,AN ,OLD ,ACQUA9TANCE 

#ahhg 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,NA?AN ,HASKELL ,DOLE 

,TEXT 3 

,\R DIVISION HAD BE5 \T 9 ! FIELD4 ,! WORK 9 H& WAS ACCOMPLI%$3 WE HAD CUT A WAY ?R\< ! =E/1 & EA* DAY WE W]E EXPECT+ FROM HEADQU>T]S ORD]S = \R RETURN TO ! =T4 ,\R DIVISION ( FIELDPIECES WAS /ATION$ AT ! TOP ( A /EEP M\NTA9-CRE/ :I* WAS T]M9AT$ BY ! SWIFT M\NTA9-RIV] ,ME*IK1 & HAD TO COMM& ! PLA9 ?AT /RET*$ BE=E US4 ,H]E & !RE ON ?IS PICTURESQUE PLA91 \T ( ! REA* ( GUN%OT1 N[ & !N1 ESPECIALLY AT EV5+1 GR\PS ( M\NT$ M\NTA9E]S %[$ !MSELVES1 ATTRACT$ BY CURIOSITY TO RIDE UP & VIEW ! ,RUSSIAN CAMP4 

,! EV5+ WAS CLE>1 MILD1 & FRE%1 AS IT IS APT TO BE 9 ,DECEMB] 9 ! ,CAUCASUS2 ! SUN WAS SETT+ BEH9D ! /EEP *A9 ( ! M\NTA9S AT ! LEFT1 & ?REW ROSY RAYS UPON ! T5TS SCATT]$ OV] ! SLOPE1 UPON !  SOLID]S MOV+ AB\T1 & UPON \R TWO GUNS1 :I* SEEM$ TO CRANE !IR NECKS AS !Y RE/$ MOTIONLESS ON ! E>?WORK TWO PACES FROM US4 ,! 9FANTRY PICKET1 /ATION$ ON ! KNOLL AT ! LEFT1 /OOD 9 P]FECT SILH\ETTE AGA9/ ! LI<T ( ! SUNSET2 NO LESS DI/9CT W]E ! /ACKS ( MUSKETS1 ! =M ( ! S5TRY1 ! GR\PS ( SOLDI]S1 & ! SMOKE ( ! SMOLD]+ CAMP-FIRE4 

,AT ! RI<T & LEFT ( ! SLOPE1 ON ! BLACK1 SODD5 E>?1 ! T5TS GLEAM$ :ITE2 & BEH9D ! T5TS1 BLACK1 /OOD ! B>E TRUNKS ( ! PLATANE =E/1 :I* RANG ) ! 9CESSANT S\ND ( AXES1 ! CRACKL+ ( ! BONFIRES1 & ! CRA%+ ( ! TREES AS !Y FELL UND] ! AXES4 ,! BLUI% SMOKE >OSE FROM TOBACCO-PIPES ON ALL SIDES1 & VANI%$ 9 ! TRANSP>5T BLUE ( ! FRO/Y SKY4 ,BY ! T5TS & ON ! L[] GR\ND >\ND ! >MS RU%$ ! ,COSSACKS1 DRAGOONS1 & >TILL]I/S1 ) GREAT GALLOP+ & SNORT+ ( HORSES AS !Y RETURN$ FROM GETT+ WAT]4 ,IT BEGAN TO FREEZE2 ALL S\NDS W]E HE>D ) EXTRAORD9>Y DI/9CTNESS1 & ONE C\LD SEE AN IMM5SE DI/ANCE ACROSS ! PLA9 ?R\< ! CLE>1 R>E ATMOSPH]E4 ,! GR\PS ( ! 5EMY1 !IR CURIOSITY AT SEE+ ! SOLDI]S SATISFI$1 QUIETLY GALLOP$ (F ACROSS ! FIELDS1 /ILL YELL[ ) ! GOLD5 CORN-/UBBLE1 T[>D !IR AULS1 OR VILLAGES1 :I* W]E VISIBLE BEYOND ! =E/1 ) ! TALL PO/S ( ! CEMET]IES & ! SMOKE RIS+ 9 ! AIR4 

,\R T5T WAS PIT*$ NOT F> FROM ! GUNS ON A PLACE HI< & DRY1 FROM :I* WE HAD A REM>KABLY EXT5D$ VIEW4 ,NE> ! T5T1 ON A CLE>$ SPACE1 >\ND ! BATT]Y ITSELF1 WE HAD \R GAMES ( SKITTLES1 OR *U%KI4 ,! OBLIG+ SOLDI]S HAD MADE = US RU/IC B5*ES & TABLES4 ,ON ACC\NT ( ALL !SE AMUSEM5TS1 ! >TILL]Y (FIC]S1 \R COMRADES1 & A FEW 9FANTRY M5 LIK$ TO GA!R ( AN EV5+ >\ND \R BATT]Y1 & ! PLACE CAME TO BE CALL$ ! CLUB4 ,AS ! EV5+ WAS F9E1 ! BE/ PLAY]S HAD COME1 & WE W]E AMUS+ \RSELVES ) SKITTLES4.<#a.> ,5SIGN ,D41 ,LIEUT5ANT ,O41 & MYSELF HAD PLAY$ TWO GAMES 9 SUCCESSION2 & TO ! COMMON SATISFACTION & AMUSEM5T ( ALL ! SPECTATORS1 (FIC]S1 SOLDI]S1 & S]VANTS.<#b.> :O W]E WAT*+ US FROM !IR T5TS1 WE HAD TWICE C>RI$ ! W9N+ P>TY ON \R BACKS FROM ONE 5D ( ! GR\ND TO ! O!R4 ,ESPECIALLY DROLL WAS ! SITUATION ( ! HUGE FAT ,CAPTA9 ,S41 :O1 PUFF+ & SMIL+ GOOD-NATUR$LY1 ) LEGS DRAGG+ ON ! GR\ND1 RODE PIGGYBACK ON ! FEEBLE LITTLE ,LIEUT5ANT ,O4 

,:5 IT GREW SOME:AT LAT]1 ! S]VANTS BR\<T ?REE GLASSES ( TEA = ! SIX M5 ( US1 & NOT A SPOON2 & WE :O HAD F9I%$ \R GAME CAME TO ! PLAIT$ SETTEES4 

 ,!RE WAS /&+ NE> !M A SMALL B[LEGG$ MAN1 A /RANG] TO US1 9 A %EEPSK9 JACKET1 & A PAPAKHA1 OR ,CIRCASSIAN CAP1 ) A LONG OV]HANG+ :ITE CR[N4 ,AS SOON AS WE CAME NE> :]E HE /OOD1 HE TOOK A FEW IRRESOLUTE /EPS1 & PUT ON HIS CAP2 & SEV]AL TIMES HE SEEM$ TO MAKE UP HIS M9D TO COME TO MEET US1 & !N /OPP$ AGA94 ,BUT AFT] DECID+1 PROBABLY1 ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMA9 IRRESOLUTE1 ! /RANG] TOOK (F HIS CAP1 &1 GO+ 9 A CIRCUIT >\ND US1 APPROA*$ ,CAPTA9 ,S4 

0,AH1 ,GUSKANT9LI1 H[ IS IT1 OLD MAN80.<#c.> SAID ,S41 /ILL SMIL+ GOOD-NATUR$LY1 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( HIS RIDE4 ,GUSKANTNI1 AS ,S4 CALL$ HIM1 9/ANTLY REPLAC$ HIS CAP1 & MADE A MOTION AS ?\< TO ?RU/ HIS H&S 9TO ! POCKETS ( HIS JACKET2.<#d.>1 LITTLE HALF %UBA1 OR FUR CLOAK4 BUT ON ! SIDE T[>D ME !RE WAS NO POCKET 9 ! JACKET1 & HIS SMALL R$ H& FELL 9TO AN AWKW>D POSITION4 ,I FELT A /RONG DESIRE TO MAKE \T :O ?IS MAN WAS 7WAS HE A YUNK]1 OR A DEGRAD$ (FIC]871 &1 NOT REALIZ+ ?AT MY GAZE 7?AT IS1 ! GAZE ( A /RANGE (FIC]7 DISCONC]T$ HIM1 ,I CONT9U$ TO />E AT HIS DRESS & APPE>ANCE4 

,I JUDG$ ?AT HE WAS AB\T ?IRTY4 ,HIS SMALL1 R\ND1 GRAY EYES HAD A SLEEPY EXPRESSION1 & AT ! SAME TIME GAZ$ CALMLY \T FROM UND] ! DIRTY :ITE LAMBSK9 ( HIS CAP1 :I* HUNG D[N OV] HIS FACE4 ,HIS ?ICK1 IRREGUL> NOSE1 /&+ \T BETWE5 HIS SUNK5 *EEKS1 GAVE EVID5CE ( EMACIATION ?AT WAS ! RESULT ( ILLNESS1 & NOT NATURAL4 ,HIS RE/LESS LIPS1 B>ELY COV]$ BY A SP>SE1 S(T1 :ITI% MU/A*E1 W]E CON/ANTLY *ANG+ !IR %APE AS ?\< !Y W]E TRY+ TO ASSUME N[ ONE EXPRESSION1 N[ ANO!R4 ,BUT ALL !SE EXPRESSIONS SEEM$ TO BE 5DLESS1 & HIS FACE RETA9$ ONE PR$OM9AT+ EXPRESSION ( TIMIDITY & FRI<T4 ,>\ND HIS ?9 NECK1 :]E ! VE9S /OOD \T1 WAS TI$ A GRE5 WOOL5 SC>F TUCK$ 9TO HIS JACKET1 HIS FUR JACKET1 EX POLU%UBOK1 WAS WORN B>E1 %ORT1 & HAD DOG-FUR SEW$ ON ! COLL> & ON ! FALSE POCKETS4 ,! TR\S]S W]E *ECK]$1 ( A%GRAY COLOR1 & HIS SAPOGI HAD %ORT1 UNBLACK$ MILIT>Y BOOTLEGS4 

0,I BEG ( Y\1 DO NOT DI/URB Y\RSELF0 SAID ,I :5 HE = ! SECOND TIME1 TIMIDLY GLANC+ AT ME1 HAD TAK5 (F HIS CAP4 

,HE B[$ TO ME ) AN EXPRESSION ( GRATITUDE1 REPLAC$ HIS HAT1 &1 DRAW+ FROM HIS POCKET A DIRTY *9TZ TOBACCO-P\* ) LAC+S1 BEGAN TO ROLL A CIG>ETTE4 

,I MYSELF HAD NOT BE5 LONG A YUNK]1 AN ELD]LY YUNK]2 & AS ,I WAS 9CAPABLE1 AS YET1 ( BE+ GOOD-NATUR$LY S]VICEABLE TO MY Y\NG] COMRADES1 & )\T MEANS1 ,I WELL KNEW ALL ! MORAL DIFFICULTIES ( ?IS SITUATION = A PR\D MAN NO LONG] Y\NG1 & ,I SYMPA?IZ$ ) ALL M5 :O F\ND !MSELVES 9 SU* A SITUATION1 & ,I 5DEAVOR$ TO MAKE CLE> TO MYSELF !IR *>ACT] & RANK1 & ! T5D5CIES ( !IR 9TELLECTUAL PECULI>ITIES1 9 ORD] TO JUDGE ( ! DEGREE ( !IR MORAL SUFF]+S4 ,?IS YUNK] OR DEGRAD$ (FIC]1 JUDG+ BY HIS RE/LESS EYES & ?AT 9T5TIONALLY CON/ANT V>IATION ( EXPRESSION :I* ,I NOTIC$ 9 HIM1 WAS A MAN V]Y F> FROM /UPID1 & EXTREMELY EGOTI/ICAL1 & !RE=E MU* TO BE PITI$4 

,CAPTA9 ,S4 9VIT$ US TO PLAY ANO!R GAME ( SKITTLES1 ) ! /AKES TO CONSI/1 NOT ONLY ( ! USUAL PIGGYBACK RIDE ( ! W9N+ P>TY1 BUT ALSO ( A FEW BOTTLES ( R$ W9E1 RUM1 SUG>1 C9NAMON1 & CLOVES = ! MULL$ W9E :I* ?AT W9T]1 ON ACC\NT ( ! COLD1 WAS GREATLY POPUL> 9 \R DIVISION4 

,GUSKANT9I1 AS ,S4 AGA9 CALL$ HIM1 WAS ALSO 9VIT$ TO TAKE P>T2 BUT BE=E ! GAME BEGAN1 ! MAN1 /RUGGL+ BETWE5 GRATIFICATION BECAUSE HE HAD BE5 9VIT$ & A C]TA9 TIMIDITY1 DREW ,CAPTA9 ,S4 ASIDE1 & BEGAN TO SAY SOME?+ 9 A :ISP]4 ,! GOOD-NATUR$ CAPTA9 PUN*$ HIM 9 ! RIBS ) HIS BIG1 FAT H&1 & REPLI$1 L\D 5\< TO BE HE>D3 

