,AFT] ! ,DANCE 

#aiaa 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TEXT 3 

0--,& Y\ SAY ?AT A MAN CANNOT1 ( HIMSELF1 UND]/& :AT IS GOOD 
& EVIL2 ?AT IT IS ALL 5VIRONM5T1 ?AT ! 5VIRONM5T SWAMPS ! MAN4 
,BUT ,I BELIEVE IT IS ALL *ANCE4 ,TAKE MY [N CASE 4 4 40 

,?US SPOKE \R EXCELL5T FRI5D1 ,IVAN ,VASILIEVI*1 AFT] A 
CONV]SATION BETWE5 US ON ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( IMPROV+ 9DIVIDUAL 
*>ACT] )\T A *ANGE ( ! CONDITIONS UND] :I* M5 LIVE4 
,NOBODY HAD ACTUALLY SAID ?AT ONE C\LD NOT ( ONESELF UND]/& 
GOOD & EVIL2 BUT IT WAS A HABIT ( ,IVAN ,VASILIEVI* TO ANSW] 
9 ?IS WAY ! ?\<TS >\S$ 9 HIS [N M9D BY CONV]SATION1 
& TO ILLU/RATE ?OSE ?\<TS BY RELAT+ 9CID5TS 9 HIS [N LIFE4 
,HE (T5 QUITE =GOT ! REASON = HIS /ORY 9 TELL+ IT2 
BUT HE ALWAYS TOLD IT ) GREAT S9C]ITY & FEEL+4 

,HE DID SO N[4 

0,TAKE MY [N CASE4 ,MY :OLE LIFE WAS MOLD$1 NOT BY 5VIRONM5T1 
BUT BY SOME?+ QUITE DIFF]5T40 

0,BY :AT1 !N80 WE ASK$4 

0,OH1 ?AT IS A LONG /ORY4 ,I %\LD HAVE TO TELL Y\ AB\T 
A GREAT MANY ?+S TO MAKE Y\ UND]/&40 

0,WELL1 TELL US !N40 

,IVAN ,VASILIEVI* ?\<T A LITTLE1 & %OOK HIS HEAD4 

0,MY :OLE LIFE10 HE SAID1 0WAS *ANG$ 9 ONE NI<T1 OR1 RA!R1 MORN+40 

0,:Y1 :AT HAPP5$80 ONE ( US ASK$4 

0,:AT HAPP5$ WAS ?AT ,I WAS V]Y MU* 9 LOVE4 ,I HAVE BE5 
9 LOVE MANY TIMES1 BUT ?IS WAS ! MO/ S]I\S ( ALL4 
,IT IS A ?+ ( ! PA/2 %E HAS M>RI$ DAU<T]S N[4 
,IT WAS ,V>9KA ,B----40 ,IVAN ,VASILIEVI* M5TION$ H] SURNAME4 
0,EV5 AT FIFTY %E IS REM>KABLY H&SOME2 BUT 9 H] Y\?1 
AT EI<TE51 %E WAS EXQUISITE--TALL1 SL5D]1 GRACEFUL1 
& /ATELY4 ,YES1 /ATELY IS ! WORD2 %E HELD H]SELF 
V]Y ]ECT1 BY 9/9CT AS IT W]E2 & C>RI$ H] HEAD HI<1 
& ?AT TOGE!R ) H] BEAUTY & HEI<T GAVE H] A 
QUE5LY AIR 9 SPITE ( BE+ ?91 EV5 BONY ONE MI<T SAY4 
,IT MI<T 9DE$ HAVE BE5 DET]R+ HAD IT NOT BE5 = H] SMILE1 
:I* WAS ALWAYS GAY & CORDIAL1 & = ! *>M+ LI<T 
9 H] EYES & = H] Y\?FUL SWEETNESS40 

0,:AT AN 5TRANC+ DESCRIPTION Y\ GIVE1 ,IVAN ,VASILIEVI*60 

0,DESCRIPTION1 9DE$6 ,I C\LD NOT POSSIBLY DESCRIBE H] 
SO ?AT Y\ C\LD APPRECIATE H]4 ,BUT ?AT DOES NOT MATT]2 
:AT ,I AM GO+ TO TELL Y\ HAPP5$ 9 ! =TIES4 
,I WAS AT ?AT TIME A /UD5T 9 A PROV9CIAL UNIV]SITY4 
,I DON'T KN[ :E!R IT WAS A GOOD ?+ OR NO1 BUT WE HAD 
NO POLITICAL CLUBS1 NO !ORIES 9 \R UNIV]SITIES !N4 
,WE W]E SIMPLY Y\NG & SP5T \R TIME AS Y\NG M5 DO1 
/UDY+ & AMUS+ \RSELVES4 ,I WAS A V]Y GAY1 
LIVELY1 C>ELESS FELL[1 & HAD PL5TY ( MONEY TOO4 
,I HAD A F9E HORSE1 & US$ TO GO TOBOGGAN+ ) 
! Y\NG LADIES4 ,SKAT+ HAD NOT YET COME 9TO FA%ION4 
,I W5T TO DR9K+ P>TIES ) MY COMRADES--9 ?OSE DAYS 
WE DRANK NO?+ BUT *AMPAGNE--IF WE HAD NO *AMPAGNE WE 
DRANK NO?+ AT ALL4 ,WE NEV] DRANK VODKA1 AS !Y DO N[4 
,EV5+ P>TIES & BALLS W]E MY FAVORITE AMUSEM5TS4 
,I DANC$ WELL1 & WAS NOT AN UGLY FELL[40 

