Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/217

Rh to everything: where he was to mow and how much, what lands he was to manure, and how he was to repair and roof in the hut. He foresaw and gave directions about everything. But Ehsyei only bade his old woman collect, one by one, the swarms of young bees belonging to the ten hives he had sold to his neighbour, and let him have them without deceit; about household matters he did not speak at all; she would know best what to do as things turned up. "Thou art thine own mistress, do as it seems best to thee."

The old men made them ready. They fried them home-made fritters, mended their knapsacks, cut them out fresh sandals, sewed them new Bakhilki, took provision of bast-shoes with them, and set out. They of their households accompanied them to the bounds of the parish and there took leave of them, and the old men went on their way.

Elisyei departed with a light heart, and the moment he left the village forgot ail about his affairs. His only thought was how to please his comrade on the road, how to avoid saying any sort of rude word, how to go in peace and love from place to place, and then return home. So Elisyei went on his way, and all the while he would never cease quietly murmuring prayers to himself, or calling to memory all the deeds of his life so far as he could recollect them. And if he fell in with any man by the way, or put up with anyone for the night, he would demean himself right

167