Intheearlydays，afterhisreturnfromMoscow，wheneverLevinshudderedandgrewred，rememberingthedisgraceofhisrejection，hewouldsaytohimself:`ThiswasjusthowIusedtoshudderandblush，thinkingeverythingutterlylost，whenIwasflunkedinphysicsanddidnotgetpromoted；andthisisalsohowIthoughtmyselfutterlyruinedafterIhadmismanagedthataffairofmysister’swithwhichIhadbeenentrusted。Andyet，nowthattheyearshavepassed，Irecallitandwonderthatitcoulddistressmesomuch。Itwillbethesamethingwiththistroubleaswell。Timewillgoby，andIshallnotmindthiseither。’
　　Butthreemonthshadpassedandhehadnotleftoffmindingaboutit；anditwasaspainfulforhimtothinkofitnowasithadbeenduringthosefirstdays。Hecouldnotbeatpeacebecause，afterdreamingsolongoffamilylife，andfeelinghimselfsoripeforit，hewasstillnotmarried，andwasfartherthaneverfrommarriage。Hewaspainfullyconscioushimself，aswereallabouthim，thatathisyearsitisnotgoodthatmanshouldbealone。HerememberedhowbeforestartingforMoscowhehadoncesaidtohiscowherdNicolai，asimpleheartedpeasant，towhomhelikedtotalk:`Well，Nicolai！Imeantogetmarried，’andhowNicolaihadpromptlyanswered，asofamatteronwhichtherecouldbenopossibledoubt:`Andhightimetoo，KonstantinDmitrich。’Butmarriagehadnowbecomefartheroffthanever。Theplacewastaken，andwheneverhetriedtoimagineanyofthegirlsheknewinthatplace，hefeltthatitwasutterlyimpossible。Moreover，therecollectionoftherejectionandtheparthehadplayedintheaffairtorturedhimwithshame。Howeveroftenhetoldhimselfthathewasinnowisetoblameinit，thatrecollection，likeothersimilarlyhumiliatingrecollections，madehimwinceandblush。Therehadbeeninhispast，asineveryman’s，actions，recognizedbyhimasbad，forwhichhisconscienceoughttohavetormentedhim；buttherecollectionoftheseevilactionswasfarfromcausinghimasmuchsufferingasthesetrivialbuthumiliatingrecollections。Thesewoundsneverhealed。Andwiththeserecollectionswasnowrangedhisrejectionandthesorryplightinwhichhemusthaveappearedtoothersthatevening。Yettimeandlaborweredoingtheirwork。Bitterrecollectionsweremoreandmorebeingcoveredupbytheincidents-inconspicuousones，butimportant-ofhiscountrylife。EveryweekhethoughtlessoftenofKitty。Hewasimpatientlylookingforwardtothenewsthatshewasmarried，orjustgoingtobemarried，hopingthatsuchnewswould，likehavingatoothout，completelycurehim。
　　Meanwhilespringcameon，beautifulandkindly，withoutthedelaysandtreacheriesincidenttospring-oneofthoserarespringsinwhichplants，beastsandmanrejoicealike。ThislovelyspringrousedLevinstillmore，andstrengthenedhiminhisresolutionofrenouncingallhispastandbuildinguphislonelylifefirmlyandindependently。Thoughmanyoftheplanswithwhichhehadreturnedtothecountryhadnotbeencarriedout，hismostimportantresolution-thatofpurityoflife-hadneverthelessbeenkeptbyhim。Hewasfreefromthatshamewhichhadusuallyharassedhimafterafall；andhecouldlookeveryonestraightintheface。InFebruaryhehadreceivedaletterfromMaryaNikolaevnatellinghimthathisbrotherNikolai’shealthwasgettingworse，butthathewouldnottakeadvice，andinconsequenceofthisletterLevinwenttoMoscowtohisbrother’s，andsucceededinpersuadinghimtoseeadoctorandtogotoawateringplaceabroad。Hesucceededsowellinpersuadinghisbrother，andinlendinghimmoneyforthejourneywithoutirritatinghim，thathewassatisfiedwithhimselfonthatscore。Inadditiontohisfarming，whichcalledforspecialattentioninspring，inadditiontoreadingLevinhadbegunthatwinteraworkonagriculture，theplanofwhichturnedontakingintoaccountthecharacterofthelaboreronthelandasoneoftheunalterabledataofthequestion，liketheclimateandthesoil，andconsequentlydeducingalltheprinciplesofscientificculture，notsimplyfromthedataofsoilandclimate，butfromthedataofsoil，climateandacertainunalterablecharacterofthelaborer。Thus，inspiteofhissolitude，orinconsequenceofhissolitude，lifewasexceedinglyfull，savethat，onrareoccasions，hesufferedfromanunsatisfieddesiretocommunicatehisstrayideastosomeonebesidesAgathyaMikhailovna。Withherindeedhenotinfrequentlyfellintodiscussionsuponphysics，thetheoryofagriculture，and，especially，philosophy:philosophywasAgathyaMikhailovna’sfavoritesubject。
　　Springwasslowinunfolding。ForthelastfewweeksofLentithadbeensteadilyfineandfrostyweather。Inthedaytimetherewasathawinthesun，butatnighttherewereasmanyassevendegreesoffrost。Thesnowwassopackedandfrozenthatloadscouldbecarriedalonganywhere，regardlessofroads。Eastercameinsnow。Thenallofasudden，onEasterMonday，awarmwindsprangup，stormcloudsswoopeddown，andforthreedaysandthreenightsthewarm，tempestuousrainfellintorrents。OnThursdaythewinddropped，andathickgrayfogbroodedovertheland，asthoughscreeningthemysteriesofthetransformationsthatwerebeingwroughtinnature。Behindthefogtherewastheflowingofwater，thecrackingandfloatingofice，theswiftrushofturbid，foamingtorrents；andonthefollowingMonday，intheevening，thefogparted，thestormcloudssplitupintolittlecurlingcrestsofcloud，theskycleared，andtherealspringhadcome。Inthemorningthesunarosebrilliantandquicklyworeawaythethinlayeroficethatcoveredthewater，andallthewarmairwasquiveringwiththesteamthatroseupfromthequickenedearth。Theoldgrasslookedgreener，andtheyounggrassthrustupitstinyblades；thebudsoftheguelder-roseandofthecurrant，andthestickybirchbudswereswollenwithsap，andanexploringbeewashummingaboutthegoldenblossomsthatstuddedthewillow。Larkstrilledunseenabovethevelvetygreenfieldsandtheice-coveredstubbleland；pewitswailedoverthelowlandsandmarshes，floodedbythepools；cranesandwildgeeseflewhighacrosstheskyutteringtheirspringcalls。Thecattle，baldinpatcheswherethenewhairhadnotgrownyet，lowedinthepastures；bowleggedlambsfriskedroundtheirbleatingdams，whoweresheddingtheirfleece；nimble-footedchildrenranalongthedryingpaths，coveredwiththeprintsofbarefeet；therewasamerrychatterofpeasantwomenovertheirlinenatthepond，andtheringofaxesintheyard，wherethepeasantswererepairingplowsandharrows。Therealspringhadcome。
　　Levinputonhisbigboots，and，forthefirsttime，aclothovercoatinsteadofhisfurcloak，andwentouttolookafterhisfarm，steppingoverstreamsofwaterthatflashedinthesunshineanddazzledhiseyes，andsteppingoneminuteoniceandthenextintostickymud。
