also rushed toward the horse, but Bondarénko had already thrown the reins of the snaffle bridle over the horse’s head. It was evident that the cadet was liberal with his tips and that it paid to serve him. Rostóv patted the horse’s neck and then his flank, and lingered for a moment.
“Splendid! What a horse he will be!” he thought with a smile, and holding up his saber, his spurs jingling, he ran up the steps of the porch. His landlord, who in a waistcoat and a pointed cap, pitchfork in hand, was clearing manure from the cowhouse, looked out, and his face immediately brightened on seeing Rostóv. “ Schön gut Morgen! Schön gut Morgen! ” he said winking with a merry smile, evidently pleased to greet the young man.
“ Schon fleissig? ” said Rostóv with the same gay brotherly smile which did not leave his eager face. “ Hoch Oestreicher! Hoch Russen! Kaiser Alexander hoch! ” said he, quoting words often repeated by the German landlord.