0,NOT AT ALL1 OLD FELL[1.<#e.> ,I ASSURE Y\40 

,:5 ! GAME WAS OV]1 & ?AT SIDE 9 :I* ! /RANG] :OSE RANK WAS SO L[ HAD TAK5 P>T1 HAD COME \T W9N]S1 & IT FELL TO HIS LOT TO RIDE ON ONE ( \R (FIC]S1 ,5SIGN ,D41 ! 5SIGN GREW R$ 9 ! FACE3 HE W5T TO ! LITTLE DIVAN & (F]$ ! /RANG] A CIG>ETTE BY WAY ( A COMPROMISE4 

,:ILE !Y W]E ORD]+ ! MULL$ W9E1 & 9 ! /EW>D'S T5T W]E HE>D ASSIDU\S PREP>ATIONS ON ! P>T ( ,NIKITA1 :O HAD S5T AN ORD]LY = C9NAMON & CLOVES1 & ! %AD[ ( HIS BACK WAS ALT]NATELY L5G!N+ & %ORT5+ ON ! D+Y SIDES ( ! T5T1 WE M51 SEV5 9 ALL1 SAT >\ND ON ! B5*ES2 & :ILE WE TOOK TURNS 9 DR9K+ TEA FROM ! ?REE GLASSES1 & GAZ$ \T OV] ! PLA91 :I* WAS N[ BEG9N+ TO GL[ 9 ! TWILI<T1 WE TALK$ & LAU<$ OV] ! V>I\S 9CID5TS ( ! GAME4 

,! /RANG] 9 ! FUR JACKET TOOK NO %>E 9 ! CONV]SATION1 OB/9ATELY REFUS$ TO DR9K ! TEA :I* ,I SEV]AL TIMES (F]$ HIM1 & AS HE SAT !RE ON ! GR\ND 9 ,TAT> FA%ION1 OCCUPI$ HIMSELF 9 MAK+ CIG>ETTES ( F9E-CUT TOBACCO1 & SMOK+ !M ONE AFT] ANO!R1 EVID5TLY NOT SO MU* = HIS [N SATISFACTION AS TO GIVE HIMSELF ! APPE>ANCE ( A MAN ) SOME?+ TO DO4 ,:5 IT WAS REM>K$ ?AT ! SUMMONS TO RETURN WAS EXPECT$ ON ! MORR[1 & ?AT !RE MI<T BE AN 5GAGEM5T1 HE LIFT$ HIMSELF ON HIS KNEES1 &1 ADDRESS+ ,CAPTA9 ,B4 ONLY1 SAID ?AT HE HAD BE5 AT !  ADJUTANT'S1 & HAD HIMSELF WRITT5 ! ORD] = ! RETURN ON ! NEXT DAY4 ,WE ALL SAID NO?+ :ILE HE WAS SPEAK+2 & NOT)/&+ ! FACT ?AT HE WAS SO BA%FUL1 WE BEGG$ HIM TO REPEAT ?IS MO/ 9T]E/+ PIECE ( NEWS4 ,HE REPEAT$ :AT HE HAD SAID1 ADD+ ONLY ?AT HE HAD BE5 /AY+ AT ! ADJUTANT'S 7S9CE HE MADE IT HIS HOME !RE7 :5 ! ORD] CAME4 

0,LOOK H]E1 OLD FELL[1 IF Y\ >E NOT TELL+ US FALSE1 ,I %ALL HAVE TO GO TO MY COMPANY & GIVE SOME ORD]S = TO-MORR[10 SAID ,CAPTA9 ,S4 

0,NO 4 4 4 :Y 4 4 4 IT MAY BE1 ,I AM SURE10 4 4 4 /AMM]$ ! /RANG]1 BUT SUDD5LY /OPP$1 &1 APP>5TLY FEEL+ HIMSELF AFFRONT$1 CONTRACT$ HIS BR[S1 &1 MUTT]+ SOME?+ BETWE5 HIS TEE?1 AGA9 BEGAN TO ROLL A CIG>ETTE4 ,BUT ! F9E-CUT TOBACCO 9 HIS *9TZ P\* BEGAN TO %[ SIGNS ( GIV+ \T1 & HE ASK$ ,S4 TO L5D HIM A LITTLE CIG>ETTE4.<#f.> 

,WE KEPT ON = A CONSID]ABLE TIME ) ?AT MONOTON\S MILIT>Y *ATT] :I* EV]Y ONE :O HAS EV] BE5 ON AN EXP$ITION WILL APPRECIATE2 ALL ( US1 ) ONE & ! SAME EXPRESSION1 COMPLA9+ ( ! DULLNESS & L5G? ( ! EXP$ITION1 9 ONE & ! SAME FA%ION SITT+ 9 JUDGM5T ON \R SUP]IORS1 & ALL ( US LIKEWISE1 AS WE HAD DONE MANY TIMES BE=E1 PRAIS+ ONE COMRADE1 PITY+ ANO!R1 WOND]+ H[ MU* ?IS ONE HAD GA9$1 H[ MU* ?AT ONE HAD LO/1 & SO ON1 & SO ON4 

0,H]E1 FELL[S1 ?IS ADJUTANT ( \RS IS COMPLETELY BROK5 UP10 SAID ,CAPTA9 ,S4 0,AT HEADQU>T]S HE WAS EV]LA/+LY ON ! W9N+ SIDE2 NO MATT] :OM HE SAT D[N )1 HE'D RAKE 9 EV]Y?+3 BUT N[ = TWO MON?S PA/ HE HAS BE5 LOS+ ALL ! TIME4 ,! PRES5T EXP$ITION HAS N'T BE5 LUCKY = HIM4 ,I ?9K HE HAS GOT AWAY ) TWO ?\S& SILV] RUBLES & FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES' WOR? ( >TICLES1--! C>PET ?AT HE WON AT ,MUKH9'S1 ,NIKIT9'S PI/OLS1 ,SADA'S GOLD WAT* :I* ,VORONTS( GAVE HIM4 ,HE HAS LO/ IT ALL40 

0,! TRU? ( ! MATT] 9 HIS CASE10 SAID ,LIEUT5ANT ,O41 0WAS ?AT HE US$ TO *EAT EV]YBODY2 IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLAY ) HIM40 

0,HE *EAT$ EV]Y ONE1 BUT N[ IT'S ALL GONE UP 9 HIS PIPE20 & H]E ,CAPTA9 ,S4 LAU<$ GOOD-NATUR$LY4 0,\R FRI5D ,GUSK( H]E LIVES ) HIM4 ,HE HAS N'T QUITE LO/ HIM YET3 ?AT'S SO1 IS N'T IT1 OLD FELL[80.<#g.> HE ASK$1 ADDRESS+ ,GUSK(4 

,GUSK( TRI$ TO LAU<4 ,IT WAS A MELAN*OLY1 SICKLY LAU<1 :I* COMPLETELY *ANG$ ! EXPRESSION ( HIS C\NT5ANCE4 ,TILL ?IS MOM5T IT HAD SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ,I HAD SE5 & KN[N ?IS MAN BE=E2 &1 BESIDES ! NAME ,GUSK(1 BY :I* ,CAPTA9 ,S4 CALL$ HIM1 WAS FAMILI> TO ME2 BUT H[ & :5 ,I HAD SE5 & KN[N HIM1 ,I ACTUALLY C\LD NOT REMEMB]4 

0,YES10 SAID ,GUSK(1 9CESSANTLY PUTT+ HIS H& TO HIS MU/A*ES1 BUT 9/ANTLY DROPP+ IT AGA9 )\T T\*+ !M4 0,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT*'S LUCK HAS BE5 AGA9/ HIM 9 ?IS EXP$ITION1 SU* A VE9E DE MALHEUR10 HE ADD$ 9 A C>EFUL BUT PURE ,FR5* PRONUNCIATION1 AGA9 GIV+ ME TO ?9K ?AT ,I HAD SE5 HIM1 & SE5 HIM (T51 SOME:]E4 0,I KN[ ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT* V]Y WELL4 ,HE HAS GREAT CONFID5CE 9 ME10 HE PROCE$$ TO SAY2 0HE & ,I >E OLD FRI5DS2 ?AT IS1 HE IS FOND ( ME10 HE EXPLA9$1 EVID5TLY FE>+ ?AT IT MI<T BE TAK5 AS PRESUMPTION = HIM TO CLAIM OLD FRI5D%IP ) ! ADJUTANT4 0,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT* PLAYS ADMIRABLY2 BUT N[1 /RANGE AS IT MAY SEEM1 IT'S ALL UP ) HIM1 HE IS JU/ AB\T P]FECTLY RU9$2 LA *ANCE A T\RNE10 HE ADD$1 ADDRESS+ HIMSELF P>TICUL>LY TO ME4 

,AT FIR/ WE HAD LI/5$ TO ,GUSK( ) CONDESC5D+ ATT5TION2 BUT AS SOON AS HE MADE USE ( ?AT SECOND ,FR5* PHRASE1 WE ALL 9VOLUNT>ILY TURN$ FROM HIM4 

0,I HAVE PLAY$ ) HIM A ?\S& TIMES1 & WE AGRE$ !N ?AT IT WAS /RANGE10 SAID ,LIEUT5ANT ,O41 ) PECULI> EMPHASIS ON ! WORD /RANGE.<#h.> 0,I NEV] ONCE WON A RUBLE FROM HIM4 ,:Y WAS IT1 :5 ,I US$ TO W9 ( O!RS80 

 0,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT* PLAYS ADMIRABLY3 ,I HAVE KN[N HIM = A LONG TIME10 SAID ,I4 ,9 FACT1 ,I HAD KN[N ! ADJUTANT = SEV]AL YE>S2 MORE ?AN ONCE ,I HAD SE5 HIM 9 ! FULL SW+ ( A GAME1 SURR\ND$ BY (FIC]S1 & ,I HAD REM>K$ HIS H&SOME1 RA!R GLOOMY & ALWAYS PASSIONLESS CALM FACE1 HIS DELIB]ATE ,MALO-,RUSSIAN PRONUNCIATION1 HIS H&SOME BELONG+S & HORSES1 HIS BOLD1 MANLY FIGURE1 & ABOVE ALL HIS SKILL & SELF-RE/RA9T 9 C>RY+ ON ! GAME ACCURATELY & AGREEABLY4 ,MORE ?AN ONCE1 ,I AM SORRY TO SAY1 AS ,I LOOK$ AT HIS PLUMP :ITE H&S ) A DIAMOND R+ ON ! 9DEX-F+]1 PASS+ \T ONE C>D AFT] ANO!R1 ,I GREW ANGRY ) ?AT R+1 ) HIS :ITE H&S1 ) ! :OLE ( ! ADJUTANT'S P]SON1 & EVIL ?\<TS ON HIS ACC\NT >OSE 9 MY M9D4 ,BUT AS ,I AFT]W>DS RECONSID]$ ! MATT] COOLLY1 ,I P]SUAD$ MYSELF ?AT HE PLAY$ MORE SKILLFULLY ?AN ALL ) :OM HE HAPP5$ TO PLAY3 ! MORE SO1 BECAUSE AS ,I HE>D HIS G5]AL OBS]VATIONS CONC]N+ ! GAME1--H[ ONE \<T NOT TO BACK \T :5 ONE HAD LAID ! SMALLE/ /AKE1 H[ ONE \<T NOT TO LEAVE (F 9 C]TA9 CASES AS ! FIR/ RULE = HONE/ M51 & SO =?1 & SO =?1--IT WAS EVID5T ?AT HE WAS ALWAYS ON ! W9N+ SIDE M]ELY FROM ! FACT ?AT HE PLAY$ MORE SAGACI\SLY & COOLLY ?AN ! RE/ ( US4 ,& N[ IT SEEM$ ?AT ?IS SELF-RELIANT1 C>EFUL PLAY] HAD BE5 /RIPP$ NOT ONLY ( HIS MONEY BUT ( HIS EFFECTS1 :I* M>KS ! L[E/ DEP?S ( LOSS = AN (FIC]4 

0,HE ALWAYS HAD DEVILI% GOOD LUCK ) ME10 SAID ,LIEUT5ANT ,O4 0,I MADE A V[ NEV] TO PLAY ) HIM AGA940 

0,:AT A M>VEL Y\ >E1 OLD FELL[60 SAID ,S41 NODD+ AT ME1 & ADDRESS+ ,O4 0,Y\ LO/ ?REE HUNDR$ SILV] RUBLES1 ?AT'S :AT Y\ LO/ TO HIM40 

