Theroomwasabigone，withatilestove，andapartitiondividingitintotwo。Undertheiconsstoodatablepaintedinpatterns，abenchandtwochairs。Neartheentrancewasadresserfullofcrockery。Theshutterswereclosed，therewerefewflies，anditwassocleanthatLevinwasanxiousthatLaska，whohadbeenrunningalongtheroadandbathinginpuddles，shouldnotmuddythefloor，andorderedhertoaplaceinthecornerbythedoor。Afterlookingroundtheroom，Levinwentoutinthebackyard。
　　Thecomelyyounghousewifeinclogs，swingingtheemptypailsontheyoke，ranonbeforehimtothewellforwater。
　　`Looksharp，mygirl！’theoldmanshoutedafterher，good-humoredly，andhewalkeduptoLevin。`Well，sir，areyougoingtoNikolaiIvanovichSviiazhsky？Hecomestoustoo，’hebeganchatting，leaninghiselbowsontherailingofthesteps。Inthemiddleoftheoldman’saccountofhisacquaintancewithSviiazhsky，thegatescreakedagain，andlaborerscameintotheyardfromthefields，withwoodenplowsandharrows。Thehorsesharnessedtotheplowsandharrowsweresleekandfat。Thelaborerswereobviouslyofthehousehold:twowereyoungmenincotton-printshirtsandcaps，thetwootherswerehiredlaborersinhomespunshirts，oneanoldman，theotherayoungfellow。
　　Movingofffromthesteps，theoldmanwentuptothehorsesandbeganunharnessingthem。
　　`Whathavetheybeenplowing？’askedLevin。
　　`Plowingupthepotatoes。Werentabitoflandtoo。Fedot，don’tletoutthegelding，buttakeittothetrough，andwe’llputanotherinharness。’
　　`Oh，father，abouttheplowsharesIordered-hashebroughtthemalong？’askedthebig，robustfellow，obviouslytheoldman’sson。
　　`There……inthesledge，’answeredtheoldman，rollingupthereinshehadtakenoff，andflingingthemontheground。`Youcanputthemright，whiletheyhavedinner。’
　　Thecomelyyounghousewifecameintotheouterroomwiththefullpailsdraggingathershoulders。Morewomencameonthescenefromsomewhere，youngandhandsome，middle-aged，oldandugly，withchildrenandwithoutchildren。
　　Thesamovarwasbeginningtosing；thelaborersandthefamily，havingdisposedofthehorses，cameintodinner。Levin，gettinghisprovisionsoutofhiscarriage，invitedtheoldmantotaketeawithhim。
　　`Well，Ihavehadsometodayalready，’saidtheoldman，obviouslyacceptingtheinvitationwithpleasure。`Well，beitso，forcompany。’
　　OvertheirteaLevinheardallabouttheoldman’sfarming。Tenyearsbeforetheoldmanhadrentedahundredandtwentydessiatinasfromtheladywhoownedthem，andayearagohehadboughtthemandrentedanotherthreehundredfromaneighboringlandowner。Asmallpartoftheland-
　　theworstpart-heletoutforrent，whilesomefortydessiatinasofarablelandhecultivatedhimself，withhisfamilyandtwohiredlaborers。Theoldmancomplainedthatthingsweregoingbadly。ButLevinsawthathesimplydidsofromafeelingofpropriety，andthathisfarmwasinaflourishingcondition。Ifithadbeenunsuccessfulhewouldnothaveboughtlandatahundredandfiveroublesthedessiatina，hewouldnothavemarriedoffhisthreesonsandanephew，hewouldnothaverebuilttwiceafterfires，andeachtimeonalargerscale。Inspiteoftheoldman’scomplaints，itwasevidentthathewasproud，andjustlyproud，ofhisprosperity，proudofhissons，hisnephew，hissons’wives，hishorses，andhiscows，andespeciallyofthefactthathewaskeepingallthisfarminggoing。
　　Fromhisconversationwiththeoldman，Levinrealizedhewasnotaversetonewmethodseither。Hehadplantedagreatmanypotatoes，andhispotatoes，asLevinhadseendrivingpast，werealreadypastfloweringandbeginningtoripen，whereasLevin’swereonlyjustcomingintoflower。Heplowedthegroundforhispotatoeswithamodernplowborrowedfromaneighboringlandowner。Hesowedwheat。Thetriflingfactthat，thinningouthisrye，theoldmanusedtheryehethinnedoutforhishorses，struckLevinespecially。
　　HowmanytimeshadLevinseenthissplendidfodderwasted，andtriedtogetitsaved；butalwaysithadturnedouttobeimpossible。Thispeasanthaddoneso，andhecouldnotsayenoughinpraiseofitasfoodforthebeasts。
　　`Whathavethewenchestodo？Theycarryitoutinbundlestotheroadside，andthecartbringsitaway。’
　　`Well，welandownerscan’tmanagewellwithourlaborers，’saidLevin，handinghimaglassoftea。
　　`Thanks，’saidtheoldman，andhetooktheglass，butrefusedsugar，pointingtoabithehadleft。`There’snogettingalongwiththem，’
　　saidhe。`They’resimplewaste。LookatSviiazhsky，forinstance。Weknowwhattheland’slike-first-rate；yetthere’snotmuchofacroptoboastof。It’snotlookedafterenough-that’sallitis！’
　　`Butyouworkyourlandwithhiredlaborers？’
　　`We’reallpeasantstogether。Wegointoeverythingourselves。
　　Ifaman’snouse，hecango，andwecanmanagebyourselves。’
　　`FatherFinogenwantssometar，’saidtheyoungwomanintheclogs，comingin。
　　`Yes，yes，that’showitis，sir！’saidtheoldman，gettingup，and，crossinghimselflingeringly，hethankedLevinandwentout。
　　WhenLevinwentinthekitchentocallhiscoachmanhesawthewholefamilyofmenatdinner。Thewomenwerestandingupwaitingonthem。
　　Theyoung，robustsonwastellingsomethingfunny，withhismouthfullofbuckwheatporridge，andtheywerealllaughing-thewomanintheclogs，whowaspouringcabbagesoupintoabowl，laughingmostmerrilyofall。
　　Veryprobablythecomelyfaceoftheyoungwomanintheclogshadagooddealtodowiththeimpressionofwell-beingthispeasanthouseholdmadeuponLevin，buttheimpressionwassostrongthatLevincouldnevergetridofit。Andallthewayfromtheoldpeasant’stoSviiazhsky’shekeptrecallingthispeasantfarmasthoughthereweresomethinginthisimpressiondemandinghisspecialattention。
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　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter26[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter26Sviiazhskywasthemarshalofhisdistrict。HewasfiveyearsolderthanLevin，andhadlongbeenmarried。Hissister-in-law，ayounggirlLevinlikedverymuch，livedinhishouse；andLevinknewthatSviiazhskyandhiswifewouldhavegreatlylikedtomarrythegirltohim。Heknewthiswithcertainty，asso-calledeligibleyoungmenalwaysknowit，thoughhecouldneverhavebroughthimselftospeakofittoanyone；andhealsoknewthat，althoughhewantedtogetmarried，andalthoughbyeverytokenthisveryattractivegirlwouldmakeanexcellentwife，hecouldnomorehavemarriedher，evenifhehadnotbeeninlovewithKittyShcherbatskaia，thanhecouldhaveflownuptothesky。AndthisknowledgepoisonedthepleasurehehadhopedtofindinthevisittoSviiazhsky。
　　OngettingSviiazhsky’sletterwiththeinvitationforshooting，Levinhadimmediatelythoughtofthis；but，inspiteofit，hehadmadeuphismindthatSviiazhsky’shavingsuchviewsforhimwassimplyhisowngroundlesssupposition，andsohewouldgo，notwithstanding。Besides，atthebottomofhisheart，hehadadesiretotryhimself，toputhimselftothetestinregardtothisgirl。TheSviiazhskys’homelifewasexceedinglypleasant，andSviiazhskyhimself，thebesttypeofZemstvomanthatLevinknew，wasveryinterestingtohim。
