Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/56

 Rh acquainted with the details of shoemaking to notice that Michael was not working in accordance with the rules governing shoemakers' work, but instead was making some very peculiar round cuts. Simeon's wife was on the point of interrupting the assistant's labors, when she thought to herself:

"Perhaps I do not understand the making of shoes. Michael surely knows more about such things than I do, and it would be wiser on my part not to interfere."

Michael, after having cut out his work, began to sew—not, however, as if he were making boots, but slippers instead.

Although much surprised at this, Matreona did not even then make any remark, and he was allowed to pursue his work without interruption.

When dinner-time came Simeon arose, and approaching his assistant learned for the first time what he was doing—that he had cut the nobleman's leather into slippers instead of boots.