Beforetheendofthewatercure，PrinceShcherbatsky，whohadgoneonfromCarlsbadtoBadenandKissingentoRussianfriends-togetabreathofRussianatmosphere，ashesaid-camebacktohiswifeanddaughter。
　　TheviewsofthePrinceandofthePrincessonlifeabroadwerecompletelyopposed。ThePrincessthoughteverythingdelightful，andinspiteofherestablishedpositioninRussiansociety，shetriedabroadtobelikeaEuropeanfashionablelady，whichshewasnotforthesimplereasonthatshewasatypicalRussiangentlewoman；andsoshewasaffected，whichdidnotaltogethersuither。ThePrince，onthecontrary，thoughteverythingforeigndetestable，gotsickofEuropeanlife，kepttohisRussianhabits，andpurposelytriedtoshowhimselfabroadlessEuropeanthanhewasinreality。
　　ThePrincereturnedthinner，withtheskinhanginginloosebagsonhischeeks，butinthemostcheerfulframeofmind。HisgoodhumorwasevengreaterwhenhesawKittycompletelyrecovered。ThenewsofKitty’sfriendshipwithMadameStahlandVarenka，andthereportsthePrincessgavehimofsomekindofchangeshehadnoticedinKitty，troubledthePrinceandarousedhishabitualfeelingofjealousyofeverythingthatdrewhisdaughterawayfromhim，andadreadthathisdaughtermighthavegotoutofthereachofhisinfluenceintoregionsinaccessibletohim。Butthisunpleasantnewswasalldrownedintheseaofkindlinessandgoodhumorwhichwasalwayswithinhim，andmoresothaneversincehiscourseofCarlsbadwaters。
　　ThedayafterhisarrivalthePrince，inhislongovercoat，withhisRussianwrinklesandbaggycheeksproppedupbyastarchedcollar，setoffwithhisdaughtertothespringinthegreatestgoodhumor。
　　Itwasalovelymorning:thetidy，cheerfulhouseswiththeirlittlegardens，thesightofthered-faced，red-armed，beer-drinkingGermanwaitresses，workingawaymerrily，andbrightsundidone’sheartgood。Butthenearertheygottothespringstheoftenertheymetsickpeople；andtheirappearanceseemedmorepitiablethaneveramongtheeverydayconditionsofprosperousGermanlife。Kittywasnolongerstruckbythiscontrast。Thebrightsun，thebrilliantgreenofthefoliage，thestrainsofthemusicwereforherthenaturalsettingofallthesefamiliarfaces，withtheirchangestogreateremaciationortoconvalescence，forwhichshewatched。ButtothePrincethebrightnessandgaietyoftheJunemorning，andthesoundoftheorchestraplayingagaywaltztheninfashion，andaboveall，theappearanceoftherobustwaitresses，seemedsomethingunseemlyandmonstrous，inconjunctionwiththeseslowlymovingcadaversgatheredtogetherfromallpartsofEurope。
　　Inspiteofhisfeelingofprideand，asitwere，ofthereturnofyouth，whenhewalkedwithhisfavoritedaughteronhisarm，hefeltawkward，andalmostashamedofhisvigorousstepandhissturdy，stoutandfatlimbs。Hefeltalmostlikeamannotdressedinacrowd。
　　`Present，presentmetoyournewfriends，’hesaidtohisdaughter，squeezingherhandwithhiselbow。`IlikeevenyourhorridSodenformakingyousowellagain。Onlyit’smelancholy，verymelancholyhere。Who’sthat？’
　　Kittymentionedthenamesofallthepeopletheymet，ofsomewithwhomshewasacquainted，andsomewithwhomshewasnot。Attheveryentranceofthegardentheymettheblindlady，MadameBerthe，withherguide，andthePrincewasdelightedtoseetheoldFrenchwoman’sfacelightupwhensheheardKitty’svoice。SheatoncebegantalkingtohimwiththeexaggeratedpolitenessoftheFrench，applaudinghimforhavingsuchadelightfuldaughter，extollingKittytotheskiesbeforeherface，andcallingheratreasure，apearlandaconsolingangel。
　　`Well，she’sthesecondangel，then，’saidthePrince，smiling。`ShecallsMademoiselleVarenkaangelnumberone。’
　　`Oh！MademoiselleVarenka-she’sarealangel，allez，’MadameBertheassented。
　　InthearcadetheymetVarenkaherself。Shewaswalkingrapidlytowardthem，carryinganelegantredbag。
　　`Hereispapacome，’Kittysaidtoher。
　　Varenkamade-simplyandnaturallyasshedideverything-amovementbetweenabowandcurtsy，andimmediatelybegantalkingtothePrince，withoutshyness，naturally，asshetalkedtoeveryone。
　　`OfcourseIknowyou；Iknowyouverywell，’thePrincesaidtoherwithasmile，inwhichKittydetectedwithjoythatherfatherlikedherfriend。`Whereareyouofftoinsuchhaste？’
　　`Maman’shere，’shesaid，turningtoKitty。`Shehasnotsleptallnight，andthedoctoradvisedhertogoout。I’mtakingherherwork。’
　　`Sothat’sangelnumberone？’saidthePrincewhenVarenkahadgoneon。
　　KittysawthatherfatherhadmeanttomakefunofVarenka，butthathecouldnotdoitbecausehelikedher。
　　`Come，soweshallseeallyourfriends，’hewenton，`evenMadameStahl，ifshedeignstorecognizeme。’
　　`Why，didyouknowher，papa？’Kittyaskedapprehensively，catchingthegleamofironythatkindledinthePrince’seyesatthementionofMadameStahl。
　　`Iusedtoknowherhusband，andhertooalittle，beforeshe’djoinedthePietists。’
　　`WhatisaPietist，papa？’askedKitty，dismayedtofindthatwhatsheprizedsohighlyinMadameStahlhadaname。
　　`Idon’tquiteknowmyself。IonlyknowthatshethanksGodforeverything，foreverymisfortune，andthanksGodtoothatherhusbanddied。Andthat’sratherdroll，astheydidn’tgetontogether。Who’sthat？Whatapiteousface！’heasked，noticingasickmanofmediumheightsittingonabench，wearingabrownovercoatandwhitetrousersthatfellinstrangefoldsabouthislong，fleshlesslegs。Thismanliftedhisstrawhat，showedhisscantycurlyhairandhighforehead，painfullyreddenedbythepressureofthehat。
　　`That’sPetrov，anartist，’answeredKittyblushing。`Andthat’shiswife，’sheadded，indicatingAnnaPavlovna，who，asthoughonpurpose，attheveryinstanttheyapproached，walkedawayafterachildthathadrunoffalongapath。
　　`Poorfellow！Andwhatafinefacehehas！’saidthePrince。`Whydon’tyougouptohim？Hewantedtospeaktoyou。’
　　`Well，letusgo，then，’saidKitty，turningroundresolutely。`Howareyoufeelingtoday？’sheaskedPetrov。
　　Petrovgotup，leaningonhisstick，andlookedshylyatthePrince。
　　`Thisismydaughter，’saidthePrince。`Letmeintroducemyself。’
　　Thepainterbowedandsmiled，showinghisstrangelydazzlingwhiteteeth。
　　`Weexpectedyouyesterday，Princess，’hesaidtoKitty。
　　Hestaggeredashesaidthis，andthenrepeatedthemotion，tryingtomakeitseemasifithadbeenintentional。
　　`Imeanttocome，butVarenkasaidthatAnnaPavlovnasentwordyouwerenotgoing。’
　　`Notgoing！’saidPetrov，blushing，andimmediatelybeginningtocough，andhiseyessoughthiswife。`Aneta！Aneta！’hesaidloudly，andtheswollenveinsstoodoutlikecordsonhisthinwhiteneck。
　　AnnaPavlovnacameup。
　　`SoyousentwordtothePrincessthatweweren’tgoing！’hewhisperedtoherangrily，losinghisvoice。
　　`Goodmorning，Princess，’saidAnnaPavlovna，withanassumedsmileutterlyunlikeherformermanner。`Verygladtomakeyouracquaintance，’shesaidtothePrince。`You’velongbeenexpected，Prince。’
　　`WhydidyousendwordtothePrincessthatweweren’tgoing？’theartistwhisperedhoarselyagain，stillmoreangrily，obviouslyexasperatedthathisvoicefailedhimsothathecouldnotgivehiswordstheexpressionhewouldhavelikedto。
　　`Oh，mercyonus！Ithoughtweweren’tgoing，’hiswifeansweredcrossly。
　　`What，when……’Hecoughedandwavedhishand。
　　ThePrincetookoffhishatandmovedawaywithhisdaughter。
　　`Ah！ah！’hesigheddeeply。`Oh，poorthings！’
　　`Yes，papa，’answeredKitty。`Andyoumustknowthey’vethreechildren，noservant，andscarcelyanymeans。HegetssomethingfromtheAcademy，’shewentonbriskly，tryingtodrownthedistressthatqueerchangeinAnnaPavlovna’smannertowardherhadarousedinher。`Oh，here’sMadameStahl，’saidKitty，indicatinganinvalidcarriage，where，proppedonpillows，somethingingrayandbluewaslyingunderasunshade。ThiswasMadameStahl。Behindherstoodthegloomy，robustGermanworkmanwhopushedthecarriage。Closebywasstandingaflaxen-headedSwedishCount，whomKittyknewbyname。Severalinvalidswerelingeringnearthelowcarriage，staringattheladyasthoughsheweresomecuriosity。
　　ThePrincewalkeduptoher，andKittydetectedthatdisconcertinggleamofironyinhiseyes。HewalkeduptoMadameStahl，andaddressedherwithextremecourtesyandcharminthatexcellentFrenchwhichsofewspeaknowadays。
