Chapter 6

           SergeyIvanovitchhadnottelegraphedtohisbrothertosendtomeethim,ashedidnotknowwhenheshouldbeabletoleaveMoscow.LevinwasnotathomewhenKatavasovandSergeyIvanovitchinaflyhiredatthestationdroveuptothestepsofthePokrovskoehouse,asblackasMoorsfromthedustoftheroad.Kitty,sittingonthebalconywithherfatherandsister,recognizedherbrother-in-law,andrandowntomeethim.

           “Whatashamenottohaveletusknow,”shesaid,givingherhandtoSergeyIvanovitch,andputtingherforeheadupforhimtokiss.

           “Wedroveherecapitally,andhavenotputyouout,”answeredSergeyIvanovitch.“I’msodirty.I’mafraidtotouchyou.I’vebeensobusy,Ididn’tknowwhenIshouldbeabletotearmyselfaway.Andsoyou’restillaseverenjoyingyourpeaceful,quiethappiness,”hesaid,smiling,“outofthereachofthecurrentinyourpeacefulbackwater.Here’sourfriendFyodorVassilievitchwhohassucceededingettinghereatlast.”

           “ButI’mnotanegro,IshalllooklikeahumanbeingwhenIwash,”saidKatavasovinhisjestingfashion,andheshookhandsandsmiled,histeethflashingwhiteinhisblackface.

           “Kostyawillbedelighted.Hehasgonetohissettlement.It’stimeheshouldbehome.”

           “Busyaseverwithhisfarming.Itreallyisapeacefulbackwater,”saidKatavasov;“whileweintownthinkofnothingbuttheServianwar.Well,howdoesourfriendlookatit?He’ssurenottothinklikeotherpeople.