TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter09[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter9`Well，now，what’sourplanofcampaign？Tellusallaboutit，’saidStepanArkadyevich。
`Ourplanisthis。Nowwe’redrivingtoGvozdiov。InGvozdiovthere’sadoublesnipemarshonthisside，andbeyondGvozdiovcomesomemagnificentjacksnipemarshes，wheretherearedoublesnipetoo。It’shotnow，andwe’llgetthere-it’stwentyverstas-towardevening，andhavesomeeveningshooting；we’llspendthenightthereandgoontomorrowtothebiggermoors。’
`Andistherenothingontheway？’
`Yes；butwe’llsaveourselves；besides，it’shot。Therearetwogoodlittleplaces，butIdoubttherebeinganythingtoshoot。’
Levinwouldhimselfhavelikedtogointotheselittleplaces，buttheywerenearhome；hecouldshootthemoveranytime，andtheywereonlylittleplaces-therewouldhardlyberoomforthreetoshoot。Andso，withsomeinsincerity，hesaidthathedoubtedtherebeinganythingtoshoot。WhentheyreachedalittlemarshLevinwouldhavedrivenby，butStepanArkadyevich，withtheexperiencedeyeofasportsman，atoncedetectedasoggyspotvisiblefromtheroad。
`Shan’twetrythat？’hesaid，pointingtothelittlemarsh。
`Levin，do，please！Howdelightful！’VassenkaVeslovskybeganbegging，andLevincouldnotbutconsent。
Beforetheyhadtimetostop，thedogshadflownonebeforetheotherintothemarsh。
`Krak！Laska！……’
Thedogscameback。
`Therewon’tberoomforthree。I’llstayhere，’saidLevin，hopingtheywouldfindnothingbutpewits，whichhadbeenstartledbythedogs，and，turningoverintheirflight，wereplaintivelywailingoverthemarsh。
`No！Comealong，Levin，let’sgotogether！’Veslovskycalled。
`Really，there’snoroom。Laska，back，Laska！Youwon’twantanotherdog，willyou？’
Levinremainedwiththedroshky，andlookedenviouslyatthesportsmen。
Theywalkedacrossthemarsh。Exceptonemoorhenandpewits，ofwhichVassenkakilledone，therewasnothinginthemarsh。
`Come，youseenowthatitwasnotthatIgrudgedthemarsh，’
saidLevin，`onlyit’swastingtime。’
`Oh，no，itwasjollyallthesame。Didyouseeus？’saidVassenkaVeslovsky，clamberingawkwardlyintothedroshkywithhisgunandhispewitinhishands。`HowsplendidlyIshotthisbird！Didn’tI？Well，shallwesoonbegettingtotherealplace？’
Thehorsesstartedoffsuddenly，Levinknockedhisheadagainstthestockofsomeone’sgun，andtherewasthereportofashot。Thegundidactuallygoofffirst，butthatwashowitseemedtoLevin。ItappearedthatVassenkaVeslovskymakingthecockssafehadpressedonetrigger，andhadheldbacktheothercock。Thechargeflewintothegroundwithoutdoingharmtoanyone。StepanArkadyevichshookhisheadandlaughedreprovinglyatVeslovsky。ButLevinhadnotthehearttoreprovehim。Inthefirstplace，anyreproachwouldhaveseemedtobecalledforthbythedangerhehadincurredandthebumpthathadcomeuponLevin’sforehead。Andbesides，Veslovskywasatfirstsonaï；velydistressed，andthenlaughedsogood-humoredlyandinfectiouslyattheirgeneraldismay，thatonecouldnotbutlaughwithhim。
Whentheyreachedthesecondmarsh，whichwasfairlylarge，andwouldinevitablytakesometimetoshootover，Levintriedtopersuadethemtopassitby。ButVeslovskyagaintalkedhimover。Again，asthemarshwasnarrow，Levin，likeagoodhost，remainedwiththecarriages。
Krakmadestraightforhummocks；VassenkaVeslovskywasthefirsttorunafterthedog。BeforeStepanArkadyevichhadtimetocomeup，adoublesnipeflewout。Veslovskymisseditanditflewintoanunmownmeadow。
ThisdoublesnipewasleftforVeslovskytofollowup。Krakfounditagainandpointed，andVeslovskyshotitandwentbacktothecarriages。
`NowyougoandI’llstaywiththehorses，’hesaid。
Levinhadbeguntofeelthepangsofasportsman’senvy。HehandedthereinstoVeslovskyandwalkedintothemarsh。
Laska，whohadbeenplaintivelywhiningandfrettingagainsttheinjusticeofhertreatment，flewstraightaheadtoanunfailingplace，coveredwithmossyhummocks，thatLevinknewwell，andthatKrakhadnotyetcomeupon。
`Whydon’tyoustopher？’shoutedStepanArkadyevich。
`Shewon’tscarethem，’answeredLevin，sympathizingwithhisbitch’spleasureandhurryingafterher。
AsshecamenearerandnearertothefamiliarhummockstherewasmoreandmoreearnestnessinLaska’sexploration。Alittlemarshbirddidnotdivertherattentionformorethananinstant。Shemadeonecircuitroundthehummocks，wasbeginningasecond，andsuddenlyquiveredwithexcitementandstoodstock-still。
`Come，come，Stiva！’shoutedLevin，feelinghisheartbeginningtobeatmoreviolently；andallofasudden，asthoughsomesortofshutterhadbeendrawnbackfromhisstrainingears，allsounds，confusedbutloud，begantobeatonhishearing，losingallsenseofdistance。HeheardthestepsofStepanArkadyevich，mistakingthemforthetrampofthehorsesinthedistance；heheardthebrittlesoundofthetussockwhichcameoffwithitsrootswhenhehadtroddenonahummock，andhetookthissoundfortheflightofadoublesnipe。Heheardtoo，notfarbehindhim，asplashinginthewater，whichhecouldnotexplaintohimself。
Pickinghissteps，hemoveduptothedog。
`Fetchit！’
Notadoublebutajacksnipeflewupfrombesidethedog。Levinhadliftedhisgun，butattheveryinstantwhenhewastakingaim，thesoundofsplashinggrewlouder，camecloser，andwasjoinedwiththesoundofVeslovsky’svoice，shoutingsomethingwithstrangeloudness。Levinsawhehadhisgunpointedbehindthesnipe，butstillhefired。
Whenhehadmadesurehehadmissed，Levinlookedroundandsawthehorsesandthedroshkynotontheroadbutinthemarsh。
Veslovsky，eagertoseetheshooting，haddrivenintothemarsh，andgotthehorsesstuckinthemud。
`Damnthefellow！’Levinsaidtohimself，ashewentbacktothecarriagethathadsunkinthemire。`Whatdidyoudriveinfor？’hesaidtohimdryly，and，callingthecoachmanhebeganpullingthehorsesout。
Levinwasvexedbothatbeinghinderedfromshootingandathishorsesgettingstuckinthemud，andstillmoreatthefactthatneitherStepanArkadyevichnorVeslovskyhelpedhimandthecoachmantounharnessthehorsesandgetthemout，sinceneitherofthemhadtheslightestnotionofharnessing。WithoutansweringasyllabletoVassenka’sprotestationsthatithadbeenquitedrythere，Levinworkedinsilencewiththecoachmanatextricatingthehorses。Butthen，ashegotwarmattheworkandsawhowassiduouslyVeslovskywastuggingatthedroshkybyoneofthesplashboards，sothathebrokeitindeed，Levinblamedhimselfforhavingundertheinfluenceofyesterday’sfeelingsbeentoocoldtoVeslovsky，andtriedtobeparticularlygenialsoastosmoothoverhischilliness。Wheneverythinghadbeenputright，andthevehicleshadbeenbroughtbacktotheroad，Levinhadthelunchserved。
`Bonappé；tit-bonneconscience！Cepouletvatomberjusqu’aufonddemesbottes，’Vassenka，whohadrecoveredhisspirits，quotedtheFrenchsayingashefinishedhissecondchicken。`Well，nowourtroublesareover，noweverything’sgoingtogowell。Only，toatoneformysins，I’mboundtositonthebox。That’sso？Eh？No，no！I’llbeyourAutomedon。YoushallseehowI’llgetyoualong，’heanswered，withoutlettinggotherein，whenLevinbeggedhimtoletthecoachmandrive。`No，Imustatoneformysins，andI’mverycomfortableonthebox。’Andhedrove。
Levinwasalittleafraidhewouldexhaustthehorses，especiallytheleftofthem，thechestnut，whomhedidnotknowhowtoholdin；butunconsciouslyhefellundertheinfluenceofhisgaietyandlistenedtothesongshesangallthewayonthebox，orthedescriptionsandrepresentationshegaveofdrivingintheEnglishfashion，four-in-hand；anditwasintheverybestofspiritsthatafterlunchtheydrovetotheGvozdiovmarsh。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter10[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10Vassenkadrovethehorsessofastthattheyreachedthemarshtooearly，whileitwasstillhot。
Astheydrewnearthismoreimportantmarsh，thechiefaimoftheirexpedition，LevincouldnothelpconsideringhowhecouldgetridofVassenkaandbefreeinhismovements。StepanArkadyevichevidentlyhadthesamedesire，andonhisfaceLevinsawthelookofanxietyalwayspresentinatruesportsmanwhenbeginningshooting，togetherwithacertaingood-humoredslynesspeculiartohim。
