\"There，hehasgallopedoffforadoctor！\"saidSemyon，shrinkingfromthecold。\"Butlookingforagooddoctorislikechasingthewindinthefieldsorcatchingthedevilbythetail，plaguetakeyoursoul！Whataqueerchap，Lordforgivemeasinner！\"
TheTatarwentuptoCanny，and，lookingathimwithhatredandrepulsion，shivering，andmixingTatarwordswithhisbrokenRussian，said：\"Heisgood……good；butyouarebad！Youarebad！Thegentlemanisagoodsoul，excellent，andyouareabeast，bad！Thegentlemanisalive，butyouareadeadcarcass……Godcreatedmantobealive，andtohavejoyandgriefandsorrow；butyouwantnothing，soyouarenotalive，youarestone，clay！Astonewantsnothingandyouwantnothing。Youareastone，andGoddoesnotloveyou，butHelovesthegentleman！\"
Everyonelaughed；theTatarfrownedcontemptuously，andwithawaveofhishandwrappedhimselfinhisragsandwenttothecampfire。TheferrymenandSemyonsaunteredtothehut。
\"It’scold，\"saidoneferrymanhuskilyashestretchedhimselfonthestrawwithwhichthedampclayfloorwascovered。
\"Yes，itsnotwarm，\"anotherassented。\"It’sadog’slife……\"
Theyalllaydown。Thedoorwasthrownopenbythewindandthesnowdriftedintothehut；nobodyfeltinclinedtogetupandshutthedoor：theywerecold，anditwastoomuchtrouble。
\"Iamallright，\"saidSemyonashebegantodoze。\"Iwouldn’twishanyoneabetterlife。\"
\"Youareatoughone，weallknow。Eventhedevilswon’ttakeyou！\"
Soundslikeadog’showlingcamefromoutside。
\"What’sthat？Who’sthere？\"
\"It’stheTatarcrying。\"
\"Isay……He’saqueerone！\"
\"He’llgetu-usedtoit！\"saidSemyon，andatoncefellasleep。
Theothersweresoonasleeptoo。Thedoorremainedunclosed。
THECATTLE-DEALERS
THElonggoodstrainhasbeenstandingforhoursinthelittlestation。Theengineisassilentasthoughitsfirehadgoneout；
thereisnotasoulnearthetrainorinthestationyard。
Apalestreakoflightcomesfromoneofthevansandglidesovertherailsofasiding。Inthatvantwomenaresittingonanoutspreadcape：oneisanoldmanwithabiggraybeard，wearingasheepskincoatandahighlambskinhat，somewhatlikeabusby；
theotherabeardlessyouthinathreadbareclothreeferjacketandmuddyhighboots。Theyaretheownersofthegoods。Theoldmansits，hislegsstretchedoutbeforehim，musinginsilence；
theyoungmanhalfreclinesandsoftlystrumsonacheapaccordion。Alanternwithatallowcandleinitishangingonthewallnearthem。
Thevanisquitefull。Ifoneglancesinthroughthedimlightofthelantern，forthefirstmomenttheeyesreceiveanimpressionofsomethingshapeless，monstrous，andunmistakablyalive，somethingverymuchlikegiganticcrabswhichmovetheirclawsandfeelers，crowdtogether，andnoiselesslyclimbupthewallstotheceiling；butifonelooksmoreclosely，hornsandtheirshadows，longleanbacks，dirtyhides，tails，eyesbegintostandoutinthedusk。Theyarecattleandtheirshadows。Thereareeightoftheminthevan。Someturnroundandstareatthemenandswingtheirtails。Otherstrytostandorliedownmorecomfortably。Theyarecrowded。Ifoneliesdowntheothersmuststandandhuddlecloser。Nomanger，nohalter，nolitter，notawispofhay……*
Atlasttheoldmanpullsoutofhispocketasilverwatchandlooksatthetime：aquarterpasttwo。
\"Wehavebeenherenearlytwohours，\"hesays，yawning。\"Bettergoandstirthemup，orwemaybeheretillmorning。Theyhavegonetosleep，orgoodnessknowswhattheyareupto。\"
Theoldmangetsupand，followedbyhislongshadow，cautiouslygetsdownfromthevanintothedarkness。Hemakeshiswayalongbesidethetraintotheengine，andafterpassingsometwodozenvansseesaredopenfurnace；ahumanfiguresitsmotionlessfacingit；itspeakedcap，nose，andkneesarelightedupbythecrimsonglow，alltherestisblackandcanscarcelybedistinguishedinthedarkness。
\"Arewegoingtostayheremuchlonger？\"askstheoldman。
Noanswer。Themotionlessfigureisevidentlyasleep。Theoldmanclearshisthroatimpatientlyand，shrinkingfromthepenetratingdamp，walksroundtheengine，andashedoessothebrilliantlightofthetwoenginelampsdazzleshiseyesforaninstantandmakesthenightevenblackertohim；hegoestothestation。
Theplatformandstepsofthestationarewet。Hereandtherearewhitepatchesoffreshlyfallenmeltingsnow。Inthestationitselfitislightandashotasasteam-bath。Thereisasmellofparaffin。Exceptfortheweighing-machineandayellowseatonwhichamanwearingaguard’suniformisasleep，thereisnofurnitureintheplaceatall。Ontheleftaretwowide-opendoors。Throughoneofthemthetelegraphicapparatusandalampwithagreenshadeonitcanbeseen；throughtheother，asmallroom，halfofittakenupbyadarkcupboard。Inthisroomtheheadguardandtheengine-driveraresittingonthewindow-sill。
Theyarebothfeelingacapwiththeirfingersanddisputing。
\"That’snotrealbeaver，it’simitation，\"saystheengine-driver。
\"Realbeaverisnotlikethat。Fiveroubleswouldbeahighpriceforthewholecap，ifyoucaretoknow！\"
