,BOOK #g1 ,*APT] #g 

#ahfiahfi 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TEXT 3 

,T[>D EV5+ ,ILAG9 TOOK LEAVE ( ,NI*OLAS1 :O F\ND ?AT !Y W]E SO 
 F> FROM HOME ?AT HE ACCEPT$ 0,UNCLE'S0 (F] ?AT ! HUNT+ P>TY 
 %\LD SP5D ! NI<T 9 HIS LITTLE VILLAGE ( ,MIKHAYLOVNA4 

0,& IF Y\ PUT UP AT MY H\SE ?AT WILL BE BETT] /ILL4 ,?AT'S IT1 COME 
 ON60 SAID 0,UNCLE40 0,Y\ SEE IT'S DAMP WEA!R1 & Y\ C\LD RE/1 & ! 
 LITTLE C\NTESS C\LD BE DRIV5 HOME 9 A TRAP40 

0,UNCLE'S0 (F] WAS ACCEPT$4 ,A HUNTSMAN WAS S5T TO ,OTRADNOE = A TRAP1 
 :ILE ,NI*OLAS RODE ) ,NATA%A & ,PETYA TO 0,UNCLE'S0 H\SE4 

,SOME FIVE MALE DOME/IC S]FS1 BIG & LITTLE1 RU%$ \T TO ! FRONT 
 POR* TO MEET !IR MA/]4 ,A SCORE ( WOM5 S]FS1 OLD & Y\NG1 AS WELL 
 AS *ILDR51 POPP$ \T FROM ! BACK 5TRANCE TO HAVE A LOOK AT ! 
 HUNT]S :O W]E >RIV+4 ,! PRES5CE ( ,NATA%A--A WOMAN1 A LADY1 
 & ON HORSEBACK--RAIS$ ! CURIOSITY ( ! S]FS TO SU* A DEGREE 
 ?AT MANY ( !M CAME UP TO H]1 />$ H] 9 ! FACE1 & UNABA%$ BY 
 H] PRES5CE MADE REM>KS AB\T H] AS ?\< %E W]E SOME PRODIGY ON 
 %[ & NOT A HUMAN BE+ ABLE TO HE> OR UND]/& :AT WAS SAID AB\T 
 H]4 

0,>9KA6 ,LOOK1 %E SITS SIDEWAYS6 ,!RE %E SITS & H] SKIRT DANGLES4444 
 ,SEE1 %E'S GOT A LITTLE HUNT+ HORN60 

0,GOODNESS GRACI\S6 ,SEE H] KNIFE84440 

0,ISN'T %E A ,T>T>60 

0,H[ IS IT Y\ DIDN'T GO HEAD OV] HEELS80 ASK$ ! BOLDE/ ( ALL1 
 ADDRESS+ ,NATA%A DIRECTLY4 

0,UNCLE0 DISM\NT$ AT ! POR* ( HIS LITTLE WOOD5 H\SE :I* /OOD 9 
 ! MID/ ( AN OV]GR[N G>D5 &1 AFT] A GLANCE AT HIS RETA9]S1 
 %\T$ AU?ORITATIVELY ?AT ! SUP]FLU\S ONES %\LD TAKE !MSELVES 
 (F & ?AT ALL NECESS>Y PREP>ATIONS %\LD BE MADE TO RECEIVE ! 
 GUE/S & ! VISITORS4 

,! S]FS ALL DISP]S$4 0,UNCLE0 LIFT$ ,NATA%A (F H] HORSE & TAK+ 
 H] H& L$ H] UP ! RICKETY WOOD5 /EPS ( ! POR*4 ,! H\SE1 ) 
 ITS B>E1 UNPLA/]$ LOG WALLS1 WAS NOT OV]CLEAN--IT DID NOT SEEM 
 ?AT ?OSE LIV+ 9 IT AIM$ AT KEEP+ IT SPOTLESS--BUT NEI!R WAS 
 IT NOTICEABLY NEGLECT$4 ,9 ! 5TRY !RE WAS A SMELL ( FRE% APPLES1 
 & WOLF & FOX SK9S HUNG AB\T4 