0,COME1 !RE IS NO NE$ TO BE MODE/10 9T]RUPT$ A LADY NE> HIM4 
0,WE HAVE SE5 Y\R PHOTOGRAPH4 ,NOT UGLY1 9DE$6 ,Y\ W]E 
A H&SOME FELL[40 

0,H&SOME1 IF Y\ LIKE4 ,?AT DOES NOT MATT]4 ,:5 MY LOVE 
= H] WAS AT ITS /RONGE/1 ON ! LA/ DAY ( ! C>NIVAL1 
,I WAS AT A BALL AT ! PROV9CIAL M>%AL'S1 A GOOD-NATUR$ OLD MAN1 
RI* & HOSPITABLE1 & A C\RT *AMB]LA94 ,! GUE/S 
W]E WELCOM$ BY HIS WIFE1 :O WAS AS GOOD-NATUR$ AS HIMSELF4 
,%E WAS DRESS$ 9 PUCE-COLOR$ VELVET1 & HAD A DIAMOND 
DIADEM ON H] =EHEAD1 & H] PLUMP1 OLD :ITE %\LD]S 
& BOSOM W]E B>E LIKE ! PORTRAITS ( ,EMPRESS ,ELIZABE?1 
! DAU<T] ( ,PET] ! ,GREAT4 

0,IT WAS A DELI<TFUL BALL4 ,IT WAS A SPL5DID ROOM1 
) A GALL]Y = ! OR*E/RA1 :I* WAS FAM\S AT ! TIME1 
& CONSI/$ ( S]FS BELONG+ TO A MUSICAL L&[N]4 
,! REFRE%M5TS W]E MAGNIFIC5T1 & ! *AMPAGNE FL[$ 
9 RIV]S4 ,?\< ,I WAS FOND ( *AMPAGNE ,I DID NOT DR9K 
?AT NI<T1 BECAUSE )\T IT ,I WAS DRUNK ) LOVE4 
,BUT ,I MADE UP = IT BY DANC+ WALTZES & POLKAS TILL ,I WAS 
READY TO DROP--( C\RSE1 :5EV] POSSIBLE1 ) ,V>9KA4 
,%E WORE A :ITE DRESS ) A P9K SA%1 :ITE %OES1 & :ITE 
KID GLOVES1 :I* DID NOT QUITE REA* TO H] ?9 PO9T$ ELB[S4 
,A DISGU/+ 5G9E] NAM$ ,ANISIMOV ROBB$ ME ( ! MAZURKA 
) H]--TO ?IS DAY ,I CANNOT =GIVE HIM4 ,HE ASK$ H] 
= ! DANCE ! M9UTE %E >RIV$1 :ILE ,I HAD DRIV5 
TO ! HAIR-DRESS]'S TO GET A PAIR ( GLOVES1 & WAS LATE4 
,SO ,I DID NOT DANCE ! MAZURKA ) H]1 BUT ) A ,G]MAN 
GIRL TO :OM ,I HAD PREVI\SLY PAID A LITTLE ATT5TION2 BUT ,I 
AM AFRAID ,I DID NOT BEHAVE V]Y POLITELY TO H] ?AT EV5+4 
,I H>DLY SPOKE OR LOOK$ AT H]1 & SAW NO?+ BUT ! TALL1 
SL5D] FIGURE 9 A :ITE DRESS1 ) A P9K SA%1 
A FLU%$1 BEAM+1 DIMPL$ FACE1 & SWEET1 K9D EYES4 
,I WAS NOT ALONE2 !Y W]E ALL LOOK+ AT H] ) ADMIRATION1 
! M5 & WOM5 ALIKE1 AL?\< %E \T%ONE ALL ( !M4 
,!Y C\LD NOT HELP ADMIR+ H]4 

