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 window where the saïkas were displayed. All these things, taken as a whole, produced so lively an impression on Levin that he laughed aloud until the tears came. After going around by the Gazetnaya and Kislovka streets, he went back to the hotel, sat down, placed his watch before him, and waited till the hands pointed to the hour of noon.

In the next room some one was talking about machines and hoaxes, and some one coughed a morning cough. The person did not know that the hour hand was approaching twelve.

The hour pointed to twelve. Levin went to the steps of the hotel. The izvoshchiks evidently knew all about it. With happy faces they surrounded him, with eager emulation offering their services; striving not to offend the others and promising to take them some other time, he made his choice and ordered the man to drive to the Shcherbatskys'. The izvoshchik was charming, with his white shirt-collar above his kaftan surrounding his strong, red neck. He had a comfortable sleigh, more comfortable than ordinary sleighs,—such a sleigh as Levin had never seen before, and the horse was good, and did his best to run, but did not stir from the spot! The izvoshchik knew the Shcherbatsky house; he stopped before the door flourishing his arms, and turned respectfully toward Levin, saying "tprru" to his horse.

The Shcherbatskys' Swiss knew all about it, surely; that was plain from the look in his eyes and the way he said:—

"Well! it is a long time since you have been here, Konstantin Dmitritch."

Not only did he know what had happened, but he was full of delight, and tried to conceal his joy. Levin felt a shade happier when he caught the old man's good-natured eyes.

"Are they up?"

"Please come in. Leave that here," added the Swiss as Levin was turning back to get his cap. That surely had some significance.