET & ! BREE*B& AFT] HIM1 DISAPPE>$1 LEAV+ ,VASILI ,&REEVI* ALONE ON ! SN[-DRIFT4 

,! LATT] PRESS$ ON AFT] ! HORSE1 BUT ! SN[ LAY SO DEEP & HIS COATS W]E SO HEAVY ?AT1 S9K+ ABOVE HIS KNEES AT EA* /EP1 HE /OPP$ BREA?LESS AFT] TAK+ NOT MORE ?AN TW5TY /EPS4 ',! COPSE1 ! OX51 ! LEASE-HOLD1 ! %OP1 ! TAV]N1 ! H\SE ) ! IRON-RO($ B>N1 & MY HEIR1' ?\<T HE4 ',H[ CAN ,I LEAVE ALL ?AT8 ,:AT DOES ?IS MEAN8 ,IT CANNOT BE6' ,!SE ?\<TS FLA%$ ?R\< HIS M9D4 ,!N HE ?\<T ( ! WORMWOOD TOSS$ BY ! W9D1 :I* HE HAD TWICE RIDD5 PA/1 & HE WAS SEIZ$ ) SU* T]ROR ?AT HE DID NOT BELIEVE 9 ! REALITY ( :AT WAS HAPP5+ TO HIM4 ',CAN ?IS BE A DREAM8' HE ?\<T1 & TRI$ TO WAKE UP BUT C\LD NOT4 ,IT WAS REAL SN[ ?AT LA%$ HIS FACE & COV]$ HIM & *ILL$ HIS RI<T H& FROM :I* HE HAD LO/ ! GLOVE1 & ?IS WAS A REAL DES]T 9 :I* HE WAS N[ LEFT ALONE LIKE ?AT WORMWOOD1 AWAIT+ AN 9EVITABLE1 SPE$Y1 & MEAN+LESS DEA?4 

',QUE5 ( ,HEAV56 ,HOLY ,FA!R ,NI*OLAS1 TEA*] ( TEMP]ANCE6' HE ?\<T1 RECALL+ ! S]VICE ( ! DAY BE=E & ! HOLY ICON ) ITS BLACK FACE & GILT FRAME1 & ! TAP]S :I* HE SOLD TO BE SET BE=E ?AT ICON & :I* W]E ALMO/ IMM$IATELY BR\<T BACK TO HIM SC>CELY BURNT AT ALL1 & :I* HE PUT AWAY 9 ! /ORE-*E/4 ,HE BEGAN TO PRAY TO ?AT SAME ,NI*OLAS ! ,WOND]-,WORK] TO SAVE HIM1 PROMIS+ HIM A ?ANKSGIV+ S]VICE & SOME C&LES4 ,BUT HE CLE>LY & 9DUBITABLY REALIZ$ ?AT ! ICON1 ITS FRAME1 ! C&LES1 ! PRIE/1 & ! ?ANKSGIV+ S]VICE1 ?\< V]Y IMPORTANT & NECESS>Y 9 *UR*1 C\LD DO NO?+ = HIM H]E1 & ?AT !RE WAS & C\LD BE NO CONNECTION BETWE5 ?OSE C&LES & S]VICES & HIS PRES5T DISA/R\S PLI<T4 ',I MU/ NOT DESPAIR1' HE ?\<T4 ',I MU/ FOLL[ ! HORSE'S TRACK BE=E IT IS SN[$ UND]4 ,HE WILL LEAD ME \T1 OR ,I MAY EV5 CAT* HIM4 ,ONLY ,I MU/ NOT HURRY1 OR ,I %ALL /ICK FA/ & BE MORE LO/ ?AN EV]4' 