　　`Idon’tknowifyourememberme，butImustrecallmyselftothankyouforyourkindnesstomydaughter，’hesaidtakingoffhishatandnotputtingitonagain。
　　`PrinceAlexandreShcherbatsky，’saidMadameStahl，liftinguponhimherheavenlyeyes，inwhichKittydiscernedalookofannoyance。`Delighted！Ihavetakenagreatfancytoyourdaughter。’
　　`Youarestillinweakhealth？’
　　`Yes；I’musedtoit，’saidMadameStahl，andsheintroducedthePrincetotheSwedishCount。
　　`Youarescarcelychangedatall，’thePrincesaidtoher。`It’stenorelevenyearssinceIhadthehonorofseeingyou。’
　　`Yes；Godsendsthecrossandsendsthestrengthtobearit。Oftenonewonderswhatisthegoalofthislife？……Theotherside！’shesaidangrilytoVarenka，whohadrearrangedtherugoverherfeetnottohersatisfaction。
　　`Todogood，probably，’saidthePrincewithatwinkleinhiseye。
　　`Thatisnotforustojudge，’saidMadameStahl，perceivingtheshadeofexpressiononthePrince’sface。`Soyouwillsendmethatbook，dearCount？I’mverygratefultoyou，’shesaidtotheyoungSwede。
　　`Ah！’criedthePrince，catchingsightoftheMoscowcolonelstandingnear，andwithabowtoMadameStahlhewalkedawaywithhisdaughterandtheMoscowcolonel，whojoinedthem。
　　`That’souraristocracy，Prince！’theMoscowcolonelsaidwithironicalintention。HecherishedagrudgeagainstMadameStahlfornotmakinghisacquaintance。
　　`She’sthesameasever，’repliedthePrince。
　　`Didyouknowherbeforeherillness，Prince-that’stosay，beforeshetooktoherbed？’
　　`Yes。Shetooktoherbedbeforemyeyes，’saidthePrince。
　　`Theysayit’stenyearssinceshehasstoodonherfeet。’
　　`Shedoesn’tstandupbecauseherlegsaretooshort。Shehasaverybadfigure。’
　　`Papa，it’snotpossible！’criedKitty。
　　`That’swhatwickedtonguessay，mydarling。AndyourVarenkaistoendurestill，’headded。`Oh，theseinvalidladies！’
　　`Oh，no，papa！’Kittyobjectedwarmly。`Varenkaworshipsher。Andthenshedoessomuchgood！Askanyone！EveryoneknowsherandAlineStahl。’
　　`Perhapsso，’saidthePrince，squeezingherhandwithhiselbow；`butit’sbetterwhenonedoesgoodsothatyoumayaskeveryoneandnooneknows。’
　　Kittydidnotanswer，notbecauseshehadnothingtosay，butbecauseshedidnotcaretorevealhersecretthoughtseventoherfather。But，strangetosay，althoughshehadmadeuphermindsofirmlynottobeinfluencedbyherfather’sviews，nottolethimintoherinmostsanctuary，shefeltthattheheavenlyimageofMadameStahl，whichshehadcarriedforawholemonthinherheart，hadvanished，nevertoreturn，justasthefantasticfiguremadeupofsomeclothesthrowndownatrandomvanisheswhenoneseesthatitisonlysomefallengarment。Allthatwasleftwasawomanwithshortlegs，wholaydownbecauseshehadabadfigure，andworriedpatientVarenkafornotarrangingherrugtoherliking。AndbynoeffortofherimaginationcouldKittybringbacktheformerMadameStahl。
　　ThePrincecommunicatedhisgoodhumortohisownfamilyandhisfriends，andeventotheGermanlandlordinwhoseroomstheShcherbatskyswerestaying。
　　OncomingbackwithKittyfromthesprings，thePrince，whohadaskedthecolonel，andMaryaEugenyevna，andVarenkaalltocomeandhavecoffeewiththem，gaveordersforatableandchairstobetakenintothetinygardenunderthechestnuttree，andlunchtobelaidthere。Thelandlordandtheservants，too，grewbriskerundertheinfluenceofhisgoodspirits。Theyknewhisopenhandedness；andhalfanhourlatertheinvaliddoctorfromHamburg，wholivedonthetopfloor，lookedenviouslyoutofhiswindowatthemerrypartyofhealthyRussiansassembledunderthechestnuttree。Inthetremblingcirclesofshadowcastbytheleaves，atatablecoveredwithawhitecloth，andsetwithcoffeepot，bread，butter，cheese，andcoldgame，satthePrincessinahighcapwithlilacribbons，distributingcupsandsandwiches。AttheotherendsatthePrince，eatingheartily，andtalkingloudlyandmerrily。ThePrincehadspreadoutnearhimhispurchases-carvedboxes，andknickknacks，andpaperknivesofallsorts，ofwhichhehadboughtaheapateverywateringplace，andbestowedthemuponeveryone，includingLieschen，theservantgirl，andthelandlord，withwhomhejestedinhiscomicallybadGerman，assuringhimthatitwasnotthewaterhadcuredKitty，buthissplendidcookery-especiallyhisplumsoup。ThePrincesslaughedatherhusbandforhisRussianways，butshewasmorelivelyandgood-humoredthanshehadbeenallthewhileshehadbeenatthewaters。Thecolonelsmiled，ashealwaysdid，atthePrince’sjokes，butasfarasregardsEurope，ofwhichhebelievedhimselftobemakingacarefulstudy，hetookthePrincess’sside。ThegoodheartedMaryaEugenyevnasimplyroaredwithlaughterateverythingabsurdthePrincesaid，andhisjokesmadeVarenkahelplesswithfeeblebutinfectiouslaughter，whichwassomethingKittyhadneverseenbefore。
　　Kittywasgladofallthis，butshecouldnotbelighthearted。Shecouldnotsolvetheproblemherfatherhadunconsciouslysetherbyhisgood-humoredviewofherfriends，andofthelifethathadsoattractedher。TothisdoubttherewasjoinedthechangeinherrelationswiththePetrovs，whichhadbeensoconspicuouslyandunpleasantlymarkedthatmorning。Everyonewasgood-humored，butKittycouldnotfeelgood-humored，andthisincreasedherdistress。Shefeltafeelingsuchasshehadknowninchildhood，whenshehadbeenshutinherroomasapunishment，andhadheardhersisters’merrylaughteroutside。
　　`Well，butwhatdidyoubuythismassofthingsfor？saidthePrincess，smiling，andhandingherhusbandacupofcoffee。
　　`Onegoesforawalk，onelooksinashop，andtheyaskyoutobuy。``Erlaucht，Excellenz，Durchlaucht？’’Directlytheysay``Durchlaucht，’’Ican’tholdout-andtenthalersaregone。’
　　`It’ssimplyfromboredom，’saidthePrincess。
　　`Ofcourseitis。Suchboredom，mydear，thatonedoesn’tknowwhattodowithoneself。’
　　`Howcanyoubebored，Prince？There’ssomuchthat’sinterestingnowinGermany，’saidMaryaEugenyevna。
　　`ButIknoweverythingthat’sinteresting:theplumsoupIknowandthepeasausagesIknow。Iknoweverything。’
　　`No，youmaysaywhatyoulike，Prince-there’stheinterestoftheirinstitutions，’saidthecolonel。
　　`Butwhatisthereinteresting？They’reallasbeamingwithjoyasbrasshalfpence；they’veconqueredeverybody。AndwhyamItobepleasedatthat？Ihaven’tconqueredanyone；onlyIhavemyselftotakeoffmyownboots，and，besides，toexposethembeforethedoor；inthemorning，getupanddressatonce，andgotothecoffeeroomtodrinkbadtea！Howdifferentitisathome！Yougetupinnohaste，yougetcross，grumblealittleandcomeroundagain。You’vetimetothinkthingsover，andnohurry。’
　　`Buttime’smoney，youforgetthat，’saidthecolonel。
　　`Time，indeed！Why，therearetimesonewouldgiveamonthofforhalfarouble，andtimesyouwouldn’tgivehalfanhourofforanymoney。Isn’tthatso，Katenka？Whatisit？Whyareyousodepressed？’
　　`I’mnotdepressed。’
　　`Whereareyouoffto？Stayalittlelonger，’hesaidtoVarenka。
　　`Imustbegoinghome，’saidVarenka，gettingup，andagainshebrokeoutlaughing。Whenshehadrecovered，shesaidgood-by，andwentintothehousetogetherhat。
　　Kittyfollowedher。EvenVarenkastruckherasdifferent。Shewasnotinferior，butdifferentfromwhatshehadfanciedherbefore。
　　`Oh，dear！It’salongwhilesinceI’velaughedsomuch！’saidVarenka，gatheringupherparasolandherhandbag。`Whatadearyourfatheris！’
　　Kittydidnotspeak。
　　`WhenshallIseeyouagain？’askedVarenka。
　　`MamanmeanttogoandseethePetrovs。Won’tyoubethere？’saidKitty，totryVarenka。
　　`Yes，’answeredVarenka。`They’regettingreadytogoaway，soIpromisedtohelpthempack。’
　　`Well，I’llcometoo，then。’
　　`No，whyshouldyou？’
　　`Whynot？Whynot？Whynot？’saidKitty，openinghereyeswide，andclutchingatVarenka’sparasol，soasnottolethergo。`No，waitaminute-whynot？’
　　`Oh，nothing；yourfatherhascome，and，besides，theywillfeelawkwardatyourhelping。’
　　`No，tellmewhyyoudon’twantmetobeoftenatthePetrovs？Youdon’twantmeto-whynot？’
　　`Ididn’tsaythat，’saidVarenkaquietly。
　　`No，pleasetellme！’
　　`Tellyoueverything？’askedVarenka。
　　`Everything，everything！’Kittyassented。
