Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/16

 case of his death Aleksyéev would probably be appointed in his place, and that Vínnikov or Shtábel would get Aleksyéev's place. Therefore, upon hearing about Iván Ilích's death, the first thought of every one of the gentlemen collected in the cabinet was as to the significance which this death might have on the changes or promotions of the associates themselves or of their friends.

"Now I shall no doubt get Shtábel's place or Vínnikov's," thought Fédor Vasílevich. "I was promised that long ago, and this promotion will mean for me eight hundred roubles increase, in addition to the chancery."

"I must now ask for the transfer of my brother-in-law from Kalúga," thought Peter Ivánovich. "My wife will be very glad. She will no longer be able to say that I am not doing anything for her relatives."

"I never thought he would get up again," Peter Ivánovich said, aloud. "I am sorry."

"What was the matter with him, anyway?"

"The doctors could not make it out. That is, they did, but each of them differently. When I saw him the last time, I thought he was getting better."

"And here I have not called on him since the holidays. I was meaning to all the time."

"Well, did he have any estate?"

"I think his wife has a little something, but nothing of any consequence."

"Yes, I shall have to go there; but they have been living a terrible distance away."

"That is, from your house. From your house everything is a distance away."

"You really cannot forgive me for living on the other side of the river," Peter Ivánovich said, smiling at Shébek. And they began to talk of the extent of the city distances, and went back to the court session.

In addition to the reflections evoked in each of them by this death about the transpositions and possible changes