,BUT 9 SPITE ( HIS RESOLUTION TO GO QUIETLY1 HE RU%$ =W>D & EV5 RAN1 CONT9UALLY FALL+1 GETT+ UP & FALL+ AGA94 ,! HORSE'S TRACK WAS ALREADY H>DLY VISIBLE 9 PLACES :]E ! SN[ DID NOT LIE DEEP4 ',I AM LO/6' ?\<T ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 ',I %ALL LOSE ! TRACK & NOT CAT* ! HORSE4' ,BUT AT ?AT MOM5T HE SAW SOME?+ BLACK4 ,IT WAS ,MUKHORTY1 & NOT ONLY ,MUKHORTY1 BUT ! SL$GE ) ! %AFTS & ! K]*IEF4 ,MUKHORTY1 ) ! SACK+ & ! BREE*B& TWI/$ R\ND TO ONE SIDE1 WAS /&+ NOT 9 HIS =M] PLACE BUT NE>] TO ! %AFTS1 %AK+ HIS HEAD :I* ! RE9S HE WAS /EPP+ ON DREW D[NW>D4 ,IT TURN$ \T ?AT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* HAD SUNK 9 ! SAME RAV9E ,NIKITA HAD PREVI\SLY FALL5 9TO1 & ?AT ,MUKHORTY HAD BE5 BR++ HIM BACK TO ! SL$GE & HE HAD GOT (F HIS BACK NO MORE ?AN FIFTY PACES FROM :]E ! SL$GE WAS4 

O ,*APT] #i 

,HAV+ /UMBL$ BACK TO ! SL$GE ,VASILI ,&REEVI* CAU<T HOLD ( IT & = A LONG TIME /OOD MOTIONLESS1 TRY+ TO CALM HIMSELF & RECOV] HIS BREA?4 ,NIKITA WAS NOT 9 HIS =M] PLACE1 BUT SOME?+1 ALREADY COV]$ ) SN[1 WAS LY+ 9 ! SL$GE & ,VASILI ,&REEVI* CONCLUD$ ?AT ?IS WAS ,NIKITA4 ,HIS T]ROR HAD N[ QUITE LEFT HIM1 & IF HE FELT ANY FE> IT WAS LE/ ! DREADFUL T]ROR %\LD RETURN ?AT HE HAD EXP]I5C$ :5 ON ! HORSE & ESPECIALLY :5 HE WAS LEFT ALONE 9 ! SN[-DRIFT4 ,AT ANY CO/ HE HAD TO AVOID ?AT T]ROR1 & TO KEEP IT AWAY HE MU/ DO SOME?+--OCCUPY HIMSELF ) SOME?+4 ,& ! FIR/ ?+ HE DID WAS TO TURN HIS BACK TO ! W9D & OP5 HIS FUR COAT4 ,!N1 AS SOON AS HE RECOV]$ HIS BREA? A LITTLE1 HE %OOK ! SN[ \T ( HIS BOOTS & \T ( HIS LEFT-H& GLOVE 7! RI<T-H& GLOVE WAS HOPELESSLY LO/ & BY ?IS TIME PROBABLY LY+ SOME:]E UND] A DOZ5 9*ES ( SN[72 !N AS WAS HIS CU/OM :5 GO+ \T ( HIS %OP TO BUY GRA9 FROM ! PEASANTS1 HE PULL$ HIS GIRDLE L[ D[N & TI<T5$ IT & PREP>$ = ACTION4 ,! FIR/ ?+ ?AT OCCURR$ TO HIM WAS TO FREE ,MUKHORTY'S LEG FROM ! RE94 ,HAV+ DONE ?AT1 & TE!R$ HIM TO ! IRON CRAMP AT ! FRONT ( ! SL$GE :]E HE HAD BE5 BE=E1 HE WAS GO+ R\ND ! HORSE'S QU>T]S TO PUT ! BREE*B& & PAD /RAI<T & COV] HIM ) ! CLO?1 BUT AT ?AT MOM5T HE NOTIC$ ?AT SOME?+ WAS MOV+ 9 ! SL$GE & ,NIKITA'S HEAD ROSE UP \T ( ! SN[ ?AT COV]$ IT4 ,NIKITA1 :O WAS HALF FROZ51 ROSE ) GREAT DIFFICULTY & SAT UP1 MOV+ HIS H& BE=E HIS NOSE 9 A /RANGE MANN] JU/ AS IF HE W]E DRIV+ AWAY FLIES4 ,HE WAV$ HIS H& & SAID SOME?+1 & SEEM$ TO ,VASILI ,&REEVI* TO BE CALL+ HIM4 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* LEFT ! CLO? UNADJU/$ & W5T UP TO ! SL$GE4 

',:AT IS IT8' HE ASK$4 ',:AT >E Y\ SAY+8' 

',I'M DY444 +1 ?AT'S :AT1' SAID ,NIKITA BROK5LY & ) DIFFICULTY4 ',GIVE :AT IS [+ TO ME TO MY LAD1 OR TO MY WIFE1 NO MATT]4' 

