Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/48

 Rh window, they saw the driver jump from his seat and open the carriage door, after which a nobleman, dressed in rich sables, alighted and directed his steps toward Simeon's humble home. As he entered the porch, Matreona jumped from her seat and threw the door wide open to receive the distinguished guest.

As the stranger was rather tall, and as the doorway was not very high, he was obliged to stoop quite low to effect an entrance. Once inside the room the nobleman stood erect, when he found that his head nearly touched the ceiling, and, being stout in proportion, he filled the whole of one corner.

Seeing so distinguished a visitor, Simeon arose and with a low bow motioned his welcome. He had never before seen such a high personage in his humble home. The nobleman was in strange contrast to the other occupants of the room, who were all very thin and had a care-worn look.

The visitor was possessed of a large, round,