Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/219

Rh them meat and drink and took no money for it; nay, they gave them also provisions of bread in their knapsacks, and even brought them bast-shoes. So the old men went on for 700 versts, then they passed through yet another government, and then they came to waste places. The people let them pass through, and gave them night-lodging, but ceased to provide food. Even bread was not to be had everywhere, not even for money sometimes. Last year, the people said, nothing grew. The rich were ruined, and sold off everything; those who were moderately well off had nothing; but the poor either perished altogether, or wandered into the wide world, or eked out a miserable existence at home. In the winter they ate weeds and chaff.

Once the old men passed the night at a little place where they bought 50 lbs. of bread. They slept there, and were up and away again by dawn in order to avoid the heat as long as possible. They went for ten versts and came to a little stream, sat down, scooped up water in their cups, moistened their bread, ate of it, and changed their shoes and stockings. Then they sat them down again and rested awhile. Elisyei took out his horn snuff-box. Efim Tarasuich shook his head at him. "Why dost not throw away such rubbish?"

Elisyei waved his hand in deprecation. "My sin hath gained the upper hand," said he, "what can I do?"

They rose and went on further. They went ten versts further. They came to a large village and went right through it. It began to be hot already. 169