',:Y1 >E Y\ REALLY FROZ58' ASK$ ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

',I FEEL IT'S MY DEA?4 ,=GIVE ME = ,*RI/'S SAKE444' SAID ,NIKITA 9 A TE>FUL VOICE1 CONT9U+ TO WAVE HIS H& BE=E HIS FACE AS IF DRIV+ AWAY FLIES4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* /OOD SIL5T & MOTIONLESS = HALF A M9UTE4 ,!N SUDD5LY1 ) ! SAME RESOLUTION ) :I* HE US$ TO /RIKE H&S :5 MAK+ A GOOD PUR*ASE1 HE TOOK A /EP BACK & TURN+ UP HIS SLEEVES BEGAN RAK+ ! SN[ (F ,NIKITA & \T ( ! SL$GE4 ,HAV+ DONE ?IS HE HURRI$LY UNDID HIS GIRDLE1 OP5$ \T HIS FUR COAT1 & HAV+ PU%$ ,NIKITA D[N1 LAY D[N ON TOP ( HIM1 COV]+ HIM NOT ONLY ) HIS FUR COAT BUT ) ! :OLE ( HIS BODY1 :I* GL[$ ) W>M?4 ,AFT] PU%+ ! SKIRTS ( HIS COAT BETWE5 ,NIKITA & ! SIDES ( ! SL$GE1 & HOLD+ D[N ITS HEM ) HIS KNEES1 ,VASILI ,&REEVI* LAY LIKE ?AT FACE D[N1 ) HIS HEAD PRESS$ AGA9/ ! FRONT ( ! SL$GE4 ,H]E HE NO LONG] HE>D ! HORSE'S MOVEM5TS OR ! :I/L+ ( ! W9D1 BUT ONLY ,NIKITA'S BREA?+4 ,AT FIR/ & = A LONG TIME ,NIKITA LAY MOTIONLESS1 !N HE SI<$ DEEPLY & MOV$4 

',!RE1 & Y\ SAY Y\ >E DY+6 ,LIE /ILL & GET W>M1 ?AT'S \R WAY444' BEGAN ,VASILI ,&REEVI*4 

,BUT TO HIS GREAT SURPRISE HE C\LD SAY NO MORE1 = TE>S CAME TO HIS EYES & HIS L[] JAW BEGAN TO QUIV] RAPIDLY4 ,HE /OPP$ SPEAK+ & ONLY GULP$ D[N ! RIS+S 9 HIS ?ROAT4 ',SEEMS ,I WAS BADLY FRI<T5$ & HAVE GONE QUITE WEAK1' HE ?\<T4 ,BUT ?IS WEAKNESS WAS NOT ONLY UNPLEASANT1 BUT GAVE HIM A PECULI> JOY SU* AS HE HAD NEV] FELT BE=E4 

',?AT'S \R WAY6' HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 EXP]I5C+ A /RANGE & SOLEMN T5D]NESS4 ,HE LAY LIKE ?AT = A LONG TIME1 WIP+ HIS EYES ON ! FUR ( HIS COAT & TUCK+ UND] HIS KNEE ! RI<T SKIRT1 :I* ! W9D KEPT TURN+ UP4 

,BUT HE LONG$ SO PASSIONATELY TO TELL SOMEBODY ( HIS JOYFUL CONDITION ?AT HE SAID3 ',NIKITA6' 

',IT'S COM=TABLE1 W>M6' CAME A VOICE FROM B5EA?4 

',!RE1 Y\ SEE1 FRI5D1 ,I WAS GO+ TO P]I%4 ,& Y\ W\LD HAVE BE5 FROZ51 & ,I %\LD HAVE444' 

,BUT AGA9 HIS JAWS BEGAN TO QUIV] & HIS EYES TO FILL ) TE>S1 & HE C\LD SAY NO MORE4 

',WELL1 NEV] M9D1' HE ?\<T4 ',I KN[ AB\T MYSELF :AT ,I KN[4' 

