“That’s true enough; but somehow when one begins a thing one likes to see it done.”

“Eh, friend, we can never get through all we have to do. The other day the womenfolk at home were washing and housecleaning for Easter. Here something needed doing, there something else, and they could not get everything done. So my eldest daughter-in-law, who’s a sensible woman, says: ‘We may be thankful the holiday comes without waiting for us, or however hard we worked we should never be ready for it.’ ”

Efím became thoughtful.

“I’ve spent a lot of money on this building,” he said, “and one can’t start on the journey with empty pockets. We shall want a hundred roubles apiece⁠—and it’s no small sum.”

Elisha laughed.