"There，hehasgallopedoffforadoctor！"saidSemyon，shrinkingfromthecold。"Butlookingforagooddoctorislikechasingthewindinthefieldsorcatchingthedevilbythetail，plaguetakeyoursoul！Whataqueerchap，Lordforgivemeasinner！"
TheTatarwentuptoCanny，and，lookingathimwithhatredandrepulsion，shivering，andmixingTatarwordswithhisbrokenRussian，said："Heisgood……good；butyouarebad！Youarebad！Thegentlemanisagoodsoul，excellent，andyouareabeast，bad！Thegentlemanisalive，butyouareadeadcarcass……Godcreatedmantobealive，andtohavejoyandgriefandsorrow；butyouwantnothing，soyouarenotalive，youarestone，clay！Astonewantsnothingandyouwantnothing。Youareastone，andGoddoesnotloveyou，butHelovesthegentleman！"
Everyonelaughed；theTatarfrownedcontemptuously，andwithawaveofhishandwrappedhimselfinhisragsandwenttothecampfire。TheferrymenandSemyonsaunteredtothehut。
"It’scold，"saidoneferrymanhuskilyashestretchedhimselfonthestrawwithwhichthedampclayfloorwascovered。
"Yes，itsnotwarm，"anotherassented。"It’sadog’slife……"
Theyalllaydown。Thedoorwasthrownopenbythewindandthesnowdriftedintothehut；nobodyfeltinclinedtogetupandshutthedoor：theywerecold，anditwastoomuchtrouble。
"Iamallright，"saidSemyonashebegantodoze。"Iwouldn’twishanyoneabetterlife。"
"Youareatoughone，weallknow。Eventhedevilswon’ttakeyou！"
Soundslikeadog’showlingcamefromoutside。
"What’sthat？Who’sthere？"
"It’stheTatarcrying。"
"Isay……He’saqueerone！"
"He’llgetu-usedtoit！"saidSemyon，andatoncefellasleep。
Theothersweresoonasleeptoo。Thedoorremainedunclosed。
THECATTLE-DEALERS
THElonggoodstrainhasbeenstandingforhoursinthelittlestation。Theengineisassilentasthoughitsfirehadgoneout；
thereisnotasoulnearthetrainorinthestationyard。
Apalestreakoflightcomesfromoneofthevansandglidesovertherailsofasiding。Inthatvantwomenaresittingonanoutspreadcape：oneisanoldmanwithabiggraybeard，wearingasheepskincoatandahighlambskinhat，somewhatlikeabusby；
theotherabeardlessyouthinathreadbareclothreeferjacketandmuddyhighboots。Theyaretheownersofthegoods。Theoldmansits，hislegsstretchedoutbeforehim，musinginsilence；
theyoungmanhalfreclinesandsoftlystrumsonacheapaccordion。Alanternwithatallowcandleinitishangingonthewallnearthem。
Thevanisquitefull。Ifoneglancesinthroughthedimlightofthelantern，forthefirstmomenttheeyesreceiveanimpressionofsomethingshapeless，monstrous，andunmistakablyalive，somethingverymuchlikegiganticcrabswhichmovetheirclawsandfeelers，crowdtogether，andnoiselesslyclimbupthewallstotheceiling；butifonelooksmoreclosely，hornsandtheirshadows，longleanbacks，dirtyhides，tails，eyesbegintostandoutinthedusk。Theyarecattleandtheirshadows。Thereareeightoftheminthevan。Someturnroundandstareatthemenandswingtheirtails。Otherstrytostandorliedownmorecomfortably。Theyarecrowded。Ifoneliesdowntheothersmuststandandhuddlecloser。Nomanger，nohalter，nolitter，notawispofhay……*
Atlasttheoldmanpullsoutofhispocketasilverwatchandlooksatthetime：aquarterpasttwo。
"Wehavebeenherenearlytwohours，"hesays，yawning。"Bettergoandstirthemup，orwemaybeheretillmorning。Theyhavegonetosleep，orgoodnessknowswhattheyareupto。"
Theoldmangetsupand，followedbyhislongshadow，cautiouslygetsdownfromthevanintothedarkness。Hemakeshiswayalongbesidethetraintotheengine，andafterpassingsometwodozenvansseesaredopenfurnace；ahumanfiguresitsmotionlessfacingit；itspeakedcap，nose，andkneesarelightedupbythecrimsonglow，alltherestisblackandcanscarcelybedistinguishedinthedarkness。
"Arewegoingtostayheremuchlonger？"askstheoldman。
Noanswer。Themotionlessfigureisevidentlyasleep。Theoldmanclearshisthroatimpatientlyand，shrinkingfromthepenetratingdamp，walksroundtheengine，andashedoessothebrilliantlightofthetwoenginelampsdazzleshiseyesforaninstantandmakesthenightevenblackertohim；hegoestothestation。
Theplatformandstepsofthestationarewet。Hereandtherearewhitepatchesoffreshlyfallenmeltingsnow。Inthestationitselfitislightandashotasasteam-bath。Thereisasmellofparaffin。Exceptfortheweighing-machineandayellowseatonwhichamanwearingaguard’suniformisasleep，thereisnofurnitureintheplaceatall。Ontheleftaretwowide-opendoors。Throughoneofthemthetelegraphicapparatusandalampwithagreenshadeonitcanbeseen；throughtheother，asmallroom，halfofittakenupbyadarkcupboard。Inthisroomtheheadguardandtheengine-driveraresittingonthewindow-sill。
Theyarebothfeelingacapwiththeirfingersanddisputing。
"That’snotrealbeaver，it’simitation，"saystheengine-driver。
"Realbeaverisnotlikethat。Fiveroubleswouldbeahighpriceforthewholecap，ifyoucaretoknow！"
