,*APT] #af 

#ahhhahhh 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,ISABEL ,FLOR5CE ,HAPGOOD 

,TEXT 3 

,:ITE FLAGS HAD BE5 HUNG \T FROM \R BA/ION1 & FROM ! TR5*ES ( ! ,FR5*1 & 9 ! BLOOM+ VALLEY BETWE5 !M LAY DISFIGUR$ CORPSES1 %OELESS1 9 G>M5TS ( GRAY OR BLUE1 :I* LABOR]S W]E 5GAG$ 9 C>RY+ (F & HEAP+ UPON C>TS4 ,! ODOR ( ! DEAD BODIES FILL$ ! AIR4 ,?RONGS ( PEOPLE HAD P\R$ \T ( ,SEVA/OPOL1 & FROM ! ,FR5* CAMP1 TO GAZE UPON ?IS SPECTACLE1 & !Y PRESS$ ONE AFT] ! O!R ) EAG] & B5EVOL5T CURIOSITY4 

,LI/5 TO :AT !SE PEOPLE >E SAY+4 

,H]E1 9 A GR\P ( ,RUSSIANS & ,FR5* :O HAVE COME TOGE!R1 IS A Y\NG (FIC]1 :O SPEAKS ,FR5* BADLY1 BUT WELL 5\< TO MAKE HIMSELF UND]/OOD1 EXAM9+ A C>TRIDGE-BOX ( ! GU>DS4 

0,& :AT IS ?IS BIRD H]E =80 SAYS HE4 

0,BECAUSE IT IS A C>TRIDGE-BOX BELONG+ TO A REGIM5T ( ! GU>DS1 ,MONSIEUR1 & BE>S ! ,IMP]IAL EAGLE40 

0,& DO Y\ BELONG TO ! GU>D80 

0,P>DON1 ,MONSIEUR1 ,I BELONG TO ! SIX? REGIM5T ( ! L9E40 

0,& ?IS--B\<T :]E80 ASKS ! (FIC]1 PO9T+ TO A CIG>-HOLD] ( YELL[ WOOD1 9 :I* ! ,FR5*MAN WAS SMOK+ HIS CIG>ETTE4 

0,AT ,BALAKLAVA1 ,MONSIEUR4 ,IT IS V]Y PLA91 ( PALM-WOOD40 

0,PRETTY60 SAYS ! (FIC]1 GUID$ 9 HIS CONV]SATION NOT SO MU* BY HIS [N WI%ES AS BY ! WORDS :I* HE KN[S4 

0,IF Y\ WILL HAVE ! K9DNESS TO KEEP IT AS A S\V5IR ( ?IS MEET+1 Y\ WILL CONF] AN OBLIGATION ON ME40 

,& ! POLITE ,FR5*MAN BL[S \T ! CIG>ETTE1 & H&S ! HOLD] OV] TO ! (FIC] ) A LITTLE B[4 ,! (FIC] GIVES HIM HIS1 & ALL ! MEMB]S ( ! GR\P1 ,FR5*M5 AS WELL AS ,RUSSIANS1 APPE> V]Y MU* PLEAS$ & SMILE4 

,!N A BOLD 9FANTRYMAN1 9 A P9K %IRT1 ) HIS CLOAK ?R[N OV] HIS %\LD]S1 ACCOMPANI$ BY TWO O!R SOLDI]S1 :O1 ) !IR H&S BEH9D !IR BACKS1 W]E /&+ BEH9D HIM1 ) M]RY1 CURI\S C\NT5ANCES1 /EPP$ UP TO A ,FR5*MAN1 & REQUE/$ A LI<T = HIS PIPE4 ,! ,FR5*MAN BRI<T5$ HIS FIRE1 /IRR$ UP HIS %ORT PIPE1 & %OOK \T A LI<T = ! ,RUSSIAN4 

0,TOBACCO GOOD60 SAID ! SOLDI] 9 ! P9K %IRT2 & ! SPECTATORS SMILE4 

0,YES1 GOOD TOBACCO1 ,TURKI% TOBACCO10 SAYS ! ,FR5*MAN4 0,& Y\R TOBACCO--,RUSSIAN8--GOOD80 

0,RUSSIAN1 GOOD10 SAYS ! SOLDI] 9 ! P9K %IRT3 :]EUPON ?OSE PRES5T %AKE ) LAU<T]4 0,! ,FR5* NOT GOOD--BON JOR1 ,MONSIEUR10 SAYS ! SOLDI] 9 ! P9K %IRT1 LETT+ FLY HIS 5TIRE *>GE ( KN[L$GE 9 ! LANGUAGE AT ONCE1 AS HE LAU<S & TAPS ! ,FR5*MAN ON ! /OMA*4 ,! ,FR5* JO9 9 ! LAU<4 

0,!Y >E NOT H&SOME1 !SE BEA/S ( ,RUSSIANS10 SAYS A Z\AVE1 AMID ! CR[D ( ,FR5*M54 

0,:AT >E !Y LAU<+ AB\T80 SAYS ANO!R BLACK-COMPLEXION$ ONE1 ) AN ,ITALIAN ACC5T1 APPROA*+ \R M54 

0,CAFTAN GOOD10 SAYS ! AUDACI\S SOLDI]1 />+ AT ! Z\AVE'S EMBROID]$ COAT-SKIRTS1 & !N !RE IS ANO!R LAU<4 

0,DON'T LEAVE Y\R L9ES2 BACK TO Y\R PLACES1  
SACRE NOM60 %\TS A ,FR5* CORPORAL1 & ! SOLDI]S DISP]SE ) EVID5T RELUCTANCE4 

,9 ! MEANTIME1 \R Y\NG CAVALRY (FIC] IS MAK+ ! T\R ( ! ,FR5* (FIC]S4 ,! CONV]SATION TURNS ON SOME ,C\NT ,SAZON(F1 0) :OM ,I WAS V]Y WELL ACQUA9T$1 ,MONSIEUR10 SAYS A ,FR5* (FIC]1 ) ONE EPAULET--0HE IS ONE ( ?OSE REAL ,RUSSIAN C\NTS1 ( :OM WE >E SO FOND40 

0,!RE IS A ,SAZON(F ) :OM ,I AM ACQUA9T$10 SAID ! CAVALRY (FIC]1 0BUT HE IS NOT A C\NT1 SO F> AS ,I KN[1 AT LEA/2 A LITTLE D>K-COMPLEXION$ MAN1 ( AB\T Y\R AGE40 

0,EXACTLY1 ,MONSIEUR1 ?AT IS ! MAN4 ,OH1 H[ ,I %\LD LIKE TO SEE ?AT DE> C\NT6 ,IF Y\ SEE HIM1 PRAY1 PRES5T MY COMPLIM5TS TO HIM--,CAPTA9 ,LAT\R10 SAYS HE1 B[+4 

0,ISN'T ?IS A T]RIBLE BUS9ESS ?AT WE >E CONDUCT+ H]E8 ,IT WAS HOT WORK LA/ NI<T1 WASN'T IT80 SAYS ! CAVALRY (FIC]1 WI%+ TO CONT9UE ! CONV]SATION1 & PO9T+ TO ! DEAD BODIES4 

0,OH1 FRI<TFUL1 ,MONSIEUR6 ,BUT :AT BRAVE FELL[S Y\R SOLDI]S >E--:AT BRAVE FELL[S6 ,IT IS A PLEASURE TO FI<T ) SU* VALIANT FELL[S40 

0,IT MU/ BE ADMITT$ ?AT Y\R M5 DO NOT HANG BACK1 EI!R10 SAYS ! CAVALRY-MAN1 ) A B[1 & ! CONVICTION ?AT HE IS V]Y AMIABLE4 

,BUT 5\< ( ?IS4 

,LET US RA!R OBS]VE ?IS LAD ( T51 CLAD 9 AN ANCI5T CAP1 HIS FA!R'S PROBABLY1 %OES WORN ON B>E FEET1 & NANKE5 BREE*ES1 HELD UP BY A S+LE SUSP5D]1 :O HAD CLIMB$ OV] ! WALL AT ! V]Y BEG9N+ ( ! TRUCE1 & HAS BE5 ROAM+ AB\T ! RAV9E1 />+ ) DULL CURIOSITY AT ! ,FR5*1 & AT ! BODIES :I* >E LY+ ON ! E>?1 & PLUCK+ ! BLUE WILD-FL[]S ) :I* ! VALLEY IS /UDD$4 ,ON HIS WAY HOME ) A L>GE B\QUET1 HE HELD HIS NOSE BECAUSE ( ! ODOR :I* ! W9D WAFT$ TO HIM1 & PAUS$ BESIDE A PILE ( CORPSES1 :I* HAD BE5 C>RI$ (F ! FIELD1 & />$ LONG AT ONE T]RIBLE HEADLESS BODY1 :I* *ANC$ TO BE ! NE>E/ TO HIM4 ,AFT] /&+ !RE = A LONG :ILE1 HE /EPP$ UP CLOS]1 & T\*$ ) HIS FOOT ! /IFF5$ >M ( ! CORPSE :I* PROTRUD$4 ,! >M SWAY$ A LITTLE4 ,HE T\*$ IT AGA91 & ) MORE VIGOR4 ,! >M SWUNG BACK1 & !N FELL 9TO PLACE AGA94 ,& AT ONCE ! BOY UTT]$ A %RIEK1 HID HIS FACE 9 ! FL[]S1 & RAN (F TO ! =TIFICATIONS AS FA/ AS HE C\LD GO4 

,YES1 :ITE FLAGS >E HUNG \T FROM ! BA/ION & ! TR5*ES1 ! FL[]Y VALE IS FILL$ ) DEAD BODIES1 ! SPL5DID SUN S9KS 9TO ! BLUE SEA1 & ! BLUE SEA UNDULATES & GLITT]S 9 ! GOLD5 RAYS ( ! SUN4 ,?\S&S ( PEOPLE CONGREGATE1 GAZE1 TALK1 & SMILE AT EA* O!R4 ,& :Y DO NOT ,*RI/IAN PEOPLE1 :O PR(ESS ! ONE GREAT LAW ( LOVE & SELF-SACRIFICE1 :5 !Y BEHOLD :AT !Y HAVE WR\<T1 FALL 9 REP5TANCE UPON !IR KNEES BE=E ,HIM :O1 :5 HE GAVE !M LIFE1 IMPLANT$ 9 ! S\L ( EA* ( !M1 TOGE!R ) A FE> ( DEA?1 A LOVE ( ! GOOD & ! BEAUTIFUL1 &1 ) TE>S ( JOY & HAPP9ESS1 EMBRACE EA* O!R LIKE BRO!RS8 ,NO6 ,BUT IT IS A COM=T TO ?9K ?AT IT WAS NOT WE :O BEGAN ?IS W>1 ?AT WE >E ONLY DEF5D+ \R [N C\NTRY1 \R FA!R-L&4 ,! :ITE FLAGS HAVE BE5 HAUL$ 91 & AGA9 ! WEAPONS ( DEA? & SUFF]+ >E %RIEK+2 AGA9 9NOC5T BLOOD IS %$1 & GROANS & CURSES >E AUDIBLE4 

,I HAVE N[ SAID ALL ?AT ,I WI% TO SAY AT ?IS TIME4 ,BUT A HEAVY ?\<T OV]MA/]S ME4 ,P]HAPS IT %\LD NOT HAVE BE5 SAID2 P]HAPS :AT ,I HAVE SAID BELONGS TO ONE ( ?OSE EVIL TRU?S :I*1 UNCONSCI\SLY CONCEAL$ 9 ! S\L ( EA* MAN1 %\LD NOT BE UTT]$1 LE/ !Y BECOME P]NICI\S1 AS A CASK ( W9E %\LD NOT BE %AK51 LE/ IT BE !REBY SPOIL$4 

,:]E IS ! EXPRESSION ( EVIL :I* %\LD BE AVOID$8 ,:]E IS ! EXPRESSION ( GOOD :I* %\LD BE IMITAT$ 9 ?IS SKET*8 ,:O IS ! VILLA91 :O ! H]O8 ,ALL >E GOOD1 & ALL >E EVIL4 

,NEI!R ,KALUG91 ) HIS BRILLIANT BRAV]Y--BRAV\RE DE G5TILHOMME--& HIS VANITY1 ! 9/IGATOR ( ALL HIS DE$S2 NOR ,PRASKUKH91 ! EMPTY-HEAD$1 H>MLESS MAN1 ?\< HE FELL 9 BATTLE = ! FAI?1 ! ?RONE1 & HIS NATIVE L&2 NOR ,MIKHAIL(F1 ) HIS %YNESS2 NOR ,PE/H1 A *ILD ) NO FIRM CONVICTIONS OR PR9CIPLES1 CAN BE EI!R ! H]OES OR ! VILLA9S ( ! TALE4 

,! H]O ( MY TALE1 :OM ,I LOVE ) ALL ! /R5G? ( MY S\L1 :OM ,I HAVE TRI$ TO SET =? 9 ALL HIS BEAUTY1 & :O HAS ALWAYS BE51 IS1 & ALWAYS WILL BE MO/ BEAUTIFUL1 IS--! TRU?4 

,F,O,O,T,N,O,T,E,S3 

  

.<,C.> ,SEA4 

.<,D.> ,MILIT>Y ,GAZETTE4 

.<,E.> ,A CIVILIAN1 )\T MILIT>Y TRA9+1 ATTA*$ TO A REGIM5T AS A NONCOMMISSION$ (FIC]1 :O MAY EV5TUALLY BECOME A REGUL> (FIC]4 

.<,F.> ,A POLITE WAY ( REF]R+ TO ! G5]AL 9 ! PLURAL4 

.<,G.> ,A ,! ,RUSSIAN SOLDI]S1 :O HAD BE5 FI<T+ ! ,TURKS1 W]E SO ACCU/OM$ TO ?IS CRY ( ! 5EMY ?AT !Y ALWAYS DECL>$ ?AT ! ,FR5* ALSO CRI$ 0,ALLAH40--,AU?OR'S ,NOTE4 

.<,H.> ,?IS S5T5CE IS 9 ,FR5*4 

,S,E,V,A,/,O,P,O,L ,9 ,A,U,G,U,/1 #a#h#e#e4 

  
,I4 

  

,AT ! 5D ( ,AUGU/1 ALONG ! ROCKY HI<WAY TO ,SEVA/OPOL1 BETWE5 ,DUVANKA & ,BAKHT*IS>AI1 ?R\< ! ?ICK1 HOT DU/1 AT A FOOT-PACE1 DROVE AN (FIC]'S LI<T C>T1 ?AT PECULI>  
TELYEZHKA1 NOT N[ TO BE MET )1 :I* /&S AB\T HALF-WAY BETWE5 A ,JEWI% BRIT*KA1 A ,RUSSIAN TRAVEL+-C>RIAGE1 & A BASKET-WAGON4 ,9 ! FRONT ( ! WAGON1 HOLD+ ! RE9S1 SQUATT$ ! S]VANT1 CLAD 9 A NANKE5 COAT & AN (FIC]'S CAP1 :I* HAD BECOME QUITE LIMP2 SEAT$ BEH9D1 ON BUNDLES & PACKAGES COV]$ ) A MILIT>Y COAT1 WAS AN 9FANTRY (FIC]1 9 A SUMM] CLOAK4 

,AS WELL AS C\LD BE JUDG$ FROM HIS SITT+ POSITION1 ! (FIC] WAS NOT TALL 9 /ATURE1 BUT EXTREMELY ?ICK1 & ?AT NOT SO MU* FROM %\LD] TO %\LD] AS FROM *E/ TO BACK2 HE WAS BROAD & ?ICK1 & HIS NECK & ! BASE ( ! HEAD W]E EXCESSIVELY DEVELOP$ & SWOLL54 ,HIS WAI/1 SO CALL$1 A REC$+ /RIP 9 ! C5T] ( ! BODY1 DID NOT EXI/ 9 HIS CASE2 BUT NEI!R HAD HE ANY BELLY2 ON ! CONTR>Y1 HE WAS RA!R ?9 ?AN O!RWISE1 P>TICUL>LY 9 ! FACE1 :I* WAS OV]SPREAD ) AN UNHEAL?Y YELL[I% SUNBURN4 ,HIS FACE W\LD HAVE BE5 H&SOME HAD IT NOT BE5 = A C]TA9 BLOAT$ APPE>ANCE1 & ! S(T1 YET NOT ELD]LY1 HEAVY WR9KLES ?AT FL[$ TOGE!R & 5L>G$ HIS FEATURES1 IMP>T+ TO ! :OLE C\NT5ANCE A G5]AL EXPRESSION ( CO>S5ESS & ( LACK ( FRE%NESS4 ,HIS EYES W]E SMALL1 BR[N1 EXTREMELY SE>*+1 EV5 BOLD2 HIS MU/A*E WAS V]Y ?ICK1 BUT ! 5DS W]E KEPT CON/ANTLY %ORT BY HIS HABIT ( GNAW+ !M2 & HIS *91 & HIS *EEK-BONES 9 P>TICUL> W]E COV]$ ) A REM>KABLY /RONG1 ?ICK1 & BLACK BE>D1 ( TWO DAYS' GR[?4 

,! (FIC] HAD BE5 W\ND$ ON ! #a? ( ,MAY1 BY A SPL9T]1 9 ! HEAD1 ON :I* HE /ILL WORE A B&AGE1 &1 HAV+ N[ FELT P]FECTLY WELL = ! LA/ WEEK1 HE HAD COME \T ( ! ,SIMF]OPOL ,HOSPITAL1 TO REJO9 HIS REGIM5T1 :I* WAS /ATION$ SOME:]E 9 ! DIRECTION FROM :I* %OTS C\LD BE HE>D2 BUT :E!R ?AT WAS 9 ,SEVA/OPOL ITSELF1 ON ! NOR!RN DEF5SES1 OR AT ,9K]MANN1 HE HAD NOT SO F> SUCCE$$ 9 ASC]TA9+ ) MU* ACCURACY FROM ANY ONE4 

,%OTS W]E /ILL AUDIBLE NE> AT H&1 ESPECIALLY AT 9T]VALS1 :5 ! HILLS DID NOT 9T]F]E1 OR :5 BORNE ON ! W9D ) GREAT DI/9CTNESS & FREQU5CY1 & APP>5TLY NE> AT H&4 ,!N IT SEEM$ AS ?\< SOME EXPLOSION %OOK ! AIR1 & CAUS$ AN 9VOLUNT>Y %UDD]4 ,!N1 ONE AFT] ! O!R1 FOLL[$ LESS RES\ND+ REPORTS 9 QUICK SUCCESSION1 LIKE A DRUM-BEAT1 9T]RUPT$ AT TIMES BY A />TL+ RO>4 ,!N1 EV]Y?+ M+L$ 9 A SORT ( REV]B]AT+ CRA%1 RESEMBL+ PEALS ( ?UND]1 :5 A ?UND]-/ORM IS 9 FULL =CE1 & ! RA9 HAS JU/ BEGUN TO P\R D[N 9 FLOODS1 EV]Y ONE SAID2 & IT C\LD BE HE>D ?AT ! BOMB>DM5T WAS PROGRESS+ FRI<TFULLY4 