0,AL?\< ,I WAS NOT NOM9ALLY H] P>TN] = ! MAZURKA1 
,I DID AS A MATT] ( FACT DANCE NE>LY ! :OLE TIME ) H]4 
,%E ALWAYS CAME =W>D BOLDLY ! :OLE L5G? ( ! ROOM 
TO PICK ME \T4 ,I FLEW TO MEET H] )\T WAIT+ TO 
BE *OS51 & %E ?ANK$ ME ) A SMILE = MY 9TUITION4 
,:5 ,I WAS BR\<T UP TO H] ) SOMEBODY ELSE1 & %E 
GUESS$ WRONGLY1 %E TOOK ! O!R MAN'S H& ) A %RUG 
( H] SLIM %\LD]S1 & SMIL$ AT ME REGRETFULLY4 

0,:5EV] !RE WAS A WALTZ FIGURE 9 ! MAZURKA1 ,I WALTZ$ 
) H] = A LONG TIME1 & BREA?+ FA/ & SMIL+1 
%E W\LD SAY1 ',5CORE'2 & ,I W5T ON WALTZ+ & WALTZ+1 
AS ?\< UNCONSCI\S ( ANY BODILY EXI/5CE40 

0,COME N[1 H[ C\LD Y\ BE UNCONSCI\S ( IT ) Y\R >M R\ND H] WAI/8 
,Y\ MU/ HAVE BE5 CONSCI\S1 NOT ONLY ( Y\R [N EXI/5CE1 BUT ( H]S10 
SAID ONE ( ! P>TY4 

,IVAN ,VASILIEVI* CRI$ \T1 ALMO/ %\T+ 9 ANG]3 
0,!RE Y\ >E1 MOD]NS ALL OV]6 ,N[ADAYS Y\ ?9K 
( NO?+ BUT ! BODY4 ,IT WAS DIFF]5T 9 \R DAY4 
,! MORE ,I WAS 9 LOVE ! LESS CORPOREAL WAS %E 9 MY EYES4 
,N[ADAYS Y\ ?9K ( NO?+ BUT ! BODY4 ,IT WAS DIFF]5T 
9 \R DAY4 ,! MORE ,I WAS 9 LOVE ! LESS CORPOREAL WAS 
%E 9 MY EYES4 ,N[ADAYS Y\ SET LEGS1 ANKLES1 & ,I DON'T 
KN[ :AT4 ,Y\ UNDRESS ! WOM5 Y\ >E 9 LOVE )4 
,9 MY EYES1 AS ,ALPHONSE ,K>R SAID--& HE WAS A GOOD WRIT]--' 
! ONE ,I LOV$ WAS ALWAYS DRAP$ 9 ROBES ( BRONZE4' 
,WE NEV] ?\<T ( DO+ SO2 WE TRI$ TO VEIL H] NAK$NESS1 
LIKE ,NOAH'S GOOD-NATUR$ SON4 ,OH1 WELL1 Y\ CAN'T UND]/&40 

0,DON'T PAY ANY ATT5TION TO HIM4 ,GO ON10 SAID ONE ( !M4 

0,WELL1 ,I DANC$ = ! MO/ P>T ) H]1 & DID NOT NOTICE 
H[ TIME WAS PASS+4 ,! MUSICIANS KEPT PLAY+ ! SAME MAZURKA 
TUNES OV] & OV] AGA9 9 DESP]ATE EXHAU/ION--Y\ KN[ :AT IT 
IS T[>DS ! 5D ( A BALL4 ,PAPAS & MAMAS W]E ALREADY GETT+ 
UP FROM ! C>D-TABLES 9 ! DRAW+-ROOM 9 EXPECTATION ( SUPP]1 
! M5-S]VANTS W]E RUNN+ TO & FRO BR++ 9 ?+S4 
,IT WAS NE>LY ?REE O'CLOCK4 ,I HAD TO MAKE ! MO/ ( ! LA/ M9UTES4 
,I *OSE H] AGA9 = ! MAZURKA1 & = ! HUNDR$? TIME WE 
DANC$ ACROSS ! ROOM4 

0',! QUADRILLE AFT] SUPP] IS M9E1' ,I SAID1 TAK+ H] TO H] PLACE4 

0',( C\RSE1 IF ,I AM NOT C>RI$ (F HOME1' %E SAID1 ) A SMILE4 

0',I WON'T GIVE Y\ UP1' ,I SAID4 

0',GIVE ME MY FAN1 ANYH[1' %E ANSW]$4 

0',I AM SO SORRY TO P>T ) IT1' ,I SAID1 H&+ H] A *EAP :ITE FAN4 

0',WELL1 H]E'S SOME?+ TO CONSOLE Y\1' %E SAID1 PLUCK+ A FEA!R 
\T ( ! FAN1 & GIV+ IT TO ME4 

0,I TOOK ! FEA!R1 & C\LD ONLY EXPRESS MY RAPTURE & GRATITUDE ) 
MY EYES4 ,I WAS NOT ONLY PLEAS$ & GAY1 ,I WAS HAPPY1 DELI<T$2 ,I WAS GOOD1 
,I WAS NOT MYSELF BUT SOME BE+ NOT ( ?IS E>?1 KN[+ NO?+ ( EVIL4 
,I HID ! FEA!R 9 MY GLOVE1 & /OOD !RE UNABLE TO TE> MYSELF 
AWAY FROM H]4 

