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Updated: June 26, 2025
Ivan! get the samovar ready for your master, and get up yourself quick, cried the old man. 'That's our way, my good man! Why even the girls are already up! Look out of the window. See, she's going for water and you're still sleeping! Olenin awoke and jumped up, feeling fresh and lighthearted at the sight of the old man and at the sound of his voice. 'Quick, Vanyusha, quick! he cried.
Vanyusha began to be uneasy, and they carried a loaded gun in the cart. Olenin became still happier. At one of the post-stations the post-master told of a terrible murder that had been committed recently on the high road. They began to meet armed men. "So this is where it begins!" thought Olenin, and kept expecting to see the snowy mountains of which mention was so often made.
Vanyusha regarded Olenin as only his master, and Olenin regarded Vanyusha as only his servant; and they would both have been much surprised if anyone had told them that they were friends, as they really were without knowing it themselves. Vanyusha had been taken into his proprietor's house when he was only eleven and when Olenin was the same age.
It was five in the morning. Vanyusha was in the porch heating the samovar, and using the leg of a long boot instead of bellows. Olenin had already ridden off to bathe in the Terek. The girl was milking the buffalo cow in the shed. 'Can't keep quiet, the damned thing! came her impatient voice, followed by the rhythmical sound of milking.
The girls laughed at Daddy Eroshka, and it was past ten when they all went out into the porch. The old men invited themselves to finish their merry-making at Olenin's. Ustenka ran off home and Eroshka led the old Cossack to Vanyusha. The old woman went out to tidy up the shed. Maryanka remained alone in the hut. Olenin felt fresh and joyous, as if he had only just woke up.
'Just see how he's got himself up. He's put on a new coat so that you should see that he's an officer. Ah, these people, these people! Sure enough Vanyusha came in and announced that the master of the house wished to see Olenin. 'L'arjan! he remarked profoundly, to forewarn his master of the meaning of this visitation. The cornet, Elias Vasilich, was an educated Cossack.
They are all such irregular people, he remarked, as he wrapped himself in his overcoat and took his seat on the box. 'Hold your tongue, swine! exclaimed the old man, laughing. 'What a stingy fellow! Maryanka came out of the cowshed, glanced indifferently at the cart, bowed and went towards the hut. 'LA FILLE! said Vanyusha, with a wink, and burst out into a silly laugh.
Olenin however did not himself go to see Beletski. Vanyusha for his part approved of Beletski, remarking that he was a real gentleman. Beletski at once adopted the customary life of a rich officer in a Cossack village.
Olenin got into the cart. 'Well, is that how you're going? You might give me something for a remembrance. Give me a gun! What do you want two for? said the old man, sobbing quite sincerely. Olenin got out a musket and gave it to him. 'What a lot you've given the old fellow, murmured Vanyusha, 'he'll never have enough! A regular old beggar.
Olenin expected that Lukishka would go to share his joy with Maryanka, but though he did not do so Olenin still felt his soul more at ease than ever before in his life. He was as delighted as a boy, and could not refrain from telling Vanyusha not only that he had given Lukashka the horse, but also why he had done it, as well as his new theory of happiness.
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