InthevillageShikalovolivedtwodressmakers，sisters，belongingtotheFlagellantsect。Thenewclothesfortheweddingwereorderedfromthem，andtheyoftencametotrythemon，andstayedalongwhiledrinkingtea。TheyweremakingVarvaraabrowndresswithblacklaceandbuglesonit，andAksinyaalightgreendresswithayellowfront，withatrain。WhenthedressmakershadfinishedtheirworkTsybukinpaidthemnotinmoneybutingoodsfromtheshop，andtheywentawaydepressed，carryingparcelsoftallowcandlesandtinsofsardineswhichtheydidnotintheleastneed，andwhentheygotoutofthevillageintotheopencountrytheysatdownonahillockandcried。
Anisimarrivedthreedaysbeforethewedding，riggedoutinnewclothesfromtoptotoe。Hehaddazzlingindia-rubbergoloshes，andinsteadofacravatworearedcordwithlittleballsonit，andoverhisshoulderhehadhunganovercoat，alsonew，withoutputtinghisarmsintothesleeves。
Aftercrossinghimselfsedatelybeforetheikon，hegreetedhisfatherandgavehimtensilverroublesandtenhalf-roubles；toVarvarahegaveasmuch，andtoAksinyatwentyquarter-roubles。
Thechiefcharmofthepresentlayinthefactthatallthecoins，asthoughcarefullymatched，werenewandglitteredinthesun。Tryingtoseemgraveandsedatehepurseduphisfaceandpuffedouthischeeks，andhesmeltofspirits。Probablyhehadvisitedtherefreshmentbarateverystation。Andagaintherewasafree-and-easinessabouttheman——somethingsuperfluousandoutofplace。ThenAnisimhadlunchanddrankteawiththeoldman，andVarvaraturnedthenewcoinsoverinherhandandinquiredaboutvillagerswhohadgonetoliveinthetown。
“Theyareallright，thankGod，theygetonquitewell，“saidAnisim。“OnlysomethinghashappenedtoIvanYegorov:hisoldwifeSofyaNikiforovnaisdead。Fromconsumption。Theyorderedthememorialdinnerforthepeaceofhersoulattheconfectioner’sattwoandahalfroublesahead。Andtherewasrealwine。Thosewhowerepeasantsfromourvillage——theypaidtwoandahalfroublesforthem，too。Theyatenothing，asthoughapeasantwouldunderstandsauce！“