TheMashkinUplandwasmown，thelastswathsfinished，thepeasantshadputontheircoatsandweregailytrudginghome。Levingotonhishorse，and，partingregretfullyfromthepeasants，rodehomeward。Onthehillsidehelookedback；hecouldnotseetheminthemistthathadrisenfromthevalley；hecouldonlyheartheirrough，good-humoredvoices，theirlaughter，andthesoundofclankingscythes。
SergeiIvanovichhadlongagofinisheddinner，andwasdrinkingicedlemonadeinhisownroom，lookingthroughthereviewsandpaperswhichhehadjustreceivedbypost，whenLevinrushedintotheroom，talkingmerrily，withhiswetandmattedhairstickingtohisforehead，andhisbackandchestgrimedandmoist。
`Wemowedthewholemeadow！Oh，itisfine，wonderful！Andhowhaveyoubeengettingon？’saidLevin，completelyforgettingthedisagreeableconversationofthepreviousday。
`Dearme！Whatyoulooklike！’saidSergeiIvanovich，forthefirstmomentlookingroundwithsomedissatisfaction。`Andthedoor-doshutthedoor！’hecried。`Youmusthaveletinadozenatleast。’
SergeiIvanovichcouldnotendureflies，andinhisownroomheneveropenedthewindowexceptatnight，andcarefullykeptthedoorshut。
`Notone，onmyhonor。ButifIhave，I’llcatchthem。Youwouldn’tbelievewhatapleasuremowingis！Howhaveyouspenttheday？’
`Verywell。Buthaveyoureallybeenmowingthewholeday？Iexpectyou’reashungryasawolf。Kouzmahasgoteverythingreadyforyou。’
`No，Idon’tfeelhungryeven。Ihadsomethingtoeatthere。ButI’llgoandwash。’
`Yes，goalong，goalong，andI’llcometoyoudirectly，’saidSergeiIvanovich，shakinghisheadashelookedathisbrother。`Goalong，makehaste，’headdedsmiling，and，gatheringuphisbooks，hepreparedtogotoo。He，too，feltsuddenlygood-humoredanddisinclinedtoleavehisbrother’sside。`Butwhatdidyoudowhileitwasraining？’
`Rain？Why，therewasscarcelyadrop。I’llcomedirectly。Soyouhadagooddaytoo？That’sfirst-rate。’AndLevinwentofftochangehisclothes。
Fiveminuteslaterthebrothersmetinthediningroom。AlthoughitseemedtoLevinthathewasnothungry，andhesatdowntodinnersimplysoasnottohurtKouzma’sfeelings，yetwhenhebegantoeatthedinnerstruckhimasextraordinarilygood。SergeiIvanovichwatchedhimwithasmile。
`Oh，bytheway，there’saletterforyou，’saidhe。`Kouzma，bringitfrombelow，please。Andmindyoushutthedoors。’
TheletterwasfromOblonsky。Levinreaditaloud。OblonskywrotetohimfromPeterburg:`IhavehadaletterfromDolly；she’satErgushovo，andeverythingseemsgoingwrongthere。Dorideoverandseeher，please；helpherwithadvice；youknowallaboutit。Shewillbesogladtoseeyou。She’squitealone，poorthing。Mymother-in-lawandallofthemarestillabroad。’
`That’scapital！Iwillcertainlyrideovertoher，’saidLevin。`Orwe’llgotogether。She’ssuchagoodwoman，isn’tshe？’
`They’renotfarfromhere，then？’
`Thirtyverstas。Orperhapsforty。Butacapitalroad。Itwillbeacapitaldrive。’
`Ishallbedelighted，’saidSergeiIvanovich，stillsmiling。
Thesightofhisyoungerbrother’sappearancehadimmediatelyputhiminagoodhumor。
`Well，youhaveanappetite！’hesaid，lookingathisdark-red，sunburnedfaceandneckbentovertheplate。
`Splendid！Youcan’timaginewhataneffectiveremedyitisforeverysortoffoolishness。Iwanttoenrichmedicinewithanewword:Arbeitskur。’
`Well，butyoudon’tneedit，Ishouldfancy。’
`No-butforallsortsofnervousinvalids。’
`Yes，itoughttobetried。Ihadmeanttocometothemowingtolookatyou，butitwassounbearablyhotthatIgotnofurtherthantheforest。Isattherealittle，andwentonbytheforesttothevillage，metyouroldnurse，andsoundedherastothepeasant’sviewofyou。AsfarasIcanmakeout，theydon’tapproveofthis。Shesaid:``It’snotagentleman’swork。’Altogether，Ifancythatinthepeople’sideasthereareveryclearanddefinitenotionsofcertain，astheycallit，``gentlemanly’linesofaction。Andtheydon’tsanctionthegentlefolk’smovingoutsideboundsclearlylaiddownintheirideas。’
`Maybeso；butanyway，it’sapleasuresuchasIhaveneverknowninmylife。Andthere’snoharminit，youknow。Isthere？’answeredLevin。`Ican’thelpitiftheydon’tlikeit。ThoughIdobelieveit’sallright。Eh？’
`Altogether，’pursuedSergeiIvanovich，`you’resatisfiedwithyourday？’
`Quitesatisfied。Wecutthewholemeadow。AndImadefriendswithsuchasplendidoldmanthere！Youcan’tfancyhowdelightfulhewas！’
`Well，soyou’resatisfiedwithyourday。AndsoamI。First，Isolvedtwochessproblems，andoneaveryprettyone-apawnopening。I’llshowittoyou。Andthen-Ithoughtoverourconversationofyesterday。’
`Eh！Ourconversationofyesterday？’saidLevin，blissfullydroppinghiseyelidsanddrawingdeepbreathsafterfinishinghisdinner，andabsolutelyincapableofrecallingwhattheirconversationofyesterdayhadbeenabout。
`Ithinkyouarepartlyright。Ourdifferenceofopinionamountstothis:thatyoumakethemainspringself-interest，whileIcontendthatinterestinthecommonwealisboundtoexistineverymanofacertaindegreeofadvancement。Possiblyyouarerighttoo-thatactionfoundedonmaterialinterestwouldbemoredesirable。Youarealtogether，astheFrenchsay，tooprimesautièreanature；youmusthaveintense，energeticaction，ornothing。’
Levinlistenedtohisbrotheranddidnotunderstandasingleword，anddidnotwanttounderstand。Hewasonlyafraidhisbrothermightaskhimsomequestionwhichwouldmakeitevidenthehadnotheard。
`Sothat’swhatIthinkitis，mydearboy，’saidSergeiIvanovich，touchinghimontheshoulder。
`Yes，ofcourse。But，doyouknow？Iwon’tstandupformyview，’answeredLevin，withaguilty，childlikesmile。`WhateverwasitIwasdisputingabout？’hewondered。`Ofcourse，I’mright，andhe’sright，andit’sallfirst-rate。OnlyImustgoroundtothecountinghouseandseetothings。’Hegotup，stretchingandsmiling。
SergeiIvanovichsmiledtoo。
`Ifyouwanttogoout，let’sgotogether，’hesaid，disinclinedtobepartedfromhisbrother，whoseemedpositivelybreathingoutfreshnessandenergy。`Come，we’llgotothecountinghouse，ifyouhavetogothere。’
`Oh，heavens！’shoutedLevin，soloudlythatSergeiIvanovichwasquitefrightened。
`What，whatisthematter？
`How’sAgathyaMikhailovna’shand？’saidLevin，slappinghimselfonthehead。`I’dpositivelyforgottenher。’
`It’smuchbetter。’
`Well，anyway，I’llrundowntoher。Beforeyou’vetimetogetyourhaton，I’llbeback。’
Andherandownstairs，clatteringwithhisheelslikeaspringrattle。
StepanArkadyevichhadgonetoPeterburgtoperformthemostnaturalandessentialofficialduty-sofamiliartoeveryoneinthegovernmentservice，thoughincomprehensibletooutsiders-thatdutybutforwhichonecouldhardlybeingovernmentservice:ofremindingtheministryofhisexistence；andhaving，forthedueperformanceofthisrite，takenalltheavailablecashfromhome，wasgailyandagreeablyspendinghisdaysattheracesandinthesummervillas。MeanwhileDollyandthechildrenhadmovedintothecountry，tocutdownexpensesasmuchaspossible。ShehadgonetoErgushovo，theestatethathadbeenherdowry，andtheonewhereinspringtheforesthadbeensold。ItwasnearlyfiftyverstasfromLevin’sPokrovskoe。
ThebigoldhouseatErgushovohadbeenpulleddownlongago，andtheoldPrincehadhadthewingdoneupandaddedto。Twentyyearsbefore，whenDollywasachild，thewinghadbeenroomyandcomfortable，though，likeallwings，itstoodsidewaystotheentranceavenue，andtothesouth。Butbynowthiswingwasoldanddilapidated。WhenStepanArkadyevichhadgonedowninthespringtoselltheforest，Dollyhadbeggedhimtolookoverthehouseandorderwhatrepairsmightbeneeded。StepanArkadyevich，likeanunfaithfulhusbandsindeed，wasverysolicitousforhiswife’scomfort，andhehadhimselflookedoverthehouse，andgiveninstructionsabouteverythingthatheconsiderednecessary。Whatheconsiderednecessarywastocoverallthefurniturewithnewcretonne，toputupcurtains，toweedthegarden，tomakealittlebridgeonthepond，andtoplantflowers。Butheforgotmanyotheressentialmatters，thewantofwhichgreatlydistressedDaryaAlexandrovnalateron。