0,MORE ?AN ?AT10 SAID ! LIEUT5ANT SAVAGELY4 

0,& N[ Y\ HAVE COME TO Y\R S5SES2 IT IS RA!R LATE 9 ! DAY1 OLD MAN1 = ! RE/ ( US HAVE KN[N = A LONG TIME ?AT HE WAS ! *EAT ( ! REGIM5T10 SAID ,S41 ) DIFFICULTY RE/RA9+ HIS LAU<T]1 & FEEL+ V]Y WELL SATISFI$ ) HIS FABRICATION4 0,H]E IS ,GUSK( RI<T H]E1--HE FIXES HIS C>DS = HIM4 ,?AT'S ! REASON ( ! FRI5D%IP BETWE5 !M1 OLD MAN0.<#i.> 4 4 4 & ,CAPTA9 ,S41 %AK+ ALL OV]1 BUR/ \T 9TO SU* A HE>TY 0HA1 HA1 HA60 ?AT HE SPILL$ ! GLASS ( MULL$ W9E :I* HE WAS HOLD+ 9 HIS H&4 ,ON ,GUSK('S PALE EMACIAT$ FACE !RE %[$ SOME?+ LIKE A COLOR2 HE OP5$ HIS M\? SEV]AL TIMES1 RAIS$ HIS H&S TO HIS MU/A*ES1 & ONCE MORE DROPP$ !M TO HIS SIDE :]E ! POCKETS %\LD HAVE BE51 /OOD UP1 & !N SAT D[N AGA91 & F9ALLY 9 AN UNNATURAL VOICE SAID TO ,S43 

 0,IT'S NO JOKE1 ,NIKOLAI ,IVANOVIT*1 = Y\ TO SAY SU* ?+S BE=E PEOPLE :O DON'T KN[ ME & :O SEE ME 9 ?IS UNL9$ JACKET 4 4 4 BECAUSE--0 ,HIS VOICE FAIL$ HIM1 & AGA9 HIS SMALL R$ H&S ) !IR DIRTY NAILS W5T FROM HIS JACKET TO HIS FACE1 T\*+ HIS MU/A*E1 HIS HAIR1 HIS NOSE1 RUBB+ HIS EYES1 OR NE$LESSLY SCRAT*+ HIS *EEK4 

0,AS TO SAY+ ?AT1 EV]YBODY KN[S IT1 OLD FELL[10 CONT9U$ ,S41 ?OR\<LY SATISFI$ ) HIS JE/1 & NOT HE$+ ,GUSK('S COMPLA9T4 ,GUSK( WAS /ILL TRY+ TO SAY SOME?+2 & PLAC+ ! PALM ( HIS RI<T H& ON HIS LEFT KNEE 9 A MO/ UNNATURAL POSITION1 & GAZ+ AT ,S41 HE HAD AN APPE>ANCE ( SMIL+ CONTEMPTU\SLY4 

0,NO10 SAID ,I TO MYSELF1 AS ,I NOTIC$ ?AT SMILE ( HIS1 0,I HAVE NOT ONLY SE5 HIM1 BUT HAVE SPOK5 ) HIM SOME:]E40 

0,Y\ & ,I HAVE MET SOME:]E10 SAID ,I TO HIM :51 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( ! COMMON SIL5CE1 ,S4'S LAU<T] BEGAN TO CALM D[N4 ,GUSK('S MOBILE FACE SUDD5LY LI<T$ UP1 & HIS EYES1 = ! FIR/ TIME ) A TRULY JOY\S EXPRESSION1 RE/$ UPON ME4 

0,:Y1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ Y\ IMM$IATELY10 HE REPLI$ 9 ,FR5*4 0,9 '#d#h ,I HAD ! PLEASURE ( MEET+ Y\ QUITE FREQU5TLY 9 ,MOSC[ AT MY SI/]'S40 

,I HAD TO APOLOGIZE = NOT RECOGNIZ+ HIM AT FIR/ 9 ?AT CO/UME & 9 ?AT NEW G>B4 ,HE >OSE1 CAME TO ME1 & ) HIS MOI/ H& IRRESOLUTELY & WEAKLY SEIZ$ MY H&1 & SAT D[N BY ME4 ,9/EAD ( LOOK+ AT ME1 ?\< HE APP>5TLY SEEM$ SO GLAD TO SEE ME1 HE GAZ$ ) AN EXPRESSION ( UNFRI5DLY BRAVADO AT ! (FIC]S4 

,EI!R BECAUSE ,I RECOGNIZ$ 9 HIM A MAN :OM ,I HAD MET A FEW YE>S BE=E 9 A DRESSCOAT 9 A P>LOR1 OR BECAUSE HE WAS SUDD5LY RAIS$ 9 HIS [N OP9ION BY ! FACT ( BE+ RECOGNIZ$1--AT ALL EV5TS IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT HIS FACE & EV5 HIS MOTIONS COMPLETELY *ANG$3 !Y N[ EXPRESS$ LIVELY 9TELLIG5CE1 A *ILDI% SELF-SATISFACTION 9 ! CONSCI\SNESS ( SU* 9TELLIG5CE1 & A C]TA9 CONTEMPTU\S 9DIFF]5CE2 SO ?AT ,I CONFESS1 NOT)/&+ ! PITIABLE POSITION 9 :I* HE F\ND HIMSELF1 MY OLD ACQUA9TANCE DID NOT SO MU* EXCITE SYMPA?Y 9 ME AS IT DID A SORT ( UNFAVORABLE S5TIM5T4 

,I N[ VIVIDLY REMEMB]$ \R FIR/ MEET+4 ,9 #a#h#d#h1 :ILE ,I WAS /AY+ AT ,MOSC[1 ,I FREQU5TLY W5T TO ! H\SE ( ,IVA%91 :O FROM *ILDHOOD HAD BE5 AN OLD FRI5D ( M9E4 ,HIS WIFE WAS AN AGREEABLE HO/ESS1 A *>M+ WOMAN1 AS EV]YBODY SAID2 BUT %E NEV] PLEAS$ ME4 4 4 4 ,! W9T] ?AT ,I KNEW H]1 %E (T5 SPOKE ) H>DLY CONCEAL$ PRIDE ( H] BRO!R1 :O HAD %ORTLY BE=E COMPLET$ HIS C\RSE1 & PROMIS$ TO BE ONE ( ! MO/ FA%IONABLE & POPUL> Y\NG M5 9 ! BE/ SOCIETY ( ,PET]SBURG4 ,AS ,I KNEW BY REPUTATION ! FA!R ( ! ,GUSK(S1 :O WAS V]Y RI* & HAD A DI/+UI%$ POSITION1 & AS ,I KNEW ALSO ! SI/]'S WAYS1 ,I FELT SOME PREJUDICE AGA9/ MEET+ ! Y\NG MAN4 ,ONE EV5+ :5 ,I WAS AT ,IVA%9'S1 ,I SAW A %ORT1 ?OR\<LY PLEASANT-LOOK+ Y\NG MAN1 9 A BLACK COAT1 :ITE VE/ & NECKTIE4 ,MY HO/ HA/5$ TO MAKE ME ACQUA9T$ ) HIM4 ,! Y\NG MAN1 EVID5TLY DRESS$ = A BALL1 ) HIS CAP 9 HIS H&1 WAS /&+ BE=E ,IVA%91 & WAS EAG]LY BUT POLITELY >GU+ ) HIM AB\T A COMMON FRI5D ( \RS1 :O HAD DI/+UI%$ HIMSELF AT ! TIME ( ! ,HUNG>IAN CAMPAIGN4 ,HE SAID ?AT ?IS ACQUA9TANCE WAS NOT AT ALL A H]O OR A MAN BORN = W>1 AS WAS SAID ( HIM1 BUT WAS SIMPLY A CLEV] & CULTIVAT$ MAN4 ,I RECOLLECT1 ,I TOOK P>T 9 ! >GUM5T AGA9/ ,GUSK(1 & W5T TO ! EXTREME ( DECL>+ ALSO ?AT 9TELLECT & CULTIVATION ALWAYS BORE AN 9V]SE RELATION TO BRAV]Y2 & ,I RECOLLECT H[ ,GUSK( PLEASANTLY & CLEV]LY PO9T$ \T TO ME ?AT BRAV]Y WAS NECESS>ILY ! RESULT ( 9TELLECT & A DECID$ DEGREE ( DEVELOPM5T1--A /ATEM5T :I* ,I1 :O CONSID]$ MYSELF AN 9TELLECTUAL & CULTIVAT$ MAN1 C\LD NOT 9 MY HE>T ( HE>TS AGREE )4 

,I RECOLLECT ?AT T[>DS ! CLOSE ( \R  CONV]SATION ,MADAME ,IVA%9A 9TRODUC$ ME TO H] BRO!R2 & HE1 ) A CONDESC5D+ SMILE1 (F]$ ME HIS LITTLE H& ON :I* HE HAD NOT YET HAD TIME TO DRAW HIS KID GLOVES1 & WEAKLY & IRRESOLUTELY PRESS$ MY H& AS HE DID N[4 ,?\< ,I HAD BE5 PREJUDIC$ AGA9/ ,GUSK(1 ,I C\LD NOT HELP GRANT+ ?AT HE WAS 9 ! RI<T1 & AGREE+ ) HIS SI/] ?AT HE WAS REALLY A CLEV] & AGREEABLE Y\NG MAN1 :O \<T TO HAVE GREAT SUCCESS 9 SOCIETY4 ,HE WAS EXTRAORD9>ILY NEAT1 BEAUTIFULLY DRESS$1 & FRE%1 & HAD AFFECT$LY MODE/ MANN]S1 & A ?OR\<LY Y\?FUL1 ALMO/ *ILDI% APPE>ANCE1 ON ACC\NT ( :I* Y\ C\LD NOT HELP EXCUS+ HIS EXPRESSION ( SELF-SUFFICI5CY1 ?\< IT MODIFI$ ! IMPRESSION ( HIS HI<-MI<T9ESS CAUS$ BY HIS 9TELLECTUAL FACE & ESPECIALLY HIS SMILE4 ,IT IS SAID ?AT HE HAD GREAT SUCCESS ?AT W9T] ) ! HI<-BORN LADIES ( ,MOSC[4 ,AS ,I SAW HIM AT HIS SI/]'S ,I C\LD ONLY 9F] H[ F> ?IS WAS TRUE BY ! FEEL+ ( PLEASURE & CONT5TM5T CON/ANTLY EXCIT$ 9 ME BY HIS Y\?FUL APPE>ANCE & BY HIS SOMETIMES 9DISCREET ANECDOTES4 ,HE & ,I MET HALF A DOZ5 TIMES1 & TALK$ A GOOD DEAL2 OR1 RA!R1 HE TALK$ A GOOD DEAL1 & ,I LI/5$4 ,HE SPOKE = ! MO/ P>T 9 ,FR5*1 ALWAYS ) A GOOD ACC5T1 V]Y FLU5TLY & ORNATELY2 & HE HAD ! SKILL ( DRAW+ O!RS G5TLY & POLITELY 9TO ! CONV]SATION4 ,AS A G5]AL ?+1 HE BEHAV$  T[>D ALL1 & T[>D ME1 9 A SOME:AT SUP]CILI\S MANN]1 & ,I FELT ?AT HE WAS P]FECTLY RI<T 9 ?IS WAY ( TREAT+ PEOPLE4 ,I ALWAYS FEEL ?AT WAY 9 REG>D TO M5 :O >E FIRMLY CONV9C$ ?AT !Y \<T TO TREAT ME SUP]CILI\SLY1 & :O >E COMP>ATIVE /RANG]S TO ME4 

,N[1 AS HE SAT ) ME1 & GAVE ME HIS H&1 ,I KE5LY RECALL$ 9 HIM ?AT SAME OLD HAU<T9ESS ( EXPRESSION2 & IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT HE DID NOT PROP]LY APPRECIATE HIS POSITION ( (FICIAL 9F]IORITY1 AS1 9 ! PRES5CE ( ! (FIC]S1 HE ASK$ ME :AT ,I HAD BE5 DO+ 9 ALL ?AT TIME1 & H[ ,I HAPP5$ TO BE !RE4 ,9 SPITE ( ! FACT ?AT ,I 9V>IABLY MADE MY REPLIES 9 ,RUSSIAN1 HE KEPT PUTT+ HIS QUE/IONS 9 ,FR5*1 EXPRESS+ HIMSELF AS BE=E 9 REM>KABLY CORRECT LANGUAGE4 ,AB\T HIMSELF HE SAID FLU5TLY ?AT AFT] HIS UNHAPPY1 WRET*$ /ORY 7:AT ! /ORY WAS1 ,I DID NOT KN[1 & HE HAD NOT YET TOLD ME71 HE HAD BE5 ?REE MON?S UND] >RE/1 & !N HAD BE5 S5T TO ! ,CAUCASUS TO ! ,N4 REGIM5T1 & N[ HAD BE5 S]V+ ?REE YE>S AS A SOLDI] 9 ?AT REGIM5T4 

0,Y\ W\LD NOT BELIEVE10 SAID HE TO ME 9 ,FR5*1 0H[ MU* ,I HAVE TO SUFF] 9 !SE REGIM5TS FROM ! SOCIETY ( ! (FIC]S4 ,/ILL IT IS A PLEASURE TO ME1 ?AT ,I US$ TO KN[ ! ADJUTANT ( :OM WE W]E JU/ SPEAK+3 HE IS A GOOD MAN--IT'S A FACT10 HE REM>K$ CONDESC5D+LY4 0,I LIVE ) HIM1 & ?AT'S  SOME?+ ( A RELIEF = ME4 ,YES1 MY DE>1 ! DAYS FLY BY1 BUT !Y >5'T ALL ALIKE10.<#a.> HE ADD$2 & SUDD5LY HESITAT$1 R$D5$1 & /OOD UP1 AS HE CAU<T SI<T ( ! ADJUTANT HIMSELF COM+ T[>D US4 