0,UNCLE0 L$ ! VISITORS ?R\< ! ANT]OOM 9TO A SMALL HALL ) A 
 FOLD+ TABLE & R$ *AIRS1 !N 9TO ! DRAW+ ROOM ) A R\ND 
 BIR*WOOD TABLE & A S(A1 & F9ALLY 9TO HIS PRIVATE ROOM :]E !RE 
 WAS A TATT]$ S(A1 A WORN C>PET1 & PORTRAITS ( ,SUVOROV1 ( ! 
 HO/'S FA!R & MO!R1 & ( HIMSELF 9 MILIT>Y UNI=M4 ,! /UDY 
 SMELT /RONGLY ( TOBACCO & DOGS4 0,UNCLE0 ASK$ HIS VISITORS TO SIT D[N 
 & MAKE !MSELVES AT HOME1 & !N W5T \T ( ! ROOM4 ,RUGAY1 HIS 
 BACK /ILL MUDDY1 CAME 9TO ! ROOM & LAY D[N ON ! S(A1 CLEAN+ 
 HIMSELF ) HIS TONGUE & TEE?4 ,LEAD+ FROM ! /UDY WAS A PASSAGE 9 
 :I* A P>TITION ) RAGG$ CURTA9S C\LD BE SE54 ,FROM BEH9D ?IS 
 CAME WOM5'S LAU<T] & :ISP]S4 ,NATA%A1 ,NI*OLAS1 & ,PETYA TOOK (F 
 !IR WRAPS & SAT D[N ON ! S(A4 ,PETYA1 LEAN+ ON HIS ELB[1 FELL 
 ASLEEP AT ONCE4 ,NATA%A & ,NI*OLAS W]E SIL5T4 ,!IR FACES GL[$1 !Y 
 W]E HUNGRY & V]Y *E]FUL4 ,!Y LOOK$ AT ONE ANO!R 7N[ ?AT ! 
 HUNT WAS OV] & !Y W]E 9 ! H\SE1 ,NI*OLAS NO LONG] CONSID]$ IT 
 NECESS>Y TO %[ HIS MANLY SUP]IORITY OV] HIS SI/]71 ,NATA%A GAVE HIM 
 A W9K1 & NEI!R REFRA9$ LONG FROM BUR/+ 9TO A PEAL ( R++ 
 LAU<T] EV5 BE=E !Y HAD A PRETEXT READY TO ACC\NT = IT4 

,AFT] A :ILE 0,UNCLE0 CAME 91 9 A ,COSSACK COAT1 BLUE TR\S]S1 & SMALL 
 TOP BOOTS4 ,& ,NATA%A FELT ?AT ?IS CO/UME1 ! V]Y ONE %E HAD 
 REG>D$ ) SURPRISE & AMUSEM5T AT ,OTRADNOE1 WAS JU/ ! RI<T ?+ 
 & NOT AT ALL WORSE ?AN A SWALL[-TAIL OR FROCK COAT4 0,UNCLE0 TOO WAS 9 
 HI< SPIRITS & F> FROM BE+ (F5D$ BY ! BRO!R'S & SI/]'S 
 LAU<T] 7IT C\LD NEV] 5T] HIS HEAD ?AT !Y MI<T BE LAU<+ AT HIS 
 WAY ( LIFE7 HE HIMSELF JO9$ 9 ! M]RIM5T4 

0,?AT'S RI<T1 Y\NG C\NTESS1 ?AT'S IT1 COME ON6 ,I NEV] SAW ANYONE LIKE 
 H]60 SAID HE1 (F]+ ,NI*OLAS A PIPE ) A LONG /EM &1 ) A 
 PRACTIC$ MOTION ( ?REE F+]S1 TAK+ D[N ANO!R ?AT HAD BE5 CUT 
 %ORT4 0,%E'S RIDD5 ALL DAY LIKE A MAN1 & IS AS FRE% AS EV]60 

