He got up and began walking about the room.

"What's the use of being dreary?" said Agafea Mihalovna.

" Come, why do you stay on at home? You ought to go to some warm springs, especially now you're ready for the journey.

" "Well, I am going away the day after tomorrow, Agafea Mihalovna; I must finish my work.

" "There, there, your work, you say! As if you hadn't done enough for the peasants! Why, as 'tis, they're saying, 'Your master will be getting some honor from the Tsar for it.