Page:Anna Karenina.djvu/704

 Serozha instantly understood that what the Swiss meant was a birthday present from the Countess Lidia Ivanovna.

"What did you say? Where is it?"

"Kornei took it to papa; it must be some beautiful toy!"

"How big? as big as this?"

"Smaller, but beautiful."

"A little book?"

"No; a toy. Run away, run away. Vasili Lukitch is calling you," said the Swiss, hearing the tutor's steps approach, and gently removing the little gloved hand which held his belt.

"In a little bit of a moment, Vasili Lukitch," said Serozha, with the amiable and gracious smile to whose influence even the stern tutor submitted.

Serozha was in radiant spirits, and wanted to tell his friend, the Swiss, about a piece of good fortune which the Countess Lidia Ivanovna's niece had told him, while they were walking in the summer garden, had befallen the family. His happiness seemed greater still since he heard about the chinovnik's success and his present. It seemed to Serozha that every one ought to be happy this beautiful day.

"Do you know papa has received the Alexander Nevsky order?"

"Why shouldn't I know? He has been receiving congratulations."

"Is he glad?"

"How could he help being glad of the Tsar's favor? Of course he deserves it!" said the old Swiss, gravely.

Serozha reflected as he looked into the Swiss's face, which he knew even to the least detail, but especially the chin, between his gray side-whiskers. No one had seen his chin except Serozha, who looked up at it from below.

"Well! and your daughter? Isn't it a long time since she has been to see us?"

The Swiss's daughter was a ballet-dancer.

"How could she find time to come on work-days?"