Page 831 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

to officials—that hatred felt by one who has suffered a
defeat in the service for one who has received a
promotion, he could not endure him.
‘Well, have you seen him?’ said Alexey Alexandrovitch

with a malignant smile.
‘Of course; he was at our sitting yesterday. He seems to
know his work capitally, and to be very energetic.’
‘Yes, but what is his energy directed to?’ said Alexey
Alexandrovitch. ‘Is he aiming at doing anything, or simply
undoing what’s been done? It’s the great misfortune of our
government—this paper administration, of which he’s a
worthy representative.’
‘Really, I don’t know what fault one could find with
him. His policy I don’t know, but one thing—he’s a very
nice fellow,’ answered Stepan Arkadyevitch. ‘I’ve just
been seeing him, and he’s really a capital fellow. We
lunched together, and I taught him how to make, you
know that drink, wine and oranges. It’s so cooling. And
it’s a wonder he didn’t know it. He liked it awfully. No,
really he’s a capital fellow.’
Stepan Arkadyevitch glanced at his watch.
‘Why, good heavens, it’s four already, and I’ve still to
go to Dolgovushin’s! So please come round to dinner.
You can’t imagine how you will grieve my wife and me.’

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