,HE REMA9$ SIL5T & LAY LIKE ?AT = A LONG TIME4 

,NIKITA KEPT HIM W>M FROM BEL[ & HIS FUR COATS FROM ABOVE4 ,ONLY HIS H&S1 ) :I* HE KEPT HIS COAT-SKIRTS D[N R\ND ,NIKITA'S SIDES1 & HIS LEGS :I* ! W9D KEPT UNCOV]+1 BEGAN TO FREEZE1 ESPECIALLY HIS RI<T H& :I* HAD NO GLOVE4 ,BUT HE DID NOT ?9K ( HIS LEGS OR ( HIS H&S BUT ONLY ( H[ TO W>M ! PEASANT :O WAS LY+ UND] HIM4 ,HE LOOK$ \T SEV]AL TIMES AT ,MUKHORTY & C\LD SEE ?AT HIS BACK WAS UNCOV]$ & ! DRUGGET & BREE*+ LY+ ON ! SN[1 & ?AT HE \<T TO GET UP & COV] HIM1 BUT HE C\LD NOT BR+ HIMSELF TO LEAVE ,NIKITA & DI/URB EV5 = A MOM5T ! JOY\S CONDITION HE WAS 94 ,HE NO LONG] FELT ANY K9D ( T]ROR4 

',NO FE>1 WE %AN'T LOSE HIM ?IS TIME6' HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 REF]R+ TO HIS GETT+ ! PEASANT W>M ) ! SAME BOA/FULNESS ) :I* HE SPOKE ( HIS BUY+ & SELL+4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* LAY 9 ?AT WAY = ONE H\R1 ANO!R1 & A ?IRD1 BUT HE WAS UNCONSCI\S ( ! PASSAGE ( TIME4 ,AT FIR/ IMPRESSIONS ( ! SN[-/ORM1 ! SL$GE-%AFTS1 & ! HORSE ) ! %AFT-B[ %AK+ BE=E HIS EYES1 KEPT PASS+ ?R\< HIS M9D1 !N HE REMEMB]$ ,NIKITA LY+ UND] HIM1 !N RECOLLECTIONS ( ! FE/IVAL1 HIS WIFE1 ! POLICE-(FIC]1 & ! BOX ( C&LES1 BEGAN TO M+LE ) !SE2 !N AGA9 ,NIKITA1 ?IS TIME LY+ UND] ?AT BOX1 !N ! PEASANTS1 CU/OM]S & TRAD]S1 & ! :ITE WALLS ( HIS H\SE ) ITS IRON RO( ) ,NIKITA LY+ UND]NEA?1 PRES5T$ !MSELVES TO HIS IMAG9ATION4 ,AFT]W>DS ALL !SE IMPRESSIONS BL5D$ 9TO ONE NO?+NESS4 ,AS ! COLORS ( ! RA9B[ UNITE 9TO ONE :ITE LI<T1 SO ALL !SE DIFF]5T IMPRESSIONS M+L$ 9TO ONE1 & HE FELL ASLEEP4 

,= A LONG TIME HE SLEPT )\T DREAM+1 BUT JU/ BE=E DAWN ! VISIONS RECOMM5C$4 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT HE WAS /&+ BY ! BOX ( TAP]S & ?AT ,TIKHON'S WIFE WAS ASK+ = A FIVE KOPECK TAP] = ! ,*UR* FETE4 ,HE WI%$ TO TAKE ONE \T & GIVE IT TO H]1 BUT HIS H&S W\LD NOT LIFE1 BE+ HELD TI<T 9 HIS POCKETS4 ,HE WANT$ TO WALK R\ND ! BOX BUT HIS FEET W\LD NOT MOVE & HIS NEW CLEAN GOLO%ES HAD GR[N TO ! /ONE FLOOR1 & HE C\LD NEI!R LIFT !M NOR GET HIS FEET \T ( ! GOLO%ES4 ,!N ! TAP]-BOX WAS NO LONG] A BOX BUT A B$1 & SUDD5LY ,VASILI ,&REEVI* SAW HIMSELF LY+ 9 HIS B$ AT HOME4 ,HE WAS LY+ 9 HIS B$ & C\LD NOT GET UP4 ,YET IT WAS NECESS>Y = HIM TO GET UP BECAUSE ,IVAN ,MATVEI*1 ! POLICE-(FIC]1 W\LD SOON CALL = HIM & HE HAD TO GO ) HIM--EI!R TO B>GA9 = ! =E/ OR TO PUT ,MUKHORTY'S BREE*+ /RAI<T4 

