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Rh "How can he do it? My eldest I can't depend upon—he's no good."

"Bear with him, gossip! He will manage to live without our help. One must teach one's son a little."

"No doubt, but everyone likes to see to one's own affairs one's self."

"Ah, but my dear man, thou wilt never be able to superintend everything. Look now! A few days ago the women with us were washing and making ready against the feast. And this was wanted and that was wanted, and there was so much to do that they did not know where to buckle to first. Now my eldest daughter is a canny body, and she said, 'Thanks for nothing,' said she, 'the festival is coming on, and it won't wait for you, and work as you will you won't get through all your work.

Tarasuich fell a-thinking. "I shall spend a bit of money on this building," said he, "and I must not go on this trip empty-handed either. 'Tis a good bit of money—a hundred roubles."

Elisyei laughed. "Sin not, gossip," said he. "Thy means are tenfold more than mine. And thou talkest about money! Say, when shall we be off? I have nothing, and yet I'll find some."

Even Tarasuich smiled at this. "Now thou revealest thyself, thou man of wealth!" said he. "Whence then wilt thou draw thy money?"

"Oh, I'll scrape together something at home, and if that doesn't suffice I'll sell ten of my prize bee-hives to my neighbour, he has been bidding for them for a long time." 165