Page 42 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

my friend, Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin, the brother of
Sergey Ivonovitch Koznishev.’
‘Delighted,’ said the veteran.
‘I have the honor of knowing your brother, Sergey

Ivanovitch,’ said Grinevitch, holding out his slender hand
with its long nails.
Levin frowned, shook hands coldly, and at once turned
to Oblonsky. Though he had a great respect for his half-
brother, an author well known to all Russia, he could not
endure it when people treated him not as Konstantin
Levin, but as the brother of the celebrated Koznishev.
‘No, I am no longer a district councilor. I have
quarreled with them all, and don’t go to the meetings any
more,’ he said, turning to Oblonsky.
‘You’ve been quick about it!’ said Oblonsky with a
smile. ‘But how? why?’
‘It’s a long story. I will tell you some time,’ said Levin,
but he began telling him at once. ‘Well, to put it shortly, I
was convinced that nothing was really done by the district
councils, or ever could be,’ he began, as though some one
had just insulted him. ‘On one side it’s a plaything; they
play at being a parliament, and I’m neither young enough
nor old enough to find amusement in playthings; and on
the other side’ (he stammered) ‘it’s a means for the coterie

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