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Over their tea Levin heard all about the old man's farming. Ten

years before, the old man had rented three hundred acres from the

lady who owned them, and a year ago he had bought them and rented

another three hundred from a neighboring landowner. A small part

of the land-the worst part-he let out for rent, while a hundred

acres of arable land he cultivated himself with his family and

two hired laborers. The old man complained that things were doing

badly. But Levin saw that he simply did so from a feeling of

propriety, and that his farm was in a flourishing condition. If

it had been unsuccessful he would not have bought land at

thirty-five roubles the acre, he would not have married his three

sons and a nephew, he would not have rebuilt twice after fires,

and each time on a larger scale.