`Howshallwego？It’sasplendidmarsh，Isee，andtherearehawks，’saidStepanArkadyevich，pointingtotwogreatbirdshoveringoverthesedge。`Wheretherearehawks，thereissuretobegame。’
`Now，gentlemen，’saidLevin，pullinguphisbootsandexaminingthelockofhisgunwithasomewhatsomberexpression，`doyouseethatsedge？’Hepointedtoanoasisofblackishgreeninthehugehalf-mownwetmeadowthatstretchedalongtherightbankoftheriver。`Themarshbeginshere，straightinfrontofus，doyousee-whereitisgreener？
Fromhereitrunstotherightwherethehorsesare；therearehummocksthere，anddoublesnipe，andallroundthatsedgeasfarasthataldertree，andrightuptothemill。Overthere，doyousee，wherethecreekis？That’sthebestplace。ThereIonceshotseventeenjacksnipe。We’llseparatewiththedogsandgoindifferentdirections，andthenmeetoverthereatthemill。’
`Well，who’llgoleft，andwhototheright？’askedStepanArkadyevich。
`It’swidertotheright；youtwogothatwayandI’lltaketheleft，’
hesaidwithapparentcarelessness。
`Capital！We’llmakethebiggerbag！Yes，comealong，comealong！’
Vassenkaexclaimed。
Levincoulddonothingbutagree，andtheydivided。
Assoonastheyenteredthemarsh，thetwodogsbeganhuntingabouttogetherandmadetowardtherust-coloredspot。LevinknewLaska’smethod，waryandindefinite；heknewtheplacetoo，andexpectedawholecoveyofsnipe。
`Veslovsky，walkbesideme-besideme！’hesaidinafaintvoicetohiscompanionsplashinginthewaterbehindhim。Levincouldnothelpfeelinganinterestinthedirectionhisgunwaspointed，afterthatcasualshotneartheKolpenskymarsh。
`Oh，Iwon’tgetinyourway，don’ttroubleaboutme。’
ButLevincouldnothelptroubling，andrecalledKitty’swordsatparting:`Mindyoudon’tshootoneanother。’Thedogscamenearerandnearer，passedeachother，eachpursuingitsownscent。TheexpectationofsnipewassointensethattoLevinthesmackingsoundofhisownheel，ashedrewitupoutoftherustymire，seemedtobethecallofasnipe，andheclutchedandpressedthebuttofhisgun。
Bang！bang！soundedalmostinhisear。Vassenkahadfiredataflockofduckswhichwashoveringoverthemarshandflyingatthatmomenttowardthesportsmen，faroutofrange。BeforeLevinhadtimetolookround，therewasthewhirofonesnipe，another，athird，andsomeeightmoreroseoneafteranother。
StepanArkadyevichhitoneattheverymomentwhenitwasbeginningitszigzagmovements，andthesnipefellasaclodintothequagmire。Oblonskyaimeddeliberatelyatanother，stillflyinglowtowardthesedge，andtogetherwiththereportoftheshot，thatsnipetoofell，anditcouldbeseenflutteringoutwherethesedgehadbeencut，itsunhurtwingshowingwhitebeneath。
Levinwasnotsolucky:heaimedathisfirstbirdtoolow，andmissed；heaimedatitagain，justasitwasrising，butatthatinstantanothersnipeflewupathisveryfeet，distractinghimsothathemissedagain。
Whiletheywerereloadingtheirguns，anothersniperose，andVeslovsky，whohadhadtimetoreloadagain，senttwochargesofsmallshotintothewater。StepanArkadyevichpickeduphissnipe，andwithsparklingeyeslookedatLevin。
`Well，nowletusseparate，’saidStepanArkadyevich，andlimpingonhisleftfoot，holdinghisguninreadinessandwhistlingtohisdog，hewalkedoffinonedirection。LevinandVeslovskywalkedoffintheother。
ItalwayshappenedwithLevinthatwhenhisfirstshotswereafailurehegotheatedandoutoftemper，andshotbadlythewholeday。
Sowasitthatday。Thesnipeshowedthemselvesinnumbers。Theykeptflyingupfromjustunderthedogs，fromunderthesportsmen’slegs，andLevinmighthaveretrievedhisillluck。Butthemoreheshot，themorehefeltdisgracedintheeyesofVeslovsky，whokeptpoppingawaymerrilyandindiscriminately，killingnothing，andnotintheslightestabashedbyhisillsuccess。Levin，infeverishhaste，couldnotrestrainhimself，gotmoreandmoreoutoftemper，andendedbyshootingalmostwithoutahopeofhitting。Laska，indeed，seemedtounderstandthis。Shebegansearchingmorelistlessly，andgazedbackatthesportsmenwithapparentperplexityorreproachinhereyes。Shotsfollowedshotsinrapidsuccession。Thesmokeofthepowderhungaboutthesportsmen，whileinthegreatroomynetofthegamebagtherewereonlythreelight，smallsnipe。AndoftheseonehadbeenkilledbyVeslovskyalone，andonebybothofthemtogether。Meanwhile，fromtheothersideofthemarsh，camethesoundofStepanArkadyevich’sshots，notfrequent，but，asLevinfancied，welldirected，foralmostaftereachtheyheard`Krak，Krak，apporte！’
ThisexcitedLevinstillmore。Thesnipewerefloatingcontinuallyintheairoverthesedge。Theirwhirringwingsclosetotheearth，andtheirharshcrieshighintheair，couldbeheardonallsides；thesnipethathadrisenfirstandflownupintotheair，settledagainbeforethesportsmen。Insteadoftwohawkstherewerenowdozensofthemhoveringwithshrillcriesoverthemarsh。
Afterwalkingthroughthelargerhalfofthemarsh，LevinandVeslovskyreachedtheplacewherethepeasants’mowinggrasswasdividedintolongstripsreachingtothesedge，markedoffinoneplacebythetrampledgrass，inanotherbyapathmownthroughit。Halfofthesestripshadalreadybeenmown。
Thoughtherewasnotsomuchhopeoffindingbirdsintheuncutpartasthecutpart，LevinhadpromisedStepanArkadyevichtomeethim，andsohewalkedonwithhiscompanionthroughthecutanduncutpatches。
`Hi，hunters！’shoutedoneofagroupofpeasants，sittingonanunharnessedtelega:`Comeandhavesomelunchwithus！Haveadropofwine！’
Levinlookedround。
`Comealong，it’sallright！’shoutedagood-humored-lookingbeardedpeasantwitharedface，showinghiswhiteteethinagrin，andholdingupagreenishbottlethatflashedinthesunlight。
`Qu’est-cequ’ilsdisent？’askedVeslovsky。
`Theyinviteyoutohavesomevodka。Mostlikelythey’vebeendividingthemeadowintolots。Ishouldhavesome，’saidLevin，notwithoutsomeguile，hopingVeslovskywouldbetemptedbythevodka，andwouldgoofftothem。
`Whydotheyofferit？’
`Oh，they’remerrymaking。Really，youshouldjointhem。Youwouldbeinterested。’
`Allons，c’estcurieux。’
`Yougo，yougo，you’llfindthewaytothemill！’criedLevin，andlookingroundheperceivedwithsatisfactionthatVeslovsky，bentandstumblingwithweariness，holdinghisgunoutatarm’slength，wasmakinghiswayoutofthemarshtowardthepeasants。
`Youcometoo！’thepeasantshoutedtoLevin。`Neverfear！Tasteourpie！’
Levinfeltastronginclinationforadrinkofvodkaandabiteofbread。Hewasexhausted，andfeltitagreatefforttodraghisstaggeringlegsoutofthemire，andforaminutehehesitated。ButLaskawaspointing。
Andimmediatelyallhiswearinessvanished，andhewalkedlightlythroughtheswamptowardthedog。Asnipeflewupathisfeet；hefiredandkilledit。Laskastillpointed-`Fetchit！’Anotherbirdflewupclosetothedog。Levinfired。Butitwasanunluckydayforhim；hemissedit，andwhenhewenttolookfortheonehehadshot，hecouldnotfindthateither。
Hewanderedallaboutthesedge，butLaskadidnotbelievehehadshotit，andwhenhesenthertofindit，shepretendedtohuntforit，butdidnotreallydoso。
AndintheabsenceofVassenka，onwhomLevinthrewtheblameofhisfailure，thingswentnobetter。Therewasplentyofsnipestill，butLevinmadeonemissafteranother。
Theslantingraysofthesunwerestillhot；hisclothes，soakedthroughwithperspiration，stucktohisbody；hisleftbootfullofwaterweighedheavilyonhislegandsquelchedateverystep；thesweatranindropsdownhispowder-grimedface，hismouthwasfullofabittertaste，hisnoseofthesmellofpowderandstagnantwater，hisearswereringingwiththeincessantwhirofthesnipe；hecouldnottouchthebarrelofhisgun，itwassohot；hisheartbeatwithshort，rapidthrobs；hishandsshookwithexcitement，andhiswearylegsstumbledandstaggeredoverthehummocksandintheswamp，butstillhewalkedonandstillheshot。Atlast，afteradisgracefulmiss，heflunghisgunandhishatontheground。
`No，Imustcontrolmyself，’hesaidtohimself。Pickinguphisgunandhishat，hecalledLaska，andwentoutoftheswamp。Whenhegotontodrygroundhesatdownonahummock，pulledoffhisbootandemptiedit，thenwalkedtothemarsh，dranksomerust-tastingwater，moistenedtheburninghotbarrelofhisgun，andwashedhisfaceandhands。Feelingrefreshed，hewentbacktothespotwhereasnipehadsettled，firmlyresolvedtokeepcool。