,! (FIC] KEPT URG+ ON HIS S]VANT1 & SEEM$ DESIR\S ( >RIV+ AS SPE$ILY AS POSSIBLE4 ,!Y W]E MET BY A LONG TRA9 ( ! ,RUSSIAN-PEASANT TYPE1 :I* HAD C>RI$ PROVISIONS 9TO ,SEVA/OPOL1 & WAS N[ RETURN+ ) SICK & W\ND$ SOLDI]S 9 GRAY COATS1 SAILORS 9 BLACK PALETOTS1 VOLUNTE]S 9 R$ FEZES1 & BE>D$ MILITIA-M54 ,! (FIC]'S LI<T C>T HAD TO HALT 9 ! ?ICK1 IMMOVABLE CL\D ( DU/ RAIS$ BY ! C>TS1 & ! (FIC]1 BL9K+ & FR[N+ ) ! DU/ ?AT /UFF$ HIS EYES & E>S1 GAZ$ AT ! FACES ( ! SICK & W\ND$ AS !Y PASS$4 

0,AH1 !RE'S A SICK SOLDI] FROM \R COMPANY10 SAID ! S]VANT1 TURN+ TO HIS MA/]1 & PO9T+ TO ! WAGON :I* WAS JU/ ON A L9E ) !M1 FULL ( W\ND$1 AT ! MOM5T4 

,ON ! C>T1 T[>DS ! FRONT1 A BE>D$ ,RUSSIAN1 9 A LAMB'S-WOOL CAP1 WAS SEAT$ SIDEWISE1 &1 HOLD+ ! /OCK ( HIS :IP UND] HIS ELB[1 WAS TY+ ON ! LA%4 ,BEH9D HIM 9 ! C>T1 AB\T FIVE SOLDI]S1 9 DIFF]5T POSITIONS1 W]E %AK+ AB\T4 ,ONE1 ?\< PALE & ?91 ) HIS >M 9 A B&AGE1 & HIS CLOAK ?R[N ON OV] HIS %IRT1 WAS SITT+ UP BRAVELY 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! C>T1 & TRI$ TO T\* HIS CAP ON SEE+ ! (FIC]1 BUT IMM$IATELY AFT]W>DS 7RECOLLECT+1 PROBABLY1 ?AT HE WAS W\ND$7 HE PRET5D$ ?AT HE ONLY WANT$ TO SCRAT* HIS HEAD4 ,ANO!R1 BESIDE HIM1 WAS LY+ FLAT ON ! BOTTOM ( ! WAGON2 ALL ?AT WAS VISIBLE WAS TWO H&S1 AS !Y CLUNG TO ! RAILS ( ! WAGON1 & HIS KNEES UPLIFT$ LIMP AS MOPS1 AS !Y SWAY$ AB\T 9 V>I\S DIRECTIONS4 ,A ?IRD1 ) A SWOLL5 FACE & A B&AG$ HEAD1 ON :I* WAS PLAC$ HIS SOLDI]'S CAP1 SAT ON ONE SIDE1 ) HIS LEGS DANGL+ OV] ! :EEL1 &1 ) HIS ELB[S RE/+ ON HIS KNEES1 SEEM$ IMM]S$ 9 ?\<T4 ,IT WAS TO HIM ?AT ! PASS+ (FIC] ADDRESS$ HIMSELF4 

0,DOLZHNIK(F60 HE EXCLAIM$4 

0,H]E10 REPLI$ ! SOLDI]1 OP5+ HIS EYES1 & PULL+ (F HIS CAP1 9 SU* A ?ICK & HALT+ BASS VOICE ?AT IT SEEM$ AS ?\< TW5TY SOLDI]S HAD UTT]$ AN EXCLAMATION AT ONE & ! SAME TIME4 

0,:5 W]E Y\ W\ND$1 BRO!R80 

,! LEAD5 & SWIMM+ EYES ( ! SOLDI] GREW ANIMAT$2 HE EVID5TLY RECOGNIZ$ HIS (FIC]4 

0,I WI% ,Y\R ,HONOR HEAL?60 HE BEGAN AGA91 9 ! SAME ABRUPT BASS AS BE=E4 

0,:]E IS ! REGIM5T /ATION$ N[80 

0,IT WAS /ATION$ 9 ,SEVA/OPOL1 BUT !Y W]E TO MOVE ON ,W$NESDAY1 ,Y\R ,HONOR40 

0,:]E TO80 

0,I DON'T KN[2 IT MU/ HAVE BE5 TO ! ,SIV]NAYA1 ,Y\R ,HONOR6 ,TO-DAY1 ,Y\R ,HONOR10 HE ADD$1 9 A DRAWL+ VOICE1 AS HE PUT ON HIS CAP1 0!Y HAVE BEGUN TO FIRE CLE> ACROSS1 MO/LY ) BOMBS1 ?AT EV5 GO AS F> AS ! BAY2 !Y >E FI<T+ HORRIBLY TO-DAY1 SO ?AT--0 

,IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO HE> :AT ! SOLDI] SAID FUR!R2 BUT IT WAS EVID5T1 FROM ! EXPRESSION ( HIS C\NT5ANCE & FROM HIS ATTITUDE1 ?AT HE WAS UTT]+ DISC\RAG+ REM>KS1 ) ! T\* ( MALICE ( A MAN :O IS SUFF]+4 

,! TRAVEL+ (FIC]1 ,LIEUT5ANT ,KOZELTZ(F1 WAS NO COMMON (FIC]4 ,HE WAS NOT ONE ( ?OSE ?AT LIVE SO & SO & DO ?US & SO BECAUSE O!RS LIVE & DO ?US2 HE DID :ATEV] HE PLEAS$1 & O!RS DID ! SAME1 & W]E CONV9C$ ?AT IT WAS WELL4 ,HE WAS RA!R RI*LY 5D[$ BY NATURE ) SMALL GIFTS3 HE SANG WELL1 PLAY$ ON ! GUIT>1 TALK$ V]Y CLEV]LY1 & WROTE V]Y EASILY1 P>TICUL>LY (FICIAL DOCUM5TS1 9 :I* HE HAD PRACTIC$ HIS H& 9 HIS CAPACITY ( ADJUTANT ( ! BATTALION2 BUT ! MO/ NOTICEABLE TRAIT 9 HIS *>ACT] WAS HIS EGOTI/ICAL 5]GY1 :I*1 AL?\< *IEFLY F\ND$ ON ?IS >RAY ( PETTY TAL5TS1 CON/ITUT$ 9 ITSELF A %>P & /RIK+ TRAIT4 ,HIS EGOTISM WAS ( ! SORT ?AT IS MO/ FREQU5TLY F\ND DEVELOP$ 9 MASCUL9E & ESPECIALLY 9 MILIT>Y CIRCLES1 & :I* HAD BECOME A P>T ( HIS LIFE TO SU* A DEGREE ?AT HE UND]/OOD NO O!R *OICE ?AN TO DOM9E] OR TO HUMILIATE HIMSELF2 & HIS EGOTISM WAS ! MA9SPR+ EV5 ( HIS PRIVATE IMPULSES2 HE LIK$ TO USURP ! FIR/ PLACE OV] PEOPLE ) :OM HE PUT HIMSELF ON A LEVEL4 

0,WELL6 IT'S ABSURD ( ME TO LI/5 TO :AT A ,MOSKVA.<,I.> *ATT]S60 MUTT]$ ! LIEUT5ANT1 EXP]I5C+ A C]TA9 WEI<T ( APA?Y 9 HIS HE>T1 & A DIMNESS ( ?\<T1 :I* ! SI<T ( ! TRANSPORT FULL ( W\ND$ & ! WORDS ( ! SOLDI]1 :OSE SIGNIFICANCE WAS EMPHASIZ$ & CONFIRM$ BY ! S\NDS ( ! BOMB>DM5T1 HAD LEFT ) HIM4 0,?AT ,MOSKVA IS RIDICUL\S6 ,DRIVE ON1 ,NIKOLAEFF6 GO AHEAD6 ,>E Y\ ASLEEP80 HE ADD$1 RA!R FRETFULLY1 TO ! S]VANT1 AS HE RE->RANG$ ! SKIRTS ( HIS COAT4 

,! RE9S W]E TI<T5$1 ,NIKOLAEFF CLACK$ HIS LIPS1 & ! WAGON MOV$ ON AT A TROT4 

0,WE WILL ONLY HALT A M9UTE = FOOD1 & WILL PROCE$ AT ONCE1 ?IS V]Y DAY10 SAID ! (FIC]4 

,I,I4 

  

,AS HE 5T]$ ! /REET ( ! RU9$ REMA9S ( ! /ONE WALL1 =M+ ! ,TAT> H\SES ( ,DUVANKA1 ,LIEUT5ANT ,KOZELTZ(F WAS /OPP$ BY A TRANSPORT ( BOMBS & GRAPE-%OT1 :I* W]E ON !IR WAY TO ,SEVA/OPOL1 & HAD ACCUMULAT$ ON ! ROAD4 ,TWO 9FANTRY SOLDI]S W]E SEAT$ 9 ! DU/1 ON ! /ONES ( A RU9$ G>D5-WALL BY ! ROADSIDE1 DEV\R+ A WAT]MELON & BREAD4 

0,HAVE Y\ COME F>1 FELL[-C\NTRYMAN80 SAID ONE ( !M1 AS HE *EW$ HIS BREAD1 TO ! SOLDI]1 ) A SMALL KNAPSACK ON HIS BACK1 :O HAD HALT$ NE> !M4 

0,I HAVE COME FROM MY GOV]NM5T TO JO9 MY REGIM5T10 REPLI$ ! SOLDI]1 TURN+ HIS EYES AWAY FROM ! WAT]MELON1 & READJU/+ ! SACK ON HIS BACK4 0,!RE WE W]E1 TWO WEEKS AGO1 AT WORK ON ! HAY1 A :OLE TROOP ( US2 BUT N[ !Y HAVE DRAFT$ ALL ( US1 & WE DON'T KN[ :]E \R REGIM5T IS AT ! PRES5T TIME4 ,!Y SAY ?AT \R M5 W5T ON ! ,KORABELNAYA LA/ WEEK4 ,HAVE Y\ HE>D ANY?+1 G5TLEM580 

0,IT'S /ATION$ 9 ! T[N1 BRO!R10 SAID ! SECOND1 AN OLD SOLDI] ( ! RES]VES1 DIGG+ AWAY ) HIS CLASP-KNIFE AT ! :ITE1 UNRIPE MELON4 0,WE HAVE JU/ COME FROM !RE1 ?IS AFT]NOON4 ,IT'S T]RIBLE1 MY BRO!R60 

0,H[ SO1 G5TLEM580 

0,DON'T Y\ HE> H[ !Y >E FIR+ ALL >\ND TO-DAY1 SO ?AT !RE IS NOT A :OLE SPOT ANY:]E8 ,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY H[ MANY ( \R BRE?R5 HAVE BE5 KILL$40 ,& ! SPEAK] WAV$ HIS H& & ADJU/$ HIS CAP4 

,! PASS+ SOLDI] %OOK HIS HEAD ?\<TFULLY1 GAVE A CLACK ) HIS TONGUE1 !N PULL$ HIS PIPE FROM HIS BOOT-LEG1 &1 )\T FILL+ IT1 /IRR$ UP ! HALF-BURN$ TOBACCO1 LIT A BIT ( T9D] FROM ! SOLDI] :O WAS SMOK+1 & RAIS$ HIS CAP4 

0,!RE IS NO ONE LIKE ,GOD1 G5TLEM56 ,GOOD-BYE10 SAID HE1 &1 ) A %AKE ( ! SACK ON HIS BACK1 HE W5T HIS WAY4 

0,HEY1 !RE6 Y\'D BETT] WAIT10 SAID ! MAN :O WAS DIGG+ \T ! WAT]MELON1 ) AN AIR ( CONVICTION4 

0,IT MAKES NO DIFF]5CE60 MUTT]$ ! TRAVEL]1 ?READ+ HIS WAY AMONG ! :EELS ( ! ASSEMBL$ TRANSPORTS4 

,I,I,I4 

  

,! PO/+-/ATION WAS FULL ( PEOPLE :5 ,KOZELTZ(F DROVE UP TO IT4 ,! FIR/ P]SON :OM HE 5C\NT]$1 ON ! POR* ITSELF1 WAS A ?9 & V]Y Y\NG MAN1 ! SUP]9T5D5T1 :O CONT9U$ HIS ALT]CATION ) TWO (FIC]S1 :O HAD FOLL[$ HIM \T4 

0,IT'S NOT ?REE DAYS ONLY1 BUT T5 ?AT Y\ WILL HAVE TO WAIT4 ,EV5 G5]ALS WAIT1 MY GOOD SIRS60 SAID ! SUP]9T5D5T1 ) A DESIRE TO ADM9I/] A PRICK TO ! TRAVEL]S2 0& ,I AM NOT GO+ TO H>NESS UP = Y\40 

0,!N DON'T GIVE ANYBODY HORSES1 IF !RE >E NONE6 ,BUT :Y FURNI% !M TO SOME LACKEY OR O!R ) BAGGAGE80 %\T$ ! ELD] ( ! TWO (FIC]S1 ) A GLASS ( TEA 9 HIS H&1 & PLA9LY AVOID+ ! USE ( PRON\NS1.<,J.> BUT GIV+ IT TO BE UND]/OOD ?AT HE MI<T V]Y EASILY ADDRESS ! SUP]9T5D5T AS 0?\40 

0,JUDGE = Y\RSELF1 N[1 ,MR4 ,SUP]9T5D5T10 SAID ! Y\NG] (FIC]1 ) SOME HESITATION4 0,WE DON'T WANT TO GO = \R [N PLEASURE4 ,WE MU/ C]TA9LY BE NE$$1 S9CE WE HAVE BE5 CALL$ =4 ,& ,I C]TA9LY %ALL REPORT TO ! G5]AL4 ,BUT ?IS1 ( C\RSE1--Y\ KN[ ?AT Y\ >E NOT PAY+ PROP] RESPECT TO ! MILIT>Y PR(ESSION40 

0,Y\ >E ALWAYS SPOIL+ ?+S10 ! ELD] MAN 9T]RUPT$1 ) VEXATION4 0,Y\ ONLY H9D] ME2 Y\ MU/ KN[ H[ TO TALK TO !M4 ,H]E1 N[1 HE HAS LO/ HIS RESPECT4 ,HORSES ?IS V]Y 9/ANT1 ,I SAY60 

0,I %\LD BE GLAD TO GIVE !M TO Y\1 BATIU%KA1.<,K.> BUT :]E AM ,I TO GET !M80 

,AFT] A BRIEF SIL5CE1 ! SUP]9T5D5T BEGAN TO GR[ IRRITAT$1 & TO TALK1 FL\RI%+ HIS H&S ! :ILE4 

0,I UND]/&1 BATIU%KA4 ,& ,I KN[ ALL AB\T IT MYSELF4 ,BUT :AT >E Y\ GO+ TO DO8 ,ONLY GIVE ME0--H]E A RAY ( HOPE GLEAM$ ACROSS ! FACES ( ! (FIC]S--0ONLY GIVE ME A *ANCE TO LIVE UNTIL ! 5D ( ! MON?1 & Y\ WON'T SEE ME H]E ANY LONG]4 ,I'D RA!R GO ON ! ,MALAKH(F T[]1 BY ,HEAV5S6 ?AN /AY H]E4 ,LET !M DO :AT !Y PLEASE AB\T IT6 ,!RE'S NOT A S+LE S\ND TEAM 9 ! /ATION ?IS DAY1 & ! HORSES HAV5'T SE5 A WISP ( HAY !SE ?REE DAYS40 ,& ! SUP]9T5D5T DISAPPE>$ BEH9D ! GATE4 

,KOZELTZ(F 5T]$ ! ROOM 9 COMPANY ) ! (FIC]S4 

0,WELL10 SAID ! ELD] (FIC]1 QUITE CALMLY1 TO ! Y\NG] ONE1 AL?\< BUT A SECOND BE=E HE HAD APPE>$ TO BE GREATLY IRRITAT$1 0WE HAVE BE5 TRAVEL+ !SE ?REE WEEKS1 & WE WILL WAIT A LITTLE LONG]4 ,!RE'S NO H>M DONE4 ,WE %ALL GET !RE AT LA/40 

,! DIRTY1 SMOKY AP>TM5T WAS SO FILL$ ) (FIC]S & TRUNKS ?AT IT WAS ) DIFFICULTY ?AT ,KOZELTZ(F F\ND A PLACE NE> ! W9D[1 :]E HE SEAT$ HIMSELF2 HE BEGAN TO ROLL HIMSELF A CIG>ETTE1 AS HE GLANC$ AT ! FACES & L5T AN E> TO ! CONV]SATIONS4 

,TO ! RI<T ( ! DOOR1 NE> A CRIPPL$ & GREASY TABLE1 UPON :I* /OOD TWO SAMOV>S1 :OSE COPP] HAD TURN$ GRE5 9 SPOTS1 H]E & !RE1 & :]E SUG> WAS PORTION$ \T 9 V>I\S PAP]S1 SAT ! PR9CIPAL GR\P4 ,A Y\NG (FIC]1 )\T MU/A*E1 9 A NEW1 %ORT1 WADD$ SUMM] COAT1 WAS P\R+ WAT] 9TO ! TEAPOT4 

,F\R SU* Y\NG (FIC]S W]E !RE1 9 DIFF]5T CORN]S ( ! ROOM4 ,ONE ( !M HAD PLAC$ A CLOAK UND] HIS HEAD1 & WAS FA/ ASLEEP ON ! S(A4 ,ANO!R1 /&+ BY ! TABLE1 WAS CUTT+ UP SOME ROA/ MUTTON = AN (FIC] )\T AN >M1 :O WAS SEAT$ AT ! TABLE4 

,TWO (FIC]S1 ONE 9 AN ADJUTANT'S CLOAK1 ! O!R 9 AN 9FANTRY CLOAK1 A ?9 ONE H[EV]1 & ) A SAT*EL /RAPP$ OV] HIS %\LD]1 W]E SITT+ NE> ! OV5 B5*1 & IT WAS EVID5T1 FROM ! V]Y WAY 9 :I* !Y />$ AT ! RE/1 & FROM ! MANN] 9 :I* ! ONE ) ! SAT*EL SMOK$ HIS CIG>1 ?AT !Y W]E NOT L9E (FIC]S ON DUTY AT ! FRONT1 & ?AT !Y W]E DELI<T$ AT IT4 

,NOT ?AT !RE WAS ANY SCORN APP>5T 9 !IR MANN]1 BUT !RE WAS A C]TA9 SELF-SATISFI$ TRANQUILITY1 F\ND$ P>TLY ON MONEY & P>TLY ON !IR CLOSE 9TIMACY ) G5]ALS1 A C]TA9 CONSCI\SNESS ( SUP]IORITY :I* EV5 EXT5D$ TO A DESIRE TO HIDE IT4 

,A ?ICK-LIPP$ Y\NG DOCTOR & AN (FIC] ( >TILL]Y1 ) A ,G]MAN CA/ ( C\NT5ANCE1 W]E SEAT$ ALMO/ ON ! FEET ( ! Y\NG (FIC] :O WAS SLEEP+ ON ! S(A1 & C\NT+ OV] !IR MONEY4 