　　Springisthetimeofplansandprojects。And，ashecameoutintothefarmyard，Levin，likeatreeinspringthatknowsnotwhatformwillbetakenbytheyoungshootsandtwigsimprisonedinitsswellingbuds，hardlyknewwhatundertakingshewasgoingtolaunchuponnowinthefarmworkthatwassodeartohim。Buthefeltthathewasfullofthemostsplendidplansandprojects。Firstofallhewenttothecattle。Thecowshadbeenletoutintotheirpaddock，andtheirsmoothsideswerealreadyglossywiththeirnew，sleek，springcoats；theybaskedinthesunshineandlowedtogotothemeadow。Levingazedadmiringlyatthecowsheknewsointimatelytotheminutestdetailoftheircondition，andgaveordersforthemtobedrivenoutintothemeadow，andthecalvestobeletintothepaddock。Theherdsmanrangailytogetreadyforthemeadow。Thecowherdgirls，pickinguptheirpetticoats，ransplashingthroughthemudwithbarelegs，stillwhite，notyetbrownfromthesun，wavingbrushwoodintheirhands，chasingthecalvesthatfrolickedinthemirthofspring。
　　Afteradmiringtheincreaseofthatyear，whichwereparticularlyfine-theearlycalveswerethesizeofapeasant’scow，andPava’sdaughter，atthreemonthsold，wasasbigasayearling-Levingaveordersforatroughtobebroughtoutandhaytobeputintheracks。Butitappearedthat，sincethepaddockhadnotbeenusedduringthewinter，theracksmadeintheautumnwerebroken。Hesentforthecarpenter，who，accordingtohisorders，oughttohavebeenatworkatthethreshingmachine。Butitappearedthatthecarpenterwasrepairingtheharrows，whichoughttohavebeenrepairedbeforeLent。ThiswasveryannoyingtoLevin。Itwasannoyingtocomeuponthateverlastingslovenlinessinthefarmworkagainstwhichhehadbeenstrivingwithallhismightforsomanyyears。Theracks，asheascertained，beingnotwantedinwinter，hadbeencarriedtothecarthorses’stable，andtherebroken，astheywereoflightconstruction，onlymeantforfodderingcalves。Moreover，itwasapparentalsothattheharrowsandalltheagriculturalimplements，whichhehaddirectedtobelookedoverandrepairedinthewinter，forwhichverypurposehehadhiredthreecarpenters，hadnotbeenputintorepair，andtheharrowswerebeingrepairedwhentheyoughttohavebeenharrowingthefield。Levinsentforhisbailiff，butimmediatelywentoffhimselftolookforhim。Thebailiff，beamingallover，likeeverythingthatday，inasheepskinborderedwithastrakhan，cameoutofthebarn，twistingabitofstrawinhishands。
　　`Whyisn’tthecarpenteratthethreshingmachine？’
　　`Oh，Imeanttotellyouyesterday，theharrowswantrepairing。Hereit’stimetheygottoworkinthefields。’
　　`Butwhatweretheydoinginthewinter，then？’
　　`Butwhatdidyouwantthecarpenterfor？’
　　`Wherearetheracksforthecalves’paddock？’
　　`Iorderedthemtobegotready。Whatwouldyouhavewiththosepeople！’saidthebailiff，withawaveofhishand。
　　`It’snotthosepeoplebutthisbailiff！’saidLevin，gettingangry。`Why，whatdoIkeepyoufor？’hecried。But，bethinkinghimselfthatthiswouldnothelpmatters，hestoppedshortinthemiddleofasentence，andmerelysighed。`Well，whatdoyousay？Cansowingbegin？’heasked，afterapause。
　　`BehindTurkino，tomorrowornextday，theymightbegin。’
　　`Andtheclover？’
　　`I’vesentVassiliiandMishka；they’resowingit。OnlyIdon’tknowifthey’llmanagetogetthrough；it’ssoslushy。’
　　`Howmanydessiatinas？
　　`Six。’
　　`Whynotsowall？’criedLevin。
　　Thattheywereonlysowingthecloveronsixdessiatinas，notinallthetwenty，wasstillmoreannoyingtohim。Clover，asheknew，bothfrombooksandfromhisownexperience，neverdidwellexceptwhenitwassownasearlyaspossible，almostinthesnow。AndyetLevincouldnevergetthisdone。
　　`There’snoonetosend。Whatwouldyoudowithsuchpeople？Threehaven’tturnedup。Andthere’sSemion……’
　　`Well，youshouldhavetakensomemenfromthechaffcutter。’
　　`AndsoIhave，asitis。’
　　`Wherearethepeasants，then？’
　　`Fivearemakingcompote’whichmeantcompost，`andfourareshiftingtheoatsforfearofbeingtouched，KonstantinDmitrich。’
　　Levinknewverywellthat`touching’meantthathisEnglishseedoatswerealreadyspoiled。Againtheyhadnotdoneashehadordered。
　　`Why，butItoldyouduringLenttoputinpipes，’hecried。
　　`Don’tbeputout；weshallgetitalldoneintime。’
　　Levinmadeanangrygesture，andwentintothegranarytoglanceattheoats，andthentothestable。Theoatswerenotyetspoiled。Butthelaborerswerecarryingtheoatsinspadeswhentheymightsimplyletthemslidedownintothelowergranary；andarrangingforthistobedone，andtakingtwolaborersfromthereforsowingclover，Levingotoverthevexationhisbailiffhadcausedhim。Indeed，itwassuchalovelydaythatonecouldnotbeangry。
　　`Ignat！’hecalledtothecoachman，who，withhissleevestuckedup，waswashingthecarriagewheels，`saddle……’
　　`Which，sir？’
　　`Well，letitbeKolpik。’
　　`Yes，sir。’
　　Whiletheyweresaddlinghishorse，Levinagaincalledthebailiff，whowashangingaboutinsight，tomakeitupwithhim，andbegantalkingtohimaboutthespringoperationsbeforethem，andhisplansforthefarming。
　　Thewagonsweretobegincartingmanureearlier，soastogetalldonebeforetheearlymowing。Andtheplowingoftheoutlyinglandwastogoonwithoutabreak，soastoletitlieblackfallowandfurrowed。Andthemovingtobealldonebyhiredlabor，notonhalf-profits。
　　Thebailifflistenedattentively，andobviouslymadeanefforttoapproveofhisemployer’sprojects。ButstillhehadthatlookLevinknewsowellthatalwaysirritatedhim，alookofhopelessnessanddespondency。Thatlooksaid:`That’sallverywell，butasGodwills。’
　　NothingmortifiedLevinsomuchasthattone。Butitwasthetonecommontoallthebailiffshehadeverhad。Theyhadalltakenthatattitudetohisplans，andsonowhewasnotangeredbyit，butmortified，andfeltallthemorerousedtostruggleagainstthisapparentlyelementalforcecontinuallyrangedagainsthim，forwhichhecouldfindnoothernamethan`asGodwills。’
　　`Ifwecanmanageit，KonstantinDmitrich，’saidthebailiff。
　　`Whyshouldn’tyoumanageit？’
　　`Wepositivelymusthavefifteenlaborersmore。Andtheydon’tturnup。Thereweresomeheretodayaskingseventyroublesforthesummer。’
　　Levinwassilent。Againhewasbroughtfacetofacewiththatopposingforce。Heknewthathowevermuchtheytried，theycouldnothiremorethanforty-thirty-sevenperhapsorthirty-eight-laborersforareasonablesum；somefortyhadbeentakenon，andtherewerenomore。Butstillhecouldnothelpstrugglingagainstit。
　　`SendtoSury，toChefirovka，iftheydon’tcome。Wemustlookforthem。’