0,IT IS SU* A PLEASURE TO MEET SU* A MAN AS Y\10 SAID ,GUSK( TO ME 9 A :ISP] AS HE TURN$ FROM ME4 0,I %\LD LIKE V]Y1 V]Y MU*1 TO HAVE A LONG TALK ) Y\40 

,I SAID ?AT ,I %\LD BE V]Y HAPPY TO TALK ) HIM1 BUT 9 REALITY ,I CONFESS ?AT ,GUSK( EXCIT$ 9 ME A SORT ( DULL PITY ?AT WAS NOT AK9 TO SYMPA?Y4 

,I HAD A PRES5TIM5T ?AT ,I %\LD FEEL A CON/RA9T 9 A PRIVATE CONV]SATION ) HIM2 BUT /ILL ,I WAS ANXI\S TO LE>N FROM HIM SEV]AL ?+S1 &1 ABOVE ALL1 :Y IT WAS1 :5 HIS FA!R HAD BE5 SO RI*1 ?AT HE WAS 9 POV]TY1 AS WAS EVID5T BY HIS DRESS & APPE>ANCE4 

,! ADJUTANT GREET$ US ALL1 9CLUD+ ,GUSK(1 & SAT D[N BY ME 9 ! SEAT :I* ! CA%I]$ (FIC] HAD JU/ VACAT$4 ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT*1 :O HAD ALWAYS BE5 CALM & LEISURELY1 A G5U9E GAMBL]1 & A MAN ( MEANS1 WAS N[ V]Y DIFF]5T FROM :AT HE HAD BE5 9 ! FL[]Y DAYS ( HIS SUCCESS2 HE SEEM$ TO BE 9 HA/E TO GO SOME:]E1 KEPT CON/ANTLY GLANC+ AT EV]YBODY1 & IT WAS NOT FIVE M9UTES BE=E HE PROPOS$ TO ,LIEUT5ANT ,O41 :O HAD SWORN (F FROM PLAY+1 TO SET UP A SMALL F>O-BANK4 ,LIEUT5ANT ,O4 REFUS$1 UND] ! PRETEXT ( HAV+ TO ATT5D TO HIS DUTIES1 BUT 9 REALITY BECAUSE1 AS HE KNEW ?AT ! ADJUTANT HAD FEW POSSESSIONS & LITTLE MONEY LEFT1 HE DID NOT FEEL HIMSELF JU/IFI$ 9 RISK+ HIS ?REE HUNDR$ RUBLES AGA9/ A HUNDR$ OR EV5 LESS :I* ! ADJUTANT MI<T /AKE4 

0,WELL1 ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT*10 SAID ! LIEUT5ANT1 ANXI\S TO AVOID A REPETITION ( ! 9VITATION1 0IS IT TRUE1 :AT !Y TELL US1 ?AT WE RETURN TOMORR[80 

0,I DON'T KN[10 REPLI$ ! ADJUTANT4 0,ORD]S CAME TO BE 9 READ9ESS2 BUT IF IT'S TRUE1 !N Y\'D BETT] PLAY A GAME4 ,I W\LD WAG] MY ,KAB>DA CLOAK40 

0,NO1 TO-DAY ALREADY0 4 4 4 

0,IT'S A GRAY ONE1 NEV] BE5 WORN2 BUT IF Y\ PREF]1 PLAY = MONEY4 ,H[ IS ?AT80 

0,YES1 BUT 4 4 4 ,I %\LD BE WILL+--PRAY DON'T ?9K ?AT0 4 4 4 SAID ,LIEUT5ANT ,O41 ANSW]+ ! IMPLI$ SUSPICION2 0BUT AS !RE MAY BE A RAID OR SOME MOVEM5T1 ,I MU/ GO TO B$ E>LY40 

,! ADJUTANT /OOD UP1 &1 ?RU/+ HIS H&S 9TO HIS POCKETS1 />T$ TO GO ACROSS ! GR\NDS4 ,HIS FACE ASSUM$ ITS ORD9>Y EXPRESSION ( COLDNESS & PRIDE1 :I* ,I ADMIR$ 9 HIM4 

 0,WON'T Y\ HAVE A GLASS ( MULL$ W9E80 ,I ASK$ HIM4 

0,?AT MI<T BE ACCEPTABLE10 & HE CAME BACK TO ME2 BUT ,GUSK( POLITELY TOOK ! GLASS FROM ME1 & H&$ IT TO ! ADJUTANT1 /RIV+ AT ! SAME TIME NOT TO LOOK AT HIM4 ,BUT AS HE DID NOT NOTICE ! T5T-ROPE1 HE /UMBL$ OV] IT1 & FELL ON HIS H&1 DROPP+ ! GLASS4 

0,:AT A BUNGL]60 EXCLAIM$ ! ADJUTANT1 /ILL HOLD+ \T HIS H& = ! GLASS4 ,EV]YBODY BUR/ \T LAU<+1 NOT EXCEPT+ ,GUSK(1 :O WAS RUBB+ HIS H& ON HIS SORE KNEE1 :I* HE HAD SOMEH[ /RUCK AS HE FELL4 0,?AT'S ! WAY ! BE> WAIT$ ON ! H]MIT10 CONT9U$ ! ADJUTANT4 0,IT'S ! WAY HE WAITS ON ME EV]Y DAY4 ,HE HAS PULL$ UP ALL ! T5T-P9S2 HE'S ALWAYS TRIPP+ UP40 

,GUSK(1 NOT HE>+ HIM1 APOLOGIZ$ TO US1 & GLANC$ T[>D ME ) A SMILE ( ALMO/ NOTICEABLE MELAN*OLY1 AS ?\< SAY+ ?AT ,I ALONE C\LD UND]/& HIM4 ,HE WAS PITIABLE TO SEE2 BUT ! ADJUTANT1 HIS PROTECTOR1 SEEM$1 ON ?AT V]Y ACC\NT1 TO BE SEV]E ON HIS MESSMATE1 & DID NOT TRY TO PUT HIM AT HIS EASE4 

0,WELL1 Y\'RE A GRACEFUL LAD6 ,:]E DID Y\ ?9K Y\ W]E GO+80 

0,WELL1 :O CAN HELP TRIPP+ OV] !SE P9S1 ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT*80 SAID ,GUSK(4 0,Y\ TRIPP$ OV] !M Y\RSELF ! O!R DAY40 

 0,I1 OLD MAN1.<#a#a.>--,I AM NOT ( ! RANK & FILE1 & SU* GRACEFULNESS IS NOT EXPECT$ ( ME40 

0,HE CAN BE LAZY10 SAID ,CAPTA9 ,S41 KEEP+ ! BALL ROLL+1 0BUT L[-RANK M5 HAVE TO MAKE !IR LEGS FLY40 

0,ILL-TIM$ JE/10 SAID ,GUSK(1 ALMO/ 9 A :ISP]1 & CA/+ D[N HIS EYES4 ,! ADJUTANT WAS EVID5TLY VEX$ ) HIS MESSMATE2 HE LI/5$ ) 9QUISITIVE ATT5TION TO EV]Y WORD ?AT HE SAID4 

0,HE'LL HAVE TO BE S5T \T 9TO AMBUSCADE AGA910 SAID HE1 ADDRESS+ ,S41 & PO9T+ TO ! CA%I]$ (FIC]4 

0,WELL1 !RE'LL BE SOME MORE TE>S10 SAID ,S41 LAU<+4 ,GUSK( NO LONG] LOOK$ AT ME1 BUT ACT$ AS ?\< HE W]E GO+ TO TAKE SOME TOBACCO FROM HIS P\*1 ?\< !RE HAD BE5 NONE !RE = SOME TIME4 

0,GET READY = ! AMBUSCADE1 OLD MAN10 SAID ,S41 ADDRESS+ HIM ) %\TS ( LAU<T]4 0,TO-DAY ! SC\TS HAVE BR\<T ! NEWS1 !RE'LL BE AN ATTACK ON ! CAMP TO-NI<T1 SO IT'S NECESS>Y TO DESIGNATE ! TRU/Y LADS40 

,GUSK('S FACE %[$ A FLEET+ SMILE AS ?\< HE W]E PREP>+ TO MAKE SOME REPLY1 BUT SEV]AL TIMES HE CA/ A SUPPLICAT+ LOOK AT ,S4 

0,WELL1 Y\ KN[ ,I HAVE BE51 & ,I'M READY TO GO AGA9 IF ,I AM S5T10 HE SAID HA/ILY4 

 0,!N Y\'LL BE S5T40 

0,WELL1 ,I'LL GO4 ,IS N'T ?AT ALL RI<T80 

0,YES1 AS AT ,>GUNA1 Y\ DES]T$ ! AMBUSCADE & ?REW AWAY Y\R GUN10 SAID ! ADJUTANT2 & TURN+ FROM HIM HE BEGAN TO TELL US ! ORD]S = ! NEXT DAY4 

,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 WE EXPECT$ FROM ! 5EMY A CANNONADE ( ! CAMP ?AT NI<T1 & ! NEXT DAY SOME SORT ( DIV]SION4 ,:ILE WE W]E /ILL *ATT+ AB\T V>I\S SUBJECTS ( G5]AL 9T]E/1 ! ADJUTANT1 AS ?\< FROM A SUDD5 & UNEXPECT$ IMPULSE1 PROPOS$ TO ,LIEUT5ANT ,O4 TO HAVE A LITTLE GAME4 ,! LIEUT5ANT MO/ UNEXPECT$LY CONS5T$2 &1 TOGE!R ) ,S4 & ! 5SIGN1 !Y W5T (F TO ! ADJUTANT'S T5T1 :]E !RE WAS A FOLD+ GRE5 TABLE ) C>DS ON IT4 ,! CAPTA91 ! COMM&] ( \R DIVISION1 W5T TO \R T5T TO SLEEP2 ! O!R G5TLEM5 ALSO SEP>AT$1 & ,GUSK( & ,I W]E LEFT ALONE4 ,I WAS NOT MI/AK51 IT WAS REALLY V]Y UNCOM=TABLE = ME TO HAVE A TETE-A-TETE ) HIM2 ,I >OSE 9VOLUNT>ILY1 & BEGAN TO PROM5ADE UP & D[N ON ! BATT]Y4 ,GUSK( WALK$ 9 SIL5CE BY MY SIDE1 HA/ILY & AWKW>DLY :EEL+ >\ND SO AS NOT TO DELAY OR 9COMMODE ME4 

0,I DO NOT ANNOY Y\80 HE ASK$ 9 A S(T1 M\RNFUL VOICE4 ,SO F> AS ,I C\LD SEE HIS FACE 9 ! DIM LI<T1 IT SEEM$ TO ME DEEPLY ?\<TFUL & MELAN*OLY4 

 0,NOT AT ALL10 ,I REPLI$2 BUT AS HE DID NOT IMM$IATELY BEG9 TO SPEAK1 & AS ,I DID NOT KN[ :AT TO SAY TO HIM1 WE WALK$ 9 SIL5CE A CONSID]ABLY LONG TIME4 

,! TWILI<T HAD N[ ABSOLUTELY *ANG$ 9TO D>K NI<T2 OV] ! BLACK PR(ILE ( ! M\NTA9S GLEAM$ ! BRI<T EV5+ HEAT-LI<TN+2 OV] \R HEADS 9 ! LI<T-BLUE FRO/Y SKY TW9KL$ ! LITTLE />S2 ON ALL SIDES GLEAM$ ! RUDDY FLAMES ( ! SMOK+ WAT*-FIRES2 NE> US1 ! :ITE T5TS /OOD \T 9 CONTRA/ TO ! FR[N+ BLACKNESS ( \R E>?-WORKS4 ,! LI<T FROM ! NE>E/ WAT*-FIRE1 >\ND :I* \R S]VANTS1 5GAG$ 9 QUIET CONV]SATION1 W]E W>M+ !MSELVES1 OCCASIONALLY FLA%$ ON ! BRASS ( \R HEAVY GUNS1 & FELL ON ! =M ( ! S5TRY1 :O1 WRAPP$ 9 HIS CLOAK1 PAC$ ) MEASUR$ TREAD ALONG ! BATT]Y4 

0,Y\ CANNOT IMAG9E :AT A DELI<T IT IS = ME TO TALK ) SU* A MAN AS Y\ >E10 SAID ,GUSK(1 AL?\< AS YET HE HAD NOT SPOK5 A WORD TO ME4 0,ONLY ONE :O HAD BE5 9 MY POSITION C\LD APPRECIATE IT40 

,I DID NOT KN[ H[ TO REPLY TO HIM1 & WE AGA9 RELAPS$ 9TO SIL5CE1 AL?\< IT WAS EVID5T ?AT HE WAS ANXI\S TO TALK & HAVE ME LI/5 TO HIM4 