,!RE W]E F\R (FIC]S' S]VANTS1 SOME DOZ+ & O!RS BUSY ) ! TRUNKS & PACKAGES NE> ! DOOR4 

,AMONG ALL !SE FACES1 ,KOZELTZ(F DID NOT F9D A S+LE FAMILI> ONE2 BUT HE BEGAN TO LI/5 ) CURIOSITY TO ! CONV]SATION4 ,! Y\NG (FIC]S1 :O1 AS HE DECID$ FROM !IR LOOKS ALONE1 HAD BUT JU/ COME \T ( ! MILIT>Y ACADEMY1 PLEAS$ HIM1 &1 :AT WAS ! PR9CIPAL PO9T1 !Y REM9D$ HIM ?AT HIS BRO!R HAD ALSO COME FROM ! ACADEMY1 & %\LD HAVE JO9$ REC5TLY ONE ( ! BATT]IES ( ,SEVA/OPOL4 

,BUT ! (FIC] ) ! SAT*EL1 :OSE FACE HE HAD SE5 BE=E SOME:]E1 SEEM$ BOLD & REPULSIVE TO HIM4 ,HE EV5 LEFT ! W9D[1 &1 GO+ TO ! /OVE-B5*1 SEAT$ HIMSELF ON IT1 ) ! ?\<T ?AT HE W\LD PUT ! FELL[ D[N IF HE TOOK IT 9TO HIS HEAD TO SAY ANY?+4 ,9 G5]AL1 PURELY AS A BRAVE 0L9E0 (FIC]1 HE DID NOT LIKE 0! /AFF10 SU* AS HE HAD RECOGNIZ$ !SE TWO (FIC]S TO BE AT ! FIR/ GLANCE4 

,I,V4 

  

0,BUT ?IS IS DREADFULLY ANNOY+10 SAID ONE ( ! Y\NG (FIC]S1 0TO BE SO NE>1 & YET NOT BE ABLE TO GET !RE4 ,P]HAPS !RE WILL BE AN ACTION ?IS V]Y DAY1 & WE %ALL NOT BE !RE40 

,9 ! %>P VOICE & ! MOTTL$ FRE%NESS ( ! COLOR ?AT SWEPT ACROSS ! Y\?FUL FACE ( ?IS (FIC] AS HE SPOKE !RE WAS APP>5T ! SWEET Y\NG TIMIDITY ( ! MAN :O IS CON/ANTLY AFRAID LE/ HIS EV]Y WORD %ALL NOT TURN \T EXACTLY RI<T4 

,! ONE->M$ (FIC] GLANC$ AT HIM ) A SMILE4 

0,Y\ WILL GET !RE SOON 5\<1 ,I ASSURE Y\10 HE SAID4 

,! Y\NG (FIC] LOOK$ ) RESPECT AT ! HAGG>D FACE ( ! >MLESS (FIC]1 SO UNEXPECT$LY ILLUM9AT$ BY A SMILE1 HELD HIS PEACE = A :ILE1 & BUSI$ HIMSELF ONCE MORE ) HIS TEA4 ,9 FACT1 ! ONE->M$ (FIC]'S FACE1 HIS ATTITUDE1 &1 MO/ ( ALL1 ! EMPTY SLEEVE ( HIS COAT1 EXPRESS$ MU* ( ?AT TRANQUIL 9DIFF]5CE ?AT MAY BE EXPLA9$ 9 ?IS WAY--?AT HE LOOK$ UPON EV]Y CONV]SATION & EV]Y OCCURR5CE AS ?\< SAY+1 0,?AT IS ALL V]Y F9E2 ,I KN[ ALL AB\T ?AT1 & ,I CAN DO A LITTLE ( ?AT MYSELF1 IF ,I ONLY *OOSE40 

0,:AT IS \R DECISION TO BE80 SAID ! Y\NG (FIC] AGA9 TO HIS COMPANION 9 ! %ORT COAT4 0,%ALL WE PASS ! NI<T H]E1 OR %ALL WE PROCE$ ) \R [N HORSES80 

,HIS COMRADE DECL9$ TO PROCE$4 

0,JU/ IMAG9E1 CAPTA910 SAID ! ONE :O WAS P\R+ ! TEA1 TURN+ TO ! ONE->M$ MAN1 & PICK+ UP ! KNIFE ?AT ! LATT] HAD DROPP$1 0!Y TOLD US ?AT HORSES W]E FRI<TFULLY DE> 9 ,SEVA/OPOL1 SO WE B\<T A HORSE 9 P>TN]%IP AT ,SIMF]OPOL40 

0,!Y MADE Y\ PAY PRETTY HI< = IT1 ,I FANCY40 

0,REALLY1 ,I DO NOT KN[1 CAPTA92 WE PAID N9ETY RUBLES = IT & ! TEAM4 ,IS ?AT V]Y DE>80 HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO ALL ! COMPANY1 & TO ,KOZELTZ(F1 :O WAS />+ AT HIM4 

0,IT WAS NOT DE>1 IF ! HORSE IS Y\NG10 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F4 

0,REALLY6 BUT !Y TOLD US ?AT IT WAS DE>4 ,ONLY1 %E LIMPS A LITTLE1 BUT ?AT WILL PASS (F4 ,!Y TOLD US ?AT %E WAS V]Y /RONG40 

0,:AT ACADEMY >E Y\ FROM80 ASK$ ,KOZELTZ(F1 :O WI%$ TO 9QUIRE = HIS BRO!R4 

0,WE >E JU/ FROM ! ACADEMY ( ! NOBILITY2 !RE >E SIX ( US1 & WE >E ON \R WAY TO ,SEVA/OPOL AT \R [N DESIRE10 SAID ! TALKATIVE Y\NG (FIC]4 0,BUT WE DO NOT KN[ :]E \R BATT]Y IS2 SOME SAY ?AT IT IS 9 ,SEVA/OPOL1 O!RS ?AT IT IS AT ,ODESSA40 

0,WAS IT NOT POSSIBLE TO F9D \T AT ,SIMF]OPOL80 ASK$ ,KOZELTZ(F4 

0,!Y DO NOT KN[ !RE4 ,JU/ IMAG9E1 ONE ( \R COMRADES W5T TO ! HEADQU>T]S !RE1 & !Y W]E IMP]T95T TO HIM4 ,Y\ CAN IMAG9E H[ DISAGREEABLE ?AT WAS6 ,W\LD Y\ LIKE TO HAVE ME MAKE Y\ A CIG>ETTE10 HE SAID AT ?AT MOM5T TO ! ONE->M$ (FIC]1 :O WAS JU/ PULL+ \T HIS CIG>ETTE-MA*9E4 

,HE WAIT$ ON ! LATT] ) A SORT ( S]VILE 5?USIASM4 

0,& >E Y\ FROM ,SEVA/OPOL ALSO80 HE W5T ON4 0,OH1 GOOD ,HEAV5S1 H[ WOND]FUL ?AT IS6 ,H[ MU* WE DID ?9K ( Y\1 & ( ALL \R H]OES1 9 ,PET]SBURG10 HE SAID1 TURN+ TO ,KOZELTZ(F ) RESPECT & GOOD-NATUR$ FLATT]Y4 

0,& N[1 P]HAPS1 Y\ MAY HAVE TO GO BACK80 9QUIR$ ! LIEUT5ANT4 

0,?AT IS JU/ :AT WE >E AFRAID (4 ,Y\ CAN IMAG9E ?AT1 AFT] HAV+ B\<T ! HORSE1 & PROVID$ \RSELVES ) ALL ! NECESS>IES1--A C(FEE-POT ) A SPIRIT-LAMP1 & O!R 9DISP5SABLE TRIFLES1--WE HAVE NO MONEY LEFT10 HE SAID1 9 A L[ VOICE1 AS HE GLANC$ AT HIS COMPANIONS2 0SO ?AT1 IF WE DO HAVE TO GO BACK1 WE DON'T KN[ :AT IS TO BE DONE40 

0,HAVE Y\ RECEIV$ NO MONEY = TRAVEL+ EXP5SES80 9QUIR$ ,KOZELTZ(F4 

0,NO10 REPLI$ HE1 9 A :ISP]2 0!Y ONLY PROMIS$ TO GIVE IT TO US H]E40 

0,HAVE Y\ ! C]TIFICATE80 

0,I KN[ ?AT--! PR9CIPAL ?+--IS ! C]TIFICATE2 BUT A S5ATOR 9 ,MOSC[1--HE'S MY UNCLE1--:5 ,I WAS AT HIS H\SE1 SAID ?AT !Y W\LD GIVE IT TO US H]E2 O!RWISE1 HE W\LD HAVE GIV5 ME SOME HIMSELF4 ,SO !Y WILL GIVE IT TO US H]E80 

0,MO/ C]TA9LY !Y WILL40 

0,I TOO ?9K ?AT !Y WILL10 HE SAID1 9 A TONE :I* %[$ ?AT1 AFT] HAV+ MADE ! SAME ID5TICAL 9QUIRY 9 ?IRTY PO/+-/ATIONS1 & HAV+ EV]Y:]E RECEIV$ DIFF]5T ANSW]S1 HE NO LONG] BELIEV$ ANY ONE IMPLICITLY4 

,V4 

  

0,:O ORD]$ BEET-S\P80 CALL$ \T ! SLATT]NLY MI/RESS ( ! H\SE1 A FAT WOMAN ( =TY1 AS %E 5T]$ ! ROOM ) A B[L ( S\P4 

,! CONV]SATION CEAS$ AT ONCE1 & ALL :O W]E 9 ! ROOM FIX$ !IR EYES ON ! WOMAN4 

0,AH1 IT WAS ,KOZELTZ(F :O ORD]$ IT10 SAID ! Y\NG (FIC]4 0,HE MU/ BE WAK$4 ,GET UP = Y\R D9N]10 HE SAID1 APPROA*+ ! SLEEP] ON ! S(A1 & JOGG+ HIS ELB[4 

,A Y\NG LAD ( SEV5TE51 ) M]RY BLACK EYES & R$ *EEKS1 SPRANG 5]GETICALLY FROM ! S(A1 & /OOD 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM1 RUBB+ HIS EYES4 

0,AH1 EXCUSE ME1 PLEASE10 HE SAID TO ! DOCTOR1 :OM HE HAD T\*$ 9 RIS+4 

,LIEUT5ANT ,KOZELTZ(F RECOGNIZ$ HIS BRO!R IMM$IATELY1 & /EPP$ UP TO HIM4 

0,DON'T Y\ KN[ ME80 HE SAID ) A SMILE4 

0,A-A-A-60 EXCLAIM$ ! Y\NG] BRO!R2 0?IS IS A/ONI%+60 ,& HE BEGAN TO KISS HIS BRO!R4 

,!Y KISS$ TWICE1 BUT /OPP$ AT ! ?IRD REPETITION AS ?\< ! ?\<T HAD OCCURR$ TO BO? ( !M3-- 

0,:Y IS IT NECESS>Y TO DO IT EXACTLY ?REE TIMES80 

0,WELL1 H[ DELI<T$ ,I AM60 SAID ! ELD]1 LOOK+ AT HIS BRO!R4 0,LET US GO \T ON ! POR*2 WE CAN HAVE A TALK40 

0,COME1 COME1 ,I DON'T WANT ANY S\P4 ,Y\ EAT IT1 ,F$]SOHN60 HE SAID TO HIS COMRADE4 

0,BUT Y\ WANT$ SOME?+ TO EAT40 

0,I DON'T WANT ANY?+40 

,:5 !Y EM]G$ ON ! POR*1 ! Y\NG] KEPT ASK+ HIS BRO!R3 0,WELL1 H[ >E Y\2 TELL ME ALL AB\T IT40 ,& /ILL HE KEPT ON SAY+ H[ GLAD HE WAS TO SEE HIM1 BUT HE TOLD NO?+ HIMSELF4 

,:5 FIVE M9UTES HAD ELAPS$1 DUR+ :I* TIME !Y HAD SUCCE$$ 9 BECOM+ SOME:AT SIL5T1 ! ELD] BRO!R 9QUIR$ :Y ! Y\NG] HAD NOT GONE 9TO ! GU>DS1 AS !Y HAD ALL EXPECT$ HIM TO DO4 

,HE WANT$ TO GET TO ,SEVA/OPOL AS SPE$ILY AS POSSIBLE1 HE SAID2 = IF ?+S TURN$ \T FAVORABLY !RE1 HE C\LD GET ADVANCEM5T MORE RAPIDLY !RE ?AN 9 ! GU>DS4 ,!RE IT TAKES T5 YE>S TO REA* ! GRADE ( COLONEL1 :ILE H]E ,TODLEB5 HAD RIS5 9 TWO YE>S FROM LIEUT5ANT-COLONEL TO G5]AL4 ,WELL1 & IF ONE DID GET KILL$1 !RE WAS NO?+ TO BE DONE4 

0,:AT A FELL[ Y\ >E60 SAID HIS BRO!R1 SMIL+4 

0,BUT ! PR9CIPAL ?+1 DO Y\ KN[1 BRO!R10 SAID ! Y\NG]1 SMIL+ & BLU%+ AS ?\< HE W]E PREP>+ TO SAY SOME?+ V]Y DISGRACEFUL1 0ALL ?IS IS NONS5SE1 & ! PR9CIPAL REASON :Y ,I ASK$ IT WAS ?AT ,I WAS A%AM$ TO LIVE 9 ,PET]SBURG :5 M5 >E DY+ = !IR C\NTRY H]E4 ,YES1 & ,I WANT$ TO BE ) Y\10 HE ADD$1 ) /ILL GREAT] %AMEFAC$NESS4 

0,H[ ABSURD Y\ >E60 SAID ! ELD] BRO!R1 PULL+ \T HIS CIG>ETTE-MA*9E1 & NOT EV5 GLANC+ AT HIM4 0,IT'S A PITY1 ?\<1 ?AT WE CAN'T BE TOGE!R40 

0,N[1 HONE/LY1 IS IT SO T]RIBLE 9 ! BA/IONS80 9QUIR$ ! Y\NG] MAN1 ABRUPTLY4 

0,IT IS T]RIBLE AT FIR/1 BUT Y\ GET US$ TO IT AFT]W>DS4 ,IT'S NO?+4 ,Y\ WILL SEE = Y\RSELF40 

0,& TELL ME /ILL ANO!R ?+4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K8--WILL ,SEVA/OPOL BE TAK58 ,I ?9K ?AT IT WILL NOT40 

0,GOD KN[S60 

0,BUT ONE ?+ IS ANNOY+4 ,JU/ IMAG9E :AT BAD LUCK6 ,A :OLE BUNDLE WAS /OL5 FROM US ON ! ROAD1 & IT HAD MY %AKO 9 IT1 SO ?AT N[ ,I AM 9 A DREADFUL PR$ICAM5T2 & ,I DON'T KN[ H[ ,I AM TO %[ MYSELF40 

,! Y\NG] ,KOZELTZ(F1 ,VLADIMIR1 GREATLY RESEMBL$ HIS BRO!R ,MIKHAIL1 BUT HE RESEMBL$ HIM AS A BUDD+ ROSE-BU% RESEMBLES ONE ?AT IS \T ( FL[]4 ,HIS HAIR WAS *E/NUT ALSO1 BUT IT WAS ?ICK & LAY 9 CURLS ON HIS TEMPLES4 ,ON ! S(T :ITE BACK ( HIS NECK !RE WAS A BLOND LOCK2 A SIGN ( GOOD LUCK1 SO ! NURSES SAY4 ,! FULL-BLOOD$ CRIMSON ( Y\? DID NOT /& FIX$ ON ! S(T1 :ITE HUE ( HIS FACE1 BUT FLA%$ UP & BETRAY$ ALL ! MOVEM5TS ( HIS M9D4 ,HE HAD ! SAME EYES AS HIS BRO!R1 BUT !Y W]E MORE WIDELY OP5$1 & CLE>]1 :I* APPE>$ ! MORE PECULI> BECAUSE !Y W]E VEIL$ FREQU5TLY BY A SLI<T MOI/URE4 ,A GOLD5 D[N WAS SPR\T+ ON HIS *EEKS1 & OV] HIS RUDDY LIPS1 :I* W]E (T5 FOLD$ 9TO A %Y SMILE1 DISPLAY+ TEE? ( DAZZL+ :IT5ESS4 ,HE WAS A WELL =M$ & BROAD-%\LD]$ FELL[1 9 UNBUTTON$ COAT1 FROM B5EA? :I* WAS VISIBLE A R$ %IRT ) COLL> TURN$ BACK4 ,AS HE /OOD BE=E HIS BRO!R1 LEAN+ HIS ELB[S ON ! RAIL+ ( ! POR*1 ) CIG>ETTE 9 H& & 9NOC5T JOY 9 HIS FACE & GE/URE1 HE WAS SO AGREEABLE & COMELY A Y\? ?AT ANY ONE W\LD HAVE GAZ$ AT HIM ) DELI<T4 ,HE WAS EXTREMELY PLEAS$ ) HIS BRO!R1 HE LOOK$ AT HIM ) RESPECT & PRIDE1 FANCY+ HIM HIS H]O2 BUT 9 SOME WAYS1 SO F> AS JUDGM5TS ON WORLDLY CULTURE1 ABILITY TO TALK ,FR5*1 BEHAVIOR 9 ! SOCIETY ( DI/+UI%$ PEOPLE1 DANC+1 & SO ON1 HE WAS SOME:AT A%AM$ ( HIM1 LOOK$ D[N ON HIM1 & EV5 *]I%$ A HOPE ( IMPROV+ HIM IF SU* A ?+ W]E POSSIBLE4 

,ALL HIS IMPRESSIONS1 SO F>1 W]E FROM ,PET]SBURG1 AT ! H\SE ( A LADY :O WAS FOND ( GOOD-LOOK+ Y\NG FELL[S1 & :O HAD HAD HIM SP5D HIS HOLIDAYS ) H]1 & FROM ,MOSC[1 AT ! H\SE ( A S5ATOR1 :]E HE HAD ONCE DANC$ AT A GREAT BALL4 

,V,I4 

  

,HAV+ NE>LY TALK$ !IR FILL & HAV+ >RIV$ AT ! FEEL+ ?AT Y\ FREQU5TLY EXP]I5CE1 ?AT !RE IS LITTLE 9 COMMON BETWE5 Y\1 ?\< Y\ LOVE ONE ANO!R1 ! BRO!RS W]E SIL5T = A FEW MOM5TS4 

0,PICK UP Y\R ?+S & WE WILL SET \T AT ONCE10 SAID ! ELD]4 

,! Y\NG] SUDD5LY BLU%$1 /AMM]$1 & BECAME CONFUS$4 

0,>E WE TO GO /RAI<T TO ,SEVA/OPOL80 HE 9QUIR$1 AFT] A MOM5T>Y PAUSE4 

0,:Y1 YES4 ,Y\ CAN'T HAVE MANY ?+S1 & WE CAN MANAGE TO C>RY !M1 ,I ?9K40 

0,V]Y GOOD6 WE WILL />T AT ONCE10 SAID ! Y\NG]1 ) A SI<1 & HE W5T 9SIDE4 

,BUT HE PAUS$ 9 ! VE/IBULE )\T OP5+ ! DOOR1 DROPP$ HIS HEAD GLOOMILY1 & BEGAN TO REFLECT4 

0,/RAI<T TO ,SEVA/OPOL1 ON ! 9/ANT1 )9 RANGE ( ! BOMBS--FRI<TFUL6 ,IT'S NO MATT]1 H[EV]2 IT MU/ HAVE COME SOMETIME4 ,N[1 AT ALL EV5TS1 ) MY BRO!R--0 