,SOON AFT] 0,UNCLE'S0 REAPPE>ANCE ! DOOR WAS OP5$1 EVID5TLY FROM ! 
 S\ND BY A B>EFOOT$ GIRL1 & A /\T1 ROSY1 GOOD-LOOK+ WOMAN ( AB\T 
 =TY1 ) A D\BLE *9 & FULL R$ LIPS1 5T]$ C>RY+ A L>GE 
 LOAD$ TRAY4 ,) HOSPITABLE DIGNITY & CORDIALITY 9 H] GLANCE & 9 
 EV]Y MOTION1 %E LOOK$ AT ! VISITORS &1 ) A PLEASANT SMILE1 B[$ 
 RESPECTFULLY4 ,9 SPITE ( H] EXCEPTIONAL /\TNESS1 :I* CAUS$ H] TO 
 PROTRUDE H] *E/ & /OMA* & ?R[ BACK H] HEAD1 ?IS WOMAN 7:O 
 WAS 0,UNCLE'S0 H\SEKEEP]7 TROD V]Y LI<TLY4 ,%E W5T TO ! TABLE1 SET 
 D[N ! TRAY1 & ) H] PLUMP :ITE H&S DEFTLY TOOK FROM IT ! 
 BOTTLES & V>I\S HORS D'OEUVRES & DI%ES & >RANG$ !M ON ! 
 TABLE4 ,:5 %E HAD F9I%$1 %E /EPP$ ASIDE & /OPP$ AT ! DOOR 
 ) A SMILE ON H] FACE4 0,H]E ,I AM4 ,I AM %E6 ,N[ DO Y\ UND]/& 
 ',UNCLE'80 H] EXPRESSION SAID TO ,RO/OV4 ,H[ C\LD ONE HELP UND]/&+8 
 ,NOT ONLY ,NI*OLAS1 BUT EV5 ,NATA%A UND]/OOD ! MEAN+ ( HIS PUCK]$ 
 BR[ & ! HAPPY COMPLAC5T SMILE ?AT SLI<TLY PUCK]$ HIS LIPS :5 
 ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA 5T]$4 ,ON ! TRAY WAS A BOTTLE ( H]B W9E1 DIFF]5T 
 K9DS ( VODKA1 PICKL$ MU%ROOMS1 RYE CAKES MADE ) BUTT]MILK1 HONEY 
 9 ! COMB1 /ILL MEAD & SP>KL+ MEAD1 APPLES1 NUTS 7RAW & 
 ROA/$71 & NUT-&-HONEY SWEETS4 ,AFT]W>DS %E BR\<T A FRE%LY 
 ROA/$ *ICK51 HAM1 PRES]VES MADE ) HONEY1 & PRES]VES MADE ) 
 SUG>4 

,ALL ?IS WAS ! FRUIT ( ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA'S H\SEKEEP+1 GA!R$ & 
 PREP>$ BY H]4 ,! SMELL & TA/E ( IT ALL HAD A SMACK ( ,ANISYA 
 ,F$OROVNA H]SELF3 A SAVOR ( JUIC9ESS1 CLEANL9ESS1 :IT5ESS1 & 
 PLEASANT SMILES4 

0,TAKE ?IS1 LITTLE ,LADY-,C\NTESS60 %E KEPT SAY+1 AS %E (F]$ ,NATA%A 
 FIR/ ONE ?+ & !N ANO!R4 

,NATA%A ATE ( EV]Y?+ & ?\<T %E HAD NEV] SE5 OR EAT5 SU* 
 BUTT]MILK CAKES1 SU* >OMATIC JAM1 SU* HONEY-&-NUT SWEETS1 OR SU* A 
 *ICK5 ANY:]E4 ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA LEFT ! ROOM4 

,AFT] SUPP]1 OV] !IR *]RY BR&Y1 ,RO/OV & 0,UNCLE0 TALK$ ( PA/ 
 & FUTURE HUNTS1 ( ,RUGAY & ,ILAG9'S DOGS1 :ILE ,NATA%A SAT UPRI<T ON 
 ! S(A & LI/5$ ) SP>KL+ EYES4 ,%E TRI$ SEV]AL TIMES TO WAKE 
 ,PETYA ?AT HE MI<T EAT SOME?+1 BUT HE ONLY MUTT]$ 9COH]5T WORDS 
 )\T WAK+ UP4 ,NATA%A FELT SO LI<!>T$ & HAPPY 9 !SE NOVEL 
 SURR\ND+S ?AT %E ONLY FE>$ ! TRAP W\LD COME = H] TOO SOON4 
 ,AFT] A CASUAL PAUSE1 SU* AS (T5 OCCURS :5 RECEIV+ FRI5DS = ! 
 FIR/ TIME 9 ONE'S [N H\SE1 0,UNCLE10 ANSW]+ A ?\<T ?AT WAS 9 
 HIS VISITORS' M9DS1 SAID3 

