different on different days,” answered the captain. “One day he is sensible, well educated, and good-natured, and the next he’s a wild beast. … In Poland, if you please, he nearly killed a Jew.”
“Oh, well, well!” remarked the regimental commander. “Still, one must have pity on a young man in misfortune. You know he has important connections … Well, then, you just …”
“I will, your excellency,” said Timókhin, showing by his smile that he understood his commander’s wish.
“Well, of course, of course!”
The regimental commander sought out Dólokhov in the ranks and, reining in his horse, said to him:
“After the next affair … epaulettes.”
Dólokhov looked round but did not say anything, nor did the mocking smile on his lips change.
“Well, that’s all right,” continued the regimental commander. “A cup of