Hetriedtobecalm，butitwasthesameagain。Hisfingerpressedthetriggerbeforehehadtakenagoodaimatthebird。Itgotworseandworse。
Hehadonlyfivebirdsinhisgamebagwhenhewalkedoutofthemarshtowardthealders，wherehewastorejoinStepanArkadyevich。
BeforehecaughtsightofStepanArkadyevichhesawhisdog。Krak，blackalloverwiththestinkingmireofthemarsh，dartedoutfrombehindthetwistedrootofanalder，and，withtheairofaconqueror，sniffedLaska。BehindKraktherecameintoviewintheshadeofthealdertreetheshapelyfigureofStepanArkadyevich。Hecametomeethim，redandperspiring，withunbuttonedneckband，stilllimpinginthesameway。
`Well？Youhavebeenpoppingaway！’hesaid，smilinggood-humoredly。
`Howhaveyougoton？’queriedLevin。Buttherewasnoneedtoask，forhehadalreadyseenthefullgamebag。
`Oh，prettyfair。’
Hehadfourteenbirds。
`Asplendidmarsh！I’venodoubtVeslovskygotinyourway。It’sawkwardtoo，shootingwithonedog，’saidStepanArkadyevich，tosoftenhistriumph。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter11[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11WhenLevinandStepanArkadyevichreachedthepeasant’shutwhereLevinalwaysusedtostay，Veslovskywasalreadythere。Hewassittinginthemiddleofthehut，clingingwithbothhandstothebenchfromwhichhewasbeingpulledbyasoldier，thebrotherofthepeasant’swife，whowashelpinghimoffwithhismiryboots。Veslovskywaslaughinghisinfectious，good-humoredlaugh。
`I’veonlyjustcome。Ilsonté；té；charmants。
Justfancytheygavemedrink，andfedme！Suchbread-itwasexquisite！Dé；licieux！Andthevodka-Inevertastedanybetter。Andtheywouldnottakeapennyforanything。Andtheykeptsaying:``Excuseourhomelyways。’’
`Whatshouldtheytakeanythingfor？Theywereentertainingyou，tobesure。Doyousupposetheykeepvodkaforsale？’saidthesoldier，succeedingatlastinpullingthesoakedbootoff，togetherwiththeblackenedstocking。
Inspiteofthedirtinessofthehut，whichwasallmuddiedbytheirbootsandthefilthydogslickingthemselvesclean，andthesmellsofthemarshandthepowderthatfilledtheroom，andtheabsenceofknivesandforks，thepartydranktheirteaandatetheirsupperwitharelishonlyknowntosportsmen。Washedandclean，theywentintoahaybarnsweptreadyforthem，wherethecoachmenhadbeenmakingupbedsforthegentlemen。
Thoughitwasdusk，notoneofthemwantedtogotosleep。
Afterwaveringamongreminiscencesandanecdotesofguns，ofdogs，andofformershootingparties，theconversationrestedonatopicthatinterestedallofthem。AfterVassenkahadseveraltimesoverexpressedhisappreciationofthisdelightfulsleepingplaceamongthefragranthay，thisdelightfulbrokentelegahesupposedittobebrokenbecausetheshaftshadbeentakenout，ofthegoodnatureofthepeasantswhohadtreatedhimtovodka，ofthedogswholayatthefeetoftheirrespectivemasters，OblonskybegantellingthemofadelightfulshootingpartyatMalthus’swherehehadstayedtheprevioussummer。Malthuswasawell-knowncapitalist，whohadmadehismoneybyspeculationinrailwayshares。StepanArkadyevichdescribedwhatsnipemoorsthisMalthushadtakenonleaseintheTverprovince，andhowtheywerepreserved，andofthecarriagesanddogcartsinwhichtheshootingpartyhadbeendriven，andtheluncheonpavilionthathadbeenriggedupatthemarsh。
`Idon’tunderstandyou，’saidLevin，sittingupinthehay；`howisitsuchpeopledon’tdisgustyou？IcanunderstandalunchwithLafitteisallverypleasant，butdon’tyoudislikejustthatverysumptuousness？
Allthesepeople，justlikeourtaxfarmersintheolddays，gettheirmoneyinawaythatgainsthemthecontemptofeveryone。Theydon’tcarefortheircontempt，andthentheyusetheirdishonestgainstobuyoffthecontempttheyhavedeserved。’
`Perfectlytrue！’chimedinVassenkaVeslovsky。`Perfectly！Oblonsky，ofcourse，goesoutofbonhomie，butotherpeoplesay:``Well，Oblonskystayswiththem。’’
`Notabitofit。’LevincouldhearthatOblonskywassmilingashespoke。`Isimplydon’tconsiderhimmoredishonestthananyotherwealthymerchantornobleman。They’veallmadetheirmoneyalike-bytheirworkandtheirintelligence。’
`Oh，bywhatwork？Doyoucallitworktogetholdofconcessionsandspeculatewiththem？’
`Ofcourseit’swork。Workinthissense，thatifitwerenotforhimandotherslikehim，therewouldhavebeennorailways。’
`Butthat’snotwork，liketheworkofapeasant，orinalearnedprofession。’
`Granted，butit’sworkinthesensethathisactivityproducesaresult-therailways。Butofcourseyouthinktherailwaysuseless。’
`No，that’sanotherquestion；Iamdisposedtoadmitthatthey’reuseful。Butallprofitthatisoutofproportiontothelaborexpendedisdishonest。’
`Butwhoistodefinewhatisproportionate？’
`Makingprofitbydishonestmeans，bytrickery，’saidLevin，consciousthathecouldnotdrawadistinctlinebetweenhonestyanddishonesty。
`Suchasbanking，forinstance，’hewenton。`It’sanevil-theamassingofhugefortuneswithoutlabor，justthesamethingaswiththetaxfarmers-it’sonlytheformthat’schanged。Leroiestmort，viveleroi！
Nosoonerwerethetaxfarmersabolishedthantherailwayscameup，andbankingcompanies；that，too，isprofitwithoutwork。’
`Yes，thatmayallbeverytrueandclever……Liedown，Krak！’
StepanArkadyevichcalledtohisdog，whowasscratchingandturningoverallthehay。Hewasobviouslyconvincedofthecorrectnessofhisposition，andsotalkedserenelyandwithouthaste。`Butyouhavenotdrawnthelinebetweenhonestanddishonestwork。ThatIreceiveabiggersalarythanmychiefclerk，thoughheknowsmoreabouttheworkthanIdo-that’sdishonest，Isuppose？’
`Ican’tsay。’
`Well，butIcantellyou:yourreceivingsomefivethousand，let’ssay，foryourworkontheland，whileourhost，thepeasanthere，howeverhardheworks，cannevergetmorethanfiftyroubles，isjustasdishonestasmyearningmorethanmychiefclerk，andMalthusgettingmorethanarailwayexpert。No，quitethecontrary；Iseethatsocietytakesupasortofantagonisticattitudetothesepeople，whichisutterlybaseless，andIfancythere’senvyatthebottomofit……’
`No，that’sunfair，’saidVeslovsky；`howcouldenvycomein？
Thereissomethinguncleanaboutthatsortofbusiness。’
`Yousay，’Levinwenton，`thatit’sunjustformetoreceivefivethousand，whilethepeasanthasfiftyroubles；that’strue。Itisunfair，andIfeelit，but……’
`Itreallyis。Whyisitwespendourtimeriding，drinking，shooting，doingnothingwhiletheyareforeveratwork？’saidVassenkaVeslovsky，obviouslyforthefirsttimeinhislifereflectingonthequestion，andconsequentlyconsideringitwithperfectsincerity。
`Yes，youfeelit，butyoudon’tgivehimyourproperty，’saidStepanArkadyevich，intentionally，asitseemed，provokingLevin。
Therehadarisenoflatesomethinglikeasecretantagonismbetweenthetwobrothers-in-law；asthough，sincetheyhadmarriedsisters，akindofrivalryhadsprungupbetweenthemastowhichwasorderinghislifebest，andnowthishostilityshoweditselfintheconversation，asitbegantotakeapersonalnote。
`Idon’tgiveitaway，becausenoonedemandsthatfromme，andifIwantedto，Icouldnotgiveitaway，’answeredLevin，`andhavenoonetogiveitto。’
`Giveittothispeasant，hewouldnotrefuseit。’
`Yes，buthowamItogiveitup？AmItogotohimandmakeatitledeed？’
`Idon’tknow；butifyouareconvincedthatyouhavenoright……’
`I’mnotatallconvinced。Onthecontrary，Ifeelhavenorighttogiveitup，thatIhavedutiesbothtothelandandtomyfamily。’
`No，excuseme，butifyouconsiderthisinequalityisunjust，whyisityoudon’tactaccordingly？……’
`Well，Idoactnegativelyonthatidea，sofarasnottryingtoincreasethedifferenceofpositionexistingbetweenhimandme。’
`No，excuseme，that’saparadox。’
`Yes，there’ssomethingofasophistryaboutthat，’Veslovskyagreed。`Ah！Ourhost！’hesaidtothepeasantwhocameintothebarn，openingthecreakingdoor。`Howisityou’renotasleepyet？’
`No，how’sonetosleep！Ithoughtourgentlemenwouldbeasleep，butIheardthemchattering。Iwanttogetahookfromhere。Shewon’tbite？’headded，steppingcautiouslywithhisbarefeet。
`Andwhereareyougoingtosleep？’
