Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/142

Tales from Tolstoi grant the desires of their guests, and give back gifts for gifts. You have given us gifts, speak now! what thing of ours does your heart desire that we may give it you?"

"What I like best of all," replied Pakhom, "is your land. With us there is a scarcity of land, and what there is of it is exhausted, but with you there is much land and good. I have never seen the like of it before."

The interpreter interpreted. The Bashkirs talked away among themselves. Pakhom did not understand what they were saying, but he could see that they were vastly amused at something, for they laughed heartily. At last they grew quiet and looked at Pakhom, and the interpreter spoke again.

"They bid me tell you," said he, "that for your goodness to them they will be glad to give you as much land as you desire. Only point out with your hand what you like best, and it is yours!"

Again they began talking among themselves, and some sort of a dispute arose. Pakhom asked what they were disputing about.

The interpreter replied, "Some of them say you must ask the chief about the land, as without him nothing can be done; but the others say it can be done very well without him."

So the Bashkirs went on wrangling, when suddenly a man in a fox-skin cap came up. They were all still in a moment, and rose to their feet. 92