Chapter 12

           Wakingupatearliestdawn,Levintriedtowakehiscompanions.Vassenka,lyingonhisstomach,withoneleginastockingthrustout,wassleepingsosoundlythathecouldelicitnoresponse.Oblonsky,halfasleep,declinedtogetupsoearly.EvenLaska,whowasasleep,curledupinthehay,gotupunwillingly,andlazilystretchedoutandstraightenedherhindlegsoneaftertheother.Gettingonhisbootsandstockings,takinghisgun,andcarefullyopeningthecreakingdoorofthebarn,Levinwentoutintotheroad.Thecoachmenweresleepingintheircarriages,thehorsesweredozing.Onlyonewaslazilyeatingoats,dippingitsnoseintothemanger.Itwasstillgrayout-of-doors.

           “Whyareyouupsoearly,mydear?”theoldwoman,theirhostess,said,comingoutofthehutandaddressinghimaffectionatelyasanoldfriend.

           “Goingshooting,granny.DoIgothiswaytothemarsh?”

           “Straightoutattheback;byourthreshingfloor,mydear,andhemppatches;there’salittlefootpath.”Steppingcarefullywithhersunburnt,barefeet,theoldwomanconductedLevin,andmovedbackthefenceforhimbythethreshingfloor.

           “Straightonandyou’llcometothemarsh.Ourladsdrovethecattlethereyesterdayevening.”

           Laskaraneagerlyforwardalongthelittlepath.Levinfollowedherwithalight,rapidstep,continuallylookingatthesky.Hehopedthesunwouldnotbeupbeforehereachedthemarsh.Butthesundidnotdelay.Themoon,whichhadbeenbrightwhenhewentout,bynowshoneonlylikeacrescentofquicksilver.