“To Spasov, I suppose?”
“Yes, yes, to Spasov. But that’s no matter.”
“If you are going to Spasov and on foot, it will take you a week in your boots,” laughed the woman.
“I dare say, I dare say, no matter, mes amis, no matter.” Stepan Trofimovitch cut her short impatiently.
“Awfully inquisitive people; but the woman speaks better than he does, and I notice that since February 19,* their language has altered a little, and … and what business is it of mine whether I’m going to Spasov or not? Besides, I’ll pay them, so why do they pester me.”
*February 19, 1861, the day of the Emancipation of the Serfs, is meant.—Translator’s note.“If you are going to Spasov, you must take the steamer,” the peasant persisted.
“That’s true indeed,” the woman put in with animation, “for if you drive along
