harnessed two; the third had been shod and lamed. During lunch Markelov had said little, eaten nothing, and had drawn his breath painfully.. . . He had uttered two or three bitter words about his property, and again waved his hand as though to say . . . 'It makes no difference, it will all have to be changed afterwards.' Mashurina asked Nezhdanov to take her as far as the town; she wanted to go there to do some shopping. I can walk back, or else get a lift in some peasant's cart.' Markelov escorted them both to the steps, and said vaguely that he should shortly come for Nezhdanov again; and then . . . then'─(he shook himself and plucked up his spirits again)─'they must come to a definite arrangement; that Solomin should come too; that he, Markelov, was only waiting for news from Vassily Nikolaevitch, and then it only remained to 'act' promptly since the peasants (the same peasants who did not understand the word 'participation') would not consent to wait longer!
'Oh, you were going to show me the letters of that what's his name─Kislyakov?' said Nezhdanov.
'Later . . .' Markelov replied hurriedly.. . . 'Then we will do everything altogether.'
The carriage started.
'Be in readiness!' Markelov's voice was
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