　　`I’llsend，tobesure，’saidVassiliiFiodorovichdespondently。`Butthentherearethehorses-they’renotgoodformuch。’
　　`We’llgetsomemore。Iknow，ofcourse，’Levinaddedlaughing，`youalwayswanttodowithaslittleandaspooraqualityaspossible；butthisyearI’mnotgoingtoletyouhavethingsyourownway。I’llseetoeverythingmyself。’
　　`Why，Idon’tthinkyoutakemuchrestasitis。Itcheersusuptoworkunderthemaster’seye……’
　　`Sothey’resowingcloverbehindtheBirchDale？I’llgoandhavealookatthem，’hesaid，mountingthelittlebaycob，Kolpik，whowasledupbythecoachman。
　　`Youcan’tgetacrossthestream，KonstantinDmitrich，’thecoachmanshouted。
　　`Allright，I’llgobytheforest。’
　　AndLevinrodethroughtheslushofthefarmyardtothegateandoutintotheopencountry，hisgoodlittlehorse，afterhislonginactivity，amblingeasily，snortingoverthepools，andasking，asitwere，forguidance。
　　IfLevinhadfelthappybeforeinthecattlepensandfarmyard，hefelthappieryetintheopencountry。Swayingrhythmicallywiththeamblingpacesofhisgoodlittlecob，drinkinginthewarmyetfreshscentofthesnowandtheair，asherodethroughhisforestoverthecrumbling，wastedsnow，stillleftinparts，andcoveredwithdissolvingtracks，herejoicedovereverytree，withthemossrevivingonitsbarkandthebudsswellingonitsshoots。Whenhecameoutoftheforest，intheimmenseplainbeforehim，hiswinterfieldsstretchedinanunbrokencarpetofgreen，withoutonebareplaceorswamp，onlyspottedhereandthereinthehollowswithpatchesofmeltingsnow。Hewasnotputoutoftemperevenbythesightofthepeasants’horseandcolttramplingdownhisyounggrasshetoldapeasanthemettodrivethemout，norbythesarcasticandstupidreplyofthepeasantIpat，whomhemetontheway，andasked，`Well，Ipat，shallwesoonbesowing？’`Wemustgettheplowingdonefirst，KonstantinDmitrich，’answeredIpat。Thefartherherode，thehappierhebecame，andplansforthelandrosetohismindeachbetterthanthelast:toplantallhisfieldswithhedgesalongthesouthernborders，sothatthesnowshouldnotlieunderthem；todividethemupintosixfieldsoftillageandthreeforpastureandhay；tobuildacattleyardatthefurtherendoftheestate，andtodigapondandtoconstructmovablepensforthecattleasameansofmanuringtheland。Andthenthreehundreddessiatinasofwheat，onehundredofpotatoes，andonehundredandfiftyofclover，andnotadessiatinaexhausted。
　　Absorbedinsuchdreams，carefullykeepinghishorsebythehedgessoasnottotramplehisyoungwinterfields，herodeuptothelaborerswhohadbeensenttosowclover。Atelegawiththeseedinitwasstanding，notattheedge，butinthemiddleofthetillage，andthewintercornhadbeentornupbythewheelsandtrampledbythehorse。Boththelaborersweresittinginthehedge，probablysmokingapipe，turnandturnabout。Theearthinthetelega，withwhichtheseedwasmixed，wasnotcrushedtopowder，butcrustedtogetheroradheringinclods。Seeingthemaster，thelaborer，Vassilii，wenttowardthetelega，whileMishkasettoworksowing。Thiswasnotasitshouldbe，butwiththelaborersLevinseldomlosthistemper。WhenVassiliicameup，Levintoldhimtoleadthehorsetothehedge。
　　`Nevermind，sir，it’llspringupagain，’respondedVassilii。
　　`Pleasedon’targue，’saidLevin，`butdoasyou’retold。’
　　`Yes，sir，’answeredVassilii，andhetookthehorse’shead。`Whatasowing，KonstantinDmitrich！’hesaidingratiatingly。`First-rate。Onlyit’saworktogetabout！Afellowdragsthirtypoundsofearthateverystep。’
　　`Whyisityouhaveearththat’snotsifted？’saidLevin。
　　`Well，wecrumbleitup，’answeredVassilii，takingupsomeseedandrollingtheearthinhispalms。
　　Vassiliiwasnottoblamefortheirhavingfireduphistelegawithunsiftedearth，butstillitwasannoying。
　　Levinhadalready，morethanonce，triedawayheknewforstiflinghisanger，andturningallthatseemeddarkrightagain，andhetriedthatwaynow。HewatchedhowMishkastrodealong，swingingthehugeclodsofearththatclungtoeachfoot；and，gettingoffhishorse，hetookthesievefromVassiliiandstartedsowinghimself。
　　`Wheredidyoustop？’
　　Vassiliipointedtothemarkwithhisfoot，andLevinwentforwardasbesthecould，scatteringtheseedontheland。Walkingwasasdifficultasonabog，andbythetimeLevinhadendedtherowhewasinagreatheat，and，stopping，gavethesieveovertoVassilii。
　　`Wellmaster，whensummer’shere，mindyoudon’tscoldmeforthisrow，’saidVassilii。
　　`Eh？’saidLevincheerily，alreadyfeelingtheeffectofhismethod。
　　`Why，you’llseeinthesummertime。It’lllookdifferent。LookyouwhereIsowedlastspring。HowIdidworkatitIdomybest，KonstantinDmitrich，d’yesee，asIwouldformyownfather。Idon’tlikebotchworkmyself，norwouldIletanothermandoit。What’sgoodforthemasterisgoodforustoo。Itdoesone’sheartgood，’saidVassilii，pointing，`tolookoveryonder。’
　　`It’salovelyspring，Vassilii。’
　　`Why，it’saspringsuchaseventheoldmendon’trememberthelikeof。Iwasuphome；myfathertherehassownwheattoo，threeosminasofit。Hewassayingyoucouldn’ttellitfromrye。’
　　`Haveyoubeensowingwheatlong？’
　　`Why，sir，itwasyoutaughtus，theyearbeforelast。Yougavemetwomeasures。Wesoldaboutonechetvertandsowedthreeosminas。’
　　`Well，mindyoucrumbleuptheclods，’saidLevin，goingtowardhishorse，`andkeepaneyeonMishka。Andifthere’sagoodcropyoushallhavehalfaroubleforeverydessiatina。’
　　`Thankyou，kindly。Weareverywellcontent，sir，withyourtreatment，asitis。’
　　Levingotonhishorseandrodetowardthefieldwherelastyear’scloverwas，andtheonewhichwasplowedreadyforthespringcorn。
　　Thecropofclovercomingupinthestubblewasmagnificent。Ithadrevivedalready，andstoodupvividlygreenthroughthebrokenstalksoflastyear’swheat。Thehorsesankinuptothepasterns，andhedreweachhoofwithasuckingsoundoutofthehalf-thawedground。Overtheplowlandtheridingwasutterlyimpossible；thehorsecouldonlykeepafootholdwheretherewasice，andinthethawingfurrowshesankindeepateachstep。Theplowlandwasinsplendidcondition；inacoupleofdaysitwouldbefitforharrowingandsowing。Everythingwascapital，everythingwascheering。Levinrodebackacrossthestreams，hopingthewaterwouldhavegonedown。Andhedidinfactgetacross，andstartledtwoducks。`Theremustbewoodcockheretoo，’hethought，andjustashereachedtheturninghomewardshemettheforestkeeper，whoconfirmedhistheoryaboutthewoodcock。
　　Levinwenthomeatatrot，soastohavetimetoeathisdinnerandgethisgunreadyfortheevening。
　　Asherodeuptothehouseinthehappiestframeofmind，Levinheardthebellringatthesideoftheprincipalentranceofthehouse。
