Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/143

136 "Come in, dear uncle," said the woman; "take supper with us, and rest here for the night."

Euthymus accepted the hospitality thus so kindly offered, and as he entered he realized that the house was the same one to which his old comrade had gone for a drink. He was naturally anxious to find out all he could learn in regard to what had become of Elissey, and so he made many inquiries. As he came into the room the woman relieved him of his sack and gave him water in which to bathe his hands and face, after which she invited him to be seated at the table, placing before him bread, milk, curd-dumplings, and gruel.

Euthymus first thanked and then praised his hostess for her cordial welcome, and for the kindly interest which she and her household had taken in him a stranger.

The woman shook her head as she said:

"It would be impossible for us not to welcome strangers who come this way, for to one of such we owe our lives. We were living in