InspiteofStepanArkadyevich’seffortstobeanattentivefatherandhusband，henevercouldkeepinhismindthathehadawifeandchildren。Hehadbachelortastes，anditwasinaccordancewiththemthatheshapedhislife。OnhisreturntoMoscowheinformedhiswifewithpridethateverythingwasready，thatthehousewouldbeaprettytoy，andthathemostcertainlyadvisedhertogo。Hiswife’sstayingawayinthecountrywasveryagreeabletoStepanArkadyevichfromeverypointofview:itdidthechildrengood，itdecreasedexpenses，anditlefthimmoreatliberty。DaryaAlexandrovnaregardedstayinginthecountryforthesummerasessentialforthechildren，especiallyforthelittlegirl，whohadnotsucceededinregainingherstrengthafterthescarlatina，andalsoasameansofescapingthepettyhumiliations，thelittlebillsowingtothewoodmerchant，thefishmonger，theshoemaker，whichmadehermiserable。Besidesthis，shewaspleasedtogoawaytothecountrybecauseshewasdreamingofgettinghersisterKittytostaywithherthere。Kittywastobebackfromabroadinthemiddleofthesummer，andbathinghadbeenprescribedforher。KittywrotethatnoprospectwassoalluringastospendthesummerwithDollyatErgushovo，fullofchildhoodassociationsforbothofthem。
ThefirstdaysofherexistenceinthecountrywereveryhardforDolly。Sheusedtostayinthecountryasachild，andtheimpressionshehadretainedofitwasthatthecountrywasarefugefromalltheunpleasantnessofthetown，thatlifethere，thoughnotluxurious-Dollycouldeasilymakeuphermindtothat-wascheapandcomfortable；thattherewasplentyofeverything，everythingwascheap，everythingcouldbegot，andchildrenwerehappy。Butnow，comingtothecountryastheheadofafamily，sheperceivedthatitwasallutterlyunlikewhatshehadfancied。
Thedayaftertheirarrivaltherewasaheavyfallofrainandinthenightthewatercamethroughinthecorridorandinthenursery，sothatthebedshadtobecarriedintothedrawingroom。Therewasnokitchenmaidtobefound；oftheninecows，itappearedfromthewordsofthecowherdwomanthatsomewereabouttocalve，othershadjustcalved，otherswereold，andothersagainhard-uddered；therewasneitherbutternormilkenoughevenforthechildren。Therewerenoeggs。Theycouldgetnofowls；old，purplish，stringyroosterswerealltheyhadforroastingandboiling。Impossibletogetwomentoscrubthefloors-allwerepotatohoeing。Drivingwasoutofthequestion，becauseoneofthehorseswasrestive，andboltedintheshafts。Therewasnoplacewheretheycouldbathe；thewholeoftheriverbankwastrampledbythecattleandopentotheroad；evenwalkswereimpossible，forthecattlestrayedintothegardenthroughagapinthehedge，andtherewasoneterriblebull，whobellowed，andthereforemightbeexpectedtogoresomebody。Therewerenopropercupboardsfortheirclothes；whatcupboardstherewereeitherwouldnotcloseatall，orflewopenwheneveranyonepassedbythem。Therewerenopotsandkettles；therewasnoboilerinthewashhouse，norevenanironingboardinthemaids’room。
Findinginsteadofpeaceandrestallthese，fromherpointofview，fearfulcalamities，DaryaAlexandrovnawasatfirstindespair。Sheexertedherselftotheutmost，feltthehopelessnessoftheposition，andwaseveryinstantsuppressingthetearsthatstartedintohereyes。Thebailiff，aretiredquartermaster，whomStepanArkadyevichhadtakenafancytoandhadappointedbailiffonaccountofhishandsomeandrespectfulappearanceasahallporter，showednosympathyforDaryaAlexandrovna’swoes。Hewouldsayrespectfully，`Nothingcanbedone，thepeasantsaresuchawretchedlot，’anddidnothingtohelpher。
Thepositionseemedhopeless。ButintheOblonskys’household，asinallfamiliesindeed，therewasoneinconspicuousbutmostvaluableandusefulperson-MatrionaPhilimonovna。Shesoothedhermistress，assuredherthateverythingwouldcomerounditwasherexpression，andMatveihadborroweditfromher，andwithoutfussorhurryproceededtosettoworkherself。
Shehadimmediatelymadefriendswiththebailiff’swife，andontheveryfirstdayshedrankteawithherandthebailiffundertheacacias，andreviewedallthecircumstancesoftheposition。VerysoonMatrionaPhilimonovnahadestablishedherclub，sotosay，undertheacacias，andthereitwas，inthisclub，consistingofthebailiff’swife，thevillageelder，andthecountinghouseclerk，thatthedifficultiesofexistenceweregraduallysmoothedaway，andinaweek’stimeeverythingactuallyhadcomeround。Theroofwasmended，akitchenmaidwasfound-acronyofthevillageelder’s-henswerebought，thecowsbegangivingmilk，thegardenhedgewasstoppedupwithstakes，thecarpentermadeamangle，hookswereputinthecupboards，andtheyceasedtoflyopenspontaneouslyandanironingboardcoveredwitharmyclothwasplacedacrossfromthearmofachairtothechestofdrawers，andtherewasasmellofflatironsinthemaids’room。
`Justsee，now，andyouwerequiteindespair，’saidMatrionaPhilimonovna，pointingtotheironingboard。
Theyevenriggedupabathingshedofstrawhurdles。Lilybegantobathe，andDaryaAlexandrovnabegantorealize，ifonlyinpart，herexpectations，ifnotofapeaceful，atleastofacomfortable，lifeinthecountry。PeacefulwithsixchildrenDaryaAlexandrovnacouldnotbe。Onewouldfallill，anothermighteasilybecomeso，athirdwouldbewithoutsomethingnecessary，afourthwouldshowsymptomsofabaddisposition，andsoon。Rareindeedwerethebriefperiodsofpeace。ButthesecaresandanxietieswereforDaryaAlexandrovnathesolehappinesspossible。Haditnotbeenforthem，shewouldhavebeenleftalonetobroodoverherhusbandwhodidnotloveher。Andbesides，hardthoughitwasforthemothertobearthedreadofillness，theillnessesthemselves，andthegriefofseeingsignsofevilpropensitiesinherchildren-thechildrenthemselveswereevennowrepayingherinsmalljoysforherpains。Thosejoysweresosmallthattheypassedunnoticed，likegoldinsand，andatbadmomentsshecouldseenothingbutthepain，nothingbutsand；butthereweregoodmomentstoowhenshesawnothingbutthejoy，nothingbutgold。
Now，inthesolitudeofthecountry，shebegantobemoreandmorefrequentlyawareofthosejoys。Often，lookingatthem，shewouldmakeeverypossibleefforttopersuadeherselfthatshewasmistaken，thatsheasamotherwaspartialtoherchildren。Allthesame，shecouldnothelpsayingtoherselfthatshehadcharmingchildren，allsixofthemindifferentways，butasetofchildrensuchasisnotoftentobemetwith-andshewashappyinthem，andproudofthem。
TowardtheendofMay，wheneverythinghadbeenmoreorlesssatisfactorilyarranged，shereceivedherhusband’sanswertohercomplaintsofthedisorganizedstateofthingsinthecountry。Hewrotebeggingherforgivenessfornothavingthoughtofeverythingbefore，andpromisedtocomedownatthefirstchance。Thischancedidnotpresentitself，andtillthebeginningofJuneDaryaAlexandrovnastayedaloneinthecountry。
OntheSundayinSt。Peter’sweekDaryaAlexandrovnadrovetomasstohaveallherchildrentakethesacrament。DaryaAlexandrovnainherintimate，philosophicaltalkswithhersister，hermother，andherfriendsveryoftenastonishedthembythefreedomofherviewsinregardtoreligion。Shehadastrangereligion，allherown，ofthetransmigrationofsouls，inwhichshehadfirmfaith，troublingherselflittleaboutthedogmasoftheChurch。ButinherfamilyshewasstrictincarryingoutallthatwasrequiredbytheChurch-andnotmerelyinordertosetanexample，butwithallherheart。Thefactthatthechildrenhadnotbeenatthesacramentfornearlyayearworriedherextremely，andwiththefullapprovalandsympathyofMatrionaPhilimonovnashedecidedthatthisshouldtakeplacenow，inthesummer。