　　Sviiazhskywasoneofthosepeople，alwaysasourceofwondertoLevin，whoseconvictions，verylogicalthoughneveroriginal，goonewaybythemselves，whiletheirlife，exceedinglydefiniteandfirminitscourse，goesitswayquiteapartandalmostalwaysindirectcontradictiontotheirconvictions。Sviiazhskywasanextremelyadvancedman。Hedespisedthenobility，andbelievedthemassofthenobilitytobesecretlyinfavorofserfdom，andonlyconcealingtheirviewsoutofcowardice。HeregardedRussiaasaruinedcountry，ratherafterthestyleofTurkey，andthegovernmentofRussiaassobadthatheneverpermittedhimselftocriticizeitsdoingsseriously，andyethewasafunctionaryofthatgovernment，andamodelmarshalofnobility，andwhenhedroveabouthealwaysworehiscapwiththecockadeandredband。Heconsideredhumanlifeonlytolerableabroad，andwentabroadtostayateveryopportunity，andatthesametimehecarriedonacomplexandimprovedsystemofagricultureinRussia，andwithextremeinterestfollowedeverythingandkneweverythingthatwasbeingdoneinRussia。HeconsideredtheRussianpeasantasoccupyingastageofdevelopmentintermediatebetweentheapeandtheman，andatthesametimeinthedaysofZemstvoelectionnoonewasreadiertoshakehandswiththepeasantsandlistentotheiropinion。HebelievedneitherinGodnorthedevil，butwasmuchconcernedaboutthequestionoftheimprovementoftheclergyandthemaintenanceoftheirrevenues，andtookspecialtroubletokeepupthechurchinhisvillage。
　　Onthewomanquestionhewasonthesideoftheextremeadvocatesofcompletelibertyforwomen，andespeciallytheirrighttolabor。Buthelivedwithhiswifeonsuchtermsthattheiraffectionate，childlesshomelifewastheadmirationofeveryone，andarrangedhiswife’slifesothatshedidnothingandcoulddonothingbutshareherhusband’spreoccupationsinspendingtheirtimeashappilyandasagreeablyaspossible。
　　IfithadnotbeenacharacteristicofLevintoputthemostfavorableinterpretationonpeople，Sviiazhsky’scharacterwouldhavepresentednodoubtordifficultytohim:hewouldhavesaidtohimself，`afooloraknave，’andeverythingwouldhaveseemedclear。Buthecouldnotsayafool，becauseSviiazhskywasunmistakablyclever，and，moreover，ahighlycultivatedman，whowasexceptionallymodestoverhisculture。Therewasnotasubjectheknewnothingof。Buthedidnotdisplayhisknowledgeexceptwhenhewascompelledtodoso。StilllesscouldLevinsaythathewasaknave，asSviiazhskywasunmistakablyanhonest，goodhearted，sensibleman，whoworkedgood-humoredly，keenly，andperseveringlyathiswork，whichwasheldinhighhonorbyeveryoneabouthim，andcertainlyhehadneverconsciouslydone，andwasindeedincapableofdoing，anythingbase。
　　Levintriedtounderstandhim，andcouldnotunderstandhim，andlookedathimandhislifeasatalivingenigma。
　　Levinandhewereveryfriendly，andsoLevinusedtoventuretosoundSviiazhsky，totrytogetattheveryfoundationofhisviewoflife；butitwasalwaysinvain。EverytimeLevintriedtopenetratebeyondtheouterchambersofSviiazhsky’smind，whichwerehospitablyopentoall，henoticedthatSviiazhskywasslightlydisconcerted；faintsignsofalarmwerevisibleinhiseyes，asthoughhewereafraidLevinwouldunderstandhim，andhewouldgivehimakindly，good-humoredrebuff。
　　Justnow，sincehisdisenchantmentwithfarming，LevinwasparticularlygladtostaywithSviiazhsky。Apartfromthefactthatthesightofthishappyandaffectionatecouple，sopleasedwiththemselvesandeveryoneelse，andtheirwell-orderedhome，hadalwaysacheeringeffectonLevin，hefeltalonging，nowthathewassodissatisfiedwithhisownlife，togetatthatsecretinSviiazhskywhichgavehimsuchclarity，definiteness，andgoodcourageinlife。Moreover，LevinknewthatatSviiazhsky’shewouldmeetthelandownersoftheneighborhood，anditwasparticularlyinterestingforhimjustnowtohearandtakepartinthoseruralconversationsconcerningcrops，laborers’wages，andsoon，which，Levinwasaware，areconventionallyregardedassomethingverylow，butwhichseemedtohimjustnowtoconstitutetheonesubjectofimportance。`Itwasnot，perhaps，ofimportanceinthedaysofserfdom，anditmaynotbeofimportanceinEngland。Inbothcasestheconditionsofagriculturearefirmlyestablished；
　　butamongusnow，wheneverythinghasbeenturnedtopsy-turvy，andisonlyjusttakingshape，thequestionwhatformtheseconditionswilltakeistheonequestionofimportanceinRussia，’thoughtLevin。
　　TheshootingturnedouttobepoorerthanLevinexpected。Themarshwasdryandtherewerenosnipeatall。Hewalkedaboutthewholedayandonlybroughtbackthreebirds，buttomakeupforthathebroughtback，ashealwaysdidfromshooting，anexcellentappetite，excellentspirits，andthatkeen，intellectualmoodwhichwithhimalwaysaccompaniedviolentphysicalexertion。Andwhileoutshooting，whenheseemedtobethinkingofnothingatall，theoldmanandhisfamilywouldtimeandagaincometomind，andtheimpressionofthemseemedtoclaimnotmerelyhisattention，butthesolutionofsomequestionconnectedwiththem。
　　Intheevening，attea，twolandownerswhohadcomeaboutsomebusinessconnectedwithawardshipwereoftheparty，andtheinterestingconversationLevinhadbeenlookingforwardtosprangup。
　　Levinwassittingbesidehishostessattheteatable，andwasobligedtokeepupaconversationwithherandhersister，whowassittingoppositehim。MadameSviiazhskywasaround-faced，fair-haired，rathershortwoman，allsmilesanddimples。Levintriedthroughhertogetatasolutionoftheweightyenigmaherhusbandpresentedtohismind；buthehadnotcompletefreedomofideas，becausehewasinanagonyofembarrassment。
　　Thisagonyofembarrassmentwasduetothefactthatthesister-in-lawwassittingoppositetohim，inadress，speciallyputon，ashefancied，forhisbenefit，cutparticularlyopen，intheshapeofatrapeze，atherwhitebosom。Thisquadrangularopening，inspiteofthebosom’sbeingverywhite，orjustbecauseitwasverywhite，deprivedLevinofthefulluseofhisfaculties。Heimagined，probablymistakenly，thatthislow-neckedbodicehadbeenmadeonhisaccount，andfeltthathehadnorighttolookatit，andtriednottolookatit；buthefeltthathewastoblamefortheveryfactofthelow-neckedbodicehavingbeenmade。ItseemedtoLevinthathehadimposeduponsomeone，thatheoughttoexplainsomething，butthattoexplainitwasimpossible，andforthatreasonhewascontinuallyblushing，wasillateaseandawkward。Hisawkwardnessinfectedtheprettysister-in-lawtoo。Buttheirhostessappearednottoobservethis，andkeptpurposelydrawingherintotheconversation。
　　`Yousay，’shesaid，pursuingthesubjectthathadbeenstarted，`thatmyhusbandcannotbeinterestedinwhat’sRussian。It’squitethecontrary；heisincheerfulspiritsabroad，butneverinsuchasheishere。Herehefeelsinhisproperplace。Hehassomuchtodo，andhehasthefacultyofinterestinghimselfineverything。Oh，you’venotbeentoseeourschool，haveyou？’
　　`I’veseenit……Thelittlehousecoveredwithivy，isn’tit？’
　　`Yes；that’sNastia’swork，’shesaid，indicatinghersister。
　　`Youteachinityourself？’askedLevin，tryingtolookabovetheopenneck，butfeelingthatnomatterwherehelookedinthatdirectionheshouldseeit。
　　`Yes；Iusedtoteachinitmyself，anddoteachstill，butwehaveafirst-rateschoolmistressnow。Andwe’vestartedgymnasticexercises。’
