Page:The Complete Works of Lyof N. Tolstoi - 08 (Crowell, 1899).djvu/339

Rh this is contrary to rule. Zatoropilas requires a complement—"hurried up—to do what?" the teacher must ask. But in the story it simply says:—

"Mother took the money and hurried up and carried it off to hide it away."

This is charming! I should like to say such a word, and I should like the teachers who instruct in language to say or write such a proposition.

"When we had eaten dinner, sister kissed father again, and went home. Then father began to turn over the things in his bag, and mother and I looked on. Suddenly mother spied a little book and she said:—

"'Aï! have you learned to read?'

"Father said:—

"'I have.'

"Then father took out a great parcel, and gave it to mother.

"Mother says:—

"'What is that?'

"Father said:—

"'Money.'

"Mother was delighted, and she hurried up and carried it off to hide it away. Then mother came back and said:—

"'Where did you get it?'

"Father said:—

"'I was non-commissioned officer, and I had the public funds: I paid off the soldiers and had some left ; I kept it.'

"Mother was so glad, and she skipped about like mad. The day was already gone and evening was coming on. They lighted the fire. My father took the little book and began to read. I sat near him and listened, while my mother lighted a splinter. And my father read his book a long time. Then they went to bed. I lay down on the back bench with my father, and mother lay at our feet and they talked a long time, almost till midnight. Then they went to sleep."

Again the detail, scarcely noticeable but still somewhat surprising you, and deeply impressing you, of the way