0,:Y W]E Y\ 4 4 4 :Y DID Y\ SUFF] ?IS80 ,I 9QUIR$ AT LA/1 NOT BE+ ABLE TO 9V5T ANY BETT] WAY ( BREAK+ ! ICE4 

 0,:Y1 DID N'T Y\ HE> AB\T ?IS WRET*$ BUS9ESS FROM ,MET5980 

0,YES1 A DUEL1 ,I BELIEVE2 ,I DID NOT HE> MU* AB\T IT10 ,I REPLI$4 0,Y\ SEE1 ,I HAVE BE5 = SOME TIME 9 ! ,CAUCASUS40 

0,NO1 IT WAS N'T A DUEL1 BUT IT WAS A /UPID & HORRID /ORY4 ,I WILL TELL Y\ ALL AB\T IT1 IF Y\ DON'T KN[4 ,IT HAPP5$ ?AT ! SAME YE> ?AT ,I MET Y\ AT MY SI/]'S ,I WAS LIV+ AT ,PET]SBURG4 ,I MU/ TELL Y\ ,I HAD !N :AT !Y CALL UNE POSITION DANS LE MONDE--POSITION GOOD 5\< IF IT WAS NOT BRILLIANT4 ,MON P]E ME DONNAIT T5 ?\S& P> AN4 ,9 '#d#i ,I WAS PROMIS$ A PLACE 9 ! EMBASSY AT ,TUR92 MY UNCLE ON MY MO!R'S SIDE HAD 9FLU5CE1 & WAS ALWAYS READY TO DO A GREAT DEAL = ME4 ,?AT SORT ( ?+ IS ALL PA/ N[4 ',J'ETAIS RECU DANS LA MEILLEURE SOCIETE DE ,PET]SBURG2 ,I MI<T HAVE ASPIR$ TO ANY GIRL 9 ! CITY4 ,I WAS WELL $UCAT$1 AS WE ALL >E :O COME FROM ! S*OOL1 BUT WAS NOT ESPECIALLY CULTIVAT$2 TO BE SURE1 ,I READ A GOOD DEAL AFT]W>DS1 MAIS FAVAIS SURT\T1 Y\ KN[1 CE J>GON DU MONDE1 &1 H[EV] IT CAME AB\T1 ,I WAS LOOK$ UPON AS A LEAD+ LI<T AMONG ! Y\NG M5 ( ,PET]SBURG4 ,:AT RAIS$ ME MORE ?AN ALL 9 COMMON E/IMATION1 C'E/ CETTE LIAISON AVEC ,MADAME ,D41 AB\T :I* A GREAT DEAL WAS SAID 9 ,PET]SBURG2 BUT ,I WAS FRI<TFULLY Y\NG AT ?AT TIME1 & DID NOT PRIZE !SE ADVANTAGES V]Y HI<LY4 ,I WAS SIMPLY Y\NG & /UPID4 ,:AT MORE DID ,I NE$8 ,JU/ !N ?AT ,MET59 HAD SOME NOTORIETY--0 

,& ,GUSK( W5T ON 9 ! SAME FA%ION TO RELATE TO ME ! HI/ORY ( HIS MIS=TUNES1 :I* ,I WILL OMIT1 AS IT W\LD NOT BE AT ALL 9T]E/+4 

0,TWO MON?S ,I REMA9$ UND] >RE/10 HE CONT9U$1 0ABSOLUTELY ALONE2 & :AT ?\<TS DID ,I NOT HAVE DUR+ ?AT TIME8 ,BUT1 Y\ KN[1 :5 IT WAS ALL OV]1 AS ?\< EV]Y TIE HAD BE5 BROK5 ) ! PA/1 !N IT BECAME EASI] = ME4 ,MON P]E1--Y\ HAVE HE>D TELL ( HIM1 ( C\RSE1 A MAN ( IRON WILL & /RONG CONVICTIONS1--IL M'A DE%]ITE1 & BROK5 (F ALL 9T]C\RSE ) ME4 ,ACCORD+ TO HIS CONVICTIONS HE HAD TO DO AS HE DID1 & ,I DON'T BLAME HIM AT ALL4 ,HE WAS CONSI/5T4 ,CONSEQU5TLY1 ,I HAVE NOT TAK5 A /EP TO 9DUCE HIM TO *ANGE HIS M9D4 ,MY SI/] WAS ABROAD4 ,MADAME ,D4 IS ! ONLY ONE :O WROTE TO ME :5 ,I WAS RELEAS$1 & %E S5T ME ASSI/ANCE2 BUT Y\ UND]/& ?AT ,I C\LD NOT ACCEPT IT1 SO ?AT ,I HAD NONE ( ?OSE LITTLE ?+S :I* MAKE ONE'S POSITION A LITTLE EASI]1 Y\ KN[1--BOOKS1 L951 FOOD1 NO?+ AT ALL4 ,AT ?IS TIME ,I ?\<T ?+S OV] & OV]1 & BEGAN TO LOOK AT LIFE ) DIFF]5T EYES4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ?IS NOISE1 ?IS SOCIETY GOSSIP AB\T ME 9 ,PET]SBURG1 DID NOT 9T]E/ ME1 DID NOT FLATT] ME2 IT ALL SEEM$ TO ME RIDICUL\S4 ,I FELT ?AT ,I MYSELF HAD BE5 TO BLAME2 ,I WAS Y\NG & 9DISCREET2 ,I HAD SPOIL$ MY C>E]1 & ,I ONLY ?\<T H[ ,I MI<T GET 9TO ! RI<T TRACK AGA94 ,& ,I FELT ?AT ,I HAD /R5G? & 5]GY 5\< = IT4 ,AFT] MY >RE/1 AS ,I TOLD Y\1 ,I WAS S5T H]E TO ! ,CAUCASUS TO ! ,N4 REGIM5T4 

0,I ?\<T10 HE W5T ON TO SAY1 ALL ! TIME' BECOM+ MORE & MORE ANIMAT$1--0,I ?\<T ?AT H]E 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 LA VIE DE CAMP1 ! SIMPLE1 HONE/ M5 ) :OM ,I %\LD ASSOCIATE1 & W> & DANG]1 W\LD ALL ADMIRABLY AGREE ) MY M5TAL /ATE1 SO ?AT ,I MI<T BEG9 A NEW LIFE4 ,!Y WILL SEE ME UND] FIRE4.<#a#b.> ,I %ALL MAKE MYSELF LIK$2 ,I %ALL BE RESPECT$ = MY REAL SELF1 ! CROSS NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC]2 !Y WILL RELIEVE ME ( MY F9E2 & ,I %ALL GET UP AGA91 ET V\S SAVEZ AVEC CE PRE/IGE DU MALHEUR6 ,BUT1 QUEL DES5*ANTEM5T6 ,Y\ CAN'T IMAG9E H[ ,I HAVE BE5 DECEIV$6 ,Y\ KN[ :AT SORT ( M5 ! (FIC]S ( \R REGIM5T >E40 

,HE DID NOT SPEAK = SOME LITTLE TIME1 WAIT+1 AS IT APPE>$1 = ME TO TELL HIM ?AT ,I KNEW ! SOCIETY ( \R (FIC]S H]E WAS BAD2 BUT ,I MADE HIM NO REPLY4 ,IT W5T AGA9/ MY GRA9 ?AT HE %\LD EXPECT ME1 BECAUSE ,I KNEW ,FR5*1 =SOO?1 TO BE OBLIG$ TO TAKE ISSUE ) ! SOCIETY ( ! (FIC]S1 :I*1 DUR+ MY LONG RESID5CE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 ,I HAD HAD TIME 5\< TO APPRECIATE FULLY1 & = :I* ,I HAD F> HI<] RESPECT ?AN = ! SOCIETY FROM :I* ,MR4  ,GUSK( HAD SPRUNG4 ,I WANT$ TO TELL HIM SO1 BUT HIS POSITION CON/RA9$ ME4 

0,9 ! ,N4 REGIM5T ! SOCIETY ( ! (FIC]S IS A ?\S& TIMES WORSE ?AN IT IS H]E10 HE CONT9U$4 0,I HOPE ?AT IT IS SAY+ A GOOD DEAL2 J'ESP]E QUE C'E/ BEAUC\P DIRE2 ?AT IS1 Y\ CANNOT IMAG9E :AT IT IS4 ,I AM NOT SPEAK+ ( ! YUNK]S & ! SOLDI]S4 ,?AT IS HORRIBLE1 IT IS SO BAD4 ,AT FIR/ !Y RECEIV$ ME V]Y K9DLY1 ?AT IS ABSOLUTELY ! TRU?2 BUT :5 !Y SAW ?AT ,I C\LD NOT HELP DESPIS+ !M1 Y\ KN[1 9 !SE 9CONCEIVABLY SMALL CIRCUM/ANCES1 !Y SAW ?AT ,I WAS A MAN ABSOLUTELY DIFF]5T1 /&+ F> ABOVE !M1 !Y GOT ANGRY ) ME1 & BEGAN TO PUT V>I\S LITTLE HUMILIATIONS ON ME4 ,Y\ HAVE N'T AN IDEA :AT ,I HAD TO SUFF]4.<#a#c.> ,!N ?IS =C$ RELATION%IP ) ! YUNK]S1 & ESPECIALLY ) ! SMALL MEANS ?AT ,I HAD ,I LACK$ EV]Y?+2.<#a#d.> ,I HAD ONLY :AT MY SI/] US$ TO S5D ME4 ,& H]E'S A PRO( = Y\6 ,AS MU* AS IT MADE ME SUFF]1 ,I ) MY *>ACT]1 AVEC MA FI]TE J'AI ECRIS A MON P]E1 BEGG$ HIM TO S5D ME SOME?+4 ,I UND]/& H[ LIV+ F\R YE>S ( SU* A LIFE MAY MAKE A MAN LIKE \R CA%I]$ ,DROM( :O DR9KS ) SOLDI]S1 & WRITES NOTES TO ALL ! (FIC]S ASK+ !M TO LOAN HIM ?REE RUBLES1 & SIGN+ IT1 T\T A V\S1 ,DROM(4 ,ONE MU/ HAVE SU* A *>ACT] AS ,I HAVE1 NOT TO BE MIR$ 9 ! LEA/ BY SU* A HORRIBLE POSITION40 

,= SOME TIME HE WALK$ 9 SIL5CE BY MY SIDE4 

0,HAVE Y\ A CIG>ETTE80.<#a#e.> HE ASK$ ME4 

0,& SO ,I /AY$ RI<T :]E ,I WAS8 ,YES4 ,I C\LD NOT 5DURE IT PHYSICALLY1 BECAUSE1 ?\< WE W]E WRET*$1 COLD1 & ILL-F$1 ,I LIV$ LIKE A COMMON SOLDI]1 BUT /ILL ! (FIC]S HAD SOME SORT ( CONSID]ATION = ME4 ,I HAD /ILL SOME PRE/IGE ?AT !Y REG>D$4 ,I WAS N'T S5T \T ON GU>D NOR = DRILL4 ,I C\LD NOT HAVE /OOD ?AT4 ,BUT MORALLY MY SUFF]+S W]E FRI<TFUL2 & ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ,I DID N'T SEE ANY ESCAPE FROM MY POSITION4 ,I WROTE MY UNCLE1 BEGG$ HIM TO GET ME TRANSF]R$ TO MY PRES5T REGIM5T1 :I*1 AT LEA/1 SEES SOME S]VICE2 & ,I ?\<T ?AT H]E ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT*1 QUI E/ LE FILS DE L'9T5DANT DE MON P]E1 MI<T BE ( SOME USE TO ME4 ,MY UNCLE DID ?IS = ME2 ,I WAS TRANSF]R$4 ,AFT] ?AT REGIM5T ?IS ONE SEEM$ TO ME A COLLECTION ( *AMB]LA9S4 ,!N ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT* WAS H]E2 HE KNEW :O ,I WAS1 & ,I WAS SPL5DIDLY RECEIV$4 ,AT MY UNCLE'S REQUE/--A ,GUSK(1 V\S SAVEZ2 BUT ,I =GOT ?AT ) !SE M5 )\T CULTIVATION & UNDEVELOP$1--!Y CAN'T APPRECIATE A MAN1 & %[ HIM M>KS ( E/EEM1 UNLESS HE HAS ?AT AUREOLE ( WEAL?1 ( FRI5DS2 & ,I NOTIC$ H[1 LITTLE BY LITTLE1 :5 !Y SAW ?AT ,I WAS POOR1 !IR  BEHAVIOR TO ME %[$ MORE & MORE 9DIFF]5CE UNTIL !Y HAVE COME ALMO/ TO DESPISE ME4 ,IT IS HORRIBLE1 BUT IT IS ABSOLUTELY ! TRU?4 