\"Youknowagreatdealaboutit，……\"theheadguardsays，offended。\"Fiveroubles，indeed！Here，wewillaskthemerchant。
Mr。Malahin，\"hesays，addressingtheoldman，\"whatdoyousay：
isthisimitationbeaverorreal？\"
OldMalahintakesthecapintohishand，andwiththeairofaconnoisseurpinchesthefur，blowsonit，sniffsatit，andacontemptuoussmilelightsuphisangryface。
\"Itmustbeimitation！\"hesaysgleefully。\"Imitationitis。\"
Adisputefollows。Theguardmaintainsthatthecapisrealbeaver，andtheengine-driverandMalahintrytopersuadehimthatitisnot。Inthemiddleoftheargumenttheoldmansuddenlyrememberstheobjectofhiscoming。
\"Beaverandcapisallverywell，butthetrain’sstandingstill，gentlemen！\"hesays。\"Whoisitwearewaitingfor？Letusstart！\"
\"Letus，\"theguardagrees。\"Wewillsmokeanothercigaretteandgoon。Butthereisnoneedtobeinahurry……Weshallbedelayedatthenextstationanyway！\"
\"Whyshouldwe？\"
\"Oh，well……Wearetoomuchbehindtime……Ifyouarelateatonestationyoucan’thelpbeingdelayedattheotherstationstoletthetrainsgoingtheoppositewaypass。Whetherwesetoffnoworinthemorningweshan’tbenumberfourteen。
Weshallhavetobenumbertwenty-three。\"
\"Andhowdoyoumakethatout？\"
\"Well，thereitis。\"
Malahinlooksattheguard，reflects，andmuttersmechanicallyasthoughtohimself：
\"Godbemyjudge，Ihavereckoneditandevenjotteditdowninanotebook；wehavewastedthirty-fourhoursstandingstillonthejourney。Ifyougoonlikethis，eitherthecattlewilldie，ortheywon’tpaymetworoublesforthemeatwhenIdogetthere。
It’snottraveling，butruination。\"
Theguardraiseshiseyebrowsandsighswithanairthatseemstosay：\"Allthatisunhappilytrue！\"Theengine-driversitssilent，dreamilylookingatthecap。Fromtheirfacesonecanseethattheyhaveasecretthoughtincommon，whichtheydonotutter，notbecausetheywanttoconcealit，butbecausesuchthoughtsaremuchbetterexpressedbysignsthanbywords。Andtheoldmanunderstands。Hefeelsinhispocket，takesoutaten-roublenote，andwithoutpreliminarywords，withoutanychangeinthetoneofhisvoiceortheexpressionofhisface，butwiththeconfidenceanddirectnesswithwhichprobablyonlyRussiansgiveandtakebribes，hegivestheguardthenote。Thelattertakesit，foldsitinfour，andwithoutunduehasteputsitinhispocket。
Afterthatallthreegooutoftheroom，andwakingthesleepingguardontheway，goontotheplatform。
\"Whatweather！\"grumblestheheadguard，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"Youcan’tseeyourhandbeforeyourface。\"
\"Yes，it’svileweather。\"
Fromthewindowtheycanseetheflaxenheadofthetelegraphclerkappearbesidethegreenlampandthetelegraphicapparatus；
soonafteranotherhead，beardedandwearingaredcap，appearsbesideit——nodoubtthatofthestation-master。Thestation-masterbendsdowntothetable，readssomethingonablueform，rapidlypassinghiscigarettealongthelines……
Malahingoestohisvan。
Theyoungman，hiscompanion，isstillhalfrecliningandhardlyaudiblystrummingontheaccordion。Heislittlemorethanaboy，withnotraceofamustache；hisfullwhitefacewithitsbroadcheek-bonesischildishlydreamy；hiseyeshaveamelancholyandtranquillookunlikethatofagrown-upperson，butheisbroad，strong，heavyandroughliketheoldman；hedoesnotstirnorshifthisposition，asthoughheisnotequaltomovinghisbigbody。Itseemsasthoughanymovementhemadewouldtearhisclothesandbesonoisyastofrightenbothhimandthecattle。
Fromunderhisbigfatfingersthatclumsilypickoutthestopsandkeysoftheaccordioncomesasteadyflowofthin，tinklingsoundswhichblendintoasimple，monotonouslittletune；helistenstoit，andisevidentlymuchpleasedwithhisperformance。
Abellrings，butwithsuchamufflednotethatitseemstocomefromfaraway。Ahurriedsecondbellsoonfollows，thenathirdandtheguard’swhistle。Aminutepassesinprofoundsilence；thevandoesnotmove，itstandsstill，butvaguesoundsbegintocomefrombeneathit，likethecrunchofsnowundersledge-runners；thevanbeginstoshakeandthesoundscease。
Silencereignsagain。Butnowcomestheclankofbuffers，theviolentshockmakesthevanstartand，asitwere，givealurchforward，andallthecattlefallagainstoneanother。
\"Mayyoubeservedthesameintheworldtocome，\"grumblestheoldman，settingstraighthiscap，whichhadslippedonthebackofhisheadfromthejolt。\"He’llmaimallmycattlelikethis！\"
Yashagetsupwithoutawordand，takingoneofthefallenbeastsbythehorns，helpsittogetontoitslegs……Thejoltisfollowedbyastillnessagain。Thesoundsofcrunchingsnowcomefromunderthevanagain，anditseemsasthoughthetrainhadmovedbackalittle。
\"Therewillbeanotherjoltinaminute，\"saystheoldman。Andtheconvulsivequiverdoes，infact，runalongthetrain，thereisacrashingsoundandthebullocksfallononeanotheragain。
\"It’sajob！\"saysYasha，listening。\"Thetrainmustbeheavy。Itseemsitwon’tmove。\"