　　`Well，there’sreallynothingofanyconsequence；onlythatMikhailAlexeievich’thatwastheartist’sname`hadmeanttoleaveearlier，andnowhedoesn’twanttogoaway，’saidVarenka，smiling。
　　`Goon，goon！’Kittyurgedimpatiently，lookingsomberlyatVarenka。
　　`Well，andforsomereasonAnnaPavlovnatoldhimthathedidn’twanttogobecauseyouarehere。Ofcourse，thatwasnonsense；buttherewasadisputeoverit-overyou。Youknowhowirritablethesesickpeopleare。’
　　Kitty，scowlingmorethanever，keptsilent，andVarenkawentonspeakingalone，tryingtosoftenorsootheher，andseeingastormcoming-shedidnotknowwhetheroftearsorofwords。
　　`Soyou’dbetternotgo……Youunderstand；youwon’tbeoffended？……’
　　`Anditservesmeright！Anditservesmeright！’Kittycriedquickly，snatchingtheparasoloutofVarenka’shand，andavoidinglookingatherfriend’sface。
　　Varenkafeltinclinedtosmile，lookingatherfriend’schildishfury，butshewasafraidofwoundingher。
　　`Howdoesitserveyouright？Idon’tunderstand，’shesaid。
　　`Itservesmeright，becauseitwasallsham；becauseitwasalldoneonpurpose，andnotfromtheheart。WhatbusinesshadItointerferewithoutsiders？Andsoit’scomeaboutthatI’mthecauseofaquarrel，andthatI’vedonewhatnobodyaskedmetodo。Becauseitwasallasham！Asham！Asham！……’
　　`Asham？Withwhatobject？’saidVarenkagently。
　　`Oh，it’ssoidiotic！Sohateful！Therewasnoneedwhateverforme……Nothingbutsham！’shesaid，openingandshuttingtheparasol。
　　`Butwithwhatobject？’
　　`Toseembettertopeople，tomyself，toGod；todeceiveeveryone。No！NowIwon’tdescendtothat。Onecouldbebad；butanywaynotaliar，notacheat。’
　　`Butwhoisacheat？’saidVarenkareproachfully。`Youspeakasif……’
　　ButKittywasinoneofhergustsoffury，andshewouldnotletherfinish。
　　`Idon’ttalkaboutyou-notaboutyouatall。You’reperfection。Yes，yes，Iknowyou’reallperfection；butwhatamItodoifI’mbad？ThiswouldneverhavebeenifIweren’tbad。SoletmebewhatIam，butnottobeasham。WhathaveItodowithAnnaPavlovna？Letthemgotheirway，andmegomine。Ican’tbedifferent……Andyetit’snotthat，it’snotthat。’
　　`Whatisit？’askedVarenkainbewilderment。
　　`Everything。Ican’tactexceptfromtheheart，andyouactfromprinciple。Isimplylikedyou，butyoumostlikelyonlywantedtosaveme，toimproveme。’
　　`Youareunjust，’saidVarenka。
　　`ButI’mnotspeakingofotherpeople，I’mspeakingofmyself。’
　　`Kitty，’theyheardhermother’svoice，`comehere，showpapayournecklace。’
　　Kitty，withahaughtyair，withoutmakingpeacewithherfriend，tookthenecklaceinalittleboxfromthetableandwenttohermother。
　　`What’sthematter？Whyareyousored？’hermotherandfathersaidtoherwithonevoice。
　　`Nothing，’sheanswered。`I’llbebackdirectly，’andsheranback。
　　`She’sstillhere，’shethought。`WhatamItosaytoher？Oh，dear！WhathaveIdone，whathaveIsaid？WhywasIrudetoher？WhatamItodo？WhatamItosaytoher？’thoughtKitty，andshestoppedinthedoorway。
　　VarenkainherhatandwiththeparasolinherhandswassittingatatableexaminingtheparasolspringwhichKittyhadbroken。Sheliftedherhead。
　　`Varenka，forgiveme，doforgiveme，’whisperedKitty，goinguptoher。`Idon’trememberwhatIsaid。I……’
　　`Ireallydidn’tmeantohurtyou，’saidVarenka，smiling。
　　Peacewasmade。Butwithherfather’scomingalltheworldinwhichshehadbeenlivingwastransformedforKitty。Shedidnotgiveupeverythingshehadlearned，butshebecameawarethatshehaddeceivedherselfinsupposingshecouldbewhatshewantedtobe。Hereyeswere，itseemed，opened；shefeltallthedifficultyofmaintainingherselfwithouthypocrisyandself-conceitonthepinnacletowhichshehadwishedtomount。Moreover，shebecameawareofallthedrearinessoftheworldofsorrow，ofsickanddyingpeople，inwhichshehadbeenliving。Theeffortsshehadmadetolikeitseemedtoherintolerable，andshefeltalongingtogetbackquicklyintothefreshair，toRussia，toErgushovo，where，assheknewfromletters，hersisterDollyhadalreadygonewithherchildren。
　　ButheraffectionforVarenkadidnotwane。PartingKittybeggedhertocometotheminRussia。
　　`I’llcomewhenyougetmarried，’saidVarenka。
　　`Ishallnevermarry。’
　　`Well，then，Ishallnevercome。’
　　`Well，then，Ishallbemarriedsimplyforthat。Mindnow，rememberyourpromise，’saidKitty。
　　Thedoctor’spredictionwasfulfilled。Kittyreturnedhome，toRussia，cured。Shewasnotasgayandthoughtlessasbefore，butshewasserene。HerMoscowtroubleshadbecomeamemorytoher。
　　SergeiIvanovichKoznishevwantedarestfrommentalwork，andinsteadofgoingabroadasheusuallydid，hecametowardtheendofMaytostayinthecountrywithhisbrother。Inhisjudgmentthebestsortoflifewasacountrylife。Hehadcomenowtoenjoysuchalifeathisbrother’s。KonstantinLevinwasverygladtohavehim，especiallyashedidnotexpecthisbrotherNikolaithatsummer。ButinspiteofhisaffectionandrespectforSergeiIvanovich，KonstantinLevinwasuncomfortablewithhisbrotherinthecountry。Itmadehimuncomfortable，anditevenannoyedhim，toseehisbrother’sattitudetothecountry。ToKonstantinLevinthecountrywasthebackgroundoflife-thatisofpleasures，endeavors，labor；toSergeiIvanovichthecountrymeantononehandrestfromwork，ontheotheravaluableantidotetolaxness-anantidotewhichhetookwithsatisfactionandasenseofitssalutariness。ToKonstantinLevinthecountrywasgoodbecauseitaffordedafieldforlabor，oftheusefulnessofwhichtherecouldbenodoubt；toSergeiIvanovichthecountrywasparticularlygood，becausethereitwaspossibleandfittingtodonothing。Moreover，SergeiIvanovich’sattitudetoward`thepeople’ratherpiquedKonstantin。SergeiIvanovichusedtosaythatheknewandliked`thepeople，’andheoftentalkedtothepeasants，whichheknewhowtodowithoutaffectationorcondescension，andfromeverysuchconversationhewoulddeducegeneralconclusionsinfavorof`thepeople’andinconfirmationofhisknowingthem。KonstantinLevindidnotlikesuchanattitudetoward`thepeople。’ToKonstantin`thepeople’wassimplythechiefpartnerinthecommonlabor，andinspiteofalltherespectandthelove，almostlikethatofkinship，hehadforthepeasantsuckedinprobably，ashesaidhimself，withthemilkofhispeasantnurse，Konstantinasafellowworkerwiththem，whilesometimesenthusiasticoverthevigor，gentleness，andjusticeofthesemen，wasveryoften，whentheircommonlaborscalledforotherqualities，exasperatedwiththepeasantforhiscarelessness，slovenliness，drunkennessandlying。Ifhehadbeenaskedwhetherhelikedordidn’tlike`thepeople，’KonstantinLevinwouldhavebeenabsolutelyatalosswhattoreply。Helikedanddidnotlike`thepeople，’justashelikedanddidnotlikemeningeneral。Ofcourse，beingagoodheartedman，helikedmenmorethanhedislikedthem，andsotoowith`thepeople。’Butlikeordislike`thepeople’assomethingpeculiarhecouldnot，notonlybecausehelivedwith`thepeople，’andallhisinterestswereboundupwiththeirs，butalsobecauseheregardedhimselfasapartof`thepeople，’didnotseeanypeculiarqualitiesorfailingsdistinguishinghimselffrom`thepeople，’andcouldnotcontrasthimselfwiththem。Moreover，althoughhehadlivedsolongintheclosestrelationswiththepeasants，asfarmerandarbitrator，andwhatwasmore，asadviserthepeasantstrustedhim，andforfortyverstasroundtheywouldcometoaskhisadvice，hehadnodefiniteviewsof`thepeople，’andwouldhavebeenasmuchatalosstoanswerthequestionwhetherheknew`thepeople’asthequestionwhetherhelikedthem。Forhimtosayheknew`thepeople’wouldhavebeenthesameastosayheknewmen。Hewascontinuallywatchingandgettingtoknowpeopleofallsorts，andamongthempeasants，whomheregardedasgoodandinterestingpeople，andhewascontinuallyobservingnewpointsinthem，alteringhisformerviewsofthemandformingnewones。
　　WithSergeiIvanovichitwasquitethecontrary。Justashelikedandpraisedacountrylifeincomparisonwiththelifehedidnotlike，sotooheliked`thepeople’incontradistinctiontotheclassofmenhedidnotlike，andsotooheknew`thepeople’assomethingdistinctfrom，andopposedto，meningeneral。Inhismethodicalbrainthereweredistinctlyformulatedcertainaspectsofpeasantlife，deducedpartlyfromthatlifeitself，butchieflyfromcontrastwithothermodesoflife。Heneverchangedhisopinionof`thepeople’andhissympatheticattitudetowardthem。