"Youknowagreatdealaboutit，……"theheadguardsays，offended。"Fiveroubles，indeed！Here，wewillaskthemerchant。
Mr。Malahin，"hesays，addressingtheoldman，"whatdoyousay：
isthisimitationbeaverorreal？"
OldMalahintakesthecapintohishand，andwiththeairofaconnoisseurpinchesthefur，blowsonit，sniffsatit，andacontemptuoussmilelightsuphisangryface。
"Itmustbeimitation！"hesaysgleefully。"Imitationitis。"
Adisputefollows。Theguardmaintainsthatthecapisrealbeaver，andtheengine-driverandMalahintrytopersuadehimthatitisnot。Inthemiddleoftheargumenttheoldmansuddenlyrememberstheobjectofhiscoming。
"Beaverandcapisallverywell，butthetrain’sstandingstill，gentlemen！"hesays。"Whoisitwearewaitingfor？Letusstart！"
"Letus，"theguardagrees。"Wewillsmokeanothercigaretteandgoon。Butthereisnoneedtobeinahurry……Weshallbedelayedatthenextstationanyway！"
"Whyshouldwe？"
"Oh，well……Wearetoomuchbehindtime……Ifyouarelateatonestationyoucan’thelpbeingdelayedattheotherstationstoletthetrainsgoingtheoppositewaypass。Whetherwesetoffnoworinthemorningweshan’tbenumberfourteen。
Weshallhavetobenumbertwenty-three。"
"Andhowdoyoumakethatout？"
"Well，thereitis。"
Malahinlooksattheguard，reflects，andmuttersmechanicallyasthoughtohimself：
"Godbemyjudge，Ihavereckoneditandevenjotteditdowninanotebook；wehavewastedthirty-fourhoursstandingstillonthejourney。Ifyougoonlikethis，eitherthecattlewilldie，ortheywon’tpaymetworoublesforthemeatwhenIdogetthere。
It’snottraveling，butruination。"
Theguardraiseshiseyebrowsandsighswithanairthatseemstosay："Allthatisunhappilytrue！"Theengine-driversitssilent，dreamilylookingatthecap。Fromtheirfacesonecanseethattheyhaveasecretthoughtincommon，whichtheydonotutter，notbecausetheywanttoconcealit，butbecausesuchthoughtsaremuchbetterexpressedbysignsthanbywords。Andtheoldmanunderstands。Hefeelsinhispocket，takesoutaten-roublenote，andwithoutpreliminarywords，withoutanychangeinthetoneofhisvoiceortheexpressionofhisface，butwiththeconfidenceanddirectnesswithwhichprobablyonlyRussiansgiveandtakebribes，hegivestheguardthenote。Thelattertakesit，foldsitinfour，andwithoutunduehasteputsitinhispocket。
Afterthatallthreegooutoftheroom，andwakingthesleepingguardontheway，goontotheplatform。
"Whatweather！"grumblestheheadguard，shrugginghisshoulders。
"Youcan’tseeyourhandbeforeyourface。"
"Yes，it’svileweather。"
Fromthewindowtheycanseetheflaxenheadofthetelegraphclerkappearbesidethegreenlampandthetelegraphicapparatus；
soonafteranotherhead，beardedandwearingaredcap，appearsbesideit——nodoubtthatofthestation-master。Thestation-masterbendsdowntothetable，readssomethingonablueform，rapidlypassinghiscigarettealongthelines……
Malahingoestohisvan。
Theyoungman，hiscompanion，isstillhalfrecliningandhardlyaudiblystrummingontheaccordion。Heislittlemorethanaboy，withnotraceofamustache；hisfullwhitefacewithitsbroadcheek-bonesischildishlydreamy；hiseyeshaveamelancholyandtranquillookunlikethatofagrown-upperson，butheisbroad，strong，heavyandroughliketheoldman；hedoesnotstirnorshifthisposition，asthoughheisnotequaltomovinghisbigbody。Itseemsasthoughanymovementhemadewouldtearhisclothesandbesonoisyastofrightenbothhimandthecattle。
Fromunderhisbigfatfingersthatclumsilypickoutthestopsandkeysoftheaccordioncomesasteadyflowofthin，tinklingsoundswhichblendintoasimple，monotonouslittletune；helistenstoit，andisevidentlymuchpleasedwithhisperformance。
Abellrings，butwithsuchamufflednotethatitseemstocomefromfaraway。Ahurriedsecondbellsoonfollows，thenathirdandtheguard’swhistle。Aminutepassesinprofoundsilence；thevandoesnotmove，itstandsstill，butvaguesoundsbegintocomefrombeneathit，likethecrunchofsnowundersledge-runners；thevanbeginstoshakeandthesoundscease。
Silencereignsagain。Butnowcomestheclankofbuffers，theviolentshockmakesthevanstartand，asitwere，givealurchforward，andallthecattlefallagainstoneanother。
"Mayyoubeservedthesameintheworldtocome，"grumblestheoldman，settingstraighthiscap，whichhadslippedonthebackofhisheadfromthejolt。"He’llmaimallmycattlelikethis！"
Yashagetsupwithoutawordand，takingoneofthefallenbeastsbythehorns，helpsittogetontoitslegs……Thejoltisfollowedbyastillnessagain。Thesoundsofcrunchingsnowcomefromunderthevanagain，anditseemsasthoughthetrainhadmovedbackalittle。
"Therewillbeanotherjoltinaminute，"saystheoldman。Andtheconvulsivequiverdoes，infact，runalongthetrain，thereisacrashingsoundandthebullocksfallononeanotheragain。
"It’sajob！"saysYasha，listening。"Thetrainmustbeheavy。Itseemsitwon’tmove。"
"Itwasnotheavybefore，butnowithassuddenlygotheavy。No，mylad，theguardhasnotgoneshareswithhim，Iexpect。Goandtakehimsomething，orhewillbejoltingustillmorning。"
