Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/89

 82 third hundred, and it is not yet finished. I fear we shall have to postpone our journey till next summer. If it is God's will that we shall live till then, we shall surely go."

"According to my view of the matter," said Elissey, "I can see no reason for longer delay. It is now the beginning of spring, which is the best time to start."

"That is true," remarked Euthymus; "but as the work on my building is now in progress how am I to leave it?"

"Oh!" said Elissey, impatiently, "you need not worry over that; for you can leave some one to look after it in your absence. Why can't your son attend to the business?"

"How could he do it? He is full-grown, to be sure; but he is unreliable. He drinks."

"Well, my old friend, we shall die, and they will have to live without us. It is necessary for your son to learn something."

"That is also true; but the work needs my oversight."