Chapter 9

           Onthedrivehome,asDaryaAlexandrovna,withallherchildrenroundher,theirheadsstillwetfromtheirbath,andakerchieftiedoverherownhead,wasgettingnearthehouse,thecoachmansaid,“There’ssomegentlemancoming:themasterofPokrovskoe,Idobelieve.”

           DaryaAlexandrovnapeepedoutinfront,andwasdelightedwhensherecognizedinthegrayhatandgraycoatthefamiliarfigureofLevinwalkingtomeetthem.Shewasgladtoseehimatanytime,butatthismomentshewasspeciallygladheshouldseeherinallherglory.NoonewasbetterabletoappreciatehergrandeurthanLevin.

           Seeingher,hefoundhimselffacetofacewithoneofthepicturesofhisdaydreamoffamilylife.

           “You’relikeahenwithyourchickens,DaryaAlexandrovna.”

           “Ah,howgladIamtoseeyou!”shesaid,holdingoutherhandtohim.

           “Gladtoseeme,butyoudidn’tletmeknow.Mybrother’sstayingwithme.IgotanotefromStivathatyouwerehere.”

           “FromStiva?”DaryaAlexandrovnaaskedwithsurprise.

           “Yes;hewritesthatyouarehere,andthathethinksyoumightallowmetobeofusetoyou,”saidLevin,andashesaidithebecamesuddenlyembarrassed,and,stoppingabruptly,hewalkedoninsilencebythewagonette,snappingoffthebudsofthelimetreesandnibblingthem.HewasembarrassedthroughasensethatDaryaAlexandrovnawouldbeannoyedbyreceivingfromanoutsiderhelpthatshouldbyrightshavecomefromherownhusband.DaryaAlexandrovnacertainlydidnotlikethislittlewayofStepanArkadyevitch’soffoistinghisdomesticdutiesonothers.