ForseveraldaysbeforeDaryaAlexandrovnawasbusilydeliberatingonhowtodressallthechildren。Frocksweremade，oralteredandwashed，seamsandflounceswereletout，buttonsweresewnonandribbonsgotready。Onedress，Tania’s，whichtheEnglishgovernesshadundertaken，costDaryaAlexandrovnamuchlossoftemper。TheEnglishgovernessinalteringithadmadetheseamsinthewrongplace，hadtakenupthesleevestoomuch，andaltogetherspoiledthedress。ItwassonarrowonTania’sshouldersthatitwasquitepainfultolookather。ButMatrionaPhilimonovnahadthehappythoughtofputtingingussets，andaddingalittleshoulder-cape。Thedresswassetright，buttherewasnearlyaquarrelwiththeEnglishgoverness。Inthemorning，however，allwashappilyarranged，andaboutnineo’clock-thetimeatwhichtheyhadaskedthepriesttowaitforthemforthemass-thechildrenintheirnewdressesstoodwithbeamingfacesonthestepbeforethecarriage，waitingfortheirmother。
Inthecarriage，insteadoftherestiveRaven，theyhadharnessed，thankstotherepresentationsofMatrionaPhilimonovna，thebailiff’shorse，Brownie，andDaryaAlexandrovna，delayedbyanxietyoverherownattire，cameoutandgotin，dressedinawhitemuslingown。
DaryaAlexandrovnahaddoneherhair，anddressedwithcareandexcitement。Intheolddaysshehaddressedforherownsake，tolookprettyandbeadmired；lateron，asshegotolder，dressbecamemoreandmoredistastefultoher；shesawthatshewaslosinghergoodlooks。Butnowshebegantofeelpleasureandinterestindressagain。Nowshedidnotdressforherownsake，norforthesakeofherownbeauty，butsimplythat，asthemotherofthoseexquisitecreatures，shemightnotspoilthegeneraleffect。Andlookingatherselfforthelasttimeinthelookingglassshewassatisfiedwithherself。Shelookedwell。Notaswellasshewishedtolookintheolddays，ataball，butwellfortheobjectshenowhadinview。
Inthechurchtherewasnoonebutthepeasants，theservants，andtheirwomenfolk。ButDaryaAlexandrovnasaw，orfanciedshesaw，thesensationproducedbyherchildrenandherself。Thechildrenwerenotonlybeautifultolookatintheirsmartlittledresses，buttheywerecharminginthewaytheybehaved。Aliosha，itistrue，didnotstandquitecorrectly；hekeptturninground，tryingtolookathislittlejacketfrombehind；butallthesamehewaswonderfullysweet。Taniabehavedlikeagrown-upperson，andlookedafterthelittleones。Andthesmallest，Lily，wasbewitchinginhernaiveastonishmentateverything，anditwasdifficultnottosmilewhen，aftertakingthesacrament，shesaidinEnglish，`Please，somemore。’
Onthewayhomethechildrenfeltthatsomethingsolemnhadhappened，andwereverysedate。
Everythingwenthappilyathometoo；butatlunchGrishabeganwhistling，and，whatwasworse，wasdisobedienttotheEnglishgoverness，andwasforbiddentohaveanytart。DaryaAlexandrovnawouldnothaveletthingsgoasfarasthepunishmentonsuchadayhadshebeenpresent；butshehadtosupporttheEnglishgoverness’sauthority，andsheupheldherdecisionthatGrishashouldhavenotart。Thisratherspoiledthegeneralgoodhumor。
Grishacried，declaringthatNikolinkahadwhistledtoo，yetwasnotpunished，andthathewasn’tcryingforthetart-hedidn’tcare-butatbeingunjustlytreated。Thiswasreallytootragic，andDaryaAlexandrovnamadeuphermindtopersuadetheEnglishgovernesstoforgiveGrisha，andshewenttospeaktoher。Butonherway，asshepassedthedrawingroom，shebeheldascene，fillingherheartwithsuchpleasurethatthetearscameintohereyes，andsheforgavethedelinquentherself。
Theculpritwassittingatthewindowinthecornerofthedrawingroom；besidehimwasstandingTaniawithaplate。Onthepretextofwantingtogivesomedinnertoherdolls，shehadaskedthegoverness’spermissiontotakehershareoftarttothenursery，andhadtakenitinsteadtoherbrother。Whilestillweepingovertheinjusticeofhispunishment，hewaseatingthetart，andkeptsayingthroughhissobs，`Eatyourself；let’seatittogether……together。’
TaniahadatfirstbeenundertheinfluenceofherpityforGrisha，thenofasenseofhernobleaction，andtearswerestandinginhereyestoo；butshedidnotrefuse，andatehershare。
Oncatchingsightoftheirmothertheyweredismayed，but，lookingintoherface，theysawtheywerenotdoingwrong。Theyburstoutlaughing，and，withtheirmouthsfulloftart，theybeganwipingtheirsmilinglipswiththeirhands，andsmearingtheirradiantfacesalloverwithtearsandjam。
`Mercy！Yournewwhitefrock-Tania！Grisha！’saidtheirmother，tryingtosavethefrock，butwithtearsinhereyes，smilingablissful，rapturoussmile。
Thenewfrocksweretakenoff，andordersweregivenforthelittlegirlstohavetheirblousesputon，andtheboystheiroldjackets，andthewidedroshkytobeharnessed-withBrownie，tothebailiff’sannoyance，againintheshafts-todriveoutformushroompickingandbathing。Aroarofdelightedshrieksaroseinthenursery，andneverceasedtilltheyhadsetoffforthebathingplace。
Theygatheredawholebasketfulofmushrooms；evenLilyfoundabirchmushroom。IthadalwayshappenedbeforethatMissHoolefoundthemandpointedthemouttoher；butthistimeshefoundabigonequitebyherself，andtherewasageneralscreamofdelight；`Lilyhasfoundamushroom！’
Thentheyreachedtheriver，putthehorsesunderthebirchtrees，andwenttothebathingplace。Thecoachman，Terentii，hitchedthehorses，whokeptwhiskingawaythehorseflies，toatree，and，treadingdownthegrass，laydownintheshadeofabirchandsmokedhisshag，whilethenever-ceasingshrieksofdelightofthechildrenfloatedacrosstohimfromthebathingplace。
Thoughitwashardworktolookafterallthechildrenandrestraintheirpranks，thoughitwasdifficult，too，tokeepone’sheadandnotmixupallthestockings，littlebreeches，andshoesforthedifferentlegs，andtoundoandtodoupagainallthetapesandbuttons，DaryaAlexandrovna，whohadalwayslikedbathingherself，andbelievedittobeverygoodforthechildren，enjoyednothingsomuchasbathingwithallthechildren。Togooverallthosefatlittlelegs，pullingontheirstockings，totakeinherarmsanddipthoselittlenakedbodies，andtoheartheirscreamsofdelightandalarm，toseethebreathlessfaceswithwide-open，scared，andhappyeyesofallhersplashingcherubs，wasagreatpleasuretoher。
Whenhalfthechildrenhadbeendressed，somepeasantwomeninholidaydress，outpickingherbs，cameuptothebathingshedandstoppedshyly。MatrionaPhilimonovnacalledoneofthemandhandedherasheetandashirtthathaddroppedintothewaterforhertodrythem，andDaryaAlexandrovnabegantotalktothewomen。Atfirsttheylaughedbehindtheirhandsanddidnotunderstandherquestions，butsoontheygrewbolderandbegantotalk，winningDaryaAlexandrovna’sheartatoncebythegenuineadmirationofthechildrenthattheyshowed。
`My，whatabeauty！Aswhiteassugar，’saidone，admiringTanechka，andshakingherhead，`butthin……’
`Yes，shehasbeenill。’
`Lookee，they’vebeenbathinghimtoo，’saidanother，pointingtothebreastbaby。
`No；he’sonlythreemonthsold，’answeredDaryaAlexandrovnawithpride。
`Yousee！’
`Andhaveyouanychildren？’
`I’vehadfour；I’vetwoliving-aboyandagirl。Iweanedherlastcarnival。’
`Howoldisshe？’
`Why，morethanoneyearold。’
`Whydidyounursehersolong？’
`It’sourcustom；forthreefasts……’
AndtheconversationbecamemostinterestingtoDaryaAlexandrovna。Whatsortoftimedidshehave？Whatwasthematterwiththeboy？Wherewasherhusband？Diditoftenhappen？
DaryaAlexandrovnafeltdisinclinedtoleavethepeasantwomen，sointerestingtoherwastheirconversation，socompletelyidenticalwerealltheirinterests。Whatpleasedhermostofallwasthatshesawclearlywhatallthewomenadmiredmorethananythingwasherhavingsomanychildren，andsuchfineones。ThepeasantwomenevenmadeDaryaAlexandrovnalaugh，andoffendedtheEnglishgoverness，becauseshewasthecauseofthelaughtershedidnotunderstand。OneoftheyoungerwomenkeptstaringattheEnglishwoman，whowasdressingafteralltherest，andwhensheputonherthirdpetticoatshecouldnotrefrainfromtheremark，`My，shekeepsputtingonandputtingon，andshe’llneverhavedone！’shesaid，andtheyallwentoffintopealsoflaughter。
Onthedrivehome，asDaryaAlexandrovna，withallherchildrenroundher，theirheadsstillwetfromtheirbaths，andakerchieftiedoverherownhead，wasgettingnearthehouse，thecoachmansaid:`There’ssomegentlemancoming:themasterofPokrovskoe，Idobelieve。’