0,?IS1 Y\ SEE1 IS H[ ,I AM F9I%+ MY DAYS444 ,DEA? WILL COME4 ,?AT'S 
 IT1 COME ON6 ,NO?+ WILL REMA94 ,!N :Y H>M ANYONE80 

0,UNCLE'S0 FACE WAS V]Y SIGNIFICANT & EV5 H&SOME AS HE SAID ?IS4 
 ,9VOLUNT>ILY ,RO/OV RECALL$ ALL ! GOOD HE HAD HE>D AB\T HIM FROM HIS 
 FA!R & ! NEI<BORS4 ,?R\<\T ! :OLE PROV9CE 0,UNCLE0 HAD ! 
 REPUTATION ( BE+ ! MO/ HONORABLE & DIS9T]E/$ ( CRANKS4 ,!Y 
 CALL$ HIM 9 TO DECIDE FAMILY DISPUTES1 *OSE HIM AS EXECUTOR1 CONFID$ 
 SECRETS TO HIM1 ELECT$ HIM TO BE A JU/ICE & TO O!R PO/S2 BUT HE 
 ALWAYS P]SI/5TLY REFUS$ PUBLIC APPO9TM5TS1 PASS+ ! AUTUMN & 
 SPR+ 9 ! FIELDS ON HIS BAY GELD+1 SITT+ AT HOME 9 W9T]1 & 
 LY+ 9 HIS OV]GR[N G>D5 9 SUMM]4 

0,:Y DON'T Y\ 5T] ! S]VICE1 ,UNCLE80 

0,I DID ONCE1 BUT GAVE IT UP4 ,I AM NOT FIT = IT4 ,?AT'S IT1 COME ON6 ,I 
 CAN'T MAKE HEAD OR TAIL ( IT4 ,?AT'S = Y\--,I HAV5'T BRA9S 
 5\<4 ,N[1 HUNT+ IS ANO!R MATT]--?AT'S IT1 COME ON6 ,OP5 ! 
 DOOR1 !RE60 HE %\T$4 0,:Y HAVE Y\ %UT IT80 

,! DOOR AT ! 5D ( ! PASSAGE L$ TO ! HUNTSM5'S ROOM1 AS !Y 
 CALL$ ! ROOM = ! HUNT S]VANTS4 

,!RE WAS A RAPID PATT] ( B>E FEET1 & AN UNSE5 H& OP5$ ! DOOR 
 9TO ! HUNTSM5'S ROOM1 FROM :I* CAME ! CLE> S\NDS ( A BALALAYKA 
 ON :I* SOMEONE1 :O WAS EVID5TLY A MA/] ( ! >T1 WAS PLAY+4 
 ,NATA%A HAD BE5 LI/5+ TO ?OSE /RA9S = SOME TIME & N[ W5T \T 
 9TO ! PASSAGE TO HE> BETT]4 

0,?AT'S ,MITKA1 MY COA*MAN4444 ,I HAVE GOT HIM A GOOD BALALAYKA4 ,I'M FOND 
 ( IT10 SAID 0,UNCLE40 

,IT WAS ! CU/OM = ,MITKA TO PLAY ! BALALAYKA 9 ! HUNTSM5'S ROOM 
 :5 0,UNCLE0 RETURN$ FROM ! *ASE4 0,UNCLE0 WAS FOND ( SU* MUSIC4 

0,H[ GOOD6 ,REALLY V]Y GOOD60 SAID ,NI*OLAS ) SOME UN9T5TIONAL 
 SUP]CILI\SNESS1 AS IF A%AM$ TO CONFESS ?AT ! S\NDS PLEAS$ HIM 
 V]Y MU*4 

0,V]Y GOOD80 SAID ,NATA%A REPROA*FULLY1 NOTIC+ H] BRO!R'S TONE4 0,NOT 
 'V]Y GOOD' IT'S SIMPLY DELICI\S60 

,JU/ AS 0,UNCLE'S0 PICKL$ MU%ROOMS1 HONEY1 & *]RY BR&Y HAD SEEM$ 
 TO H] ! BE/ 9 ! WORLD1 SO ALSO ?AT SONG1 AT ?AT MOM5T1 SEEM$ TO 
 H] ! ACME ( MUSICAL DELI<T4 

0,MORE1 PLEASE1 MORE60 CRI$ ,NATA%A AT ! DOOR AS SOON AS ! BALALAYKA 
 CEAS$4 ,MITKA TUN$ UP AFRE%1 & RECOMM5C$ ?RUMM+ ! BALALAYKA TO 
 ! AIR ( ,MY ,LADY1 ) TRILLS & V>IATIONS4 0,UNCLE0 SAT LI/5+1 
 SLI<TLY SMIL+1 ) HIS HEAD ON ONE SIDE4 ,! AIR WAS REPEAT$ A 
 HUNDR$ TIMES4 ,! BALALAYKA WAS RETUN$ SEV]AL TIMES & ! SAME NOTES 
 W]E ?RUMM$ AGA91 BUT ! LI/5]S DID NOT GR[ WE>Y ( IT & WI%$ 
 TO HE> IT AGA9 & AGA94 ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA CAME 9 & LEAN$ H] PORTLY 
 P]SON AGA9/ ! DOORPO/4 