0,H]E ,I HAVE BE5 9 ACTION1 ,I HAVE F\<T1 !Y HAVE SE5 ME UND] FIRE10.<#a#f.> HE CONT9U$2 0BUT :5 WILL IT ALL 5D8 ,I ?9K1 NEV]4 ,& MY /R5G? & 5]GY HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO FLAG4 ,!N ,I HAD IMAG9$ LA GU]RE1 LA VIE DE CAMP2 BUT IT IS N'T AT ALL :AT ,I SEE1 9 A %EEP-SK9 JACKET1 DIRTY L951 SOLDI]'S BOOTS1 & Y\ GO \T 9 AMBUSCADE1 & ! :OLE NI<T LONG LIE 9 ! DIT* ) SOME ,ANTON( R$UC$ TO ! RANKS = DRUNK5NESS1 & ANY M9UTE FROM BEH9D ! BU% MAY COME A RIFLE-%OT & HIT Y\ OR ,ANTON(1--IT'S ALL ! SAME :I*4 ,?AT IS NOT BRAV]Y2 IT'S HORRIBLE1 C'E/ AFFREUX1 IT'S KILL+60.<#a#g.> 

0,WELL1 Y\ CAN BE PROMOT$ A NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC] = ?IS CAMPAIGN1 & NEXT YE> AN 5SIGN10 SAID ,I4 

0,YES1 IT MAY BE3 !Y PROMIS$ ME ?AT 9 TWO YE>S1 & IT'S NOT UP YET4 ,:AT W\LD ?OSE TWO YE>S AM\NT TO1 IF ,I KNEW ANY ONE6 ,Y\ CAN IMAG9E ?IS LIFE ) ,PAVEL ,DMITRIEVIT*2 C>DS1 L[ JOKES1 DR9K+ ALL ! TIME2 IF Y\ WI% TO TELL ANY?+ ?AT IS WEI<+ ON Y\R M9D1 Y\ W\LD NOT BE UND]/OOD1 OR Y\ W\LD BE LAU<$ AT3 !Y TALK ) Y\1 NOT = ! SAKE ( %>+ A ?\<T1 BUT TO GET  SOME?+ FUNNY \T ( Y\4 ,YES1 & SO IT HAS GONE--9 A BRUTAL1 BEA/LY WAY1 & Y\ >E ALWAYS CONSCI\S ?AT Y\ BELONG TO ! RANK & FILE2 !Y ALWAYS MAKE Y\ FEEL ?AT4 ,H5CE Y\ CAN'T REALIZE :AT AN 5JOYM5T IT IS TO TALK A COEUR \V]T TO SU* A MAN AS Y\ >E40 

,I HAD NEV] IMAG9$ :AT K9D ( A MAN ,I WAS1 & CONSEQU5TLY ,I DID NOT KN[ :AT ANSW] TO MAKE HIM4 

0,WILL Y\ HAVE Y\R LUN* N[80 ASK$ ,NIKITA AT ?IS JUNCTURE1 APPROA*+ ME UNSE5 9 ! D>KNESS1 &1 AS ,I C\LD P]CEIVE1 VEX$ AT ! PRES5CE ( A GUE/4 0,NO?+ BUT CURD DUMPL+S1 !RE'S NONE ( ! ROA/ BEEF LEFT0 

0,HAS ! CAPTA9 HAD HIS LUN* YET80 

0,HE W5T TO B$ LONG AGO10 REPLI$ ,NIKITA1 GRUFFLY1 0,ACCORD+ TO MY DIRECTIONS1 ,I WAS TO BR+ Y\ LUN* H]E & Y\R BR&Y40 ,HE MUTT]$ SOME?+ ELSE DISCONT5T$LY1 & SAUNT]$ (F TO HIS T5T4 ,AFT] LOIT]+ A :ILE LONG]1 HE BR\<T US1 NEV]!LESS1 A LUN*-CASE2 HE PLAC$ A C&LE ON ! LUN*-CASE1 & %IELD$ IT FROM ! W9D ) A %EET ( PAP]4 ,HE BR\<T A SAUCEPAN1 SOME MU/>D 9 A J>1 A T9 DIPP] ) A H&LE1 & A BOTTLE ( ABS9!4 ,AFT] >RANG+ !SE ?+S1 ,NIKITA L+]$ >\ND US = SOME MOM5TS1 & LOOK$ ON AS ,GUSK( & ,I W]E DR9K+ ! LIQUOR1 & IT WAS EVID5TLY V]Y DI/A/EFUL TO HIM4 ,BY ! FEEBLE LI<T %$ BY ! C&LE ?R\< ! PAP]1 AMID ! 5CIRCL+ D>KNESS1 C\LD BE SE5 ! SEAL-SK9 COV] ( ! LUN*CASE1 4! SUPP] >RANG$ UPON IT1 ,GUSK('S %EEPSK9 JACKET1 HIS FACE1 & HIS SMALL R$ H&S :I* HE US$ 9 LIFT+ ! PATTIES FROM ! PAN4 ,EV]Y?+ >\ND US WAS BLACK2 & ONLY BY /RA9+ ! SI<T C\LD BE SE5 ! D>K BATT]Y1 ! D>K =M ( ! S5TRY MOV+ ALONG ! BREA/WORK1 ON ALL SIDES ! WAT*FIRES1 & ON HI< ! RUDDY />S4 

,GUSK( WORE A MELAN*OLY1 ALMO/ GUILTY SMILE AS ?\< IT W]E AWKW>D = HIM TO LOOK 9TO MY FACE AFT] HIS CONFESSION4 ,HE DRANK /ILL ANO!R GLASS ( LIQUOR1 & ATE RAV5\SLY1 EMPTY+ ! SAUCEPAN4 

0,YES2 = Y\ IT MU/ BE A RELIEF ALL ! SAME10 SAID ,I1 = ! SAKE ( SAY+ SOME?+1--0Y\R ACQUA9TANCE ) ! ADJUTANT4 ,HE IS A V]Y GOOD MAN1 ,I HAVE HE>D40 

0,YES10 REPLI$ ! CA%I]$ (FIC]1 0HE IS A K9D MAN2 BUT HE CAN'T HELP BE+ :AT HE IS1 ) HIS $UCATION1 & IT IS USELESS TO EXPECT IT40 

,A FLU% SEEM$ SUDD5LY TO CROSS HIS FACE4 

0,Y\ REM>K$ HIS CO>SE JE/ ?IS EV5+ AB\T ! AMBUSCADE20 & ,GUSK(1 ?\< ,I TRI$ SEV]AL TIMES TO 9T]RUPT HIM1 BEGAN TO JU/IFY HIMSELF BE=E ME1 & TO %[ ?AT HE HAD NOT RUN AWAY FROM ! AMBUSCADE1 & ?AT HE WAS NOT A C[>D AS ! ADJUTANT & ,CAPT4 ,S4 TRI$ TO MAKE HIM \T4 

0,AS ,I WAS TELL+ Y\10 HE W5T ON TO SAY1 WIP+ HIS H&S ON HIS JACKET1 0SU* PEOPLE CAN'T %[ ANY DELICACY T[>D A MAN1 A COMMON SOLDI]1 :O HASN'T MU* MONEY EI!R4 ,?AT'S BEYOND !IR /R5G?4 ,& H]E REC5TLY1 :ILE ,I HAVE N'T RECEIV$ ANY?+ AT ALL FROM MY SI/]1 ,I HAVE BE5 CONSCI\S ?AT !Y HAVE *ANG$ T[>D ME4 ,?IS %EEPSK9 JACKET1 :I* ,I B\<T ( A SOLDI]1 & :I* HAS N'T ANY W>M? 9 IT1 BECAUSE IT'S ALL WORN (F0 7& H]E HE %[$ ME :]E ! WOOL WAS GONE FROM ! 9SIDE71 0IT DOES N'T >\SE 9 HIM ANY SYMPA?Y OR CONSID]ATION = MY UNHAPP9ESS1 BUT SCORN1 :I* HE DOES NOT TAKE PA9S TO HIDE4 ,:ATEV] MY NECESSITIES MAY BE1 AS N[ :5 ,I HAVE NO?+ TO EAT EXCEPT SOLDI]S' GRUEL1 & NO?+ TO WE>10 HE CONT9U$1 CA/+ D[N HIS EYES1 & P\R+ \T = HIMSELF /ILL ANO!R GLASS ( LIQUOR1 0HE DOES NOT EV5 (F] TO L5D ME SOME MONEY1 ?\< HE KN[S P]FECTLY WELL ?AT ,I W\LD GIVE IT BACK TO HIM2 BUT HE WAITS TILL ,I AM OBLIG$ TO ASK HIM = IT4 ,BUT Y\ APPRECIATE H[ IT IS = ME TO GO TO HIM4 ,9 Y\R CASE ,I %\LD SAY1 SQU>E & FAIR1 ,V\S ETES AUDESSUS DE CELA1 MON *]1JE RIAL PAS LE S\4 ,& Y\ KN[10 SAID HE1 LOOK+ /RAI<T 9TO MY EYES ) AN EXPRESSION ( DESP]ATION1 0,I AM GO+ TO TELL Y\1 SQU>E & FAIR1 ,I AM 9 A T]RIBLE SITUATION3 P\VEZ-V\S ME PREF] DIX RUBLES >G5T8 ,MY SI/] \<T TO S5D ME SOME BY ! NEXT MAIL1 ET MON P]E--0 

0,:Y1 MO/ WILL+LY10 SAID ,I1 AL?\<1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 IT WAS TRY+ & UNPLEASANT1 ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ! EV5+ BE=E1 HAV+ LO/ AT C>DS1 ,I HAD LEFT ONLY AB\T FIVE RUBLES 9 ,NIKITA'S C>E4 0,9 A MOM5T10 SAID ,I1 >IS+1 0,I WILL GO & GET IT AT ! T5T40 

0,NO1 BY & BY3 NE V\S D]ANGEZ PAS40 

,NEV]!LESS1 NOT HE$+ HIM1 ,I HA/5$ TO ! CLOS$ T5T1 :]E /OOD MY B$1 & :]E ! CAPTA9 WAS SLEEP+4 

0,ALEKSEI ,IVANUIT*1 LET ME HAVE T5 RUBLES1 PLEASE1 = RATIONS10 SAID ,I TO ! CAPTA91 %AK+ HIM4 

0,:AT6 HAVE Y\ BE5 LOS+ AGA98 ,BUT ?IS V]Y EV5+1 Y\ W]E NOT GO+ TO PLAY ANY MORE10 MURMUR$ ! CAPTA91 /ILL HALF ASLEEP4 

0,NO1 ,I HAVE NOT BE5 PLAY+2 BUT ,I WANT ! MONEY2 LET ME HAVE IT1 PLEASE40 

0,MAKATIUK60 %\T$ ! CAPTA9 TO HIS S]VANT1.<#a#h.> 0H& ME MY BAG ) ! MONEY40 

0,HU%1 HU%60 SAID ,I1 HE>+ ,GUSK('S MEASUR$ /EPS NE> ! T5T4 

0,:AT8 ,:Y HU%80 

0,BECAUSE ?AT CA%I]$ FELL[ HAS ASK$ TO BORR[ IT ( ME4 ,HE'S RI<T !RE40 

 0,WELL1 IF Y\ KNEW HIM1 Y\ W\LD N'T LET HIM HAVE IT10 REM>K$ ! CAPTA94 0,I HAVE HE>D AB\T HIM4 ,HE'S A DIRTY1 L[-LIV$ FELL[40 

,NEV]!LESS1 ! CAPTA9 GAVE ME ! MONEY1 ORD]$ HIS MAN TO PUT AWAY ! BAG1 PULL$ ! FLAP ( ! T5T NEATLY TO1 &1 AGA9 SAY+1 0,IF Y\ ONLY KNEW HIM1 Y\ W\LD N'T LET HIM HAVE IT10 DREW HIS HEAD D[N UND] ! COV]LET4 

0,N[ Y\ [E ME ?IRTY-TWO1 REMEMB]10 HE %\T$ AFT] ME4 

,:5 ,I CAME \T ( ! T5T1 ,GUSK( WAS WALK+ NE> ! SETTEES2 & HIS SLI<T FIGURE1 ) HIS CROOK$ LEGS1 HIS %APELESS CAP1 HIS LONG :ITE HAIR1 KEPT APPE>+ & DISAPPE>+ 9 ! D>KNESS1 AS HE PASS$ 9 & \T ( ! LI<T ( ! C&LES4 ,HE MADE BELIEVE NOT TO SEE ME4 

,I H&$ HIM ! MONEY4 ,HE SAID 0,M]CI0 &1 CRUMPL+ ! BANK-BILL1 ?RU/ IT 9TO HIS TR\S]S POCKET4 

0,N[ ,I SUPPOSE ! GAME IS 9 FULL SW+ AT ! ADJUTANT'S10 HE BEGAN IMM$IATELY AFT] ?IS4 

0,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE SO40 

0,HE'S A WOND]FUL PLAY]1 ALWAYS BOLD1 & NEV] BACKS \T4 ,:5 HE'S 9 LUCK1 IT'S F9E2 BUT :5 IT DOES NOT GO WELL ) HIM1 HE CAN LOSE FRI<TFULLY4 ,HE HAS GIV5 PRO( ( ?AT4 ,DUR+ ?IS EXP$ITION1 IF Y\ RECKON HIS VALUABLES1 HE HAS LO/ MORE ?AN FIFTE5 HUNDR$ RUBLES4 ,BUT1 AS HE PLAY$ DISCREETLY BE=E1 ?AT (FIC] ( Y\RS SEEM$ TO HAVE SOME D\BTS AB\T HIS HONOR40 

