Complete Works (Volume 1) Paperback -

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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: III. He was standing near the writing-table and, pointing to some envelopes, papers, and heaps of money, was speaking excitedly about something to steward Ydkov Mikbaylovich, who was standing in his customary place, between the door and the barometer, with his hands behind his back, rapidly moving his fingers in all directions. The more excitedly father spoke, the more rapidly his fingers twitched, and, again, when father stopped speaking, his fingers ceased moving; but when Ydkov himself began to speak his fingers came into the greatest commotion and desperately jumped on all sides. It seems to me one could have guessed Ydkov's secret thoughts by their motion. But his face was quiet, and expressed the consciousness of his dignity and at the same time of his subserviency, as much as to say: I am right; however, as you may wish it! When papa saw us, he only said: Wait a moment. With a motion of his head he pointed to the door, which he wanted some one of us to close. Oh, merciful Lord! What is the matter with you to-day, Ydkov ? continued he to the steward, twitching his shoulders, which was a habit of his. This envelope with the enclosed eight hundred roubles ? Ydkov moved up the abacus, cast 800 upon it, andfixed his eyes upon an indefinite point, waiting for things to follow. are for farm expenses during my absence. You understand ? For the mill you are to get one thousand roubles ? is it not so ? You will get back deposits from the treasury, eight thousand roubles; for the hay, of which, according to your own calculation, we ought to sell seven thousand puds, ? let me say at forty-five kopeks, ? you will receive three thousand roubles; consequently, how much money will you have in all ? Twelve thousand, ? am I not right ? Just so, ...