Yashatakesathree-roublenotefromtheoldmanandjumpsoutofthevan。Thedullthudofhisheavyfootstepsresoundsoutsidethevanandgraduallydiesaway。Stillness……Inthenextvanabullockuttersaprolongedsubdued"moo，"asthoughitweresinging。
Yashacomesback。Acolddampwinddartsintothevan。
"Shutthedoor，Yasha，andwewillgotobed，"saystheoldman。
"Whyburnacandlefornothing？"
Yashamovestheheavydoor；thereisasoundofawhistle，theengineandthetrainsetoff。
"It’scold，"mutterstheoldman，stretchinghimselfonthecapeandlayinghisheadonabundle。"Itisverydifferentathome！
It’swarmandcleanandsoft，andthereisroomtosayyourprayers，buthereweareworseoffthananypigs。It’sfourdaysandnightssinceIhavetakenoffmyboots。"
Yasha，staggeringfromthejoltingofthetrain，opensthelanternandsnuffsoutthewickwithhiswetfingers。Thelightflaresup，hisseslikeafryingpanandgoesout。
"Yes，mylad，"Malahingoeson，ashefeelsYashaliedownbesidehimandtheyoungman’shugebackhuddleagainsthisown，"it’scold。Thereisadraughtfromeverycrack。Ifyourmotheroryoursisterweretosleephereforonenighttheywouldbedeadbymorning。Thereitis，mylad，youwouldn’tstudyandgotothehighschoollikeyourbrothers，soyoumusttakethecattlewithyourfather。It’syourownfault，youhaveonlyyourselftoblame……Yourbrothersareasleepintheirbedsnow，theyaresnugunderthebedclothes，butyou，thecarelessandlazyone，areinthesameboxasthecattle……Yes……"
Theoldman’swordsareinaudibleinthenoiseofthetrain，butforalongtimehegoesonmuttering，sighingandclearinghisthroat……ThecoldairintherailwayvangrowsthickerandmorestiflingThepungentodoroffreshdungandsmolderingcandlemakesitsorepulsiveandacridthatitirritatesYasha’sthroatandchestashefallsasleep。Hecoughsandsneezes，whiletheoldman，beingaccustomedtoit，breatheswithhiswholechestasthoughnothingwereamiss，andmerelyclearshisthroat。
Tojudgefromtheswayingofthevanandtherattleofthewheelsthetrainismovingrapidlyandunevenly。Theenginebreathesheavily，snortingoutoftimewiththepulsationofthetrain，andaltogetherthereisamedleyofsounds。Thebullockshuddletogetheruneasilyandknocktheirhornsagainstthewalls。
Whentheoldmanwakesup，thedeepblueskyofearlymorningispeepinginatthecracksandatthelittleuncoveredwindow。Hefeelsunbearablycold，especiallyinthebackandthefeet。Thetrainisstandingstill；Yasha，sleepyandmorose，isbusywiththecattle。
Theoldmanwakesupoutofhumor。Frowningandgloomy，heclearshisthroatangrilyandlooksfromunderhisbrowsatYashawho，supportingabullockwithhispowerfulshoulderandslightlyliftingit，istryingtodisentangleitsleg。
"Itoldyoulastnightthatthecordsweretoolong，"mutterstheoldman；"butno，’It’snottoolong，Daddy。’There’snomakingyoudoanything，youwillhaveeverythingyourownway……
Blockhead！"
Heangrilymovesthedooropenandthelightrushesintothevan。
Apassengertrainisstandingexactlyoppositethedoor，andbehinditaredbuildingwitharoofed-inplatform——abigstationwitharefreshmentbar。Theroofsandbridgesofthetrains，theearth，thesleepers，allarecoveredwithathincoatingoffluffy，freshlyfallensnow。Inthespacesbetweenthecarriagesofthepassengertrainthepassengerscanbeseenmovingtoandfro，andared-haired，red-facedgendarmewalkingupanddown；awaiterinafrock-coatandasnow-whiteshirt-front，lookingcoldandsleepy，andprobablyverymuchdissatisfiedwithhisfate，isrunningalongtheplatformcarryingaglassofteaandtworusksonatray。
Theoldmangetsupandbeginssayinghisprayerstowardstheeast。Yasha，havingfinishedwiththebullockandputdownthespadeinthecorner，standsbesidehimandsayshisprayersalso。
Hemerelymoveshislipsandcrosseshimself；thefatherpraysinaloudwhisperandpronouncestheendofeachprayeraloudanddistinctly。
"……Andthelifeoftheworldtocome。Amen，"theoldmansaysaloud，drawsinabreath，andatoncewhispersanotherprayer，rappingoutclearlyandfirmlyattheend："……andlaycalvesuponThyaltar！"
Aftersayinghisprayers，Yashahurriedlycrosseshimselfandsays："Fivekopecks，please。"
Andonbeinggiventhefive-kopeckpiece，hetakesaredcopperteapotandrunstothestationforboilingwater。Takinglongjumpsovertherailsandsleepers，leavinghugetracksinthefeatherysnow，andpouringawayyesterday’steaoutoftheteapotherunstotherefreshmentroomandjingleshisfive-kopeckpieceagainsthisteapot。Fromthevanthebar-keepercanbeseenpushingawaythebigteapotandrefusingtogivehalfofhissamovarforfivekopecks，butYashaturnsthetaphimselfand，spreadingwidehiselbowssoasnottobeinterferedwithfillshisteapotwithboilingwater。
"Damnedblackguard！"thebar-keepershoutsafterhimasherunsbacktotherailwayvan。
ThescowlingfaceofMalahingrowsalittlebrighteroverthetea。
"Weknowhowtoeatanddrink，butwedon’trememberourwork。