\"Itwasnotheavybefore，butnowithassuddenlygotheavy。No，mylad，theguardhasnotgoneshareswithhim，Iexpect。Goandtakehimsomething，orhewillbejoltingustillmorning。\"
Yashatakesathree-roublenotefromtheoldmanandjumpsoutofthevan。Thedullthudofhisheavyfootstepsresoundsoutsidethevanandgraduallydiesaway。Stillness……Inthenextvanabullockuttersaprolongedsubdued\"moo，\"asthoughitweresinging。
Yashacomesback。Acolddampwinddartsintothevan。
\"Shutthedoor，Yasha，andwewillgotobed，\"saystheoldman。
\"Whyburnacandlefornothing？\"
Yashamovestheheavydoor；thereisasoundofawhistle，theengineandthetrainsetoff。
\"It’scold，\"mutterstheoldman，stretchinghimselfonthecapeandlayinghisheadonabundle。\"Itisverydifferentathome！
It’swarmandcleanandsoft，andthereisroomtosayyourprayers，buthereweareworseoffthananypigs。It’sfourdaysandnightssinceIhavetakenoffmyboots。\"
Yasha，staggeringfromthejoltingofthetrain，opensthelanternandsnuffsoutthewickwithhiswetfingers。Thelightflaresup，hisseslikeafryingpanandgoesout。
\"Yes，mylad，\"Malahingoeson，ashefeelsYashaliedownbesidehimandtheyoungman’shugebackhuddleagainsthisown，\"it’scold。Thereisadraughtfromeverycrack。Ifyourmotheroryoursisterweretosleephereforonenighttheywouldbedeadbymorning。Thereitis，mylad，youwouldn’tstudyandgotothehighschoollikeyourbrothers，soyoumusttakethecattlewithyourfather。It’syourownfault，youhaveonlyyourselftoblame……Yourbrothersareasleepintheirbedsnow，theyaresnugunderthebedclothes，butyou，thecarelessandlazyone，areinthesameboxasthecattle……Yes……\"
Theoldman’swordsareinaudibleinthenoiseofthetrain，butforalongtimehegoesonmuttering，sighingandclearinghisthroat……ThecoldairintherailwayvangrowsthickerandmorestiflingThepungentodoroffreshdungandsmolderingcandlemakesitsorepulsiveandacridthatitirritatesYasha’sthroatandchestashefallsasleep。Hecoughsandsneezes，whiletheoldman，beingaccustomedtoit，breatheswithhiswholechestasthoughnothingwereamiss，andmerelyclearshisthroat。
Tojudgefromtheswayingofthevanandtherattleofthewheelsthetrainismovingrapidlyandunevenly。Theenginebreathesheavily，snortingoutoftimewiththepulsationofthetrain，andaltogetherthereisamedleyofsounds。Thebullockshuddletogetheruneasilyandknocktheirhornsagainstthewalls。
Whentheoldmanwakesup，thedeepblueskyofearlymorningispeepinginatthecracksandatthelittleuncoveredwindow。Hefeelsunbearablycold，especiallyinthebackandthefeet。Thetrainisstandingstill；Yasha，sleepyandmorose，isbusywiththecattle。
Theoldmanwakesupoutofhumor。Frowningandgloomy，heclearshisthroatangrilyandlooksfromunderhisbrowsatYashawho，supportingabullockwithhispowerfulshoulderandslightlyliftingit，istryingtodisentangleitsleg。
\"Itoldyoulastnightthatthecordsweretoolong，\"mutterstheoldman；\"butno，’It’snottoolong，Daddy。’There’snomakingyoudoanything，youwillhaveeverythingyourownway……
Blockhead！\"
Heangrilymovesthedooropenandthelightrushesintothevan。
Apassengertrainisstandingexactlyoppositethedoor，andbehinditaredbuildingwitharoofed-inplatform——abigstationwitharefreshmentbar。Theroofsandbridgesofthetrains，theearth，thesleepers，allarecoveredwithathincoatingoffluffy，freshlyfallensnow。Inthespacesbetweenthecarriagesofthepassengertrainthepassengerscanbeseenmovingtoandfro，andared-haired，red-facedgendarmewalkingupanddown；awaiterinafrock-coatandasnow-whiteshirt-front，lookingcoldandsleepy，andprobablyverymuchdissatisfiedwithhisfate，isrunningalongtheplatformcarryingaglassofteaandtworusksonatray。
Theoldmangetsupandbeginssayinghisprayerstowardstheeast。Yasha，havingfinishedwiththebullockandputdownthespadeinthecorner，standsbesidehimandsayshisprayersalso。
Hemerelymoveshislipsandcrosseshimself；thefatherpraysinaloudwhisperandpronouncestheendofeachprayeraloudanddistinctly。
\"……Andthelifeoftheworldtocome。Amen，\"theoldmansaysaloud，drawsinabreath，andatoncewhispersanotherprayer，rappingoutclearlyandfirmlyattheend：\"……andlaycalvesuponThyaltar！\"
Aftersayinghisprayers，Yashahurriedlycrosseshimselfandsays：\"Fivekopecks，please。\"
Andonbeinggiventhefive-kopeckpiece，hetakesaredcopperteapotandrunstothestationforboilingwater。Takinglongjumpsovertherailsandsleepers，leavinghugetracksinthefeatherysnow，andpouringawayyesterday’steaoutoftheteapotherunstotherefreshmentroomandjingleshisfive-kopeckpieceagainsthisteapot。Fromthevanthebar-keepercanbeseenpushingawaythebigteapotandrefusingtogivehalfofhissamovarforfivekopecks，butYashaturnsthetaphimselfand，spreadingwidehiselbowssoasnottobeinterferedwithfillshisteapotwithboilingwater。
\"Damnedblackguard！\"thebar-keepershoutsafterhimasherunsbacktotherailwayvan。
ThescowlingfaceofMalahingrowsalittlebrighteroverthetea。
