Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/114

Rh Elissey could not make up his mind to leave them that evening, as had been his intention, and he decided to remain till next morning. He prepared his bed in the yard, and, after saying his prayers, lay down, but he found it impossible to go to sleep. It was necessary that he should resume his journey, as he had lost a good deal of time and money; yet he could not help feeling sorry for the unfortunate family's predicament.

"I cannot supply every one," he said to himself; "I had intended to give them only bread and water; but now it has gone so far that I shall be obliged to redeem their meadow and rye-field, and afterward to buy them a cow and horse, with which to work their farm. Well, Brother Elissey Bodroff, it is plain that you have gotten yourself into trouble. Once you have opened your pocket, you are never done spending."

Without having reached any conclusion, Elissey arose, and putting on his kaftan he took some