Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/257



. Tea and sugar!

. Do us the favour and sit down.

(walking up to the table). My humblest thanks! (First Peasant pours out a glass of tea for him.)

. Where have you been?

. Up-stairs.

. What were you doing there?

. I can't make it out. I don't know how to tell it.

. What kind of a thing was it?

. I do not know how to tell it. They were testing some power in me. I can't make it out. Tatyána said to me: "Do it," says she, "and we will get him to sell the land to our peasants."

. How is she going to do it?

. I can't make it out, for she does not tell. All she says is: "Do as I tell you!"

. Do what?

. Really nothing at all. They put me in a chair, then they put out the lights, and told me to sleep. Tatyána was hid near by. They did not see her, but I did.

. What was that for?

. God knows,—I can't make it out.

. Of course, for pastime.

. Evidently you and I can't understand it. Tell me how much money have you spent?

. Not any. I have saved everything: twenty-eight roubles, I think.

. That is good. If God grants us to get the land, Semén, I will take you home with me.

. That would please me.

. You are spoilt, I am afraid. You won't like to do the ploughing.