　　`Yes，that’ssomeonefromtherailwaystation，’hethought，`justthetimetobeherefromtheMoscowtrain……Whocoulditbe？Whatifit’sbrotherNikolai？Hedidsay:``Imaygotothewaters，orImaycomedowntoyou。’’HefeltdismayedandvexedforthefirstminutethathisbrotherNikolai’spresenceshouldcometohishappymoodofspring。Buthefeltashamedofthefeeling，andatonceheopened，asitwere，thearmsofhissoul，andwithasoftenedfeelingofjoyandexpectation，henowhopedwithallhisheartthatitwashisbrother。Hespurredonhishorse，andasherodeoutfrombehindtheacacias，hesawahiredtroikafromtherailwaystation，andagentlemaninafurcoat。Itwasnothisbrother。`Oh，ifitwereonlysomepleasantpersononecouldtalktoalittle！’hethought。
　　`Ah，’criedLevinjoyfully，flingingupbothhishands。`Here’sadelightfulvisitor！Ah，howgladIamtoseeyou！’heshouted，recognizingStepanArkadyevich。
　　`Ishallfindoutforcertainwhethershe’smarried，orwhenshe’sgoingtobemarried，’hethought。
　　Andonthatdeliciousspringdayhefeltthatthethoughtofherdidnothurthimatall。
　　`Didn’texpectme，didyou？’saidStepanArkadyevich，gettingoutofthesleigh，splashedwithmudonthebridgeofhisnose，onhischeek，andonhiseyebrows，butradiantwithhealthandgoodspirits。`I’vecomeprimarilytoseeyou，’hesaid，embracingandkissinghim，`secondly，tohavesomestandshooting，andthirdly，toselltheforestatErgushovo。’
　　`Delightful！Whataspringwe’rehaving！Howeverdidyougetalonginasleigh？’
　　`Inawagonitwouldhavebeenworsestill，KonstantinDmitrievich，’answeredthedriver，whoknewhim。
　　`Well，I’mvery，verygladtoseeyou，’saidLevin，withagenuinesmileofchildlikedelight。
　　Levinledhisfriendtotheguestroom，whereStepanArkadyevich’sthingswerealsocarried-abag，aguninacase，asatchelforcigars。Leavinghimtheretowashandchangehisclothes，Levinwentofftothecountinghousetospeakabouttheplowingandtheclover。AgathyaMikhailovna，alwaysveryanxiousforthecreditofthehouse，methiminthehallwithinquiriesaboutdinner。
　　`Dojustasyoulike，onlyletitbeassoonaspossible，’hesaid，andwenttothebailiff。
　　Whenhecameback，StepanArkadyevich，washedandcombed，cameoutofhisroomwithabeamingsmile，andtheywentupstairstogether。
　　`Well，IamgladImanagedtogetawaytoyou！NowIshallunderstandwhatthemysteriousbusinessisthatyouarealwaysabsorbedinhere。No，really，Ienvyyou。Whatahouse，howsplendiditallis！Sobright，socheerful！’saidStepanArkadyevich，forgettingthatitwasnotalwaysspringandfineweatherasonthisday。`Andyouroldnurseissimplycharming！Aprettymaidinanapronmightbeevenmoreagreeable，perhaps；butforyourseveremonasticstyleitdoesverywell。’
　　StepanArkadyevichimpartedtohimmanyinterestingbitsofnews；especiallyinterestingtoLevinwasthenewsthathisbrother，SergeiIvanovich，wasintendingtospendthesummerwithhiminthecountry。
　　NotoneworddidStepanArkadyevichsayinreferencetoKittyandtheShcherbatskys；hemerelygavehimgreetingsfromhiswife。Levinwasgratefultohimforhisdelicacy，andrejoicedexceedinglyoverhisguest。Asalwayshappenedwithhimduringhissolitude，amassofideasandfeelingshadbeenaccumulatingwithinhim，whichhecouldnotcommunicatetothoseabouthim。AndnowhepouredoutuponStepanArkadyevichhispoeticjoyoverthespring，andhisfailuresandplansfortheland，andhisthoughtsandcriticismsonthebookshehadbeenreading，andtheideaofhisownbook，thebasisofwhichreallywas，thoughhewasunawareofithimself，acriticismofalltheoldbooksonagriculture。StepanArkadyevich，alwayscharming，understandingeverythingattheslightestreference，wasparticularlycharmingonthisvisit，andLevinnoticedinhimaspecialtenderness，asitwere，andanewtoneofrespectthatflatteredhim。
　　TheeffortsofAgathyaMikhailovnaandthecooktohavethedinnerparticularlygood，onlyendedinthetwofamishedfriendsattackingthepreliminarycourse，eatingagreatdealofbreadandbutter，saltgooseandsaltedmushrooms，andinLevin’sfinallyorderingthesouptobeservedwithouttheaccompanimentoflittlepatties，withwhichthecookhadparticularlymeanttoimpresstheirvisitor。ButthoughStepanArkadyevichwasaccustomedtoverydifferentdinners，hethoughteverythingexcellent:theherbbrandy，andthebread，andthebutter，and，aboveall，thesaltgooseandthemushrooms，andthenettlesoup，andthechickeninwhitesauce，andthewhiteCrimeanwine-everythingwasexcellentandmarvelous。
　　`Splendid，splendid！’hesaid，lightingafatcigaraftertheroast。`Ifeelasif，comingtoyou，Ihadlandedonapeacefulshoreafterthenoiseandjoltingofasteamer。Andsoyoumaintainthatthelaborerhimselfisanelementtobestudied，andtoregulatethechoiceofmethodsinagriculture。Ofcourse，I’manignorantoutsider；butIshouldfancytheoryanditsapplicationwillhaveitsinfluenceonthelaborertoo。’
　　`Yes，butwaitabit。I’mnottalkingofpoliticaleconomy-I’mtalkingofthescienceofagriculture。Itoughttobelikethenaturalsciences，andtoobservegivenphenomenaandthelaborerinhiseconomic，ethnographical……’
　　AtthatinstantAgathyaMikhailovnacameinwithjam。
　　`Oh，AgathyaFiodorovna，’saidStepanArkadyevich，kissingthetipsofhisplumpfingers，`whatsaltgoose，whatherbbrandy！……Whatdoyouthink，isn’tittimetostart，Kostia？’headded。
　　Levinlookedoutofthewindowatthesunsinkingbehindthebaretreetopsoftheforest。
　　`Yes，it’stime，’hesaid。`Kouzma，getreadythewidedroshky，’andherandownstairs。
　　StepanArkadyevich，goingdown，carefullytookthecanvascoveroffhisvarnishedguncasewithhisownhands，andopeningit，begantogetreadyhisexpensive，new-fashionedgun。Kouzma，whoalreadyscentedabigtip，neverleftStepanArkadyevich’sside，andputonhimbothhisstockingsandboots，ataskwhichStepanArkadyevichreadilylefttohim。
　　`Kostia，giveordersthatifthemerchantRiabinincomes-Itoldhimtocometoday-he’stobeshowninandaskedtowaitforme……’
　　`Why，doyoumeantosayyou’resellingtheforesttoRiabinin？’
　　`Yes。Doyouknowhim？’
　　`TobesureIdo。Ihavehadtodobusinesswithhim，``positivelyanddefinitively。’’
　　StepanArkadyevichlaughed。``Positivelyanddefinitively’’werethemerchant’sfavoritewords。
　　`Yes，it’swonderfullyfunnythewayhetalks。Sheknowswherehermaster’sgoing！’headded，pattingLaska，whohungaboutLevin，whiningandlickinghishands，hisboots，andhisgun。
　　Thedroshkywasalreadyatthestepswhentheywentout。
　　`Itoldthemtobringthedroshkyround，thoughit’snotfartogo；orwouldyouratherwalk？’