,! FACT WAS ?AT IT WAS ONLY N[1 AT ! ?\<T ?AT1 ONCE SEAT$ 9 ! C>T1 HE %\LD 5T] ,SEVA/OPOL )\T DISM\NT+ FROM IT1 & ?AT NO *ANCE OCCURR5CE C\LD ANY LONG] DETA9 HIM1 ?AT ! DANG] :I* HE WAS SEEK+ CLE>LY PRES5T$ ITSELF TO HIM1 & HE WAS TR\BL$ AT ! V]Y ?\<T ( ITS NE>NESS4 ,HE MANAG$ TO CONTROL HIMSELF 9 SOME WAY1 & 5T]$ ! ROOM2 BUT A QU>T] ( AN H\R ELAPS$1 & /ILL HE HAD NOT REJO9$ HIS BRO!R1 SO ?AT ! LATT] OP5$ ! DOOR AT LA/1 9 ORD] TO CALL HIM4 ,! Y\NG] ,KOZELTZ(F1 9 ! ATTITUDE ( A NAU<TY S*OOL-BOY1 WAS SAY+ SOME?+ TO AN (FIC] NAM$ ,P4 ,:5 HIS BRO!R OP5$ ! DOOR1 HE BECAME UTT]LY CONFUS$4 

0,IMM$IATELY4 ,I'LL COME \T 9 A M9UTE60 HE CRI$1 WAV+ HIS H& AT HIS BRO!R4 0,WAIT = ME !RE1 PLEASE40 

,A MOM5T LAT] HE EM]G$1 9 FACT1 & APPROA*$ HIS BRO!R1 ) A DEEP SI<4 

0,JU/ IMAG9E6 ,I CANNOT GO ) Y\1 BRO!R10 HE SAID4 

0,:AT8 ,:AT NONS5SE IS ?IS80 

0,I WILL TELL Y\ ! :OLE TRU?1 ,MI%A6 ,NOT ONE ( US HAS ANY MONEY1 & WE >E ALL 9 DEBT TO ?AT /AFF-CAPTA9 :OM Y\ SAW !RE4 ,IT IS HORRIBLY MORTIFY+60 

,! ELD] BRO!R FR[N$1 & DID NOT BREAK ! SIL5CE = A LONG :ILE4 

0,DO Y\ [E MU*80 HE ASK$1 GLANC+ ASKANCE AT HIS BRO!R4 

0,A GREAT DEAL--NO1 NOT A GREAT DEAL2 BUT ,I AM DREADFULLY A%AM$ ( IT4 ,HE HAS PAID = ME = ?REE /AGES1 & ALL HIS SUG> IS GONE1 SO ?AT ,I DO NOT KN[--YES1 & WE PLAY$ AT PREF]5CE4 ,I AM A LITTLE 9 HIS DEBT !RE1 TOO40 

0,?IS IS BAD1 ,VOLODYA6 ,N[1 :AT W\LD Y\ HAVE DONE IF Y\ HAD NOT MET ME80 SAID ! ELD]1 /]NLY1 )\T LOOK+ AT HIS BRO!R4 

0,:Y1 ,I WAS ?9K+1 BRO!R1 ?AT ,I %\LD GET ?AT TRAVEL+-MONEY AT ,SEVA/OPOL1 & ?AT ,I W\LD GIVE HIM ?AT4 ,SURELY1 ?AT CAN BE DONE2 & IT WILL BE BETT] = ME TO GO ) HIM TO-MORR[40 

,! ELD] BRO!R PULL$ \T HIS PURSE1 &1 ) F+]S ?AT %OOK A LITTLE1 HE TOOK \T TWO T5-RUBLE NOTES & ONE = ?REE RUBLES4 

0,?IS IS ALL ! MONEY ,I HAVE10 SAID HE4 0,H[ MU* DO Y\ [E80 

,KOZELTZ(F DID NOT SPEAK ! EXACT TRU? :5 HE SAID ?AT ?IS WAS ALL ! MONEY HE HAD4 ,HE HAD1 BESIDES1 F\R GOLD PIECES SEWN 9TO HIS CUFF1 9 CASE ( AN EM]G5CY2 BUT HE HAD TAK5 A V[ NOT TO T\* !M4 

,IT APPE>$ ?AT ,KOZELTZ(F1 :AT ) PREF]5CE & SUG>1 WAS 9 DEBT TO ! AM\NT ( EI<T RUBLES ONLY4 ,! ELD] BRO!R GAVE HIM ?IS SUM1 M]ELY REM>K+ ?AT ONE %\LD NOT PLAY PREF]5CE :5 ONE HAD NO MONEY4 

0,:AT DID Y\ PLAY =80 

,! Y\NG] BRO!R ANSW]$ NOT A WORD4 ,HIS BRO!R'S QUE/ION SEEM$ TO HIM TO CA/ A REFLECTION ON HIS HONOR4 ,VEXATION AT HIMSELF1 A %AME AT HIS CONDUCT1 :I* C\LD GIVE RISE TO SU* A SUSPICION1 & ! 9SULT FROM HIS BRO!R1 ( :OM HE WAS SO FOND1 PRODUC$ UPON HIS S5SITIVE NATURE SO DEEPLY PA9FUL AN IMPRESSION ?AT HE MADE NO REPLY4 ,S5SIBLE ?AT HE WAS NOT 9 A CONDITION TO RE/RA9 ! SOBS :I* ROSE 9 HIS ?ROAT1 HE TOOK ! MONEY )\T GLANC+ AT IT1 & W5T BACK TO HIS COMRADES4 

,V,I,I4 

  

,NIKOLAEFF1 :O HAD =TIFI$ HIMSELF AT ,DUVANKA1 ) TWO JUGS ( VODKA1 PUR*AS$ FROM A SOLDI] :O WAS P$DL+ IT ON ! BRIDGE1 GAVE ! RE9S A J]K1 & ! TEAM JOLT$ AWAY OV] ! /ONY ROAD1 %AD$ H]E & !RE1 :I* L$ ALONG ! ,BELBEK TO ,SEVA/OPOL2 BUT ! BRO!RS1 :OSE LEGS JO/L$ EA* O!R1 MA9TA9$ A /UBBORN SIL5CE1 AL?\< !Y W]E ?9K+ ( EA* O!R EV]Y 9/ANT4 

0,:Y DID HE 9SULT ME80 ?\<T ! Y\NG]4 0,C\LD HE NOT HAVE HELD HIS TONGUE AB\T ?AT8 ,IT IS EXACTLY AS ?\< HE ?\<T ?AT ,I WAS A ?IEF2 YES1 & N[ HE IS ANGRY1 APP>5TLY1 SO ?AT WE HAVE QU>REL$ = GOOD4 ,& H[ SPL5DID IT W\LD HAVE BE5 = US TO BE TOGE!R 9 ,SEVA/OPOL4 ,TWO BRO!RS1 ON FRI5DLY T]MS1 BO? FI<T+ ! FOE6 ONE ( !M1 ! ELD]1 ?\< NOT V]Y CULTIVAT$1 YET A VALIANT W>RIOR1 & ! O!R Y\NG]1 BUT A BRAVE FELL[ TOO4 ,9 A WEEK'S TIME ,I W\LD HAVE %[$ !M ?AT ,I AM NOT SU* A Y\NG/] AFT] ALL6 ,I %ALL CEASE TO BLU%1 !RE WILL BE MANL9ESS 9 MY C\NT5ANCE1 &1 ?\< MY MU/A*E IS NOT V]Y L>GE N[1 IT W\LD GR[ TO A GOOD SIZE BY ?AT TIME20 & HE FELT ( ! D[N :I* WAS MAK+ ITS APPE>ANCE R\ND ! $GES ( HIS M\?4 0,P]HAPS WE %ALL >RIVE TO-DAY1 & GET DIRECTLY 9TO ! CONFLICT1 MY BRO!R & ,I4 ,HE MU/ BE OB/9ATE & V]Y BRAVE1 ONE ( ?OSE :O DO NOT SAY MU*1 BUT ACT BETT] ?AN O!RS4 ,I %\LD LIKE TO KN[10 HE CONT9U$1 0:E!R HE IS SQUEEZ+ ME AGA9/ ! SIDE ( ! WAGON ON PURPOSE OR NOT4 ,HE PROBABLY IS CONSCI\S ?AT ,I FEEL AWKW>D1 & HE IS PRET5D+ NOT TO NOTICE ME4 ,WE %ALL >RIVE TO-DAY10 HE W5T ON ) HIS >GUM5T1 PRESS+ CLOSE TO ! SIDE ( ! WAGON1 & FE>+ TO MOVE LE/ HIS BRO!R %\LD OBS]VE ?AT HE WAS UNCOM=TABLE1 0&1 ALL AT ONCE1 WE %ALL GO /RAI<T TO ! BA/ION4 ,WE %ALL BO? GO TOGE!R1 ,I ) MY EQUIPM5TS1 & MY BRO!R ) HIS COMPANY4 ,ALL ( A SUDD51 ! ,FR5* ?R[ !MSELVES ON US4 ,I BEG9 TO FIRE1 & FIRE ON !M4 ,I KILL A T]RIBLE NUMB]2 BUT !Y /ILL CONT9UE TO RUN /RAI<T AT ME4 ,N[1 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIRE ANY LONG]1 & !RE IS NO HOPE = ME2 ALL AT ONCE MY BRO!R RU%ES \T 9 FRONT ) HIS SWORD1 & ,I GRASP MY GUN1 & WE RU% ON ) ! SOLDI]S4 ,! ,FR5* ?R[ !MSELVES ON MY BRO!R4 ,I HA/5 UP2 ,I KILL ONE ,FR5*MAN1 !N ANO!R1 & ,I SAVE MY BRO!R4 ,I AM W\ND$ 9 ONE >M2 ,I SEIZE MY GUN ) ! O!R1 & CONT9UE MY FLI<T2 BUT MY BRO!R IS SLA9 BY MY SIDE BY ! BULLETS4 ,I HALT = A MOM5T1 & GAZE AT HIM SO SORR[FULLY2 !N ,I /RAI<T5 MYSELF UP & %\T3 ',FOLL[ ME6 ,WE WILL AV5GE HIM6 ,I LOV$ MY BRO!R MORE ?AN ANY ONE 9 ! WORLD1' ,I %ALL SAY1 '& ,I HAVE LO/ HIM4 ,LET US AV5GE HIM6 ,LET US ANNIHILATE ! FOE1 OR LET US ALL DIE TOGE!R !RE6' ,ALL %\T1 & FL+ !MSELVES AFT] ME4 ,!N ! :OLE ,FR5* >MY MAKES A SORTIE1 9CLUD+ EV5 ,PELISSI] HIMSELF4 ,WE ALL FI<T2 BUT1 AT LA/1 ,I AM W\ND$ A SECOND1 A ?IRD TIME1 & ,I FALL1 NE>LY DEAD4 ,!N1 ALL RU% UP TO ME4 ,GORT*AK(F COMES UP & ASKS :AT ,I W\LD LIKE4 ,I SAY ?AT ,I WANT NO?+--EXCEPT ?AT ,I MAY BE LAID BESIDE MY BRO!R2 ?AT ,I WI% TO DIE ) HIM4 ,!Y C>RY ME1 & LAY ME D[N BY ! SIDE ( MY BRO!R'S BLOODY CORPSE4 ,!N ,I %ALL RAISE MYSELF1 & M]ELY SAY3 ',YES1 Y\ DID NOT UND]/& H[ TO VALUE TWO M5 :O REALLY LOV$ !IR FA!R-L&2 N[ !Y HAVE BO? FALL51--& MAY ,GOD =GIVE Y\6' & ,I %ALL DIE4 

,:O KN[S 9 :AT MEASURE !SE DREAMS WILL BE REALIZ$8 

0,HAVE Y\ EV] BE5 9 A H& TO H& FI<T80 HE SUDD5LY 9QUIR$ ( HIS BRO!R1 QUITE =GETT+ ?AT HE HAD NOT MEANT TO SPEAK TO HIM4 

0,NO1 NOT ONCE10 ANSW]$ ! ELD]4 0,\R REGIM5T HAS LO/ TWO ?\S& M51 ALL ON ! WORKS2 & ,I1 ALSO1 WAS W\ND$ !RE4 ,W> IS NOT C>RI$ ON 9 ! LEA/ AS Y\ FANCY1 ,VOLODYA40 

,! WORD 0,VOLODYA0 T\*$ ! Y\NG] BRO!R4 ,HE WANT$ TO COME TO AN EXPLANATION ) HIS BRO!R1 :O HAD NOT ! LEA/ IDEA ?AT HE HAD (F5D$ ,VOLODYA4 

0,Y\ >E NOT ANGRY ) ME1 ,MI%A80 HE SAID1 AFT] A MOM5T>Y SIL5CE4 

0,:AT AB\T80 

0,NO1 BECAUSE--BECAUSE WE HAD SU* A--NO?+40 

0,NOT 9 ! LEA/10 REPLI$ ! ELD]1 TURN+ TO HIM1 & SLAPP+ HIM ON ! LEG4 

0,!N =GIVE ME1 ,MI%A1 IF ,I HAVE W\ND$ Y\40 

,& ! Y\NG] BRO!R TURN$ ASIDE1 9 ORD] TO HIDE ! TE>S ?AT SUDD5LY />T$ TO HIS EYES4 

,V,I,I,I4 

  

0,IS ?IS ,SEVA/OPOL ALREADY80 ASK$ ! Y\NG] BRO!R1 AS !Y ASC5D$ ! HILL4 

,& BE=E !M APPE>$ ! BAY1 ) ITS MA/S ( %IPS1 ITS %IPP+1 & ! SEA1 ) ! HO/ILE FLEET1 9 ! DI/ANCE2 ! :ITE BATT]IES ON ! %ORE1 ! B>RACKS1 ! AQU$UCTS1 ! DOCKS & ! BUILD+S ( ! T[N1 & ! :ITE & LILAC CL\DS ( SMOKE RIS+ 9CESSANTLY OV] ! YELL[ HILLS1 :I* SURR\ND$ ! T[N & /OOD \T AGA9/ ! BLUE SKY1 9 ! ROSY RAYS ( ! SUN1 :I* WAS REFLECT$ BY ! WAVES1 & S9K+ T[>DS ! HORIZON ( ! %AD[Y SEA4 

,VOLODYA1 )\T A %UDD]1 GAZ$ UPON ?IS T]RIBLE PLACE ( :I* HE HAD ?\<T SO MU*2 ON ! CONTR>Y1 HE DID SO ) AN AES!TIC 5JOYM5T1 & A H]OIC S5SE ( SELF-SATISFACTION AT ! IDEA ?AT H]E HE WAS--HE W\LD BE !RE 9 ANO!R HALF-H\R1 ?AT HE W\LD BEHOLD ?AT REALLY *>M+LY ORIG9AL SPECTACLE--& HE />$ ) CONC5TRAT$ ATT5TION FROM ?AT MOM5T UNTIL !Y >RIV$ AT ! NOR? =TIFICATION1 AT ! BAGGAGE-TRA9 ( HIS BRO!R'S REGIM5T1 :]E !Y W]E TO ASC]TA9 ) C]TA9TY ! SITUATIONS ( ! REGIM5T & ! BATT]Y4 

,! (FIC] 9 *>GE ( ! TRA9 LIV$ NE> ! SO-CALL$ NEW T[N 7HUTS BUILT ( BO>DS BY ! SAILORS' FAMILIES71 9 A T5T1 CONNECT+ ) A TOL]ABLY L>GE %$1 CON/RUCT$ \T ( GRE5 OAK-B\<S1 ?AT W]E NOT YET 5TIRELY WI!R$4 

,! BRO!RS F\ND ! (FIC] SEAT$ BE=E A GREASY TABLE1 UPON :I* /OOD A GLASS ( COLD TEA1 A TRAY ) VODKA1 CRUMBS ( DRY /URGEON ROE1 & BREAD1 CLAD ONLY 9 A %IRT ( A DIRTY YELL[ HUE1 & 5GAG$ 9 C\NT+ A HUGE PILE ( BANK-BILLS ON A L>GE ABACUS4 

,BUT BE=E DESCRIB+ ! P]SONALITY ( ! (FIC]1 & HIS CONV]SATION1 IT IS 9DISP5SABLE ?AT WE %\LD 9SPECT ) MORE ATT5TION ! 9T]IOR ( HIS %$1 & BECOME A LITTLE ACQUA9T$1 AT LEA/1 ) HIS MODE ( LIFE & HIS OCCUPATIONS4 ,! NEW %$1 LIKE ?OSE BUILT = G5]ALS & REGIM5TAL COMM&]S1 WAS L>GE1 CLOSELY WATTL$1 & COM=TABLY >RANG$1 ) LITTLE TABLES & B5*ES1 MADE ( TURF4 ,! SIDES & RO( W]E HUNG ) ?REE RUGS1 TO KEEP ! LEAVES FROM %[]+ D[N1 &1 ?\< EXTREMELY UGLY1 !Y W]E NEW1 & C]TA9LY CO/LY4 

,UPON ! IRON B$1 :I* /OOD B5EA? ! PR9CIPAL RUG1 ) A Y\NG AMAZON DEPICT$ ON IT1 LAY A PLU% COV]LET1 ( A BRILLIANT CRIMSON1 A TORN & DIRTY PILL[1 & A RACCOON CLOAK4 ,ON ! TABLE /OOD A MIRROR1 9 A SILV] FRAME1 A SILV] BRU%1 FRI<TFULLY DIRTY1 A BROK5 HORN COMB1 FULL ( GREASY HAIR1 A SILV] C&LE/ICK1 A BOTTLE ( LIQUEUR1 ) A HUGE GOLD & R$ LABEL1 A GOLD WAT*1 ) A PORTRAIT ( ,PET] ,I41 TWO GOLD P5S1 A SMALL BOX1 CONTA9+ PILLS ( SOME SORT1 A CRU/ ( BREAD1 & SOME OLD1 CA/AWAY C>DS1 & !RE W]E BOTTLES1 BO? FULL & EMPTY1 UND] ! B$4 

,?IS (FIC] HAD *>GE ( ! COMMISS>IAT ( ! REGIM5T & ! FODD] ( ! HORSES4 ,) HIM LIV$ HIS GREAT FRI5D1 ! COMMISSION] :O HAD *>GE ( ! OP]ATIONS4 