`Wearegoingoutfornightwatching。’
`Ah，whatanight！’saidVeslovsky，lookingoutattheedgeofthehutandtheunharnesseddroshkythatcouldbeseeninthefaintlightoftheeveningglowinthegreatframeoftheopendoors。`Butlisten，therearewomen’svoicessinging，and，onmyword，notbadlytoo！Who’sthatsinging，myfriend？’
`That’sthehousemaidsfromhardbyhere。’
`Let’sgo-let’stakeawalk！Weshan’tgotosleep，youknow。
Oblonsky，comealong！’
`Ifonecouldonlydoboth，liehereandgo，’answeredOblonsky，stretching。`It’scapitallyinghere。’
`Well，Ishallgobymyself，’saidVeslovsky，gettingupeagerly，andputtingonhisbootsandstockings。`Good-by，gentlemen。Ifit’sfun，I’llfetchyou。You’vetreatedmetosomegoodsport，andIwon’tforgetyou。’
`Hereallyisacapitalfellow，isn’the？’saidStepanArkadyevichwhenVeslovskyhadgoneoutandthepeasanthadclosedthedoorafterhim。
`Yes，capital，’answeredLevin，stillthinkingofthesubjectoftheirconversationjustbefore。Itseemedtohimthathehadclearlyexpressedhisthoughtsandfeelingstothebestofhiscapacity，andyetbothofthem，straightforwardmenandnotfools，hadsaidwithonevoicethathewascomfortinghimselfwithsophistries。Thisdisconcertedhim。
`It’sjustthis，mydearboy。Onemustdooneoftwothings:eitheradmitthattheexistingorderofsocietyisjust，andthenstickupforone’srightsinit；oracknowledgethatyouareenjoyingunjustprivileges，asIdo，andthenenjoythemandbesatisfied。’
`No，ifitwereunjust，youcouldnotenjoytheseadvantagesandbesatisfied-atleastIcouldnot。ThegreatthingformeistofeelthatI’mnottoblame。’
`Whatdoyousay-whynotgoafterall？’saidStepanArkadyevich，evidentlywearyofthestrainofthought。`Weshan’tgotosleep，youknow。
Come，let’sgo！’
Levindidnotanswer。Whattheyhadsaidintheconversationthatheactedjustlyonlyinanegativesenseabsorbedhisthoughts。`Canitbethatit’sonlypossibletobejustnegatively？’hewasaskinghimself。
`Howstrongthesmellofthefreshhayis，though，’saidStepanArkadyevich，gettingup。`There’snotachanceofsleeping。Vassenkahasbeengettingupsomefunthere。Doyouhearthelaughterandhisvoice？
Hadn’twebettergo？Comealong！’
`No，I’mnotcoming，’answeredLevin。
`Surelythat’snotamatterofprincipletoo，’saidStepanArkadyevich，smiling，ashefeltaboutinthedarkforhiscap。
`It’snotamatterofprinciple，butwhyshouldIgo？’
`Butdoyouknowyouarepreparingtroubleforyourself，’saidStepanArkadyevich，findinghiscapandgettingup。
`Howso？’
`DoyousupposeIdon’tseethelineyou’vetakenupwithyourwife？Iheardhowit’saquestionofthegreatestconsequence，whetherornotyou’retobeawayforacoupleofdays’shooting。That’sallverywellasanidyllicepisode，butforyourwholelifethatwon’tanswer。
Amanmustbeindependent；hehashismasculineinterests。Amanhastobemanly，’saidOblonsky，openingthedoor。
`Inwhatway？Togorunningafterservantgirls？’saidLevin。
`Whynot，ifitamuseshim？Ç；anetirepasà；
consequence。Itwon’tdomywifeanyharm，andit’llamuseme。Thegreatthingistorespectthesanctityofthehome。Thereshouldbenothinginthehome。Butdon’ttieyourownhands。’
`Perhapsso，’saidLevindryly，andheturnedonhisside。`Tomorrow，early，Iwanttogoshooting，andIwon’twakeanyone，andshallsetoffatdaybreak。’
`Messieurs，venezvite！’theyheardthevoiceofVeslovskycomingback。`Charmante！I’vemadesuchadiscovery。Charmante！
AperfectGretchen，andI’vealreadymadefriendswithher。Really，exceedinglypretty，’hedeclaredinatoneofapproval，asthoughshehadbeenmadeprettyentirelyonhisaccount，andhewereexpressinghissatisfactionwiththeentertainmentthathadbeenprovidedforhim。
Levinpretendedtobeasleep，whileOblonsky，puttingonhisslippers，andlightingacigar，walkedoutofthebarn，andsoontheirvoiceswerelost。
ForalongwhileLevincouldnotgettosleep。Heheardhishorsesmunchinghay，thenheheardthepeasantandhiselderboygettingready，andthengoingoffforthenightwatching，thenheheardthesoldierarranginghisbedontheothersideofthebarn，withhisnephew，theyoungersonoftheirpeasanthost。Heheardtheboyinhisshrilllittlevoicetellinghisunclewhathethoughtaboutthedogs，whoseemedtohimhugeandterriblecreatures，andaskingwhatthedogsweregoingtohuntnextday，andthesoldierinahusky，sleepyvoice，tellinghimthesportsmenweregoinginthemorningtothemarsh，andwouldshootwiththeirguns；andthen，tochecktheboy’squestions，hesaid，`Gotosleep，Vaska；gotosleeporyou’llcatchit，’andsoonafterhebegansnoringhimself，andeverythingwasstill。Hecouldonlyheartheneighofthehorses，andthegutturalcryofasnipe。`Isitreallyonlynegative？herepeatedtohimself。`Well，whatofit？It’snotmyfault。’Andhebeganthinkingaboutthenextday。
`TomorrowI’llgooutearly，andI’llmakeapointofkeepingcool。Therearelotsofsnipe；andtherearedoublesnipetoo。WhenIcomebackthere’llbethenotefromKitty。Yes，Stivamayberight，I’mnotmanlywithher，I’mtiedtoherapronstrings……Well，itcan’tbehelped！
Negativeagain……’
Halfasleep，heheardthelaughterandmirthfultalkofVeslovskyandStepanArkadyevich。Foraninstantheopenedhiseyes:themoonwasup，andintheopendoorway，brightlylightedupbythemoonlight，theywerestandingtalking。StepanArkadyevichwassayingsomethingofthefreshnessofonegirl，comparinghertoafreshlypeelednut，andVeslovskywithhisinfectiouslaughwasrepeatingsomewords，probablysaidtohimbyapeasant:`Ah，you’dbettergetroundyourownwife！’Levin，halfasleep，said:
`Gentlemen，tomorrowbeforedaylight！’andfellasleep。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter12[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12Wakingupatearliestdawn，Levintriedtowakehiscompanions。Vassenka，lyingonhisstomach，withoneleginastockingthrustout，wassleepingsosoundlythathecouldelicitnoresponse。Oblonsky，halfasleep，declinedtogetupsoearly。EvenLaska，whowasasleep，curledupinthehay，gotupunwillingly，andlazilystretchedoutandstraightenedherhindlegsoneaftertheother。Gettingonhisboots，takinghisgun，andcarefullyopeningthecreakingdoorofthebarn，Levinwentoutintotheroad。Thecoachmenweresleepingneartheircarriages；thehorsesweredozing。Onlyonewaslazilyeatingoats，scatteringtheminthemangerwhensnorting。
Itwasstillgrayout-of-doors。
`Whyareyouupsoearly，mydear？’theoldwoman，theirhostess，said，comingoutofthehutandaddressinghimaffectionatelyasanoldfriend。
`Goingshooting，auntie。DoIgothiswaytothemarsh？’
`Straightoutattheback；byourthreshingfloor，mydear，andhemppatches；there’salittlefootpath。’
Steppingcarefullywithhersunburned，barefeet，theoldwomanconductedLevin，andmovedbackthegateforhimbythethreshingfloor。
`Straightahead，andyou’llcometothemarsh。Ourladsdrovethehorsesthereyesterdayevening。’
Laskaraneagerlyforwardalongthelittlepath。Levinfollowedherwithalight，rapidstep，continuallylookingatthesky。Hehopedthesunwouldnotbeupbeforehereachedthemarsh。Butthesundidnotdelay。Themoon，whichhadbeenbrightwhenhewentout，bynowshoneonlylikeacrescentofquicksilver。Therosyflushofdawn，whichonecouldnothelpseeingbefore，nowhadtobesoughttobediscernedatall。Whatbeforehadbeenundefined，vagueblursinthedistantcountryside，couldnowbedistinctlyseen。Theyweresheavesofrye。Thedew，notvisibletillthesunwasup，wettedLevin’slegsandhisblouseabovehisbeltinthehigh-growing，fragranthemppatch，fromwhichthemaleplantshadalreadybeengatheredin。Inthetransparentstillnessofmorningthesmallestsoundswereaudible。AbeeflewbyLevin’searwiththewhizzingsoundofabullet。Helookedcarefully，andsawasecondandathird。Theywereallflyingfromthebeehivesbehindthehedge，andtheydisappearedoverthehemppatchinthedirectionofthemarsh。Thepathledstraighttothemarsh。Themarshcouldberecognizedbythemistwhichrosefromit，thickerinoneplaceandthinnerinanother，sothatthesedgeandwillowbushesswayedlikeislandsinthismist。Attheedgeofthemarshandtheroadpeasantboysandmen，whohadbeenherdingforthenight，werelying，andinthedawnallwereasleepundertheircoats。Notfarfromthemwerethreehobbledhorses。Oneofthemclankedachain。Laskawalkedbesidehermaster，pressingalittleforwardandlookinground。Passingthesleepingpeasantsandreachingthefirstreeds，Levinexaminedhispercussioncapsandunleashedhisdog。Oneofthehorses，asleek，dark-brownthree-year-old，seeingthedog，startedaway，switcheditstailandsnorted。Theotherhorsestoowerefrightened，andsplashingthroughthewaterwiththeirhobbledlegs，anddrawingtheirhoofsoutofthethickmudwithasquelchingsound，theyboundedoutofthemarsh。Laskastopped，lookingironicallyatthehorsesandinquiringlyatLevin。LevinpattedLaska，andwhistledasasignthatshemightbegin。
