Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/138



. . ..

., an old hired hand, an ex-soldier. .

(walks in slowly. Takes off his coat). O Lord, be merciful! Has the master returned?

. What?

. Has Nikíta come back from town?

. No.

. He is evidently on a spree. O Lord!

. Have you done your work on the threshing-floor?

. Of course. I have fixed everything as is proper, and have covered it with straw. I don't like to do things by halves. O Lord! Merciful St. Nicholas! (Picking his callosities.) It is time for him to be back.

. Why should he be in a hurry? He has money, so, I suppose, he is celebrating with a girl—

. He has money,—then why not celebrate? What did Akulína go to town for?