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In the discussions that arose between the brothers on their views

of the peasantry, Sergey Ivanovitch always got the better of his

brother, precisely because Sergey Ivanovitch had definite ideas

about the peasant-his character, his qualities, and his tastes.

Konstantin Levin had no definite and unalterable idea on the

subject, and so in their arguments Konstantin was readily

convicted of contradicting himself.

In Sergey Ivanovitch's eyes his younger brother was a capital

fellow, with his heart in the right place (as he expressed it in

French), but with a mind which, though fairly quick, was too much

influenced by the impressions of the moment, and consequently

filled with contradictions. With all the condescension of an

elder brother he sometimes explained to him the true import of

things, but he derived little satisfaction from arguing with him

because he got the better of him too easily.