KUSMA. Very.

MERIK. Did he drink it all?

KUSMA. No, my friend, it was something else. ... He used to be
great and rich and sober. ... [To TIHON] Why you yourself used to
see him riding, as he used to, past this inn, on his way to the
town. Such bold and noble horses! A carriage on springs, of the
best quality! He used to own five troikas, brother. ... Five years
ago, I remember, he cam here driving two horses from Mikishinsky,
and he paid with a five-rouble piece. ... I haven't the time, he
says, to wait for the change. ... There!

MERIK. His brain's gone, I suppose.

KUSMA. His brain's all right. ... It all happened because of his
cowardice! From too much fat. First of all, children, because of a
woman. ... He fell in love with a woman of the town, and it seemed
to him that there wasn't any more beautiful thing in the wide
world. A fool may love as much as a wise man. The girl's people
were all right. ... But she wasn't exactly loose, but just ...
giddy ... always changing her mind! Always winking at one! Always
laughing and laughing. ... No sense at all. The gentry like that,
they think that's nice, but we moujiks would soon chuck her out. ...
Well, he fell in love, and his luck ran out. He began to keep
company with her, one thing led to another ... they used to go out
in a boat all night, and play pianos. ...

BORTSOV. Don't tell them, Kusma! Why should you? What has my life
got to do with them?