DaryaAlexandrovnapeepedoutinfront，andwasdelightedwhensherecognizedinthegrayhatandgraycoatthefamiliarfigureofLevinwalkingtomeetthem。Shewasgladtoseehimatanytime，butatthismomentshewasspeciallygladheshouldseeherinallherglory。NoonewasbetterabletoappreciatehergrandeurthanLevin。
Seeingher，hefoundhimselffacetofacewithoneofthepicturesofhisdaydreamoffamilylife。
`You’relikeahenwithyourbrood，DaryaAlexandrovna。’
`Ah，howgladIamtoseeyou！’shesaid，holdingoutherhandtohim。
`Gladtoseeme-butyoudidn’tletmeknow。Mybrother’sstayingwithme。IgotanotefromStivathatyouwerehere。’
`FromStiva？’DaryaAlexandrovnaaskedwithsurprise。
`Yes；hewritesthatyouarehere，andthathethinksyoumightallowmetobeofusetoyou，’saidLevin，andashesaidithebecamesuddenlyembarrassed，and，stoppingabruptly，hewalkedoninsilencebythedroshky，snappingoffthebudsofthelimetreesandnibblingthem。HewasembarrassedthroughasensethatDaryaAlexandrovnawouldbeannoyedbyreceivingfromanoutsiderhelpthatshouldbyrightshavecomefromherownhusband。DaryaAlexandrovnacertainlydidnotlikethislittlewayofStepanArkadyevich’soffoistinghisdomesticdutiesonothers。AndshewasatonceawarethatLevinwasawareofthis。Itwasjustforthisfinenessofperception，forthisdelicacy，thatDaryaAlexandrovnalikedLevin。
`Iknow，ofcourse，’saidLevin，`thatthissimplymeansthatyouwouldliketoseeme，andI’mexceedinglyglad。ThoughIcanfancythat，usedtotownhousekeepingasyouare，youmustfeelyouareinthewildshere，andifthere’sanythingwanted，I’maltogetheratyourdisposal。’
`Oh，no！’saidDolly。`Atfirstthingswereratheruncomfortable，butnowwe’vesettledeverythingcapitally-thankstomyoldnurse，’shesaid，indicatingMatrionaPhilimonovna，who，seeingthattheywerespeakingofher，smiledbrightlyandcordiallytoLevin。Sheknewhim，andknewthathewouldbeagoodmatchforheryounglady，andwasverykeentoseethemattersettled。
`Won’tyougetin，sir，we’llmakeroomonthisside！’shesaidtohim。
`No，I’llwalk。Children，who’dliketoracethehorseswithme？’
ThechildrenknewLevinverylittle，andcouldnotrememberwhentheyhadseenhim，buttheyexperiencedinregardtohimnoneofthatstrangefeelingofshynessandhostilitywhichchildrensooftenexperiencetowardhypocritical，grown-uppeople，andforwhichtheyaresooftenandmiserablypunished。Hypocrisyinanythingwhatevermaydeceivethecleverestandmostpenetratingman，buttheleastwide-awakeofchildrenrecognizesit，andisrevoltedbyit，howeveringeniouslyitmaybedisguised。WhateverfaultsLevinhad，therewasnotatraceofhypocrisyinhim，andsothechildrenshowedhimthesamefriendlinessthattheysawintheirmother’sface。Onhisinvitation，thetwoelderonesatoncejumpedouttohimandranwithhimassimplyastheywouldhavedonewiththeirnurse，orMissHoole，ortheirmother。Lily，too，beganbeggingtogotohim，andhermotherhandedherovertohim；hesatheronhisshoulderandranalongwithher。
`Don’tbeafraid，don’tbeafraid，DaryaAlexandrovna！’hesaid，smilinggood-humoredlytothemother；`there’snochanceofmyhurtingordroppingher。’
And，lookingathisstrong，agile，assiduouslycarefulandextremelystrainedmovements，themotherfelthermindatrest，andsmiledgailyandapprovinglyasshewatchedhim。
Here，inthecountry，withchildren，andwithDaryaAlexandrovna，withwhomhewasinsympathy，Levinwasinamoodnotinfrequentwithhim，ofchildlikelightheartednessthatsheparticularlylikedinhim。Asheranwiththechildren，hetaughtthemgymnasticfeats，setMissHoolelaughingwithhisqueerEnglishaccent，andtalkedtoDaryaAlexandrovnaofhispursuitsinthecountry。
Afterdinner，DaryaAlexandrovna，sittingalonewithhimonthebalcony，begantospeakofKitty。
`Youknow，Kitty’scominghere，andisgoingtospendthesummerwithme。’
`Really，’hesaid，flushing；andatonce，tochangetheconversation，hesaid:`ThenI’llsendyoutwocows，shallI？Ifyouinsistonabillyoushallpaymefiveroublesamonth-ifyouaren’tashamed。’
`No，thankyou。Wecanmanageverywellnow。’
`Oh，well，then，I’llhavealookatyourcows，andifyou’llallowme，I’llgivedirectionsabouttheirfood。Everythingdependsontheirfood。’
AndLevin，toturntheconversation，explainedtoDaryaAlexandrovnathetheoryofcowkeeping，basedontheprinciplethatthecowissimplyamachineforthetransformationoffoodintomilk，andsoon。
Hetalkedofthis，andpassionatelylongedtohearmoreofKitty，and，atthesametime，wasafraidofhearingit。Hedreadedthebreakingupoftheinwardpeacehehadgainedwithsucheffort。
`Yes，butstillallthishastobelookedafter，andwhoistheretolookafterit？’DaryaAlexandrovnarespondedreluctantly。
Shehadbynowgotherhouseholdmatterssosatisfactorilyarranged，thankstoMatrionaPhilimonovna，thatshewasdisinclinedtomakeanychangeinthem；besides，shehadnofaithinLevin’sknowledgeoffarming。Generalprinciples，astothecowbeingamachinefortheproductionofmilk，shelookedonwithsuspicion。Itseemedtoherthatsuchprinciplescouldonlybeahindranceinfarmmanagement。Itallseemedtoherafarsimplermatter:allthatwasneeded，asMatrionaPhilimonovnahadexplained，wastogiveBrindleandWhitebreastmorefoodanddrink，andnottoletthecookcarryallthekitchenslopstothelaundrymaid’scow。Thatwasclear。Butgeneralpropositionsastofeedingonmealandongrassweredoubtfulandobscure。And，whatwasmostimportant，shewantedtotalkaboutKitty。
`Kittywritestomethatthere’snothingshelongsforsomuchasquietandsolitude，’Dollysaidafterthesilencethathadfollowed。
`Andhowisshe-better？’Levinaskedinagitation。
`ThankGod，she’squitewellagain。Ineverbelievedherlungswereaffected。’
`Oh，I’mveryglad！’saidLevin，andDollyfanciedshesawsomethingtouching，helpless，inhisfaceashesaidthisandlookedsilentlyintoherface。
`Letmeaskyou，KonstantinDmitrievich，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，smilingherkindlyandrathermockingsmile，`whyareyouangrywithKitty？’
`I？I’mnotangrywithher，’saidLevin。
`Yes，youare。WhywasityoudidnotcometoseeusorthemwhenyouwereinMoscow？’
`DaryaAlexandrovna，’hesaid，blushinguptotherootsofhishair，`Iwonderreallythatwithyourkindheartyoudon’tfeelthis。Howitisyoufeelnopityforme，ifnothingelse，whenyouknow……’
`WhatdoIknow？’
`YouknowthatIproposedandwasrefused，’saidLevin，andallthetendernesshehadbeenfeelingforKittyaminutebeforewasreplacedbyafeelingofangerfortheslighthehadsuffered。
`WhatmakesyousupposeIknow？’
`Becauseeverybodyknowsit……’
`That’sjustwhereyouaremistaken；Ididnotknowit，thoughIhadguesseditwasso。’
`Well，nowyouknowit。’
`AllIknewwasthatsomethinghadhappenedthatmadeherdreadfullymiserable，andthatshebeggedmenevertospeakofit。Andifshewouldnottellme，shewouldcertainlynotspeakofittoanyoneelse。Butwhatdidpassbetweenyou？Tellme。’
`Ihavetoldyou。’
`Whenwasit？’
`WhenIwasattheirhousethelasttime。’
`Doyouknow，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，`Iamawfully，awfullysorryforher。Yousufferonlyfrompride……’
`Perhapsso，’saidLevin，`but……’
Sheinterruptedhim。
`Butshe，poorgirl……Iamawfully，awfullysorryforher。NowIseeitall。’
`Well，DaryaAlexandrovna，youmustexcuseme，’hesaid，gettingup。`Good-by，DaryaAlexandrovna，tillwemeetagain。’
`No，waitaminute，’shesaid，clutchinghimbythesleeve。`Waitaminute，sitdown。’
`Please，please，don’tletustalkofthis，’hesaid，sittingdown，andatthesametimefeelingriseupandstirwithinhisheartahopehehadbelievedtobeburied。
`IfIdidnotlikeyou，’shesaid，andtearscameintohereyes；`ifIdidnotknowyou，asIdoknowyou……’
Thefeelingthathadseemeddeadrevivedmoreandmore，roseupandtookpossessionofLevin’sheart。
`Yes，Iunderstanditallnow，’saidDaryaAlexandrovna。`Youcan’tunderstandit；foryoumen，whoarefreeandmakeyourownchoice，it’salwaysclearwhomyoulove。Butagirl’sinapositionofsuspense，withallawoman’sormaiden’smodesty，agirlwhoseesyoumenfromafar，whotakeseverythingontrust-agirlmayhave，andoftenhas，suchafeelingthatshecannottellwhattosay。’
