Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/57

50 "Ah!" exclaimed Simeon, as he thought, "this is strange. Michael has been with us now one year, and I have never known him to make a mistake about anything. This, I fear, will cause us much trouble, for the nobleman ordered long boots and he is making slippers—without even soles to them. He has spoiled the leather, and what can I do about it? I am sure that I will never be able to replace the goods. I do not see how I can ever again face my aristocratic customer—he will be so dreadfully angry."

Then turning to Michael the shoemaker continued:

"What have you done, my dear friend? I will surely be killed, for the nobleman ordered boots, and see what you have made!"

Just as Simeon began to scold his assistant there came a knock at the door. Looking out of the window, they saw that some one had arrived on horseback and was fastening his animal to a post. Soon after the door opened and the nobleman's servant entered.