Laskaranjoyfullyandanxiouslythroughthequagmirethatquakedunderher。
Runningintothemarshamongthefamiliarscentsofroots，marshplants，anddross，andtheextraneoussmellofhorsemanure，Laskadetectedatonceasmellthatpervadedthewholemarsh，thescentofthatstrong-smellingbirdthatalwaysexcitedhermorethananyother。Hereandthereamongthemossandmarshplantsthisscentwasverystrong，butitwasimpossibletodetermineinwhichdirectionitgrewstrongerorfainter。Tofindthedirection，shehadtogetfartherawayfromthewind。Notfeelingthemotionofherlegs，Laskaboundedwithastillgallop，sothatateachboundshecouldstopshort，totheright，awayfromthewindthatblewfromtheeastbeforesunrise，andturnedfacingthewind。Sniffingintheairwithdilatednostrils，shefeltatoncethatnottheirtracesonly，buttheythemselves，wereherebeforeher-notone，butmany。Laskaslackenedherspeed。Theywerehere，butwherepreciselyshecouldnotyetdetermine。Tofindtheveryspot，shebegantomakeacircle，whensuddenlyhermaster’svoicedrewheroff。`Laska！Here！’hesaid，pointinghertoadifferentdirection。
Shestopped，askinghimifshehadbetternotgoondoingasshehadbegun。
Butherepeatedhiscommandinanangryvoice，pointingtoahummockspotcoveredwithwater，wheretherecouldnotbeanything。Sheobeyedhim，pretendingshewassearchingsoastopleasehim，wentroundit，andwentbacktoherformerposition，andwasatonceawareofthescentagain。
Nowwhenhewasnothinderingher，sheknewwhattodo，and，withoutlookingatwhatwasunderherfeet，andtohervexationstumblingoverahummockintothewater，butrightingherselfwithherstrong，supplelegs，shebeganmakingthecircuitwhichwastomakeallcleartoher。Thescentofthemreachedher，strongerandstronger，andmoreandmoredefined，andallatonceitbecameperfectlycleartoherthatoneofthemwashere，behindthishummock，fivepacesinfrontofher；shestopped，andherwholebodywasstillandrigid。Onhershortlegsshecouldseenothinginfrontofher，butbythescentsheknewitwassittingnotmorethanfivepacesoff。Shestoodstill，feelingmoreandmoreconsciousofit，andenjoyingitinanticipation。Hertailwasstretchedstraightandtense，andonlywaggedattheextremetip。Hermouthwasslightlyopen，herearsraised。
Oneearhadbeenturnedwrongsideoutassheranup，andshebreathedheavilybutwarily，andstillmorewarilysheturnedaround，butmorewithhereyesthanherhead，tohermaster。Hewascomingalongwiththefacesheknewsowell，thoughtheeyeswerealwaysterribletoher。Hestumbledoverthehummocksashecame，andmoved，asshethought，extraordinarilyslowly。Shethoughthecameslowly，buthewasrunning。
NoticingLaska’sspecialattitudeasshecrouchedontheground，asitwere，scratchingbigprintswithherhindpaws，andwithhermouthslightlyopen，Levinknewshewaspointingatdoublesnipe，andwithaninwardprayerforluck，especiallywiththefirstbird，heranuptoher。
Comingquitecloseuptoher，hecouldfromhisheightlookbeyondher，andhesawwithhiseyeswhatshewasseeingwithhernose。Inaspacebetweentwolittlehummocks，atacoupleofyards’distance，hecouldseeadoublesnipe。Turningitshead，itwaslistening。Thenlightlypreeningandfoldingitswings，itdisappearedroundacornerwithaclumsywagofitstail。
`Fetchit，fetchit！’shoutedLevin，givingLaskaashovefrombehind。
`ButIcan’tgo，’thoughtLaska。`WhereamItogo？FromhereIfeelthem，butifImoveforwardIshallknownothingofwheretheyare，orwhotheyare。’Butthenheshovedherwithhisknee，andinanexcitedwhispersaid，`Fetchit，Lassochka，fetchit。’
`Well，ifthat’swhathewishes，I’lldoit，butIcan’tanswerformyselfnow，’shethought，anddartedforwardasfastasherlegswouldcarryherbetweenthehummocks。Shescentednothingnow；shecouldonlyseeandhear，withoutunderstandinganything。
Tenpacesfromherformerplaceadoublesniperosewithagutturalcryandthepeculiarconvexsoundofitswings。Andimmediatelyaftertheshotitsplashedheavilywithitswhitebreastonthewetmire。Anotherbirddidnotlinger，butrosebehindLevin，withoutthedog’soffices。
WhenLevinturnedtowardit，itwasalreadysomewayoff。Buthisshotcaughtit。Flyingtwentypacesfarther，theseconddoublesniperoseupward，and，whirlingroundlikeaball，droppedheavilyonadryplace。
`Come，thisisgoingtobesomegood！’thoughtLevin，packingthewarmandfatsnipeintohisgamebag。`Eh，Laska，willitbegood？’
WhenLevin，afterreloadinghisgun，movedon，thesunhadfullyrisen，thoughunseenbehindclouds。Themoonhadlostallofitsluster，andwaslikeawhitecloudinthesky。Notasinglestarcouldbeseen。
Thesoggyplaces，silverywithdewbefore，nowshonelikegold。Therustypoolswerealllikeamber。Theblueofthegrasshadchangedtoyellowgreen。Themarshbirdstwitteredandswarmedaboutthebrookanduponthebushesthatglitteredwithdewandcastlongshadows。Ahawkwokeupandsettledonahaycock，turningitsheadfromsidetosideandlookingdiscontentedlyatthemarsh。Crowswereflyingaboutthefield，andabareleggedboywasdrivingthehorsestoanoldman，whohadgotupfromunderhislongcoatandwascombinghishair。Thesmokefromthegunwaswhiteasmilkoverthegreenofthegrass。
OneoftheboysranuptoLevin。
`Uncle，therewereduckshereyesterday！’heshoutedtohim，andhewalkedalittlewayoffbehindhim。
AndLevinwasdoublypleased，insightoftheboy，whoexpressedhisapproval，atkillingthreejacksnipe，oneafteranother，straightoff。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter13[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13Thesportsman’ssaying，thatifthefirstbeastorthefirstbirdisnotmissed，theshootingwillbelucky，turnedoutcorrect。
Atteno’clockLevin，weary，hungry，andhappyafteratrampofthirtyverstas，returnedtohisnight’slodgingwithnineteenheadoffinegameandoneduck，whichhetiedtohisbelt，asitwouldnotgointothegamebag。Hiscompanionshadlongbeenawake，andhadhadtimetogethungryandhavebreakfast。
`Waitabit，waitabit，Iknowtherearenineteen，’saidLevin，countingasecondtimeoverthedoublesnipeandjacksnipe，thatlookedsomuchlessimportantnow，bentanddryandbloodstained，withheadscrookedlytooneside，thantheydidwhentheywereflying。
Thenumberwasverified，andStepanArkadyevich’senvypleasedLevin。HewaspleasedtooonreturningtofindthatthemansentbyKittywithanotewasalreadyhere。
`Iamperfectlywellandhappy。Ifyouwereuneasyaboutme，youcanfeeleasierthanever。I’veanewbodyguard，MaryaVlassyevna。’Thiswasthemidwife，anewandimportantpersonageinLevin’sdomesticlife。
`Shehascometohavealookatme。Shefoundmeperfectlywell，andweareholdinghertillyouareback。Allarehappyandwell，andplease，don’tbeinahurrytocomeback，but，ifthesportisgood，stayanotherday。’
Thesetwopleasures，hisluckyshootingandtheletterfromhiswife，weresogreatthattwoslightlydisagreeableincidentspassedlightlyoverLevin。Onewasthatthechestnuttracehorse，whohadbeenunmistakablyoverworkedonthepreviousday，wasoffhisfeedandoutofsorts。Thecoachmansaidthehorsewasoverstrained。
`Overdrivenyesterday，KonstantinDmitrievich！’hesaid。`Yes，indeed！Drivingtenmileswithoutanysense！’
Theotherunpleasantincident，whichforthefirstminutedestroyedhisgoodhumor，thoughlaterhelaughedatitagreatdeal，wastofindthatofalltheprovisionswhichKittyhadprovidedinsuchabundance，thatonewouldhavethoughttherewasenoughforaweek，nothingwasleft。
