Page:The Complete Works of Lyof N. Tolstoi - 08 (Crowell, 1899).djvu/341

Rh the log, stood it up on end, and struck it with all his might, and split the log; he split it into fire-wood, and carried it into the izba. Mother proceeded to warm up the izba; she kindled the fire, and by this time it was broad daylight."

But to the artist even this is too little. He wants to show also another side of their life, the poetry of the joyous family life, and he sketches for you the following picture:—

"When it was broad daylight my father said:—

"'Matriona!'

"Mother came, and said:—

"'Well, what is it?'

"Father said:—

"'I am thinking of buying a cow, five lambs, two nice horses, and an izba. You see everything's gone to rack and ruin … the whole will cost about a hundred and fifty silver rubles.' …

"Mother thought for a while; then she said:—

"'Yes, but we shall be spending all the money.'

"Father said: 'We will work.'

"Mother said:—

"'Well, all right, we will buy them; but there's one thing—where shall we get some lumber?'

"Father asked:—

"'Hasn't Kiryukha any?'

"Mother said:—

"'That's just the trouble—no! The Fokanuichefs have got it all.'

"Father pondered, and said:—

"'Well, we'll get some of Bryantsef.'

"Mother said:—

"'I doubt it very much.'

"Father said:—

"'It must be so—he is a forester!'

"Mother said:—