Yesterdaywecoulddonothingalldaybuteatanddrink，andI’llbeboundweforgottoputdownwhatwespent。Whatamemory！Lordhavemercyonus！"
Theoldmanrecallsaloudtheexpenditureofthedaybefore，andwritesdowninatatterednotebookwhereandhowmuchhehadgiventoguards，engine-drivers，oilers……
Meanwhilethepassengertrainhaslongagogoneoff，andanenginerunsbackwardsandforwardsontheemptyline，apparentlywithoutanydefiniteobject，butsimplyenjoyingitsfreedom。Thesunhasrisenandisplayingonthesnow；brightdropsarefallingfromthestationroofandthetopsofthevans。
Havingfinishedhistea，theoldmanlazilysauntersfromthevantothestation。Hereinthemiddleofthefirst-classwaiting-roomheseesthefamiliarfigureoftheguardstandingbesidethestation-master，ayoungmanwithahandsomebeardandinamagnificentroughwoollenovercoat。Theyoungman，probablynewtohisposition，standsinthesameplace，gracefullyshiftingfromonefoottotheotherlikeagoodracehorse，looksfromsidetoside，saluteseveryonethatpassesby，smilesandscrewsuphiseyes……Heisred-cheeked，sturdy，andgood-humored；hisfaceisfullofeagerness，andisasfreshasthoughhehadjustfallenfromtheskywiththefeatherysnow。
SeeingMalahin，theguardsighsguiltilyandthrowsuphishands。
"Wecan’tgonumberfourteen，"hesays。"Weareverymuchbehindtime。Anothertrainhasgonewiththatnumber。"
Thestation-masterrapidlylooksthroughsomeforms，thenturnshisbeamingblueeyesuponMalahin，and，hisfaceradiantwithsmilesandfreshness，showersquestionsonhim：
"YouareMr。Malahin？Youhavethecattle？Eightvanloads？Whatistobedonenow？YouarelateandIletnumberfourteengointhenight。Whatarewetodonow？"
TheyoungmandiscreetlytakesholdofthefurofMalahin’scoatwithtwopinkfingersand，shiftingfromonefoottotheother，explainsaffablyandconvincinglythatsuchandsuchnumbershavegonealready，andthatsuchandsucharegoing，andthatheisreadytodoforMalahineverythinginhispower。AndfromhisfaceitisevidentthatheisreadytodoanythingtopleasenotonlyMalahin，butthewholeworld——heissohappy，sopleased，andsodelighted！Theoldmanlistens，andthoughhecanmakeabsolutelynothingoftheintricatesystemofnumberingthetrains，henodshisheadapprovingly，andhe，too，putstwofingersonthesoftwooloftheroughcoat。Heenjoysseeingandhearingthepoliteandgenialyoungman。Toshowgoodwillonhissidealso，hetakesoutaten-roublenoteand，afteramoment’sthought，addsacoupleofroublenotestoit，andgivesthemtothestation-master。Thelattertakesthem，putshisfingertohiscap，andgracefullythruststhemintohispocket。
"Well，gentlemen，can’twearrangeitlikethis？"hesays，kindledbyanewideathathasflashedonhim。"Thetrooptrainislate，……asyousee，itisnothere，……sowhyshouldn’tyougoasthetrooptrain？**AndIwillletthetrooptraingoastwenty-eight。Eh？"
"Ifyoulike，"agreestheguard。
"Excellent！"thestation-mastersays，delighted。"Inthatcasethereisnoneedforyoutowaithere；youcansetoffatonce。
I’lldispatchyouimmediately。Excellent！"
HesalutesMalahinandrunsofftohisroom，readingformsashegoes。Theoldmanisverymuchpleasedbytheconversationthathasjusttakenplace；hesmilesandlooksabouttheroomasthoughlookingforsomethingelseagreeable。
"We’llhaveadrink，though，"hesays，takingtheguard’sarm。
"Itseemsalittleearlyfordrinking。"
"No，youmustletmetreatyoutoaglassinafriendlyway。"
Theybothgototherefreshmentbar。Afterhavingadrinktheguardspendsalongtimeselectingsomethingtoeat。
Heisaverystout，elderlyman，withapuffyanddiscoloredface。Hisfatnessisunpleasant，flabby-looking，andheissallowaspeoplearewhodrinktoomuchandsleepirregularly。
"Andnowwemighthaveasecondglass，"saysMalahin。"It’scoldnow，it’snosintodrink。Pleasetakesome。SoIcanrelyuponyou，Mr。Guard，thattherewillbenohindranceorunpleasantnessfortherestofthejourney。Foryouknowinmovingcattleeveryhourisprecious。To-daymeatisoneprice；andto-morrow，lookyou，itwillbeanother。Ifyouareadayortwolateanddon’tgetyourprice，insteadofaprofityougethome——excusemysayingit——withoutyourbreeches。Praytakealittle……
Irelyonyou，andasforstandingyousomethingorwhatyoulike，Ishallbepleasedtoshowyoumyrespectatanytime。"
Afterhavingfedtheguard，Malahingoesbacktothevan。
"Ihavejustgotholdofthetrooptrain，"hesaystohisson。
"Weshallgoquickly。Theguardsaysifwegoallthewaywiththatnumberweshallarriveateighto’clockto-morrowevening。
Ifonedoesnotbestironeself，myboy，onegetsnothing……
That’sso……Soyouwatchandlearn……"
Afterthefirstbellamanwithafaceblackwithsoot，inablouseandfilthyfrayedtrousershangingveryslack，comestothedoorofthevan。Thisistheoiler，whohadbeencreepingunderthecarriagesandtappingthewheelswithahammer。
"Aretheseyourvansofcattle？"heasks。
"Yes。Why？"
"Why，becausetwoofthevansarenotsafe。Theycan’tgoon，theymuststayheretoberepaired。"