,HE ASK$ HIS WIFE3 ',NIKOLAEVNA1 HASN'T HE COME YET8' ',NO1 HE HASN'T1' %E REPLI$4 ,HE HE>D SOMEONE DRIVE UP TO ! FRONT /EPS4 ',IT MU/ BE HIM4' ',NO1 HE'S GONE PA/4' ',NIKOLAEVNA6 ,I SAY1 ,NIKOLAEVNA1 ISN'T HE H]E YET8' ',NO4' ,HE WAS /ILL LY+ ON HIS B$ & C\LD NOT GET UP1 BUT WAS ALWAYS WAIT+4 ,& ?IS WAIT+ WAS UNCANNY & YET JOYFUL4 ,!N SUDD5LY HIS JOY WAS COMPLET$4 ,HE :OM HE WAS EXPECT+ CAME2 NOT ,IVAN ,MATVEI* ! POLICE-(FIC]1 BUT SOMEONE ELSE--YET IT WAS HE :OM HE HAD BE5 WAIT+ =4 ,HE CAME & CALL$ HIM2 & IT WAS HE :O HAD CALL$ HIM & TOLD HIM TO LIE D[N ON ,NIKITA4 ,& ,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS GLAD ?AT ?AT ONE HAD COME = HIM4 

',I'M COM+6' HE CRI$ JOYFULLY1 & ?AT CRY AWOKE HIM1 BUT WOKE HIM UP NOT AT ALL ! SAME P]SON HE HAD BE5 :5 HE FELL ASLEEP4 ,HE TRI$ TO GET UP BUT C\LD NOT1 TRI$ TO MOVE HIS >M & C\LD NOT1 TO MOVE HIS LEG & ALSO C\LD NOT1 TO TURN HIS HEAD & C\LD NOT4 ,HE WAS SURPRIS$ BUT NOT AT ALL DI/URB$ BY ?IS4 ,HE UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS WAS DEA?1 & WAS NOT AT ALL DI/URB$ BY ?AT EI!R4 

,HE REMEMB]$ ?AT ,NIKITA WAS LY+ UND] HIM & ?AT HE HAD GOT W>M & WAS ALIVE1 & IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT HE WAS ,NIKITA & ,NIKITA WAS HE1 & ?AT HIS LIFE WAS NOT 9 HIMSELF BUT 9 ,NIKITA4 ,HE /RA9$ HIS E>S & HE>D ,NIKITA BREA?+ & EV5 SLI<TLY SNOR+4 ',NIKITA IS ALIVE1 SO ,I TOO AM ALIVE6' HE SAID TO HIMSELF TRIUMPHANTLY4 

,& HE REMEMB]$ HIS MONEY1 HIS %OP1 HIS H\SE1 ! BUY+ & SELL+1 & ,MIRONOV'S MILLIONS1 & IT WAS H>D = HIM TO UND]/& :Y ?AT MAN1 CALL$ ,VASILI ,BREKHUNOV1 HAD TR\BL$ HIMSELF ) ALL ?OSE ?+S ) :I* HE HAD BE5 TR\BL$4 

',WELL1 IT WAS BECAUSE HE DID NOT KN[ :AT ! REAL ?+ WAS1' HE ?\<T1 CONC]N+ ?AT ,VASILI ,BREKHUNOV4 ',HE DID NOT KN[1 BUT N[ ,I KN[ & KN[ = SURE4 ,N[ ,I KN[6' ,& AGA9 HE HE>D ! VOICE ( ! ONE :O HAD CALL$ HIM BE=E4 ',I'M COM+6 ,COM+6' HE RESPOND$ GLADLY1 & HIS :OLE BE+ WAS FILL$ ) JOYFUL EMOTION4 ,HE FELT HIMSELF FREE & ?AT NO?+ C\LD HOLD HIM BACK ANY LONG]4 

,AFT] ?AT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* NEI!R SAW1 HE>D1 NOR FELT ANY?+ MORE 9 ?IS WORLD4 

,ALL >\ND ! SN[ /ILL $DI$4 ,! SAME :IRLW9DS ( SN[ CIRCL$ AB\T1 COV]+ ! DEAD ,VASILI ,&REEVI*'S FUR COAT1 ! %IV]+ ,MUKHORTY1 ! SL$GE1 N[ SC>CELY TO BE SE51 & ,NIKITA LY+ AT ! BOTTOM ( IT1 KEPT W>M B5EA? HIS DEAD MA/]4 