`Yes，iftheheartdoesnotspeak……’
`No，theheartdoesspeak；butjustconsider:youmenhaveviewsaboutagirl，youcometothehouse，youmakefriends，youcriticize，youwaittoseeifyouhavefoundwhatyoulove，andthen，whenyouaresureyouloveher，youpropose……’
`Well，that’snotquiteit。’
`Anywayyoupropose，whenyourloveisripe，orwhenthebalancehascompletelyturnedbetweenthetwoyouarechoosingfrom。Butagirlisnotasked。Sheisexpectedtomakeherchoice，andyetshecannotchoose-shecanonlyanswer``yes’or``no。’’
`Yes，tochoosebetweenmeandVronsky，’thoughtLevin，andthedeadthingthathadcometolifewithinhimdiedagain，andonlyweighedonhisheartandsetitaching。
`DaryaAlexandrovna，’hesaid，`that’showonechoosesanewdress，orsomepurchaseorother-notlove。Thechoicehasbeenmade，andsomuchthebetter……Andtherecanbenorepetition。’
`Ah，pride，pride！’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，asthoughdespisinghimforthebasenessofthisfeelingincomparisonwiththatotherfeelingwhichonlywomenknow。`AtthetimewhenyouproposedtoKittyshewasjustinapositioninwhichshecouldnotanswer。Shewasindoubt。DoubtbetweenyouandVronsky。Himshewasseeingeveryday，andyoushehadnotseenforalongwhile。Supposingshehadbeenolder……I，forinstance，inherplace，couldhavefeltnodoubt。Ialwaysdislikedhim，andmydislikeprovedtobejustified。’
LevinrecalledKitty’sanswer。Shehadsaid:`No，thatcannotbe……’
`DaryaAlexandrovna，’hesaiddryly，`Iappreciateyourconfidenceinme；Ibelieveyouaremakingamistake。ButwhetherIamrightorwrong，thatprideyousodespisemakesanythoughtofKaterinaAlexandrovnaoutofthequestionforme；youunderstand-utterlyoutofthequestion。’
`Iwillonlysayonethingmore:youknowthatIamspeakingofmysister，whomIloveasIlovemyownchildren。Idon’tsayshecaredforyou；allImeanttosayisthatherrefusalatthatmomentprovesnothing。’
`Idon’tknow！’saidLevin，jumpingup。`youonlyknewhowyouarehurtingme。It’sjustasifachildofyoursweredead，andtheyweretosaytoyou:Hewouldhavebeenlikethisandlikethat，andhemighthavelived，andhowhappyyouwouldhavebeeninhim。Buthe’sdead，dead，dead！……’
`Howabsurdyouare！’saidDaryaAlexandrovna，lookingwithmournfultendernessatLevin’sexcitement。`Yes，Iseeitallmoreandmoreclearly，’shewentonmusingly。`Soyouwon’tcometoseeus，then，whenKitty’shere？’
`No，Ishan’tcome。OfcourseIwon’tavoidmeetingKaterinaAlexandrovna；but，asfarasIcan，Iwilltrytosavehertheannoyanceofmypresence。’
`Youarevery，veryabsurd，’repeatedDaryaAlexandrovna，lookingwithtendernessintohisface。`Verywellthen，letitbeasthoughwehadnotspokenofthis。Whathaveyoucomefor，Tania？’shesaidinFrenchtothelittlegirlwhohadcomein。
`Where’smyspade，mamma？’
`IspeakFrench，andyoumusttoo。’
ThelittlegirltriedtosayitinFrench，butcouldnotremembertheFrenchforspade；themotherpromptedher，andthentoldherinFrenchwheretolookforthespade。AndthismadeadisagreeableimpressiononLevin。
EverythinginDaryaAlexandrovna’shouseandchildrenstruckhimnowasbynomeanssocharmingasalittlewhilebefore。
`AndwhydoesshetalkFrenchwiththechildren？’hethought。`Howunnaturalandfalseitis！Andthechildrenfeelitso:LearningFrenchandunlearningsincerity，’hethoughttohimself，unawarethatDaryaAlexandrovnahadthoughtallthatovertwentytimesalready，andyet，evenatthecostofsomelossofsincerity，believeditnecessarytoteachherchildrenFrenchinthatway。
`Butwhyareyougoing？Dostayalittle。’
Levinstayedtotea；buthisgoodhumorhadvanished，andhefeltillatease。
Afterteahewentoutintothehalltoorderhishorsestobeputin，and，whenhecameback，hefoundDaryaAlexandrovnagreatlydisturbed，withatroubledface，andtearsinhereyes。WhileLevinhadbeenoutside，anincidenthadoccurredwhichhadallatonceshatteredallthehappinessshehadbeenfeelingthatday，andherprideinherchildren。GrishaandTaniahadbeenfightingoveraball。DaryaAlexandrovna，hearingascreaminthenursery，raninandsawaterriblesight。TaniawaspullingGrisha’shair，whilehe，withafacehideouswithrage，wasbeatingherwithhisfistswhereverhecouldgetather。SomethingsnappedinDaryaAlexandrovna’sheartwhenshesawthis。Itwasasifdarknesshadswoopeddownuponherlife；shefeltthatthesechildrenofhers，thatshewassoproudof，werenotmerelymostordinary，butpositivelybad，ill-bredchildren，withcoarse，brutalpropensities-wickedchildren。
Shecouldnottalkorthinkofanythingelse，andshecouldnothelpspeakingtoLevinofhermisery。
Levinsawshewasunhappyandtriedtocomforther，sayingthatitshowednothingbad，thatallchildrenfight；but，evenashesaidit，hewasthinkinginhisheart:`No，Iwon’tbeartificialandtalkFrenchwithmychildren；butmychildrenwon’tbelikethat。Allonehastodoisnotspoilchildren，nottodistorttheirnature，andthey’llbedelightful。No，mychildrenwon’tbelikethat。’
Hesaidgood-byanddroveaway，andshedidnottrytodetainhim。
InthemiddleofJulytheelderofthevillageonLevin’ssister’sestate，abouttwentyverstasfromPokrovskoe，cametoLevintoreportaboutthehay，andhowthingsweregoingthere。Thechiefsourceofincomeonhissister’sestatewasfromthewatermeadows。Informeryearsthehayhadbeenboughtbythepeasantsfortwentyroublesthedessiatina。WhenLevintookoverthemanagementoftheestate，hethoughtonexaminingthegrasslandsthattheywereworthmore，andhefixedthepriceattwenty-fiveroublesthedessiatina。Thepeasantswouldnotgivethatprice，and，asLevinsuspected，keptoffotherpurchasers。ThenLevinhaddrivenoverhimself，andarrangedtohavethegrasscut，partlybyhiredlabor，partlyatapaymentofacertainproportionofthecrop。Thepeasantsofthisvillageputeveryhindrancetheycouldinthewayofthisnewarrangement，butitwascarriedout，andthefirstyearthemeadowshadyieldedaprofitalmostdouble。Twoyearsagoandthepreviousyearthepeasantshadmaintainedthesameoppositiontothearrangement，andthehayhadbeencutonthesamesystem。Thisyearthepeasantsweredoingallthemowingforathirdofthehaycrop，andthevillageelderhadcomenowtoannouncethatthehayhadbeencut，andthat，fearingrain，hehadinvitedthecountinghouseclerkover，haddividedthecropinhispresence，andhadrakedtogetherelevenstacksastheowner’sshare。Fromthevagueanswerstohisquestionhowmuchhayhadbeencutontheprincipalmeadow，fromthehurryofthevillageelderwhohadmadethedivision，withoutaskingleave，fromthewholetoneofthepeasant，Levinperceivedthattherewassomethingwronginthedivisionofthehay，andmadeuphismindtodriveoverhimselftolookintothematter。
Arrivingbydinnertimeatthevillage，andleavinghishorseatthecottageofanoldfriendofhis，thehusbandofhisbrother’swetnurse，Levinwenttoseetheoldmaninhisbeehouse，wantingtofindoutfromhimthetruthaboutthehay。Parmenich，atalkative，comelyoldman，gaveLevinaverywarmwelcome，showedhimallhewasdoing，toldhimeverythingabouthisbeesandtheswarmsofthatyear；butgavevagueandunwillinganswerstoLevin’sinquiriesaboutthemowing。ThisconfirmedLevinstillmoreinhissuspicions。Hewenttothehayfieldsandexaminedthestacks。Thehaystackscouldnotpossiblycontainfiftywagonloadseach，andtoconvictthepeasantsLevinorderedthewagonsthathadcarriedthehaytobebroughtupdirectly，toliftonestack，andcarryitintothebarn。Thereturnedouttobeonlythirty-twoloadsinthestack。Inspiteofthevillageelder’sassertionsaboutthecompressibilityofhay，anditshavingsettleddowninthestacks，andhisswearingthateverythinghadbeendoneinfearofGod，Levinstucktohispointthatthehayhadbeendividedwithouthisorders，andthat，therefore，hewouldnotacceptthathayasfiftyloadstoastack。Afteraprolongeddisputethematterwasdecidedbythepeasantstaking，astheirshare，theseelevenstacks，reckoningthemasfiftyloadseach，andapportioningtheowner’sshareanew。Theargumentsandthedivisionofthehaycockslastedthewholeafternoon。Whenthelastofthehayhadbeendivided，Levin，entrustingthesuperintendenceoftheresttothecountinghouseclerk，satdownonahaycockmarkedoffbyastakeofwillow，andlookedadmiringlyatthemeadowswarmingwithpeasants。
