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The first row, as Levin noticed, Tit had mowed specially quickly,

probably wishing to put his master to the test, and the row

happened to be a long one. The next rows were easier, but still

Levin had to strain every nerve not to drop behind the peasants.

He thought of nothing, wished for nothing, but not to be left

behind the peasants, and to do his work as well as possible. He

heard nothing but the swish of scythes, and saw before him Tit's

upright figure mowing away, the crescent-shaped curve of the cut

grass, the grass and flower heads slowly and rhythmically falling

before the blade of his scythe, and ahead of him the end of the

row, where would come the rest.