If it had not been for my sin, my brother would have had to go as a soldier. But he, my younger brother, had five little ones, while I, you see, only left a wife behind. We had a little girl, but God took her before I went as a soldier. The yard full of cattle, the women at home, two brothers away earning wages, and only Michael the youngest, at home. That's how it is, dear fellow.
Fate looks for a head.
That's how it is. And Platon shifted his seat on the straw. After a short silence he rose. That's the way. I was praying.