0',LOOK1 !Y >E URG+ FA!R TO DANCE1' %E SAID TO ME1 
PO9T+ TO ! TALL1 /ATELY FIGURE ( H] FA!R1 A COLONEL 
) SILV] EPAULETS1 :O WAS /&+ 9 ! DOORWAY 
) SOME LADIES4 

0',V>9KA1 COME H]E6' EXCLAIM$ \R HO/ESS1 ! LADY ) 
! DIAMOND F]RONNI]E & ) %\LD]S LIKE ,ELIZABE?1 
9 A L\D VOICE4 

0',V>9KA W5T TO ! DOOR1 & ,I FOLL[$ H]4 

0',P]SUADE Y\R FA!R TO DANCE ! MAZURKA ) Y\1 
MA *]E4--,DO1 PLEASE1 ,PET] ,VALDISLAVOVI*1' %E SAID1 
TURN+ TO ! COLONEL4 

0,V>9KA'S FA!R WAS A V]Y H&SOME1 WELL-PRES]V$ OLD MAN4 
,HE HAD A GOOD COLOR1 MU/A*ES CURL$ 9 ! /YLE ( 
,NICOLAS ,I41 & :ITE :ISK]S :I* MET ! MU/A*ES4 
,HIS HAIR WAS COMB$ ON TO HIS =EHEAD1 & A BRI<T SMILE1 
LIKE HIS DAU<T]'S1 WAS ON HIS LIPS & 9 HIS EYES4 
,HE WAS SPL5DIDLY SET UP1 ) A BROAD MILIT>Y *E/1 
ON :I* HE WORE SOME DECORATIONS1 & HE HAD P[]FUL %\LD]S 
& LONG SLIM LEGS4 ,HE WAS ?AT ULTRA-MILIT>Y TYPE PRODUC$ 
BY ! DISCIPL9E ( ,EMP]OR ,NICOLAS ,I4 

0,:5 WE APPROA*$ ! DOOR ! COLONEL WAS JU/ REFUS+ TO DANCE1 
SAY+ ?AT HE HAD QUITE =GOTT5 H[2 BUT AT ?AT 9/ANT HE SMIL$1 
SWUNG HIS >M GRACEFULLY >\ND TO ! LEFT1 DREW HIS SWORD FROM ITS %EA?1 
H&$ IT TO AN OBLIG+ Y\NG MAN :O /OOD NE>1 & SMOO!D HIS SU$E 
GLOVE ON HIS RI<T H&4 

0',EV]Y?+ MU/ BE DONE ACCORD+ TO RULE1' HE SAID ) A SMILE4 
,HE TOOK ! H& ( HIS DAU<T]1 & /OOD ONE-QU>T] TURN$1 
WAIT+ = ! MUSIC4 

0,AT ! FIR/ S\ND ( ! MAZURKA1 HE /AMP$ ONE FOOT SM>TLY1 
?REW ! O!R =W>D1 &1 AT FIR/ SL[LY & SMOO?LY1 
!N BUOYANTLY & IMPETU\SLY1 ) /AMP+ ( FEET & CLICK+ 
( BOOTS1 HIS TALL1 IMPOS+ FIGURE MOV$ ! L5G? ( ! ROOM4 
,V>9KA SWAY$ GRACEFULLY BESIDE HIM1 RHY?MICALLY & EASILY1 
MAK+ H] /EPS %ORT OR LONG1 ) H] LITTLE FEET 9 !IR 
:ITE SAT9 SLIPP]S4 

0,ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ! ROOM FOLL[$ EV]Y MOVEM5T ( ! C\PLE4 
,AS = ME ,I NOT ONLY ADMIR$1 ,I REG>D$ !M ) 5RAPTUR$ SYMPA?Y4 
,I WAS P>TICUL>LY IMPRESS$ ) ! OLD G5TLEMAN'S BOOTS4 
,!Y W]E NOT ! MOD]N PO9T$ AFFAIRS1 BUT W]E MADE ( *EAP LEA!R1 
SQU>$-TO$1 & EVID5TLY BUILT BY ! REGIM5TAL COBBL]4 
,9 ORD] ?AT HIS DAU<T] MI<T DRESS & GO \T 9 SOCIETY1 
HE DID NOT BUY FA%IONABLE BOOTS1 BUT WORE HOME-MADE ONES1 ,I ?\<T1 
& HIS SQU>E TOES SEEM$ TO ME MO/ T\*+4 ,IT WAS OBVI\S 
?AT 9 HIS TIME HE HAD BE5 A GOOD DANC]2 BUT N[ HE WAS TOO HEAVY1 
& HIS LEGS HAD NOT SPR+ 5\< = ALL ! BEAUTIFUL /EPS 
HE TRI$ TO TAKE4 ,/ILL1 HE CONTRIV$ TO GO TWICE R\ND ! ROOM4 
,:5 AT ! 5D1 /&+ ) LEGS AP>T1 HE SUDD5LY CLICK$ 
HIS FEET TOGE!R & FELL ON ONE KNEE1 A BIT HEAVILY1 & %E 
DANC$ GRACEFULLY >\ND HIM1 SMIL+ & ADJU/+ H] SKIRT1 
! :OLE ROOM APPLAUD$4 