　　`No，thankyou，Iwon’thaveanymoretea，’saidLevin，andconsciousofdoingarudething，butincapableofcontinuingtheconversation，hegotup，blushing。`Ihearaveryinterestingconversation，’headded，andwalkedtotheotherendofthetable，whereSviiazhskywassittingwiththetwogentlemenoftheneighborhood。Sviiazhskywassittingsideways，withoneelbowonthetable，andacupinonehand，whilewiththeotherhandhegathereduphisbeard，heldittohisnoseandletitdropagain，asthoughheweresmellingit。Hisbrilliantblackeyeswerelookingdirectlyattheexcitedcountrygentlemanwithgraymustaches，andapparentlyhederivedamusementfromhisremarks。Thegentlemanwascomplainingofthepeasants。ItwasevidenttoLevinthatSviiazhskyknewtheanswertothisgentleman’scomplaints，whichwouldatoncedemolishhiswholecontention，butthatinhispositionhecouldnotgiveutterancetothisanswer，andlistened，notwithoutpleasure，tothelandowner’scomictalk。
　　Thegentlemanwiththegraymustacheswasobviouslyaninveterateadherentofserfdomandadevotedagriculturist，whohadlivedallhislifeinthecountry。Levinsawproofsofthisinhisdress，inhisold-fashionedthreadbarecoat，obviouslynothiseverydayattire，inhisshrewd，deep-seteyes，inhiscoherentRussian，intheimperioustonethathadbecomehabitualfromlonguse，andintheresolutegesturesofhislarge，beautifulsunburnedhands，withasingleoldweddingringonhisfourthfinger。
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　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter27[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter27`IfI’donlythehearttothrowupwhat’sbeensetgoing……suchalotoftroublewasted……I’dturnmybackonthewholebusiness，sellout，goofflikeNikolaiIvanovich……tohearLaBelleHé；lè；ne，’
　　saidthelandowner，apleasantsmilelightinguphisshrewdoldface。
　　`But，yousee，youdon’tthrowitup，’saidNikolaiIvanovichSviiazhsky，`sotheremustbesomethinggained。’
　　`TheonlygainisthatIliveinmyownhouse，neitherboughtnorhired。Besides，onekeepshopingthepeoplewilllearnsense。Though，insteadofthat，believeitornot，thereissuchdrunkenness，suchimmorality！……
　　Theykeepmakingpartitionoftheirbitsofland；thereisn’tahorseoracow。Thepeasant’sdyingofhunger，butjustgoandtakehimonasalaborer-he’lldohisbesttodoyouamischief，andthenbringyouupbeforethejusticeofthepeace。’
　　`Butthen，youmakecomplaintstothejusticetoo，’saidSviiazhsky。
　　`Ilodgecomplaints？NotforanythingintheworldThere’ssomuchtalkspringsupthatoneissorryevertohavecomplained。Attheworks，forinstance，theypocketedtheadvancemoneyandmadeoff。Whatdidthejusticedo？Why，acquittedthem。Nothingkeepstheminorderbuttheirowncommunalcourtandtheirvillageelder。He’llflogtheminthegoodoldstyle！Butforthatthere’dbenothingforitbuttogiveitallupandrunaway。’
　　ObviouslythelandownerwaschaffingSviiazhsky，who，farfromresentingit，wasapparentlyamusedbyit。
　　`But，yousee，wemanageourlandwithoutsuchextrememeasures，’
　　saidhe，smiling:`Levin，andI，andthisgentleman。’
　　Heindicatedtheotherlandowner。
　　`Yes，thething’sdoneatMikhailPetrovich’s，butaskhimhowit’sdone。Doyoucallthatarationalsystem？’saidthelandowner，obviouslyratherproudoftheword`rational’。
　　`Mysystem’sverysimple，’saidMikhailPetrovich，`thankGod。
　　Allmymanagementrestsongettingthemoneyreadyfortheautumntaxes……
　　Thepeasantscometome，``Father，master，helpus！’Well，thepeasantsareallone’sneighbors；onefeelsforthem。Sooneadvancesthemathird，butonesays:``Remember，lads，Ihavehelpedyou，andyoumusthelpmewhenIneedit-whetherit’sthesowingoftheoats，orthehaycutting，ortheharvest’；andwell，oneagrees，somuchforeachtaxpayer-thoughtherearedishonestonesamongthemtoo，it’strue。’
　　Levin，whohadlongbeenfamiliarwiththesepatriarchalmethods，exchangedglanceswithSviiazhskyandinterruptedMikhailPetrovich，turningagaintothegentlemanwiththegraymustaches。
　　`Well，whatdoyouthink？’heasked。`Whatsystemisonetoadoptnowadays？’
　　`Why，managelikeMikhailPetrovich，orletthelandforhalfthecroporforrenttothepeasants；onecandothat-onlythat’sjusthowthegeneralprosperityofthecountryisbeingruined。Wherethelandwithserflaborandgoodmanagementgaveayieldofninetoone，onthemetayagesystemityieldsthreetoone。Russiahasbeenruinedbytheemancipation！’
　　SviiazhskylookedwithsmilingeyesatLevin，andevenmadeafaintgestureofironytohim；butLevindidnotthinkthelandowner’swordsabsurd；heunderstoodthembetterthanhedidSviiazhsky。AgreatdealmoreofwhatthelandownersaidtoshowinwhatwayRussiawasruinedbytheemancipationstruckhimindeedasverytrue，newtohim，andquiteincontestable。Thelandownerunmistakablyspokehisownindividualthought-athingthatrarelyhappens-andathoughttowhichhehadbeenbroughtnotbyadesireoffindingsomeexerciseforanidlebrain，butathoughtwhichhadgrownupoutoftheconditionsofhislife，whichhehadbroodedoverinthesolitudeofhisvillage，andhadconsideredineveryaspect。
　　`Thepointis，don’tyousee，thatprogressofeverysortisonlymadebytheuseofauthority，’hesaid，evidentlywishingtoshowhewasnotwithoutculture。`TakethereformsofPeter，ofCatherine，ofAlexander。
　　TakeEuropeanhistory。Andprogressinagriculturemorethananythingelse-thepotato，forinstance，thatwasintroducedamongusbyforce。Thewoodenplow，too，wasn’talwaysused。Itwasintroducedinthedaysofappanagedprinces，perhaps，butitwasprobablybroughtinbyforce。Now，inourownday，welandownersintheserftimesusedvariousimprovementsinourhusbandry:dryingmachinesandthreshingmachines，andcartingmanure，andallthemodernimplements-allthesewebroughtintousebyourauthority，andthepeasantsopposeditatfirst，andendedbyimitatingus。Now，bytheabolitionofserfdom，wehavebeendeprivedofourauthority；andsoourhusbandry，whereithadbeenraisedtoahighlevel，isboundtosinktothemostsavage，primitivecondition。That’showIseeit。’
　　`Butwhyso？Ifit’srational，you’llbeabletokeepupthesamesystemwithhiredlabor，’saidSviiazhsky。
　　`We’venopoweroverthem。WithwhomamIgoingtoworkthesystem，allowmetoask？’
　　`Thereitis-thelaborforce-thechiefelementinagriculture，’
　　thoughtLevin。
　　`Withlaborers。’
　　`Thelaborerswon’tworkwell，andwon’tworkwithgoodimplements。
　　Ourlaborercandonothingbutgetdrunk，likeaswine，andthenruineverythingyougivehim。Hespoilsthehorsesbywateringunseasonably，hecutsgoodharness，bartersthetiresofthewheelsfordrink，dropsbitsofironintothethreshingmachine，soastobreakit。Heloathesthesightofanythingthat’snotafterhisfashion。Andthat’showthewholelevelofhusbandryhasfallen。Landsgoneoutofcultivation，overgrownwithweeds，ordividedamongthepeasants，andwheremillionsofchetvertswereraisedyougetahundredthousand；thewealthofthecountryhasdecreased。Ifthesamethinghadbeendone，butwithconsiderationfor……’
　　Andheproceededtounfoldhisownschemeofemancipationbymeansofwhichthesedrawbacksmighthavebeenavoided。
　　ThisdidnotinterestLevin，but，whenhehadfinished，Levinwentbacktohisfirstposition，and，addressingSviiazhsky，andtryingtodrawhimintoexpressinghisseriousopinion，said:
　　`It’sperfectlytruethatthestandardofcultureisfalling，andthatwithourpresentrelationstothepeasantsthereisnopossibilityoffarmingonarationalsystemtoyieldaprofit，’saidhe。