O ,*APT] #a 

,NIKITA AWOKE BE=E DAYBREAK4 ,HE WAS >\S$ BY ! COLD ?AT HAD BEGUN TO CREEP D[N HIS BACK4 ,HE HAD DREAM$ ?AT HE WAS COM+ FROM ! MILL ) A LOAD ( HIS MA/]'S FL\R & :5 CROSS+ ! /REAM HAD MISS$ ! BRIDGE & LET ! C>T GET /UCK4 ,& HE SAW ?AT HE HAD CRAWL$ UND] ! C>T & WAS TRY+ TO LIFT IT BY >*+ HIS BACK4 ,BUT /RANGE TO SAY ! C>T DID NOT MOVE1 IT /UCK TO HIS BACK & HE C\LD NEI!R LIFT IT NOR GET \T FROM UND] IT4 ,IT WAS CRU%+ ! :OLE ( HIS LO9S4 ,& H[ COLD IT FELT6 ,EVID5TLY HE MU/ CRAWL \T4 ',HAVE DONE6' HE EXCLAIM$ TO :OEV] WAS PRESS+ ! C>T D[N ON HIM4 ',TAKE \T ! SACKS6' ,BUT ! C>T PRESS$ D[N COLD] & COLD]1 & !N HE HE>D A /RANGE KNOCK+1 AWOKE COMPLETELY1 & REMEMB]$ EV]Y?+4 ,! COLD C>T WAS HIS DEAD & FROZ5 MA/] LY+ UPON HIM4 ,& ! KNOCK WAS PRODUC$ BY ,MUKHORTY1 :O HAD TWICE /RUCK ! SL$GE ) HIS HO(4 

',&REEVI*6 ,EH1 ,&REEVI*6' ,NIKITA CALL$ CAUTI\SLY1 BEG9N+ TO REALIZE ! TRU?1 & /RAI<T5+ HIS BACK4 ,BUT ,VASILI ,&REEVI* DID NOT ANSW] & HIS /OMA* & LEGS W]E /IFF & COLD & HEAVY LIKE IRON WEI<TS4 

',HE MU/ HAVE DI$6 ,MAY ! ,K+DOM ( ,HEAV5 BE HIS6' ?\<T ,NIKITA4 

,HE TURN$ HIS HEAD1 DUG ) HIS H& ?R\< ! SN[ AB\T HIM & OP5$ HIS EYES4 ,IT WAS DAYLI<T2 ! W9D WAS :I/L+ AS BE=E BETWE5 ! %AFTS1 & ! SN[ WAS FALL+ 9 ! SAME WAY1 EXCEPT ?AT IT WAS NO LONG] DRIV+ AGA9/ ! FRAME ( ! SL$GE BUT SIL5TLY COV]$ BO? SL$GE & HORSE DEEP] & DEEP]1 & NEI!R ! HORSE'S MOVEM5TS NOR HIS BREA?+ W]E ANY LONG] TO BE HE>D4 

',HE MU/ HAVE FROZ5 TOO1' ?\<T ,NIKITA ( ,MUKHORTY1 & 9DE$ ?OSE HO( KNOCKS AGA9/ ! SL$GE1 :I* HAD AWAK5$ ,NIKITA1 W]E ! LA/ EF=TS ! ALREADY NUMB$ ,MUKHORTY HAD MADE TO KEEP ON HIS FEET BE=E DY+4 

',O ,LORD ,GOD1 IT SEEMS ,?\ >T CALL+ ME TOO6' SAID ,NIKITA4 ',?Y ,HOLY ,WILL BE DONE4 ,BUT IT'S UNCANNY4444 ,/ILL1 A MAN CAN'T DIE TWICE & MU/ DIE ONCE4 ,IF ONLY IT W\LD COME SOON6' 

,& HE AGA9 DREW 9 HIS HEAD1 CLOS$ HIS EYES1 & BECAME UNCONSCI\S1 FULLY CONV9C$ ?AT N[ HE WAS C]TA9LY & F9ALLY DY+4 

,IT WAS NOT TILL NOON ?AT DAY ?AT PEASANTS DUG ,VASILI ,&REEVI* & ,NIKITA \T ( ! SN[ ) !IR %OVELS1 NOT MORE ?AN SEV5TY Y>DS FROM ! ROAD & LESS ?AN HALF A MILE FROM ! VILLAGE4 

