Yama (The Pit)

den fields of wheat and beautiful groves of oak, careering with rumbling upo

, sociable and talkative. He was travelling with a young woman, and it was at once apparent, especially through her, that they were newly-weds; so often did her face flare up with an unexpected colour at every tenderness of her husband, even the least. And when she raised her eyelashes to look upon hi

universe: "See, how happy we are-this makes you happy also, isn't that so?"-he would now pass his hand over her leg, which resiliently and in relief stood out beneath her dress, now pinch her on the cheek, now tickle her neck with his stiff, black, turned-up moustache ... But, ev

h (the young man had already managed to inform his neighbours that he was called Simon Yakovlevich Horizon) tired and irritated the passengers a trifle, just like the buzzing of a fly, that on a sultry summer day rhythmically beats against a window pane of a closed, stuffy room. But still, he knew how to raise their spirits: he showed tricks of magic; told Hebrew anecdotes, full of a fine humour of thei

a handkerchief, waved upon him with a fan, adjusted his cravat every minute. And

general, coughing politely, "allow me to ask,

stand yourselves, gentlemen. A honeymoon-don't turn red, Sarochka-it don't repeat itself three times in a year. But afterwards I'll have to travel and work a great deal. Here we'll come with Sarochka to town, will pay the visits to her relati

cardboard folding books, and with the dexterity of a tailor began to unfold the

ricot, or here, cangan and cheviot. Compare, feel it, and you'll be convinced that the Russian samples almost don't give in to the foreig

HATEAU DES FLEURS, enjoy ourselves a little, stroll a bit, and then to the Volga

ney," said the sub-

elephant to convince him, and argue until he feels the clearness and justice of your words. Because I take only absolutely clean lines exclusively, of which there can be no doubts. A fake or a bad line I will not take, although they should offer me millions for it. Ask wherever you like, in any store which deals in cloths or suspenders GLOIRE-I'm also a representative from

imney sweep and can't do business himself and spoils business for you too. Here you go to all sorts of tricks: let him drink till he's drunk or let him go off somewhere on a false track. Not an easy trade! Besides that, I have one more line-that's false eyes and teeth. But it ain't a profitable line. I want to drop it. And besides I'm thinking of leaving all this business. I understand, it's all right for a young man, in the bloom of his powers, to flutter around like a moth, bu

of course, of course," condesc

at it are in my hands a whole capital already. But it must be said that there are some savings by me, too. The firms I know will giv

way the sheenies make it!"

, will honour me with your esteemed orders? When you see the sign, 'Horizon and Son,' then straight off recollect t

y!" said th

vlevich at onc

a better specialist than me, and such a cheap one at that. I can be of service to you, should the need arise," and he e

nto a side pocket and

Yakovlevich read out loud. "Very, very

s brought us together! Why, I'm just journeying to K--about the sale of a certain forest country house. Suppose y

ly, with the very tips of his fingers, patted Vengjenovski's kneecap carefully. "You just rest assured;

he smooth-faced sub-lieutenant were standi

--, mister sub-lieute

e! Our regiment is stationed at Cher

ou come to get into

o. There was no other vac

a hole! The worst littl

but it just

ung officer gent is going to K

to Moscow, really. I have received a two months' leave, but it would be i

leys, theatres! And if you only knew what cabarets! You'll lick your own fingers. Positively, positively, I advise you, young man, to pay a

took his eyes away, and ask

that. Is it possible that

eve me, there are no han

how's

w. How I envy you, young man, that you're free and alone. In my time I sure would have shown myself! And what's most remarkable of all,

he sub-lieutena

e wide world-never, nowhere, will you meet with such exquisite ways of making love as in this town. That's something especial

ly spoke the sub-lieutenant,

ble to sin ... It's different now, of course. I've had myself written in with the invalids. But from the former days a remarkable

rom his pocket a long, narrow little box of morocco, in the style of those i

look. Only, I beg of

l possible aspects was depicted in the most beastly ways, in the most impossible positions, the external side of love which at time

now? Why, this is genuine

n he was giving back the little box, his hand was shaking, his temples and forehead were

sed to say in the olden times, have burned my ships ... I have burned all that I used to adore before. For a long time already I've been look

-that is ... Why

very easily find me there either very early in the morning, or about eight o'clock in the evening. I know an awful lot of the finest little ladies. So I'll introduce you. And, you understand, not for money. Oh, no. It's just simply nice and gay for them to pass the time with a young, healthy, handsome man of your sort. There's absolutely no money of any kind necessary. And for that matter-they themselves will willingly pay for wine, for a bottle of champagne! So remember then; The Hermitage, Horizon. And if

in addition, and to shake the hand of the sub-lieutenant, who did not dare to lift up his eyes to him; and,

three years, with whom he had for some time been flirting at a distance and making all sorts of funny grimaces at. He

ma? Bought a ticket all by herthelf and travelth alone! AI! What a howwid girl! And where ith the girl'

What a despicable thing

p on his feet an

nd swell child! A regular cupid! You must understand, madam, I am a father mys

hand and went with her into the COUPE, leaving Horizon shu

were sitting three handsome women, in the society of a black-bearded, taciturn, morose man. Horizon and he would exchange strange phrases in some special jargon.

ou said about the place? ... You und

Bank. Listen, Lazer," he turned to him of the beard. "There will be a station right away. Buy the gi

uttered a little blonde, with hair like ri

ee that they bring you bouillon with meat and even stuffed dumpli

ous, awesome, black eyebrows. She spoke in a bass, while her fat chins, breasts, and stomachs swayed under a broad morning dress in time

eer. Frequently the male public of the car provoked them, and they swore back in uncerem

of them-this strange mixture of Roumanians, Jewesses, Poles and Russians-and having assured himself that all was in order, gave orders about the sandwiches and majestically withdrew. At these moments he very much resembled a drover, w

buffet only to see about his lady clien

ff they'll feed you sometimes at these stations. You'll pay some three or four roubles, and then you'll spend a hundred roubles on the doctors curing you

on, would turn red, beam upon hi

Senya, only I don't

nack, without hurrying, with appetite; regale his wife, who ate very genteelly, sticking out the little fingers of her magnific

ning to sparkle with fires of gold. Through the COUPE passed the conductor and made some

uctor, "so you'll please be so kind as to stand for a while

U!" concur

y as agreed,

s coming to

half the extra charge, t

ghty kopecks? You think you got it a crazy one in me,

s is even absurd-did

pudence! I'll tell the inspector yet that you carry people without tick

s suddenly widened,

ar. "I ought to take a skunk like

once flew at

l go right away and will yell 'help!' and will turn the signal handle," and he seized the door-knob wi

ith my money, yo

d his wife ou

r a look; one can see better there. Well,

nd the new dress, in all probability put on for the first time,

c mirage. Curly woods and coppices had run down from above and had pushed on over the very ravine. And the sheer, white precipice which bathed its foot in the blue river, was all furro

, and told his wife to follow him. But he himself lingered at the exit in order to let through

man! Hotel America, Iva

black-bearded

come for a talk. But if some one will be calling for me extra, then you know my address-The Hermitage. Ring me up. But if I'm not there for s