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"Would you like the samovar?" she asked.

"Yes, please."

The parlor was a big room, with a Dutch stove, and a screen

dividing it into two. Under the holy pictures stood a table

painted in patterns, a bench, and two chairs. Near the entrance

was a dresser full of crockery. The shutters were closed, there

were few flies, and it was so clean that Levin was anxious that

Laska, who had been running along the road and bathing in

puddles, should not muddy the floor, and ordered her to a place

in the corner by the door. After looking round the parlor, Levin

went out in the back yard. The good-looking young woman in clogs,

swinging the empty pails on the yoke, ran on before him to the

well for water.