“Yes, that does happen among you in Russia⁠ ⁠… in general we Russians⁠ ⁠… Well, yes, it happens,” Stepan Trofimovitch broke off.

“If you are a teacher, what are you going to Hatovo for? Maybe you are going on farther.”

“I⁠ ⁠… I’m not going farther precisely.⁠ ⁠… C’est-à-dire , I’m going to a merchant’s.”

“To Spasov, I suppose?”

“Yes, yes, to Spasov. But that’s no matter.”

“If you are going to Spasov and on foot, it will take you a week in your boots,” laughed the woman.

“I dare say, I dare say, no matter, mes amis , no matter.” Stepan Trofimovitch cut her short impatiently.