About midnight the tradesmanâs men and PolikĂ©y were wakened by a knocking at the gate and the shouting of peasants. It was the party of recruits from PokrĂłvsk. There were about ten of them: HarĂșshkin, MitĂșshkin, and Elijah (DoĂștlofâs nephew), two reserve recruits, the village Elder, old DoĂștlof, and the men who had driven them. A night-light was burning in the room, and the cook was sleeping on a bench under the icons. She jumped up and began lighting a candle. PolikĂ©y awoke also, and, leaning over from the top of the oven, looked at the peasants as they came in. They came in crossing themselves, and sat down on the benches round the room. They all seemed perfectly calm, so that one could not tell which of them were being enlisted and who had them in charge. They were saying âHow dâyou do?â talking loudly, and asking for food. It is true that some were silent and sad; but, on the other hand, others were unusually merry, evidently drunk. Among these was Elijah, who had never had too much to drink before.
âWell, lads, shall we go to sleep, or have some supper?â asked the Elder.