　　`No，we’dbetterdrive，’saidStepanArkadyevich，gettingintothedroshky。Hesatdown，tuckedthetiger-stripedrugroundhim，andlightedacigar。`Howisityoudon’tsmoke？Acigarisasortofthing，notexactlyapleasure，butthecrownandoutwardsignofpleasure。Come，thisislife！Howsplendiditis！ThisishowIshouldliketolive！’
　　`Why，whopreventsyou？’saidLevin，smiling。
　　`No，you’realuckyman！You’vegoteverythingyoulike。Youlikehorses-andyouhavethem；dogs-youhavethem；shooting-youhaveit；farming-youhaveit。’
　　`PerhapsbecauseIrejoiceinwhatIhave，anddon’tfretforwhatIhaven’t，’saidLevin，thinkingofKitty。
　　StepanArkadyevichcomprehended，lookedathim，butsaidnothing。
　　LevinwasgratefultoOblonsky，fornoticing，withhisnever-failingtact，thathedreadedconversationabouttheShcherbatskys，andsosayingnothingaboutthem。ButnowLevinwaslongingtofindoutaboutthatwhichwastormentinghimso，yethadnotthecouragetobegin。
　　`Come，tellmehowthingsaregoingwithyou，’saidLevin，bethinkinghimselfthatitwasnotgoodofhimtothinkonlyofhimself。
　　StepanArkadyevich’seyessparkledmerrily。
　　`Youdon’tadmit，Iknow，thatonecanbefondofnewrollswhenonehashadone’srationofbread-toyourmindit’sacrime；butIdon’tcountlifeaslifewithoutlove，’hesaid，takingLevin’squestioninhisownway。`WhatamItodo？I’mmadethatway。Andreally，onedoessolittleharmtoanyone，andgivesoneselfsomuchpleasure……’
　　`What！istheresomethingnew，then？’queriedLevin。
　　`Yes，myboy，thereis！There，doyousee，youknowthetypeofOssian’swomen……women，suchasoneseesindreams……Well，thesewomenaresometimestobemetwithinreality……Andthesewomenareterrible。Woman，don’tyouknow，issuchasubjectthatnomatterhowmuchyoustudyit，it’salwaysperfectlynew。’
　　`Well，then，itwouldbebetternottostudyit。’
　　`No。Somemathematicianhassaidthatenjoymentliesinthesearchfortruth，notinthefindingofit。’
　　Levinlistenedinsilence，and，inspiteofalltheeffortshemade，hecouldnotintheleastenterintothefeelingsofhisfriendandunderstandhissentimentsandthecharmofstudyingsuchwomen。
　　Theplacefixedonforthestandshootingwasnotfaraboveastreaminalittleaspencopse。Onreachingthecopse，LevingotoutofthedroshkyandledOblonskytoacornerofamossy，swampyglade，alreadyquitefreefromsnow。Hewentbackhimselftoadoublebirchtreeontheotherside，and，leaninghisgunontheforkofadeadlowerbranch，hetookoffhisfullovercoat，fastenedhisbeltagain，andworkedhisarmstoseeiftheywerefree。
　　GrayoldLaska，whohadfollowedthem，satdownwarilyoppositehimandprickedupherears。Thesunwassettingbehindathickforest，andintheglowofsunsetthebirchtrees，dottedaboutintheaspencopse，stoodoutclearlywiththeirhangingtwigs，andtheirbudsswollenalmosttobursting。
　　Fromthethickestpartsofthecopse，wherethesnowstillremained，camethefaintsoundofnarrowwindingstreamletsofwaterrunningaway。Tinybirdstwittered，andnowandthenflutteredfromtreetotree。
　　Inthepausesofcompletestillnesstherecametherustleoflastyear’sleaves，stirredbythethawingoftheearthandthegrowthofgrasses。
　　`Imagine！Onecanhearandseethegrassgrowing！’Levinsaidtohimself，noticingawet，slate-coloredaspenleafmovingbesideabladeofyounggrass。Hestood，listened，andgazedsometimesdownatthewetmossyground，sometimesatLaskalisteningallalert，sometimesattheseaofbaretreetopsthatstretchedontheslopebelowhim，sometimesatthedarkeningsky，coveredwithwhitestreaksofcloud。Ahawkflewhighoveraforestfarawaywithaslowsweepofitswings；anotherflewwithexactlythesamemotioninthesamedirectionandvanished。Thebirdstwitteredmoreandmoreloudlyandbusilyinthethicket。Anowlhootednotfaroff，andLaska，starting，steppedcautiouslyafewstepsforward，and，puttingherheadononeside，begantolistenintently。Beyondthestreamwasheardthecuckoo。Twicesheutteredherusualcall，andthenbecamehoarse，hurried，andbrokedown。
　　`Imagine！Thecuckooalready！’saidStepanArkadyevich，comingoutfrombehindabush。
　　`Yes，Ihearit，’answeredLevin，reluctantlybreakingthestillnesswithhisvoice，whichsoundeddisagreeabletohimself。`Nowit’scoming！’
　　StepanArkadyevich’sfigureagainwentbehindthebush，andLevinsawnothingbutthebrightflashofamatch，followedbytheredglowandbluesmokeofacigarette。
　　Tchk！Tchk！camethesnappingsoundofStepanArkadyevichcockinghisgun。
　　`What’sthatcry？’askedOblonsky，drawingLevin’sattentiontoaprolongedcry，asthoughacoltwerewhinnyinginahighvoice，inplay。
　　`Oh，don’tyouknowit？That’sabuckhare。Butenoughtalking！Listen-hereitcomes！’almostshriekedLevin，cockinghisgun。
　　Theyheardashrillwhistleinthedistance，andintheexacttime，sowellknowntothesportsman，twosecondslater-another，athird，and，afterthethirdwhistle，thehoarse，gutturalcrycouldbeheard。
　　Levinlookedabouthimtorightandtoleft，andthere，justfacinghimagainsttheduskyblueskyabovetheconfusedmassoftendershootsoftheaspens，hesawtheflyingbird。Itwasflyingstraighttowardhim；thegutturalcry，liketheeventearingofsomestrongstuff，soundedclosetohisear；thelongbeakandneckofthebirdcouldbeseen，andattheveryinstantwhenLevinwastakingaim，behindthebushwhereOblonskystood，therewasaflashofredlightning:thebirddroppedlikeanarrow，anddartedupwardagain。Againcametheredflashandthesoundofablow，and，flutteringitswingsasthoughtryingtokeepupintheair，thebirdpaused，stoppedstillaninstant，andfellwithaheavysplashtotheslushyground。
　　`CanIpossiblyhavemissedit？’shoutedStepanArkadyevich，whocouldnotseeforthesmoke。
　　`Hereitis！’saidLevin，pointingtoLaska，who，withoneearprickedup，waggingthetipofhershaggytail，wascomingslowlyback，asthoughshewouldprolongthepleasure，andseeminglysmiling，wasbringingthedeadbirdtohermaster。`Well，I’mgladyouweresuccessful，’saidLevin，who，atthesametime，hadasenseofenvythathehadnotsucceededinshootingthewoodcock。
　　`Itwasabadshotfromtherightbarrel，’respondedStepanArkadyevich，loadinghisgun。`Sh……Hereitcomes！’
　　Theshrillwhistlesrapidlyfollowingoneanotherwereheardagain。Twowoodcocks，playingandchasingoneanother，andonlywhistling，notcrying，flewstraightattheveryheadsofthesportsmen。Therewasthereportoffourshots，andlikeswallows，thewoodcocksturnedswiftsomersaultsintheairandvanishedfromsight。
