Chapter 25

           IntheSurovskydistricttherewasnorailwaynorserviceofposthorses,andLevindrovetherewithhisownhorsesinhisbig,old-fashionedcarriage.

           Hestoppedhalfwayatawell-to-dopeasant’stofeedhishorses.Abald,well-preservedoldman,withabroad,redbeard,grayonhischeeks,openedthegate,squeezingagainstthegateposttoletthethreehorsespass.Directingthecoachmantoaplaceundertheshedinthebig,clean,tidyyard,withcharred,old-fashionedploughsinit,theoldmanaskedLevintocomeintotheparlor.Acleanlydressedyoungwoman,withclogsonherbarefeet,wasscrubbingthefloorinthenewouterroom.Shewasfrightenedofthedog,thatraninafterLevin,andutteredashriek,butbeganlaughingatherownfrightatoncewhenshewastoldthedogwouldnothurther.PointingLevinwithherbarearmtothedoorintotheparlor,shebentdownagain,hidingherhandsomeface,andwentonscrubbing.

           “Wouldyoulikethesamovar?”sheasked.

           “Yes,please.”

           Theparlorwasabigroom,withaDutchstove,andascreendividingitintotwo.Undertheholypicturesstoodatablepaintedinpatterns,abench,andtwochairs.Neartheentrancewasadresserfullofcrockery.Theshutterswereclosed,therewerefewflies,anditwassocleanthatLevinwasanxiousthatLaska,whohadbeenrunningalongtheroadandbathinginpuddles,shouldnotmuddythefloor,andorderedhertoaplaceinthecornerbythedoor.Afterlookingroundtheparlor,Levinwentoutinthebackyard.