　　Inthediscussionsthatarosebetweenthebrothersontheirviewsof`thepeople，’SergeiIvanovichalwaysgotthebetterofhisbrother，preciselybecauseSergeiIvanovichhaddefiniteideasaboutthepeasant-hischaracter，hisqualities，andhistastes；KonstantinLevinhadnodefiniteandunalterableideaonthesubject，andsointheirargumentsKonstantinwasreadilyconvictedofcontradictinghimself。
　　InSergeiIvanovich’seyeshisyoungerbrotherwasacapitalfellow，withhisheartintherightplaceasheexpresseditinFrench，butwithamindwhich，thoughfairlyquick，wastoomuchinfluencedbytheimpressionsofthemoment，andconsequentlyfilledwithcontradictions。Withallthecondescensionofanelderbrotherhesometimesexplainedtohimthetrueimportofthings，buthederivedlittlesatisfactionfromarguingwithhimbecausehegotthebetterofhimtooeasily。
　　KonstantinLevinregardedhisbrotherasamanofimmenseintellectandculture，asgenerousinthehighestsenseoftheword，andpossessedofaspecialfacultyforworkingforthepublicgood。Butinthedepthsofhisheart，theolderhebecame，andthemoreintimatelyheknewhisbrother，themoreandmorefrequentlythethoughtstruckhimthatthisfacultyofworkingforthepublicgood，ofwhichhefelthimselfutterlydevoid，waspossiblynotsomuchaqualityasalackofsomething-notalackofgood，honest，nobledesiresandtastes，butalackofvitalforce，ofwhatiscalledheart，ofthatimpulsewhichdrivesamantochoosesomeoneoutoftheinnumerablepathsoflife，andtocareonlyforthatone。Thebetterheknewhisbrother，themorehenoticedthatSergeiIvanovich，andmanyotherpeoplewhoworkedforthepublicwelfare，werenotledbyanyimpulseofthehearttocareforthepublicgood，butreasonedfromintellectualconsiderationsthatitwasarightthingtotakeaninterestinpublicaffairs，andconsequentlytookaninterestinthem。Levinwasconfirmedinthisconjecturebyobservingthathisbrotherdidnottakequestionsaffectingthepublicwelfareorthequestionoftheimmortalityofthesoulabitmoretoheartthanhedidchessproblems，ortheingeniousconstructionofanewmachine。
　　Besidesthis，KonstantinLevinwasnotathiseasewithhisbrother，becauseinthecountry，especiallyinsummertime，Levinwascontinuallybusywithworkontheland，andthelongsummerdaywasnotlongenoughforhimtogetthroughallhehadtodo，whileSergeiIvanovichwasmerelytakingaholiday。Butthoughhewastakingaholidaynow-thatistosay，hewasdoingnowriting-hewassousedtointellectualactivitythathelikedtoputintoconciseandeloquentshapetheideasthatoccurredtohim，andlikedtohavesomeonelistentohim。Hismostusualandnaturallistenerwashisbrother。Andso，inspiteofthefriendlinessanddirectnessoftheirrelations，Konstantinfeltanawkwardnessinleavinghimalone。SergeiIvanovichlikedtostretchhimselfonthegrassinthesun，andtolieso，baskingandchattinglazily。
　　`Youwouldn’tbelieve，’hewouldsaytohisbrother，`whatapleasurethisrurallazinessistome。Notanideainone’sbrain-asemptyasadrum！’
　　ButKonstantinLevinfounditdullsittingandlisteningtohim，especiallywhenheknewthatwhilehewasawaymanurewouldbecartedintofieldsnotplowedreadyforit，andheapedupGodknowshow；andthesharesintheplowswouldnotbescrewedin，sothattheywouldcomeoff，andthenhismenwouldsaythenewplowswereasillyinvention，andtherewasnothingliketheoldwoodenplow，andsoon。
　　`Come，you’vedoneenoughtrudgingaboutintheheat，’SergeiIvanovichwouldsaytohim。
　　`No，Imustjustrunroundtothecountinghouseforaminute，’Levinwouldanswer，andwouldrunofftothefields。
　　EarlyinJuneAgathyaMikhailovna，theoldnurseandhousekeeper，incarryingtothecellarajarofmushroomsshehadjustpickled，happenedtoslip，fallandsprainherwrist。Thedistrictdoctor，atalkativeyoungmedicowhohadjustfinishedhisstudies，cametoseeher。Heexaminedthewrist，saiditwasnotluxated，bandagedit，andbeingaskedtodinnerevidentlywasdelightedatachanceoftalkingtothecelebratedSergeiIvanovichKoznishev，andtoshowhisadvancedviewsofthingstoldhimallthescandalofthedistrict，complainingofthepoorstateintowhichtheZemstvoaffairshadfallen。SergeiIvanovichlistenedattentively，askedhimquestions，and，rousedbyanewlistener，hetalkedfluently，utteredafewkeenandweightyobservations，respectfullyappreciatedbytheyoungdoctor，andwassooninthatanimatedframeofmindhisbrotherknewsowell，whichalways，withhim，followedabrilliantandanimatedconversation。Afterthedepartureofthedoctor，hewantedtogowithafishingrodtotheriver。SergeiIvanovichwasfondofangling，andwas，itseemed，proudofbeingabletocareforsuchastupidoccupation。
　　KonstantinLevin，whosepresencewasneededintheplowlandandthemeadows，hadcometotakehisbrotherinthecabriolet。
　　Itwasthattimeoftheyear，theturningpointofsummer，whenthecropsofthepresentyearareacertainty，whenonebeginstothinkofthesowingfornextyear，andthemowingisathand；whentheryeisallinear，thoughitsearsarestilllight，notyetfull，anditwavesingray-greenbillowsinthewind；whenthegreenoats，withtuftsofyellowgrassscatteredhereandthereamongit，droopirregularlyoverthelate-sownfields；whentheearlybuckwheatisalreadyoutandhidingtheground；whenthefallowlands，troddenhardasstonebythecattle，arehalf-plowedover，withpathsleftuntouchedbytheplow；whentheodorfromthedrymanureheapscartedintothefieldsminglesatsunsetwiththesmellofmeadowsweet，andonthelow-lyinglandsthepreservedmeadowsareathickseaofgrasswaitingforthemowing，withblackenedheapsofsorrelstalksamongit。
　　Itwasthetimewhentherecomesabriefpauseinthetoilofthefieldsbeforethebeginningofthelaborsofharvest-everyyearrecurring，everyyearclaimingallthepeasant’sthews。Thecropwasasplendidone，andbright，hotsummerdayshadsetinwithshort，dewynights。
　　Thebrothershadtodrivethroughthewoodstoreachthemeadows。SergeiIvanovichwasallthewhileadmiringthebeautyofthewoods，whichwereatangledmassofleaves，pointingouttohisbrothernowanoldlimetreeonthepointofflowering，darkontheshadyside，andbrightlyspottedwithyellowstipules，nowtheyoungshootsofthisyear’ssaplingsbrilliantwithemerald。KonstantinLevindidnotliketalkingandhearingaboutthebeautyofnature。Wordsforhimtookawaythebeautyofwhathesaw。Heassentedtowhathisbrothersaid，butcouldnothelpthinkingofotherthings。Whentheycameoutofthewoods，allhisattentionwasengrossedbytheviewofthefallowlandontheupland，inpartsyellowwithgrass，inpartstrampledandcheckeredwithfurrows，inpartsdottedwithridgesofmanure，andinpartsevenplowed。Astringoftelegaswasmovingacrossit。Levincountedthetelegas，andwaspleasedthatallthatwerewantedhadbeenbrought，andatthesightofthemeadowshisthoughtspassedtothemowing。Healwaysfeltsomethingpeculiarmovinghimtothequickathaymaking。OnreachingthemeadowLevinstoppedthehorse。
　　Themorningdewwasstilllyingonthethickundergrowthofthegrass，and，thathemightnotgethisfeetwet，SergeiIvanovichaskedhisbrothertodrivehiminthecabrioletuptothewillowtreefromwhichtheperchwerecaught。SorryasKonstantinLevinwastocrushdownhismowinggrass，hedrovehimintothemeadow。Thehighgrasssoftlyturnedaboutthewheelsandthehorse’slegs，leavingitsseedsclingingtothewetaxlesandspokesofthewheels。
　　Hisbrotherseatedhimselfunderabush，arranginghistackle，whileLevinledthehorseaway，tiedhimupandwalkedintothevastgray-greenseaofgrassunstirredbythewind。Thesilkygrasswithitsripeseedscamealmosttohiswaistintheriversidespots。
　　Crossingthemeadow，KonstantinLevincameoutontheroad，andmetanoldmanwithaswolleneye，carryingaswarmingbasketwithbees。
　　`What？Takenastrayswarm，Fomich？’heasked。
　　`No，indeed，KonstantinMitrich！Allwecandotokeepourown！Thisisthesecondnewswarmthathasflownaway……Luckilytheladscaughtthem。Theywereplowingyourfield。Theyunyokedthehorsesandgallopedafterthem。’
　　`Well，whatdoyousay，Fomich-startmowingorwaitabit？’