0,Y\ LIKE LI/5+80 %E SAID TO ,NATA%A1 ) A SMILE EXTREMELY LIKE 
 0,UNCLE'S40 0,?AT'S A GOOD PLAY] ( \RS10 %E ADD$4 

0,HE DOESN'T PLAY ?AT P>T RI<T60 SAID 0,UNCLE0 SUDD5LY1 ) AN 
 5]GETIC GE/URE4 0,H]E HE \<T TO BUR/ \T--?AT'S IT1 COME ON6--\<T 
 TO BUR/ \T40 

0,DO Y\ PLAY !N80 ASK$ ,NATA%A4 

0,UNCLE0 DID NOT ANSW]1 BUT SMIL$4 

0,ANISYA1 GO & SEE IF ! /R+S ( MY GUIT> >E ALL RI<T4 ,I HAV5'T 
 T\*$ IT = A LONG TIME4 ,?AT'S IT--COME ON6 ,I'VE GIV5 IT UP40 

,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA1 ) H] LI<T /EP1 WILL+LY W5T TO FULFILL H] 
 ]R& & BR\<T BACK ! GUIT>4 

,)\T LOOK+ AT ANYONE1 0,UNCLE0 BLEW ! DU/ (F IT &1 TAPP+ ! 
 CASE ) HIS BONY F+]S1 TUN$ ! GUIT> & SETTL$ HIMSELF 9 HIS 
 >M*AIR4 ,HE TOOK ! GUIT> A LITTLE ABOVE ! F+]BO>D1 >*+ HIS 
 LEFT ELB[ ) A SOME:AT !ATRICAL GE/URE1 &1 ) A W9K AT ,ANISYA 
 ,F$OROVNA1 /RUCK A S+LE *ORD1 PURE & SONOR\S1 & !N QUIETLY1 
 SMOO?LY1 & CONFID5TLY BEGAN PLAY+ 9 V]Y SL[ TIME1 NOT ,MY ,LADY1 
 BUT ! WELL-KN[N SONG3 ,CAME A MAID5 D[N ! /REET4 ,! TUNE1 PLAY$ 
 ) PRECISION & 9 EXACT TIME1 BEGAN TO ?RILL 9 ! HE>TS ( 
 ,NI*OLAS & ,NATA%A1 >\S+ 9 !M ! SAME K9D ( SOB] MIR? AS 
 RADIAT$ FROM ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA'S :OLE BE+4 ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA FLU%$1 
 & DRAW+ H] K]*IEF OV] H] FACE W5T LAU<+ \T ( ! ROOM4 
 0,UNCLE0 CONT9U$ TO PLAY CORRECTLY1 C>EFULLY1 ) 5]GETIC FIRMNESS1 
 LOOK+ ) A *ANG$ & 9SPIR$ EXPRESSION AT ! SPOT :]E ,ANISYA 
 ,F$OROVNA HAD JU/ /OOD4 ,SOME?+ SEEM$ TO BE LAU<+ A LITTLE ON ONE 
 SIDE ( HIS FACE UND] HIS GRAY MU/A*ES1 ESPECIALLY AS ! SONG GREW 
 BRISK] & ! TIME QUICK] & :51 H]E & !RE1 AS HE RAN HIS 
 F+]S OV] ! /R+S1 SOME?+ SEEM$ TO SNAP4 

0,LOVELY1 LOVELY6 ,GO ON1 ,UNCLE1 GO ON60 %\T$ ,NATA%A AS SOON AS HE HAD 
 F9I%$4 ,%E JUMP$ UP & HUGG$ & KISS$ HIM4 0,NI*OLAS1 ,NI*OLAS60 
 %E SAID1 TURN+ TO H] BRO!R1 AS IF ASK+ HIM3 0,:AT IS IT MOVES ME 
 SO80 

,NI*OLAS TOO WAS GREATLY PLEAS$ BY 0,UNCLE'S0 PLAY+1 & 0,UNCLE0 PLAY$ 
 ! PIECE OV] AGA94 ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA'S SMIL+ FACE REAPPE>$ 9 ! 
 DOORWAY & BEH9D H]S O!R FACES444 

