Theofficers，asusual，livedintwosandthreesintheroofless，half—ruinedhouses。Theseniorstriedtocollectstrawandpotatoesand，ingeneral，foodforthemen。Theyoungeronesoccupiedthemselvesasbefore，someplayingcardstherewasplentyofmoney，thoughtherewasnofood，somewithmoreinnocentgames，suchasquoitsandskittles。Thegeneraltrendofthecampaignwasrarelyspokenof，partlybecausenothingcertainwasknownaboutit，partlybecausetherewasavaguefeelingthatinthemainitwasgoingbadly。
Rostovlived，asbefore，withDenisov，andsincetheirfurloughtheyhadbecomemorefriendlythanever。DenisovneverspokeofRostov’sfamily，butbythetenderfriendshiphiscommandershowedhim，Rostovfeltthattheelderhussar’slucklessloveforNatashaplayedapartinstrengtheningtheirfriendship。DenisovevidentlytriedtoexposeRostovtodangerasseldomaspossible，andafteranactiongreetedhissafereturnwithevidentjoy。Ononeofhisforagingexpeditions，inadesertedandruinedvillagetowhichhehadcomeinsearchofprovisions，RostovfoundafamilyconsistingofanoldPoleandhisdaughterwithaninfantinarms。Theywerehalfclad，hungry，tooweaktogetawayonfootandhadnomeansofobtainingaconveyance。Rostovbroughtthemtohisquarters，placedtheminhisownlodging，andkeptthemforsomeweekswhiletheoldmanwasrecovering。Oneofhiscomrades，talkingofwomen，beganchaffingRostov，sayingthathewasmorewilythananyofthemandthatitwouldnotbeabadthingifheintroducedtothemtheprettyPolishgirlhehadsaved。Rostovtookthejokeasaninsult，flaredup，andsaidsuchunpleasantthingstotheofficerthatitwasallDenisovcoulddotopreventaduel。Whentheofficerhadgoneaway，Denisov，whodidnothimselfknowwhatRostov’srelationswiththePolishgirlmightbe，begantoupbraidhimforhisquicknessoftemper，andRostovreplied：
\"Saywhatyoulike……Sheislikeasistertome，andIcan’ttellyouhowitoffendedme……because……well，forthatreason……\"
DenisovpattedhimontheshoulderandbeganrapidlypacingtheroomwithoutlookingatRostov，aswashiswayatmomentsofdeepfeeling。
\"Ah，whatamadbweedyouWostovsare！\"hemuttered，andRostovnoticedtearsinhiseyes。