0,RIS+ ) AN EF=T1 HE T5D]LY TOOK HIS DAU<T]'S FACE BETWE5 
HIS H&S4 ,HE KISS$ H] ON ! =EHEAD1 & BR\<T H] TO ME1 
UND] ! IMPRESSION ?AT ,I WAS H] P>TN] = ! MAZURKA4 
,I SAID ,I WAS NOT4 ',WELL1 NEV] M9D4 JU/ GO >\ND ! ROOM 
ONCE ) H]1' HE SAID1 SMIL+ K9DLY1 AS HE REPLAC$ HIS SWORD 
9 ! %EA?4 

0,AS ! CONT5TS ( A BOTTLE FL[ READILY :5 ! FIR/ DROP HAS 
BE5 P\R$1 SO MY LOVE = ,V>9KA SEEM$ TO SET FREE ! :OLE =CE 
( LOV+ )9 ME4 ,9 SURR\ND+ H] IT EMBRAC$ ! WORLD4 
,I LOV$ ! HO/ESS ) H] DIADEM & H] %\LD]S LIKE ,ELIZABE?1 
& H] HUSB& & H] GUE/S & H] FOOTM51 & EV5 ! 5G9E] 
,ANISIMOV :O FELT PEEVI% T[>DS ME4 ,AS = ,V>9KA'S FA!R1 
) HIS HOME-MADE BOOTS & HIS K9D SMILE1 SO LIKE H] [N1 
,I FELT A SORT ( T5D]NESS = HIM ?AT WAS ALMO/ RAPTURE4 

0,AFT] SUPP] ,I DANC$ ! PROMIS$ QUADRILLE ) H]1 
& ?\< ,I HAD BE5 9F9ITELY HAPPY BE=E1 ,I GREW /ILL 
HAPPI] EV]Y MOM5T4 

0,WE DID NOT SPEAK ( LOVE4 ,I NEI!R ASK$ MYSELF NOR H] :E!R 
%E LOV$ ME4 ,IT WAS QUITE 5\< TO KN[ ?AT ,I LOV$ H]4 
,& ,I HAD ONLY ONE FE>--?AT SOME?+ MI<T COME TO 9T]F]E 
) MY GREAT JOY4 

0,:5 ,I W5T HOME1 & BEGAN TO UNDRESS = ! NI<T1 
,I F\ND IT QUITE \T ( ! QUE/ION4 HELD ! LITTLE FEA!R 
\T ( H] FAN 9 MY H&1 & ONE ( H] GLOVES :I* %E 
GAVE ME :5 ,I HELP$ H] 9TO ! C>RIAGE AFT] H] MO!R4 
,LOOK+ AT !SE ?+S1 & )\T CLOS+ MY EYES ,I C\LD SEE 
H] BE=E ME AS %E WAS = AN 9/ANT :5 %E HAD TO *OOSE 
BETWE5 TWO P>TN]S4 ,%E TRI$ TO GUESS :AT K9D ( P]SON 
WAS REPRES5T$ 9 ME1 & ,I C\LD HE> H] SWEET VOICE AS 
%E SAID1 ',PRIDE--AM ,I RI<T8' & M]RILY GAVE ME H] H&4 
,AT SUPP] %E TOOK ! FIR/ SIP FROM MY GLASS ( *AMPAGNE1 
LOOK+ AT ME OV] ! RIM ) H] C>ESS+ GLANCE4 
,BUT1 PLA9E/ ( ALL1 ,I C\LD SEE H] AS %E DANC$ ) H] FA!R1 
GLID+ ALONG BESIDE HIM1 & LOOK+ AT ! ADMIR+ OBS]V]S 
) PRIDE & HAPP9ESS4 

