Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/46

Rh to it. "You see," said Simeon, "it is not such a very difficult thing to do. You have only to pay attention."

Michael did as he was told, and he found the task a very light one.

Simeon instructed him how to do many more things, all of which he did without the slightest trouble. He seemed to understand at once. The shoemaker took great delight in teaching him the different parts of the trade. Michael learned so quickly that by the third day he could do as good work as his instructor. He worked hard and ate but little, especially if there was no work to do. At such times the stranger was very silent, and his gaze constantly wandered upward. He did not seem to care about going on the street, as do most men. He did not talk much and never joked nor laughed. Only once—on that memorable first evening when Matreona prepared supper and invited him to partake of it—did they see his wonderful smile.