The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-11
KORNEY VASSILIEF
By LEO ToLsToY

ASKING lot Inllk, anu Will urn Steps b00
went out into the lobby.
Korney's mother. with black eyes like
his own, came into the room dragging her
feet in felt boots.
Thanks for coming to see us, " che said,
shaking her tremulous head.
Korney told his mother on what business
he had called and remembering Kousma
went out to give him his money. just as
he opened the door into the lobby he saw
! straight in front Of him at the outer door
Martha and Evstigney.
They were standing close to each other
and she was saying something. On seeing
Korney, Evstigney shot out into the yard
and Martha approached the samovar and
set right the chimney.
Korney silently passed by her bent figure
and, taking his bundle, called Kousma into
the living room to have tea. Before tea
Korney distributed to the household his
gifts from Moscow-to his mother a woollen
shawl, to Fedka a picture book, to his dumb
nephew a waistcoat and to his wife print
material for a dress.
At tea Korney sat silent with bowed
head; only from time to time he reluctantly
glanced at the dumb lad, who amused every
one by his joy. He could not restrain his
delight over the waistcoat. He folded and
unfolded it, put 1t on, kissed his hand, look
ing at Korney, and smiled.
After tea and supper Korney went straight
into the bedroom where he slept with Mar
tha and his little daughter. Martha re-.
manned in the living room clearing away
the things. Korney sat alone at the table,
leaning his head on his hand, and waited.
Resentment against his wife was unoeas-
ingly working In him. He got down the
reckoner from the wall, took out his pocket
book and to distract his thoughts began
to cunt. He counted, looking from time
to time at the door and listening to the
voices in the living room.
Several times he heard the outer door
open and some one enter the lobby, but
it was not she. At last her steps were
heard, the door suddenly opened and she,
forid and handsome, entered with the
girl In her arms.
you are no doubt tired from the jour
ney," she said, smiling as II not noticing
her husbands gloomy expression.
Korney glanced at her, did not answer,
and again began tn count, though nothing
remained to be reohoned.
SIt's not early" she said, and letting the
girl down from her arms she went behind
the partition. He heard her putting the
bed to rights and laying the little daughter
to sleep.
People laugh" He recalled to mind
| Kousma's words. Then Wait a Bit
thought he, breathing heavily.
He got up with a slow movement, put
the stump of his pencil into his waistcoat
pocket, hung the reckoner on the nail and
approached the door Of the partition. She
vas standing facing the ikons and praying.
He stopped and waited.
For a long time she kept crossing herself,
' bowling and whispering prayers. It APP
peared to him that she must already have
reciled all the prayers and was purposely
! re peating them several times. At last
she bowed down to the earth, got up erect,
murmured to herself some words Of prayer
and turned around. facing him.
"Agashka is already sleeping she said,
pointing to the girl, and with a smile she eat
down on the creaking bed.
Has Evstigney been long here said
Korney, entering through the door.
With a gentle movement she swung one
OF her thick plaits over her shoulder on to
her breast and with swift fingers began to
undo it. She looked straight at him and her
eyes were merry.
'Evstigney? How long Is III Two or
three weeks.
He is your lover said Korney.
She let go her plat. but Immediately
caught her crisp thick hair and sgain be-
gan to plat.
What will they not INVENT Evstigney,'
she said, pronounning with special intona-
ton the word -Evstigney.7 How they do
invent! Who told your
Say is it true or not said korney,
clinching his powerful hands thrust down
into his pockets.
Enough Of this silly prattlel Shall I
take your boots OFF,
ct ask you" he repeated.
"A fine thing it is to get ones head
turned over Evstigney," she said. AM
who told you such fbs?'
What we're you saying TO him In the
lobby"
What was I sayingf l was telling him
he must fix a hoop on the barrel. But why
do you poster me?'
Il tell you to speak the truth! I will kill
you, you dirty SLUT y
He caught hold Of her by her plat.
She dragged her plat out OF his hands,
her face conterted with pain.
Blows are all one gets from you'll What
good have l. had from your Such a life
would make one do anything. she crSed.
What would you DO he said, moving
closer to her.
why nave you torn ont half my plaiti
Look, the hair comes away in patches. Why
do you poster met Well, after ALL
She did not finish. He caught her by the
hand, dragged her of the bed and began to
beat her on the head, On the sides and on the
breast. The more he beat her the hotter
grew his wrath.
She screamed, defended herself, en-
deavored to escape, but he would not let
her 60. The girl awoke and ran to her
mother.
Mammal she cried.
Korney seized the girl by the hand, tore
her away from her mother, and threw her
like a kitten into the corner. The child
shrieked and then for a sew seconds she
was not heard.
you brigand! You've killed the Child
cried Martha, trying to rise and go to her
lai1hfar