　　`Idon’tbelieveit，’Sviiazhskyrepliedquiteseriously；`allIseeisthatwedon’tknowhowtocultivatetheland，andthatoursystemofagricultureintheserfdayswasbynomeanstoohigh，buttoolow。
　　Wehavenomachines，nogoodstock，noefficientsupervision；wedon’tevenknowhowtokeepaccounts。Askanylandowner；hewon’tbeabletotellyouwhichcrop’sprofitable，andwhichisn’t。’
　　`Italianbookkeeping，’saidthelandownerironically。`Youmaykeepyourbooksasyoulike，butiftheyspoileverythingforyou，therewon’tbeanyprofit。’
　　`Whydotheyspoilthings？Apoorthreshingmachine，oryourRussianpresser，theywillbreak，butmysteampresstheydon’tbreak。AwretchedRussiannagthey’llruin，butkeepgoodpercheronsortheRussianwagonhorses-theywon’truinthem。Andsoitisallround。Wemustraiseourfarmingtoahigherlevel。’
　　`Oh，ifoneonlyhadthemeanstodoit，NikolaiIvanovich！It’sallverywellforyou；butforme，withasontokeepattheuniversity，ladstobeeducatedatthehighschool-howamIgoingtobuythesepercherons？’
　　`Well，that’swhatthebanksarefor。’
　　`TogetwhateverIhaveleftsoldbyauction？No，thankyou。’
　　`Idon’tagreethatit’snecessaryorpossibletoraisethelevelofagriculturestillhigher，’saidLevin。`Idevotemyselftoit，andI
　　havemeans，butIcandonothing。Astothebanks，Idon’tknowtowhomthey’reanygood。Formypart，anyway，whateverI’vespentmoneyoninthewayofhusbandryhasbeenaloss:stock-aloss，machinery-aloss。’
　　`That’strueenough，’thegentlemanwiththegraymustacheschimedin，evenlaughingwithsatisfaction。
　　`AndI’mnottheonlyone，’pursuedLevin。`Imixwithalltheneighboringlandowners，whoarecultivatingtheirlandonarationalsystem；
　　theyall，withrareexceptions，aredoingsoataloss。Come，tellushowdoesyourlanddo-doesitpay？’saidLevin，andatonceinSviiazhsky’seyeshedetectedthatfleetingexpressionofalarmwhichhehadnoticedwheneverhehadtriedtopenetratebeyondtheouterchambersofSviiazhsky’smind。
　　Moreover，thisquestiononLevin’spartwasnotquiteingoodfaith。MadameSviiazhskyhadjusttoldhimatteathattheyhadthatsummerinvitedaGermanexpertaccountantfromMoscow，whoforaconsiderationoffivehundredroubleshadinvestigatedthemanagementoftheirproperty，andfoundthatitwascostingthemalossofthreethousandoddroubles。
　　Shedidnotremembertheprecisesum，butitappearedthattheGermanhadworkeditouttothefractionofakopeck。
　　ThelandownersmiledatthementionoftheprofitsofSviiazhsky’sfarming，obviouslyawarehowmuchgainhisneighborandmarshalwaslikelytobemaking。
　　`Possiblyitdoesnotpay，’answeredSviiazhsky。`ThatmerelyprovesthateitherI’mabadmanager，orthatI’vesunkmycapitalfortheincreaseofmyrents。’
　　`Oh，rent！’Levincriedwithhorror。`RenttheremaybeinEurope，wherelandhasbeenimprovedbythelaborputintoit；butwithusallthelandisdeterioratingfromthelaborputintoit-inotherwords，they’reworkingitout；sothere’snoquestionofrent。’
　　`How-norent？It’salaw。’
　　`Thenwe’reoutsidethelaw；rentexplainsnothingforus，butsimplymuddlesus。No，tellmehowtherecanbeatheoryofrent？……’
　　`Willyouhavesomecurdedmilk？Masha，passussomecurdedmilkorraspberries。’Heturnedtohiswife。`Theraspberriesarelastingextraordinarilylatethisyear。’
　　AndinthehappiestframeofmindSviiazhskygotupandwalkedoff，apparentlysupposingtheconversationtohaveendedattheverypointwhentoLevinitseemedthatitwasonlyjustbeginning。
　　Havinglosthisantagonist，Levincontinuedtheconversationwiththelandowner，tryingtoprovetohimthatallthedifficultyarisesfromthefactthatwedon’tfindoutthepeculiaritiesandhabitsofourlaborer；
　　butthelandowner，likeallmenwhothinkindependentlyandinisolation，wasslowintakinginanyotherperson’sthought，andparticularlypartialtohisown。HestucktoitthattheRussianpeasantisaswineandlikesswinishness，andthattogethimoutofhisswinishnessonemusthaveauthority，andthereisnone；onemusthavethestick，andwehavebecomesoliberalthatwehaveallofasuddenreplacedthestick，thatservedusforathousandyears，withlawyersandmodelprisons，wheretheworthless，stinkingpeasantisfedongoodsoupandhasafixedallowanceofcubicfeetofair。
　　`Whatmakesyouthink，’saidLevin，tryingtogetbacktothequestion，`thatit’simpossibletofindsomerelationtothelaborerinwhichthelaborwouldbecomeproductive？’
　　`ThatnevercouldbesowiththeRussianpeople；we’venoauthority，’
　　answeredthelandowner。
　　`Howcannewconditionsbefound？’saidSviiazhsky。Havingeatensomecurdedmilkandlightedacigarette，hecamebacktothediscussion。
　　`Allpossiblerelationstothelaborforcehavebeendefinedandstudied，’
　　hesaid。`Therelicofbarbarism，theprimitivecommunewithaguaranteeforall，willdisappearofitself；serfdomhasbeenabolished-thereremainsnothingbutfreelabor，anditsformsarefixedandreadymade，andmustbeadopted。Permanenthands，daylaborers，farmers-youcan’tgetoutofthoseforms。’
　　`ButEuropeisdissatisfiedwiththeseforms。’
　　`Dissatisfied，andseekingnewones。Andwillfindthem，inallprobability。’
　　`That’sjustwhatImeant，’answeredLevin。`Whyshouldn’tweseekthemforourselves？’
　　`Becauseitwouldbejustlikeinventingafreshthemeansforconstructingrailways。Theyareready，invented。’
　　`Butiftheydon’tsuitus，ifthey’restupid？’saidLevin。
　　AndagainhedetectedtheexpressionofalarmintheeyesofSviiazhsky。
　　`Oh，yes；we’llburytheworldunderourcaps！We’vefoundthesecretEuropewasseekingfor！I’veheardallthat；but，excuseme，doyouknowallthat’sbeendoneinEuropeonthequestionoftheorganizationoflabor？’
　　`No，verylittle。’
　　`ThatquestionisnowabsorbingthebestmindsinEurope。TheSchulze-Delitschmovement……Andthen，allthisenormousliteratureofthelaborquestion，themostliberalLassallemovement……TheMulhausenexperiment？That’safactbynow，asyou’reprobablyaware。’
　　`Ihavesomeideaofit，butveryvague。’
　　`No，youonlysaythat；nodoubtyouknowallaboutitaswellasIdo。I’mnoprofessorofsociology，ofcourse，butitinterestedme，andreally，ifitinterestsyou，yououghttostudyit。’
　　`Butwhatconclusionhavetheycometo？’
　　`Excuseme……’
　　Thetwoneighborshadrisen，andSviiazhsky，oncemorecheckingLevininhisinconvenienthabitofpeepingintowhatwasbeyondtheouterchambersofhismind，wenttoseehisguestsout。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter28[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter28Levinwasinsufferablyboredthateveningwiththeladies；hewasstirredashehadneverbeenbeforebytheideathatthedissatisfactionhewasfeelingwithhissystemofmanaginghislandwasnotanexceptionalcase，butthegeneralconditionofthingsinRussia；thattheevolvingofsomerelationofthelaborerstothesoilwhichtheywouldwork，aswiththepeasanthehadmethalfwaytotheSviiazhskys’，wasnotadream，butaproblemwhichmustbesolved。Anditseemedtohimthattheproblemcouldbesolved，andthatheoughttotrytosolveit。
