Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/107

 tired of my old man, that long-nosed dog. I wish my eyes did not see him.

. Yes, that is the way it goes. Come, see this. (In a whisper, looking around.) You see I went to see an old man for some powders, and he gave me two kinds. Look here. "This," says he, "is a sleeping powder. Give him one," says he. "It will make him sleep so hard that you can do anything you please. And this," says he, "is such a drug that if you give it in a drink it cannot be discovered, but its strength is great. It is to be given seven times," says he, "and every time a pinchful. Repeat it seven times. And freedom," says he, "will soon come to her."

. Oh, oh, oh! What is this?

. "It leaves no traces," says he. He took a rouble for it. "I can't do it for less," says he. Because, you see, it is hard to get. My dear, I gave him my money for it. I thought to myself I would take it down to Anísya, whether she wanted it or not.

. Oh, oh! But maybe something bad will come of it?

. What bad can there be, my dear? It would be different if your husband were a healthy man; but as it is he barely lives. He is not a live fellow. There are many such.

. Oh, my wretched head! I am afraid, aunty, there might be some sin in it. No, I do not like it.

. I can take it back.

. Are these to be dissolved in water, like the other?

. "In tea," says he, "it is better. It can't be detected," says he. "They leave no smell, nothing." He is a clever fellow.

(taking the powders). Oh, my wretched head! Would I have thought of such things if my life were not so hard?