Virgin Soil

remember, at the theatre." (The visitor paused, as though waiting for Nejdanov to make some remark, but the latter merely bowed slightly and blushed.) "I have come to see you about your advertisemen

v replied awkwardly.

t did not sit down, as every oneelse was standing. He merely

Mashurina exclaimed suddenly.

," Ostrodu

ve him a hearty shake of the hand, and left the room without bowing to anyone. Ostrodumov followed her, making an

hoping the latter would follow their example, but Paklin withdrew into a corner and settled down. A peculiarly su

erhaps have heard of me," the v

how Nejdanov had me

Just before dinner on that day, Nejdanov went down to the theatre to book a ticket, but found a large crowd already waiting there. He walked up to the desk with the intention of getting a ticket for the pit, when an officer, who happened

ng down a three-rouble note, all the ready money he possessed. He got his ticket,

g remarks, exclamations, greetings, occasionally even over Nejdanov's head. He sat there motionless and ill at ease in his spacious armchair, feeling like an outcast. Ostrovsky's play and Sadovsky's acting afforded him but little pleasure, and he felt bitter at heart. When suddenly, Oh wonder! During one of the intervals, his neighbour on the left, not the glittering general, but the other with no marks of distinction on his breast, addressed him politely and kindly, but somewhat timidly. He asked him what he thought of Ostrovsky's play, wanted to know his opinion of it as a representative of the new generation. Nejdanov, overwhel

ters of everyday life, about science, and even touched upon political questions. He was decidedly interested in his eloquent young companion. Nejdanov did not feel in the least constr

not ask his name, neither did he tell him his own. While waiting for hi

remarked, through a perfumed moustache.

rather clever c

of thing, that was why he called him Nejdanov. [The unexpected.] But he looked after him all right. Il lui a fait un sort. We make him an allowance to live on. He is not stupid. Had quite a good e

nce sep

Nejdanov's advertisement in

pend the summer and autumn in the country, in the province of S., about five miles from the town of that name. I should like you to come to us for the vacation to teach my boy Russian history and grammar. I think those were the subjects you mentioned in your advertisement. I think you will get on with us all right, a

e Roman nose, pleasant eyes, straight lips, out of which his words flowed graciously; he gazed at his drooping whiskers, kept in the English fashion, gazed and w

rner where Paklin sat, also watching him. "Perhaps the presence of a third person prevents him from saying what he would like," flashed across Sipiagin's mind

nov s

y I must confess . . . I am rather surprised . . . having no recommendations . . .

known for my liberal and progressive opinions. On the contrary, what you said the other evening, with the exception perhaps of any youthful characteri

ightest hesitation, his words

the day after our meeting - and by the way, you announced your name and address contrary to the usual custom - I was rather struck by the coincidence, having already heard it at the theatre. It seemed to me lik

is one thing I should like to mention. I could undertake to teach your boy, but am not prepar

wave of the hand, as

y. I only wanted a tutor, and I have found one. Well, no

d not know

s of his fingers, "that decent people can settle such things in two words. I wi

nov b

n I wanted to ask

yful, began to show itself in all his gestures. " We shall set out in a day or two," he went on, in an easy tone. "There is nothing I love better than meeting spring in the country, although I am a busy, prosaic sort of person, tied to town . . . I want you to coun

cketbook out of his overcoat

lock. We can talk things over further. I should like to tell you

nd bending his head a little to one side, "if you are in need of money, pl

the same puzzled expression, at the kind, bright face, whic

d of any?" Sipiagin

orrow, if I may," Ne

orrow." Sipiagin dropped Nejda

ed suddenly, "who told you my name? Y

known to you. A relative o

ide-de

es

rd this time, then bowing first to him and then to Paklin, put on his hat at the door, and went out with a self