"Oh，come，tellusanother！Yousimplywantadrink，togetsomethingoutofme……Youshouldhavesaidso。"
"Asyouplease，onlyitismydutytoreportitatonce。"
Withoutindignationorprotest，simply，almostmechanically，theoldmantakestwotwenty-kopeckpiecesoutofhispocketandgivesthemtotheoiler。Hetakesthemverycalmly，too，andlookinggood-naturedlyattheoldmanentersintoconversation。
"Youaregoingtosellyourcattle，Isuppose……It’sgoodbusiness！"
Malahinsighsand，lookingcalmlyattheoiler’sblackface，tellshimthattradingincattleusedcertainlytobeprofitable，butnowithasbecomeariskyandlosingbusiness。
"Ihaveamatehere，"theoilerinterruptshim。"Youmerchantgentlemenmightmakehimalittlepresent……"
Malahingivessomethingtothematetoo。Thetrooptraingoesquicklyandthewaitsatthestationsarecomparativelyshort。
Theoldmanispleased。Thepleasantimpressionmadebytheyoungmanintheroughovercoathasgonedeep，thevodkahehasdrunkslightlycloudshisbrain，theweatherismagnificent，andeverythingseemstobegoingwell。Hetalkswithoutceasing，andateverystoppingplacerunstotherefreshmentbar。Feelingtheneedofalistener，hetakeswithhimfirsttheguard，andthentheengine-driver，anddoesnotsimplydrink，butmakesalongbusinessofit，withsuitableremarksandclinkingofglasses。
"Youhaveyourjobandwehaveours，"hesayswithanaffablesmile。"MayGodprosperusandyou，andnotourwillbutHisbedone。"
Thevodkagraduallyexciteshimandheisworkeduptoagreatpitchofenergy。Hewantstobestirhimself，tofussabout，tomakeinquiries，totalkincessantly。Atoneminutehefumblesinhispocketsandbundlesandlooksforsomeform。Thenhethinksofsomethingandcannotrememberit；thentakesouthispocketbook，andwithnosortofobjectcountsoverhismoney。Hebustlesabout，sighsandgroans，claspshishands……Layingoutbeforehimthelettersandtelegramsfromthemeatsalesmeninthecity，bills，postofficeandtelegraphicreceiptforms，andhisnotebook，hereflectsaloudandinsistsonYasha’slistening。
Andwhenheistiredofreadingoverformsandtalkingaboutprices，hegetsoutatthestoppingplaces，runstothevanswherehiscattleare，doesnothing，butsimplyclaspshishandsandexclaimsinhorror。
"Oh，dear！oh，dear！"hesaysinacomplainingvoice。"HolyMartyrVlassy！Thoughtheyarebullocks，thoughtheyarebeasts，yettheywanttoeatanddrinkasmendo……It’sfourdaysandnightssincetheyhavedrunkoreaten。Oh，dear！oh，dear！"
Yashafollowshimanddoeswhatheistoldlikeanobedientson。
Hedoesnotliketheoldman’sfrequentvisitstotherefreshmentbar。Thoughheisafraidofhisfather，hecannotrefrainfromremarkingonit。
"Soyouhavebegunalready！"hesays，lookingsternlyattheoldman。"Whatareyourejoicingat？Isityourname-dayorwhat？"
"Don’tyoudareteachyourfather。"
"Finegoingson！"
WhenhehasnottofollowhisfatheralongtheothervansYashasitsonthecapeandstrumsontheaccordion。Occasionallyhegetsoutandwalkslazilybesidethetrain；hestandsbytheengineandturnsaprolonged，unmovingstareonthewheelsorontheworkmentossingblocksofwoodintothetender；thehotenginewheezes，thefallingblockscomedownwiththemellow，heartythudoffreshwood；theengine-driverandhisassistant，veryphlegmaticandimperturbablepersons，performincomprehensiblemovementsanddon’thurrythemselves。Afterstandingforawhilebytheengine，Yashasaunterslazilytothestation；herehelooksattheeatablesintherefreshmentbar，readsaloudsomequiteuninterestingnotice，andgoesbackslowlytothecattlevan。Hisfaceexpressesneitherboredomnordesire；apparentlyhedoesnotcarewhereheis，athome，inthevan，orbytheengine。
Towardseveningthetrainstopsnearabigstation。Thelampshaveonlyjustbeenlightedalongtheline；againstthebluebackgroundinthefreshlimpidairthelightsarebrightandpalelikestars；theyareonlyredandglowingunderthestationroof，whereitisalreadydark。Allthelinesareloadedupwithcarriages，anditseemsthatifanothertraincameintherewouldbenoplaceforit。Yasharunstothestationforboilingwatertomaketheeveningtea。Well-dressedladiesandhigh-schoolboysarewalkingontheplatform。Ifonelooksintothedistancefromtheplatformtherearefar-awaylightstwinklingintheeveningduskonbothsidesofthestation——thatisthetown。
Whattown？Yashadoesnotcaretoknow。Heseesonlythedimlightsandwretchedbuildingsbeyondthestation，hearsthecabmenshouting，feelsasharp，coldwindonhisface，andimaginesthatthetownisprobablydisagreeable，uncomfortable，anddull。
Whiletheyarehavingtea，whenitisquitedarkandalanternishangingonthewallagainasonthepreviousevening，thetrainquiversfromaslightshockandbeginsmovingbackwards。Aftergoingalittlewayitstops；theyhearindistinctshouts，someonesetsthechainsclankingnearthebuffersandshouts，"Ready！"Thetrainmovesandgoesforward。Tenminuteslateritisdraggedbackagain。