,AT ! MOM5T :5 ! BRO!RS 5T]$1 ! LATT] WAS ASLEEP 9 ! BOO?1 & ! COMMISS>Y (FIC] WAS MAK+ UP HIS ACC\NTS ( ! GOV]NM5T MONEY1 9 ANTICIPATION ( ! 5D ( ! MON?4 ,! COMMISS>Y (FIC] HAD A V]Y COMELY & W>LIKE EXT]IOR4 ,HIS /ATURE WAS TALL1 HIS MU/A*E HUGE1 & HE POSSESS$ A RESPECTABLE AM\NT ( PLUMPNESS4 ,! ONLY DISAGREEABLE PO9TS AB\T HIM W]E A C]TA9 P]SPIRATION & PUFF9ESS ( ! :OLE FACE1 :I* ALMO/ CONCEAL$ HIS SMALL GRAY EYES 7AS ?\< HE WAS FILL$ UP ) PORT]71 & AN EXCESSIVE LACK ( CLEANL9ESS1 FROM HIS ?91 GREASY HAIR TO HIS BIG1 B>E FEET1 ?RU/ 9TO SOME SORT ( ]M9E SLIPP]S4 

0,MONEY1 MONEY60 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F NUMB] ONE1 5T]+ ! %$1 & FIX+ HIS EYES1 ) 9VOLUNT>Y GRE$1 UPON ! PILE ( BANK-NOTES4 0,Y\ MI<T L5D ME HALF ( ?AT1 ,VASILY ,MIKHAILIT*60 

,! COMMISS>Y (FIC] CR+$ AT ! SI<T ( HIS VISITORS1 &1 SWEEP+ UP HIS MONEY1 HE B[$ TO !M )\T RIS+4 

0,OH1 IF IT ONLY BELONG$ TO ME6 ,IT'S GOV]NM5T MONEY1 MY DE> FELL[4 ,& :O IS ?IS Y\ HAVE ) Y\80 SAID HE1 ?RU/+ ! MONEY 9TO A C(F] :I* /OOD BESIDE HIM1 & />+ AT ,VOLODYA4 

0,?IS IS MY BRO!R1 :O HAS JU/ COME FROM ! MILIT>Y ACADEMY4 ,WE HAVE BO? COME TO LE>N FROM Y\ :]E \R REGIM5T IS /ATION$40 

0,SIT D[N1 G5TLEM510 SAID ! (FIC]1 RIS+1 & GO+ 9TO ! %$1 )\T PAY+ ANY HE$ TO HIS GUE/S4 0,WON'T Y\ HAVE SOME?+ TO DR9K8 ,SOME PORT]1 = 9/ANCE80 SAID HE4 

0,DON'T PUT Y\RSELF \T1 ,VASILY ,MIKHAILIT*40 

,VOLODYA WAS IMPRESS$ BY ! SIZE ( ! COMMISS>Y (FIC]1 BY HIS C>ELESSNESS ( MANN]1 & BY ! RESPECT ) :I* HIS BRO!R ADDRESS$ HIM4 

0,IT MU/ BE ?AT ?IS IS ONE ( !IR V]Y F9E (FIC]S1 :OM EV]Y ONE RESPECTS4 ,REALLY1 HE IS SIMPLE1 BUT HOSPITABLE & BRAVE10 HE ?\<T1 SEAT+ HIMSELF 9 A TIMID & MODE/ MANN] ON ! S(A4 

0,:]E IS \R REGIM5T /ATION$1 !N80 CALL$ \T HIS ELD] BRO!R 9TO ! BO>D HUT4 

0,:AT80 

,HE REPEAT$ HIS QU]Y4 

0,ZEIF] HAS BE5 H]E TO-DAY4 ,HE TOLD ME ?AT !Y HAD REMOV$ TO ! FIF? BA/ION40 

0,IS ?AT TRUE80 

0,IF ,I SAY SO1 IT MU/ BE TRUE2 BUT ! DEUCE ONLY KN[S ANYWAY6 ,HE W\LD ?9K NO?+ ( TELL+ A LIE4 ,WON'T Y\ HAVE SOME PORT]80 SAID ! COMMISS>Y (FIC]1 /ILL FROM ! T5T4 

0,I WILL IF Y\ PLEASE10 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F4 

0,& WILL Y\ HAVE A DR9K1 ,OSIP ,IGNATIEVIT*80 W5T ON ! VOICE 9 ! T5T1 APP>5TLY ADDRESS+ ! SLEEP+ COMMISSION]4 0,Y\ HAVE SLEPT 5\<2 IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK40 

0,:Y DO Y\ WORRY ME8 ,I AM NOT ASLEEP10 ANSW]$ A %RILL1 LANGUID LITTLE VOICE4 

0,COME1 GET UP6 WE F9D IT /UPID )\T Y\40 

,& ! COMMISS>Y (FIC] CAME \T TO HIS GUE/S4 

0,FET* SOME ,SIMF]OPOL PORT]60 HE %\T$4 

,A S]VANT 5T]$ ! BOO?1 ) A HAU<TY EXPRESSION ( C\NT5ANCE1 AS IT SEEM$ TO ,VOLODYA1 &1 HAV+ JO/L$ ,VOLODYA1 HE DREW =? ! PORT] FROM B5EA? ! B5*4 

,! BOTTLE ( PORT] WAS SOON EMPTI$1 & ! CONV]SATION HAD PROCE$$ 9 ! SAME /YLE = RA!R A LONG TIME :5 ! FLAP ( ! T5T FLEW OP5 & \T /EPP$ A %ORT1 FRE%-COLOR$ MAN1 9 A BLUE DRESS+-G[N ) TASSELS1 9 A CAP ) A R$ RIM & A COCKADE4 ,AT ! MOM5T ( HIS APPE>ANCE1 HE WAS SMOO?+ HIS SMALL BLACK MU/A*E1 &1 ) HIS GAZE FIX$ ON ! RUGS1 HE REPLI$ TO ! GREET+S ( ! (FIC] ) A B>ELY P]CEPTIBLE MOVEM5T ( ! %\LD]S4 

0,I WILL DR9K A SMALL GLASSFUL TOO60 SAID HE1 SEAT+ HIMSELF BY ! TABLE4 0,:AT IS ?IS1 HAVE Y\ COME FROM ,PET]SBURG1 Y\NG MAN80 HE SAID1 TURN+ C\RTE\SLY TO ,VOLODYA4 

0,YES1 SIR1 ,I AM ON MY WAY TO ,SEVA/OPOL40 

0,DID Y\ MAKE ! APPLICATION Y\RSELF80 

0,YES1 SIR40 

0,:AT QUE] TA/ES Y\ HAVE1 G5TLEM56 ,I DO NOT UND]/& IT60 CONT9U$ ! COMMISSION]4 0,IT /RIKES ME ?AT ,I %\LD BE READY JU/ N[ TO TRAVEL ON FOOT TO ,PET]SBURG1 IF ,I C\LD GET AWAY4 ,BY ,HEAV5S1 ,I AM TIR$ ( ?IS CURS$ LIFE60 

0,:AT IS !RE AB\T IT ?AT DOES NOT SUIT Y\80 SAID ! ELD] ,KOZELTZ(F1 TURN+ TO HIM4 0,Y\'RE ! V]Y LA/ P]SON TO COMPLA9 ( LIFE H]E60 

,! COMMISSION] CA/ A LOOK UPON HIM1 & !N TURN$ AWAY4 

0,?IS DANG]1 !SE PRIVATIONS1 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ANY?+ H]E10 HE CONT9U$1 ADDRESS+ ,VOLODYA4 0,& :Y Y\ %\LD TAKE SU* A FREAK1 G5TLEM51 ,I REALLY CANNOT UND]/&4 ,IF !RE W]E ANY ADVANTAGES TO BE D]IV$ FROM IT1 BUT !RE IS NO?+ ( ! SORT4 ,IT W\LD BE A NICE ?+1 N[1 W\LDN'T IT1 IF Y\1 AT Y\R AGE1 W]E TO BE LEFT A CRIPPLE = LIFE60 

0,SOME NE$ ! MONEY1 & SOME S]VE = HONOR'S SAKE60 SAID ! ELD] ,KOZELTZ(F1 9 A TONE ( VEXATION1 JO9+ ! DISCUSSION ONCE MORE4 

0,:AT'S ! GOOD ( HONOR1 :5 !RE'S NO?+ TO EAT60 SAID ! COMMISSION] ) A SCORNFUL LAU<1 TURN+ TO ! COMMISS>Y1 :O ALSO LAU<$ AT ?IS4 0,GIVE US SOME?+ FROM ',LUCIA'2 WE WILL LI/510 HE SAID1 PO9T+ TO ! MUSIC-BOX4 0,I LOVE IT40 

0,WELL1 IS ?AT ,VASILY ,MIKHAILIT* A F9E MAN80 ,VOLODYA ASK$ HIS BRO!R :5 !Y EM]G$1 AT DUSK1 FROM ! BOO?1 & PURSU$ !IR WAY TO ,SEVA/OPOL4 

0,NOT AT ALL2 BUT SU* A NIGG>D ?AT IT IS A P]FECT T]ROR6 ,& ,I CAN'T BE> ! SI<T ( ?AT COMMISSION]1 & ,I %ALL GIVE HIM A ?RA%+ ONE ( !SE DAYS40 

,I,X4 

  

,VOLODYA WAS NOT PRECISELY \T ( SORTS :51 NE>LY AT NI<TFALL1 !Y REA*$ ! GREAT BRIDGE OV] ! BAY1 BUT HE FELT A C]TA9 HEAV9ESS AT HIS HE>T4 ,ALL ?AT HE HAD HE>D & SE5 WAS SO LITTLE 9 CONSONANCE ) ! IMPRESSIONS :I* HAD REC5TLY PASS$ AWAY2 ! HUGE1 LI<T EXAM9ATION HALL1 ) ITS POLI%$ FLOOR1 ! K9D & M]RY VOICES & LAU<T] ( HIS COMRADES1 ! NEW UNI=M1 HIS BELOV$ CZ>1 :OM HE HAD BE5 ACCU/OM$ TO SEE = ! LA/ SEV5 YE>S1 & :O1 :5 HE TOOK LEAVE ( !M1 HAD CALL$ !M HIS *ILDR51 ) TE>S 9 HIS EYES1--& EV]Y?+ ?AT HE HAD SE5 SO LITTLE RESEMBL$ HIS V]Y BEAUTIFUL1 RA9B[-HU$1 MAGNIFIC5T DREAMS4 

0,WELL1 H]E WE >E AT LA/60 SAID ! ELD] BRO!R1 :5 !Y >RIV$ AT ! ,MIKHAILOVSKY BATT]Y1 & DISM\NT$ FROM !IR C>T4 0,IF !Y LET US PASS ! BRIDGE1 WE WILL GO DIRECTLY TO ! ,NIKOLAEVSKY B>RACKS4 ,Y\ /AY !RE UNTIL MORN+1 & ,I WILL GO TO ! REGIM5T & F9D \T :]E Y\R BATT]Y IS /ATION$1 & TO-MORR[ ,I WILL COME = Y\40 

0,BUT :Y8 ,IT W\LD BE BETT] IF WE BO? W5T TOGE!R10 SAID ,VOLODYA2 0,I WILL GO TO ! BA/ION ) Y\4 ,IT WON'T MAKE ANY DIFF]5CE2 ,I %ALL HAVE TO GET US$ TO IT4 ,IF Y\ GO1 !N ,I CAN TOO40 

0,BETT] NOT GO40 

0,NO1 IF Y\ PLEASE2 ,I DO KN[1 AT LEA/1 ?AT44440 

0,MY ADVICE IS1 NOT TO GO2 BUT IF Y\ *OOSE44440 

,! SKY WAS CLE> & D>K2 ! />S1 & ! FIRES ( ! BOMBS 9 9CESSANT MOVEM5T & DIS*>GES1 W]E GLEAM+ BRILLIANTLY ?R\< ! GLOOM4 ,! L>GE :ITE BUILD+ ( ! BATT]Y1 & ! BEG9N+ ( ! BRIDGE /OOD \T 9 ! D>KNESS4 ,LIT]ALLY1 EV]Y SECOND SEV]AL DIS*>GES ( >TILL]Y & EXPLOSIONS1 FOLL[+ EA* O!R 9 QUICK SUCCESSION OR OCCURR+ SIMULTANE\SLY1 %OOK ! AIR ) 9CREAS+ ?UND] & DI/9CTNESS4 ,?R\< ?IS RO>1 & AS ?\< REPEAT+ IT1 ! MELAN*OLY DA% ( ! WAVES WAS AUDIBLE4 ,A FA9T BREEZE WAS DRAW+ 9 FROM ! SEA1 & ! AIR WAS HEAVY ) MOI/URE4 ,! BRO!RS /EPP$ UPON ! BRIDGE4 ,A SOLDI] /RUCK HIS GUN AWKW>DLY AGA9/ HIS >M1 & %\T$3-- 

0,:O GOES !RE80 

0,A SOLDI]40 

0,! ORD]S >E NOT TO LET ANY ONE PASS60 

0,:AT ( ?AT6 ,WE HAVE BUS9ESS6 ,WE MU/ PASS60 

0,ASK ! (FIC]40 

,! (FIC]1 :O WAS DR[S+ AS HE SAT ON AN AN*OR1 ROSE UP & GAVE ! ORD] TO LET !M PASS4 

0,Y\ CAN GO ?AT WAY1 BUT NOT ?IS4 ,:]E >E Y\ DRIV+ TO1 ALL 9 A HEAP60 HE CRI$ TO ! TRANSPORT WAGONS PIL$ HI< ) GABIONS1 :I* HAD CLU/]$ AB\T ! 5TRANCE4 

,AS !Y DESC5D$ TO ! FIR/ PONTOON1 ! BRO!RS 5C\NT]$ SOLDI]S :O W]E COM+ !NCE1 & TALK+ L\DLY4 

0,IF HE HAS RECEIV$ HIS AMMUNITION MONEY1 !N HE HAS SQU>$ HIS ACC\NTS 9 FULL--?AT'S :AT IT IS60 

0,EH1 BRO!RS60 SAID ANO!R VOICE1 0:5 Y\ GET OV] ON ! ,SEV]NAYA Y\ WILL SEE ! WORLD1 BY HEAV5S6 ,! AIR IS 5TIRELY DIFF]5T40 

0,Y\ MAY SAY MORE60 SAID ! FIR/ SPEAK]4 0,A CURS$ %ELL FLEW 9 !RE ! O!R DAY1 & IT TORE ! LEGS (F ( TWO SAILORS1 SO ?AT44440 

,! BRO!RS TRAV]S$ ! FIR/ PONTOON1 :ILE WAIT+ = ! WAGON1 & HALT$ ON ! SECOND1 :I* WAS ALREADY FLOOD$ ) WAT] 9 P>TS4 ,! BREEZE1 :I* HAD SEEM$ WEAK 9L&1 WAS V]Y P[]FUL H]E1 & CAME 9 GU/S2 ! BRIDGE SWAY$ TO & FRO1 & ! WAVES1 BEAT+ NOISILY AGA9/ ! BEAMS1 & TE>+ AT ! CABLES & AN*ORS1 FLOOD$ ! PLANKS4 ,AT ! RI<T ! GLOOMILY HO/ILE SEA RO>$ & D>KL$1 AS IT LAY SEP>AT$ BY AN 9T]M9ABLE LEVEL BLACK L9E FROM ! />RY HORIZON1 :I* WAS LI<T GRAY 9 ITS GLEAM2 LI<TS FLA%$ AF> ON ! 5EMY'S FLEET2 ON ! LEFT T[]$ ! BLACK MA/S ( ONE ( \R VESSELS1 & ! WAVES C\LD BE HE>D AS !Y BEAT AGA9/ H] HULL2 A /EAM] WAS VISIBLE1 AS IT MOV$ NOISILY & SWIFTLY FROM ! ,SEV]NAYA4 

,! FLA% ( A BOMB1 AS IT BUR/ NE> IT1 ILLUM9AT$ = A MOM5T ! L(TY HEAPS ( GABIONS ON ! DECK1 TWO M5 :O W]E /&+ ON IT1 & ! :ITE FOAM & ! SPURTS ( GRE5I% WAVES1 AS ! /EAM] PL[$ ?R\< !M4 ,ON ! $GE ( ! BRIDGE1 ) HIS LEGS DANGL+ 9 ! WAT]1 SAT A MAN 9 HIS %IRT-SLEEVES1 :O WAS REPAIR+ SOME?+ CONNECT$ ) ! BRIDGE4 ,9 FRONT1 OV] ,SEVA/OPOL1 FLOAT$ ! SAME FIRES1 & ! T]RIBLE S\NDS GREW L\D] & L\D]4 ,A WAVE ROLL$ 9 FROM ! SEA1 FL[$ OV] ! RI<T SIDE ( ! BRIDGE1 & WET ,VOLODYA'S FEET2 TWO SOLDI]S PASS$ !M1 DRAGG+ !IR FEET ?R\< ! WAT]4 ,SOME?+ SUDD5LY BUR/ ) A CRA% & LI<T$ UP ! BRIDGE AHEAD ( !M1 ! WAGON DRIV+ OV] IT1 & A MAN ON HORSEBACK4 ,! SPL9T]S FELL 9TO ! WAVES ) A HISS1 & S5T UP ! WAT] 9 SPLA%ES4 

0,AH1 ,MIKHAILO ,SEMYONIT*60 SAID ! RID]1 /OPP+1 RE9+ 9 HIS HORSE 9 FRONT ( ! ELD] ,KOZELTZ(F1 0HAVE Y\ FULLY RECOV]$ ALREADY80 

0,AS Y\ SEE4 ,:I!R IS ,GOD TAK+ Y\80 

0,TO ! ,SEV]NAYA1 = C>TRIDGES2 ,I AM ON MY WAY TO ! ADJUTANT ( ! REGIM5T 444 WE EXPECT AN ASSAULT TO-MORR[1 AT ANY H\R40 

0,& :]E IS ,M>TZ(F80 

0,HE LO/ A LEG YE/]DAY2 HE WAS 9 ! T[N1 ASLEEP 9 HIS ROOM4444 ,P]HAPS Y\ KN[ IT80 

0,! REGIM5T IS 9 ! FIF? BA/ION1 ISN'T IT80 

0,YES2 IT HAS TAK5 ! PLACE ( ! ,M---- REGIM5T4 ,GO TO ! FIELD-HOSPITAL2 SOME ( \R M5 >E !RE1 & !Y WILL %[ Y\ ! WAY40 

0,WELL1 & >E MY QU>T]S ON ! ,MORSKAYA /ILL 9TACT80 

0,:Y1 MY GOOD FELL[1 !Y W]E SMA%$ TO BITS LONG AGO BY ! BOMBS4 ,Y\ WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ,SEVA/OPOL N[2 !RE'S NOT A S+LE WOMAN !RE N[1 NOR ANY 9NS NOR MUSIC2 ! LA/ E/ABLI%M5T TOOK ITS DEP>TURE YE/]DAY4 ,IT HAS BECOME HORRIBLY DISMAL !RE N[4444 ,F>EWELL60 