Infrontofhim，inthebendoftheriverbeyondthelittlemarsh，movedabright-coloredlineofpeasantwomen，merrilychatteringwiththeirringingvoices，andthescatteredhaywasbeingrapidlyformedintograywindingrowsoverthepalegreenaftermath。Afterthewomencamethemenwithpitchforks，andfromthegrayrowsthereweregrowingupbroad，high，softhaycocks。Tothelefttelegaswererumblingoverthemeadowthathadbeenalreadycleared，andoneafteranotherthehaycocksvanished，flungupinhugeforkfuls，andintheirplacetherewererisingheavycartloadsoffragranthayhangingoverthehorses’hindquarters。
`Whatweatherforhaying！Whathayit’llbe！’saidanoldman，squattingdownbesideLevin。`It’stea，nothayIt’slikescatteringgraintotheducks，thewaytheypickitup！’headded，pointingtothegrowinghaycocks。`Sincedinnertimethey’vecarriedagoodhalfofit。’
`Thelastload，eh？’heshoutedtoayoungpeasant，whodroveby，standinginthefrontofanemptytelegabox，shakingthereinsofhemp。
`Thelast，dad！’theladshoutedback，pullinginthehorse，and，smiling，helookedroundatabright，rosy-cheekedpeasantgirlwhosatinthetelegabox，smilingtoo，anddroveon。
`Who’sthat？Yourson？’askedLevin。
`Mydearyoungest，’saidtheoldmanwithatendersmile。
`Whatafinefellow！’
`Thelad’sallright。’
`Marriedalready？’
`Yes，it’stwoyearslastSt。Philip’sday。’
`Anychildren？’
`Children，indeed！Why，foroverayearhewasinnocentasababehimself，andbashfultoo，’answeredtheoldman。`Whathaythisis！It’steaindeed！’herepeated，wishingtochangethesubject。
LevinlookedmoreattentivelyatVankaParmenovandhiswife。Theywereloadingahaycockontothewagonnotfarfromhim。IvanParmenovwasstandingonthewagon，taking，layinginplace，andstampingdownthehugebundlesofhay，whichhisprettyyoungwifedeftlyhandeduptohim，atfirstinarmfuls，andthenonthepitchfork。Theyoungwifeworkedeasily，merrily，anddeftly。Theclose-packedhaydidnotoncebreakawaybyherfork。Firstsheteddedit，stucktheforkintoit，thenwitharapid，supplemovementleanedthewholeweightofherbodyonit，andatoncewithabendofherbackundertheredbeltshedrewherselfup，andarchingherfullbosomunderthelongwhiteapron，withadeftturnswungtheforkinherarms，andflungthebundleofhayhighontothewagon。Ivan，obviouslydoinghisbesttosavehereveryminuteofunnecessarylabor，madehaste，openingwidehisarmstoclutchthebundleandlayitinthewagon。Assherakedtogetherwhatwasleftofthehay，theyoungwifeshookoffthebitsofhaythathadfallenonherneck，and，arrangingtheredkerchiefthatwasgonebackwardbaringherwhitebrow，notbrownedbythesun，shecreptunderthewagontotieuptheload。Ivandirectedherhowtofastenthecordtothecrosspiece，andatsomethingshesaidhelaughedaloud。Intheexpressionsofbothfaceswastobeseenvigorous，young，freshlyawakenedlove。
Theloadwastiedon。Ivanjumpeddownandtookthequiet，sleekhorsebythebridle。Theyoungwifeflungtherakeupontheload；withaboldstep，swingingherarms，shewenttojointhewomen，whowereformingaringforthehaymakers’dance。Ivandroveofftotheroadandfellintolinewiththeotherloadedwagons。Thepeasantwomen，withtheirrakesontheirshoulders，gaywithbrightflowers，andchatteringwithringing，merryvoices，walkedbehindthehaywagon。Onewilduntrainedfemalevoicebrokeintoasong，andsangitalonethroughaverse，andthenthesameversewasunanimouslytakenupandrepeatedbyhalfahundredstronghealthyvoices，ofallsorts，coarseandfine。
Thewomen，allsinging，begantocomeclosetoLevin，andhefeltasthoughastormwereswoopingdownuponhimwithathunderofmerriment。Thestormswoopeddown，envelopedhimandthehaycockonwhichhewaslying，andtheotherhaycocks，andwagonloads，andthewholemeadowanddistantfieldsallseemedtobeshakingandsingingtothemeasuresofthiswildmerrysong，withitsshoutsandwhistlesandclapping。Levinfeltenviousofthishealthandmirthfulness；helongedtotakepartintheexpressionofthisjoyoflife。Buthecoulddonothing，andhadtolieandlookonandlisten。Whenthepeasants，withtheirsinging，hadvanishedoutofsightandhearing，awearyfeelingofdespondencyathisownisolation，hisphysicalinactivity，hisalienationfromthisworld，cameoverLevin。
Someoftheverypeasantswhohadbeenmostactiveinwranglingwithhimoverthehay，somewhomhehadtreatedwithcontumely，andwhohadtriedtocheathim-thoseverypeasantshadgreetedhimgood-humoredly，andevidentlyhadnot，wereincapableofhaving，anyfeelingofrancoragainsthim，anyregret，anyrecollectionevenofhavingtriedtodeceivehim。Allthatwasdrownedinaseaofmerrycommonlabor。Godgavetheday，Godgavethestrength。Andthedayandthestrengthwereconsecratedtolabor，andthatlaborwasitsownreward。Forwhomthelabor？Whatwouldbeitsfruits？Thesewereidleconsiderations-besidethepoint。
OftenLevinhadadmiredthislife，oftenhehadasenseofenvyofthemenwholedthislife；buttoday，forthefirsttime，especiallyundertheinfluenceofwhathehadseenintheattitudeofIvanParmenovtohisyoungwife，theideapresenteditselfdefinitelytohismindthatitwasinhispowertoexchangethedreary，artificial，idle，andindividualisticlifehewasleadingforthislaborious，pure，andgenerallydelightfullife。
Theoldmanwhohadbeensittingbesidehimhadlongagogonehome；thepeoplehadallgonetheirdifferentways。Thosewholivednearhadgonehome，whilethosewhocamefromafarweregatheredintoagroupforsupper，andtospendthenightinthemeadow。Levin，unobservedbythepeasants，stilllayonthehaycock，andstilllookedon，andlistened，andmused。Thepeasantswhoremainedforthenightinthemeadowscarcelysleptalltheshortsummernight。Atfirsttherewasthesoundofmerrytalkandgenerallaughingoverthesupper，thensingingagain，andlaughter。
Allthelongdayoftoilhadleftnotraceinthemsavelightnessofheart。Beforetheearlydawnallwashushed。Nothingwastobeheardbutthenightsoundsofthefrogsthatneverceasedinthemarsh，andthehorsessnortinginthemistthatroseoverthemeadowbeforemorning。Rousinghimself，Levingotupfromthehaycock，and，lookingatthestars，hesawthatthenightwasover。
`Well，whatamIgoingtodo？HowamItosetaboutit？’hesaidtohimself，tryingtoexpresstohimselfallthethoughtsandfeelingshehadpassedthroughinthisbriefnight。Allthethoughtsandfeelingshehadpassedthroughfellintothreeseparatetrainsofthought。Onewastherenunciationofhisoldlife，ofhisutterlyuselesseducation。Thisrenunciationgavehimsatisfaction，andwaseasyandsimple。Anotherseriesofthoughtsandmentalimagesrelatedtothelifehelongedtolivenow。Thesimplicity，thepurity，thesanityofthislifehefeltclearly，andhewasconvincedhewouldfindinititscontent，itspeace，anditsdignity，ofthelackofwhichhewassomiserablyconscious。Butathirdseriesofideasturneduponthequestionofhowtoeffectthistransitionfromtheoldlifetothenew。Andtherenothingtookclearshapeforhim。`Awife。Workandthenecessityofwork。LeavePokrovskoe？Buyland？Becomeamemberofapeasantcommunity？Marryapeasantgirl？HowamItosetaboutit？’heaskedhimselfagain，andcouldnotfindananswer。`Ihaven’tsleptallnight，though，andIcan’tthinkitoutclearly，’hesaidtohimself。`I’llworkitoutlater。Onething’scertain-thisnighthasdecidedmyfate。Allmyolddreamsofhomelifewereabsurd，nottherealthing，’hetoldhimself。`It’salleversomuchsimplerandbetter……’
`Howbeautiful！’hethought，lookingatthestrange，asitwere，mother-of-pearlshellofwhitefleecycloudletsrestingrightoverhisheadinthemiddleofthesky。`Howexquisiteitallisinthisexquisitenight！Andwhenwastheretimeforthatcloudshelltoform？JustnowIlookedatthesky，andtherewasnothinginit-onlytwowhitestreaks。Yes，andsoimperceptibly，too，myviewsoflifechanged！’