Gettingoutofthevan，Malahindoesnotrecognizehistrain。Hiseightvansofbullocksarestandinginthesamerowwithsometrolleyswhichwerenotapartofthetrainbefore。Twoorthreeoftheseareloadedwithrubbleandtheothersareempty。Theguardsrunningtoandfroontheplatformarestrangers。Theygiveunwillingandindistinctanswerstohisquestions。TheyhavenothoughtstospareforMalahin；theyareinahurrytogetthetraintogethersoastofinishassoonaspossibleandbebackinthewarmth。
"Whatnumberisthis？"asksMalahin"Numbereighteen。"
"Andwhereisthetrooptrain？Whyhaveyoutakenmeoffthetrooptrain？"
Gettingnoanswer，theoldmangoestothestation。Helooksfirstforthefamiliarfigureoftheheadguardand，notfindinghim，goestothestation-master。Thestation-masterissittingatatableinhisownroom，turningoverabundleofforms。Heisbusy，andaffectsnottoseethenewcomer。Hisappearanceisimpressive：acroppedblackhead，prominentears，alonghookednose，aswarthyface；hehasaforbiddingand，asitwere，offendedexpression。Malahinbeginsmakinghiscomplaintatgreatlength。
"What？"queriesthestation-master。"Howisthis？"Heleansagainstthebackofhischairandgoeson，growingindignant：
"Whatisit？andwhyshouldn’tyougobynumbereighteen？Speakmoreclearly，Idon’tunderstand！Howisit？Doyouwantmetobeeverywhereatonce？"
Heshowersquestionsonhim，andfornoapparentreasongrowssternerandsterner。Malahinisalreadyfeelinginhispocketforhispocketbook，butintheendthestation-master，aggrievedandindignant，forsomeunknownreasonjumpsupfromhisseatandrunsoutoftheroom。Malahinshrugshisshoulders，andgoesouttolookforsomeoneelsetospeakto。
Fromboredomorfromadesiretoputthefinishingstroketoabusyday，orsimplythatawindowwiththeinscription"Telegraph！"onitcatcheshiseye，hegoestothewindowandexpressesadesiretosendoffatelegram。Takingupapen，hethinksforamoment，andwritesonablueform："Urgent。TrafficManager。Eightvansoflivestock。Delayedateverystation。
Kindlysendanexpressnumber。Replypaid。Malahin。"
Havingsentoffthetelegram，hegoesbacktothestation-master’sroom。Therehefinds，sittingonasofacoveredwithgraycloth，abenevolent-lookinggentlemaninspectaclesandacapofraccoonfur；heiswearingapeculiarovercoatverymuchlikealady’s，edgedwithfur，withfrogsandslashedsleeves。
Anothergentleman，dried-upandsinewy，wearingtheuniformofarailwayinspector，standsfacinghim。
"Justthinkofit，"saystheinspector，addressingthegentlemaninthequeerovercoat。"I’lltellyouanincidentthatreallyisA1！TheZ。railwaylineinthecoolestpossiblewaystolethreehundredtrucksfromtheN。line。It’safact，sir！Iswearit！
Theycarriedthemoff，repaintedthem，puttheirlettersonthem，andthat’sallaboutit。TheN。linesendsitsagentseverywhere，theyhuntandhunt。Andthen——canyouimagineit？——theCompanyhappentocomeuponabroken-downcarriageoftheZ。
line。Theyrepairitattheirdepot，andallatonce，blessmysoul！seetheirownmarkonthewheelsWhatdoyousaytothat？
Eh？IfIdidittheywouldsendmetoSiberia，buttherailwaycompaniessimplysnaptheirfingersatit！"
ItispleasanttoMalahintotalktoeducated，culturedpeople。
Hestrokeshisbeardandjoinsintheconversationwithdignity。
"Takethiscase，gentlemen，forinstance，"hesays。IamtransportingcattletoX。Eightvanloads。Verygood……Nowletussaytheychargemeforeachvanloadasaweightoftentons；eightbullocksdon’tweightentons，butmuchless，yettheydon’ttakeanynoticeofthat……"
AtthatinstantYashawalksintotheroomlookingforhisfather。
Helistensandisabouttositdownonachair，butprobablythinkingofhisweightgoesandsitsonthewindow-sill"Theydon’ttakeanynoticeofthat，"Malahingoeson，"andchargemeandmysonthethird-classfare，too，forty-tworoubles，forgoinginthevanwiththebullocks。ThisismysonYakov。Ihavetwomoreathome，buttheyhavegoneinforstudy。
Wellandapartfromthatitismyopinionthattherailwayshaveruinedthecattletrade。Inolddayswhentheydrovetheminherdsitwasbetter。"
Theoldman’stalkislengthyanddrawnout。AftereverysentencehelooksatYashaasthoughhewouldsay："SeehowIamtalkingtocleverpeople。"
"Uponmyword！"theinspectorinterruptshim。"Nooneisindignant，noonecriticizes。Andwhy？Itisverysimple。Anabominationstrikestheeyeandarousesindignationonlywhenitisexceptional，whentheestablishedorderisbrokenbyit。Here，where，savingyourpresence，itconstitutesthelong-establishedprogramandformsandentersintothebasisoftheorderitself，whereeverysleeperonthelinebearsthetraceofitandstinksofit，onetooeasilygrowsaccustomedtoit！Yes，sir！"
Thesecondbellrings，thegentlemeninthequeerovercoatgetsup。Theinspectortakeshimbythearmand，stilltalkingwithheat，goesoffwithhimtotheplatform。Afterthethirdbellthestation-masterrunsintohisroom，andsitsdownathistable。
"Listen，withwhatnumberamItogo？"asksMalahin。