,& ! (FIC] RODE ON HIS WAY AT A TROT4 

,ALL AT ONCE1 ,VOLODYA BECAME T]RIBLY FRI<T5$2 IT SEEM$ TO HIM AS ?\< A CANNON-BALL OR A SPL9T] ( BOMB W\LD FLY 9 !IR DIRECTION1 & /RIKE HIM DIRECTLY ON ! HEAD4 ,?IS DAMP D>KNESS1 ALL !SE S\NDS1 ESPECIALLY ! ANGRY SPLA%+ ( ! WAVES1 SEEM$ TO BE SAY+ TO HIM ?AT HE \<T NOT TO GO ANY F>!R1 ?AT NO?+ GOOD AWAIT$ HIM YOND]1 ?AT HE W\LD NEV] AGA9 SET FOOT ON ! GR\ND UPON ?IS SIDE ( ! BAY1 ?AT HE MU/ TURN AB\T AT ONCE1 & FLEE SOME:]E OR O!R1 AS F> AS POSSIBLE FROM ?IS T]RIBLE HAUNT ( DEA?4 0,BUT P]HAPS IT IS TOO LATE N[1 EV]Y?+ IS SETTL$10 ?\<T HE1 TREMBL+ P>TLY AT ?IS ?\<T & P>TLY BECAUSE ! WAT] HAD SOAK$ ?R\< HIS BOOTS & WET HIS FEET4 

,VOLODYA HEAV$ A DEEP SI<1 & W5T A LITTLE AP>T FROM HIS BRO!R4 

0,LORD1 WILL !Y KILL ME--ME 9 P>TICUL>8 ,LORD1 HAVE M]CY ON ME60 SAID HE1 9 A :ISP]1 & HE CROSS$ HIMSELF4 

0,COME1 ,VOLODYA1 LET US GO ON60 SAID ! ELD] BRO!R1 :5 !IR LITTLE C>T HAD DRIV5 UPON ! BRIDGE4 0,DID Y\ SEE ?AT BOMB80 

,ON ! BRIDGE1 ! BRO!RS MET WAGONS FILL$ ) ! W\ND$1 ) GABIONS1 & ONE LOAD$ ) FURNITURE1 :I* WAS DRIV5 BY A WOMAN4 ,ON ! FUR!R SIDE NO ONE DETA9$ !M4 

,CL++ 9/9CTIVELY TO ! WALLS ( ! ,NIKOLAEVSKY BATT]Y1 ! BRO!RS LI/5$ 9 SIL5CE TO ! NOISE ( ! BOMBS1 EXPLOD+ OV]HEAD1 & TO ! RO> ( ! FRAGM5TS1 %[]+ D[N FROM ABOVE1 & CAME TO ?AT SPOT 9 ! BATT]Y :]E ! IMAGE WAS4 ,!RE !Y LE>N$ ?AT ! FIF? LI<T BATT]Y1 TO :I* ,VOLODYA HAD BE5 ASSIGN$1 WAS /ATION$ ON ! ,KORABELNAYA1 & !Y DECID$ ?AT HE %\LD GO1 9 SPITE ( ! DANG]1 & PASS ! NI<T ) ! ELD] 9 ! FIF? BA/ION1 & ?AT HE %\LD FROM !RE JO9 HIS BATT]Y ! NEXT DAY4 ,!Y TURN$ 9TO ! CORRIDOR1 /EPP+ OV] ! LEGS ( ! SLEEP+ SOLDI]S1 :O W]E LY+ ALL ALONG ! WALLS ( ! BATT]Y1 & AT LA/ !Y >RIV$ AT ! PLACE :]E ! W\ND$ W]E ATT5D$ TO4 

,X4 

  

,AS !Y 5T]$ ! FIR/ ROOM1 SURR\ND$ ) COTS ON :I* LAY ! W\ND$1 & P]MEAT$ ) ?AT FRI<TFUL & DISGU/+ HOSPITAL ODOR1 !Y MET TWO ,SI/]S ( ,M]CY1 :O W]E COM+ TO MEET !M4 

,ONE WOMAN1 ( FIFTY1 ) BLACK EYES1 & A /]N EXPRESSION ( C\NT5ANCE1 WAS C>RY+ B&AGES & L9T1 & WAS GIV+ /RICT ORD]S TO A Y\NG FELL[1 AN ASSI/ANT SURGEON1 :O WAS FOLL[+ H]2 ! O!R1 A V]Y PRETTY GIRL ( TW5TY1 ) A PALE & DELICATE LITTLE FAIR FACE1 GAZ$ 9 AN AMIABLY HELPLESS WAY FROM B5EA? H] :ITE CAP1 HELD H] H&S 9 ! POCKETS ( H] APRON1 AS %E WALK$ BESIDE ! ELD] WOMAN1 & SEEM$ TO BE AFRAID TO QUIT H] SIDE4 

,KOZELTZ(F ADDRESS$ TO !M ! QUE/ION :E!R !Y KNEW :]E ,M>TZ(F WAS--! MAN :OSE LEG HAD BE5 TORN (F ON ! DAY BE=E4 

0,HE BELONG$ TO ! ,P---- REGIM5T1 DID HE NOT80 9QUIR$ ! ELD]4 0,IS HE A RELATIVE ( Y\RS80 

0,NO1 A COMRADE40 

0,%[ !M ! WAY10 SAID %E1 9 ,FR5*1 TO ! Y\NG SI/]4 0,H]E1 ?IS WAY10 & %E APPROA*$ A W\ND$ MAN1 9 COMPANY ) ! ASSI/ANT4 

0,COME ALONG2 :AT >E Y\ />+ AT80 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F TO ,VOLODYA1 :O1 ) UPLIFT$ EYEBR[S & SOME:AT SUFF]+ EXPRESSION ( C\NT5ANCE1 C\LD NOT TE> HIMSELF AWAY1 BUT CONT9U$ TO />E AT ! W\ND$4 0,COME1 LET US GO40 

,VOLODYA W5T (F ) HIS BRO!R1 /ILL CONT9U+ TO GAZE AB\T HIM1 H[EV]1 & REPEAT+ UNCONSCI\SLY3-- 

0,AH1 MY ,GOD6 ,AH1 MY ,GOD60 

0,HE HAS PROBABLY NOT BE5 H]E LONG80 9QUIR$ ! SI/] ( ,KOZELTZ(F1 PO9T+ AT ,VOLODYA1 :O1 GROAN+ & SI<+1 FOLL[$ !M ?R\< ! CORRIDOR4 

0,HE HAS BUT JU/ >RIV$40 

,! PRETTY LITTLE SI/] GLANC$ AT ,VOLODYA1 & SUDD5LY BUR/ \T CRY+4 0,MY ,GOD6 MY ,GOD6 :5 WILL !RE BE AN 5D TO ALL ?IS80 %E SAID1 ) ! ACC5TS ( DESPAIR4 ,!Y 5T]$ ! (FIC]'S HUT4 ,M>TZ(F WAS LY+ ON HIS BACK1 ) HIS MUSCUL> >MS1 B>E TO ! ELB[1 ?R[N OV] HIS HEAD1 & ) ! EXPRESSION ON HIS YELL[ FACE ( A MAN :O IS CL5*+ HIS TEE? 9 ORD] TO KEEP FROM %RIEK+ ) PA94 ,HIS :OLE LEG1 9 ITS /OCK+1 WAS ?RU/ \TSIDE ! COV]LET1 & IT C\LD BE SE5 H[ HE WAS TWIT*+ HIS TOES CONVULSIVELY 9SIDE IT4 

0,WELL1 H[ GOES IT1 H[ DO Y\ FEEL80 ASK$ ! SI/]1 RAIS+ HIS BALD HEAD ) H] SL5D]1 DELICATE F+]S1 ON ONE ( :I* ,VOLODYA NOTIC$ A GOLD R+1 & >RANG+ HIS PILL[4 0,H]E >E SOME ( Y\R COMRADES COME TO 9QUIRE AFT] Y\40 

0,BADLY1 ( C\RSE10 HE ANSW]$1 ANGRILY4 0,LET ME ALONE6 IT'S ALL RI<T10--! TOES 9 HIS /OCK+ MOV$ MORE RAPIDLY ?AN EV]4 0,H[ DO Y\ DO8 ,:AT IS Y\R NAME8 ,EXCUSE ME10 HE SAID1 TURN+ TO ,KOZELTZ(F4444 0,AH1 YES1 ,I BEG Y\R P>DON6 ONE =GETS EV]Y?+ H]E10 HE SAID1 :5 ! LATT] HAD M5TION$ HIS NAME4 0,Y\ & ,I LIV$ TOGE!R10 HE ADD$1 )\T ! SLI<TE/ EXPRESSION ( PLEASURE1 GLANC+ 9T]ROGATIVELY AT ,VOLODYA4 

0,?IS IS MY BRO!R1 :O HAS JU/ >RIV$ FROM ,PET]SBURG TO-DAY40 

0,HMM6 ,H]E ,I HAVE F9I%$ MY S]VICE10 HE SAID1 ) A FR[N4 0,AH1 H[ PA9FUL IT IS6444 ,! BE/ ?+ W\LD BE A SPE$Y 5D40 

,HE DREW UP HIS LEG1 & COV]$ HIS FACE ) HIS H&S1 CONT9U+ TO MOVE HIS TOES ) R$\BL$ SWIFTNESS4 

0,Y\ MU/ LEAVE HIM10 SAID ! SI/]1 9 A :ISP]1 :ILE ! TE>S /OOD 9 H] EYES2 0HE IS 9 A V]Y BAD /ATE40 

,! BRO!RS HAD ALREADY DECID$ ON ! NOR? SIDE TO GO TO ! FIF? BA/ION2 BUT1 ON EM]G+ FROM ! ,NIKOLAEVSKY BATT]Y1 !Y SEEM$ TO HAVE COME TO A TACIT UND]/&+ NOT TO SUBJECT !MSELVES TO UNNECESS>Y DANG]1 &1 )\T DISCUSS+ ! SUBJECT1 !Y DET]M9$ TO GO !IR WAYS SEP>ATELY4 

0,ONLY1 H[ >E Y\ TO F9D Y\R WAY1 ,VOLODYA80 SAID ! ELD]4 0,H[EV]1 ,NIKOLAEFF WILL CONDUCT Y\ TO ! ,KORABELNAYA1 & ,I WILL GO MY WAY ALONE1 & WILL BE ) Y\ TO-MORR[40 

,NO?+ MORE WAS SAID AT ?IS LA/ LEAVE-TAK+ BETWE5 ! BRO!RS4 

,X,I4 

  

,! ?UND] ( ! CANNON CONT9U$ ) ! SAME P[] AS BE=E1 BUT ,YEKAT]9SKAYA /REET1 ALONG :I* ,VOLODYA WALK$1 FOLL[$ BY ! TACITURN ,NIKOLAEFF1 WAS QUIET & DES]T$4 ,ALL ?AT HE C\LD SEE1 ?R\< ! ?ICK D>KNESS1 WAS ! WIDE /REET ) ! :ITE WALLS ( L>GE H\SES1 BATT]$ 9 MANY PLACES1 & ! /ONE SIDEWALK B5EA? HIS FEET2 N[ & !N1 HE MET SOLDI]S & (FIC]S4 ,AS HE PASS$ ALONG ! LEFT SIDE ( ! /REET1 NE> ! ,ADMIRALTY BUILD+1 HE P]CEIV$1 BY ! LI<T ( A BRI<T FIRE BURN+ BEH9D ! WALL1 ! ACACIAS PLANT$ ALONG ! SIDEWALK1 ) GRE5 GU>DS B5EA?1 & ! WRET*$LY DU/Y LEAVES ( !SE ACACIAS4 

,HE C\LD PLA9LY HE> HIS [N /EPS & ?OSE ( ,NIKOLAEFF1 :O FOLL[$ HIM1 BREA?+ HEAVILY4 ,HE ?\<T ( NO?+2 ! PRETTY LITTLE ,SI/] ( ,M]CY1 ,M>TZ(F'S LEG ) ! TOES TWIT*+ 9 ITS /OCK+1 ! BOMBS1 ! D>KNESS1 & DIV]SE PICTURES ( DEA? FLOAT$ HAZILY ?R\< HIS M9D4 ,ALL HIS Y\NG & S5SITIVE S\L %RANK TOGE!R1 & WAS BORNE D[N BY HIS CONSCI\SNESS ( LONEL9ESS1 & ! 9DIFF]5CE ( EV]Y ONE TO HIS FATE 9 ! MID/ ( DANG]4 

0,!Y WILL KILL ME1 ,I %ALL BE TORTUR$1 ,I %ALL SUFF]1 & NO ONE WILL WEEP40 ,& ALL ?IS1 9/EAD ( ! H]O'S LIFE1 FILL$ ) 5]GY & SYMPA?Y1 ( :I* HE HAD *]I%$ SU* GLORI\S DREAMS4 ,! BOMBS BUR/ & %RIEK$ NE>] & EV] NE>]4 ,NIKOLAEFF SI<$ MORE FREQU5TLY1 )\T BREAK+ ! SIL5CE4 ,ON CROSS+ ! BRIDGE LEAD+ TO ! ,KORABELNAYA1 HE SAW SOME?+ FLY SCREAM+ 9TO ! BAY1 NOT F> FROM HIM1 :I* LI<T$ UP ! LILAC WAVES = AN 9/ANT ) A CRIMSON GL[1 !N DISAPPE>$1 & ?REW ON HI< A CL\D ( FOAM4 

0,SEE !RE1 IT WAS NOT PUT \T60 SAID ,NIKOLAEFF1 HO>SELY4 

0,YES10 ANSW]$ ,VOLODYA1 9VOLUNT>ILY1 & QUITE UNEXPECT$LY TO HIMSELF1 9 A ?91 PIP+ VOICE4 

,!Y 5C\NT]$ LITT]S ) W\ND$ M51 !N MORE REGIM5TAL TRANSPORTS ) GABIONS2 !Y MET A REGIM5T ON ,KORABELNAYA /REET2 M5 ON HORSEBACK PASS$ !M4 ,ONE ( !M WAS AN (FIC]1 ) HIS ,COSSACK4 ,HE WAS RID+ AT A TROT1 BUT1 ON CAT*+ SI<T ( ,VOLODYA1 HE RE9$ 9 HIS HORSE NE> HIM1 LOOK$ 9TO HIS FACE1 TURN$ & RODE ON1 GIV+ ! HORSE A BL[ ( HIS :IP4 

0,ALONE1 ALONE2 IT IS NO?+ TO ANY ONE :E!R ,I AM 9 EXI/5CE OR NOT10 ?\<T ! LAD1 & HE FELT S]I\SLY 9CL9$ TO CRY4 

,AFT] ASC5D+ ! HILL1 PA/ A HI< :ITE WALL1 HE 5T]$ A /REET ( SMALL RU9$ H\SES1 9CESSANTLY ILLUM9AT$ BY BOMBS4 ,A DRUNK5 & DI%EVEL$ WOMAN1 :O WAS COM+ \T ( A SMALL DOOR 9 COMPANY ) A SAILOR1 RAN AGA9/ HIM4 

0,IF HE W]E ONLY A F9E MAN10 %E GRUMBL$1--0,P>DON1 ,Y\R ,HONOR ! (FIC]40 

,! POOR BOY'S HE>T SANK L[] & L[]1 & MORE & MORE FREQU5TLY FLA%$ ! LI<TN+S AGA9/ ! D>K HORIZON1 & ! BOMBS SCREAM$ & BUR/ AB\T HIM ) EV] 9CREAS+ FREQU5CY4 ,NIKOLAEFF SI<$1 & ALL AT ONCE HE BEGAN TO SPEAK1 9 :AT SEEM$ TO ,VOLODYA A FRI<T5$ & CON/RA9$ TONE4 

0,:AT HA/E WE MADE TO GET H]E FROM HOME4 ,IT WAS NO?+ BUT TRAVEL+4 ,A PRETTY PLACE TO BE 9 A HURRY TO GET TO60 

0,:AT WAS TO BE DONE1 IF MY BRO!R WAS WELL AGA910 REPLI$ ,VOLODYA1 9 HOPE ?AT HE MI<T BANI% BY CONV]SATION ! FRI<TFUL FEEL+ ?AT WAS TAK+ POSSESSION ( HIM4 

0,WELL1 :AT SORT ( HEAL? IS IT :5 HE IS ?OR\<LY ILL6 ,?OSE :O >E REALLY WELL HAD BETT] /AY 9 ! HOSPITAL AT SU* A TIME4 ,A VA/ DEAL ( JOY !RE IS AB\T IT1 ISN'T !RE8 ,Y\ WILL HAVE A LEG OR AN >M TORN (F1 & ?AT'S ALL Y\ WILL GET6 ,IT'S NOT F> REMOV$ FROM A D[NRI<T S96 ,& H]E 9 ! T[N IT'S NOT AT ALL LIKE ! BA/ION1 & ?AT IS A P]FECT T]ROR4 ,Y\ GO & Y\ SAY Y\R PRAY]S ! :OLE WAY4 ,EH1 Y\ BEA/1 !RE Y\ GO :IZZ+ PA/60 HE ADD$1 DIRECT+ HIS ATT5TION TO ! S\ND ( A SPL9T] ( %ELL :IZZ+ BY NE> !M4 0,N[1 H]E10 ,NIKOLAEFF W5T ON1 0,I WAS ORD]$ TO %[ ,Y\R ,HONOR ! WAY4 ,MY BUS9ESS1 ( C\RSE1 IS TO DO AS ,I AM BID2 BUT ! C>T HAS BE5 AB&ON$ TO SOME WRET* ( A SOLDI]1 & ! BUNDLE IS UNDONE4444 ,GO ON & ON2 BUT IF ANY ( ! PROP]TY DISAPPE>S1 ,NIKOLAEFF WILL HAVE TO ANSW] = IT40 

,AFT] PROCE$+ A FEW /EPS FUR!R1 !Y CAME \T ON A SQU>E4 ,NIKOLAEFF HELD HIS PEACE1 BUT SI<$4 

0,YOND] IS Y\R >TILL]Y1 ,Y\R ,HONOR60 HE SUDD5LY SAID4 0,ASK ! S5T9EL2 HE WILL %[ Y\40 

,& ,VOLODYA1 AFT] HE HAD TAK5 A FEW /EPS MORE1 CEAS$ TO HE> ! S\ND ( ,NIKOLAEFF'S SI<S BEH9D HIM4 

,ALL AT ONCE1 HE FELT HIMSELF 5TIRELY & F9ALLY ALONE4 ,?IS CONSCI\SNESS ( SOLITUDE 9 DANG]1 BE=E DEA?1 AS IT SEEM$ TO HIM1 LAY UPON HIS HE>T LIKE A T]RIBLY COLD & HEAVY /ONE4 

,HE HALT$ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! SQU>E1 GLANC$ AB\T HIM1 TO SEE :E!R HE C\LD CAT* SI<T ( ANY ONE1 GRASP$ HIS HEAD1 & UTT]$ HIS ?\<T AL\D 9 HIS T]ROR3--0,LORD6 ,CAN IT BE ?AT ,I AM A C[>D1 A VILE1 DISGU/+1 WOR?LESS C[>D 444 CAN IT BE ?AT ,I SO LATELY DREAM$ ( DY+ ) JOY = MY FA!R-L&1 MY CZ>8 ,NO1 ,I AM A WRET*$1 AN UN=TUNATE1 A WRET*$ BE+60 ,& ,VOLODYA1 ) A G5U9E S5TIM5T ( DESPAIR & DIS5*ANTM5T ) HIMSELF1 9QUIR$ ( ! S5T9EL = ! H\SE ( ! COMM&] ( ! BATT]Y1 & SET \T 9 ! DIRECTION 9DICAT$4 

