Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume VI).djvu/97

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VIRGIN SOIL

his household gods, a position which threw his long hanging whiskers and rather round little head into striking relief. Then he called to one of the footmen in his powerful resonant voice, which showed no trace of the fatigues of the journey: 'Ivan! take this gentleman to the green room and carry his trunk up there,' and informed Nezhdanov that he could rest now, unpack, and set himself to rights, and dinner would be ready at five o'clock precisely. Nezhdanov bowed, and followed Ivan into the 'green room', which was on the second storey.

The whole party passed into the drawing-room. There words of welcome were repeated once more; a half-blind old nurse came in with a courtesy. From regard for her years, she was allowed by Sipyagin to kiss his hand, and then, with apologies to Kallomyetsev, he retired to his own room, escorted by his wife.

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