A Russian Proprietor

s of the peasants. He did not move from the bench; and he glance

had dinner yet?"

ugh it were ridiculous to him for his master t

ve eaten a little bread; that's our dinner. We couldn't get any vegetables to-da

ve a little grain yet, thanks to your kindness; it's lasted till now; but there's plenty of our peasants as ain't got any. Everywheres there's scarcity of onions. Only a day or two ago they sent to M

tire reality was in such perfect contrast to his own bringing-up, the turn of his mind, and the course of his life, that in spite of himself he kept forgetting the truth of it; and every time

e exclaimed, involuntari

ing worse and worse. And some of us have to work for the farm, and some detailed for the manor-lands. And here I am with no one to help me, and I'm getting old. I'd be glad enough to work, but I hain't no strength. And my old woman's ailing; and every year there's a new girl born, and I have

woman, as a sort of confirm

en, with a huge belly, who at this moment, timidly and quietly pushing the door open, came into the hut, and

age I shall be good for nothing; the rupture is getting the better of me. In wet weather it makes me fairly scream. I am getting to be an old man, and yet I have to take care of my land.[11] And here's Yermilof, Demkin

ou, truly. But how can I?" asked the young bár

his youngster. If only you'd be good enough to let him off from going to school. But just a day or two ago, the officer[13] came and said that your exc

! How he'll grow up, and learn about farming; yes, and he'll know his a-b-c's, and know how to read; and read in church. He'll be a great he

woman are doing the enforced labor, the boy, though he's so young, is a great help, driving the cattle and watering the horses. What

l, for now you are at home, and he has pl

deeply, and