　　`Well，now！Ourway’stowaittillSt。Peter’sDay。Butyoualwaysmowsooner。Well，tobesure，pleaseGod，thehay’sgood。There’llbeplentyforthebeasts。’
　　`Whatdoyouthinkabouttheweather？’
　　`That’sinGod’shands。Maybeeventheweatherwillfavorus。’
　　Levinwalkeduptohisbrother。
　　SergeiIvanovichhadcaughtnothing，buthewasnotbored，andseemedinthemostcheerfulframeofmind。Levinsawthat，stimulatedbyhisconversationwiththedoctor，hewantedtotalk。Levin，ontheotherhand，wouldhavelikedtogethomeassoonaspossible，togiveordersaboutgettingtogetherthemowersfornextday，andtosetatresthisdoubtsaboutthemowing，whichgreatlyabsorbedhim。
　　`Well，let’sbegoing，’hesaid。
　　`Whybeinsuchahurry？Let’sstayalittle。Buthowwetyouare！Eventhoughonecatchesnothing，it’sfine。That’sthebestthingabouteverypartofsport，thatonehastodowithnature。Howexquisitethissteelywateris！’saidSergeiIvanovich。`Theseriversidebanksalwaysremindmeoftheriddle-doyouknowit？``Thegrasssaystotheriver:wequiverandwequiver。’’
　　`Idon’tknowtheriddle，’answeredLevincheerlessly。
　　`DoyouknowI’vebeenthinkingaboutyou，’saidSergeiIvanovich。`It’sbeyondeverythingwhat’sbeingdoneinthedistrict，accordingtowhatthisdoctortellsme。He’saveryintelligentfellow。AndasI’vetoldyoubefore，Itellyouagain:it’snotrightforyounottogotothemeetings，andtokeepoutoftheZemstvoaffairsentirely。Ifdecentpeoplewon’tgointoit，ofcourseit’sboundtogoallwrong。Wepaythemoney，anditallgoesinsalaries，andtherearenoschools，nordistrictdressers，normidwives，norpharmacies-nothing。’
　　`Well，Ididtry，youknow，’Levinsaidgentlyandunwillingly。`Ican’t！Andsothere’snohelpforit。’
　　`Butwhycan’tyou？ImustownIcan’tmakeitout。Indifference，incapacity-Iwon’tadmit；surelyit’snotsimplylaziness？’
　　`Noneofthosethings。I’vetried，andIseeIcandonothing，’saidLevin。
　　Hehadhardlygraspedwhathisbrotherwassaying。Lookingtowardtheplowlandacrosstheriver，hemadeoutsomethingblack，buthecouldnotdistinguishwhetheritwasahorseorthebailiffonhorseback。
　　`Whyisityoucandonothing？Youmadeanattemptanddidn’tsucceed，asyouthink，andyougivein。Howcanyouhavesolittleambition？’
　　`Ambition！’saidLevin，stungtothequickbyhisbrother’swords；`Idon’tunderstand。Ifthey’dtoldmeatcollegethatotherpeopleunderstoodtheintegralcalculus，andIdidn’t，thenambitionwouldhavecomein。Butinthiscaseonewantsfirsttobeconvincedthatonehascertainabilitiesforthissortofbusiness，andespeciallythatallthisbusinessisofgreatimportance。’
　　`What！Doyoumeantosayit’snotofimportance？’saidSergeiIvanovich，stungtothequickinhisturnbyhisbrother’sconsideringofnoimportanceanythingthatinterestedhim，andstillmoreathisobviouslypayinglittleattentiontowhathewassaying。
　　`Idon’tthinkitimportant；itdoesnottakeholdofme-Ican’thelpit，’answeredLevin，makingoutthatwhathesawwasthebailiff，andthatthebailiffseemedtobelettingthepeasantsgoofftheplowedland。Theywereturningtheplowover。`Cantheyhavefinishedplowing？’hewondered。
　　`Come，reallythough，’saidtheelderbrother，withafrownonhishandsome，cleverface，`there’salimittoeverything。It’sverywelltobeoriginalandgenuine，andtodislikeeverythinghypocritical-Iknowallaboutthat；butreally，whatyou’resayingeitherhasnomeaning，orithasaverywrongmeaning。Howcanyouthinkitamatterofnoimportancewhether``thepeople，’whomyouloveasyouassert……’
　　`Ineverdidassertit，’thoughtKonstantinLevin。
　　`……diewithouthelp？Theignorantpeasantwomenstarvethechildren，andthepeoplestagnateindarkness，andarehelplessinthehandsofeveryvillageclerk，whileyouhaveatyourdisposalameansofhelpingthem，anddon’thelpthembecausetoyourmindit’sofnoimportance！’
　　AndSergeiIvanovichputbeforehimthedilemma:Eitheryouaresoundevelopedthatyoucan’tseeallthatyoucando，oryouwon’tsacrificeyourease，yourvanity，orwhateveritis，todoit。
　　KonstantinLevinfeltthattherewasnocourseopentohimbuttosubmit，ortoconfesstoalackofzealforthepublicgood。Andthismortifiedhimandhurthisfeelings。
　　`It’sboth，’hesaidresolutely；`Idon’tseethatitispossible……’
　　`What！Isitimpossible，ifthemoneywereproperlylaidout，toprovidemedicalaid？’
　　`Impossible，asitseemstome……Forthefourthousandsquareverstasofourdistrict，whatwithourundersnowwaters，andthestorms，andtheworkinthefields，Idon’tseehowitispossibletoprovidemedicalaidallover。Andbesides，Idon’tbelieveinmedicine。’
　　`Oh，well，that’sunfair……Icanquotetoyouthousandsofinstances……Buttheschools，atleast？’
　　`Whyhaveschools？’
　　`Whatdoyoumean？Cantherebetwoopinionsoftheadvantageofeducation？Ifit’sagoodthingforyou，it’sagoodthingforeveryone。’
　　KonstantinLevinfelthimselfmorallypinnedagainstawall，andsohebecameheated，andunconsciouslyblurtedoutthechiefcauseofhisindifferencetopublicbusiness。
　　`Perhapsitmayallbeverygood；butwhyshouldIworrymyselfaboutestablishingdispensarieswhichIshallnevermakeuseof，andschoolstowhichIshallneversendmychildren，towhicheventhepeasantsdon’twanttosendtheirchildren，andtowhichI’venoveryfirmfaiththattheyoughttosendthem？’saidhe。
　　SergeiIvanovichwasforaminutesurprisedatthisunexpectedviewofthesubject；buthepromptlymadeanewplanofattack。
　　Hewassilentforalittle，drewoutahook，threwitinagain，andturnedtohisbrothersmiling。
　　`Come，now……Inthefirstplace，thedispensaryisneeded。WeourselvessentforthedistrictdoctorforAgathyaMikhailovna。’
　　`Oh，well，butIfancyherwristwillneverbestraightagain。’
　　`Thatremainstobeproved……Next，thepeasantwhocanreadandwriteisasaworkmanofmoreuseandvaluetoyou。’
　　`No；youcanaskanyoneyoulike，’KonstantinLevinansweredwithdecision，`themanthatcanreadandwriteismuchinferiorasaworkman。Andmendingthehighroadsisanimpossibility；andassoonastheyputupbridgesthey’restolen。’
　　`Still，that’snotthepoint，’saidSergeiIvanovich，frowning。Hedislikedcontradiction，andstillmore，argumentsthatwerecontinuallyskippingfromonethingtoanother，introducingnewanddisconnectedpoints，sothattherewasnoknowingtowhichtoreply。`Letmesay。Doyouadmitthateducationisabenefitforthepeople？’
　　`Yes，Iadmitit，’saidLevinwithoutthinking，andhewasconsciousimmediatelythathehadsaidwhathedidnotthink。Hefeltthatifheadmittedthat，itwouldbeprovedthathehadbeentalkingmeaninglessrubbish。Howitwouldbeprovedhecouldnottell，butheknewthatthiswouldinevitablybelogicallyprovedtohim，andheawaitedtheproofs。
　　TheargumentturnedouttobefarsimplerthanKonstantinLevinhadexpected。
　　`Ifyouadmitthatitisabenefit，’saidSergeiIvanovich，`then，asanhonestman，youcannothelpcaringaboutitandsympathizingwiththemovement，andsowishingtoworkforit。’
　　`ButIstilldonotadmitthismovementtobegood，’saidKonstantinLevin，reddening。
　　`What！Butyoujustsaidnow……’
　　`That’stosay，Idon’tadmitit’sbeingeithergoodorpossible。’
　　`Thatyoucan’ttellwithoutmakingthetrial。’
　　`Well，supposingthatisso，’saidLevin，thoughhedidnotsupposesoatall，`supposingthatisso，stillIdon’tsee，allthesame，whyIshouldworrymyselfaboutit。’
　　`Howso？’
　　`No；sincewearetalking，explainittomefromthephilosophicalpointofview，’saidLevin。
　　`Ican’tseewherephilosophycomesin，’saidSergeiIvanovich，inatone，Levinfancied，asthoughhedidnotadmithisbrother’srighttotalkaboutphilosophy。AndthatirritatedLevin。
　　`I’lltellyou，then，’hesaidwithheat，`Iimaginethemainspringofallouractionsis，afterall，self-interest。NowintheZemstvoinstitutionsI，asanobleman，seenothingthatcouldconducetomyprosperity。Theroadsarenotbetterandcouldnotbebetter；myhorsescarrymewellenoughoverbadones。Doctorsanddispensariesareofnousetome。Ajusticeofthepeaceisofnousetome-Ineverappealtohim，andnevershallappealtohim。Theschoolsareofnogoodtome，butpositivelyharmful，asItoldyou。FormetheZemstvoinstitutionssimplymeantheliabilityofpayingeighteenkopecksforeverydessiatina，ofdrivingintothetown，sleepingwithbedbugs，andlisteningtoallsortsofidiocyandblather，andself-interestoffersmenoinducement。’