Thestation-masterlooksataformandsaysindignantly：
"AreyouMalahin，eightvanloads？Youmustpayaroubleavanandsixroublesandtwentykopecksforstamps。Youhavenostamps。
Total，fourteenroubles，twentykopecks。"
Receivingthemoney，hewritessomethingdown，driesitwithsand，and，hurriedlysnatchingupabundleofforms，goesquicklyoutoftheroom。
Atteno’clockintheeveningMalahingetsananswerfromthetrafficmanager："Giveprecedence。"
Readingthetelegramthrough，theoldmanwinkssignificantlyand，verywellpleasedwithhimself，putsitinhispocket。
"Here，"hesaystoYasha，"lookandlearn。"
Atmidnighthistraingoeson。Thenightisdarkandcoldlikethepreviousone；thewaitsatthestationsarelong。Yashasitsonthecapeandimperturbablystrumsontheaccordion，whiletheoldmanisstillmoreeagertoexerthimself。Atoneofthestationsheisovertakenbyadesiretolodgeacomplaint。
Athisrequestagendarmesitsdownandwrites：
"November10，188。——I，non-commissionedofficeroftheZ。
sectionoftheN。policedepartmentofrailways，IlyaTchered，inaccordancewitharticleIIofthestatuteofMay19，1871，havedrawnupthisprotocolatthestationofX。asherewithfollows……"
"WhatamItowritenext？"asksthegendarme。
Malahinlaysoutbeforehimforms，postalandtelegraphreceipts，accounts……Hedoesnotknowhimselfdefinitelywhathewantsofthegendarme；hewantstodescribeintheprotocolnotanyseparateepisodebuthiswholejourney，withallhislossesandconversationswithstation-masters——todescribeitlengthilyandvindictively。
"AtthestationofZ。，"hesays，"writethatthestation-masterunlinkedmyvansfromthetrooptrainbecausehedidnotlikemycountenance。"
Andhewantsthegendarmetobesuretomentionhiscountenance。
Thelatterlistenswearily，andgoesonwritingwithouthearinghimtotheend。Heendshisprotocolthus：
"TheabovedepositionI，non-commissionedofficerTchered，havewrittendowninthisprotocolwithaviewtopresentittotheheadoftheZ。section，andhavehandedacopythereoftoGavrilMalahin。"
Theoldmantakesthecopy，addsittothepaperswithwhichhissidepocketisstuffed，and，muchpleased，goesbacktohisvan。
InthemorningMalahinwakesupagaininabadhumor，buthiswrathventsitselfnotonYashabutthecattle。
"Thecattlearedonefor！"hegrumbles。"Theyaredonefor！Theyareatthelastgasp！Godbemyjudge！theywillalldie。Tfoo！"
Thebullocks，whohavehadnothingtodrinkformanydays，torturedbythirst，arelickingthehoarfrostonthewalls，andwhenMalachingoesuptothemtheybeginlickinghiscoldfurjacket。Fromtheirclear，tearfuleyesitcanbeseenthattheyareexhaustedbythirstandthejoltingofthetrain，thattheyarehungryandmiserable。
"It’sanicejobtakingyoubyrail，youwretchedbrutes！"
muttersMalahin。"Icouldwishyouweredeadtogetitover！Itmakesmesicktolookatyou！"
Atmiddaythetrainstopsatabigstationwhere，accordingtotheregulations，therewasdrinkingwaterprovidedforcattle。
Waterisgiventothecattle，butthebullockswillnotdrinkit：
thewateristoocold……
*******
Twomoredaysandnightspass，andatlastinthedistanceinthemurkyfogthecitycomesintosight。Thejourneyisover。Thetraincomestoastandstillbeforereachingthetown，nearagoods’station。Thebullocks，releasedfromthevan，staggerandstumbleasthoughtheywerewalkingonslipperyice。
Havinggotthroughtheunloadingandveterinaryinspection，MalahinandYashatakeuptheirquartersinadirty，cheaphotelintheoutskirtsofthetown，inthesquareinwhichthecattle-marketisheld。Theirlodgingsarefilthyandtheirfoodisdisgusting，unlikewhattheyeverhaveathome；theysleeptotheharshstrainsofawretchedsteamhurdy-gurdywhichplaysdayandnightintherestaurantundertheirlodging。
Theoldmanspendshistimefrommorningtillnightgoingaboutlookingforpurchasers，andYashasitsfordaysinthehotelroom，orgoesoutintothestreettolookatthetown。Heseesthefilthysquareheapedupwithdung，thesignboardsofrestaurants，theturretedwallsofamonasteryinthefog。
Sometimesherunsacrossthestreetandlooksintothegrocer’sshop，admiresthejarsofcakesofdifferentcolors，yawns，andlazilysauntersbacktohisroom。Thecitydoesnotinteresthim。
Atlastthebullocksaresoldtoadealer。Malahinhiresdrovers。
Thecattlearedividedintoherds，tenineach，anddriventotheotherendofthetown。Thebullocks，exhausted，gowithdroopingheadsthroughthenoisystreets，andlookindifferentlyatwhattheyseeforthefirstandlasttimeintheirlives。Thetattereddroverswalkafterthem，theirheadsdroopingtoo。Theyarebored……Nowandthensomedroverstartsoutofhisbrooding，remembersthattherearecattleinfrontofhimintrustedtohischarge，andtoshowthatheisdoinghisdutybringsastickdownfullswingonabullock’sback。Thebullockstaggerswiththepain，runsforwardadozenpaces，andlooksabouthimasthoughhewereashamedatbeingbeatenbeforepeople。
