Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 12.djvu/201

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
NATURAL SCIENCE STORIES
175

and the tree tottered. It broke at the notch and, swaying, fell with its branches and blossoms into the grass. The twigs and blossoms trembled for awhile after the fall, and stopped.

"It was a fine tree!" said the peasant. "I am mightily sorry for it!"

I myself felt so sorry for it that I hurried away to the other labourers.