Page 526 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

Chapter 2

Early in June it happened that Agafea Mihalovna, the
old nurse and housekeeper, in carrying to the cellar a jar of
mushrooms she had just pickled, slipped, fell, and sprained
her wrist. The district doctor, a talkative young medical
student, who had just finished his studies, came to see her.
He examined the wrist, said it was not broken, was
delighted at a chance of talking to the celebrated Sergey
Ivanovitch Koznishev, and to show his advanced views of
things told him all the scandal of the district, complaining
of the poor state into which the district council had fallen.
Sergey Ivanovitch listened attentively, asked him
questions, and, roused by a new listener, he talked
fluently, uttered a few keen and weighty observations,
respectfully appreciated by the young doctor, and was
soon in that eager frame of mind his brother knew so well,
which always, with him, followed a brilliant and eager
conversation. After the departure of the doctor, he wanted
to go with a fishing rod to the river. Sergey Ivanovitch
was fond of angling, and was, it seemed, proud of being
able to care for such a stupid occupation.

525 of 1759