0,WELL1 ?AT'S BECAUSE HE 4 4 4 ,NIKITA1 HAVE N'T WE ANY-( ?AT R$ ,KAVKAS W9E.<#a#i.> LEFT80 ,I ASK$1 V]Y MU* 5LIV5$ BY ,GUSK('S CONV]SATIONAL TAL5T4 ,NIKITA /ILL KEPT MUTT]+2 BUT HE BR\<T US ! R$ W9E1 & AGA9 LOOK$ ON ANGRILY AS ,GUSK( DRA9$ HIS GLASS4 ,9 ,GUSK('S BEHAVIOR WAS NOTICEABLE HIS OLD FRE$OM FROM CON/RA9T4 ,I WI%$ ?AT HE W\LD GO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE2 IT SEEM$ AS IF HIS ONLY REASON = NOT GO+ WAS BECAUSE HE DID NOT WI% TO GO IMM$IATELY AFT] RECEIV+ ! MONEY4 ,I SAID NO?+4 

0,H[ C\LD Y\1 :O HAVE MEANS1 & W]E UND] NO NECESSITY1 SIMPLY DE GAIETE DE COEUR1 MAKE UP Y\R M9D TO COME & S]VE 9 ! ,CAUCASUS8 ,?AT'S :AT ,I DON'T UND]/&10 SAID HE TO ME4 

,I 5DEAVOR$ TO EXPLA9 ?IS ACT ( R5UNCIATION1 :I* SEEM$ SO /RANGE TO HIM4 

0,I CAN IMAG9E H[ DISAGREEABLE ! SOCIETY ( ?OSE (FIC]S--M5 )\T ANY COMPREH5SION ( CULTURE--MU/ BE = Y\4 ,Y\ C\LD NOT UND]/& EA* O!R4 ,Y\ SEE1 Y\ MI<T LIVE T5 YE>S1 & NOT SEE ANY?+1 & NOT HE> AB\T ANY?+1 EXCEPT C>DS1 W9E1 & GOSSIP AB\T REW>DS & CAMPAIGNS40 

,IT WAS UNPLEASANT = ME1 ?AT HE WI%$ ME TO PUT MYSELF ON A P> ) HIM 9 HIS POSITION2 &1 ) ABSOLUTE HONE/Y1 ,I ASSUR$ HIM ?AT ,I WAS V]Y FOND ( C>DS & W9E1 & GOSSIP AB\T CAMPAIGNS1 & ?AT ,I DID NOT C>E TO HAVE ANY BETT] COMRADES ?AN ?OSE ) :OM ,I WAS ASSOCIAT$4 ,BUT HE W\LD NOT BELIEVE ME4 

0,WELL1 Y\ MAY SAY SO10 HE CONT9U$2 0BUT ! LACK ( WOM5'S SOCIETY1 ,I MEAN1 ( C\RSE1 FEMMES COMME IL FAUT1--IS ?AT NOT A T]RIBLE DEPRIVATION8 ,I DO N'T KN[ :AT ,I W\LD GIVE N[ TO GO 9TO A P>LOR1 IF ONLY = A MOM5T1 & TO HAVE A LOOK AT A PRETTY WOMAN1 EV5 ?\< IT W]E ?R\< A CRACK40 

,HE SAID NO?+ = A LITTLE1 & DRANK /ILL ANO!R GLASS ( ! R$ W9E4 

0,OH1 MY ,GOD1 MY ,GOD6.<#b.> ,IF IT ONLY MI<T BE \R FATE TO MEET AGA91 SOME:]E 9 ,PET]SBURG1 TO LIVE & MOVE AMONG M51 AMONG LADIES60 

,HE DRANK UP ! DREGS ( ! W9E /ILL LEFT 9 ! BOTTLE1 & :5 HE HAD F9I%$ IT HE SAID3 

0,AKH6 P>DON1 MAYBE Y\ WANT$ SOME MORE4 ,IT WAS HORRIBLY C>ELESS ( ME4 ,H[EV]1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I MU/ HAVE TAK5 TOO MU*1 & MY HEAD IS N'T V]Y /RONG1.<#b#a.> ,!RE WAS A TIME :5 ,I LIV$ ON ,MORSKAIA ,/REET1 AU REZ-DE-*AUSSEE1 & HAD M>VEL\S AP>TM5TS1 FURNITURE1 Y\ KN[1 & ,I WAS ABLE TO >RANGE IT ALL BEAUTIFULLY1 NOT SO V]Y EXP5SIVELY ?\<2 MY FA!R1 TO BE SURE1 GAVE ME PORCELA9S1 FL[]S1 & SILV]1--A WOND]FUL LOT4 ,LE MAT9 JE SORTAIS1 VISITS1 A #e HEURES REGULI]EM5T4 ,I US$ TO GO & D9E ) H]2 (T5 %E WAS ALONE4 ,IL FAUT AV\] QUE C'ETAIT UNE FEMME RAVISSANTE6 ,Y\ DID N'T KN[ H] AT ALL1 DID Y\80 

0,NO40 

0,Y\ SEE1 !RE WAS SU* HI< DEGREE ( WOMANL9ESS 9 H]1 & SU* T5D]NESS1 & :AT LOVE6 ,LORD6 ,I DID NOT KN[ H[ TO APPRECIATE MY HAPP9ESS !N4 ,WE W\LD RETURN AFT] ! !AT]1 & HAVE A LITTLE SUPP] TOGE!R4 ,IT WAS NEV] DULL :]E %E WAS1 T\J\RS GAIE1 T\J\RS AIMANTE4 ,YES1 & ,I HAD NEV] IMAG9$ :AT R>E HAPP9ESS IT WAS4 ,ET J' AI BEAUC\P A ME REPRO*] 9 REG>D TO H]4 ,JE L'AI FAIT S\FFRIR ET S\V5T4 ,I WAS \TRAGE\S4 ,AKH6 ,:AT A M>VEL\S TIME ?AT WAS6 ,DO ,I BORE Y\80 

0,NO1 NOT AT ALL40 

0,!N ,I WILL TELL Y\ AB\T \R EV5+S4 ,I US$ TO GO--?AT /AIRWAY1 EV]Y FL[]-POT ,I KNEW1--! DOOR-H&LE1 ALL WAS SO LOVELY1 SO FAMILI>2 !N ! VE/IBULE1 H] ROOM4 4 4 4 ,NO1 IT WILL NEV]1 NEV] COME BACK TO ME AGA96 ,EV5 N[ %E WRITES TO ME3 IF Y\ WILL LET ME1 ,I WILL %[ Y\ H] LETT]S4 ,BUT ,I AM NOT :AT ,I WAS2 ,I AM RU9$2 ,I AM NO LONG] WOR?Y ( H] 4 4 4 ,YES1 ,I AM RU9$ = EV]4 ,JE SUIS CASSE4 ,!RE'S NO 5]GY 9 ME1 NO PRIDE1 NO?+--NOR EV5 ANY RANK4.<#b#b.> 4 4 4 ,YES1 ,I AM RU9$2 & NO ONE WILL EV] APPRECIATE MY SUFF]+S4 ,EV]Y ONE IS 9DIFF]5T4 ,I AM A LO/ MAN4 ,NEV] ANY *ANCE = ME TO RISE1 BECAUSE ,I HAVE FALL5 MORALLY 4 4 4 9TO ! MIRE--,I HAVE FALL540 4 4 4 

,AT ?IS MOM5T !RE WAS EVID5T 9 HIS WORDS A G5U9E1 DEEP DESPAIR3 HE DID NOT LOOK AT ME1 BUT SAT MOTIONLESS4 

0,:Y >E Y\ 9 SU* DESPAIR80 ,I ASK$4 

0,BECAUSE ,I AM ABOM9ABLE4 ,?IS LIFE HAS DEGRAD$ ME1 ALL ?AT WAS 9 ME1 ALL IS CRU%$ \T4 ,IT IS NOT BY PRIDE ?AT ,I HOLD \T1 BUT BY ABJECTNESS3 !RE'S NO DIGNITE DANS LE MALHEUR4 ,I AM HUMILIAT$ EV]Y MOM5T2 ,I 5DURE IT ALL2 ,I GOT MYSELF 9TO ?IS ABASEM5T4 ,?IS MIRE HAS SOIL$ ME4 ,I MYSELF HAVE BECOME CO>SE2 ,I HAVE =GOTT5 :AT ,I US$ TO KN[2 ,I CAN'T SPEAK ,FR5* ANY MORE2 ,I AM CONSCI\S ?AT ,I AM BASE & L[4 ,I CANNOT TE> MYSELF AWAY FROM !SE SURR\ND+S1 9DE$ ,I CANNOT4 ,I MI<T HAVE BE5 A H]O3 GIVE ME A REGIM5T1 GOLD EPAULETS1 A TRUMPET]1 BUT TO M>* 9 ! RANKS ) SOME WILD ,ANTON ,BOND>5KO OR ! LIKE1 & FEEL ?AT BETWE5 ME & HIM !RE WAS NO DIFF]5CE AT ALL--?AT HE MI<T BE KILL$ OR ,I MI<T BE KILL$--ALL ! SAME1 ?AT ?\<T IS MADD5+4 ,Y\ UND]/& H[ HORRIBLE IT IS TO ?9K ?AT SOME RAGAMUFF9 MAY KILL ME1 A MAN :O HAS ?\<TS & FEEL+S1 & ?AT IT W\LD MAKE NO DIFF]5CE IF ALONGSIDE ( ME SOME ,ANTON( W]E KILL$1--A BE+ NOT DIFF]5T FROM AN ANIMAL--& ?AT IT MI<T EASILY HAPP5 ?AT ,I & NOT ?IS ,ANTON( W]E KILL$1 :I* IS ALWAYS UNE FATALITE' = EV]Y L(TY & GOOD MAN4 ,I KN[ ?AT !Y CALL ME A C[>D3 GRANT ?AT ,I AM A C[>D1 ,I C]TA9LY AM A C[>D1 & CAN'T BE ANY?+ ELSE4 ,NOT ONLY AM ,I A C[>D1 BUT ,I AM 9 MY WAY A L[ & DESPICABLE MAN4 ,H]E ,I HAVE JU/ BE5 BORR[+ MONEY ( Y\1 & Y\ HAVE ! RI<T TO DESPISE ME4 ,NO1 TAKE BACK Y\R MONEY40 ,& HE HELD \T TO ME ! CRUMPL$ BANK-BILL4 0,I WANT Y\ TO HAVE A GOOD OP9ION ( ME40 ,HE COV]$ HIS FACE ) HIS H&S1 & BUR/ 9TO TE>S4 ,I REALLY DID NOT KN[ :AT TO SAY OR DO4 

0,CALM Y\RSELF10 ,I SAID TO HIM4 0,Y\ >E TOO S5SITIVE2 DON'T TAKE EV]Y?+ SO TO HE>T2 DON'T 9DULGE 9 SELF-ANALYSIS1 LOOK AT ?+S MORE SIMPLY4 ,Y\ Y\RSELF SAY ?AT Y\ HAVE *>ACT]4 ,KEEP UP GOOD HE>T1 Y\ WON'T HAVE LONG TO WAIT10 ,I SAID TO HIM1 BUT NOT V]Y CONSI/5TLY1 BECAUSE ,I WAS MU* /IRR$ BO? BY A FEEL+ ( SYMPA?Y & A FEEL+ ( REP5TANCE1 BECAUSE ,I HAD ALL[$ MYSELF M5TALLY TO S9 9 MY JUDGM5T ( A MAN TRULY & DEEPLY UNHAPPY4 