　　`Excuseme，’SergeiIvanovichinterposedwithasmile，`self-interestdidnotinduceustoworkfortheemancipationoftheserfs，yetwedidworkforit。’
　　`No！’KonstantinLevinbrokeinwithstillgreaterheat；`theemancipationoftheserfswasadifferentmatter。Thereself-interestdidcomein。Onelongedtothrowoffthatyokethatcrushedus-allthedecentpeopleamongus。ButtobeamemberoftheZemstvoanddiscusshowmanystreetcleanersareneeded，andhowsewersshallbeconstructedinthetowninwhichIdon’tlive-toserveonajuryandtryapeasantwhohasstolenaflitchofbacon，andlistenforsixhoursatastretchtoallsortsofjabberfromthecounselforthedefenseandtheprosecution，andthepresidentcross-examiningmyoldsimpletonAlioshka:``Doyouadmit，prisoneratthebar，thefactoftheremovalofthebacon’-``Eh？’’
　　KonstantinLevinhadwarmedtohissubject，andbeganmimickingthepresidentandthehalf-wittedAlioshka:itseemedtohimthatitwasalltothepoint。
　　ButSergeiIvanovichshruggedhisshoulders。
　　`Well，whatdoyoumeantosay，then？’
　　`Isimplymeantosaythatthoserightsthattouchme……myinterest，Ishallalwaysdefendtothebestofmyability；thatwhenraidsweremadeonusstudents，andthepolicereadourletters，Iwasreadytodefendthoserightstotheutmost，todefendmyrightstoeducationandfreedom。Icanunderstandcompulsorymilitaryservice，whichaffectsmychildren，mybrothers，andmyself-Iamreadytodeliberateonwhatconcernsme；butdeliberatingonhowtospendfortythousandroublesofZemstvo’smoney，orjudgingthehalf-wittedAlioshka-thatIdon’tunderstand，andIcan’tdoit。’
　　KonstantinLevinspokeasthoughthefloodgatesofhisspeechhadburstopen。SergeiIvanovichsmiled。
　　`Buttomorrowit’llbeyourturntobetried；wouldithavesuitedyourtastesbettertobetriedintheoldcriminalcourt？’
　　`I’mnotgoingtobetried。Ishan’tmurderanybody，andI’venoneedofit。Well，Itellyouwhat，’hewenton，flyingoffagaintoasubjectquitebesidethepoint，`ourdistrictself-governmentandalltherestofit-it’sjustlikethebirchsaplingswestickintheground，aswewoulddoitonTrinityDay，tolooklikeacopsewhichhasgrownupofitselfinEurope，andIcan’tgushoverthesebirchsaplingsandbelieveinthem。’
　　SergeiIvanovichmerelyshruggedhisshoulders，asthoughtoexpresshiswonderhowthebirchsaplingshadcomeintotheirargumentatthatpoint，thoughhedidreallyunderstandatoncewhathisbrothermeant。
　　`Excuseme，butyouknowonereallycan’targueinthatway，’heobserved。
　　ButKonstantinLevinwantedtojustifyhimselfforthefailing，ofwhichhewasconscious，ofalackofzealforthepublicwelfare，andhewenton。
　　`Iimagine，’Konstantinsaid，`thatnosortofactivityislikelytobelastingifitisnotfoundedonself-interest-that’sauniversalprinciple，aphilosophicalprinciple，’hesaid，repeatingtheword`philosophical’withdetermination，asthoughwishingtoshowthathehadasmuchrightasanyoneelsetotalkofphilosophy。
　　SergeiIvanovichsmiled。`Hetoohasaphilosophyofhisownattheserviceofhisnaturaltendencies，’hethought。
　　`Come，you’dbetterletphilosophyalone，’hesaid。`Thechiefproblemofthephilosophyofallagesconsistspreciselyinfindingthatindispensableconnectionwhichexistsbetweenindividualandsocialinterests。Butthat’snottothepoint；whatistothepointisacorrectionImustmakeinyourcomparison。Thebirchesarenotsimplystuckin，butsomearesownandsomeareplanted，andonemustdealcarefullywiththem。It’sonlythosepeoplesthathaveanintuitivesenseofwhat’sofimportanceandsignificanceintheirinstitutions，andknowhowtovaluethem，whohaveafuturebeforethem-it’sonlythosepeoplesthatonecantrulycallhistorical。’
　　AndSergeiIvanovichcarriedthesubjectintotheregionsofphilosophicalhistorywhereKonstantinLevincouldnotfollowhim，andshowedhimalltheincorrectnessofhisoutlook。
　　`Asforyourdislikeofit-excusemysayingso-that’ssimplyourRussianslothandoldserfowners’ways，andI’mconvincedthatinyouit’satemporaryerrorandwillpass。’
　　Konstantinwassilent。Hefelthimselfvanquishedonallsides，buthefeltatthesametimethatwhathewantedtosaywasunintelligibletohisbrother。Onlyhecouldnotmakeuphismindwhetheritwasunintelligiblebecausehewasnotcapableofexpressinghismeaningclearly，orbecausehisbrotherwouldnotorcouldnotunderstandhim。Buthedidnotpursuethespeculation，and，withoutreplying，hefelltomusingonaquitedifferentandpersonalmatter。
　　SergeiIvanovichwoundupthelastline，unhitchedthehorse，andtheydroveoff。
　　ThepersonalmatterthatabsorbedLevinduringhisconversationwithhisbrotherwasthis。Once，theyearprevious，hehadgonetolookatthemowing，andbeingmadeveryangrybythebailiffhehadhadrecoursetohisfavoritemeansforregaininghistemper-hehadtakenascythefromapeasantandbegunmowing。
　　Helikedtheworksomuchthathehadseveraltimestriedhishandatmowingsince。Hehadcutthewholeofthemeadowinfrontofhishouse，andthisyear，eversincetheearlyspring，hehadcherishedaplanformowingforwholedaystogetherwiththepeasants。Eversincehisbrother’sarrivalhehadbeenindoubtastowhethertomowornot。Hewasloathtoleavehisbrotheralonealldaylong，andhewasafraidhisbrotherwouldlaughathimaboutit。Butashedroveintothemeadow，andrecalledthesensationsofmowing，hecameneardecidingthathewouldgomowing。Aftertheirritatingdiscussionwithhisbrother，heponderedoverthisintentionagain。
　　`Imusthavephysicalexercise，ormytemper’llcertainlyberuined，’hethought，andhedeterminedhewouldgomowing，howeverawkwardhemightfeelaboutitwithhisbrotherorthepeasants。
　　TowardeveningKonstantinLevinwenttohiscountinghouse，gavedirectionsastotheworktobedone，andsentaboutthevillagetosummonthemowersforthemorrow，tocutthehayinKalinovmeadow，thelargestandbestofhisgrasslands。
　　`Andsendmyscythe，please，toTit，forhimtosetit，andbringitroundtomorrow。Imaydosomemowingmyself，too，’hesaid，tryingnottobeembarrassed。
　　Thebailiffsmiledandsaid:
　　`Yes，sir。’
　　AtteathesameeveningLevinsaidtohisbrothertoo。
　　`Ifancythefineweatherwilllast，’saidhe。`TomorrowIshallstartmowing。’
　　`I’msofondofthatformoffieldlabor，’saidSergeiIvanovich。
　　`I’mawfullyfondofit。Isometimesmowmyselfwiththepeasants，andtomorrowIwanttotrymowingthewholeday。’
　　SergeiIvanovichliftedhishead，andlookedwithcuriosityathisbrother。
　　`Howdoyoumean？Justlikeoneofthepeasants，alldaylong？’
　　`Yes，it’sverypleasant，’saidLevin。
　　`It’ssplendidasexercise，onlyyou’llhardlybeabletostandit，’saidSergeiIvanovich，withoutashadeofirony。
　　`I’vetriedit。It’shardworkatfirst，butyougetintoit。IdaresayIshallmanagetokeepitup……’
　　`Oh，sothat’sit！Buttellme，howdothepeasantslookatit？Isupposetheylaughintheirsleevesattheirmaster’sbeingsuchaqueerfish？’
　　`No，Idon’tthinkso；butit’ssodelightful，andatthesametimesuchhardwork，thatonehasnotimetothinkaboutit。’
　　`Buthowwillyoudoaboutdiningwiththem？TosendyouabottleofLafitteandroastturkeyouttherewouldbealittleawkward。’
　　`No，I’llsimplycomehomeatthetimeoftheirnoondayrest。’
　　NextmorningKonstantinLevingotupearlierthanusual，buthewasdetainedgivingdirectionsonthefarm，andwhenhereachedthemowinggrassthemowerswerealreadyattheirsecondswath。
　　Fromtheuplandshecouldgetaviewoftheshadedcutpartofthemeadowbelow，withthegrayishswathsandtheblackheapsofcoats，takenoffbythemowersattheplacefromwhichtheyhadstartedcutting。
　　Gradually，asherodetowardthemeadow，thepeasantscameintosight，someincoats，someintheirshirts，mowing，onebehindanotherinalongstring，eachswinginghisscytheinhisownway。Hecountedforty-twoofthem。
　　Theyweremowingslowlyovertheuneven，low-lyingpartsofthemeadow，wheretherehadbeenanolddam。Levinrecognizedsomeofhisownmen。HerewasoldIermilinaverylongwhitesmock，bendingforwardtoswingascythe；therewasayoungfellow，Vaska，whohadbeenacoachmanofLevin’s，takingeveryswathwithawidesweep。Here，too，wasTit，Levin’spreceptorintheartofmowing，athinlittlepeasant。Hewentonahead，andcuthiswideswathwithoutbending，asthoughplayingwithhisscythe。