,X,I,I4 

  

,! RESID5CE ( ! COMM&] ( ! BATT]Y1 :I* ! S5T9EL HAD PO9T$ \T TO HIM1 WAS A SMALL1 TWO-/ORY H\SE1 ) AN 5TRANCE ON ! C\RT-Y>D4 ,9 ONE ( ! W9D[S1 :I* WAS PA/$ OV] ) PAP]1 BURN$ ! FEEBLE FLAME ( A C&LE4 ,A S]VANT WAS SEAT$ ON ! POR*1 SMOK+ HIS PIPE2 HE W5T 9 & ANN\NC$ ,VOLODYA TO ! COMM&]1 & !N L$ HIM 94 ,9 ! ROOM1 BETWE5 ! TWO W9D[S1 & B5EA? A %ATT]$ MIRROR1 /OOD A TABLE1 HEAP$ ) (FICIAL DOCUM5TS1 SEV]AL *AIRS1 & AN IRON B$/EAD1 ) A CLEAN PALLET1 & A SMALL B$-RUG BY ITS SIDE4 

,NE> ! DOOR /OOD A H&SOME MAN1 ) A L>GE MU/A*E1--A S]GEANT1 9 SAB] & CLOAK1 ON ! LATT] ( :I* HUNG A CROSS & A ,HUNG>IAN M$AL4 ,BACK & =? 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM PAC$ A %ORT /AFF-(FIC] ( =TY1 ) SWOLL5 *EEKS B\ND UP1 & DRESS$ 9 A ?9 OLD COAT4 

0,I HAVE ! HONOR TO REPORT MYSELF1 ,CORNET ,KOZELTZ(F1 #bD1 ORD]$ TO ! FIF? LI<T BATT]Y10 SAID ,VOLODYA1 UTT]+ ! PHRASE :I* HE HAD LE>N$ BY HE>T1 AS HE 5T]$ ! ROOM4 

,! COMM&] ( ! BATT]Y RESPOND$ DRYLY TO HIS GREET+1 &1 )\T (F]+ HIS H&1 9VIT$ HIM TO BE SEAT$4 

,VOLODYA DROPP$ TIMIDLY 9TO A *AIR1 BESIDE ! WRIT+-TABLE1 & BEGAN TO TWI/ 9 HIS F+]S ! SCISSORS1 :I* HIS H& HAPP5$ TO LI<T UPON4 ,! COMM&] ( ! BATT]Y PUT HIS H&S BEH9D HIS BACK1 &1 DROPP+ HIS HEAD1 PURSU$ HIS WALK UP & D[N ! ROOM1 9 SIL5CE1 ONLY BE/[+ AN OCCASIONAL GLANCE AT ! H&S :I* W]E TWIRL+ ! SCISSORS1 ) ! ASPECT ( A MAN :O IS TRY+ TO RECALL SOME?+4 

,! BATT]Y COMM&] WAS A RA!R /\T MAN1 ) A L>GE BALD SPOT ON ! CR[N ( HIS HEAD1 A ?ICK MU/A*E1 :I* DROOP$ /RAI<T D[N & CONCEAL$ HIS M\?1 & PLEASANT BR[N EYES4 ,HIS H&S W]E H&SOME1 CLEAN1 & PLUMP2 HIS FEET SMALL & WELL TURN$1 & !Y /EPP$ \T 9 A CONFID5T & RA!R D&IFI$ MANN]1 PROV+ ?AT ! COMM&] WAS NOT A TIMID MAN4 

0,YES10 HE SAID1 COM+ TO A HALT 9 FRONT ( ! S]GEANT2 0A MEASURE MU/ BE ADD$ TO ! GRA9 TO-MORR[1 OR \R HORSES WILL BE GETT+ ?94 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K80 

0,( C\RSE1 IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO SO1 ,Y\R ,EXCELL5CY6 ,OATS >E V]Y *EAP JU/ N[10 REPLI$ ! S]GEANT1 TWIT*+ HIS F+]S1 :I* HE HELD ON ! SEAMS ( HIS TR\S]S1 BUT :I* EVID5TLY LIK$ TO ASSI/ 9 ! CONV]SATION4 0,\R =AGE-MA/]1 ,FRAN*UK1 S5T ME A NOTE YE/]DAY1 FROM ! TRANSPORTS1 ,Y\R ,EXCELL5CY1 SAY+ ?AT WE %\LD C]TA9LY BE OBLIG$ TO PUR*ASE OATS2 !Y SAY !Y >E *EAP4 ,!RE=E1 :AT >E Y\R ORD]S80 

0,TO BUY1 ( C\RSE4 ,HE HAS MONEY1 SURELY40 ,& ! COMM&] RESUM$ HIS TRAMP ?R\< ! ROOM4 0,& :]E >E Y\R ?+S80 HE SUDD5LY 9QUIR$ ( ,VOLODYA1 AS HE PAUS$ 9 FRONT ( HIM4 

,POOR ,VOLODYA WAS SO OV]:ELM$ BY ! ?\<T ?AT HE WAS A C[>D1 ?AT HE ESPI$ SCORN = HIMSELF 9 EV]Y GLANCE1 9 EV]Y WORD1 AS ?\< !Y HAD BE5 ADDRESS$ TO A PITIABLE POLTROON4 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT ! COMM&] ( ! BATT]Y HAD ALREADY DIV9$ HIS SECRET1 & WAS MAK+ SPORT ( HIM4 ,HE ANSW]$1 ) EMB>RASSM5T1 ?AT HIS EFFECTS W]E ON ! ,GRAFSKAYA1 & ?AT HIS BRO!R HAD PROMIS$ TO S5D !M TO HIM ON ! MORR[4 

,BUT ! LIEUT5ANT-COLONEL WAS NOT LI/5+ TO HIM1 &1 TURN+ TO ! S]GEANT1 HE 9QUIR$3-- 

0,:]E >E WE TO PUT ! 5SIGN80 

0,! 5SIGN1 SIR80 SAID ! S]GEANT1 ?R[+ ,VOLODYA 9TO /ILL GREAT] CONFUSION BY ! FLEET+ GLANCE :I* HE CA/ UPON HIM1 & :I* SEEM$ TO SAY1 0,:AT SORT ( AN 5SIGN IS ?IS80--0,HE CAN BE QU>T]$ D[N/AIRS1 ) ! /AFF-CAPTA91 ,Y\R ,EXCELL5CY10 HE CONT9U$1 AFT] A LITTLE REFLECTION4 0,! CAPTA9 IS AT ! BA/ION JU/ N[1 & HIS COT IS EMPTY40 

0,WILL ?AT NOT SUIT Y\1 TEMPOR>ILY80 SAID ! COMM&]4--0,I ?9K Y\ MU/ BE TIR$1 BUT WE WILL LODGE Y\ BETT] TO-MORR[40 

,VOLODYA ROSE & B[$4 

0,WILL Y\ NOT HAVE SOME TEA80 SAID ! COMM&]1 :5 HE HAD ALREADY REA*$ ! DOOR4 0,! SAMOV> CAN BE BR\<T 940 

,VOLODYA SALUT$ & LEFT ! ROOM4 ,! LIEUT5ANT-COLONEL'S S]VANT CONDUCT$ HIM D[N/AIRS1 & L$ HIM 9TO A B>E1 DIRTY *AMB]1 9 :I* V>I\S SORTS ( RUBBI% W]E LY+ AB\T1 & :]E !RE WAS AN IRON B$/EAD )\T EI!R %EETS OR COV]LET4 ,A MAN 9 A R$ %IRT WAS FA/ ASLEEP ON ! B$1 COV]$ OV] ) A ?ICK CLOAK4 

,VOLODYA TOOK HIM = A SOLDI]4 

0,PIOTR ,NIKOLAIT*60 SAID ! S]VANT1 T\*+ ! SLEEP] ON ! %\LD]4 0,! 5SIGN IS TO SLEEP H]E4444 ,?IS IS \R YUNK]10 HE ADD$1 TURN+ TO ! 5SIGN4 

0,AH1 DON'T TR\BLE HIM1 PLEASE10 SAID ,VOLODYA2 BUT ! YUNK]1 A TALL1 /\T1 Y\NG MAN1 ) A H&SOME BUT V]Y /UPID FACE1 ROSE FROM ! B$1 ?REW ON HIS CLOAK1 &1 EVID5TLY NOT HAV+ HAD A GOOD SLEEP1 LEFT ! ROOM4 

0,NO MATT]2 ,I'LL LIE D[N 9 ! Y>D10 HE GR[L$ \T4 

,X,I,I,I4 

  

,LEFT ALONE ) HIS [N ?\<TS1 ,VOLODYA'S FIR/ S5SATION WAS A FE> ( ! 9COH]5T1 =LORN /ATE ( HIS [N S\L4 ,HE WANT$ TO GO TO SLEEP1 & =GET ALL HIS SURR\ND+S1 & HIMSELF MO/ ( ALL4 ,HE EXT+UI%$ ! C&LE1 LAY D[N ON ! B$1 &1 TAK+ (F HIS COAT1 HE WRAPP$ HIS HEAD UP 9 IT1 9 ORD] TO RELIEVE HIS T]ROR ( ! D>KNESS1 ) :I* HE HAD BE5 AFFLICT$ S9CE HIS *ILDHOOD4 ,BUT ALL AT ONCE ! ?\<T OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT A BOMB MI<T COME & CRU% 9 ! RO( & KILL HIM4 ,HE BEGAN TO LI/5 ATT5TIVELY2 DIRECTLY OV]HEAD1 HE HE>D ! FOOT/EPS ( ! BATT]Y COMM&]4 

0,ANYWAY1 IF IT DOES COME10 HE ?\<T1 0IT WILL KILL ANY ONE :O IS UP/AIRS FIR/1 & !N ME2 AT ALL EV5TS1 ,I %ALL NOT BE ! ONLY ONE40 

,?IS ?\<T CALM$ HIM SOME:AT4 

0,WELL1 & :AT IF ,SEVA/OPOL %\LD BE TAK5 UNEXPECT$LY1 9 ! NI<T1 & ! ,FR5* MAKE !IR WAY HI!R8 ,:AT AM ,I TO DEF5D MYSELF )80 

,HE ROSE ONCE MORE1 & BEGAN TO PACE ! ROOM4 ,HIS T]ROR ( ! ACTUAL DANG] \TWEI<$ HIS SECRET FE> ( ! D>KNESS4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ HEAVY 9 ! ROOM EXCEPT ! SAMOV> & A SADDLE4 0,I AM A SC\NDREL1 A C[>D1 A MIS]ABLE C[>D60 ! ?\<T SUDD5LY OCCURR$ TO HIM1 & AGA9 HE EXP]I5C$ ?AT OPPRESSIVE S5SATION ( SCORN & DISGU/1 EV5 = HIMSELF4 ,AGA9 HE ?REW HIMSELF ON ! B$1 & TRI$ NOT TO ?9K4 

,!N ! IMPRESSIONS ( ! DAY 9VOLUNT>ILY P5ETRAT$ HIS IMAG9ATION1 9 CONSEQU5CE ( ! UNCEAS+ S\NDS1 :I* MADE ! GLASS 9 ! SOLIT>Y W9D[ RATTLE1 & AGA9 ! ?\<T ( DANG] RECURR$ TO HIM3 N[ HE SAW VISIONS ( W\ND$ M5 & BLOOD1 N[ ( BOMBS & SPL9T]S1 FLY+ 9TO ! ROOM1 !N ( ! PRETTY LITTLE ,SI/] ( ,M]CY1 :O WAS APPLY+ A B&AGE TO HIM1 A DY+ MAN1 & WEEP+ OV] HIM1 !N ( HIS MO!R1 ACCOMPANY+ HIM TO ! PROV9CIAL T[N1 & PRAY+1 AMID BURN+ TE>S1 BE=E ! WOND]-WORK+ IMAGES1 & ONCE MORE SLEEP APPE>$ AN IMPOSSIBILITY TO HIM4 

,BUT SUDD5LY ! ?\<T ( ,ALMI<TY ,GOD1 :O CAN DO ALL ?+S1 & :O HE>S EV]Y SUPPLICATION1 CAME CLE>LY 9TO HIS M9D4 ,HE KNELT D[N1 CROSS$ HIMSELF1 & FOLD$ HIS H&S AS HE HAD BE5 TAU<T TO DO 9 HIS *ILDHOOD1 :5 HE PRAY$4 ,?IS GE/URE1 ALL AT ONCE1 BR\<T BACK TO HIM A CONSOL+ FEEL+1 :I* HE HAD LONG S9CE =GOTT54 

0,IF ,I MU/ DIE1 IF ,I MU/ CEASE TO EXI/1 '?Y WILL BE DONE1 ,LORD1'0 HE ?\<T2 0LET IT BE QUICKLY2 BUT IF BRAV]Y IS NE$$1 & ! FIRMNESS :I* ,I DO NOT POSSESS1 GIVE !M TO ME2 DELIV] ME FROM %AME & DISGRACE1 :I* ,I CANNOT BE>1 BUT TEA* ME :AT TO DO 9 ORD] TO FULFILL ?Y WILL40 

,HIS *ILDI%1 FRI<T5$1 N>R[ S\L WAS SUDD5LY 5C\RAG$2 IT CLE>$ UP1 & CAU<T SI<T ( BROAD1 BRILLIANT1 & NEW HORIZONS4 ,DUR+ ! BRIEF P]IOD :ILE ?IS FEEL+ LA/$1 HE FELT & ?\<T MANY O!R ?+S1 & SOON FELL ASLEEP QUIETLY & UNCONC]N$LY1 TO ! CONT9U\S S\NDS ( ! RO> ( ! BOMB>DM5T & ! RATTL+ ( ! W9D[-PANES4 

,GREAT ,LORD6 ?\ ALONE HA/ HE>D1 & ?\ ALONE KN[E/ ?OSE >D5T1 DESPAIR+ PRAY]S ( IGNORANCE1 ( TR\BL$ REP5TANCE1 ?OSE PETITIONS = ! HEAL+ ( ! BODY & ! 5LI<T5M5T ( ! M9D1 :I* HAVE ASC5D$ TO !E FROM ?AT T]RIBLE PREC9CT ( DEA?1 FROM ! G5]AL :O1 A MOM5T BE=E1 WAS ?9K+ ( HIS CROSS ( ! ,GEORGE ON HIS NECK1 & CONSCI\S 9 HIS T]ROR ( ?Y NE> PRES5CE1 TO ! SIMPLE SOLDI] WRI?+ ON ! B>E E>? ( ! ,NIKOLAEVSKY BATT]Y1 & BESEE*+ !E TO BE/[ UPON HIM !RE ! REW>D1 UNCONSCI\SLY PRESAG$1 = ALL HIS SUFF]+S4 

,X,I,V4 

  

,! ELD] ,KOZELTZ(F1 MEET+ ON ! /REET A SOLDI] BELONG+ TO HIS REGIM5T1 BETOOK HIMSELF AT ONCE1 9 COMPANY ) ! MAN1 TO ! FIF? BA/ION4 

0,KEEP UND] ! WALL1 ,Y\R ,HONOR10 SAID ! SOLDI]4 

0,:AT =80 

0,IT'S DANG]\S1 ,Y\R ,HONOR2 !RE'S ONE PASS+ OV]10 SAID ! SOLDI]1 LI/5+ TO ! S\ND ( A SCREAM+ CANNON-BALL1 :I* /RUCK ! DRY ROAD1 ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! /REET4 

,KOZELTZ(F1 PAY+ NO HE$ TO ! SOLDI]1 WALK$ BRAVELY ALONG ! MIDDLE ( ! /REET4 

,!SE W]E ! SAME /REETS1 ! SAME FIRES1 EV5 MORE FREQU5T N[1 ! S\NDS1 ! GROANS1 ! 5C\NT]S ) ! W\ND$1 & ! SAME BATT]IES1 BREA/WORKS1 & TR5*ES1 :I* HAD BE5 !RE 9 ! SPR+1 :5 HE WAS LA/ 9 ,SEVA/OPOL2 BUT1 = SOME REASON1 ALL ?IS WAS N[ MORE MELAN*OLY1 &1 AT ! SAME TIME1 MORE 5]GETIC1 ! AP]TURES 9 ! H\SES W]E L>G]1 !RE W]E NO LONG] ANY LI<TS 9 ! W9D[S1 ) ! EXCEPTION ( ! ,KU%T*9 H\SE 7! HOSPITAL71 NOT A WOMAN WAS TO BE MET )1 ! E>LI] TONE ( CU/OM & FRE$OM FROM C>E NO LONG] RE/$ OV] ALL1 BUT1 9/EAD1 A C]TA9 IMPRESS ( HEAVY EXPECTATION1 ( WE>9ESS & E>NE/NESS4 

,BUT H]E IS ! LA/ TR5* ALREADY1 & H]E IS ! VOICE ( A SOLDI] ( ! ,P---- REGIM5T1 :O HAS RECOGNIZ$ ! =M] COMM&] ( HIS COMPANY1 & H]E /&S ! ?IRD BATTALION 9 ! GLOOM1 CL++ CLOSE TO ! WALL1 & LI<T$ UP N[ & !N1 = A MOM5T1 BY ! DIS*>GES1 & A S\ND ( SUBDU$ CONV]SATION1 & ! RATTL+ ( GUNS4 

0,:]E IS ! COMM&] ( ! REGIM5T80 9QUIR$ ,KOZELTZ(F4 

0,9 ! BOMB-PRO(S ) ! SAILORS1 ,Y\R ,HONOR10 REPLI$ ! SOLDI]1 READY TO BE ( S]VICE4 0,I WILL %[ Y\ ! WAY1 IF Y\ LIKE40 

,FROM TR5* TO TR5* ! SOLDI] L$ ,KOZELTZ(F1 TO ! SMALL DIT* 9 ! TR5*4 ,9 ! DIT* SAT A SAILOR1 SMOK+ HIS PIPE2 BEH9D HIM A DOOR WAS VISIBLE1 ?R\< :OSE CRACKS %ONE A LI<T4 

0,CAN ,I 5T]80 

0,I WILL ANN\NCE Y\ AT ONCE10 & ! SAILOR W5T 9 ?R\< ! DOOR4 

,TWO VOICES BECAME AUDIBLE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! DOOR4 

0,IF ,PRUSSIA CONT9UES TO OBS]VE NEUTRALITY10 SAID ONE VOICE1 0!N ,AU/RIA ALSO44440 

0,:AT DIFF]5CE DOES ,AU/RIA MAKE10 SAID ! SECOND1 0:5 ! ,SLAVIC L&S 444 WELL1 ASK HIM TO COME 940 

,KOZELTZ(F HAD NEV] BE5 9 ?IS CASEMATE4 ,HE WAS /RUCK BY ITS ELEGANCE4 ,! FLOOR WAS ( POLI%$ WOOD1 SCRE5S %IELD$ ! DOOR4 ,TWO B$/EADS /OOD AGA9/ ! WALL1 9 ONE CORN] /OOD A L>GE ICON ( ! MO!R ( ,GOD1 9 A GILT FRAME1 & BE=E H] BURN$ A ROSE-COLOR$ LAMP4 

