Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/184

Tales from Tolstoi "Look here now, just you listen to me! Don't you know that those rascals are always talking about me? If anyone murmurs, and if anything is said, you must tell me all about it. I know the scoundrels; they love not work, they would lie on their sides and loll about doing nothing. Guzzle and keep festival—that's what they like, and they think nothing of shirking and scamping their work. So look you now! you just listen to all they say and bring me word about it again. I must know it. Go and look now! tell me everything and leave out nothing."

The starosta returned, mounted his nag, and went out into the field to the muzhiks.

The wife of the overseer had heard what her husband said to the starosta; she went to her husband and began to pray him be merciful. The overseer's wife was a meek woman, and her heart within her was good. When she could, she softened her husband, and stood between him and the muzhiks.

She went to her husband and began to implore him.

"Mishen'ka, my friend, for the sake of this great day, the feast of the Lord, sin not! For Christ's sake let the muzhiks go!"

Michal Semenovich paid no heed to his wife's words, he did but laugh at her.

Tis a long time," said he, "since the little whip played about thee, and made thee laugh on the wrong side of thy mouth—wilt thou mind thine own business?" 134