\"Weknowhowtoeatanddrink，butwedon’trememberourwork。
Yesterdaywecoulddonothingalldaybuteatanddrink，andI’llbeboundweforgottoputdownwhatwespent。Whatamemory！Lordhavemercyonus！\"
Theoldmanrecallsaloudtheexpenditureofthedaybefore，andwritesdowninatatterednotebookwhereandhowmuchhehadgiventoguards，engine-drivers，oilers……
Meanwhilethepassengertrainhaslongagogoneoff，andanenginerunsbackwardsandforwardsontheemptyline，apparentlywithoutanydefiniteobject，butsimplyenjoyingitsfreedom。Thesunhasrisenandisplayingonthesnow；brightdropsarefallingfromthestationroofandthetopsofthevans。
Havingfinishedhistea，theoldmanlazilysauntersfromthevantothestation。Hereinthemiddleofthefirst-classwaiting-roomheseesthefamiliarfigureoftheguardstandingbesidethestation-master，ayoungmanwithahandsomebeardandinamagnificentroughwoollenovercoat。Theyoungman，probablynewtohisposition，standsinthesameplace，gracefullyshiftingfromonefoottotheotherlikeagoodracehorse，looksfromsidetoside，saluteseveryonethatpassesby，smilesandscrewsuphiseyes……Heisred-cheeked，sturdy，andgood-humored；hisfaceisfullofeagerness，andisasfreshasthoughhehadjustfallenfromtheskywiththefeatherysnow。
SeeingMalahin，theguardsighsguiltilyandthrowsuphishands。
\"Wecan’tgonumberfourteen，\"hesays。\"Weareverymuchbehindtime。Anothertrainhasgonewiththatnumber。\"
Thestation-masterrapidlylooksthroughsomeforms，thenturnshisbeamingblueeyesuponMalahin，and，hisfaceradiantwithsmilesandfreshness，showersquestionsonhim：
\"YouareMr。Malahin？Youhavethecattle？Eightvanloads？Whatistobedonenow？YouarelateandIletnumberfourteengointhenight。Whatarewetodonow？\"
TheyoungmandiscreetlytakesholdofthefurofMalahin’scoatwithtwopinkfingersand，shiftingfromonefoottotheother，explainsaffablyandconvincinglythatsuchandsuchnumbershavegonealready，andthatsuchandsucharegoing，andthatheisreadytodoforMalahineverythinginhispower。AndfromhisfaceitisevidentthatheisreadytodoanythingtopleasenotonlyMalahin，butthewholeworld——heissohappy，sopleased，andsodelighted！Theoldmanlistens，andthoughhecanmakeabsolutelynothingoftheintricatesystemofnumberingthetrains，henodshisheadapprovingly，andhe，too，putstwofingersonthesoftwooloftheroughcoat。Heenjoysseeingandhearingthepoliteandgenialyoungman。Toshowgoodwillonhissidealso，hetakesoutaten-roublenoteand，afteramoment’sthought，addsacoupleofroublenotestoit，andgivesthemtothestation-master。Thelattertakesthem，putshisfingertohiscap，andgracefullythruststhemintohispocket。
\"Well，gentlemen，can’twearrangeitlikethis？\"hesays，kindledbyanewideathathasflashedonhim。\"Thetrooptrainislate，……asyousee，itisnothere，……sowhyshouldn’tyougoasthetrooptrain？**AndIwillletthetrooptraingoastwenty-eight。Eh？\"
\"Ifyoulike，\"agreestheguard。
\"Excellent！\"thestation-mastersays，delighted。\"Inthatcasethereisnoneedforyoutowaithere；youcansetoffatonce。
I’lldispatchyouimmediately。Excellent！\"
HesalutesMalahinandrunsofftohisroom，readingformsashegoes。Theoldmanisverymuchpleasedbytheconversationthathasjusttakenplace；hesmilesandlooksabouttheroomasthoughlookingforsomethingelseagreeable。
\"We’llhaveadrink，though，\"hesays，takingtheguard’sarm。
\"Itseemsalittleearlyfordrinking。\"
\"No，youmustletmetreatyoutoaglassinafriendlyway。\"
Theybothgototherefreshmentbar。Afterhavingadrinktheguardspendsalongtimeselectingsomethingtoeat。
Heisaverystout，elderlyman，withapuffyanddiscoloredface。Hisfatnessisunpleasant，flabby-looking，andheissallowaspeoplearewhodrinktoomuchandsleepirregularly。
\"Andnowwemighthaveasecondglass，\"saysMalahin。\"It’scoldnow，it’snosintodrink。Pleasetakesome。SoIcanrelyuponyou，Mr。Guard，thattherewillbenohindranceorunpleasantnessfortherestofthejourney。Foryouknowinmovingcattleeveryhourisprecious。To-daymeatisoneprice；andto-morrow，lookyou，itwillbeanother。Ifyouareadayortwolateanddon’tgetyourprice，insteadofaprofityougethome——excusemysayingit——withoutyourbreeches。Praytakealittle……
Irelyonyou，andasforstandingyousomethingorwhatyoulike，Ishallbepleasedtoshowyoumyrespectatanytime。\"
Afterhavingfedtheguard，Malahingoesbacktothevan。
\"Ihavejustgotholdofthetrooptrain，\"hesaystohisson。
\"Weshallgoquickly。Theguardsaysifwegoallthewaywiththatnumberweshallarriveateighto’clockto-morrowevening。
Ifonedoesnotbestironeself，myboy，onegetsnothing……
That’sso……Soyouwatchandlearn……\"
Afterthefirstbellamanwithafaceblackwithsoot，inablouseandfilthyfrayedtrousershangingveryslack，comestothedoorofthevan。Thisistheoiler，whohadbeencreepingunderthecarriagesandtappingthewheelswithahammer。
\"Aretheseyourvansofcattle？\"heasks。
\"Yes。Why？\"