 ,FET*+ WAT] CLE> & SWEET1 
 ,/OP1 DE> MAID51 ,I 5TREAT-- 

  

PLAY$ 0,UNCLE0 ONCE MORE1 RUNN+ HIS F+]S SKILLFULLY OV] ! /R+S1 
 & !N HE /OPP$ %ORT & J]K$ HIS %\LD]S4 

0,GO ON1 ,UNCLE DE>10 ,NATA%A WAIL$ 9 AN IMPLOR+ TONE AS IF H] LIFE 
 DEP5D$ ON IT4 

0,UNCLE0 ROSE1 & IT WAS AS IF !RE W]E TWO M5 9 HIM3 ONE ( !M 
 SMIL$ S]I\SLY AT ! M]RY FELL[1 :ILE ! M]RY FELL[ /RUCK A 
 NAIVE & PRECISE ATTITUDE PREP>ATORY TO A FOLK DANCE4 

0,N[ !N1 NIECE60 HE EXCLAIM$1 WAV+ TO ,NATA%A ! H& ?AT HAD JU/ 
 /RUCK A *ORD4 

,NATA%A ?REW (F ! %AWL FROM H] %\LD]S1 RAN =W>D TO FACE 
 0,UNCLE10 & SETT+ H] >MS AKIMBO ALSO MADE A MOTION ) H] %\LD]S 
 & /RUCK AN ATTITUDE4 

,:]E1 H[1 & :5 HAD ?IS Y\NG C\NTESS1 $UCAT$ BY AN EMIGREE 
 ,FR5* GOV]NESS1 IMBIB$ FROM ! ,RUSSIAN AIR %E BREA!D ?AT SPIRIT 
 & OBTA9$ ?AT MANN] :I* ! PAS DE *ALE "9 W\LD1 ONE W\LD HAVE 
 SUPPOS$1 LONG AGO HAVE EFFAC$8 ,BUT ! SPIRIT & ! MOVEM5TS W]E 
 ?OSE 9IMITABLE & UNTEA*ABLE ,RUSSIAN ONES ?AT 0,UNCLE0 HAD EXPECT$ ( 
 H]4 ,AS SOON AS %E HAD /RUCK H] POSE1 & SMIL$ TRIUMPHANTLY1 PR\DLY1 
 & ) SLY M]RIM5T1 ! FE> ?AT HAD AT FIR/ SEIZ$ ,NI*OLAS & ! 
 O!RS ?AT %E MI<T NOT DO ! RI<T ?+ WAS AT AN 5D1 & !Y W]E 
 ALREADY ADMIR+ H]4 

 "9 ,! ,FR5* %AWL DANCE4 

  

,%E DID ! RI<T ?+ ) SU* PRECISION1 SU* COMPLETE PRECISION1 ?AT 
 ,ANISYA ,F$OROVNA1 :O HAD AT ONCE H&$ H] ! H&K]*IEF %E NE$$ 
 = ! DANCE1 HAD TE>S 9 H] EYES1 ?\< %E LAU<$ AS %E WAT*$ 
 ?IS SLIM1 GRACEFUL C\NTESS1 RE>$ 9 SILKS & VELVETS & SO DIFF]5T 
 FROM H]SELF1 :O YET WAS ABLE TO UND]/& ALL ?AT WAS 9 ,ANISYA & 9 
 ,ANISYA'S FA!R & MO!R & AUNT1 & 9 EV]Y ,RUSSIAN MAN & WOMAN4 

0,WELL1 LITTLE C\NTESS2 ?AT'S IT--COME ON60 CRI$ 0,UNCLE10 ) A 
 JOY\S LAU<1 HAV+ F9I%$ ! DANCE4 0,WELL DONE1 NIECE6 ,N[ A F9E 
 Y\NG FELL[ MU/ BE F\ND AS HUSB& = Y\4 ,?AT'S IT--COME ON60 