0,HE & %E W]E UNIT$ 9 MY M9D 9 ONE RU% ( PA!TIC T5D]NESS4 

0,I WAS LIV+ !N ) MY BRO!R1 :O HAS S9CE DI$4 
,HE DISLIK$ GO+ \T1 & NEV] W5T TO DANCES2 & BESIDES1 
HE WAS BUSY PREP>+ = HIS LA/ UNIV]SITY EXAM9ATIONS1 
& WAS LEAD+ A V]Y REGUL> LIFE4 ,HE WAS ASLEEP4 
,I LOOK$ AT HIM1 HIS HEAD BURI$ 9 ! PILL[ & HALF 
COV]$ ) ! QUILT2 & ,I AFFECTIONATELY PITI$ HIM1 
PITI$ HIM = HIS IGNORANCE ( ! BLISS ,I WAS EXP]I5C+4 
,\R S]F ,PETRU%A HAD MET ME ) A C&LE1 READY TO UNDRESS ME1 
BUT ,I S5T HIM AWAY4 ,HIS SLEEPY FACE & T\SL$ HAIR SEEM$ 
TO ME SO T\*+4 ,TRY+ NOT TO MAKE A NOISE1 ,I W5T TO MY 
ROOM ON TIPTOE & SAT D[N ON MY B$4 ,NO1 ,I WAS TOO HAPPY2 
,I C\LD NOT SLEEP4 ,BESIDES1 IT WAS TOO HOT 9 ! ROOMS4 
,)\T TAK+ (F MY UNI=M1 ,I W5T QUIETLY 9TO ! HALL1 
PUT ON MY OV]COAT1 OP5$ ! FRONT DOOR & /EPP$ \T 
9TO ! /REET4 

0,IT WAS AFT] F\R :5 ,I HAD LEFT ! BALL2 GO+ HOME & /OPP+ !RE 
A :ILE HAD OCCUPI$ TWO H\RS1 SO BY ! TIME ,I W5T \T IT WAS DAWN4 
,IT WAS REGUL> C>NIVAL WEA!R--FOGGY1 & ! ROAD FULL ( WAT]-SOAK$ 
SN[ JU/ MELT+1 & WAT] DRIPP+ FROM ! EAVES4 ,V>9KA'S FAMILY LIV$ 
ON ! $GE ( T[N NE> A L>GE FIELD1 ONE 5D ( :I* WAS A P>ADE GR\ND3 
AT ! O!R 5D WAS A BO>D+-S*OOL = Y\NG LADIES4 ,I PASS$ ?R\< 
\R EMPTY LITTLE /REET & CAME TO ! MA9 ?OR\<F>E1 :]E ,I MET 
P$E/RIANS & SL$GES LAD5 ) WOOD1 ! RUNN]S GRAT+ ! ROAD4 
,! HORSES SWUNG ) REGUL> PACES B5EA? !IR %9+ YOKES1 !IR BACKS 
COV]$ ) /RAW MATS & !IR HEADS WET ) RA92 :ILE ! DRIV]S1 
9 5ORM\S BOOTS1 SPLA%$ ?R\< ! MUD BESIDE ! SL$GES4 ,ALL ?IS1 
! V]Y HORSES !MSELVES1 SEEM$ TO ME /IMULAT+ & FASC9AT+1 
FULL ( SUGGE/ION4 

0,:5 ,I APPROA*$ ! FIELD NE> !IR H\SE1 ,I SAW AT ONE 5D 
( IT1 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! P>ADE GR\ND1 SOME?+ V]Y HUGE 
& BLACK1 & ,I HE>D S\NDS ( FIFE & DRUM PROCE$+ FROM IT4 
,MY HE>T HAD BE5 FULL ( SONG1 & ,I HAD HE>D 9 IMAG9ATION 
! TUNE ( ! MAZURKA1 BUT ?IS WAS V]Y H>% MUSIC4 
,IT WAS NOT PLEASANT4 

0',:AT CAN ?AT BE8' ,I ?\<T1 & W5T T[>DS ! S\ND 
BY A SLIPP]Y PA? ?R\< ! C5T] ( ! FIELD4 
,WALK+ AB\T A HUNDR$ PACES1 ,I BEGAN TO DI/+UI% MANY BLACK 
OBJECTS ?R\< ! MI/4 ,!Y W]E EVID5TLY SOLDI]S4 
',IT IS PROBABLY A DRILL1' ,I ?\<T4 

0,SO ,I W5T ALONG 9 ?AT DIRECTION 9 COMPANY ) A BLACKSMI?1 
:O WORE A DIRTY COAT & AN APRON1 & WAS C>RY+ SOME?+4 
,HE WALK$ AHEAD ( ME AS WE APPROA*$ ! PLACE4 ,! SOLDI]S 
9 BLACK UNI=MS /OOD 9 TWO R[S1 FAC+ EA* O!R MOTIONLESS1 
!IR GUNS AT RE/4 ,BEH9D !M /OOD ! FIFES & DRUMS1 
9CESSANTLY REPEAT+ ! SAME UNPLEASANT TUNE4 

0',:AT >E !Y DO+8' ,I ASK$ ! BLACKSMI?1 :O HALT$ AT MY SIDE4 

0',A ,T>T> IS BE+ BEAT5 ?R\< ! RANKS = HIS ATTEMPT TO DES]T1' 
SAID ! BLACKSMI? 9 AN ANGRY TONE1 AS HE LOOK$ 9T5TLY AT ! F> 
5D ( ! L9E4 

