Война и мир

Chapter 7

           

           Aftersupper,overtheircherrybrandy,Rostóvand“Uncle”talkedofpastandfuturehunts,ofRugáyandIlágin’sdogs,whileNatáshasatuprightonthesofaandlistenedwithsparklingeyes.ShetriedseveraltimestowakePétyathathemighteatsomething,butheonlymutteredincoherentwordswithoutwakingup.Natáshafeltsolightheartedandhappyinthesenovelsurroundingsthatsheonlyfearedthetrapwouldcomeforhertoosoon.Afteracasualpause,suchasoftenoccurswhenreceivingfriendsforthefirsttimeinone’sownhouse,“Uncle,”answeringathoughtthatwasinhisvisitors’minds,said:

           “This,yousee,ishowIamfinishingmydays...Deathwillcome.That’sit,comeon!Nothingwillremain.Thenwhyharmanyone?”

           “Uncle’s”facewasverysignificantandevenhandsomeashesaidthis.InvoluntarilyRostóvrecalledallthegoodhehadheardabouthimfromhisfatherandtheneighbors.Throughoutthewholeprovince“Uncle”hadthereputationofbeingthemosthonorableanddisinterestedofcranks.Theycalledhimintodecidefamilydisputes,chosehimasexecutor,confidedsecretstohim,electedhimtobeajusticeandtootherposts;buthealwayspersistentlyrefusedpublicappointments,passingtheautumnandspringinthefieldsonhisbaygelding,sittingathomeinwinter,andlyinginhisovergrowngardeninsummer.

           “Whydon’tyouentertheservice,Uncle?”

           “Ididonce,butgaveitup.Iamnotfitforit.That’sit,comeon!Ican’tmakeheadortailofit.That’sforyou—Ihaven’tbrainsenough.

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