Page 372 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

business; he doesn’t haggle over every half-penny,’ he
added, scowling and waving the pocketbook.
‘I wouldn’t be in a hurry if I were you,’ said Levin.
‘Come, really,’ said Oblonsky in surprise. ‘I’ve given

my word, you know.’
Levin went out of the room, slamming the door.
Ryabinin looked towards the door and shook his head
with a smile.
‘It’s all youthfulness—positively nothing but
boyishness. Why, I’m buying it, upon my honor, simply,
believe me, for the glory of it, that Ryabinin, and no one
else, should have bought the copse of Oblonsky. And as to
the profits, why, I must make what God gives. In God’s
name. If you would kindly sign the title-deed..’
Within an hour the merchant, stroking his big overcoat
neatly down, and hooding up his jacket, with the
agreement in his pocket, seated himself in his tightly
covered trap, and drove homewards.
‘Ugh, these gentlefolks!’ he said to the clerk. ‘They—
they’re a nice lot!’
‘That’s so,’ responded the clerk, handing him the reins
and buttoning the leather apron. ‘But I can congratulate
you on the purchase, Mihail Ignatitch?’
‘Well, well..’

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