Page 1326 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

counting house clerk, to conceal his confusion, busied
himself settling the ladies, but Philip the coachman
became sullen, and was bracing himself not to be
overawed in future by this external superiority. He smiled

ironically, looking at the raven horse, and was already
deciding in his own mind that this smart trotter in the
char-a-banc was only good for promenage, and wouldn’t
do thirty miles straight off in the heat.
The peasants had all got up from the cart and were
inquisitively and mirthfully staring at the meeting of the
friends, making their comments on it.
‘They’re pleased, too; haven’t seen each other for a
long while,’ said the curly-headed old man with the bast
round his hair.
‘I say, Uncle Gerasim, if we could take that raven horse
now, to cart the corn, that ‘ud be quick work!’
‘Look-ee! Is that a woman in breeches?’ said one of
them, pointing to Vassenka Veslovsky sitting in a side
saddle.
‘Nay, a man! See how smartly he’s going it!’
‘Eh, lads! seems we’re not going to sleep, then?’
‘What chance of sleep today!’ said the old man, with a
sidelong look at the sun. ‘Midday’s past, look-ee! Get your
hooks, and come along!’

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