0,HE'S *OS5 ALREADY10 SAID ,NI*OLAS SMIL+4 

0,OH80 SAID 0,UNCLE0 9 SURPRISE1 LOOK+ 9QUIR+LY AT ,NATA%A1 :O NODD$ 
 H] HEAD ) A HAPPY SMILE4 

0,& SU* A ONE60 %E SAID4 ,BUT AS SOON AS %E HAD SAID IT A NEW TRA9 ( 
 ?\<TS & FEEL+S >OSE 9 H]4 0,:AT DID ,NI*OLAS' SMILE MEAN :5 HE 
 SAID '*OS5 ALREADY'8 ,IS HE GLAD ( IT OR NOT8 ,IT IS AS IF HE ?\<T MY 
 ,BOLKONSKI W\LD NOT APPROVE ( OR UND]/& \R GAIETY4 ,BUT HE W\LD 
 UND]/& IT ALL4 ,:]E IS HE N[80 %E ?\<T1 & H] FACE SUDD5LY 
 BECAME S]I\S4 ,BUT ?IS LA/$ ONLY A SECOND4 0,DON'T D>E TO ?9K AB\T 
 IT10 %E SAID TO H]SELF1 & SAT D[N AGA9 SMIL+LY BESIDE 0,UNCLE10 
 BEGG+ HIM TO PLAY SOME?+ MORE4 

0,UNCLE0 PLAY$ ANO!R SONG & A VALSE2 !N AFT] A PAUSE HE CLE>$ HIS 
 ?ROAT & SANG HIS FAVORITE HUNT+ SONG3 

 ,AS 'TWAS GR[+ D>K LA/ NI<T 
 ,FELL ! SN[ SO S(T & LI<T444 

  

0,UNCLE0 SANG AS PEASANTS S+1 ) FULL & NAIVE CONVICTION ?AT ! 
 :OLE MEAN+ ( A SONG LIES 9 ! WORDS & ?AT ! TUNE COMES ( 
 ITSELF1 & ?AT AP>T FROM ! WORDS !RE IS NO TUNE1 :I* EXI/S ONLY 
 TO GIVE MEASURE TO ! WORDS4 ,AS A RESULT ( ?IS ! UNCONSID]$ TUNE1 
 LIKE ! SONG ( A BIRD1 WAS EXTRAORD9>ILY GOOD4 ,NATA%A WAS 9 
 EC/ASIES OV] 0,UNCLE'S0 S++4 ,%E RESOLV$ TO GIVE UP LE>N+ ! 
 H>P & TO PLAY ONLY ! GUIT>4 ,%E ASK$ 0,UNCLE0 = HIS GUIT> & AT 
 ONCE F\ND ! *ORDS ( ! SONG4 

,AFT] N9E O'CLOCK TWO TRAPS & ?REE M\NT$ M51 :O HAD BE5 S5T TO 
 LOOK = !M1 >RIV$ TO FET* ,NATA%A & ,PETYA4 ,! C\NT & C\NTESS 
 DID NOT KN[ :]E !Y W]E & W]E V]Y ANXI\S1 SAID ONE ( ! M54 

,PETYA WAS C>RI$ \T LIKE A LOG & LAID 9 ! L>G] ( ! TWO TRAPS4 
 ,NATA%A & ,NI*OLAS GOT 9TO ! O!R4 0,UNCLE0 WRAPP$ ,NATA%A UP W>MLY 
 & TOOK LEAVE ( H] ) QUITE A NEW T5D]NESS4 ,HE ACCOMPANI$ !M ON 
 FOOT AS F> AS ! BRIDGE ?AT C\LD NOT BE CROSS$1 SO ?AT !Y HAD TO 
 GO R\ND BY ! =D1 & HE S5T HUNTSM5 TO RIDE 9 FRONT ) LANT]NS4 

0,GOOD-BY1 DE> NIECE10 HIS VOICE CALL$ \T ( ! D>KNESS--NOT ! 
 VOICE ,NATA%A HAD KN[N PREVI\SLY1 BUT ! ONE ?AT HAD SUNG ,AS 'TWAS 
 GR[+ D>K LA/ NI<T4 

,9 ! VILLAGE ?R\< :I* !Y PASS$ !RE W]E R$ LI<TS & A 
 *E]FUL SMELL ( SMOKE4 

0,:AT A D>L+ ,UNCLE IS60 SAID ,NATA%A1 :5 !Y HAD COME \T ONTO ! 
 HI<ROAD4 

0,YES10 RETURN$ ,NI*OLAS4 0,Y\'RE NOT COLD80 

0,NO4 ,I'M QUITE1 QUITE ALL RI<T4 ,I FEEL SO COM=TABLE60 ANSW]$ ,NATA%A1 
 ALMO/ P]PLEX$ BY H] FEEL+S4 ,!Y REMA9$ SIL5T A LONG :ILE4 ,! 
 NI<T WAS D>K & DAMP4 ,!Y C\LD NOT SEE ! HORSES1 BUT ONLY HE>D 
 !M SPLA%+ ?R\< ! UNSE5 MUD4 