0,I LOOK$ 9 ! SAME DIRECTION1 & SAW BETWE5 ! FILES SOME?+ HORRID 
APPROA*+ ME4 ,! ?+ ?AT APPROA*$ WAS A MAN1 /RIPP$ TO ! WAI/1 
FA/5$ ) CORDS TO ! GUNS ( TWO SOLDI]S :O W]E LEAD+ HIM4 
,AT HIS SIDE AN (FIC] 9 OV]COAT & CAP WAS WALK+1 :OSE FIGURE HAD 
A FAMILI> LOOK4 ,! VICTIM ADVANC$ UND] ! BL[S ?AT RA9$ UPON HIM 
FROM BO? SIDES1 HIS :OLE BODY PLUNG+1 HIS FEET DRAGG+ ?R\< ! SN[4 
,N[ HE ?REW HIMSELF BACKW>D1 & ! SUBALT]NS :O L$ HIM ?RU/ 
HIM =W>D4 ,N[ HE FELL =W>D1 & !Y PULL$ HIM UP %ORT2 
:ILE EV] AT HIS SIDE M>*$ ! TALL (FIC]1 ) FIRM & N]V\S PACE4 
,IT WAS ,V>9KA'S FA!R1 ) HIS ROSY FACE & :ITE MU/A*E4 

0,AT EA* /ROKE ! MAN1 AS IF AMAZ$1 TURN$ HIS FACE1 
GRIMAC+ ) PA91 T[>DS ! SIDE :5CE ! BL[ CAME1 
& %[+ HIS :ITE TEE? REPEAT$ ! SAME WORDS OV] & OV]4 
,BUT ,I C\LD ONLY HE> :AT ! WORDS W]E :5 HE CAME QUITE NE>4 
,HE DID NOT SPEAK !M1 HE SOBB$ !M \T1--0',BRO!RS1 HAVE M]CY 
ON ME6 ,BRO!RS1 HAVE M]CY ON ME6' ,BUT ! BRO!RS HAD 
NO M]CY1 & :5 ! PROCESSION CAME CLOSE TO ME1 ,I SAW H[ A 
SOLDI] :O /OOD OPPOSITE ME TOOK A FIRM /EP =W>D & LIFT+ 
HIS /ICK ) A :IR1 BR\<T IT D[N UPON ! MAN'S BACK4 
,! MAN PLUNG$ =W>D1 BUT ! SUBALT]NS PULL$ HIM BACK1 
& ANO!R BL[ CAME D[N FROM ! O!R SIDE1 !N FROM ?IS 
SIDE & !N FROM ! O!R4 ,! COLONEL M>*$ BESIDE HIM1 
& LOOK+ N[ AT HIS FEET & N[ AT ! MAN1 9HAL$ ! AIR1 
PUFF$ \T HIS *EEKS1 & BREA!D IT \T BETWE5 HIS PROTRUD$ LIPS4 
,:5 !Y PASS$ ! PLACE :]E ,I /OOD1 ,I CAU<T A GLIMPSE BETWE5 
! TWO FILES ( ! BACK ( ! MAN ?AT WAS BE+ PUNI%$4 
,IT WAS SOME?+ SO MANY-COLOR$1 WET1 R$1 UNNATURAL1 ?AT ,I 
C\LD H>DLY BELIEVE IT WAS A HUMAN BODY4 

0',MY ,GOD60' MUTT]$ ! BLACKSMI?4 

,! PROCESSION MOV$ F>!R AWAY4 ,! BL[S CONT9U$ TO RA9 UPON 
! WRI?+1 FALL+ CREATURE2 ! FIFES %RILL$ & ! DRUMS BEAT1 
& ! TALL IMPOS+ FIGURE ( ! COLONEL MOV$ ALONG-SIDE ! MAN1 
JU/ AS BE=E4 ,!N1 SUDD5LY1 ! COLONEL /OPP$1 & RAPIDLY 
APPROA*$ A MAN 9 ! RANKS4 

0',I'LL TEA* Y\ TO HIT HIM G5TLY1' ,I HE>D HIS FURI\S VOICE SAY4 
',WILL Y\ PAT HIM LIKE ?AT8 ,WILL Y\8' & ,I SAW H[ HIS /RONG 
H& 9 ! SU$E GLOVE /RUCK ! WEAK1 BLOODLESS1 T]RIFI$ SOLDI] 
= NOT BR++ D[N HIS /ICK ) SUFFICI5T /R5G? ON ! R$ 
NECK ( ! ,T>T>4 

