Page 1417 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

listening to what was being said around him. He felt
depressed, especially because everyone else was, as he saw,
eager, anxious, and interested, and he alone, with an old,
toothless little man with mumbling lips wearing a naval

uniform, sitting beside him, had no interest in it and
nothing to do.
‘He’s such a blackguard! I have told him so, but it
makes no difference. Only think of it! He couldn’t collect
it in three years!’ he heard vigorously uttered by a round-
shouldered, short, country gentleman, who had pomaded
hair hanging on his embroidered collar, and new boots
obviously put on for the occasion, with heels that tapped
energetically as he spoke. Casting a displeased glance at
Levin, this gentleman sharply turned his back.
‘Yes, it’s a dirty business, there’s no denying,’ a small
gentleman assented in a high voice.
Next, a whole crowd of country gentlemen,
surrounding a stout general, hurriedly came near Levin.
These persons were unmistakably seeking a place where
they could talk without being overheard.
‘How dare he say I had his breeches stolen! Pawned
them for drink, I expect. Damn the fellow, prince indeed!
He’d better not say it, the beast!’

1416 of 1759