　　Aftersayinggoodnighttotheladies，andpromisingtostaythewholeofthenextday，soastomakeanexpeditiononhorsebackwiththemtoseeaninterestinggapinthecrownforest，Levinwent，beforegoingtobed，intohishost’sstudytogetthebooksonthelaborquestionthatSviiazhskyhadofferedhim。Sviiazhsky’sstudywasahugeroom，bybookcasesandwithtwotablesinit-oneamassivewritingtable，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，andtheotheraroundtable，coveredwithrecentnumbersofreviewsandjournalsindifferentlanguages，rangedliketheraysofastarroundalamp。Onthewritingtablewasastandofdrawersmarkedwithgoldlabels，andfullofpapersofvarioussorts。
　　Sviiazhskytookoutthebooks，andsatdowninarockingchair。
　　`Whatareyoulookingatthere？’hesaidtoLevin，whowasstandingattheroundtablelookingthroughthereviews。`Oh，yes，there’saveryinterestingarticlehere，’saidSviiazhsky，pointingtothereviewLevinwasholdinginhishand。`Itappears，’hewenton，witheagerinterest，`thatFriedrichwasnot，afterall，thepersonchieflyresponsibleforthepartitionofPoland。Itisproved……’
　　And，withhischaracteristicclearness，hesummedupthosenew，veryimportant，andinterestingrevelations。AlthoughLevinwasengrossedatthemomentbyhisideasabouttheproblemoftheland，hewondered，asheheardSviiazhsky:`Whatisthereinsideofhim？Andwhy，whyisheinterestedinthepartitionofPoland？’WhenSviiazhskyhadfinished，Levincouldnothelpasking:`Well，andwhatthen？’Buttherewasnothingtofollow。Itwassimplyinterestingthatsuchandsuchhadbeen`proved。’
　　ButSviiazhskydidnotexplain，andsawnoneedofexplaining，whyitwasinterestingtohim。
　　`Yes，butIwasverymuchinterestedbyyourirritableneighbor，’
　　saidLevin，sighing。`He’sacleverfellow，andsaidalotthatwastrue。’
　　`Oh，getalongwithyou！Aninveteratesupporterofserfdomatheart，likeallofthem！’saidSviiazhsky。
　　`Whosemarshalyouare。’
　　`Yes，onlyImarshalthemintheotherdirection，’saidSviiazhsky，laughing。
　　`I’lltellyouwhatinterestsmeverymuch，’saidLevin。`He’srightthatoursystem，thatistosay，ofrationalfarming，doesn’tanswer；
　　thattheonlythingthatanswersisthemoneylendersystem，likethatmeek-lookinggentleman’s，orelsetheverysimplest。Whosefaultisit？’
　　`Ourown，ofcourse。Besides，it’snottruethatitdoesn’tanswer。
　　ItanswerswithVassilchikov。’
　　`Afactory……’
　　`ButIreallydon’tknowwhatitisyouaresurprisedat。Thepeopleareatsuchalowstageofmaterialandmoraldevelopment，thatobviouslythey’reboundtoopposeeverythingthat’snecessarytothem。
　　InEurope，arationalsystemanswersbecausethepeopleareeducated；itfollowsthatwemusteducatethepeople-that’sall。’
　　`Buthowarewetoeducatethepeople？’
　　`Toeducatethepeoplethreethingsareneeded:schools，andschools，andschools。’
　　`Butyousaidyourselfthepeopleareatsuchalowstageofmaterialdevelopment:whathelpareschoolsforthat？’
　　`Doyouknow，youremindmeofthestoryoftheadvicegiventothesickman-Youshouldtrypurgativemedicine。Takenit:worse。Tryleeches。Triedthem:worse。Well，then，there’snothingleftbuttopraytoGod。Triedit:worse。That’sjusthowitiswithus。Isaypoliticaleconomy；yousay-worse。Isaysocialism-worse。Education-worse。’
　　`Buthowdoschoolshelpmatters？’
　　`Theygivethepeasantfreshwants。’
　　`Well，that’sathingI’veneverunderstood，’Levinrepliedwithheat。`Inwhatwayareschoolsgoingtohelpthepeopletoimprovetheirmaterialposition？Yousayschools，education，willgivethemfreshwants。
　　Somuchtheworse，sincetheywon’tbecapableofsatisfyingthem。Andinwhatwayaknowledgeofadditionandsubtractionandthecatechismisgoingtoimprovetheirmaterialcondition，Inevercouldmakeout。ThedaybeforeyesterdayImetapeasantwomanintheeveningwithalittlebaby，andaskedherwhereshewasgoing。Shesaidshewasgoingtothewisewoman；herboyhadscreamingfits，soshewastakinghimtobedoctored。
　　Iasked，``Why，howdoesthewisewomancurescreamingfits？’``Sheputsthechildonthehenroostandrepeatssomecharm……’’
　　`Well，you’resayingityourself！What’swantedtopreventhertakingherchildtothehenroosttocureitofscreamingfitsisjust……’
　　Sviiazhskysaid，smilinggood-humoredly。
　　`Oh，no！’saidLevinwithannoyance；`thatmethodofdoctoringImerelymeantasasimilefordoctoringthepeoplewithschools。Thepeoplearepoorandignorant-thatweseeassurelyasthepeasantwomanseesthebabyhasfitsbecauseitscreams。Butinwhatwaythistroubleofpovertyandignoranceistobecuredbyschoolsisasincomprehensibleashowthehenroostaffectsthescreaming。Whathastobecurediswhatmakeshimpoor。’
　　`Well，inthat，atleast，you’reinagreementwithSpencer，whomyoudislikesomuch。Hesays，too，thateducationmaybetheconsequenceofgreaterprosperityandcomfort，ofmorefrequentwashing，ashesays，butnotofbeingabletoreadandwrite……’
　　`Well，then，I’mveryglad-orthecontrary，verysorry-thatI’minagreementwithSpencer；onlyI’veknownitalongwhile。Schoolscandonogood；whatwilldogoodisaneconomicorganizationinwhichthepeoplewillbecomericher，willhavemoreleisure-andthentherewillbeschools。’
　　`Still，alloverEuropenowschoolsareobligatory。’
　　`AndhowfardoyouagreewithSpenceryourselfaboutit？’askedLevin。
　　ButtherewasagleamofalarminSviiazhsky’seyes，andhesaidsmiling:
　　`No；thatscreamingstoryispositivelycapital！Didyoureallyhearityourself？’
　　Levinsawthathewasnottodiscovertheconnectionbetweenthisman’slifeandhisthoughts。Obviouslyhedidnotcareintheleastwhathisreasoningledhimto；allhewantedwastheprocessofreasoning。Andhedidnotlikeitwhentheprocessofreasoningbroughthimintoablindalley。Thatwastheonlythinghedisliked，andavoidedbychangingtheconversationtosomethingagreeableandamusing。
　　Alltheimpressionsoftheday，beginningwiththeimpressionmadebytheoldpeasant，whichserved，asitwere，asthethoroughbassofalltheconceptionsandideasoftheday，threwLevinintoviolentexcitement。
　　ThisdeargoodSviiazhsky，keepingastockofideassimplyforpublicpurposes，andobviouslyhavingsomeotherprincipleshiddenfromLevin，whilewiththecrowd，whosenameislegion，heguidedpublicopinionbyideashedidnotshare；thatirasciblecountrygentleman，perfectlycorrectintheconclusionsthathehadbeenworriedintobylife，butwronginhisexasperationagainstawholeclass，andthatthebestclassinRussia；hisowndissatisfactionwiththeworkhehadbeendoing，andthevaguehopeoffindingaremedyforallthis-allwasblendedinasenseofinwardturmoil，andtheanticipationofsomesolutionnearathand。
　　Leftaloneintheroomassignedhim，lyingonaspringmattress，thatyieldedunexpectedlyateverymovementofhisarmorhisleg，Levindidnotfallasleepforalongwhile。NotoneconversationwithSviiazhsky，thoughhehadsaidagreatdealthatwasclever，hadinterestedLevin；
　　buttheconclusionsoftheirasciblelandownerrequiredconsideration。
　　Levincouldnothelprecallingeverywordhehadsaid，andinimaginationamendinghisownreplies。
