Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/282

Tales from Tolstoi thou didst take off thy cap, and I saw in my dream that thy head was all grey."

Aksenov laughed aloud.

"Nay, nay! but that is too much," said he. "Thou knowest I am used to knocking about in the way of trade, and putting up at roadside inns." And he took leave of his family and departed.

When he was half-way on his road he fell in with another merchant of his acquaintance, and with him he put up at an inn for a night's lodging. They drank tea together, and lay down to sleep in two adjoining rooms. Aksenov did not like sleeping long, and as it was easier going in the cold, he aroused the wagoner and bade him put the horses to. Then he went into the black hut, settled with his host, and drove off.

After going forty versts, he again stopped to eat, rested a bit against the walls of the inn, and at dinner-time went out into the verandah, bade them place the samovar there, took out his guitar, and began to play. Suddenly, into the courtyard there drove a troika covered with bells, and from out of the equipage descended a chinovnik with two soldiers, who went straight up to Aksenov, and asked him who he was and whence he came?

Aksenov told him everything about himself, and inquired, " ouldst thou not like to drink a cup of tea along with me?"

But the chinovnik never once ceased asking questions. 232