\"Why，becausetwoofthevansarenotsafe。Theycan’tgoon，theymuststayheretoberepaired。\"
\"Oh，come，tellusanother！Yousimplywantadrink，togetsomethingoutofme……Youshouldhavesaidso。\"
\"Asyouplease，onlyitismydutytoreportitatonce。\"
Withoutindignationorprotest，simply，almostmechanically，theoldmantakestwotwenty-kopeckpiecesoutofhispocketandgivesthemtotheoiler。Hetakesthemverycalmly，too，andlookinggood-naturedlyattheoldmanentersintoconversation。
\"Youaregoingtosellyourcattle，Isuppose……It’sgoodbusiness！\"
Malahinsighsand，lookingcalmlyattheoiler’sblackface，tellshimthattradingincattleusedcertainlytobeprofitable，butnowithasbecomeariskyandlosingbusiness。
\"Ihaveamatehere，\"theoilerinterruptshim。\"Youmerchantgentlemenmightmakehimalittlepresent……\"
Malahingivessomethingtothematetoo。Thetrooptraingoesquicklyandthewaitsatthestationsarecomparativelyshort。
Theoldmanispleased。Thepleasantimpressionmadebytheyoungmanintheroughovercoathasgonedeep，thevodkahehasdrunkslightlycloudshisbrain，theweatherismagnificent，andeverythingseemstobegoingwell。Hetalkswithoutceasing，andateverystoppingplacerunstotherefreshmentbar。Feelingtheneedofalistener，hetakeswithhimfirsttheguard，andthentheengine-driver，anddoesnotsimplydrink，butmakesalongbusinessofit，withsuitableremarksandclinkingofglasses。
\"Youhaveyourjobandwehaveours，\"hesayswithanaffablesmile。\"MayGodprosperusandyou，andnotourwillbutHisbedone。\"
Thevodkagraduallyexciteshimandheisworkeduptoagreatpitchofenergy。Hewantstobestirhimself，tofussabout，tomakeinquiries，totalkincessantly。Atoneminutehefumblesinhispocketsandbundlesandlooksforsomeform。Thenhethinksofsomethingandcannotrememberit；thentakesouthispocketbook，andwithnosortofobjectcountsoverhismoney。Hebustlesabout，sighsandgroans，claspshishands……Layingoutbeforehimthelettersandtelegramsfromthemeatsalesmeninthecity，bills，postofficeandtelegraphicreceiptforms，andhisnotebook，hereflectsaloudandinsistsonYasha’slistening。
Andwhenheistiredofreadingoverformsandtalkingaboutprices，hegetsoutatthestoppingplaces，runstothevanswherehiscattleare，doesnothing，butsimplyclaspshishandsandexclaimsinhorror。
\"Oh，dear！oh，dear！\"hesaysinacomplainingvoice。\"HolyMartyrVlassy！Thoughtheyarebullocks，thoughtheyarebeasts，yettheywanttoeatanddrinkasmendo……It’sfourdaysandnightssincetheyhavedrunkoreaten。Oh，dear！oh，dear！\"
Yashafollowshimanddoeswhatheistoldlikeanobedientson。
Hedoesnotliketheoldman’sfrequentvisitstotherefreshmentbar。Thoughheisafraidofhisfather，hecannotrefrainfromremarkingonit。
\"Soyouhavebegunalready！\"hesays，lookingsternlyattheoldman。\"Whatareyourejoicingat？Isityourname-dayorwhat？\"
\"Don’tyoudareteachyourfather。\"
\"Finegoingson！\"
WhenhehasnottofollowhisfatheralongtheothervansYashasitsonthecapeandstrumsontheaccordion。Occasionallyhegetsoutandwalkslazilybesidethetrain；hestandsbytheengineandturnsaprolonged，unmovingstareonthewheelsorontheworkmentossingblocksofwoodintothetender；thehotenginewheezes，thefallingblockscomedownwiththemellow，heartythudoffreshwood；theengine-driverandhisassistant，veryphlegmaticandimperturbablepersons，performincomprehensiblemovementsanddon’thurrythemselves。Afterstandingforawhilebytheengine，Yashasaunterslazilytothestation；herehelooksattheeatablesintherefreshmentbar，readsaloudsomequiteuninterestingnotice，andgoesbackslowlytothecattlevan。Hisfaceexpressesneitherboredomnordesire；apparentlyhedoesnotcarewhereheis，athome，inthevan，orbytheengine。
Towardseveningthetrainstopsnearabigstation。Thelampshaveonlyjustbeenlightedalongtheline；againstthebluebackgroundinthefreshlimpidairthelightsarebrightandpalelikestars；theyareonlyredandglowingunderthestationroof，whereitisalreadydark。Allthelinesareloadedupwithcarriages，anditseemsthatifanothertraincameintherewouldbenoplaceforit。Yasharunstothestationforboilingwatertomaketheeveningtea。Well-dressedladiesandhigh-schoolboysarewalkingontheplatform。Ifonelooksintothedistancefromtheplatformtherearefar-awaylightstwinklingintheeveningduskonbothsidesofthestation——thatisthetown。
Whattown？Yashadoesnotcaretoknow。Heseesonlythedimlightsandwretchedbuildingsbeyondthestation，hearsthecabmenshouting，feelsasharp，coldwindonhisface，andimaginesthatthetownisprobablydisagreeable，uncomfortable，anddull。
Whiletheyarehavingtea，whenitisquitedarkandalanternishangingonthewallagainasonthepreviousevening，thetrainquiversfromaslightshockandbeginsmovingbackwards。Aftergoingalittlewayitstops；theyhearindistinctshouts，someonesetsthechainsclankingnearthebuffersandshouts，\"Ready！\"Thetrainmovesandgoesforward。Tenminuteslateritisdraggedbackagain。