　　Levingotoffhismare，andfasteningherupbytheroadsidewenttomeetTit，whotookasecondscytheoutofabushandgaveithim。
　　`It’sready，sir；it’slikearazor-itcutsofitself，’saidTit，takingoffhiscapwithasmileandgivinghimthescythe。
　　Levintookthescythe，andbegantryingit。Astheyfinishedtheirswaths，themowers，hotandgood-humored，cameoutintotheroadoneafteranother，andsmirking，greetedthemaster。Theyallstaredathim，butnoonemadeanyremark，tillatalloldman，withawrinkled，beardlessface，wearingashortsheepskinjacket，cameoutintotheroadandaccostedhim。
　　`Look’eenow，master，oncetakeholdoftherope，there’snolettinggo！’hesaid，andLevinheardsmotheredlaughteramongthemowers。
　　`I’lltrynottoletitgo，’hesaid，takinghisstandbehindTit，andwaitingforthetimetobegin。
　　`Mind’ee，’repeatedtheoldman。
　　Titmaderoom，andLevinstartedbehindhim。Thegrasswasshortclosetotheroad，andLevin，whohadnotdoneanymowingforalongwhile，andwasdisconcertedbytheeyesfasteneduponhim，cutbadlyforthefirstmoments，thoughheswunghisscythevigorously。Behindhimheheardvoices:
　　`It’snotsetright；handle’stoohigh；seehowhehastostooptoit，’saidone。
　　`Pressmoreontheheelofthescythe，’saidanother。
　　`Nevermind，he’llgetonallright，’theoldmanresumed。`See，he’smadeastart……Youswingittoowide，you’lltireyourselfout……Themaster，sure，doeshisbestforhimself！Butseethegrassmissedout！Forsuchworkusfellowswouldcatchit！’
　　Thegrassbecamelusher，andLevin，listeningwithoutanswering，followedTit，tryingtodothebesthecould。Theymovedahundredpaces。Titkeptmovingon，withoutstopping，norshowingtheslightestweariness，butLevinwasalreadybeginningtofearhewouldnotbeabletokeepitup-sotiredwashe。
　　Hefeltasheswunghisscythethathewasattheveryendofhisstrength，andwasmakinguphismindtoaskTittostop。ButatthatverymomentTitstoppedofhisownaccord，and，stoopingdown，pickedupsomegrass，rubbedhisscythe，andbeganwhettingit。Levinstraightenedhimself，anddrawingadeepbreathlookedround。Behindhimcameapeasant，andhetoowasevidentlytired，forhestoppedatoncewithoutwaitingtomowuptoLevin，andbeganwhettinghisscythe。TitsharpenedhisscytheandLevin’s，andtheywenton。
　　Thenexttimeitwasjustthesame。Titmovedonwithsweepaftersweepofhisscythe，withoutstoppingorshowingsignsofweariness。Levinfollowedhim，tryingnottogetleftbehind，andhefounditharderandharder:themomentcamewhenhefelthehadnostrengthleft，butatthatverymomentTitstoppedandwhettedthescythes。
　　Sotheymowedthefirstrow。AndthislongrowseemedparticularlyhardworktoLevin；butwhentheendwasreached，andTit，shoulderinghisscythe，beganwithdeliberatestridereturningonthetracksleftbyhisheelsinthecutgrass，andLevinwalkedbackinthesamewayoverthespacehehadcut，inspiteofthesweatthatraninstreamsoverhisfaceandfellindropsdownhisnose，anddrenchedhisbackasthoughhehadbeensoakedinwater，hefeltveryhappy。Whatdelightedhimparticularlywasthatnowheknewhewouldbeabletoholdout。
　　Hispleasurewasonlydisturbedbyhisswathnotbeingwellcut。`Iwillswinglesswithmyarmandmorewithmywholebody，’hethought，comparingTit’sswath，whichlookedasifithadbeencutalongasurveyor’scord，withhisownscatteredandirregularlylyinggrass。
　　Thefirstswath，asLevinnoticed，Tithadmowedespeciallyquickly，probablywishingtoputhismastertothetest，andtheswathhappenedtobealongone。Thenextswathswereeasier，butstillLevinhadtostraineverynervenottodropbehindthepeasants。
　　Hethoughtofnothing，wishedfornothing，savenottobeleftbehindthepeasants，andtodohisworkaswellaspossible。Heheardnothingsavetheswishofscythes，andsawbeforehimTit’suprightfiguremowingaway，thecrescent-shapedcurveofthecutgrass，thegrassandflowersslowlyandrhythmicallyfallingbeforethebladeofhisscythe，andaheadofhimtheendoftheswath，wherewouldcometherest。
　　Suddenly，inthemidstofhistoil，withoutunderstandingwhatitwasorwhenceitcame，hefeltapleasantsensationofchillonhishot，moistshoulders。Heglancedattheskyintheintervalforwhettingthescythes。Aheavy，loweringstormcloudhadblownup，andbigraindropswerefalling。Someofthepeasantswenttotheircoatsandputthemon；others-justlikeLevinhimself-merelyshruggedtheirshoulders，enjoyingthepleasantcoolnessofit。
　　Anotherswath，andyetanotherswathfollowed-longswathsandshortswaths，withgoodgrassandwithpoorgrass。Levinlostallsenseoftime，andcouldnothavetoldwhetheritwerelateorearlynow。Achangebegantocomeoverhiswork，whichgavehimimmensesatisfaction。Inthemidstofhistoilthereweremomentsduringwhichheforgotwhathewasdoing，anditallcameeasytohim，andatthosesamemomentshisswathwasalmostassmoothandwellcutasTit’s。Butassoonasherecollectedwhathewasdoing，andbegantryingtodobetter，hewasatonceconsciousofallthedifficultyofhistask，andtheswathwasbadlymown。
　　Onfinishingyetanotherswathhewouldhavegonebacktothetopofthemeadowagaintobeginthenext，butTitstopped，andgoinguptotheoldmansaidsomethinginalowvoicetohim。Theybothlookedatthesun。`Whataretheytalkingabout，andwhydoesn’thegoback？’thoughtLevin，withoutguessingthatthepeasantshadbeenmowingnolessthanfourhourswithoutstopping，andthatitwastimefortheirlunch。
　　`Lunch，sir，’saidtheoldman。
　　`Isitreallytime？Lunchitis，then。’
　　LevingavehisscythetoTit，and，togetherwiththepeasants，whowerecrossingthelongstretchofmowngrass，slightlysprinkledwithrain，togettheirbreadfromtheheapofcoats，hewenttowardhishorse。Onlythendidhesuddenlyawaketothefactthathehadbeenwrongabouttheweatherandthattherainwasdrenchinghishay。
　　`Thehaywillbespoiled，’hesaid。
　　`Notabitofit，sir；mowintherain，andyou’llrakeinfineweather！’saidtheoldman。
　　Levinuntiedhishorseandrodehometohiscoffee。
　　SergeiIvanovichwasjustgettingup。Whenhehaddrunkhiscoffee，LevinrodebackagaintothemowingbeforeSergeiIvanovichhadhadtimetodressandcomedowntothediningroom。
　　AfterlunchLevinwasnotinthesameplaceinthestringofmowersasbefore，butstoodbetweentheoldmanwhohadaccostedhimjocosely，andnowinvitedhimtobehisneighbor，andayoungpeasant，whohadonlybeenmarriedintheautumn，andwhowasmowingthissummerforthefirsttime。
　　Theoldman，holdinghimselferect，movedinfront，withhisfeetturnedout，takinglong，regularstrides，andwithapreciseandregularactionwhichseemedtocosthimnomoreeffortthanswingingone’sarmsinwalking，asthoughitwereinplay，helaiddownthehigh，evenswathofgrass。Itwasasthoughitwerenothebutthesharpscytheofitselfswishingthroughthejuicygrass。
　　BehindLevincametheladMishka。Hiscomely，youthfulface，withatwistoffreshgrassboundroundhishair，wasallworkingwitheffort；butwheneveranyonelookedathimhesmiled。Hewouldclearlyhavediedsoonerthanownitwashardworkforhim。
　　Levinkeptbetweenthem。Intheveryheatofthedaythemowingdidnotseemsuchhardworktohim。Theperspirationwithwhichhewasdrenchedcooledhim，whilethesun，thatburnedhisback，hishead，andhisarms，baretotheelbow，gaveavigoranddoggedenergytohislabor；andmoreandmoreoftennowcamethosemomentsofunconsciousness，whenitwaspossiblenottothinkofwhatonewasdoing。Thescythecutofitself。Thesewerehappymoments。Stillmoredelightfulwerethemomentswhentheyreachedthestreamwheretheswathsended，andtheoldmanrubbedhisscythewiththewet，thickgrass，rinseditsbladeinthefreshwaterofthestream，ladledoutalittleinawhetstonecase，andofferedLevinadrink。
　　`Whatdoyousaytomykvass，eh？Good，eh？’hewouldsay，winking。
　　AndtrulyLevinhadneverdrunkanyliquorasgoodasthiswarmwaterwithgreenbitsfloatinginit，andatasteofrustfromthetinwhetstonecase。Andimmediatelyafterthiscamethedelicious，slowsaunter，withhishandonthescythe，duringwhichhecouldwipeawaythestreamingsweat，takedeepbreathsofair，andlookaboutatthelongstringofmowers，andatwhatwashappeningaroundintheforestandthefield。