,ON ONE ( ! B$S1 A NAVAL (FIC]1 FULLY DRESS$1 WAS SLEEP+4 ,ON ! O!R1 BY A TABLE UPON :I* /OOD TWO BOTTLES ( W9E1 P>TLY EMPTY1 SAT ! M5 :O W]E TALK+--! NEW REGIM5TAL COMM&] & HIS ADJUTANT4 

,AL?\< ,KOZELTZ(F WAS F> FROM BE+ A C[>D1 & WAS C]TA9LY NOT GUILTY ( ANY WRONGDO+ SO F> AS HIS SUP]IOR (FIC]S W]E CONC]N$1 NOR T[>DS ! REGIM5TAL COMM&]1 YET HE FELT TIMID BE=E ! COLONEL1 :O HAD BE5 HIS COMRADE NOT LONG BE=E1 SO PR\DLY DID ?IS COLONEL RISE & LI/5 TO HIM4 

0,IT IS /RANGE10 ?\<T ,KOZELTZ(F1 AS HE SURVEY$ HIS COMM&]1 0IT IS ONLY SEV5 WEEKS S9CE HE TOOK ! REGIM5T1 & H[ VISIBLE ALREADY IS HIS P[] AS REGIM5TAL COMM&]1 9 EV]Y?+ AB\T HIM--9 HIS DRESS1 HIS BE>+1 HIS LOOK4 ,IS IT SO V]Y LONG10 ?\<T HE1 0S9CE ?IS ,BATRI%T*EFF US$ TO C>\SE ) US1 & HE WORE A *EAP COTTON %IRT1 & ATE BY HIMSELF1 NEV] 9VIT+ ANY ONE TO HIS QU>T]S1 HIS ET]NAL MEAT-BALLS & CURD-PATTIES8 ,BUT N[6 & ?AT EXPRESSION ( COLD PRIDE 9 HIS EYES1 :I* SAYS TO Y\1 ',?\< ,I AM Y\R COMRADE1 BECAUSE ,I AM A REGIM5TAL COMM&] ( ! NEW S*OOL1 YET1 BELIEVE ME1 ,I AM WELL AW>E ?AT Y\ W\LD GIVE HALF Y\R LIFE M]ELY = ! SAKE ( BE+ 9 MY PLACE6'0 

0,Y\ HAVE BE5 A LONG TIME 9 RECOV]+10 SAID ! COLONEL TO ,KOZELTZ(F1 COLDLY1 ) A />E4 

0,I WAS ILL1 COLONEL6 ,! W\ND HAS NOT CLOS$ WELL EV5 N[40 

0,!N !RE WAS NO USE 9 Y\R COM+10 SAID ! COLONEL1 CA/+ AN 9CR$UL\S GLANCE AT ! CAPTA9'S /\T FIGURE4 0,Y\ >E1 NEV]!LESS1 9 A CONDITION TO FULFILL Y\R DUTY80 

0,C]TA9LY ,I AM1 SIR40 

0,WELL ,I'M V]Y GLAD ( ?AT1 SIR4 ,Y\ WILL TAKE ! N9? COMPANY FROM ,5SIGN ,ZAITZ(F--! ONE Y\ HAD BE=E2 Y\ WILL RECEIVE Y\R ORD]S IMM$IATELY40 

0,I OBEY1 SIR40 

0,TAKE C>E TO S5D ME ! REGIM5TAL ADJUTANT :5 Y\ >RIVE10 SAID ! REGIM5TAL COMM&]1 GIV+ HIM TO UND]/&1 BY A SLI<T NOD1 ?AT HIS AUDI5CE WAS AT AN 5D4 

,ON EM]G+ FROM ! CASEMATE1 ,KOZELTZ(F MUTT]$ SOME?+ SEV]AL TIMES1 & %RUGG$ HIS %\LD]S1 AS ?\< PA9$1 EMB>RASS$1 OR VEX$ AT SOME?+1 & VEX$1 NOT AT ! REGIM5TAL COMM&] 7!RE WAS NO CAUSE = ?AT71 BUT AT HIMSELF1 & HE APPE>$ TO BE DISSATISFI$ ) HIMSELF & ) EV]Y?+ AB\T HIM4 

,X,V4 

  

,BE=E GO+ TO HIS (FIC]S1 ,KOZELTZ(F W5T TO GREET HIS COMPANY1 & TO SEE :]E IT WAS /ATION$4 

,! BREA/WORK ( GABIONS1 ! %APES ( ! TR5*ES1 ! CANNONS :I* HE PASS$1 EV5 ! FRAGM5TS ( %OT1 BOMBS1 OV] :I* HE /UMBL$ 9 HIS PA?--ALL ?IS1 9CESSANTLY ILLUM9AT$ BY ! LI<T ( ! FIR+1 WAS WELL KN[N TO HIM1 ALL ?IS HAD 5GRAV$ ITSELF 9 VIVID COLORS ON HIS MEMORY1 ?REE MON?S BE=E1 DUR+ ! TWO WEEKS :I* HE HAD SP5T 9 ?IS V]Y BA/ION1 )\T ONCE LEAV+ IT4 ,AL?\< !RE WAS MU* ?AT WAS T]RIBLE 9 !SE REM9ISC5CES1 A C]TA9 *>M ( PA/ ?+S WAS M+L$ ) IT1 & HE RECOGNIZ$ ! FAMILI> PLACES & OBJECTS ) PLEASURE1 AS ?\< ! TWO WEEKS SP5T !RE HAD BE5 AGREEABLE ONES4 ,! COMPANY WAS /ATION$ ALONG ! DEF5SIVE WALL T[>D ! SIX? BA/ION4 

,KOZELTZ(F 5T]$ ! LONG CASEMATE1 UTT]LY UNPROTECT$ AT ! 5TRANCE SIDE1 9 :I* !Y HAD TOLD HIM ?AT ! N9? COMPANY WAS /ATION$4 ,!RE WAS1 LIT]ALLY1 NO ROOM TO SET HIS FOOT 9 ! CASEMATE1 SO FILL$ WAS IT1 FROM ! V]Y 5TRANCE1 ) SOLDI]S4 ,ON ONE SIDE BURN$ A CROOK$ TALL[ C&LE1 :I* A RECUMB5T SOLDI] WAS HOLD+ TO ILLUM9ATE ! BOOK :I* ANO!R ONE WAS SPELL+ \T SL[LY4 ,>\ND ! C&LE1 9 ! REEK+ HALF-LI<T1 HEADS W]E VISIBLE1 EAG]LY RAIS$ 9 /RA9$ ATT5TION TO ! READ]4 ,! LITTLE BOOK 9 QUE/ION WAS A PRIM]4 ,AS ,KOZELTZ(F 5T]$ ! CASEMATE1 HE HE>D ! FOLL[+3 

0,PRAY-] AF-T] LE>-N+4 ,I ?ANK ,!E1 ,C]A-TOR 4440 

0,SNUFF ?AT C&LE60 SAID A VOICE4 0,?AT'S A SPL5DID BOOK40 0,MY 444 ,GOD 4440 W5T ON ! READ]4 

,:5 ,KOZELTZ(F ASK$ = ! S]GEANT1 ! READ] /OPP$1 ! SOLDI]S BEGAN TO MOVE AB\T1 C\<$1 & BLEW !IR NOSES1 AS !Y ALWAYS DO AFT] 5=C$ SIL5CE4 ,! S]GEANT ROSE NE> ! GR\P AB\T ! READ]1 BUTTON+ UP HIS COAT AS HE DID SO1 & /EPP+ OV] & ON ! FEET ( ?OSE :O HAD NO ROOM TO )DRAW !M1 & CAME =W>D TO HIS (FIC]4 

0,H[ >E Y\1 BRO!R8 ,DO ALL !SE BELONG TO \R COMPANY80 

0,I WI% Y\ HEAL?6 ,WELCOME ON Y\R RETURN1 ,Y\R ,HONOR60 REPLI$ ! S]GEANT1 ) A *E]FUL & FRI5DLY LOOK AT ,KOZELTZ(F4 0,HAS ,Y\R ,HONOR RECOV]$ Y\R HEAL?8 ,WELL1 ,GOD BE PRAIS$4 ,IT HAS BE5 V]Y DULL = US )\T Y\40 

,IT WAS IMM$IATELY APP>5T ?AT ,KOZELTZ(F WAS BELOV$ 9 ! COMPANY4 

,9 ! DEP?S ( ! CASEMATE1 VOICES C\LD BE HE>D4 ,!IR OLD COMM&]1 :O HAD BE5 W\ND$1 ,MIKHAIL ,SEMYONIT* ,KOZELTZ(F1 HAD >RIV$1 & SO =?2 SOME EV5 APPROA*$1 & ! DRUMM] CONGRATULAT$ HIM4 

0,H[ >E Y\1 ,OBANT*UK80 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F4 0,>E Y\ ALL RI<T8 ,GOOD-DAY1 *ILDR560 HE SAID1 RAIS+ HIS VOICE4 

0,WE WI% Y\ HEAL?60 S\ND$ ?R\< ! CASEMATE4 

0,H[ >E Y\ GETT+ ON1 *ILDR580 

0,BADLY1 ,Y\R ,HONOR4 ,! ,FR5* >E GETT+ ! BETT] ( US4--,FI<T+ FROM BEH9D ! =TIFICATIONS IS BAD WORK1 & ?AT'S ALL !RE IS AB\T IT6 & !Y WON'T COME \T 9TO ! OP5 FIELD40 

0,P]HAPS LUCK IS ) ME1 & ,GOD WILL GRANT ?AT !Y %ALL COME \T 9TO ! FIELD1 *ILDR560 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F4 0,IT WON'T BE ! FIR/ TIME ?AT Y\ & ,I HAVE TAK5 A H& TOGE!R3 WE'LL BEAT !M AGA940 

0,WE'LL BE GLAD TO TRY IT1 ,Y\R ,HONOR60 EXCLAIM$ SEV]AL VOICES4 

0,& H[ AB\T !M-->E !Y REALLY BOLD80 

0,FRI<TFULLY BOLD60 SAID ! DRUMM]1 NOT L\DLY1 BUT SO ?AT HIS WORDS W]E AUDIBLE1 TURN+ TO ANO!R SOLDI]1 AS ?\< JU/IFY+ BE=E HIM ! WORDS ( ! COMM&]1 & P]SUAD+ HIM ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ BOA/FUL OR IMPROBABLE 9 !SE WORDS4 

,FROM ! SOLDI]S1 ,KOZELTZ(F PROCE$$ TO ! DEF5SIVE B>RACKS & HIS BRO!R (FIC]S4 

,X,V,I4 

  

,9 ! L>GE ROOM ( ! B>RACKS !RE WAS A GREAT NUMB] ( M52 NAVAL1 >TILL]Y1 & 9FANTRY (FIC]S4 ,SOME W]E SLEEP+1 O!RS W]E CONV]S+1 SEAT$ ON ! %OT-*E/S & GUN-C>RIAGES ( ! CANNONS ( ! =TIFICATIONS2 O!RS /ILL1 :O =M$ A V]Y NUM]\S & NOISY GR\P BEH9D ! >*1 W]E SEAT$ UPON TWO FELT RUGS1 :I* HAD BE5 SPREAD ON ! FLOOR1 & W]E DR9K+ PORT] & PLAY+ C>DS4 

0,AH6 ,KOZELTZ(F1 ,KOZELTZ(F6 ,CAPITAL6 IT'S A GOOD ?+ ?AT HE HAS COME6 ,HE'S A BRAVE FELL[6444 ,H['S Y\R W\ND80 RANG \T FROM V>I\S QU>T]S4 ,H]E ALSO IT WAS EVID5T ?AT !Y LOV$ HIM & W]E REJOIC$ AT HIS COM+4 

,AFT] %AK+ H&S ) HIS FRI5DS1 ,KOZELTZ(F JO9$ ! NOISY GR\P ( (FIC]S 5GAG$ 9 PLAY+ C>DS4 ,!RE W]E SOME ( HIS ACQUA9TANCES AMONG !M4 ,A SL5D]1 H&SOME1 D>K-COMPLEXION$ MAN1 ) A LONG1 %>P NOSE & A HUGE MU/A*E1 :I* BEGAN ON HIS *EEKS1 WAS DEAL+ ! C>DS ) HIS ?91 :ITE1 TAP] F+]S1 ON ONE ( :I* !RE WAS A HEAVY GOLD SEAL R+4 ,HE WAS DEAL+ /RAI<T ON1 & C>ELESSLY1 BE+ EVID5TLY EXCIT$ BY SOME?+1--& M]ELY DESIR\S ( MAK+ A %[ ( HE$LESSNESS4 ,ON HIS RI<T1 & BESIDE HIM1 LAY A GRAY-HAIR$ MAJOR1 SUPPORT+ HIMSELF ON HIS ELB[1 & PLAY+ = HALF A RUBLE ) AFFECT$ COOLNESS1 & SETTL+ UP IMM$IATELY4 ,ON HIS LEFT SQUATT$ AN (FIC] ) A R$1 P]SPIR+ FACE1 :O WAS LAU<+ & JE/+ 9 A CON/RA9$ WAY4 ,:5 HIS C>DS WON1 HE MOV$ ONE H& AB\T 9CESSANTLY 9 HIS EMPTY TR\S]S POCKET4 ,HE WAS PLAY+ HI<1 & EVID5TLY NO LONG] = READY MONEY1 :I* DISPLEAS$ ! H&SOME1 D>K-COMPLEXION$ MAN4 ,A ?9 & PALLID (FIC] ) A BALD HEAD1 & A HUGE NOSE & M\?1 WAS WALK+ AB\T ! ROOM1 HOLD+ A L>GE PACKAGE ( BANK-NOTES 9 HIS H&1 /AK+ READY MONEY ON ! BANK1 & W9N+4 

,KOZELTZ(F TOOK A DR9K ( VODKA1 & SAT D[N BY ! PLAY]S4 

0,TAKE A H&1 ,MIKHAIL ,SEMYONIT*60 SAID ! DEAL] TO HIM2 0Y\ HAVE BR\<T LOTS ( MONEY1 ,I SUPPOSE40 

0,:]E %\LD ,I GET ANY MONEY6 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 ,I GOT RID ( ! LA/ ,I HAD 9 T[N40 

0,! IDEA6 ,SOME ONE C]TA9LY MU/ HAVE FLEEC$ Y\ 9 ,SIMPF]OPOL40 

0,I REALLY HAVE BUT V]Y LITTLE10 SAID ,KOZELTZ(F1 BUT HE WAS EVID5TLY DESIR\S ?AT !Y %\LD NOT BELIEVE HIM2 !N HE UNBUTTON$ HIS COAT1 & TOOK ! OLD C>DS 9 HIS H&4 

0,I DON'T C>E IF ,I DO TRY2 !RE'S NO KN[+ :AT ! ,EVIL ,ONE WILL DO6 QUE] ?+S DO COME AB\T AT TIMES4 ,BUT ,I MU/ HAVE A DR9K1 TO GET UP MY C\RAGE40 

,& )9 A V]Y %ORT SPACE ( TIME HE HAD DRUNK ANO!R GLASS ( VODKA & SEV]AL ( PORT]1 & HAD LO/ HIS LA/ ?REE RUBLES4 

,A HUNDR$ & FIFTY RUBLES W]E WRITT5 D[N AGA9/ ! LITTLE1 P]SPIR+ (FIC]4 

0,NO1 HE WILL NOT BR+ !M10 SAID HE1 C>ELESSLY1 DRAW+ A FRE% C>D4 

0,TRY TO S5D IT10 SAID ! DEAL] TO HIM1 PAUS+ A MOM5T 9 HIS OCCUPATION ( LAY+ \T ! C>DS1 & GLANC+ AT HIM4 

0,P]MIT ME TO S5D IT TO-MORR[10 REPEAT$ ! P]SPIR+ (FIC]1 RIS+1 & MOV+ HIS H& AB\T VIGOR\SLY 9 HIS EMPTY POCKET4 

0,HMM60 GR[L$ ! DEAL]1 &1 ?R[+ ! C>DS ANGRILY TO ! RI<T & LEFT1 HE COMPLET$ ! DEAL4 0,BUT ?IS WON'T DO10 SAID HE1 :5 HE HAD DEALT ! C>DS4 0,I'M GO+ TO /OP4 ,IT WON'T DO1 ,ZAKH> ,IVANIT*10 HE ADD$1 0WE HAVE BE5 PLAY+ = READY MONEY & NOT ON CR$IT40 

0,:AT1 DO Y\ D\BT ME8 ,?AT'S /RANGE1 TRULY60 

0,FROM :OM IS ONE TO GET ANY?+80 MUTT]$ ! MAJOR1 :O HAD WON AB\T EI<T RUBLES4 0,I HAVE LO/ OV] TW5TY RUBLES1 BUT :5 ,I HAVE WON--,I GET NO?+40 

0,H[ AM ,I TO PAY10 SAID ! DEAL]1 0:5 !RE IS NO MONEY ON ! TABLE80 

0,I WON'T LI/5 TO Y\60 %\T$ ! MAJOR1 JUMP+ UP1 0,I AM PLAY+ ) Y\1 BUT NOT ) HIM40 

,ALL AT ONCE ! P]SPIR+ (FIC] FLEW 9TO A RAGE4 

0,I TELL Y\ ?AT ,I WILL PAY TO-MORR[2 H[ D>E Y\ SAY SU* IMP]T95T ?+S TO ME80 

0,I %ALL SAY :AT ,I PLEASE6 ,?IS IS NOT ! WAY TO DO--?AT'S ! TRU?60 %\T$ ! MAJOR4 

0,?AT WILL DO1 ,FEODOR ,FEODORIT*60 ALL *IM$ 91 HOLD+ BACK ! MAJOR4 

,BUT LET US DRAW A VEIL OV] ?IS SC5E4 ,TO-MORR[1 TO-DAY1 IT MAY BE1 EA* ONE ( !SE M5 WILL GO *E]FULLY & PR\DLY TO MEET HIS DEA?1 & HE WILL DIE ) FIRMNESS & COMPOSURE2 BUT ! ONE CONSOLATION ( LIFE 9 !SE CONDITIONS1 :I* T]RIFY EV5 ! COLDE/ IMAG9ATION 9 ! ABS5CE ( ALL ?AT IS HUMAN1 & ! HOPELESSNESS ( ANY ESCAPE FROM !M1 ! ONE CONSOLATION IS =GETFULNESS1 ! ANNIHILATION ( CONSCI\SNESS4 ,AT ! BOTTOM ( ! S\L ( EA* LIES ?AT NOBLE SP>K1 :I* MAKES ( HIM A H]O2 BUT ?IS SP>K WE>IES ( BURN+ CLE>LY--:5 ! FATEFUL MOM5T COMES IT FLA%ES UP 9TO A FLAME1 & ILLUM9ATES GREAT DE$S4 

7,S\RCE3 0,SEVA/OPOL10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,ISABEL ,F4 ,HAPGOOD1 ,PUBLI%$ BY ,?OMAS ,Y4 ,CR[ELL ,CO41 #ac ,A/OR ,PLACE47 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahhg 3 ,*APT] #af -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,FEBRU>Y #a#h1 #bag 3 ,*APT] #af -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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