,! SN[ HAD HIDD5 ! SL$GE1 BUT ! %AFTS & ! K]*IEF TI$ TO !M W]E /ILL VISIBLE4 ,MUKHORTY1 BURI$ UP TO HIS BELLY 9 SN[1 ) ! BREE*+ & DRUGGET HANG+ D[N1 /OOD ALL :ITE1 HIS DEAD HEAD PRESS$ AGA9/ HIS FROZ5 ?ROAT3 ICICLES HUNG FROM HIS NO/RILS1 HIS EYES W]E COV]$ ) HO>-FRO/ AS ?\< FILL$ ) TE>S1 & HE HAD GR[N SO ?9 9 ?AT ONE NI<T ?AT HE WAS NO?+ BUT SK9 & BONE4 

,VASILI ,&REEVI* WAS /IFF AS A FROZ5 C>CASS1 & :5 !Y ROLL$ HIM (F ,NIKITA HIS LEGS REMA9$ AP>T & HIS >MS /RET*$ \T AS !Y HAD BE54 ,HIS BULG+ HAWK EYES W]E FROZ51 & HIS OP5 M\? UND] HIS CLIPP$ MU/A*E WAS FULL ( SN[4 ,BUT ,NIKITA ?\< *ILL$ ?R\< WAS /ILL ALIVE4 ,:5 HE HAD BE5 BR\<T TO1 HE FELT SURE ?AT HE WAS ALREADY DEAD & ?AT :AT WAS TAK+ PLACE ) HIM WAS NO LONG] HAPP5+ 9 ?IS WORLD BUT 9 ! NEXT4 ,:5 HE HE>D ! PEASANTS %\T+ AS !Y DUG HIM \T & ROLL$ ! FROZ5 BODY ( ,VASILI ,&REEVI* FROM (F HIM1 HE WAS AT FIR/ SURPRIS$ ?AT 9 ! O!R WORLD PEASANTS %\LD BE %\T+ 9 ! SAME OLD WAY & HAD ! SAME K9D ( BODY1 & !N :5 HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE WAS /ILL 9 ?IS WORLD HE WAS SORRY RA!R ?AN GLAD1 ESPECIALLY :5 HE F\ND ?AT ! TOES ON BO? HIS FEET W]E FROZ54 

,NIKITA LAY 9 HOSPITAL = TWO MON?S4 ,!Y CUT (F ?REE ( HIS TOES1 BUT ! O!RS RECOV]$ SO ?AT HE WAS /ILL ABLE TO WORK & W5T ON LIV+ = ANO!R TW5TY YE>S1 FIR/ AS A F>M-LABOR]1 !N 9 HIS OLD AGE AS A WAT*MAN4 ,HE DI$ AT HOME AS HE HAD WI%$1 ONLY ?IS YE>1 UND] ! ICONS ) A LI<T$ TAP] 9 HIS H&S4 ,BE=E HE DI$ HE ASK$ HIS WIFE'S =GIV5ESS & =GAVE H] = ! COOP]4 ,HE ALSO TOOK LEAVE ( HIS SON & GR&*ILDR51 & DI$ S9C]ELY GLAD ?AT HE WAS RELIEV+ HIS SON & DAU<T]-9-LAW ( ! BURD5 ( HAV+ TO FE$ HIM1 & ?AT HE WAS N[ REALLY PASS+ FROM ?IS LIFE ( :I* HE WAS WE>Y 9TO ?AT O!R LIFE :I* EV]Y YE> & EV]Y H\R GREW CLE>] & MORE DESIRABLE TO HIM4 ,:E!R HE IS BETT] OR WORSE (F !RE :]E HE AWOKE AFT] HIS DEA?1 :E!R HE WAS DISAPPO9T$ OR F\ND !RE :AT HE EXPECT$1 WE %ALL ALL SOON LE>N4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahid 3 ,MA/] & ,MAN -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,FEBRU>Y #a#f1 #bag 3 ,MA/] & ,MAN -- ,ADD$4 
,DECEMB] #c1 #bba 3 ,MA/] & ,MAN -- ,UPDAT$4 

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