Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/79

Rh knocking the snow from off him. Then, turning to the dog, he added, "You silly thing! what are you putting yourself about for? What's the matter, eh? Be quiet, you stupid! There are no thieves here."

"They say, you know, there are three persons who have a great deal to say in a house," observed the youngster, Pete.

"Who may they be?" asked Nikita.

"You'll find it all printed in Paulson's book: the thief creeps into the house — the dog barks — that means, 'Don't yawn in bed any longer!' The cock crows — that means, 'Get up.' The cat washes herself — that means, Tis a good guest, prepare to entertain him!'" The boy smiled as he repeated his lesson.

For little Pete was a lettered youngster, and knew almost by heart everything in Paulson, the one book he possessed and loved to quote, especially when he was a bit in liquor, as now; he loved to quote anything which seemed to him likely to improve the occasion.

"That's just it," said Nikita.

"You must be nearly frozen, uncle, eh?" added Pete.

"Pretty well on that way, I think," said Nikita. And they passed through the courtyard and the sheds into the dwelling-house.

The house at which Vasily Andreich had stopped was one of the richest in the village. The family 29