Gettingoutofthevan，Malahindoesnotrecognizehistrain。Hiseightvansofbullocksarestandinginthesamerowwithsometrolleyswhichwerenotapartofthetrainbefore。Twoorthreeoftheseareloadedwithrubbleandtheothersareempty。Theguardsrunningtoandfroontheplatformarestrangers。Theygiveunwillingandindistinctanswerstohisquestions。TheyhavenothoughtstospareforMalahin；theyareinahurrytogetthetraintogethersoastofinishassoonaspossibleandbebackinthewarmth。
\"Whatnumberisthis？\"asksMalahin\"Numbereighteen。\"
\"Andwhereisthetrooptrain？Whyhaveyoutakenmeoffthetrooptrain？\"
Gettingnoanswer，theoldmangoestothestation。Helooksfirstforthefamiliarfigureoftheheadguardand，notfindinghim，goestothestation-master。Thestation-masterissittingatatableinhisownroom，turningoverabundleofforms。Heisbusy，andaffectsnottoseethenewcomer。Hisappearanceisimpressive：acroppedblackhead，prominentears，alonghookednose，aswarthyface；hehasaforbiddingand，asitwere，offendedexpression。Malahinbeginsmakinghiscomplaintatgreatlength。
\"What？\"queriesthestation-master。\"Howisthis？\"Heleansagainstthebackofhischairandgoeson，growingindignant：
\"Whatisit？andwhyshouldn’tyougobynumbereighteen？Speakmoreclearly，Idon’tunderstand！Howisit？Doyouwantmetobeeverywhereatonce？\"
Heshowersquestionsonhim，andfornoapparentreasongrowssternerandsterner。Malahinisalreadyfeelinginhispocketforhispocketbook，butintheendthestation-master，aggrievedandindignant，forsomeunknownreasonjumpsupfromhisseatandrunsoutoftheroom。Malahinshrugshisshoulders，andgoesouttolookforsomeoneelsetospeakto。
Fromboredomorfromadesiretoputthefinishingstroketoabusyday，orsimplythatawindowwiththeinscription\"Telegraph！\"onitcatcheshiseye，hegoestothewindowandexpressesadesiretosendoffatelegram。Takingupapen，hethinksforamoment，andwritesonablueform：\"Urgent。TrafficManager。Eightvansoflivestock。Delayedateverystation。
Kindlysendanexpressnumber。Replypaid。Malahin。\"
Havingsentoffthetelegram，hegoesbacktothestation-master’sroom。Therehefinds，sittingonasofacoveredwithgraycloth，abenevolent-lookinggentlemaninspectaclesandacapofraccoonfur；heiswearingapeculiarovercoatverymuchlikealady’s，edgedwithfur，withfrogsandslashedsleeves。
Anothergentleman，dried-upandsinewy，wearingtheuniformofarailwayinspector，standsfacinghim。
\"Justthinkofit，\"saystheinspector，addressingthegentlemaninthequeerovercoat。\"I’lltellyouanincidentthatreallyisA1！TheZ。railwaylineinthecoolestpossiblewaystolethreehundredtrucksfromtheN。line。It’safact，sir！Iswearit！
Theycarriedthemoff，repaintedthem，puttheirlettersonthem，andthat’sallaboutit。TheN。linesendsitsagentseverywhere，theyhuntandhunt。Andthen——canyouimagineit？——theCompanyhappentocomeuponabroken-downcarriageoftheZ。
line。Theyrepairitattheirdepot，andallatonce，blessmysoul！seetheirownmarkonthewheelsWhatdoyousaytothat？
Eh？IfIdidittheywouldsendmetoSiberia，buttherailwaycompaniessimplysnaptheirfingersatit！\"
ItispleasanttoMalahintotalktoeducated，culturedpeople。
Hestrokeshisbeardandjoinsintheconversationwithdignity。
\"Takethiscase，gentlemen，forinstance，\"hesays。IamtransportingcattletoX。Eightvanloads。Verygood……Nowletussaytheychargemeforeachvanloadasaweightoftentons；eightbullocksdon’tweightentons，butmuchless，yettheydon’ttakeanynoticeofthat……\"
AtthatinstantYashawalksintotheroomlookingforhisfather。
Helistensandisabouttositdownonachair，butprobablythinkingofhisweightgoesandsitsonthewindow-sill\"Theydon’ttakeanynoticeofthat，\"Malahingoeson，\"andchargemeandmysonthethird-classfare，too，forty-tworoubles，forgoinginthevanwiththebullocks。ThisismysonYakov。Ihavetwomoreathome，buttheyhavegoneinforstudy。
Wellandapartfromthatitismyopinionthattherailwayshaveruinedthecattletrade。Inolddayswhentheydrovetheminherdsitwasbetter。\"
Theoldman’stalkislengthyanddrawnout。AftereverysentencehelooksatYashaasthoughhewouldsay：\"SeehowIamtalkingtocleverpeople。\"
\"Uponmyword！\"theinspectorinterruptshim。\"Nooneisindignant，noonecriticizes。Andwhy？Itisverysimple。Anabominationstrikestheeyeandarousesindignationonlywhenitisexceptional，whentheestablishedorderisbrokenbyit。Here，where，savingyourpresence，itconstitutesthelong-establishedprogramandformsandentersintothebasisoftheorderitself，whereeverysleeperonthelinebearsthetraceofitandstinksofit，onetooeasilygrowsaccustomedtoit！Yes，sir！\"
Thesecondbellrings，thegentlemeninthequeerovercoatgetsup。Theinspectortakeshimbythearmand，stilltalkingwithheat，goesoffwithhimtotheplatform。Afterthethirdbellthestation-masterrunsintohisroom，andsitsdownathistable。