　　`Yes，Ioughttohavesaidtohim:Yousaythatourhusbandrydoesnotanswerbecausethepeasanthatesimprovements，andthattheymustbeforcedonhimbyauthority。Ifnosystemofhusbandryansweredatallwithouttheseimprovements，youwouldbequiteright。Buttheonlysystemthatdoesansweriswhenthelaborerisworkinginaccordancewithhishabits，justasontheoldpeasant’slandhalfwayhere。Yourandourgeneraldissatisfactionwiththesystemshowsthateitherwearetoblameorthelaborers。Wehavegoneourway-theEuropeanway-alongwhile，withoutaskingourselvesaboutthequalitiesofourlaborforce。LetustrytolookuponthelaborforcenotasanabstractforcebutastheRussianmouzhikwithhisinstincts，andletusarrangeoursystemofagricultureinaccordancewiththat。Imagine，Ioughttohavesaidtohim，thatyouhavethesamesystemastheoldpeasanthas，thatyouhavefoundmeansofmakingyourlaborerstakeaninterestinthesuccessofthework，andhavefoundthehappymeaninthewayofimprovementswhichtheywilladmit，andyouwill，withoutexhaustingthesoil，gettwiceorthreetimestheyieldyougotbefore。Divideitinhalves，givehalfastheshareoflabor，thesurplusleftyouwillbegreater，andlabor’ssharewillbegreatertoo。Andtodothisonemustlowerthestandardofhusbandryandinterestthelaborersinitssuccess。Howtodothis？-that’samatterofdetail；butundoubtedlyitcanbedone。’
　　ThisideathrewLevinintoagreatexcitement。Hedidnotsleephalfthenight，thinkingoverindetailtheputtingofhisideaintopractice。
　　Hehadnotintendedtogoawaynextday，buthenowdeterminedtogohomeearlyinthemorning。Besides，thesister-in-lawwithherlow-neckedbodicearousedinhimafeelingakintoshameandremorseforsomeutterlybaseaction。Mostimportantofall-hemustgetbackwithoutdelay:hewouldhavetomakehastetoputhisnewprojecttothepeasantsbeforethesowingofthewinterwheat，sothatthesowingmightbeundertakenonanewbasis。
　　Hehadmadeuphismindtorevolutionizehiswholesystem。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter29[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter29ThecarryingoutofLevin’splanpresentedmanydifficulties；buthestruggledon，doinghisutmost，andattainedaresultwhich，thoughnotwhathedesired，wasenoughtoenablehim，withoutself-deception，tobelievethattheattemptwasworththetrouble。Oneofthechiefdifficultieswasthattheprocessofcultivatingthelandwasinfullswing，thatitwasimpossibletostopeverythingandbeginitallagainfromthebeginning，andthemachinehadtobemendedwhileinmotion。
　　Whenontheeveningofhisarrivalhomeheinformedthebailiffofhisplans，thelatterwithvisiblepleasureagreedwithwhathesaid，solongashewaspointingoutthatallthathadbeendoneuptothattimewasstupidanduseless。Thebailiffsaidthathehadsaidsoalongwhileago，butnoheedhadbeenpaidhim。ButasfortheproposalmadebyLevin-totakeapartasshareholderwithhislaborersineachagriculturalundertaking-atthisthebailiffsimplyexpressedaprofounddespondency，andofferednodefiniteopinion，butbeganimmediatelytalkingoftheurgentnecessityofcarryingtheremainingsheavesofryethenextday，andofsendingthemenoutforthesecondplowing，sothatLevinfeltthatthiswasnotthetimefordiscussingit。
　　Onbeginningtotalktothepeasantsaboutit，andmakingapropositiontocedethemthelandonnewterms，hecameintocollisionwiththesamegreatdifficulty-thattheyweresomuchabsorbedbythecurrentworkofthedaythattheyhadnottimetoconsidertheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftheproposedscheme。
　　ThesimpleheartedIvan，thecowherd，seemedtograspLevin’sproposalfully-thatheshouldwithhisfamilytakeashareoftheprofitsofthecattleyard-andhewasincompletesympathywiththeplan。ButwhenLevinhintedatthefutureadvantages，Ivan’sfaceexpressedalarmandregretthathecouldnothearallhehadtosay，andhemadehastetofindhimselfsometaskthatwouldadmitofnodelay:heeithersnatcheduptheforktopitchthehayoutofthepens，orrantogetwaterortoclearoutthemanure。
　　Anotherdifficultylayintheinvincibledisbeliefofthepeasantsthatalandowner’sobjectcouldbeanythingelsethanadesiretosqueezeallhecouldoutofthem。Theywerefirmlyconvincedthathisrealaimwhateverhemightsaytothemwouldalwaysbeinwhathedidnotsaytothem。Andtheythemselves，ingivingtheiropinion，saidagreatdealbutneversaidwhatwastheirrealobject。MoreoverLevinfeltthattheirasciblelandownerhadbeenrightthepeasantsmadetheirfirstandunalterableconditionofanyagreementwhatsoeverthattheyshouldnotbeforcedtoanynewmethodsoftillageofanykind，nortousenewimplements。Theyagreedthatthemodernplowplowedbetter，thatthescarifierdidtheworkmorequickly，buttheyfoundthousandsofreasonsthatmadeitoutofthequestionforthemtouseeitherofthem；andthoughhehadacceptedtheconvictionthathewouldhavetolowerthestandardofcultivation，hefeltsorrytogiveupimprovedmethods，theadvantagesofwhichweresoobvious。Butinspiteofallthesedifficultieshegothisway，andbyautumnthesystemwasworking，oratleastsoitseemedtohim。
　　AtfirstLevinhadthoughtofgivingupthewholefarmingofthelandjustasitwastothepeasants，thelaborers，andthebailiff，onnewconditionsofpartnership；buthewasverysoonconvincedthatthiswasimpossible，anddeterminedtodivideitup。Thecattleyard，thegarden，hayfields，andarableland，dividedintoseveralparts，hadtobemadeintoseparatelots。Thesimpleheartedcowherd，Ivan，who，Levinfancied，understoodthematterbetterthananyofthem，collectingtogetheragangofworkerstohelphim，principallyofhisownfamily，becameapartnerinthecattleyard。Adistantpartoftheestate，atractofwastelandthathadlainfallowforeightyears，waswiththehelpoftheclevercarpenter，FiodorRezunov，takenbysixfamiliesofpeasantsonnewconditionsofpartnershipandthepeasantShuraevtookthemanagementofallthevegetablegardensonthesameterms。Theremainderofthelandwasstillworkedontheoldsystem，butthesethreeitemswerethefirststeptoaneworganizationofthewhole，andtheycompletelyengrossedLevin。
　　Itistruethatinthecattleyardthingswentnobetterthanbefore，andIvanstrenuouslyopposedwarmhousingforthecowsandbuttermadeoffreshcream，affirmingthatcowsrequirelessfoodifkeptcold，andthatbutterismoreprofitablemadefromsourcream，andheaskedforwagesjustasundertheoldsystem，andtooknottheslightestinterestinthefactthatthemoneyhereceivedwasnotwagesbutanadvanceoutofhisfutureshareintheprofits。
　　ItistruethatFiodorRezunov’scompanydidnotplowoverthegroundtwicebeforesowing，ashadbeenagreed，justifyingthemselvesonthepleathatthetimewastooshort。Itistruethatthepeasantsofthesamecompany，thoughtheyhadagreedtoworkthelandonnewconditions，alwaysspokeoftheland，notasheldinpartnership，butasrentedforhalfthecrop，andmorethanoncethepeasantsandRezunovhimselfsaidtoLevin:`Ifyouwouldtakearentfortheland，itwouldsaveyoutrouble，andweshouldbemorefree。’Moreover，thesamepeasantskeptputtingoff，onvariousexcuses，thebuildingofacattleyardandthreshingbarnonthelandasagreedupon，anddelayeddoingittillthewinter。
　　ItistruethatShuraevwouldhavelikedtoletoutthekitchengardenshehadundertakeninsmalllotstothepeasants。Heevidentlyquitemisunderstood，andapparentlyintentionallymisunderstood，theconditionsuponwhichthelandhadbeengiventohim。
　　Often，too，talkingtothepeasantsandexplainingtothemalltheadvantagesoftheplan，Levinfeltthatthepeasantsheardnothingbutthesoundofhisvoice，andwerefirmlyresolved，whateverhemightsay，nottoletthemselvesbetakenin。Hefeltthisespeciallywhenhetalkedtothecleverestofthepeasants，Rezunov，anddetectedthatgleaminRezunov’seyeswhichshowedsoplainlybothironicalamusementatLevin，andthefirmconvictionthat，ifanyoneweretobetakenin，itwouldnotbehe，Rezunov。
