Page 1471 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘Oh, yes, indeed! I feel now how badly educated I am.
To educate my children I positively have to look up a
great deal, and in fact simply to study myself. For it’s not
enough to have teachers, there must be someone to look

after them, just as on your land you want laborers and an
overseer. See what I’m reading’—he pointed to Buslaev’s
Grammar on the desk—‘it’s expected of Misha, and it’s so
difficult.... Come, explain to me.... Here he says..’
Levin tried to explain to him that it couldn’t be
understood, but that it had to be taught; but Lvov would
not agree with him.
‘Oh, you’re laughing at it!’
‘On the contrary, you can’t imagine how, when I look
at you, I’m always learning the task that lies before me,
that is the education of one’s children.’
‘Well, there’s nothing for you to learn,’ said Lvov.
‘All I know,’ said Levin, ‘is that I have never seen
better brought-up children than yours, and I wouldn’t
wish for children better than yours.’
Lvov visibly tried to restrain the expression of his
delight, but he was positively radiant with smiles.
‘If only they’re better than I! That’s all I desire. You
don’t know yet all the work,’ he said, ‘with boys who’ve
been left like mine to run wild abroad.’

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