Onhiswayback，tiredandhungry，fromshooting，Levinhadsodistinctavisionofmeatpiesthatasheapproachedthehutheseemedtosmellandtastethem，asLaskahadsmeltthegame，andheimmediatelytoldPhiliptogivehimsome。Itappearedthattherewerenopiesleft-norevenanychicken。
`Well，thisfellow’sappetite！’saidStepanArkadyevich，laughingandpointingatVassenkaVeslovsky。`Ineversufferfromlossofappetite，buthe’sreallymarvelous！……’
`Well，itcan’tbehelped，’saidLevin，lookinggloomilyatVeslovsky。
`Well，Philip，givemesomebeef，then。’
`Thebeef’sbeeneaten，andthebonesgiventothedogs，’answeredPhilip。
Levinwassohurtthathesaid，inatoneofvexation:`Youmighthaveleftmesomething！’andhefeltreadytocry。
`Thendisembowelthegame，’hesaidinashakingvoicetoPhilip，tryingnottolookatVassenka，`andcoverthemwithsomenettles。Andyoumightatleastaskforsomemilkforme。’
Butwhenhehaddrunksomemilk，hefeltashamedimmediatelyathavingshownhisannoyancetoastranger，andhebegantolaughathishungrymortification。
Intheeveningtheywentshootingagain，andVeslovsky，too，hadseveralsuccessfulshots，andinthenighttheydrovehome。
Theirhomewardjourneywasaslivelyastheirdriveouthadbeen。
Veslovskysangsongsandrelatedwithenjoymenthisadventureswiththepeasants，whohadregaledhimwithvodka，andsaidtohim，`Excuseourhomelyways，’andhisnight’sadventureswithtugofwar，andtheservantgirl，andthepeasant，whohadaskedhimwashemarriedandonlearningthathewasnot，saidtohim:`Well，mindyoudon’trunafterothermen’swives-you’dbettergetroundyourown。’ThesewordshadparticularlyamusedVeslovsky。
`Altogether，I’veenjoyedouroutingawfully。Andyou，Levin？’
`Ihave，verymuch，’Levinsaidquitesincerely。ItwasparticularlydelightfultohimtohavegotridofthehostilityhehadbeenfeelingtowardVassenkaVeslovskyathome，andtofeelinsteadthemostfriendlydispositiontohim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter14[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14Nextdayatteno’clockLevin，whohadalreadygonehisrounds，knockedattheroomwhereVassenkahadbeenputforthenight。
`Entrez！’Veslovskycalledtohim。`Excuseme，I’veonlyjustfinishedmyablutions，’hesaid，smiling，standingbeforehiminhisunderclothesonly。
`Don’tmindme，please，’Levinsatdowninthewindow。`Haveyousleptwell？’
`Likethedead。Whatsortofdayisitforshooting？’
`Whatwillyoutake，teaorcoffee？’
`Neither。I’llwaittilllunch。I’mreallyashamed。Isupposetheladiesaredown？Awalknowwouldbecapital。Youshowmeyourhorses。’
Afterwalkingaboutthegarden，visitingthestable，andevendoingsomegymnasticexercisestogetherontheparallelbars，Levinreturnedtothehousewithhisguest，andwentwithhimintothedrawingroom。
`Wehadsplendidshooting，andsomanydelightfulexperiences！’
saidVeslovsky，goinguptoKitty，whowassittingatthesamovar。`Whatapityladiesarecutofffromthesedelights！’
`Well，Isupposehemustsaysomethingtotheladyofthehouse，’
Levinsaidtohimself。Againhefanciedsomethinginthesmile，intheall-conqueringairwithwhichtheirguestaddressedKitty……
ThePrincess，sittingontheothersideofthetablewithMaryaVlassyevnaandStepanArkadyevich，calledLevintoherside，andbegantotalktohimaboutmovingtoMoscowforKitty’sconfinement，andgettingreadyroomsforthem。JustasLevinhaddislikedallthetrivialpreparationsforhiswedding，asderogatorytothegrandeuroftheevent，nowhefeltstillmoreoffensivethepreparationsfortheapproachingbirth，thedateofwhichtheyreckoned，itseemed，ontheirfingers。Hetriedtoturnadeafeartothesediscussionsofthebestpatternsoflongclothesforthecomingbaby；triedtoturnawayandavoidseeingthemysterious，endlessstripsofknitting，thetrianglesoflinen，towhichDollyattachedspecialimportance，andsoon。Thebirthofasonhewascertainitwouldbeasonwhichwaspromisedhim，butwhichhestillcouldnotbelievein-
somarvelousitseemed-presenteditselftohismind，ononehand，asahappinesssoimmense，andthereforesoincredible；ontheother，asaneventsomysterious，thatthisassumptionofadefiniteknowledgeofwhatwouldbe，andconsequentpreparationforit，asforsomethingordinarythatdidhappentopeople，jarredonhimasconfusingandhumiliating。
ButthePrincessdidnotunderstandhisfeelings，andputdownhisreluctancetothinkandtalkaboutittocarelessnessandindifference，andsoshegavehimnopeace。ShehadcommissionedStepanArkadyevichtolookatanapartment，andnowshecalledLevintoher。
`Iknownothingaboutit，Princess。Doasyouthinkfit，’hesaid。
`Youmustdecidewhenyouwillmove。’
`Ireallydon’tknow。IknowmillionsofchildrenarebornawayfromMoscow，anddoctors……Why……’
`Butifso……’
`Oh，no，asKittywishes。’
`Wecan’ttalktoKittyaboutit！Doyouwantmetofrightenher？
Why，thisspringNatalieGolitzinadiedfromhavinganignorantdoctor。’
`Iwilldojustwhatyousay，’hesaidgloomily。
ThePrincessbegantalkingtohim，buthedidnothearher。ThoughtheconversationwiththePrincesshadindeedjarreduponhim，hewasgloomynotonaccountofthatconversation，butfromwhathesawatthesamovar。
`No，it’simpossible，’hethought，glancingnowandthenatVassenkabendingoverKitty，tellinghersomethingwithhischarmingsmile，andather，flushedanddisturbed。
TherewassomethinguncleaninVassenka’sattitude，inhiseyes，inhissmile。LevinevensawsomethinguncleaninKitty’sattitudeandlook。Andagainthelightdiedawayinhiseyes。Again，asbefore，allofasudden，withouttheslightesttransition，hefeltcastdownfromapinnacleofhappiness，peace，anddignity，intoanabyssofdespair，rage，andhumiliation。Againeverythingandeveryonehadbecomehatefultohim。
`Youdojustasyouthinkbest，Princess，’hesaidagain，lookinground。
`Uneasyliestheheadthatwearsacrown！’StepanArkadyevichsaidplayfully，hinting，evidently，notsimplyatthePrincess’sconversation，butatthecauseofLevin’sagitation，whichhehadnoticed。`Howlateyouaretoday，Dolly！’
EveryonegotuptogreetDaryaAlexandrovna。Vassenkaonlyroseforaninstant，and，withthelackofcourtesytoladiescharacteristicofthemodernyoungman，hescarcelybowed，andresumedhisconversationagain，laughingatsomething。
`Mashahasbeenalmosttheendofme。Shedidnotsleepwell，andisdreadfullycapricioustoday，’saidDolly。
TheconversationVassenkahadstartedwithKittywasrunningonthesamelinesasonthepreviousevening-discussingAnna，andwhetherloveistobeputhigherthanworldlyconsiderations。Kittydislikedtheconversation，andshewasdisturbedbothbythesubjectandthetoneinwhichitwasconducted，andespeciallybytheknowledgeoftheeffectitwouldhaveonherhusband。Butshewastoosimpleandunsophisticatedtoknowhowtocutshortthisconversation，oreventoconcealthesuperficialpleasureaffordedherbytheyoungman’sveryobviousadmiration。Shewantedtostopthisconversation，butshedidnotknowwhattodo。Whatevershedid，sheknewitwouldbeobservedbyherhusband，andtheworstinterpretationputonit。And，infact，whensheaskedDollywhatwaswrongwithMasha，andVassenka，waitingtillthisuninterestingconversationwasover，begantogazeindifferentlyatDolly，thequestionstruckLevinasanunnaturalanddisgustingpieceofhypocrisy。
`Whatdoyousay，shallwegoandlookformushroomstoday？’saidDolly。
`Byallmeans，please，andIshallcometoo，’saidKitty，andsheblushed。ShewantedfrompolitenesstoaskVassenkawhetherhewouldcome，andshedidnotaskhim。`Whereareyougoing，Kostia？’sheaskedherhusbandwithaguiltyface，ashepassedbyherwitharesolutestep。
Thisguiltyairconfirmedallhissuspicions。
`ThemechaniciancamewhenIwasaway；Ihaven’tseenhimyet，’
hesaid，notlookingather。
Hewentdownstairs，butbeforehehadtimetoleavehisstudyheheardhiswife’sfamiliarfootstepsrunningwithrecklessspeedtohim。
`Whatdoyouwant？’hesaidtohershortly。`Wearebusy。’
`Ibegyourpardon，’shesaidtotheGermanmechanician；`Iwantafewwordswithmyhusband。’
TheGermanwouldhavelefttheroom，butLevinsaidtohim:
`Don’tdisturbyourself’
`Thetrainisatthree？’queriedtheGerman。`Imustn’tbelate。’
Levindidnotanswerhim，butwalkedouthimselfwithhiswife。
`Well，whathaveyoutosaytome？’hesaidtoherinFrench。