Hewentoutofthemeadowandwalkedalongthehighroadtowardthevillage。Aslightwindarose，andtheskylookedgrayandsullen。Thegloomymomenthadcomethatusuallyprecedesthedawn，thefulltriumphoflightoverdarkness。
Shrinkingfromthecold，Levinwalkedrapidly，lookingattheground。`What’sthat？Someonecoming，’hethought，catchingthetinkleofbells，andliftinghishead。Fortypacesfromhimacarriageandfourwiththeluggageonitstopwasdrivingtowardhimalongthegrassyhighroadonwhichhewaswalking。Theshafthorsesweretiltedagainsttheshaftsbytheruts，butthedexterousdriversittingontheboxheldtheshaftovertheruts，sothatthewheelsranonthesmoothpartoftheroad。
ThiswasallLevinnoticed，andwithoutwonderingwhoitcouldbe，hegazedabsentlyatthecoach。
Inthecoachwasanoldladydozinginonecorner，andatthewindow，evidentlyonlyjustawake，satayounggirlholdinginbothhandstheribbonsofawhitecap。Withafacefulloflightandthought，fullofasubtle，complexinnerlife，thatwasremotefromLevin，shewasgazingfromthewindowattheglowofthesunrise。
Attheveryinstantwhenthisapparitionwasvanishing，thetruthfuleyesglancedathim。Sherecognizedhim，andherfacelightedupwithwonderingdelight。
Hecouldnotbemistaken。Therewerenoothereyeslikethoseinalltheworld。Therewasonlyonecreatureintheworldthatcouldconcentrateforhimallthebrightnessandmeaningoflife。Itwasshe。ItwasKitty。HecomprehendedthatshewasdrivingtoErgushovofromtherailwaystation。AndeverythingthathadbeenstirringLevinduringthissleeplessnight，alltheresolutionshehadmade，allvanishedatonce。Herecalledwithhorrorhisdreamsofmarryingapeasantgirl。Thereonly，inthiscarriagethathadcrossedovertotheothersideoftheroad，andwasrapidlydisappearing-thereonlycouldhefindthesolutionoftheriddleofhislife，whichhadweighedsoagonizinglyuponhimoflate。
Shedidnotlookoutagain。Thesoundofthecarriagespringswasnolongeraudible，thebellscouldscarcelybeheard。Thebarkingofdogsshowedthecarriagehadreachedthevillage，andallthatwasleftwastheemptyfieldsallround，thevillageinfront，andhehimselfisolatedandapartfromitall，wanderinglonelyalongthedesertedhighroad。
Heglancedatthesky，expectingtofindtherethecloudshellhehadbeenadmiringandtakingasthesymboloftheideasandfeelingsofthatnight。Therewasnothingintheskyintheleastlikeashell。There，intheremoteheightsabove，amysteriouschangehadbeenaccomplished。Therewasnotraceofashell，andtherewasstretchedoverfullyhalftheskyanevencoveroftiny，andevertinier，cloudlets。Theskyhadgrownblueandbright；andwiththesamesoftness，butwiththesameremoteness，itmethisquestioninggaze。
`No，’hesaidtohimself，`howevergoodthatlifeofsimplicityandtoilmaybe，Icannotgobacktoit。Iloveher。’
NonebutthosewhoweremostintimatewithAlexeiAlexandrovichknewthat，whileonthesurfacethecoldestandmostrationalofmen，hehadoneweaknessquiteopposedtothegeneraltrendofhischaracter。AlexeiAlexandrovichcouldnothearorseeachildorwomancryingwithoutbeingmoved。Thesightoftearsthrewhimintoastateofnervousagitation，andheutterlylostallpowerofreflection。Theheadclerkofhisboardandthesecretarywereawareofthis，andusedtowarnwomenwhocamewithpetitionsonnoaccounttogivewaytotears，iftheydidnotwanttoruintheirchances。`Hewillgetangry，andwillnotlistentoyou，’theyusedtosay。And，asafact，insuchcasestheemotionaldisturbancesetupinAlexeiAlexandrovichbythesightoftearsfoundexpressioninhastyanger。`Icandonothing。Kindlyleavetheroom！’hewouldusuallyshoutinsuchcases。
When，returningfromtheraces，AnnahadinformedhimofherrelationswithVronsky，andimmediatelyafterwardhadburstintotears，hidingherfaceinherhands，AlexeiAlexandrovich，forallthefuryarousedinhimagainsther，wasawareatthesametimeofarushofthatemotionaldisturbancealwaysproducedinhimbytears。Consciousofit，andconsciousthatanyexpressionofhisfeelingsatthatminutewouldbeoutofkeepingwiththesituation，hetriedtosuppresseverymanifestationoflifeinhimself，andsoneitherstirrednorlookedather。ThiswaswhathadcausedthatstrangeexpressionofdeathlikerigidityinhisfacewhichhadsoimpressedAnna。
Whentheyreachedthehousehehelpedhertogetoutofthecarriage，and，makinganefforttomasterhimself，tookleaveofherwithhisusualurbanity，andutteredthatphrasethatboundhimtonothing；hesaidthattomorrowhewouldletherknowhisdecision。
Hiswife’swords，confirminghisworstsuspicions，hadsentacruelpangtotheheartofAlexeiAlexandrovich。Thatpangwasintensifiedbythestrangefeelingofphysicalpityforherengenderedbyhertears。ButwhenhewasallaloneinthecarriageAlexeiAlexandrovich，tohissurpriseanddelight，feltcompletereliefbothfromthispityandfromthedoubtsandagoniesofjealousy。
Heexperiencedthesensationsofamanwhohashadatoothoutaftersufferinglongfromtoothache。Afterafearfulagonyandasenseofsomethinghuge，biggerthantheheaditself，beingtornoutofhisjaw，thesufferer，hardlyabletobelieveinhisowngoodluck，feelsallatoncethatwhathassolongenvenomedhisexistenceandenchainedhisattention，existsnolonger，andthathecanliveandthinkagain，andtakeaninterestinotherthingsbesideshistooth。ThisfeelingAlexeiAlexandrovichwasexperiencing。Theagonyhadbeenstrangeandterrible，butnowitwasover；hefeltthathecouldliveagainandthinkofsomethingotherthanhiswife。
`Nohonor，noheart，noreligion；acorruptwoman。Ialwaysknewitandalwayssawit，thoughItriedtodeceivemyselftospareher，’hesaidtohimself。Anditactuallyseemedtohimthathealwayshadseenit:herecalledincidentsoftheirpastlife，inwhichhehadneverseenanythingwrongbefore-nowtheseincidentsprovedclearlythatshehadalwaysbeenacorruptwoman。`Imadeamistakeinlinkingmylifetohers；buttherewasnothingwronginmymistake，andsoIcannotbeunhappy。It’snotIwhoamtoblame，’hetoldhimself，`butshe。ButIhavenothingtodowithher。Shedoesnotexistforme。’
Allthatwouldbefallherandherson，towardwhomhissentimentswereasmuchchangedastowardher，ceasedtointeresthim。Theonlythingthatinterestedhimnowwasthequestioninwhatwayhecouldbest，withmostproprietyandcomfortforhimself，andsowithmostjustice，shakeclearthemudwithwhichshehadspatteredhiminherfall，andthenproceedalonghispathofactive，honorable，andusefulexistence。
`Icannotbemadeunhappybythefactthatacontemptiblewomanhascommittedacrime。Ihaveonlytofindthebestwayoutofthedifficultpositioninwhichshehasplacedme。AndIshallfindit，’hesaidtohimself，frowningmoreandmore。`I’mneitherthefirstnorthelast。’AndtosaynothingofhistoricalinstancesdatingfromMenelaus，recentlyrevivedinthememoryofallbyLaBelleHélène，awholelistofcontemporaryexamplesofhusbandswithunfaithfulwivesinthehighestsocietyrosebeforeAlexeiAlexandrovich’simagination。`Daryalov，Poltavsky，PrinceKaribanov，CountPaskudin，Dram……Yes，evenDram……suchanhonest，capablefellow……Semionov，Chagin，Sigonin，’AlexeiAlexandrovichremembered。`Admittingthatacertainquiteirrationalridiculefallstothelotofthesemen，yetIneversawanythingbutamisfortuneinit，andalwaysfeltsympathyforit，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidtohimself，thoughindeedthiswasnotthefact，andhehadneverfeltsympathyformisfortunesofthatkind，butthemoreoftenhehadheardofinstancesofunfaithfulwivesbetrayingtheirhusbands，themorehighlyhehadthoughtofhimself。`Itisamisfortunewhichmaybefallanyone。Andthismisfortunehasbefallenme。Theonlythingtobedoneistomakethebestofthesituation。’Andhebeganpassinginreviewthemethodsofproceedingofmenwhohadbeeninthesamepositionthathewasin。
`Daryalovfoughtaduel……’
