Pagina 426 van 2288

Moreover, it was apparent also that the harrows and all the

agricultural implements, which he had directed to be looked over

and repaired in the winter, for which very purpose he had hired

three carpenters, had not been put into repair, and the harrows

were being repaired when they ought to have been harrowing the

field. Levin sent for his bailiff, but immediately went off

himself to look for him. The bailiff, beaming all over, like

everyone that day, in a sheepskin bordered with astrachan, came

out of the barn, twisting a bit of straw in his hands.

"Why isn't the carpenter at the thrashing machine?"

"Oh, I meant to tell you yesterday, the harrows want repairing.

Here it's time they got to work in the fields."

"But what were they doing in the winter, then?"

"But what did you want the carpenter for?"

"Where are the hurdles for the calves' paddock?"

"I ordered them to be got ready. What would you have with those

peasants!" said the bailiff, with a wave of his hand.