　　ButinspiteofallthisLevinthoughtthesystemworked，andthatbykeepingaccountsstrictly，andinsistingonhisownway，hewouldprovetotheminthefuturetheadvantagesofthearrangement，andthenthesystemwouldgoofitself。
　　Thesematters，togetherwiththemanagementofthelandstillleftonhishands，andtheindoorworkoverhisbook，soengrossedLevinthewholesummerthathescarcelyeverwentoutshooting。AttheendofAugustheheardthattheOblonskyshadgoneawaytoMoscow-fromtheirservant，whobroughtbackthesidesaddle。HefeltthatinnotansweringDaryaAlexandrovna’sletterhehadbyhisrudeness，ofwhichhecouldnotthinkwithoutaflushofshame，burnedhisships，andthathewouldnevergotoseethemagain。HehadbeenjustasrudewiththeSviiazhskys，leavingthemwithoutsayinggood-by。Buthewouldnevergotoseethemagaineither。
　　Hedidnotcareaboutthatnow。Thebusinessofreorganizingthefarmingofhislandabsorbedhimascompletelyasthoughtherewouldneverbeanythingelseinhislife。HereadthebookslenthimbySviiazhsky，andorderingfromMoscowwhathehadnothad，hereadboththeeconomicandsocialisticbooksonthesubject，but，ashehadanticipated，foundnothingbearingontheschemehehadundertaken。Inthebooksonpoliticaleconomy-inMill，forinstance-whomhestudiedfirstwithgreatardor，hopingeveryminutetofindananswertothequestionsthatwereengrossinghim，hefoundlawsdeducedfromtheconditionoflandcultureinEurope；buthedidnotseewhytheselaws，whichdidnotapplyinRussia，mustbegeneral。
　　Hesawjustthesamethinginthesocialisticbooks:eithertheywerethebeautifulbutimpracticablefantasieswhichhadfascinatedhimwhenhewasastudent，ortheywereattemptsatimproving，atrectifyingtheeconomicpositioninwhichEuropewasplaced，withwhichthesystemoflandtenureinRussiahadnothingincommon。PoliticaleconomytoldhimthatthelawsbywhichthewealthofEuropehadbeendeveloped，andwasdeveloping，wereuniversalandunvarying。Socialismtoldhimthatdevelopmentalongtheselinesleadstoruin。Andneitherofthemgaveananswer，orevenahint，inreplytothequestionastowhathe，Levin，andalltheRussianpeasantsandlandowners，weretodowiththeirmillionsofhandsandmillionsofdessiatinas，tomakethemasproductiveaspossibleforthecommonweal。
　　Havingoncetakenthesubjectup，hereadconscientiouslyeverythingbearingonit，andintendedintheautumntogoabroadtostudylandsystemsonthespot，inorderthathemightnotonthisquestionbeconfrontedwithwhatsooftenmethimonvarioussubjects。Often，justashewasbeginningtounderstandtheideainthemindofanyonehewastalkingto，andwasbeginningtoexplainhisown，hewouldsuddenlybetold:`ButKauffmann，butJones，butDubois，butMichelli？Youhaven’treadthem:doread，they’vethrashedthatquestionoutthoroughly。’
　　HesawnowdistinctlythatKauffmannandMichellihadnothingtotellhim。Heknewwhathewanted。HesawthatRussiahadsplendidland，splendidlaborers，andthatincertaincases，asatthepeasant’sonthewaytoSviiazhsky’s，theproduceraisedbythelaborersandthelandisgreat-inthemajorityofcaseswhencapitalisappliedintheEuropeanwaytheproduceissmall，andthatthissimplyarisesfromthefactthatthelaborerswanttoworkandworkwellonlyintheirownpeculiarway，andthatthisantagonismisnotincidentalbutinvariable，andhasitsrootsinthenationalspirit。HethoughtthattheRussianpeoplewhosetaskitwastocolonizeandcultivatevasttractsofunoccupiedland，consciouslyadhered，tillalltheirlandwasoccupied，tothemethodssuitabletotheirpurpose，andthattheirmethodswerebynomeanssobadaswasgenerallysupposed。Andhewantedtoprovethistheoreticallyinhisbookandpracticallyonhisland。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter30[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter30AttheendofSeptemberthetimberhadbeencartedforbuildingthecattleyardonthelandthathadbeenallottedtotheassociationofpeasants，andthebutterfromthecowswassoldandtheprofitsdivided。InPracticethesystemworkedcapitally，or，atleast，soitseemedtoLevin。Inordertoworkoutthewholesubjecttheoreticallyandtocompletehisbook，which，inLevin’sdaydreams，wasnotmerelytoeffectarevolutioninpoliticaleconomy，buttoannihilatethatscienceentirelyandtolaythefoundationofanewscienceoftherelationofthepeopletothesoil，allthatwaslefttodowastomakeatourabroad，andtostudyonthespotallthathadbeendoneinthesamedirection，andtocollectconclusiveevidencethatallthathadbeendonetherewasnotwhatwaswanted。Levinwasonlywaitingforthedeliveryofhiswheattoreceivethemoneyforitandgoabroad。Buttherainsbeganpreventingtheharvestingofthecornandpotatoesleftinthefields，andputtingastoptoallwork，eventothedeliveryofthewheat。Themudwasimpassablealongtheroads；twomillswerecarriedawaybythespate，andtheweathergotworseandworse。
　　Onthe30thofSeptemberthesuncameoutinthemorning，and，hopingforfineweather，Levinbeganmakingfinalpreparationsforhisjourney。Hegaveordersforthewheattobedelivered，sentthebailifftothemerchanttogetthemoneyowinghim，andwentouthimselftogivesomefinaldirectionsontheestatebeforesettingoff。
　　Havingfinishedallhisbusiness，soakedthroughwiththestreamsofwaterwhichkeptrunningintohisleathercoatanddownhisneckandhisboottops，butinthekeenestandmostconfidenttemper，Levinturnedhomewardintheevening。Theweatherhadbecomeworsethanevertowardevening；thehaillashedthedrenchedmaresocruellythatshewentalongsideways，shakingherheadandears；butLevinwasallrightunderhishood，andhelookedcheerfullyabouthimatthemuddystreamsrunningunderthewheels，atthedropshangingoneverybaretwig，atthewhitenessofthepatchofunmeltedhailstonesontheplanksofthebridge，atthethicklayerofstillsucculent，fleshyleavesthatlayheapedupaboutthestrippedelmtree。Inspiteofthegloominessofnaturearoundhim，hefeltpeculiarlyeager。Thetalkshehadbeenhavingwiththepeasantsinthefarthervillagehadshownthattheywerebeginningtogetusedtotheirnewposition。Theinnkeeper，anoldman，towhoseinnhehadgonetogetdryevidentlyapprovedofLevin’splan，andofhisownaccordproposedtoenterthepartnershipforpurchasingofcattle。
　　`Ihaveonlytogoonstubbornlytowardmyaim，andIshallattainmyend，’thoughtLevin；`andit’ssomethingtoworkandtaketroublefor。
　　Thisisnotamatterofmyselfindividually，thequestionofthepublicwelfarecomesintoit。Thewholesystemofagriculture，thechiefelementintheconditionofthepeople，mustbecompletelytransformed。Insteadofpoverty-generalprosperityandcontent；insteadofhostility-harmonyandunityofinterests。Inshort，abloodlessrevolution，butarevolutionofthegreatestmagnitude，beginninginthelittlecircleofourdistrict，thentheprovince，thenRussia，andthewholeworld。Becauseajustideacannotbutbefruitful。Yes，it’sanaimworthworkingfor。AndthefactthatitisI，KostiaLevin，whowenttoaballinablacktie，andwasrefusedbytheShcherbatskygirl，andwhoisintrinsicallysuchapitiful，worthlesscreaturetohimself-thatprovesnothing；IfeelsureFranklinfeltjustasworthless，andhetoohadnofaithinhimself，thinkingofhimselfasawhole。Thatmeansnothing。Andhetoo，mostlikely，hadanAgathyaMikhailovnatowhomheconfidedhissecrets。’
