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Marie; a story of Russian love by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin
page 14 of 118 (11%)


My reflections during the journey were not very agreeable. According
to the value of money at that time my loss was of some importance.
I could not but admit to myself that my conduct at the inn at
Simbirsk had been very silly, and I felt guilty toward Saveliitch.
The old man was seated on the front of the vehicle in dull silence;
from time to time turning his head and coughing a cough of ill humor.
I had firmly resolved to make friends with him, but I did not know
which way to begin. At last I said to him, "Come, come Saveliitch,
let us put an end to this; I know I was wrong; I was a fool
yesterday, and offended you without cause, but I promise to listen
to you in future. Come, do not be angry, let us make friends!"

"Ah! My dear Peter," said he with a sigh, "I am angry with myself.
It's I who was wrong in every thing. How could I have left you
alone at the inn? How could it have been avoided? The devil had
a hand in it! I wanted to go and see the deacon's wife, who is my
god-mother, and as the proverb says: 'I left the house and fell
into the prison.'"

What a misfortune! what a misfortune! How can I appear before the
eyes of my masters? What will they say, when they shall hear that
their child is a drunkard and a gambler. To console dear old
Saveliitch, I gave him my word, that for the future I would not
dispose of single kopeck without his consent. Little by little
he became calm, which did not, however, prevent him from grumbling
out, now and then shaking his head: "A hundred roubles! It is easy
to talk!"

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