\"Listen，withwhatnumberamItogo？\"asksMalahin。
Thestation-masterlooksataformandsaysindignantly：
\"AreyouMalahin，eightvanloads？Youmustpayaroubleavanandsixroublesandtwentykopecksforstamps。Youhavenostamps。
Total，fourteenroubles，twentykopecks。\"
Receivingthemoney，hewritessomethingdown，driesitwithsand，and，hurriedlysnatchingupabundleofforms，goesquicklyoutoftheroom。
Atteno’clockintheeveningMalahingetsananswerfromthetrafficmanager：\"Giveprecedence。\"
Readingthetelegramthrough，theoldmanwinkssignificantlyand，verywellpleasedwithhimself，putsitinhispocket。
\"Here，\"hesaystoYasha，\"lookandlearn。\"
Atmidnighthistraingoeson。Thenightisdarkandcoldlikethepreviousone；thewaitsatthestationsarelong。Yashasitsonthecapeandimperturbablystrumsontheaccordion，whiletheoldmanisstillmoreeagertoexerthimself。Atoneofthestationsheisovertakenbyadesiretolodgeacomplaint。
Athisrequestagendarmesitsdownandwrites：
\"November10，188。——I，non-commissionedofficeroftheZ。
sectionoftheN。policedepartmentofrailways，IlyaTchered，inaccordancewitharticleIIofthestatuteofMay19，1871，havedrawnupthisprotocolatthestationofX。asherewithfollows……\"
\"WhatamItowritenext？\"asksthegendarme。
Malahinlaysoutbeforehimforms，postalandtelegraphreceipts，accounts……Hedoesnotknowhimselfdefinitelywhathewantsofthegendarme；hewantstodescribeintheprotocolnotanyseparateepisodebuthiswholejourney，withallhislossesandconversationswithstation-masters——todescribeitlengthilyandvindictively。
\"AtthestationofZ。，\"hesays，\"writethatthestation-masterunlinkedmyvansfromthetrooptrainbecausehedidnotlikemycountenance。\"
Andhewantsthegendarmetobesuretomentionhiscountenance。
Thelatterlistenswearily，andgoesonwritingwithouthearinghimtotheend。Heendshisprotocolthus：
\"TheabovedepositionI，non-commissionedofficerTchered，havewrittendowninthisprotocolwithaviewtopresentittotheheadoftheZ。section，andhavehandedacopythereoftoGavrilMalahin。\"
Theoldmantakesthecopy，addsittothepaperswithwhichhissidepocketisstuffed，and，muchpleased，goesbacktohisvan。
InthemorningMalahinwakesupagaininabadhumor，buthiswrathventsitselfnotonYashabutthecattle。
\"Thecattlearedonefor！\"hegrumbles。\"Theyaredonefor！Theyareatthelastgasp！Godbemyjudge！theywillalldie。Tfoo！\"
Thebullocks，whohavehadnothingtodrinkformanydays，torturedbythirst，arelickingthehoarfrostonthewalls，andwhenMalachingoesuptothemtheybeginlickinghiscoldfurjacket。Fromtheirclear，tearfuleyesitcanbeseenthattheyareexhaustedbythirstandthejoltingofthetrain，thattheyarehungryandmiserable。
\"It’sanicejobtakingyoubyrail，youwretchedbrutes！\"
muttersMalahin。\"Icouldwishyouweredeadtogetitover！Itmakesmesicktolookatyou！\"
Atmiddaythetrainstopsatabigstationwhere，accordingtotheregulations，therewasdrinkingwaterprovidedforcattle。
Waterisgiventothecattle，butthebullockswillnotdrinkit：
thewateristoocold……
*******
Twomoredaysandnightspass，andatlastinthedistanceinthemurkyfogthecitycomesintosight。Thejourneyisover。Thetraincomestoastandstillbeforereachingthetown，nearagoods’station。Thebullocks，releasedfromthevan，staggerandstumbleasthoughtheywerewalkingonslipperyice。
Havinggotthroughtheunloadingandveterinaryinspection，MalahinandYashatakeuptheirquartersinadirty，cheaphotelintheoutskirtsofthetown，inthesquareinwhichthecattle-marketisheld。Theirlodgingsarefilthyandtheirfoodisdisgusting，unlikewhattheyeverhaveathome；theysleeptotheharshstrainsofawretchedsteamhurdy-gurdywhichplaysdayandnightintherestaurantundertheirlodging。
Theoldmanspendshistimefrommorningtillnightgoingaboutlookingforpurchasers，andYashasitsfordaysinthehotelroom，orgoesoutintothestreettolookatthetown。Heseesthefilthysquareheapedupwithdung，thesignboardsofrestaurants，theturretedwallsofamonasteryinthefog。
Sometimesherunsacrossthestreetandlooksintothegrocer’sshop，admiresthejarsofcakesofdifferentcolors，yawns，andlazilysauntersbacktohisroom。Thecitydoesnotinteresthim。
Atlastthebullocksaresoldtoadealer。Malahinhiresdrovers。
Thecattlearedividedintoherds，tenineach，anddriventotheotherendofthetown。Thebullocks，exhausted，gowithdroopingheadsthroughthenoisystreets，andlookindifferentlyatwhattheyseeforthefirstandlasttimeintheirlives。Thetattereddroverswalkafterthem，theirheadsdroopingtoo。Theyarebored……Nowandthensomedroverstartsoutofhisbrooding，remembersthattherearecattleinfrontofhimintrustedtohischarge，andtoshowthatheisdoinghisdutybringsastickdownfullswingonabullock’sback。Thebullockstaggerswiththepain，runsforwardadozenpaces，andlooksabouthimasthoughhewereashamedatbeingbeatenbeforepeople。
