Theirtonguesbegantofalter。
Thelocalclergy，theclerksfromthefactorieswiththeirwives，thetradesmenandtavern-keepersfromtheothervillageswerepresent。Theclerkandtheelderoftheruraldistrictwhohadservedtogetherforfourteenyears，andwhohadduringallthattimeneversignedasingledocumentforanybodynorletasinglepersonoutofthelocalcourtwithoutdeceivingorinsultinghim，weresittingnowsidebyside，bothfatandwell-fed，anditseemedasthoughtheyweresosaturatedininjusticeandfalsehoodthateventheskinoftheirfaceswassomehowpeculiar，fraudulent。Theclerk’swife，athinwomanwithasquint，hadbroughtallherchildrenwithher，andlikeabirdofpreylookedaslantattheplatesandsnatchedanythingshecouldgetholdoftoputinherownorherchildren’spockets。
Lipasatasthoughturnedtostone，stillwiththesameexpressionasinchurch。Anisimhadnotsaidasinglewordtohersincehehadmadeheracquaintance，sothathedidnotyetknowthesoundofhervoice；andnow，sittingbesideher，heremainedmuteandwentondrinkingbitters，andwhenhegotdrunkhebegantalkingtotheauntwhowassittingopposite:
“IhaveafriendcalledSamorodov。Apeculiarman。Heisbyrankanhonorarycitizen，andhecantalk。ButIknowhimthroughandthrough，auntie，andhefeelsit。PrayjoinmeindrinkingtothehealthofSamorodov，auntie！“
Varvara，wornoutanddistracted，walkedroundthetablepressingthegueststoeat，andwasevidentlypleasedthatthereweresomanydishesandthateverythingwassolavish——noonecoulddisparagethemnow。Thesunset，butthedinnerwenton:theguestswerebeyondknowingwhattheywereeatingordrinking，itwasimpossibletodistinguishwhatwassaid，andonlyfromtimetotimewhenthebandsubsidedsomepeasantwomancouldbeheardshouting: