“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! ” 21 he said winking with a merry smile, evidently pleased to greet the young man.

“ Schon fleissig? ” 22 said Rostóv with the same gay brotherly smile which did not leave his eager face. “ Hoch Oestreicher! Hoch Russen! Kaiser Alexander hoch! ” 23 said he, quoting words often repeated by the German landlord.