0,YES10 HE BEGAN1 0IF ,I HAD HE>D EV5 ONCE1 AT ! TIME :5 ,I WAS 9 ?AT HELL1 ONE S+LE WORD ( SYMPA?Y1 ( ADVICE1 ( FRI5D%IP--ONE HUMANE WORD SU* AS Y\ HAVE JU/ SPOK51  P]HAPS ,I MI<T HAVE CALMLY 5DUR$ ALL2 P]HAPS ,I MI<T HAVE /RUGGL$1 & BE5 A SOLDI]4 ,BUT N[ ?IS IS HORRIBLE4 4 4 4 ,:5 ,I ?9K SOB]LY1 ,I LONG = DEA?4 ,:Y %\LD ,I LOVE MY DESPICABLE LIFE & MY [N SELF1 N[ ?AT ,I AM RU9$ = ALL ?AT IS WOR? :ILE 9 ! WORLD8 ,& AT ! LEA/ DANG]1 ,I SUDD5LY1 9 SPITE ( MYSELF1 BEG9 TO PRAY = MY MIS]ABLE LIFE1 & TO WAT* OV] IT AS ?\< IT W]E PRECI\S1 & ,I CANNOT1 JE NE PUIS PAS1 CONTROL MYSELF4 ,?AT IS1 ,I C\LD10 HE CONT9U$ AGA9 AFT] A M9UTE'S SIL5CE1 0BUT ?IS IS TOO H>D WORK = ME1 A MON/R\S WORK1 :5 ,I AM ALONE4 ,) O!RS1 UND] SPECIAL CIRCUM/ANCES1 :5 Y\ >E GO+ 9TO ACTION1 ,I AM BRAVE1 J'AI FAIT MES EPREUVES1 BECAUSE ,I AM VA9 & PR\D3 ?AT IS MY FAIL+1 & 9 PRES5CE ( O!RS4 4 4 4 ,DO Y\ KN[1 LET ME SP5D ! NI<T ) Y\3 ) US1 !Y WILL PLAY ALL NI<T LONG2 IT MAKES NO DIFF]5CE1 ANY:]E1 ON ! GR\ND40 

,:ILE ,NIKITA WAS MAK+ ! B$1 WE GOT UP1 & ONCE MORE BEGAN TO WALK UP & D[N 9 ! D>KNESS ON ! BATT]Y4 ,C]TA9LY ,GUSK('S HEAD MU/ HAVE BE5 V]Y WEAK1 BECAUSE TWO GLASSES ( LIQUOR & TWO ( W9E MADE HIM DIZZY4 ,AS WE GOT UP & MOV$ AWAY FROM ! C&LES1 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HE AGA9 ?RU/ ! T5-RUBLE BILL 9TO HIS POCKET1 TRY+ TO DO SO )\T MY SEE+ IT4 ,DUR+ ALL ! =EGO+ CONV]SATION1 HE HAD HELD IT 9 HIS H&4 ,HE CONT9U$ TO REIT]ATE H[ HE FELT ?AT HE MI<T REGA9 HIS OLD /ATION IF HE HAD A MAN SU* AS ,I W]E TO TAKE SOME 9T]E/ 9 HIM4 

,WE W]E JU/ GO+ 9TO ! T5T TO GO TO B$ :5 SUDD5LY A CANNON-BALL :I/L$ OV] US1 & BURI$ ITSELF 9 ! GR\ND NOT F> FROM US4 ,SO /RANGE IT WAS1--?AT PEACEFULLY SLEEP+ CAMP1 \R CONV]SATION1 & SUDD5LY ! HO/ILE CANNON-BALL :I* FLEW FROM ,GOD KN[S :]E1 9TO ! MID/ ( \R T5TS1--SO /RANGE ?AT IT WAS SOME TIME BE=E ,I C\LD REALIZE :AT IT WAS4 ,\R S5T9EL1 ,&REIEF1 WALK+ UP & D[N ON ! BATT]Y1 MOV$ T[>D ME4 

0,HA6 HE'S CREPT UP TO US4 ,IT WAS ! FIRE H]E ?AT HE AIM$ AT10 SAID HE4 

0,WE MU/ R\SE ! CAPTA910 SAID ,I1 & GAZ$ AT ,GUSK(4 

,HE /OOD C[]+ CLOSE TO ! GR\ND1 & /AMM]$1 TRY+ TO SAY1 0,?-?AT'S ?-! 5E-MY'S 4 4 4 F-F-FIRE--?-?AT'S--HIDI--40 ,FUR!R HE C\LD NOT SAY A WORD1 & ,I DID NOT SEE H[ & :]E HE DISAPPE>$ SO N/ANTANE\SLY4 

,9 ! CAPTA9'S T5T A C&LE GLEAM$2 HIS C\<1 :I* ALWAYS TR\BL$ HIM :5 HE WAS AWAKE1 WAS HE>D2 & HE HIMSELF SOON APPE>$1 ASK+ = A L9/OCK TO LI<T HIS LITTLE PIPE4 

0,:AT DOES ?IS MEAN1 OLD MAN80.<#b#c.> HE ASK$ ) A SMILE4 0,>E N'T !Y WILL+ TO GIVE ME A LITTLE SLEEP TO-NI<T8 ,FIR/ IT'S Y\ ) Y\R CA%I]$ FRI5D1 & !N IT'S ,%AMYL4 ,:AT %ALL WE DO1 ANSW] HIM OR NOT8 ,!RE WAS NO?+ AB\T ?IS 9 ! 9/RUCTIONS1 WAS !RE80 

0,NO?+ AT ALL4 ,!RE HE GOES AGA910 SAID ,I4 0,TWO ( !M60 

,9DE$1 9 ! D>KNESS1 DIRECTLY 9 FRONT ( US1 FLA%$ TWO FIRES1 LIKE TWO EYES2 & QUICKLY OV] \R HEADS FLEW ONE CANNON-BALL & ONE HEAVY %ELL4 ,IT MU/ HAVE BE5 MEANT = US1 COM+ ) A L\D & P5ETRAT+ HUM4 ,FROM ! NEI<BOR+ T5TS ! SOLDI]S HA/5$4 ,Y\ C\LD HE> !M HAWK+ & TALK+ & /RET*+ !MSELVES4 

0,HI/6 ! FUZE S+S LIKE A NI<T+ALE10 WAS ! REM>K ( ! >TILL]I/4 

0,S5D = ,NIKITA10 SAID ! CAPTA9 ) HIS P]PETUALLY B5EVOL5T SMILE4 0,NIKITA1 DON'T HIDE Y\RSELF1 BUT LI/5 TO ! M\NTA9 NI<T+ALES40 

0,WELL1 Y\R HONOR10.<#b#d.> SAID ,NIKITA1 :O WAS /&+ NE> ! CAPTA91 0,I HAVE SE5 !M !SE NI<T+ALES4 ,I AM NOT AFRAID ( 'EM2 BUT H]E WAS ?AT /RANG] :O WAS H]E1 HE WAS DR9K+ UP Y\R R$ W9E4 ,:5 HE HE>D H[ ?AT %OT DA%$ BY \R T5TS1 & ! %ELL ROLL$ BY1 HE C[]$ D[N LIKE SOME WILD BEA/40 

 0,H[EV]1 WE MU/ S5D TO ! COMM&] ( ! >TILL]Y10 SAID ! CAPTA9 TO ME1 9 A S]I\S TONE ( AU?ORITY1 0& ASK :E!R WE %ALL REPLY TO ! FIRE OR NOT4 ,IT WILL PROBABLY BE NO?+ AT ALL1 BUT /ILL IT MAY4 ,HAVE ! GOODNESS TO GO & ASK HIM4 ,HAVE A HORSE SADDL$4 ,DO IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE1 EV5 IF Y\ TAKE MY ,POLKAN40 ,9 FIVE M9UTES !Y BR\<T ME A HORSE1 & ,I GALLOP$ (F TO ! COMM&] ( ! >TILL]Y4 

0,LOOK Y\1 RETURN ON FOOT10 :ISP]$ ! PUNCTILI\S CAPTA91 0ELSE !Y WON'T LET Y\ ?R\< ! L9ES40 

,IT WAS HALF A V]/ TO ! >TILL]Y COMM&]'S1 ! :OLE ROAD RAN BETWE5 ! T5TS4 ,AS SOON AS ,I RODE AWAY FROM \R FIRE1 IT BECAME SO BLACK ?AT ,I C\LD NOT SEE EV5 ! HORSE'S E>S1 BUT ONLY ! WAT*-FIRES1 N[ SEEM+ V]Y NE>1 N[ V]Y F> (F1 AS !Y GLEAM$ 9TO MY EYES4 ,AFT] ,I HAD RIDD5 SOME DI/ANCE1 TRU/+ TO ! 9TELLIG5CE ( ! HORSE :OM ,I ALL[$ FREE RE91 ,I BEGAN TO DI/+UI% ! :ITE F\R-CORN]$ T5TS & !N ! BLACK TRACKS ( ! ROAD4 ,AFT] A HALF-H\R1 HAV+ ASK$ MY WAY ?REE TIMES1 & TWICE /UMBL$ OV] ! T5T-/AKES1 CAUS+ EA* TIME A VOLLEY ( CURSES FROM ! T5TS1 & TWICE BE5 DETA9$ BY ! S5T9ELS1 ,I REA*$ ! >TILL]Y COMM&]'S4 ,:ILE ,I WAS ON ! WAY1 ,I HE>D TWO MORE CANNON %OT 9 ! DIRECTION ( \R CAMP2 BUT ! PROJECTILES DID NOT REA* TO ! PLACE :]E ! HEADQU>T]S W]E4 ,! >TILL]Y COMM&] ORD]$ NOT TO REPLY TO ! FIR+1 ! MORE AS ! 5EMY DID NOT REMA9 9 ! SAME PLACE2 & ,I W5T BACK1 LEAD+ ! HORSE BY ! BRIDLE1 MAK+ MY WAY ON FOOT BETWE5 ! 9FANTRY T5TS4 ,MORE ?AN ONCE ,I DELAY$ MY /EPS1 AS ,I W5T BY SOME SOLDI]'S T5T :]E A LI<T WAS %9+1 & SOME M]RY-&REW WAS TELL+ A /ORY2 OR ,I LI/5$ TO SOME $UCAT$ SOLDI] READ+ FROM SOME BOOK :ILE ! :OLE DIVISION OV]FL[$ ! T5T1 OR HUNG >\ND IT1 SOMETIMES 9T]RUPT+ ! READ+ ) V>I\S REM>KS2 OR ,I SIMPLY LI/5$ TO ! TALK AB\T ! EXP$ITION1 AB\T ! FA!RL&1 OR AB\T !IR *IEFS4 

,AS ,I CAME >\ND ONE ( ! T5TS ( ! ?IRD BATTALION1 ,I HE>D ,GUSK('S R\< VOICE3 HE WAS SPEAK+ HIL>I\SLY & RAPIDLY4 ,Y\NG VOICES REPLI$ TO HIM1 NOT ?OSE ( SOLDI]S1 BUT ( GAY G5TLEM54 ,IT WAS EVID5TLY ! T5T ( SOME YUNK] OR S]GEANT-MAJOR4 ,I /OPP$ %ORT4 

0,I'VE KN[N HIM A LONG TIME10 ,GUSK( WAS SAY+4 0,:5 ,I LIV$ 9 ,PET]SBURG1 HE US$ TO COME TO MY H\SE (T52 & ,I W5T TO HIS4 ,HE MOV$ 9 ! BE/ SOCIETY40 

0,:OM >E Y\ TALK+ AB\T80 ASK$ ! DRUNK5 VOICE4 

0,AB\T ! PR9CE10 SAID ,GUSK(4 0,WE W]E RELATIVES1 Y\ SEE1 BUT1 MORE ?AN ALL1 WE W]E OLD FRI5DS4 ,IT'S A MI<TY GOOD ?+1 Y\ KN[1 G5TLEM51 TO HAVE SU* AN ACQUA9TANCE4 ,Y\ SEE HE'S FE>FULLY RI*4 ,TO HIM A HUNDR$ SILV] RUBLES IS A M]E BAGATELLE4 ,H]E1 ,I JU/ GOT A LITTLE MONEY \T ( HIM1 5\< TO LA/ ME TILL MY SI/] S5DS40 

0,LET'S HAVE SOME40 

0,RI<T AWAY4--,SAVELIT*1 MY DE>10 SAID ,GUSK(1 COM+ TO ! DOOR ( ! T5T1 0H]E'S T5 RUBLES = Y\3 GO TO ! SUTL]1 GET TWO BOTTLES ( ,KAKHET9SKI4 ,ANY?+ ELSE1 G5TLEM58 ,:AT DO Y\ SAY80 & ,GUSK(1 ) UN/EADY GAIT1 ) DI%EVEL$ HAIR1 )\T HIS HAT1 CAME \T ( ! T5T4 ,?R[+ OP5 HIS JACKET1 & ?RU/+ HIS H&S 9TO ! POCKETS ( HIS TR\S]S1 HE /OOD AT ! DOOR ( ! T5T4 ,?\< HE WAS 9 ! LI<T1 & ,I 9 D>KNESS1 ,I TREMBL$ ) FE> LE/ HE %\LD SEE ME1 & ,I W5T ON1 TRY+ TO MAKE NO NOISE4 

0,:O GOES !RE80 %\T$ ,GUSK( AFT] ME 9 A ?OR\<LY DRUNK5 VOICE4 ,APP>5TLY1 ! COLD TOOK HOLD ( HIM4 0,:O ! DEVIL IS GO+ (F ) ?AT HORSE80 

,I MADE NO ANSW]1 & SIL5TLY W5T ON MY WAY4 

  

4MW-P>S]-\TPUT 4W/-SMALLREFS_<FONT-SIZE3#h#c.02CLE>3BO?2L9E-HEI<T3#a4#b#e_> 
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8 ,ON ME V]RA AU FEU4 

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
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