Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/50

 Rh "I see, your high nobility."

"But do you understand what kind of goods it is?"

At this point Simeon touched the leather and said: "It is of a very fine quality."

"Yes," remarked the nobleman, "I should say it was fine! You fool, you have never before seen such goods in all your life. It has been imported from Germany and cost me twenty rubles."

On hearing this, Simeon became confused and said: "Oh! Where could we obtain such leather?"

"Why," replied the nobleman, "you can make from this very stuff a pair of boots for me."

"Yes, your high nobility," was Simeon's delighted rejoinder; "we would be pleased to do so!"

"But," interrupted the distinguished customer, "do you understand for whom you are to make the boots, and the quality of the leather you are to use? You must make me a pair of