Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/64

Tales from Tolstoi self growing excited as he plunged again into his favourite occupation, that swallowed up everything else — the driving of a bargain.

"And then, you know, for fifteen roubles I could pick and choose at the horse fair," said Nikita, well knowing that seven roubles was a very good price to pay for the horse that Vasily Andreich wanted to palm off upon him; and that if Vasily Andreich let him have the horse he would charge him twenty-five roubles for it, which would mean not seeing the colour of his money in wages for half a year.

"The horse is a good one. I would do you a good turn as well as myself. On my conscience I would A Brekhunov would injure no man. I seek not mine own, as do others. On my honour, a first-rate horse!" he cried, in the same tone of voice he always affected when haggling with buyers and sellers.

"No doubt," said Nikita; and fully persuaded that it was no longer of any use to listen, he put up with his hand the collar of his coat, which immediately covered up his face and ears.

For half an hour they went on in silence. The wind blew right into Nikita's side and arm just where his fur was ragged and torn. He hugged himself, and breathed hard into his collar, that covered his mouth, and his hard breathing seemed to burn him.

"Well what do you think? Shall we go in the direction of Karamnishevo, or straight on?" asked Vasily Andreich.

The Karamnishevo road was much the more frequented, with well-maintained posts on both sides — but it was the longer way. Straight on would be 14