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to tea with her from the sowing； the mowing； or the harvest。 She could not understand why he was so delighted when he told her with enthusiasm of the well…to…do； thrifty peasant Matvey Ermishin； who had been up all night with his family； carting his sheaves； and had all harvested when no one else had begun carrying。 She could not understand why； stepping out of the window on to the balcony； he smiled under his moustaches and winked so gleefully when a warm； fine rain began to fall on his young oats that were suffering from the drought； or why； when a menacing cloud blew over in mowing or harvest time； he would come in from the barn red； sunburnt； and perspiring； with the smell of wormwood in his hair； and rubbing his hands joyfully would say： ‘‘Come； another day of this and my lot； and the peasants’ too； will all be in the barn。’’
Still less could she understand how it was that with his good heart and everlasting readiness to anticipate her wishes； he would be thrown almost into despair when she brought him petitions from peasants or their wives who had appealed to her to be let off tasks； why it was that he； her good…natured Nikolay； obstinately refused her； angrily begging her not to meddle in his business。 She felt that he had a world apart； that was intensely dear to him； governed by laws of its own which she did not understand。
Sometimes trying to understand him she would talk to him of the good work he was doing in striving for the good of his serfs； but at this he was angry and answered： ‘‘Not in the least； it never even entered my head； and for their good I would not lift my little finger。 That’s all romantic nonsense and old wives’ cackle—all that doing good to one’s neighbour。 I don’t want our children to be beggars； I want to build up our fortunes in my lifetime； that is all。 And to do that one must have discipline； one must have strictness … So there！’’ he would declare； clenching his sanguine fist。 ‘‘And justice too—of course；’’ he would add； ‘‘because if the peasant is naked and hungry； and has but one poor horse； he can do no good for himself or me。’’
And doubtless because Nikolay did not allow himself to entertain the idea that he was doing anything for the sake of others； or for the sake of virtue； everything he did was fruitful。 His fortune rapidly increased； the neighbouring serfs came to beg him to purchase them； and long after his death the peasantry preserved a reverent memory of his rule。 ‘‘He was a master … The peasants’ welfare first and then his own。 And to be sure he would make no abatements。 A real good master—that’s what he was！’’
Chapter 8
THE ONE THING that sometimes troubled Nikolay in his government of his serfs was his hasty temper and his old habit； acquired in the hussars； of making free use of his fists。 At first he saw nothing blameworthy in this； but in the second year of his married life his views on that form of correction underwent a sudden change。
One summer day he had sent for the village elder who had taken control at Bogutcharovo on the death of Dron。 The man was accused of various acts of fraud and neglect。 Nikolay went out to the steps to see him； and at the first answers the village elder made； shouts and blows were heard in the hall。 On going back indoors to lunch； Nikolay went up to his wife； who was sitting with her head bent low over her embroidery frame； and began telling her； as he always did； everything that had interested him during the morning； and among other things about the Bogutcharovo elder。 Countess Marya； turning red and pale and setting her lips； sat in the same pose； making no reply to her husband。
‘‘The insolent rascal；’’ he said； getting hot at the mere recollection。 ‘‘Well； he should have told me he was drunk； he did not see … Why； what is it； Marie？’’ he asked all at once。
Countess Marya raised her head； tried to say something； but hurriedly looked down again； trying to control her lips。
‘‘What is it？ What is wrong； my darling？ …’’ His plain wife always looked her best when she was in tears。 She never wept for pain or anger； but always from sadness and pity。 And when she wept her luminous eyes gained an indescribable charm。
As soon as Nikolay took her by the hand； she was unable to restrain herself； and burst into tears。
‘‘Nikolay； I saw … he was in fault； but you； why did you！ Nikolay！’’ and she hid her face in her hands。
Nikolay did not speak； he flushed crimson； and walking away from her； began pacing up and down in silence。 He knew what she was crying about； but he could not all at once agree with her in his heart that what he had been used to from childhood； what he looked upon as a matter of course； was wrong。 ‘‘It’s sentimental nonsense； old wives’ cackle—or is she right？’’ he said to himself。 Unable to decide that question； he glanced once more at her suffering and loving face； and all at once he felt that she was right； and that he had known himself to be in fault a long time before。
‘‘Marie；’’ he said； softly； going up to her： ‘‘it shall never happen again； I give you my word。 Never；’’ he repeated in a shaking voice like a boy begging for forgiveness。
The tears flowed faster from his wife’s eyes。 She took his hand and kissed it。
‘‘Nikolay； when did you break your cameo？’’ she said to change the subject； as she scrutinised the finger on which he wore a ring with a cameo of Laocoon。
‘‘To…day； it was all the same thing。 O Marie； don’t remind me of it！’’ He flushed again。 ‘‘I give you my word of honour that it shall never happen again。 And let this be a reminder to me for ever；’’ he said； pointing to the broken ring。
From that time forward； whenever in interviews with his village elders and foremen he felt the blood rush to his face and his fists began to clench； Nikolay turned the ring round on his finger and dropped his eyes before the man who angered him。 Twice a year； however； he would forget himself； and then； going to his wife； he confessed； and again promised that this would really be the last time。
‘‘Marie； you must despise me；’’ he said to her。 ‘‘I deserve it。’’
‘‘You must run away； make haste and run away if you feel yourself unable to control yourself；’’ his wife said mournfully； trying to comfort him。
In the society of the nobility of the province Nikolay was respected but not liked。 The local politics of the nobility did not interest him。 And in consequence he was looked upon by some people as proud and by others as a fool。 In summer his whole time from the spring sowing to the harvest was spent in looking after the land。 In the autumn he gave himself up with the same business…like seriousness to hunting； going out for a month or two at a time with his huntsmen； dogs； and horses on hunting expeditions。 In the winter he visited their other properties and spent his time in reading； chiefly historical books； on which he spent a certain sum regularly every year。 He was forming for himself； as he used to say； a serious library； and he made it a principle to read through every book he bought。 He would sit over his book in his study with an important air； and what he had at first undertaken as a duty became an habitual pursuit； which