0',BR+ NEW /ICKS6' HE CRI$1 & LOOK+ R\ND1 HE SAW ME4 
,ASSUM+ AN AIR ( NOT KN[+ ME1 & ) A F]OCI\S1 ANGRY FR[N1 
HE HA/ILY TURN$ AWAY4 ,I FELT SO UTT]LY A%AM$ ?AT ,I DIDN'T KN[ 
:]E TO LOOK4 ,IT WAS AS IF ,I HAD BE5 DETECT$ 9 A DISGRACEFUL ACT4 
,I DROPP$ MY EYES1 & QUICKLY HURRI$ HOME4 ,ALL ! WAY ,I HAD ! DRUMS 
BEAT+ & ! FIFES :I/L+ 9 MY E>S4 ,& ,I HE>D ! WORDS1 
',BRO!RS1 HAVE M]CY ON ME6' OR ',WILL Y\ PAT HIM8 ,WILL Y\8' 
,MY HE>T WAS FULL ( PHYSICAL DISGU/ ?AT WAS ALMO/ SICKNESS4 
,SO MU* SO ?AT ,I HALT$ SEV]AL TIMES ON MY WAY1 = ,I HAD ! FEEL+ 
?AT ,I WAS GO+ TO BE REALLY SICK FROM ALL ! HORRORS ?AT POSSESS$ 
ME AT ?AT SI<T4 ,I DO NOT REMEMB] H[ ,I GOT HOME & GOT TO B$4 
,BUT ! MOM5T ,I WAS AB\T TO FALL ASLEEP ,I HE>D & SAW AGA9 ALL 
?AT HAD HAPP5$1 & ,I SPRANG UP4 

0',EVID5TLY HE KN[S SOME?+ ,I DO NOT KN[1' ,I ?\<T AB\T ! COLONEL4 
',IF ,I KNEW :AT HE KN[S ,I %\LD C]TA9LY GRASP--UND]/&--:AT ,I HAVE 
JU/ SE51 & IT W\LD NOT CAUSE ME SU* SUFF]+4' 

0,BUT H[EV] MU* ,I ?\<T AB\T IT1 ,I C\LD NOT UND]/& ! ?+ 
?AT ! COLONEL KNEW4 ,IT WAS EV5+ BE=E ,I C\LD GET TO SLEEP1 
& !N ONLY AFT] CALL+ ON A FRI5D & DR9K+ TILL ,I 
WAS QUITE DRUNK4 

0,DO Y\ ?9K ,I HAD COME TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT ! DE$ ,I HAD 
WITNESS$ WAS WICK$8 ,OH1 NO4 ,S9CE IT WAS DONE ) SU* ASSURANCE1 
& WAS RECOGNIZ$ BY EV]Y ONE AS 9DISP5SABLE1 !Y D\BTLESS KNEW 
SOME?+ :I* ,I DID NOT KN[4 ,SO ,I ?\<T1 & TRI$ TO UND]/&4 
,BUT NO MATT]1 ,I C\LD NEV] UND]/& IT1 !N OR AFT]W>DS4 
,& NOT BE+ ABLE TO GRASP IT1 ,I C\LD NOT 5T] ! S]VICE 
AS ,I HAD 9T5D$4 ,I DON'T MEAN ONLY ! MILIT>Y S]VICE3 
,I DID NOT 5T] ! ,CIVIL ,S]VICE EI!R4 ,& SO ,I HAVE BE5 
( NO USE :ATEV]1 AS Y\ CAN SEE40 

0,YES1 WE KN[ H[ USELESS Y\'VE BE510 SAID ONE ( US4 
0,TELL US1 RA!R1 H[ MANY PEOPLE W\LD BE ( ANY USE AT ALL 
IF IT HADN'T BE5 = Y\40 

0,OH1 ?AT'S UTT] NONS5SE10 SAID ,IVAN ,VASILIEVI*1 ) G5U9E ANNOYANCE4 

0,WELL2 & :AT AB\T ! LOVE AFFAIR8 

0,MY LOVE8 ,IT DECREAS$ FROM ?AT DAY4 ,:51 AS (T5 HAPP5$1 
%E LOOK$ DREAMY & M$ITATIVE1 ,I 9/ANTLY RECOLLECT$ 
! COLONEL ON ! P>ADE GR\ND1 & ,I FELT SO AWKW>D 
& UNCOM=TABLE ?AT ,I BEGAN TO SEE H] LESS FREQU5TLY4 
,SO MY LOVE CAME TO NAU<T4 ,YES2 SU* *ANCES >ISE1 & !Y 
ALT] & DIRECT A MAN'S :OLE LIFE10 HE SAID 9 SUMM+ UP4 
0,& Y\ SAY 4 4 40 

,FROM 3 ,WIKIS\RCE4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aib 3 ,AFT] ! ,DANCE -- ,WRITT54 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aia 3 ,AFT] ! ,DANCE -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #b#a1 #bba 3 ,AFT] ! ,DANCE -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,AFT] ! ,DANCE -- ,UPDAT$4 

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