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He looked like an old man, though he was only three years older than Sanin. The dinner with which he regaled his guest would of course have satisfied the most exacting gourmand, but to Sanin it seemed endless, insupportable! Polozov ate slowly, 'with feeling, with judgment, with deliberation, bending attentively over his plate, and sniffing at almost every morsel.
Polozov sent orders by the door-keeper to the postillion to drive carefully if he wanted drinks; the carriage steps grated, the doors slammed, and the carriage rolled off. It takes less than an hour in these days by rail from Frankfort to Wiesbaden; at that time the extra post did it in three hours. They changed horses five times.
He was all absorbed in reflections and memories. At the stations Polozov paid with exactness, took the time by his watch, and tipped the postillions more or less according to their zeal. When they had gone half way, he took two oranges out of the hamper of edibles, and choosing out the better, offered the other to Sanin. Sanin looked steadily at his companion, and suddenly burst out laughing.
I must always have a nap, brother, after a meal. Nature demands it, and I won't go against it And don't you disturb me. Sanin thought and thought, and suddenly raised his head; he had made up his mind. 'Very well, agreed, and thank you. At half-past twelve I'll be here, and we'll go together to Wiesbaden. I hope your wife won't be angry.... But Polozov was already snoring.
You say you are starting the day after to-morrow? Polozov closed his eyes. 'I'll tell you what, he said at last, rolling the cigar in his lips, and sighing. 'Go home, get ready as quick as you can, and come here. At one o'clock I am going, there's plenty of room in my carriage. I'll take you with me. That's the best plan. And now I'm going to have a nap.
The free and easy deportment of Madame Polozov would probably for the first moment have disconcerted Sanin though he was not quite a novice and had knocked about the world a little if he had not again seen in this very freedom and familiarity a good omen for his undertaking.
Sanin proceeded to expound his case, that is to say, again, a second time, to describe his property, not touching this time on the beauties of nature, and now and then appealing to Polozov for confirmation of his 'facts and figures. But Polozov simply gasped and shook his head, whether in approval or disapproval, it would have puzzled the devil, one might fancy, to decide.
The juice from the orange was trickling down his chin. 'Was it your wife sent you to Frankfort to shop for her? asked Sanin after a short time. 'Yes, it was she. 'What are the purchases? 'Toys, of course. 'Toys? have you any children? Polozov positively moved away from Sanin. 'That's likely! What do I want with children? Feminine fallals ... finery. For the toilet.
'In the Efremovsky district ... I know it. 'Do you know my place, Aleksyevka? Sanin asked, sitting down too at the table. 'Yes, I know it. Polozov thrust in his mouth a piece of omelette with truffles. 'Maria Nikolaevna, my wife, has an estate in that neighbourhood.... Uncork that bottle, waiter! You've a good piece of land, only your peasants have cut down the timber. Why are you selling it?
'Give his excellency ten thalers, and let the box be mine! Do you hear! The waiter bent his head humbly and mournfully. 'Dimitri Pavlovitch, you will go with me to the theatre? the German actors are awful, but you will go ... Yes? Yes? How obliging you are! Dumpling, are you not coming? 'You settle it, Polozov observed into the cup he had lifted to his lips. 'Do you know what, you stay at home.
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