第4章

"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