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Easy as it was to mow the wet, soft grass, it was hard work going

up and down the steep sides of the ravine. But this did not

trouble the old man. Swinging his scythe just as ever, and moving

his feet in their big, plaited shoes with firm, little steps, he

climbed slowly up the steep place, and though his breeches

hanging out below his smock, and his whole frame trembled with

effort, he did not miss one blade of grass or one mushroom on his

way, and kept making jokes with the peasants and Levin. Levin

walked after him and often thought he must fall, as he climbed

with a scythe up a steep cliff where it would have been hard work

to clamber without anything. But he climbed up and did what he

had to do. He felt as though some external force were moving him.

Chapter 6