Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/84

Tales from Tolstoi that could stifle this desire was tea, and no tea had yet been offered to him.

"If only we get to the turning, it will all be plain sailing, for there is a wood all the way along right up to the place," said Vasily Andreich.

"It is for you to decide whether we go or not, Vasily Andreich," said Nikita, taking the cup of tea now offered to him.

"Let us drink our tea, then, and be off."

Nikita said nothing, he only shook his head, and cautiously pouring out his tea into the saucer, began to warm his half-frozen hands over the steam; then, biting off a tiny little bit of sugar from the lump he held in his hand, he bowed to his host, and exclaimed, "Your health," and drank up the steaming fluid.

"Can anyone guide us to the turning?" asked Vasily Andreich.

"Of course, of course," said the elder son, "Pete can put to and guide you to the turning."

"Put to, then, put to, my brother, and you shall have my best thanks."

"Why, dear soul!" said the courteous old hostess, "as if we were not right glad to do it."

"Pete, go and saddle the mare!" said the elder son.

"All right," said Pete, smiling, and immediately snatching his cap off a nail he went out to saddle the mare.

While the horses were being got ready, the conversation went back to the point where it had been broken off when Vasily Andreich had first approached the window. The old host began complaining to his 34