　　Thestandshootingwascapital。StepanArkadyevichshottwomorebirds，andLevintwo，ofwhichonewasnotfound。Itbegantogetdark。Venus，brightandsilvery，shonewithhersoftlightlowdowninthewest，behindthebirchtrees，andhighupintheeasttwinkledtheredfiresofsomberArcturus。OverhisheadLevinmadeoutthestarsoftheGreatBearandlostthemagain。Thewoodcockshadceasedflying；butLevinresolvedtostayalittlelonger，tillVenus，whichhesawbelowabranchofbirch，shouldbeaboveit，andthestarsoftheGreatBearshouldbeperfectlyplain。Venushadrisenabovethebranch，andthechariotoftheGreatBearwithitsshaftwasnowallplainlyvisibleagainstthedarkbluesky，yetstillhewaited。
　　`Isn’tittimetogohome？’saidStepanArkadyevich。
　　Itwasquitestillnowinthecopse，andnotabirdwasstirring。
　　`Let’sstayalittlewhile，’answeredLevin。
　　`Asyoulike。’
　　Theywerestandingnowaboutfifteenpacesfromoneanother。
　　`Stiva！’saidLevinunexpectedly；`howisityoudon’ttellmewhetheryoursister-in-law’smarriedyet，orwhenshe’sgoingtobe？’
　　Levinfeltsoresoluteandserenethatnoanswerhefanciedcouldaffecthim。ButhehadneverdreamedoftheanswerwhichStepanArkadyevichmade。
　　`She’sneverthoughtofbeingmarried，andisn’tthinkingofit；butshe’sveryill，andthedoctorshavesentherabroad。They’repositivelyafraidshemaynotlive。’
　　`What！’criedLevin。`Veryill？Whatiswrongwithher？Howisshe？……’
　　Whiletheywerespeaking，Laska，withearsprickedup，waslookingupwardatthesky，and，reproachfully，atthem。
　　`Whatatimetheyhavechosentogab，’shewasthinking。`Thereitcomes……Hereitis-yes，sureenough。They’llmissit……’thoughtLaska。
　　Butatthatveryinstantbothsuddenlyheardashrillwhistlewhich，asitwere，smoteontheirears，andbothsuddenlyseizedtheirgunsandtwoflashesgleamed，andtwobangssoundedattheverysameinstant。Thewoodcockflyinghighaboveinstantlyfoldeditswingsandfellintoathicket，bendingdownthedelicateshoots。
　　`Splendid！Together！’criedLevin，andheranwithLaskaintothethickettolookforthewoodcock。
　　`Oh，yes，whatwasitthatwasunpleasant？’herecollected。`Yes，Kitty’sill……Well，itcan’tbehelped；I’mverysorry，’hethought。
　　`She’sfoundit！Isn’tsheaclevergirl？’hesaid，takingthewarmbirdfromLaska’smouthandpackingitintothealmostfullgamebag。`I’vegotit，Stiva！’heshouted。
　　OnthewayhomeLevinaskedallthedetailsofKitty’sillnessandoftheShcherbatskys’plans，andthoughhewouldhavebeenashamedtoadmitit，hewaspleasedatwhatheheard。Hewaspleasedthattherewasstillhope，andstillmorepleasedthatshe，whohadmadehimsuffer，shouldbesufferingsomuch。ButwhenStepanArkadyevichbegantospeakofthecausesofKitty’sillness，andmentionedVronsky’sname，Levincuthimshort。
　　`Ihavenorightwhatevertoknowfamilymatters，and，totellthetruth，nointerestinthemeither。’
　　StepanArkadyevichsmiledabarelyperceptiblesmile，catchingtheinstantaneouschangeheknewsowellinLevin’sface，whichhadbecomeasgloomyasithadbeenbrightaminutebefore。
　　`HaveyouquitesettledabouttheforestwithRiabinin？’askedLevin。
　　`Yes，it’sallsettled。Thepriceismagnificent-thirty-eightthousand。Eightstraightaway，andtherestinsixyears。I’vebeenbotheringaboutitforeversolong。Noonewouldgivemore。’
　　`Thenyou’veasgoodasgivenawayyourforestfornothing，’saidLevingloomily。
　　`Howdoyoumean-fornothing？’saidStepanArkadyevichwithagood-humoredsmile，knowingthatnothingwouldberightinLevin’seyesnow。
　　`Becausetheforestisworthatleastfivehundredroublesthedessiatina，’answeredLevin。
　　`Oh，thesefarmers！’saidStepanArkadyevichplayfully。`Yourtoneofcontemptforuspoortownsfolk！……Butwhenitcomestobusiness，wearebetteratitthananyone。IassureyouIhavereckoneditallout，’hesaid，`andtheforestisfetchingaverygoodprice-somuchsothatI’mafraidofthisfellow’scryingoff，infact。Youknowit’snot``timberforest，’’saidStepanArkadyevich，hopingbythisdistinctiontoconvinceLevincompletelyoftheunfairnessofhisdoubts，`butforthemostpartfirewood。Anditwon’truntomorethanthirtysazhenesofwoodperdessiatina，andhe’spayingmeattherateoftwohundredroublesthedessiatina。’
　　Levinsmiledcontemptuously。`Iknow，’hethought，`thatfashionnotonlyinhim，butinallcitypeople，who，afterbeingtwiceintenyearsinthecountry，pickuptwoorthreephrasesandusetheminseasonandoutofseason，firmlypersuadedthattheyknowallaboutit。``Timber，runtothirtysazhenesthedessiatina。’’Hesaysthosewordswithoutunderstandingthemhimself。’
　　`Iwouldn’tattempttoteachyouwhatyouwriteaboutinyouroffice，’saidhe，`andifneedarose，Ishouldcometoyoutoaskaboutit。Butyou’resopositiveyouknowalltheloreoftheforest。It’sdifficult。Haveyoucountedthetrees？’
　　`Howcountthetrees？’saidStepanArkadyevich，laughing，stilltryingtodrawhisfriendoutofhisilltemper。`Countsandsofseas，andraysofstars，thoughcouldsomehigherpower……’
　　`Oh，well，thehigherpowerofRiabinincan。Notasinglemerchanteverbuysaforestwithoutcountingthetrees，unlesstheygetitgiventhemfornothing，asyou’redoingnow。Iknowyourforest。Igothereeveryyearshooting，andyourforest’sworthfivehundredadessiatinapaiddown，whilehe’sgivingyoutwohundredbyinstallments。Sothatinfactyou’remakinghimapresentofthirtythousand。’
　　`Come，don’tletyourimaginationrunawaywithyou，’saidStepanArkadyevichpiteously。`Whywasitnonewouldgiveit，then？’
　　`Why，becausehehasanunderstandingwiththemerchants；he’sboughtthemoff。I’vehadtodowithallofthem；Iknowthem。They’renotmerchants，youknow；they’respeculators。Hewouldn’tlookatabargainthatgavehimten，fifteenpercentprofit，butholdsbacktobuyarouble’sworthfortwentykopecks。’
　　`Well，enoughofit！You’reoutoftemper。’
　　`Notintheleast，’saidLevingloomily，astheydroveuptothehouse。
　　Atthestepstherestoodatraptightlycoveredwithironandleather，withasleekhorsetightlyharnessedwithbroadcollarstraps。Inthetrapsatthechubby，tightlybeltedoverseerwhoservedRiabininascoachman。Riabininhimselfwasalreadyinthehouse，andmetthefriendsinthehall。Riabininwasatall，thinnish，middle-agedman，withmustacheandaprojectingclean-shavenchin，andprominentmuddy-lookingeyes。Hewasdressedinalong-skirtedbluecoat，withbuttonsbelowthewaistattheback，andworehighbootswrinkledovertheanklesandstraightoverthecalf，withbiggaloshesdrawnoverthem。Hemoppedhisfacewithhishandkerchief，and，wrappinghimselfinhiscoat，whichsatextremelywellasitwas，hegreetedthemwithasmile，holdingouthishandtoStepanArkadyevich，asthoughhewantedtocatchsomething。
