Pagina 387 de 788

Such influence the old man did not in the least seek for; on the

contrary, he wished to be rid of it, scolded his clients, and

usually pushed them out of the door of his house without opening

his lips; he rarely gave advice, and never to common men; only in

extremely important disputes or agreements, when asked, would he

utter an opinion-and then in few words. It was thought that he

would undertake to-day's affair and put himself in person at the

head of the expedition; for in his youth he had loved a combat

beyond measure, and he was an enemy of the Muscovite race.