　　ThelongerLevinmowed，theoftenerhefeltthemomentsofunconsciousnessinwhichitseemedthatitwasnothishandswhichswungthescythe，butthatthescythewasmovingtogetherwithitselfabodyfulloflifeandconsciousnessofitsown；andasthoughbymagic，withoutthinkingofit，theworkturnedoutregularandwell-finishedofitself。Thesewerethemostblissfulmoments。
　　Itwasonlyhardworkwhenhehadtobreakoffthemotion，whichhadbecomeunconscious，andtothink；whenhehadtomowroundahummockoranunweededtuftofsorrel。Theoldmandidthiseasily。Whenahummockcamehechangedhisaction，andatonetimewiththeheel，andatanotherwiththetipofhisscythe，clippedthehummockroundbothsideswithshortstrokes。Andwhilehedidthishekeptlookingaboutandwatchingwhatcameintohisview:atonemomenthepickedawildberryandateitorofferedittoLevin，thenheflungawayatwigwiththebladeofthescythe，thenhelookedataquail’snest，fromwhichthebirdflewjustunderthescythe，orcaughtasnakethatcrossedhispath，andliftingitonthescytheasthoughonaforkshowedittoLevinandthrewitaway。
　　ForbothLevinandtheyoungpeasantbehindhim，suchchangesofpositionweredifficult。Bothofthem，repeatingoverandoveragainthesamestrainedmovement，wereinaperfectfrenzyoftoil，andwereincapableofshiftingtheirpositionandatthesametimewatchingwhatwasbeforethem。
　　Levindidnotnoticehowtimewaspassing。Ifhehadbeenaskedhowlonghehadbeenworkinghewouldhavesaidhalfanhour-yetitwasgettingontodinnertime。Astheywerewalkingbackoverthecutgrass，theoldmancalledLevin’sattentiontothelittlegirlsandboyswhowerecomingfromdifferentdirections，hardlyvisiblethroughthelonggrass，andalongtheroadtowardthemowers，carryingsacksofbreadthatstretchedtheirlittlearms，andluggingsmallpitchersofkvass，stoppedupwithrags。
　　`Look’eeatthelittledoodlebugscrawling！’hesaid，pointingtothem，andheshadedhiseyeswithhishandtolookatthesun。
　　Theymowedtwomoreswaths；theoldmanstopped。
　　`Come，master，dinnertime！’hesaiddecidedly。Andonreachingthestreamthemowersmovedoffacrosstheswathstowardtheirpileofcoats，wherethechildrenwhohadbroughttheirdinnersweresittingwaitingforthem。Thepeasantsgathered-thosewhocamefromafarundertheirtelegas，thosewholivednearunderawillowbush，coveredwithgrass。
　　Levinsatdownbythem；hefeltdisinclinedtogoaway。
　　Allconstraintwiththemasterhaddisappearedlongago。Thepeasantsgotreadyfordinner。Somewashed，theyoungladsbathedinthestream，othersmadeaplacecomfortableforarest，untiedtheirsacksofbread，anduncoveredthepitchersofkvass。Theoldmancrumbledupsomebreadinacup，stirreditwiththehandleofaspoon，pouredwateronitfromhiswhetstonecase，brokeupsomemorebread，andhavingseasoneditwithsalt，heturnedtotheeasttosayhisprayer。
　　`Come，master，tastemysop，’saidhe，kneelingdownbeforethecup。
　　ThesopwassogoodthatLevingaveuptheideaofgoinghomefordinner。Heatewiththeoldman，andtalkedtohimabouthisfamilyaffairs，takingthekeenestinterestinthem，andtoldhimabouthisownaffairsandallthecircumstancesthatcouldbeofinteresttotheoldman。Hefeltmuchnearertohimthantohisbrother，andcouldnothelpsmilingattheaffectionhefeltforthisman。Whentheoldmangotupagain，saidhisprayer，andlaydownunderabush，puttingsomegrassunderhisheadforapillow，Levindidthesame，and，inspiteoftheclingingfliesthatweresopersistentinthesunshine，andthemidgesthattickledhishotfaceandbody，hefellasleepatonceandonlywakedwhenthesunhadpassedtotheothersideofthebushandreachedhim。Theoldmanhadbeenawakealongwhile，andwassittingupwhettingthescythesoftheyoungerlads。
　　Levinlookedabouthimandhardlyrecognizedtheplace，everythingwassochanged。Theimmensestretchofmeadowhadbeenmownandwassparklingwithapeculiarfreshbrilliance，withitslinesofalreadysweet-smellinggrassintheslantingraysoftheeveningsun。Andthebushesabouttheriver，mowedaround，andtheriveritself，notvisiblebefore，nowgleaming，likesteelinitsbends，andthemoving，ascendingpeasants，andthesharpwallofgrassoftheunmownpartofthemeadow，andthehawkshoveringoverthestrippedmeadow-allwasperfectlynew。Raisinghimself，Levinbeganconsideringhowmuchhadbeencutandhowmuchmorecouldstillbedonethatday。
　　Theworkdonewasexceptionallygreatforforty-twomen。Theyhadcutthewholeofthebigmeadow，whichhad，intheyearsofcorvee，takenthirtyscythestwodaystomow。Onlythecornersremainedtodo，wheretheswathswereshort。ButLevinfeltalongingtogetasmuchmowingdonethatdayaspossible，andwasvexedwiththesunsinkingsoquicklyinthesky。Hefeltnoweariness；allhewantedwastogethisworkdonemoreandmorequickly，andasmuchofitaspossible。
　　`CouldwecuttheMashkinUplandtoo？-whatdoyouthink？’hesaidtotheoldman。
　　`AsGodwills-thesun’snothigh。Alittlevodkaforthelads？’
　　Attheafternoonrest，whentheyweresittingdownagain，andthosewhosmokedhadlightedtheirpipes，theoldmantoldthementhat`theMashkinUpland’stobecut-there’llbevodka。’
　　`Whynotcutit？Comeon，Tit！We’lllooksharp！Wecaneatatnight。Comeon！’voicescriedout，andeatinguptheirbread，themowerswentbacktowork。
　　`Come，lads，keepitup！’saidTit，andranonaheadalmostatatrot。
　　`Getalong，getalong！’saidtheoldman，hurryingafterhimandeasilyovertakinghim，`I’llmowtheedown，lookout！’
　　Andyoungandoldmowedaway，asthoughtheywereracingwithoneanother。Buthoweverfasttheyworked，theydidnotspoilthegrass，andtheswathswerelaidjustasneatlyandexactly。Thelittlepieceleftuncutinthecornerwasmowninfiveminutes。Thelastofthemowerswerejustendingtheirswathswhiletheforemostsnatcheduptheircoatsontotheirshoulders，andcrossedtheroadtowardtheMashkinUpland。
　　ThesunwasalreadysinkingamongthetreeswhentheywentwiththeirjinglingwhetstonecasesintothewoodedravineoftheMashkinUpland。Thegrasswasuptotheirwaistsinthemiddleofthehollow，lush，tender，andfeathery，spottedhereandthereamongthetreeswithwildheartsease。
　　Afterabriefconsultation-whethertotaketheswathslengthwiseordiagonally-ProkhorIermilin，alsoadoughtymower，ahuge，black-hairedpeasant，wentonahead。Hewentuptothetop，turnedbackagainandstartedmowing，andtheyallproceededtoforminlinebehindhim，goingdownhillthroughthehollowanduphillrightuptotheedgeoftheforest。Thesunsankbehindtheforest。Thedewwasfallingbynow；themowerswereinthesunonlyonthehillside，butbelow，whereamistwasrising，andontheoppositeside，theymowedintothefresh，dewyshade。Theworkwentrapidly。
　　Thespicilyfragrantgrasscutwithasucculentsound，wasatoncelaidinhighswaths。Themowersfromallsides，broughtclosertogetherintheshortswath，kepturgingoneanotherontothesoundofjinglingwhetstonecases，andclangingscythes，andthehissofthewhetstonessharpeningthem，andgood-humoredshouts。
　　Levinstillkeptbetweentheyoungpeasantandtheoldman。Theoldman，whohadputonhisshortsheepskinjacket，wasjustasgood-humored，jocose，andfreeinhismovements。Amongthetreestheywerecontinuallycuttingwiththeirscythestheso-called`birchmushrooms，’swollenfatinthesucculentgrass。Buttheoldmanbentdowneverytimehecameacrossamushroom，pickeditupandputitinhisbosom。`Anotherpresentformyoldwoman，’hewouldsayashedidso。
　　Easyasitwastomowthewet，lushgrass，itwashardworkgoingupanddownthesteepsidesoftheravine。Butthisdidnottroubletheoldman。Swinginghisscythejustasever，andmovinghisfeetintheirbig，plaitedbastsandals，withfirmshortsteps，heclimbedslowlyupthesteepplace，andthoughhisbreecheshangingoutbelowhissmock，andhiswholeframe，trembledwitheffort，hedidnotmissonebladeofgrassoronemushroomonhisway，andkeptmakingjokeswiththepeasantsandLevin。Levinwalkedafterhimandoftenthoughthemustfall，asheclimbedwithascytheupasteephillock，whereitwouldhavebeenhardworktoclamberevenwithoutthescythe。Butheclimbedupanddidwhathehadtodo。Hefeltasthoughsomeexternalforceweremovinghim。