,:AT WAS PASS+ 9 ?AT RECEPTIVE *ILDLIKE S\L ?AT SO EAG]LY CAU<T 
 & ASSIMILAT$ ALL ! DIV]SE IMPRESSIONS ( LIFE8 ,H[ DID !Y ALL F9D 
 PLACE 9 H]8 ,BUT %E WAS V]Y HAPPY4 ,AS !Y W]E NE>+ HOME %E 
 SUDD5LY /RUCK UP ! AIR ( ,AS 'TWAS GR[+ D>K LA/ 
 NI<T--! TUNE ( :I* %E HAD ALL ! WAY BE5 TRY+ TO GET & HAD 
 AT LA/ CAU<T4 

0,GOT IT80 SAID ,NI*OLAS4 

0,:AT W]E Y\ ?9K+ AB\T JU/ N[1 ,NI*OLAS80 9QUIR$ ,NATA%A4 

,!Y W]E FOND ( ASK+ ONE ANO!R ?AT QUE/ION4 

0,I80 SAID ,NI*OLAS1 TRY+ TO REMEMB]4 0,WELL1 Y\ SEE1 FIR/ ,I ?\<T 
 ?AT ,RUGAY1 ! R$ H\ND1 WAS LIKE ,UNCLE1 & ?AT IF HE W]E A MAN HE 
 W\LD ALWAYS KEEP ,UNCLE NE> HIM1 IF NOT = HIS RID+1 !N = HIS 
 MANN]4 ,:AT A GOOD FELL[ ,UNCLE IS6 ,DON'T Y\ ?9K SO8444 ,WELL1 & 
 Y\80 

0,I8 ,WAIT A BIT1 WAIT4444 ,YES1 FIR/ ,I ?\<T ?AT WE >E DRIV+ ALONG 
 & IMAG9+ ?AT WE >E GO+ HOME1 BUT ?AT HEAV5 KN[S :]E WE >E 
 REALLY GO+ 9 ! D>KNESS1 & ?AT WE %ALL >RIVE & SUDD5LY F9D 
 ?AT WE >E NOT 9 ,OTRADNOE1 BUT 9 ,FAIRYL&4 ,& !N ,I ?\<T444 ,NO1 
 NO?+ ELSE40 

0,I KN[1 ,I EXPECT Y\ ?\<T ( HIM10 SAID ,NI*OLAS1 SMIL+ AS ,NATA%A 
 KNEW BY ! S\ND ( HIS VOICE4 

0,NO10 SAID ,NATA%A1 ?\< %E HAD 9 REALITY BE5 ?9K+ AB\T ,PR9CE 
 ,&REW AT ! SAME TIME AS ( ! RE/1 & ( H[ HE W\LD HAVE LIK$ 
 0,UNCLE40 0,& !N ,I WAS SAY+ TO MYSELF ALL ! WAY1 ',H[ WELL ,ANISYA 
 C>RI$ H]SELF1 H[ WELL6'0 ,& ,NI*OLAS HE>D H] SPONTANE\S1 HAPPY1 
 R++ LAU<T]4 0,& DO Y\ KN[10 %E SUDD5LY SAID1 0,I KN[ ?AT ,I 
 %ALL NEV] AGA9 BE AS HAPPY & TRANQUIL AS ,I AM N[40 

0,RUBBI%1 NONS5SE1 HUMBUG60 EXCLAIM$ ,NI*OLAS1 & HE ?\<T3 0,H[ 
 *>M+ ?IS ,NATA%A ( M9E IS6 ,I HAVE NO O!R FRI5D LIKE H] & 
 NEV] %ALL HAVE4 ,:Y %\LD %E M>RY8 ,WE MI<T ALWAYS DRIVE AB\T 
 TOGE!R60 

0,:AT A D>L+ ?IS ,NI*OLAS ( M9E IS60 ?\<T ,NATA%A4 

0,AH1 !RE >E /ILL LI<TS 9 ! DRAW+ ROOM60 %E SAID1 PO9T+ TO 
 ! W9D[S ( ! H\SE ?AT GLEAM$ 9VIT+LY 9 ! MOI/ VELVETY 
 D>KNESS ( ! NI<T4 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
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,FEBRU>Y #a#a1 #bag 3 ,BOOK #g1 ,*APT] #g -- ,ADD$4 

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