of revolution, but in the inertia of traditions which block progress," and so on. He read through another article on finance which made mention of Bentham and Mill, and dropped some sharp hints for the ministry. With his peculiar quickness of comprehension he appreciated each point,—from whom and against whom and on what occasion it was directed; and this as usual afforded him some amusement. But his satisfaction was poisoned by the remembrance of Matriona's advice and of the unfortunate state of his domestic affairs. He read also that Count von Beust was reported to have gone to Wiesbaden, that there was to be no more gray hair; he read about the sale of a light carriage and a young woman's advertisement for a place. But these items did not afford him quiet, ironical satisfaction as usual.
Having finished his paper, his second cup of coffee, and a buttered roll, he stood up, shook the crumbs of the roll from his waistcoat, and, filling his broad chest, smiled joyfully, not because there was anything extraordinarily pleasant in his mind, but the joyful smile was caused by good digestion.
But this joyful smile immediately brought back the memory of everything, and he sank into thought.
The voices of two children—Stepan Arkadyevitch knew they were Grisha, his youngest boy, and Tania, his eldest daughter—were now heard behind the door. They were dragging something and upset it.
"I told you not to put passengers on top," cried the little girl in English.—" Now pick them up."
"Everything is in confusion," said Stepan Arkadyevitch to himself. "Now here the children are, running wild!" And going to the door, he called to them. They dropped the little box which served them for a railway-train, and ran to their father.
The little girl, her father's favorite, ran in boldly, threw her arms around his neck and laughingly hugged him, enjoying as usual the odor which exhaled from his whiskers. Then kissing his face, reddened by his bending position and beaming with tenderness, the little girl unclasped her hands and wanted to run away again, but her father held her back.