　　`So，hereyouare，’saidStepanArkadyevich，givinghimhishand。`That’scapital。’
　　`IdidnotventuretodisregardYourExcellency’scommands，thoughtheroadwasextremelybad。Ipositivelycoveredthewholewayatawalk，butIamhereontime。KonstantinDmitrich，myrespects"；heturnedtoLevin，tryingtoseizehishandtoo。ButLevin，scowling，madeasthoughhedidnotnoticehishand，andtookoutthewoodcocks。`Yourhonorshavebeendivertingyourselveswiththechase？Whatkindofbirdmayitbe，pray？’addedRiabinin，lookingcontemptuouslyatthewoodcocks:`agreatdelicacy，Isuppose。’Andheshookhisheaddisapprovingly，asthoughhehadgravedoubtswhetherthisgamewereworththecandle。
　　`Wouldyouliketogointomystudy？’LevinsaidinFrenchtoStepanArkadyevich，scowlingmorosely。`Gointomystudy；youcantalkthere。’
　　`Quiteso，whereveryouplease，’saidRiabininwithsuperciliousdignity，asthoughwishingtomakeitfeltthatothersmightbeindifficultiesastohowtobehave，butthathecouldneverbeinanydifficultyaboutanything。
　　OnenteringthestudyRiabininlookedabout，asitwasahabitofhis，asthoughseekingaholyimage，but，whenhehadfoundit，hedidnotcrosshimself。Hescannedthebookcasesandbookshelves，andwiththesamedubiousairwithwhichhehadregardedthewoodcocks，hesmiledsuperciliouslyandshookhisheaddisapprovingly，asthoughbynomeanswillingtoallowthatthisgame，either，wereworththecandle。
　　`Well，haveyoubroughtthemoney？’askedOblonsky。`Sitdown。’
　　`Oh，don’ttroubleaboutthemoney。I’vecometoseeyoutotalkitover。’
　　`Whatistheretotalkover？Butdositdown。’
　　`Idon’tmindifIdo，’saidRiabinin，sittingdownandleaninghiselbowsonthebackofhisarmchairinapositionoftheintensestdiscomforttohimself。`Youmustknockitdownabit，Prince。Itwouldbeasinotherwise。Asforthemoney，itisreadydefinitively，tothelastkopeck。Asformoneydown，there’llbenohitchthere。’
　　Levin，whohadmeanwhilebeenputtinghisgunawayinthecupboard，wasjustgoingoutofthedoor，butcatchingthemerchant’swords，hestopped。
　　`Why，you’vegottheforestfornothingasitis，’hesaid。`Hecametometoolate，orI’dhavefixedthepriceforhim。’
　　Riabiningotup，andinsilence，withasmile，helookedupatLevin。
　　`KonstantinDmitrievichisveryclose，’hesaidwithasmile，turningtoStepanArkadyevich；`there’sdefinitivelynodealingwithhim。Iwasbargainingforsomewheatofhim，andaprettypriceIofferedtoo。’
　　`WhyshouldIgiveyouwhat’sminefornothing？Ididn’tpickitupofftheground，nordidIstealit，either。’
　　`Mercyonus！Nowadaysthere’spositivelynochanceatallofstealing。Withthedefinitivelyopencourts，andeverythingdoneinstyle，nowadaysthere’snoquestionofstealing。Wearejusttalkingthingsoverlikegentlemen。HisExcellency’saskingtoomuchfortheforest。Ican’tmakebothendsmeetoverit。Imustaskforalittleconcession。’
　　`Butisthethingsettledbetweenyouorisn’tit？Ifit’ssettled，it’suselesshaggling；butifitisn’t，’saidLevin，`I’llbuytheforest。’
　　ThesmilevanishedatoncefromRiabinin’sface。Ahawklike，greedy，cruelexpressionwasleftuponit。Withrapid，bonyfingersheunbuttonedhiscoat，revealingalargeshirt，bronzewaistcoatbuttons，andawatchchain，andquicklypulledoutafatoldpocketbook。
　　`Hereyouare，theforestismine，’hesaid，crossinghimselfquickly，andholdingouthishand。`Takethemoney；it’smyforest。That’sRiabinin’swayofdoingbusiness；hedoesn’thaggleovereverycopper，’headded，scowlingandwavingthepocketbook。
　　`Iwouldn’tbeinahurryifIwereyou，’saidLevin。
　　`Come，really，’saidOblonskyinsurprise，`I’vegivenmyword，youknow。’
　　Levinwentoutoftheroom，slammingthedoor。Riabininlookedtowardthedoorandshookhisheadwithasmile。
　　`It’sallyouthfulness-definitivelynothingbutchildishness。Why，I’mbuyingit，uponmyhonor，simply，believeme，forthegloryofit，thatRiabinin，andnooneelse，shouldhaveboughtthecopseofOblonsky。Andastotheprofits，why，ImustmakewhatGodgives。God’smywitness。Ifyouwouldkindlysignthetitledeed……’
　　Withinanhourthemerchant，carefullystrokinghiswrapperdown，andhookinguphiscoat，withtheagreementinhispocket，seatedhimselfinhistightlycoveredtrap，anddrovehomeward。
　　`Ugh，thesegentlefolk！’hesaidtotheoverseer。`Theyareallmadealike！they’reafinelot！’
　　`That’sso，’respondedtheoverseer，handinghimthereinsandbuttoningtheleatherapron。`ButcanIcongratulateyouonthepurchase，MikhailIgnatich？’
　　`Well，well……’
　　StepanArkadyevichwentupstairswithhispocketbulgingwithnoteswhichthemerchanthadpaidhimforthreemonthsinadvance。Thebusinessoftheforestwasover，themoneyinhispocket；theirshootinghadbeenexcellent，andStepanArkadyevichwasinthehappiestframeofmind，andthereforefeltespeciallyanxioustodissipatetheill-humorthathadcomeuponLevin。Hewantedtofinishthedayatsupperaspleasantlyasithadbeenbegun。
　　Levincertainlywasoutofhumor，and，inspiteofallhisdesiretobeaffectionateandcordialtohischarmingguest，hecouldnotcontrolhismood。TheaftereffectsoftheintoxicationofthenewsthatKittywasnotmarriedhadgraduallybeguntoworkuponhim。
　　Kittywasnotmarried，andwasill，andillfromloveforamanwhohadslightedher。Thisoffense，asitwere，reboundeduponhim。Vronskyhadslightedher，andshehadslightedhim，Levin。ConsequentlyVronskyhadtherighttodespiseLevin，andthereforehewashisenemy。ButallthisLevindidnotthinkof。Hevaguelyfeltthattherewassomethinginitinsultingtohim，andhewasnotangrynowatwhathaddisturbedhim，buthefellfoulofeverythingthatpresenteditself。Thestupidsaleoftheforest，thefraudpractiseduponOblonskyandconcludedinhishouse，exasperatedhim。
　　`Well，finished？’hesaid，meetingStepanArkadyevichupstairs。`Wouldyoulikesupper？’
　　`Well，Iwouldn’tsaynotoit。WhatanappetiteIgetinthecountry！Wonderful！Whydidn’tyouofferRiabininsomething？’
　　`Oh，damnhim！’
　　`Still，howyoudotreathim！’saidOblonsky。`Youdidn’tevenshakehandswithhim。Whynotshakehandswithhim？’
　　`BecauseIdon’tshakehandswithawaiter，andawaiter’sahundredtimesbetterthanheis。’
　　`Whatareactionistyouare，really！Whatabouttheamalgamationofclasses？’saidOblonsky。
　　`Anyonewholikesitiswelcometoit，butitsickensme。’
　　`You’readownrightreactionist，Isee。’
　　`Really。IhaveneverconsideredwhatIam。IamKonstantinLevin，andnothingelse。’
　　`AndKonstantinLevinverymuchoutoftemper，’saidStepanArkadyevich，smiling。
　　`Yes，Iamoutoftemper，anddoyouknowwhy？Because-excuseme-ofyourstupidsale……’
