9. Ivan Wakes Up

“Why, the flies, sir. When we think that these insupportable insects light indifferently on a general, a peasant, or a drop of honey, we ask ourselves of what use is difference of profession or merit.”

Ivan interrupted him.

“I have a headache,” he said; “ in place of talking, you would do better to bring me a glass of brandy.”

“Oh! With pleasure, sir, with the greatest pleasure,” old Knich exclaimed. “What happiness to be able to serve you, sir, what happiness—”

Seeing his delighted face, one might ask whether he did not think himself too happy, in being able once more to wait upon the soldier.

He ran to the sideboard, proud as a king. Ivan followed him.

The soldier kept his savage look, but he began to lift up his mustaches like one who expects something good.

“Seat yourself there, sir, seat yourself there,” said the old man. “I am just going to fill this little glass—be seated, be seated.”

“I haven’t time to sit down,” Ivan answered, insensible to the courtesy of the old man; “ give it to me quickly, I will drink it standing. Have you the money ready? I am in a hurry, I must fly—”

“You are hurried, sir? What a pity? This is brandy such as we find little of nowadays; and, if you were not in a hurry, you could enjoy it as it deserves. I will tell you, sir—”

“Have you the money ready?”

“I have it ready, sir, at your service; but it is hard for us poor people—”

The old man gave a sigh and looked with sadness on a leather bag which he drew from his pocket.

“Of what use is this talk? ” Ivan said to him, while swallowing an enormous glass of Knich’s brandy, as if it had been a drop of sweetened milk.

Old Knich gave another sigh, but this time it was a sigh big enough to overturn an oak-tree. However, he argued no more, and having drawn a handful of coppers from the money bag, he began to count it piece by piece, while arranging the money symmetrically on the table.

“Let us see, can you count three?” Asked the soldier of the peasant.