TheduelhadparticularlyfascinatedthethoughtsofAlexeiAlexandrovichinhisyouth，justbecausehewasphysicallyafaintheartedman，andwashimselfwellawareofthefact。AlexeiAlexandrovichcouldnotwithouthorrorcontemplatetheideaofapistolaimedathimself，andnevermadeuseofanyweaponinhislife。Thishorrorhadinhisyouthsethimoftenponderingondueling，andpicturinghimselfinapositioninwhichhewouldhavetoexposehislifetodanger。Havingattainedsuccessandanestablishedpositionintheworld，hehadlongagoforgottenthisfeeling；butthehabitualbentoffeelingreasserteditself，anddreadofhisowncowardiceprovedevennowsostrongthatAlexeiAlexandrovichspentalongwhilethinkingoverthequestionofduelinginallitsaspects，andhuggingtheideaofaduel，thoughhewasfullyawarebeforehandthathewouldneverunderanycircumstancesfightone。
`There’snodoubtoursocietyisstillsobarbarousit’snotthesameinEnglandthatverymany’-andamongthesewerethosewhoseopinionAlexeiAlexandrovichparticularlyvalued-`lookfavorablyontheduel；butwhatresultisattainedbyit？SupposeIcallhimout，’AlexeiAlexandrovichwentontohimself，andvividlypicturingthenighthewouldspendafterthechallenge，andthepistolaimedathim，heshuddered，andknewthatheneverwoulddoit-`supposeIcallhimout。SupposeIamtaught，’hewentonmusing，`Iamplaced，Ipressthetrigger，’hesaidtohimself，closinghiseyes，`anditturnsoutIhavekilledhim，’AlexeiAlexandrovichsaidtohimself，andheshookhisheadasthoughtodispelsuchsillyideas。`Whatsenseisthereinmurderingamaninordertodefineone’srelationtoaguiltywifeandson？IshouldstillhavetodecidewhatIoughttodowithher。Butwhatismoreprobable，andwhatwoulddoubtlesslyoccur-Ishouldbekilledorwounded。I，theinnocentperson，shouldbethevictim-killedorwounded。It’sevenmoresenseless。But，apartfromthat，achallengetofightwouldbeanacthardlyhonestonmyside。Don’tIknowbeforehandthatmyfriendswouldneverallowmetofightaduel-wouldneverallowthelifeofastatesman，neededbyRussia，tobeexposedtodanger？Whatwouldcomeofit？Itwouldcomeofitthat，knowingbeforehandthatthematterwouldnevercometorealdanger，itwouldamounttomysimplytryingtogainacertainshamreputationbysuchachallenge。Thatwouldbedishonest，thatwouldbefalse，thatwouldbedeceivingmyselfandothers。Aduelisquiteimpossible，andnooneexpectsitofme。Myaimissimplytosafeguardmyreputation，whichisessentialfortheuninterruptedpursuitofmypublicduties。’Officialduties，whichhadalwaysbeenofgreatconsequenceinAlexeiAlexandrovich’seyes，seemedofspecialimportancetohismindatthismoment。
Consideringandrejectingtheduel，AlexeiAlexandrovichturnedtodivorce-anothersolutionselectedbyseveralofthehusbandsheremembered。Passinginmentalreviewalltheinstancesheknewofdivorcestherewereplentyofthemintheveryhighestsocietywithwhichhewasveryfamiliar，AlexeiAlexandrovichcouldnotfindasingleexampleinwhichtheobjectofdivorcewasthatwhichhehadinview。Inalltheseinstancesthehusbandhadpracticallycededorsoldhisunfaithfulwife，andtheverypartywho，beinginfault，hadnottherighttocontractamarriage，hadformedcounterfeit，pseudo-matrimonialtieswithanewhusband。Inhisowncase，AlexeiAlexandrovichsawthatalegaldivorce，thatistosay，oneinwhichonlytheguiltywifewouldberepudiated，wasimpossibleofattainment。Hesawthatthecomplexconditionsofthelifetheyledmadethecoarseproofsofhiswife’sguilt，requiredbythelaw，outofthequestion；hesawthatacertainrefinementinthatlifewouldnotadmitofsuchproofsbeingbroughtforward，evenifhehadthem，andthattobringforwardsuchproofswoulddamagehiminthepublicestimationmorethanitwouldher。
Anattemptatdivorcecouldleadtonothingbutapublicscandal，whichwouldbeaperfectgodsendtohisenemiesforcalumnyandattacksonhishighpositioninsociety。Hischiefobject，todefinethepositionwiththeleastamountofdisturbancepossible，wouldnotbeattainedbydivorceeither。Moreover，intheeventofdivorce，orevenofanattempttoobtainadivorce，itwasobviousthatthewifebrokeoffallrelationswiththehusbandandthrewinherlotwiththelover。And，inspiteofthecomplete，ashesupposed，contemptandindifferencehenowfeltforhiswife，atthebottomofhisheartAlexeiAlexandrovichstillhadonefeelingleftinregardtoher-adisinclinationtoseeherfreetothrowinherlotwithVronsky，sothathercrimewouldbetoheradvantage。ThemerenotionofthissoexasperatedAlexeiAlexandrovich，thatdirectlyitrosetohismindhegroanedwithinwardagony，andgotupandchangedhisplaceinthecarriage，andforalongwhileafterhesatwithscowlingbrows，wrappinghisnumbedandbonylegsinthefleecyrug。
`Apartfromformaldivorce，onemightstilldoasKaribanov，Paskudin，andthatgoodfellowDramdid-thatis，separatefromone’swife，’hewentonthinking，whenhehadregainedhiscomposure。Butthissteptoopresentedthesamedrawbackofpublicscandalasadivorce，and，whatwasmore，aseparation，quiteasmuchasaregulardivorce，flunghiswifeintothearmsofVronsky。`No，it’soutofthequestion，outofthequestion！’hesaidaloud，twistinghisrugabouthimagain。`Icannotbeunhappy，butneithershenorheoughttobehappy。’
Thefeelingofjealousy，whichhadtorturedhimduringtheperiodofuncertainty，hadpassedawayattheinstantwhen，withagony，thetoothhadbeenextractedbyhiswife’swords。Butthatfeelinghadbeenreplacedbyanother-thedesire，notmerelythatsheshouldnottriumph，butthatsheshouldgetduepunishmentforhercrime。Hedidnotacknowledgethisfeeling，butatthebottomofhishearthelongedforhertosufferforhavingdestroyedhispeaceofmind，andhavingdishonoredhim。Andonceagaingoingovertheconditionsinseparablefromaduel，adivorce，aseparation，andonceagainrejectingthem，AlexeiAlexandrovichfeltconvincedthattherewasonlyonesolution-tokeepherwithhim，concealingwhathadhappenedfromtheworld，andusingeverymeasureinhispowertobreakofftheintrigue，andstillmore-thoughthishedidnotadmittohimself-topunishher。`Imustcommunicatetohermydecision；that，thinkingovertheterriblepositioninwhichshehasplacedherfamily，allothersolutionswillbeworseforbothsidesthananexternalstatusquo，andthatsuchIagreetoretain，onthestrictconditionofobedienceonherparttomywishes-thatistosay，cessationofallintercoursewithherlover。’Whenthisdecisionhadbeenfinallyadopted，anotherweightyconsiderationoccurredtoAlexeiAlexandrovichinsupportofit。`BysuchacourseonlyshallIbeactinginaccordancewiththedictatesofreligion，’hetoldhimself。`Inadoptingthiscourse，Iamnotcastingoffaguiltywife，butgivingherachanceofamendment；and，indeed，difficultasthetaskwillbetome，Ishalldevotepartofmyenergiestoherreformationandsalvation。’ThoughAlexeiAlexandrovichwasperfectlyawarethathecouldnotexertanymoralinfluenceoverhiswife，thatsuchanattemptatreformationcouldleadtonothingbutfalsity；thoughinpassingthroughthesedifficultmomentshehadnotoncethoughtofseekingguidanceinreligion；yetnow，whenhisconclusioncorresponded，asitseemedtohim，withtherequirementsofreligion，thisreligioussanctiontohisdecisiongavehimcompletesatisfaction，andtosomeextentrestoredhispeaceofmind。Hewaspleasedtothinkthat，eveninsuchanimportantcrisisinlife，noonewouldbeabletosaythathehadnotactedinaccordancewiththeprinciplesofthatreligionwhosebannerhehadalwaysheldaloftamidthegeneralcoolnessandindifference。Asheponderedoversubsequentdevelopments，AlexeiAlexandrovichdidnotsee，indeed，whyhisrelationswithhiswifeshouldnotremainpracticallythesameasbefore。Nodoubt，shecouldneverregainhisesteem，buttherewasnot，andtherecouldnotbe，anysortofreasonwhyhisexistenceshouldbetroubled，andwhyheshouldsufferbecauseshewasabadandfaithlesswife。`Yes，timewillpass-time，whicharrangesallthings；andtheoldrelationswillbereestablished，’AlexeiAlexandrovichtoldhimself；sofarreestablished，thatis，thatIshallnotbesensibleofabreakinthecontinuityofmylife。Sheisboundtobeunhappy，butIamnottoblame，andsoIcannotbeunhappy。’