Hedidnotlookherintheface，anddidnotcaretoseethatsheinherconditionwastremblingallover，andhadapiteous，crushedlook。
`I……Iwanttosaythatwecan’tgoonlikethis；thatthisismisery……’shesaid。
`Theservantsarehereatthebuttery，’hesaidangrily；`don’tmakeascene。’
`Well，let’sgoinhere！’
Theywerestandinginthepassageroom。Kittywouldhavegoneintothenextroom，buttheretheEnglishgovernesswasgivingTaniaalesson。
`Well，comeintothegarden。’
Inthegardentheycameuponapeasantweedingthepath。Andnolongerconsideringthatthepeasantcouldseehertear-stainedandhisagitatedface，thattheylookedlikepeoplefleeingfromsomedisaster，theywentonwithrapidsteps，feelingthattheymustspeakoutandclearupmisunderstandings，mustbealonetogether，andsogetridofthemiserytheywerebothfeeling。
`Wecan’tgoonlikethis！It’smisery！Iamwretched；youarewretched。Whatfor？’shesaid，whentheyhadatlastreachedasolitarygardenseatataturninthelindentreeavenue。
`Buttellmeonething:wasthereinhistoneanythingunseemly，unclean，humiliatinglyhorrible？’hesaid，standingbeforeheragaininthesameposition，withhisclenchedfistsonhischest，ashehadstoodbeforeherthatnight。
`Yes，’shesaidinashakingvoice；`but，Kostia，surelyyouseeI’mnottoblame？AllthemorningI’vebeentryingtotakeatone……Butsuchpeople……Whydidhecome？Howhappywewere！’shesaid，breathlesswiththesobsthatshookher。
Althoughnothinghadbeenpursuingthem，andtherewasnothingtorunawayfrom，andtheycouldnotpossiblyhavefoundanythingverydelightfulonthatgardenseat，thegardenersawwithastonishmentthattheypassedhimontheirwayhomewithcomfortedandradiantfaces。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter15[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15Afterescortinghiswifeupstairs，LevinwenttoDolly’spartofthehouse。
DaryaAlexandrovna，forherpart，wasalsoingreatdistressthatday。
Shewaswalkingabouttheroom，talkingangrilytoalittlegirl，whostoodinthecornerbawling。
`Andyoushallstandalldayinthecorner，andhaveyourdinnerallalone，andnotseeoneofyourdolls，andIwon’tmakeyouanewfrock，’
shesaid，notknowinghowtopunishher。
`Oh，sheisadisgustingchild！’sheturnedtoLevin。`Wheredoesshegetsuchwickedpropensities？’
`Why，whathasshedone？’Levinsaidwithoutmuchinterest，forhehadwantedtoaskheradvice，andsowasannoyedthathehadcomeatanunluckymoment。
`Grishaandshewentintotheraspberries，andthere……Ican’ttellyoureallywhatshedid。It’sathousandpitiesMissElliot’snotwithus。Thisoneseestonothing-she’samachine……Figurez-vousquelapetite？……’
AndDaryaAlexandrovnadescribedMasha’scrime。
`Thatprovesnothing；it’snotaquestionofevilpropensitiesatall，it’ssimplymischief，’Levinassuredher。
`Butyouareupsetaboutsomething？Whathaveyoucomefor？’askedDolly。`What’sgoingonthere？’
AndinthetoneofherquestionLevinheardthatitwouldbeeasyforhimtosaywhathehadmeanttosay。
`I’venotbeeninthere，I’vebeenaloneinthegardenwithKitty。
We’vehadaquarrelforthesecondtimesince……Stivacame。’
Dollylookedathimwithhershrewd，comprehendingeyes。
`Come，tellme，honorbright，hastherebeen……NotinKitty，butinthatgentleman’sbehavior，atonewhichmightbeunpleasant-notunpleasant，buthorrible，offensivetoahusband？’
`Youmean，howshallIsay……Standthere-standinthecorner！’
shesaidtoMasha，who，detectingafaintsmileonhermother’sface，hadbeenturninground。`Theopinionoftheworldwouldbethatheisbehavingasyoungmendobehave。Ilfaitlecourà；unejeuneetjoliefemme，andahusbandwho’samanoftheworldshouldonlybeflatteredbyit。’
`Yes，yes，’saidLevingloomily；`butyounoticedit？’
`NotonlyI，butStivanoticedit。Justafterbreakfasthesaidtome:JecroisqueVeslovskyfaitunpetitbrindecourà；Kitty。’
`Well，that’sallrightthen；nowI’msatisfied。I’llsendhimaway，’saidLevin。
`Whatdoyoumean！Areyoucrazy？’Dollycriedinhorror。`Nonsense，Kostia，onlythink！’shesaid，laughing。`YoucangonowtoFanny，’shesaidtoMasha。`No，ifyouwishit，I’llspeaktoStiva。He’lltakehimaway。Hecansayyou’reexpectingvisitors。Altogetherhedoesn’tfitintothehouse。’
`No，no，I’lldoitmyself。’
`Butyou’llquarrelwithhim？’
`Notabit。Ishallsoenjoyit，’Levinsaid，hiseyesflashingwithrealenjoyment。`Come，forgiveher，Dolly，shewon’tdoitagain，’
hesaidofthelittlesinner，whohadnotgonetoFanny，butwasstandingirresolutelybeforehermother，waitingandlookingupfromunderherbrowstocatchhermother’seye。
Themotherglancedather。Thechildbrokeintosobs，hidherfaceonhermother’slap，andDollylaidherthin，tenderhandonherhead。
`Andwhatisthereincommonbetweenusandhim？’thoughtLevin，andhewentofftolookforVeslovsky。
Ashepassedthroughthehallhegaveordersforthecarriagetobegotreadytodrivetothestation。
`Thespringwasbrokenyesterday，’saidthefootman。
`Well，thetarantassthen，andmakehaste。Where’sthevisitor？’
`Thegentleman’sgonetohisroom。’
LevincameuponVassenkaatthemomentwhenthelatter，havingunpackedhisthingsfromhistrunk，andlaidoutsomenewsongs，wasputtingonhisleathergaiterstogooutriding。
WhethertherewassomethingexceptionalinLevin’sface，orthatVassenkawashimselfconsciousthatlepetitbrindecourhewasmakingwasoutofplaceinthisfamily；hewassomewhatasmuchasayoungmaninsocietycanbedisconcertedatLevin’sentrance。
`Yourideingaiters？’
`Yes，it’smuchcleaner，’saidVassenka，puttinghisfatlegonachair，fasteningthebottomhook，andsmilingwithsimpleheartedgoodhumor。
Hewasundoubtedlyagood-naturedfellow，andLevinfeltsorryforhimandashamedofhimself，ashishost，whenhesawtheshylookonVassenka’sface。
Onthetablelayapieceofstickwhichtheyhadbrokentogetherthatmorningatgymnastics，tryingtoraiseuptheswollenbars。Levintookthefragmentinhishandsandbeganbreakingoffthesplitendofthestick，notknowinghowtobegin。
`Iwanted……’Hepaused，butsuddenly，rememberingKittyandeverythingthathadhappened，hesaid，lookinghimresolutelyintheface:`Ihaveorderedthehorsestobeputtoforyou。’
`Howso？’Vassenkabeganinsurprise。`Todrivewhere？’
`Foryoutodrivetothestation，’Levinsaidgloomilypinchingofftheendofthestick。
`Areyougoingaway，orhassomethinghappened？’
`IthappensthatIexpectvisitors，’saidLevin，hisstrongfingersmoreandmorerapidlybreakingofftheendsofthesplitstick。`AndI’mnotexpectingvisitors，andnothinghashappened，butIbegyoutogoaway。
Youcanexplainmyrudenessasyoulike。’
Vassenkadrewhimselfup。
`Ibegyoutoexplain……’hesaidwithdignity，understandingatlast。
`Ican’texplain，’Levinsaidsoftlyanddeliberately，tryingtocontrolthetremblingofhisjaw；`andyou’dbetternotask。’
Andasthesplitendswereallbrokenoff，Levinclutchedthethickendsinhisfinger，splitthestickintwo，andcarefullycaughttheendasitfell。
Probablythesightofthosetensehands，ofthesamemuscleshehadprovedthatmorningatgymnastics，oftheglitteringeyes，thesoftvoice，andquiveringjaws，convincedVassenkabetterthananywords。Hebowed，shrugginghisshoulders，andsmilingcontemptuously。
`MayInotseeOblonsky？’
TheshrugandthesmiledidnotirritateLevin。`Whatelsewasthereforhimtodo？’hethought。
`I’llsendhimtoyouatonce。’
`Whatmadnessisthis？’StepanArkadyevichsaidwhen，afterhearingfromhisfriendthathewasbeingturnedoutofthehouse，hefoundLevininthegarden，wherehewaswalkingaboutwaitingforhisguest’sdeparture。
`Maisc’estridicule！Whatfleahasbittenyou？Maisc’estdudernierridicule！Whatdidyouthink，ifayoungman……’
ButtheplacewhereLevinhadbeenbittenwasevidentlystillsore，forheturnedpaleagain，whenStepanArkadyevichwouldhaveenlargedonthereason，andhehimselfcuthimshort。
`Pleasedon’tgointoit！Ican’thelpit。IfeelashamedofthewayI’mtreatingyouandhim。Butitwon’tbe，Iimagine，agreatgrieftohimtogo，andhispresencewasdistastefultomeandtomywife。’
`Butit’sinsultingtohim！Etpuisc’estridicule。’
`Andtomeit’sbothinsultinganddistressing！AndI’mnotinfaultinanyway，andthere’snoneedformetosuffer。’
`Well，thisIdidn’texpectofyou！Onpeutê；trejaloux，maisà；cepointc’estdudernierridicule！’
