Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume VI).djvu/58

Rh as he sat on a basket-chair facing him, and looked at him with his ingratiating eyes. 'I learned from the papers that you want a position as tutor, and I have come to you with this proposal. I am married; I have one son nine years old, a boy to speak frankly of excellent abilities. We spend the greater part of the summer and autumn in the country, in the province of S{{longdash}, four miles from the chief town of the province. Well, would you care to go there with us for the vacation, to teach my son the Russian language and history─the subjects you mentioned in your advertisement? I venture to think you will like me, my family and the very situation of our place. There's a first-rate garden, streams, splendid air, a roomy house Will you consent? If so, I have only to inquire your terms, though I do not imagine,' added Sipyagin with a faint grimace, 'that any difficulties could arise between us on that score.'

All the while Sipyagin was speaking, Nezhdanov stared fixedly at him, at his small head, thrown a little back, at his low and narrow, but clever forehead, his delicate Roman nose, his pleasant eyes, his well-cut lips, from which the amiable words seemed to flow in an easy stream, at his long whiskers drooping after the English fashion─he stared and was puzzled. 'What