Aftersellingthebullocksandbuyingforhisfamilypresentssuchastheycouldperfectlywellhaveboughtathome，MalahinandYashagetreadyfortheirjourneyback。Threehoursbeforethetraingoestheoldman，whohasalreadyhadadroptoomuchwiththepurchaserandsoisfussy，goesdownwithYashatotherestaurantandsitsdowntodrinktea。Likeallprovincials，hecannoteatanddrinkalone：hemusthavecompanyasfussyandasfondofsedateconversationashimself。
"Callthehost！"hesaystothewaiter；"tellhimIshouldliketoentertainhim。"
Thehotel-keeper，awell-fedman，absolutelyindifferenttohislodgers，comesandsitsdowntothetable。
"Well，wehavesoldourstock，"Malahinsays，laughing。"Ihaveswappedmygoatforahawk。Why，whenwesetoffthepriceofmeatwasthreeroublesninetykopecks，butwhenwearrivedithaddroppedtothreeroublestwenty-five。Theytelluswearetoolate，weshouldhavebeenherethreedaysearlier，fornowthereisnotthesamedemandformeat，St。Philip’sfasthascome……Eh？It’sanicehow-do-you-do！Itmeantalossoffourteenroublesoneachbullock。Yes。Butonlythinkwhatitcoststobringthestock！Fifteenroublescarriage，andyoumustputdownsixroublesforeachbullock，tips，bribes，drinks，andonethingandanother……"
Thehotel-keeperlistensoutofpolitenessandreluctantlydrinkstea。Malahinsighsandgroans，gesticulates，jestsabouthisill-luck，buteverythingshowsthatthelosshehassustaineddoesnottroublehimmuch。Hedoesn’tmindwhetherhehaslostorgainedaslongashehaslisteners，hassomethingtomakeafussabout，andisnotlateforhistrain。
AnhourlaterMalahinandYasha，ladenwithbagsandboxes，godownstairsfromthehotelroomtothefrontdoortogetintoasledgeanddrivetothestation。Theyareseenoffbythehotel-keeper，thewaiter，andvariouswomen。Theoldmanistouched。Hethruststen-kopeckpiecesinalldirections，andsaysinasing-songvoice：
"Goodby，goodhealthtoyou！Godgrantthatallmaybewellwithyou。PleaseGodifwearealiveandwellweshallcomeagaininLent。Good-by。Thankyou。Godblessyou！"
Gettingintothesledge，theoldmanspendsalongtimecrossinghimselfinthedirectioninwhichthemonasterywallsmakeapatchofdarknessinthefog。Yashasitsbesidehimontheveryedgeoftheseatwithhislegshangingovertheside。Hisfaceasbeforeshowsnosignofemotionandexpressesneitherboredomnordesire。Heisnotgladthatheisgoinghome，norsorrythathehasnothadtimetoseethesightsofthecity。
"Driveon！"
Thecabmanwhipsupthehorseand，turninground，beginsswearingattheheavyandcumbersomeluggage。
————*Onmanyrailwaylines，inordertoavoidaccidents，itisagainsttheregulationstocarryhayonthetrains，andsolivestockarewithoutfodderonthejourney。——Author’sNote。
**Thetraindestinedespeciallyforthetransportoftroopsiscalledthetrooptrain；whentheyarenotroopsittakesgoods，andgoesmorerapidlythanordinarygoodstrain。——Author’sNote。
SORROW
THEturner，GrigoryPetrov，whohadbeenknownforyearspastasasplendidcraftsman，andatthesametimeasthemostsenselesspeasantintheGaltchinskoydistrict，wastakinghisoldwomantothehospital。Hehadtodriveovertwentymiles，anditwasanawfulroad。Agovernmentpostdrivercouldhardlyhavecopedwithit，muchlessanincompetentsluggardlikeGrigory。A
cuttingcoldwindwasblowingstraightinhisface。Cloudsofsnowflakeswerewhirlingroundandroundinalldirections，sothatonecouldnottellwhetherthesnowwasfallingfromtheskyorrisingfromtheearth。Thefields，thetelegraphposts，andtheforestcouldnotbeseenforthefogofsnow。AndwhenaparticularlyviolentgustofwindswoopeddownonGrigory，eventheyokeabovethehorse’sheadcouldnotbeseen。Thewretched，feeblelittlenagcrawledslowlyalong。Ittookallitsstrengthtodragitslegsoutofthesnowandtotugwithitshead。Theturnerwasinahurry。Hekeptrestlesslyhoppingupanddownonthefrontseatandlashingthehorse’sback。
"Don’tcry，Matryona，……"hemuttered。"Havealittlepatience。PleaseGodweshallreachthehospital，andinatriceitwillbetherightthingforyou……PavelIvanitchwillgiveyousomelittledrops，ortellthemtobleedyou；ormaybehishonorwillbepleasedtorubyouwithsomesortofspirit——
it’ll……drawitoutofyourside。PavelIvanitchwilldohisbest。Hewillshoutandstampabout，buthewilldohisbest……Heisanicegentleman，affable，Godgivehimhealth！Assoonaswegettherehewilldartoutofhisroomandwillbegincallingmenames。’How？Whyso？’hewillcry。’Whydidyounotcomeattherighttime？Iamnotadogtobehangingaboutwaitingonyoudevilsallday。Whydidyounotcomeinthemorning？Goaway！Getoutofmysight。Comeagainto-morrow。’AndIshallsay：’Mr。Doctor！PavelIvanitch！Yourhonor！’Geton，do！plaguetakeyou，youdevil！Geton！"
Theturnerlashedhisnag，andwithoutlookingattheoldwomanwentonmutteringtohimself：
"’Yourhonor！It’strueasbeforeGod……Here’stheCrossforyou，Isetoffalmostbeforeitwaslight。HowcouldIbehereintimeiftheLord……TheMotherofGod……iswroth，andhassentsuchasnowstorm？Kindlylookforyourself