Levinturnedquickly，andwalkedawayfromhimintothedepthsoftheavenue，andhewentonwalkingupanddownalone。Soonheheardtherumbleofthetarantass，andsawfrombehindthetreeshowVassenka，sittinginthehayunluckilytherewasnoseatinthetarantass
inhisScotchcap，wasdrivenalongtheavenue，joltingupanddownovertheruts。
`What’sthis？’Levinthought，whenafootmanranoutofthehouseandstoppedthetarantass。Itwasthemechanician，whomLevinhadtotallyforgotten。Themechanician，bowinglow，saidsomethingtoVeslovsky，thenclamberedintothetarantassandtheydroveofftogether。
StepanArkadyevichandthePrincessweremuchupsetbyLevin’saction。Andhehimselffeltnotonlyinthehighestdegreeridicule，butalsoutterlyguiltyanddisgraced。Butrememberingwhatsufferingsheandhiswifehadbeenthrough，whenheaskedhimselfhowheshouldactanothertime，heansweredthathewoulddopreciselythesame。
Inspiteofallthis，towardtheendofthatday，everyone，exceptthePrincess，whocouldnotpardonLevin’saction，becameextraordinarilylivelyandgood-humored，likechildrenafterapunishment，orgrown-uppeopleafteradreary，ceremoniousreception，sothatbytheeveningVassenka’sdismissalwasspokenof，intheabsenceofthePrincess，asthoughitweresomeremoteevent。AndDolly，whohadinheritedherfather’sgiftofhumorousstorytelling，madeVarenkahelplesswithlaughterassherelatedforthethirdandfourthtime，alwayswithfreshhumorousadditions，howshehadjustputonhernewribandsforthebenefitofthevisitor，and，ongoingintothedrawingroom，hadsuddenlyheardtherumbleofthechariot。AndwhoshouldbeinthechariotbutVassenkahimself，withhisScotchcap，andhissongs，andhisgaiters，andall，sittinginthehay。
`Ifonlyyou’dorderedoutthecarriage！Butno！AndthenIhear:
``Stop！’Oh，Ithoughtthey’verelented。Ilookout-andafatGermanisbeingsatdownbyhim，andthey’redrivingaway……Andmynewribandsallfornothing！……’
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
TOLSTOY:AnnaKareninaPart6，Chapter16[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16DaryaAlexandrovnacarriedoutherintentionandwenttoseeAnna。ShewassorrytoannoyhersisterandtodoanythingLevindisliked。ShequiteunderstoodhowrighttheLevinswereinnotwishingtohaveanythingtodowithVronsky。ButshefeltshemustgoandseeAnna，andshowherthatherfeelingscouldnotbechanged，inspiteofthechangeinherposition。
ThatshemightbeindependentoftheLevinsinthisexpedition，DaryaAlexandrovnasenttothevillagetohirehorsesforthedrive；butLevinlearningofitwenttohertoprotest。
`WhatmakesyousupposethatIdislikeyourgoing？But，evenifdiddislikeit，Ishouldstillmoredislikeyournottakingmyhorses，’
hesaid。`Younevertoldmethatyouweregoingdefinitely。Hiringhorsesinthevillageisdisagreeabletome，and，what’sofmoreimportance，they’llundertakethejobandnevergetyouthere。Ihavehorses。Andifyoudon’twanttowoundme，you’lltakemine。’
DaryaAlexandrovnahadtoconsent，andonthedayfixedLevinhadreadyforhissister-in-lawasetoffourhorsesandrelays，gettingthemtogetherfromthefarmandsaddlehorses-notatallasmart-lookingset，butcapableoftakingDaryaAlexandrovnathewholedistanceinasingleday。Atthatmoment，whenhorseswerewantedforthePrincess，whowasgoing，andforthemidwife，itwasadifficultmatterforLevintomakeupthenumber，butthedutiesofhospitalitywouldnotlethimallowDaryaAlexandrovnatohirehorseswhenstayinginhishouse。Moreover，hewaswellawarethatthetwentyroublesthatwouldbeaskedforthejourneywereaseriousmatterforher；DaryaAlexandrovna’specuniaryaffairs，whichwereinaveryunsatisfactorystate，weretakentoheartbytheLevinsasiftheyweretheirown。
DaryaAlexandrovna，byLevin’sadvice，startedbeforedaybreak。
Theroadwasgood，thecarriagecomfortable，thehorsestrottedalongmerrily，andonthebox，besidethecoachman，satthecountinghouseclerk，whomLevinwassendinginsteadofagroomforgreatersecurity。DaryaAlexandrovnadozedandwakeduponlyonreachingtheinnwherethehorsesweretobechanged。
Afterdrinkingteaatthesamewell-to-dopeasant’swithwhomLevinhadstayedonthewaytoSviiazhsky’s，andchattingwiththewomenabouttheirchildren，andwiththeoldmanaboutCountVronsky，whomthelatterpraisedveryhighly，DaryaAlexandrovna，atteno’clock，wentonagain。Athome，lookingafterherchildren，shehadnotimetothink。Sonow，afterthisjourneyoffourhours，allthethoughtsshehadsuppressedbeforerushedswarmingintoherbrain，andshethoughtoverallherlifeassheneverhadbefore，andfromthemostdifferentpointsofview。Herthoughtsseemedstrangeeventoherself。Atfirstshethoughtaboutthechildren，aboutwhomshewasuneasy，althoughthePrincessandKittyshereckonedmoreuponherhadpromisedtolookafterthem。`IfonlyMashadoesnotbeginhernaughtytricks，ifGrishaisn’tkickedbyahorse，andLily’sstomachisn’tupsetagain！’Butthesequestionsofthepresentweresucceededbyquestionsoftheimmediatefuture。ShebeganthinkinghowshehadtogetanewflatinMoscowforthecomingwinter，torenewthedrawing-roomfurniture，andtomakehereldergirlacloak。Thenquestionsofthemoreremotefutureoccurredtoher:howshewastoplaceherchildrenintheworld。`Thegirlsareallright，’shethought；`buttheboys？’
`It’sallveryfineformetobeteachingGrisha，butofcoursethat’sonlybecauseIamfreemyselfnow，I’mnotwithchild。Stiva，ofcourse，there’snocountingon。Andwiththehelpofgood-naturedfriendsIcanbringthemup；butifthere’sanotherbabycoming？……’Andthethoughtstruckherhowunjustlyitwassaid，thatthecurselaidonwomanwasthatinsorrowsheshouldbringforthchildren。`Thebirthitself，that’snothing；
butthemonthsofcarryingthechild-that’swhat’ssointolerable，’shethought，picturingtoherselfherlastpregnancy，andthedeathofthelastbaby。Andsherecalledtheconversationshehadjusthadwiththeyoungwomanattheinn。Onbeingaskedwhethershehadanychildren，thehandsomeyoungwomanhadansweredcheerfully。
`Ihadagirlbaby，butGodsetmefree；IburiedherlastLent。’
`Well，didyougrieveverymuchforher？’askedDaryaAlexandrovna。
`Whygrieve？Theoldmanhasgrandchildrenenoughasitis。Itwasonlyatrouble。Noworking，nornothing。Onlyatie。’
ThisanswerhadstruckDaryaAlexandrovnaasrevoltinginspiteofthegood-naturedandpleasingfaceoftheyoungwoman；butnowshecouldnothelprecallingthesewords。Inthosecynicalwordstherewasindeedagrainoftruth。
`Yes，ingeneral，’thoughtDaryaAlexandrovna，lookingbackoverherwholeexistenceduringthosefifteenyearsofhermarriedlife，`pregnancy，sickness，mentalincapacity，indifferencetoeverything-and，mostofall，hideousness。Kitty，youngandprettyassheis，evenKittyhaslostherlooks；andI，whenI’mwithchild，becomehideous，Iknowit。Thebirth，theagony，thehideousagonies，thatlastmoment……Thenthenursing，thesleeplessnights，thefearfulpains……’
DaryaAlexandrovnashudderedatthemererecollectionofthepainfromsorebreastswhichshehadsufferedwithalmosteverychild。`Thenthechildren’sillnesses，thateverlastingapprehension；thenbringingthemup；evilpropensities’shethoughtoflittleMasha’scrimeamongtheraspberries，`education，Latin-it’sallsoincomprehensibleanddifficult。And，onthetopofitall，thedeathofthesechildren。’Andthereroseagainbeforeherimaginationthecruelmemorythatalwaystorehermother’sheart，ofthedeathofherlastlittlebaby，whohaddiedofcroup；hisfuneral，thecallousindifferenceofallatthelittlepinkcoffin，andherowntornheart，andherlonelyanguishatthesightofthepalelittlebrowwiththecurlsfallingontemples，andtheopen，wonderinglittlemouthseeninthecoffinatthemomentwhenitwasbeingcoveredwiththelittlepinklidwithagalloonedcrossonit。
`Andallthis-what’sitfor？Whatistocomeofitall？This:
I’mwastingmylife，neverhavingamoment’speace，eitherwithchild，ornursingachild，foreverirritable，peevish，wretchedmyselfandworryingothers，repulsivetomyhusband，whilethechildrenaregrowingupunhappy，badlyeducatedandpenniless。Evennow，ifitweren’tforspendingthesummerattheLevins’，Idon’tknowhowweshouldbemanagingtolive。