Aftersellingthebullocksandbuyingforhisfamilypresentssuchastheycouldperfectlywellhaveboughtathome，MalahinandYashagetreadyfortheirjourneyback。Threehoursbeforethetraingoestheoldman，whohasalreadyhadadroptoomuchwiththepurchaserandsoisfussy，goesdownwithYashatotherestaurantandsitsdowntodrinktea。Likeallprovincials，hecannoteatanddrinkalone：hemusthavecompanyasfussyandasfondofsedateconversationashimself。
\"Callthehost！\"hesaystothewaiter；\"tellhimIshouldliketoentertainhim。\"
Thehotel-keeper，awell-fedman，absolutelyindifferenttohislodgers，comesandsitsdowntothetable。
\"Well，wehavesoldourstock，\"Malahinsays，laughing。\"Ihaveswappedmygoatforahawk。Why，whenwesetoffthepriceofmeatwasthreeroublesninetykopecks，butwhenwearrivedithaddroppedtothreeroublestwenty-five。Theytelluswearetoolate，weshouldhavebeenherethreedaysearlier，fornowthereisnotthesamedemandformeat，St。Philip’sfasthascome……Eh？It’sanicehow-do-you-do！Itmeantalossoffourteenroublesoneachbullock。Yes。Butonlythinkwhatitcoststobringthestock！Fifteenroublescarriage，andyoumustputdownsixroublesforeachbullock，tips，bribes，drinks，andonethingandanother……\"
Thehotel-keeperlistensoutofpolitenessandreluctantlydrinkstea。Malahinsighsandgroans，gesticulates，jestsabouthisill-luck，buteverythingshowsthatthelosshehassustaineddoesnottroublehimmuch。Hedoesn’tmindwhetherhehaslostorgainedaslongashehaslisteners，hassomethingtomakeafussabout，andisnotlateforhistrain。
AnhourlaterMalahinandYasha，ladenwithbagsandboxes，godownstairsfromthehotelroomtothefrontdoortogetintoasledgeanddrivetothestation。Theyareseenoffbythehotel-keeper，thewaiter，andvariouswomen。Theoldmanistouched。Hethruststen-kopeckpiecesinalldirections，andsaysinasing-songvoice：
\"Goodby，goodhealthtoyou！Godgrantthatallmaybewellwithyou。PleaseGodifwearealiveandwellweshallcomeagaininLent。Good-by。Thankyou。Godblessyou！\"
Gettingintothesledge，theoldmanspendsalongtimecrossinghimselfinthedirectioninwhichthemonasterywallsmakeapatchofdarknessinthefog。Yashasitsbesidehimontheveryedgeoftheseatwithhislegshangingovertheside。Hisfaceasbeforeshowsnosignofemotionandexpressesneitherboredomnordesire。Heisnotgladthatheisgoinghome，norsorrythathehasnothadtimetoseethesightsofthecity。
\"Driveon！\"
Thecabmanwhipsupthehorseand，turninground，beginsswearingattheheavyandcumbersomeluggage。
————*Onmanyrailwaylines，inordertoavoidaccidents，itisagainsttheregulationstocarryhayonthetrains，andsolivestockarewithoutfodderonthejourney。——Author’sNote。
**Thetraindestinedespeciallyforthetransportoftroopsiscalledthetrooptrain；whentheyarenotroopsittakesgoods，andgoesmorerapidlythanordinarygoodstrain。——Author’sNote。
SORROW
THEturner，GrigoryPetrov，whohadbeenknownforyearspastasasplendidcraftsman，andatthesametimeasthemostsenselesspeasantintheGaltchinskoydistrict，wastakinghisoldwomantothehospital。Hehadtodriveovertwentymiles，anditwasanawfulroad。Agovernmentpostdrivercouldhardlyhavecopedwithit，muchlessanincompetentsluggardlikeGrigory。A
cuttingcoldwindwasblowingstraightinhisface。Cloudsofsnowflakeswerewhirlingroundandroundinalldirections，sothatonecouldnottellwhetherthesnowwasfallingfromtheskyorrisingfromtheearth。Thefields，thetelegraphposts，andtheforestcouldnotbeseenforthefogofsnow。AndwhenaparticularlyviolentgustofwindswoopeddownonGrigory，eventheyokeabovethehorse’sheadcouldnotbeseen。Thewretched，feeblelittlenagcrawledslowlyalong。Ittookallitsstrengthtodragitslegsoutofthesnowandtotugwithitshead。Theturnerwasinahurry。Hekeptrestlesslyhoppingupanddownonthefrontseatandlashingthehorse’sback。
\"Don’tcry，Matryona，……\"hemuttered。\"Havealittlepatience。PleaseGodweshallreachthehospital，andinatriceitwillbetherightthingforyou……PavelIvanitchwillgiveyousomelittledrops，ortellthemtobleedyou；ormaybehishonorwillbepleasedtorubyouwithsomesortofspirit——
it’ll……drawitoutofyourside。PavelIvanitchwilldohisbest。Hewillshoutandstampabout，buthewilldohisbest……Heisanicegentleman，affable，Godgivehimhealth！Assoonaswegettherehewilldartoutofhisroomandwillbegincallingmenames。’How？Whyso？’hewillcry。’Whydidyounotcomeattherighttime？Iamnotadogtobehangingaboutwaitingonyoudevilsallday。Whydidyounotcomeinthemorning？Goaway！Getoutofmysight。Comeagainto-morrow。’AndIshallsay：’Mr。Doctor！PavelIvanitch！Yourhonor！’Geton，do！plaguetakeyou，youdevil！Geton！\"
Theturnerlashedhisnag，andwithoutlookingattheoldwomanwentonmutteringtohimself：
\"’Yourhonor！It’strueasbeforeGod……Here’stheCrossforyou，Isetoffalmostbeforeitwaslight。HowcouldIbehereintimeiftheLord……TheMotherofGod……iswroth，andhassentsuchasnowstorm？Kindlylookforyourself