sent to the village to hire some mowers for the morrow, so as to attack his field at Kalinovo, which was the largest and best.
"And here, please send my scythe over to Sef, and have him put it in order and bring it back to-morrow; perhaps I will come and mow too," said he, trying to hide his confusion.
The overseer smiled, and said: —
"I will obey you — slushayu-s."
Later, at the tea-table. Levin said to his brother: —
"It seems like settled weather. To-morrow I am going to begin mowing."
"I like this work very much," said Sergyeï Ivanovitch.
"I like it extremely," said Levin. "Last year I myself mowed with the muzhiks, and to-morrow I am going to spend all day at it."
Sergyeï Ivanovitch raised his head, and gazed with astonishment at his brother.
"What did you say? Like the muzhiks, all day long?"
"Certainly; it is very enjoyable," said Levin.
"It is excellent as physical exercise, but can you stand such work?" asked Sergyeï Ivanovitch, without meaning to say anything ironical.
"I have tried it. At first it is hard work, but afterwards you get used to it. I think I shall not leave off." ....
Really! but tell me, how do the muzhiks look at it? Naturally they make sport because the barin is queer, don't they?"
"No, I don't think so; but this is such pleasant and at the same time hard work, that they don't think about it."
"But how do you and they do about dinner? You could hardly have a bottle of Lafitte and a roast turkey sent you out there."
"No; I come home while the workmen have their nooning."
The next morning Konstantin Levin got up earlier than usual; but his duties about the house detained