　　MusingonsuchthoughtsLevinreachedhomeinthedarkness。
　　Thebailiff，whohadbeentothemerchant，hadcomebackandbroughtpartofthemoneyforthewheat。Anagreementhadbeenmadewiththeoldinnkeeper，andontheroadthebailiffhadlearnedthateverywherethecornwasstillstandinginthefields，sothathisonehundredandsixtyshocksthathadnotbeencarriedwerenothingincomparisonwiththelossesofothers。
　　AfterdinnerLevinwassitting，asheusuallydid，inaneasychairwithabook，andashereadhewentonthinkingofthejourneybeforehiminconnectionwithhisbook。Todayallthesignificanceofhisbookrosebeforehimwithspecialdistinctness，andwholeperiodsrangedthemselvesinhismindinillustrationofhistheories。`Imustwritethatdown，’
　　hethought。`Thatoughttoformabriefintroduction，whichIthoughtunnecessarybefore。’Hegotuptogotohiswritingtable，andLaska，lyingathisfeet，gotuptoo，stretchingandlookingathimasthoughtoinquirewheretogo。Buthehadnottimetowriteitdown，fortheoverseershadcomeforreceivingorders，andLevinwentoutintothehalltomeetthem。
　　Aftergivingorders，thatistosay，directionsaboutthelaborsofthenextday，andseeingallthepeasantswhohadbusinesswithhim，Levinwentbacktohisstudyandsatdowntowork。Laskalayunderthetable；AgathyaMikhailovnasettledherselfinherplacewithherstocking。
　　Afterwritingforalittlewhile，LevinsuddenlythoughtwithexceptionalvividnessofKitty，herrefusal，andtheirlastmeeting。Hegotupandbeganwalkingabouttheroom。
　　`What’stheuseofbeingdownhearted？’saidAgathyaMikhailovna。
　　`Come，whydoyoustayonathome？Yououghttogotosomewarmsprings，especiallynowthatyou’rereadyforthejourney。’
　　`Well，Iamgoingawaythedayaftertomorrow，AgathyaMikhailovna；
　　Imustfinishmywork。’
　　`There，there，yourwork，yousay！Asifyouhadn’tdoneenoughforthepeasants！Why，as’tis，they’resaying，``YourmasterwillbegettingsomehonorfromtheCzarforit。’Indeed，’tisastrangething:whyneedyouworryaboutthepeasants？’
　　`I’mnotworryingaboutthem；I’mdoingitformyowngood。’
　　AgathyaMikhailovnakneweverydetailofLevin’splansforhisland。Levinoftenputhisviewsbeforeherinalltheircomplexity，andnotuncommonlyhearguedwithheranddidnotagreewithhercomments。
　　Butonthisoccasionsheentirelymisinterpretedwhathehadsaid。
　　`Ofone’ssoul’ssalvationweallknowandmustthinkbeforeallelse，’shesaidwithasigh。`ParfionDenissichnow，forallhewasnoscholar，diedadeathwhoselikemayGodgranttoeveryoneofus，’shesaid，referringtoaservantwhohaddiedrecently。`Tookthesacramentandall。’
　　`That’snotwhatImean，’saidhe。`ImeanthatI’mactingformyownadvantage。It’sallthebetterformeifthepeasantsdotheirworkbetter。’
　　`Well，whateveryoudo，ifhe’salazygood-for-naught，everything’llbeatsixesandsevens。Ifhehasaconscience，he’llwork，andifnot，there’snodoinganything。’
　　`Oh，come，yousayyourselfIvanhasbegunlookingafterthecattlebetter。’
　　`AllIsayis，’answeredAgathyaMikhailovna，evidentlynotspeakingatrandom，butinstrictsequenceofideas，`thatyououghttogetmarried-that’swhatIsay。’
　　AgathyaMikhailovna’sallusiontotheverysubjecthehadonlyjustbeenthinkingabouthurtandstunghim。Levinscowled，andwithoutansweringher，hesatdownagaintohiswork，repeatingtohimselfallthathehadbeenthinkingoftherealsignificanceofthatwork。OnlyatintervalshelistenedinthestillnesstotheclickofAgathyaMikhailovna’sneedles，and，recollectingwhathedidnotwanttoremember，hewouldfrownagain。
　　Atnineo’clocktheyheardthebellandthefaintvibrationofacarriageoverthemud。
　　`Well，here’svisitorscometous，andyouwon’tbedull，’saidAgathyaMikhailovna，gettingupandgoingtothedoor。ButLevinovertookher。Hisworkwasnotgoingwellnow，andhewasgladofavisitor，whoeveritmightbe。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart3，Chapter31[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter31Runninghalfwaydownthestaircase，Levincaughtasoundheknew，afamiliarcoughinthehall。Buthehearditindistinctlythroughthesoundofhisownfootsteps，andhopedhewasmistaken。Thenhecaughtsightofalong，bony，familiarfigure，andnowitseemedtherewasnopossibilityofmistake；
　　andyethestillwentonhopingthatthistallmantakingoffhisfurcloakandcoughingwasnothisbrotherNikolai。
　　Levinlovedhisbrother，butbeingwithhimwasalwaysatorture。
　　Justnow，whenLevin，undertheinfluenceofthethoughtsthathadcometohim，andAgathyaMikhailovna’shint，wasinatroubledanduncertainhumor，thismeetingwithhisbrotherwhichhehadtofaceseemedparticularlydifficult。Insteadofalively，healthyvisitor，someoutsiderwhowould，hehoped，cheerhimupinhisuncertainhumor，hehadtoseehisbrother，whoknewhimthroughandthrough，whowouldcallforthallthethoughtsnearesthisheart，wouldforcehimtoshowhimselffully。Andthathewasnotdisposedtodo。
　　Angrywithhimselfforsobaseafeeling，Levinranintothehall；
　　assoonashehadseenhisbrotherclose，thisfeelingofselfishdisappointmentvanishedinstantlyandwasreplacedbypity。TerribleashisbrotherNikolaihadbeenbeforeinhisemaciationandsickliness，nowhelookedstillmoreemaciated，stillmorewasted。Hewasaskeletoncoveredbyskin。
　　Hestoodinthehall，jerkinghislongthinneck，andpullingthescarfoffit，andsmiledastrangeandpitifulsmile。Whenhesawthatsmile，submissiveandhumble，Levinfeltsomethingclutchingathisthroat。
　　`Yousee，I’vecometoyou，’saidNikolaiinathickvoice，neverforonesecondtakinghiseyesoffhisbrother’sface。`I’vebeenmeaningtoalongwhile，butI’vebeenconstantlyunwell。NowI’meversomuchbetter，’hesaid，rubbinghisbeardwithhisbigthinhands。
　　`Yes，yes！’answeredLevin。Andhefeltstillmorefrightenedwhen，kissinghim，hefeltwithhislipsthedrynessofhisbrother’sskinandsawclosetohimhisbigeyes，fullofastrangelight。
　　Afewweeksbefore，KonstantinLevinhadwrittentohisbrotherthatthroughthesaleofthesmallpartofthepropertythathadremainedundivided，therewasasumofabouttwothousandroublestocometohimashisshare。
　　Nikolaisaidthathehadcomenowtotakehismoneyand，whatwasmoreimportant，tostayawhileintheoldnest，togetintouchwiththeearth，soastorenewhisstrengthliketheheroesofoldfortheworkthatlaybeforehim。Inspiteofhisexaggeratedstoop，andtheemaciationthatwassostrikingfromhisheight，hismovementswereasrapidandabruptasever。Levinledhimintohisstudy。
　　Hisbrotherdressedwithparticularcare-athingheneverusedtodo-combedhisscanty，lankhair，and，smiling，wentupstairs。
　　Hewasinthemostaffectionateandgood-humoredmood，justasLevinoftenrememberedhiminchildhood。HeevenreferredtoSergeiIvanovichwithoutrancor。WhenhesawAgathyaMikhailovna，hejokedwithherandaskedaftertheoldservants。ThenewsofthedeathofParfionDenissichmadeapainfulimpressiononhim。Alookoffearcrossedhisface，butheregainedhisserenityimmediately。
　　`Ofcoursehewasquiteold，’hesaid，andchangedthesubject。
　　`Well，I’llspendamonthortwowithyou，andthenI’mofftoMoscow。