　　StepanArkadyevichfrownedgood-humoredly，likeonewhofeelshimselfteasedandattackedfornofaultofhisown。
　　`Come，enoughaboutthat！’hesaid。`Whendidanybodyeversellanythingwithoutbeingtoldimmediatelyafterthesale，``Itwasworthmuchmore’？Butwhenonewantstosell，noonewillgiveanything……No，Iseeyou’veagrudgeagainstthatunluckyRiabinin。’
　　`MaybeIhave。Anddoyouknowwhy？You’llsayagainthatI’mareactionist，orsomeotherterribleword；butallthesameitdoesannoyandangermetoseeonallsidestheimpoverishingofthenobilitytowhichIbelong，and，inspiteoftheamalgamationofclasses，I’mgladtobelong。Andtheirimpoverishmentisnotduetolivinginluxury-thatwouldbenothing；livingingoodstyle-that’stheproperthingfornoblemen:it’sonlythenobleswhoknowhowtodoit。Now，thepeasantsaboutusbuyland，andIdon’tmindthat。Thegentlemandoesnothing，whilethepeasantworksandsupplantstheidleman。That’sasitshouldbe。AndIwelcomethepeasant。ButIdomindseeingtheprocessofimpoverishmentfromasortof-Idon’tknowwhattocallit-innocence。HereaPolishlesseeboughtforhalfitsvalueamagnificentestatefromaladywholivesinNice。Andthereamerchantleasesland，worthtenroublesinrentthedessiatina，foronerouble。Here，fornokindofreason，you’vemadethatcheatapresentofthirtythousandroubles。’
　　`Well，whatshouldIhavedone？Countedeverytree？’
　　`Ofcourse，theymustbecounted。Youdidn’tcountthem，butRiabinindid。Riabinin’schildrenwillhavemeansoflivelihoodandeducation，whileyours，likeasnot，won’t！’
　　`Well，youmustexcuseme，butthere’ssomethingmeaninthiscounting。Wehaveourbusinessandtheyhavetheirs，andtheymustmaketheirprofit。Anyway，thething’sdone，andthere’sanendofit。Andherecomesomefriedeggs，myfavoritedish。AndAgathyaMikhailovnawillgiveusthatmarvelousherbbrandy……’
　　StepanArkadyevichsatdownatthetableandbeganjollyingAgathyaMikhailovna，assuringherthatitwaslongsincehehadtastedsuchadinnerandsuchasupper。
　　`Well，youpraiseit，atanyrate，’saidAgathyaMikhailovna，`butKonstantinDmitrievich，nomatterwhatyougivehim-evenacrustofbread-willjusteatitandwalkaway。’
　　ThoughLevintriedtocontrolhimself，hewasgloomyandsilent。HewantedtoputonequestiontoStepanArkadyevich，buthecouldnotbringhimselftothepoint，andcouldnotfindthewordsorthemomentinwhichtoputit。StepanArkadyevichhadgonedowntohisroom，undressed，againwashed，and，attiredinanightshirtwithgofferedfrills，hadgotintobed，butLevinstilllingeredinhisroom，talkingofvarioustriflingmatters，andnotdaringtoaskwhathewantedtoknow。
　　`Howwonderfullytheymakethesoap，’hesaidgazingatapieceofsoaphewasunwrapping，whichAgathyaMikhailovnahadplacedinreadinessfortheguest，butabrandwhichOblonskydidnotuse。`Justlook-why，it’saworkofart。’
　　`Yes，everything’sbroughttosuchapitchofperfectionnowadays，’saidStepanArkadyevich，withamoistandblissfulyawn。`Thetheater，forinstance，andtheentertainments……A-a-a！’heyawned。`Theelectriclighteverywhere……A-a-a！’
　　`Yes，theelectriclight，’saidLevin。`Yes。Oh，andwhere’sVronskynow？’heaskedsuddenly，layingdownthesoap。
　　`Vronsky？’saidStepanArkadyevich，checkinghisyawn；`he’sinPeterburg。Heleftsoonafteryoudid，andhasn’tbeenonceinMoscowsince。And，doyouknow，Kostia，I’lltellyouthetruth，’hewenton，leaninghiselbowonthetable，and，withhishand，proppinguphishandsomeruddyface，inwhichhishumid，good-natured，sleepyeyesshonelikestars。`It’syourownfault。Youtookfrightatthesightofyourrival。But，asItoldyouatthetime，Icouldn’tsaywhichhadthebetterchance。Whydidn’tyoufightitout？Itoldyouatthetimethat……’Heyawnedinwardly，withoutopeninghismouth。
　　`Doesheknow，ordoesn’the，thatIdidpropose？’Levinwonderedgazingathim。`Yes，there’ssomethinghumbugging，somethingdiplomaticinhisface。’And，feelinghewasblushing，helookedStepanArkadyevichstraightinthefacewithoutspeaking。
　　`Iftherewasanythingonhersideatthattime，itwasnothingbutasuperficialattraction，’pursuedOblonsky。`Hisbeingsuchaperfectaristocrat，youknow，andhisfuturepositioninsociety，hadaninfluencenotwithher，butwithhermother。’
　　Levinscowled。Thehumiliationofhisrejectionstunghimtotheheart，asthoughitwereafreshwoundhehadonlyjustreceived。Buthewasathome，andthewallsofhomeareasupport。
　　`Wait，wait，’hebegan，interruptingOblonsky。`Youtalkofhisbeinganaristocrat。Butallowmetoaskwhatitconsistsof，thataristocracyofVronskyorofanybodyelse，besidewhichIcanbelookeddownupon？YouconsiderVronskyanaristocrat，butIdon’t。Amanwhosefathercrawledupfromnothingatallbyintrigue，andwhosemother-Godknowswhomshewasn’tmixedupwith……No，excuseme，butIconsidermyselfaristocratic，andpeoplelikeme，whocanpointbackinthepasttothreeorfourhonorablegenerationsoftheirfamily，ofthehighestdegreeofbreedingtalentandintellect，ofcourse，areanothermatter，andhavenevercurriedfavorwithanyone，neverdependedonanyoneforanything，likemyfatherandmygrandfather。AndIknowmanysuch。Youthinkitmeanofmetocountthetreesinmyforest，whileyoumakeRiabininapresentofthirtythousand；butyougetfromthegovernmentyourliferent，andIdon’tknowwhat，whileIshallnot，andsoIprizewhat’scometomefrommyancestors，orhasbeenwonbyhardwork……Wearearistocrats，andnotthosewhocanonlyexistbyfavorofthepowerfulonesofthisearth，andwhocanbeboughtfortwentykopecks。’
　　`Well，butwhomareyouattacking？Iagreewithyou，’saidStepanArkadyevich，sincerelyandgenially；thoughhewasawarethatintheclassofthosewhocouldbeboughtfortwentykopecksLevinwasreckoninghimaswell。Levin’sanimationgavehimgenuinepleasure。`Whomareyouattacking？AgooddealofwhatyousayisnottrueaboutVronsky，ofcourse，butIwon’ttalkaboutthat。Itellyoustraightout，ifIwereyou，IshouldgobackwithmetoMoscow，and……’
　　`No；Idon’tknowwhetheryouknowitornot，butIdon’tcare。AndItellyou-Ididpropose，andwasrejected，andKaterinaAlexandrovnaisnothingnowtomebutapainfulandhumiliatingreminiscence。’
　　`Why？Whatnonsense！’
　　`Butwewon’ttalkaboutit。Pleaseforgiveme，ifI’vebeennasty，’saidLevin。Nowthathehadopenedhisheart，hebecameashehadbeeninthemorning。`You’renotangrywithme，Stiva？Pleasedon’tbeangry，’hesaid，and，smiling，hetookhishand。
　　`Ofcoursenot；notabit-noristhereanyreasontobe。I’mgladwe’vespokenopenly。And，doyouknow，standshootinginthemorningisusuallygood-whynotgo？Imightgo，withoutsleeping，straightfromshootingtothestation。’
　　`Capital。’