our heads together as we stooped to look at the curiosity.
I peeped over Katenka's shoulder as she was trying to lift the
caterpillar by placing another leaf in its way. I had observed before
that the girls had a way of shrugging their shoulders whenever they were
trying to put a loose garment straight on their bare necks, as well as
that Mimi always grew angry on witnessing this manoeuvre and declared
it to be a chambermaid's trick. As Katenka bent over the caterpillar she
made that very movement, while at the same instant the breeze lifted the
fichu on her white neck. Her shoulder was close to my lips, I looked at
it and kissed it. She did not turn round, but Woloda remarked without
raising his head, 'What spooniness!' I felt the tears rising to my eyes,
and could not take my gaze from Katenka. I had long been used to her
fair, fresh face, and had always been fond of her, but now I looked at
her more closely, and felt more fond of her, than I had ever done or
felt before.
When we returned to the grown-ups, Papa informed us, to our great joy,
that, at Mamma's entreaties, our departure was to be postponed until
the following morning. We rode home beside the carriage--Woloda and
I galloping near it, and vieing with one another in our exhibition of
horsemanship and daring. My shadow looked longer now than it had done
before, and from that I judged that I had grown into a fine rider. Yet
my complacency was soon marred by an unfortunate occurrence. Desiring
to outdo Woloda before the audience in the carriage, I dropped a little
behind. Then with whip and spur I urged my steed forward, and at the
same time assumed a natural, graceful attitude, with the intention of
whooting past the carriage on the side on which Katenka was seated. My
only doubt was whether to halloo or not as I did so. In the event, my
infernal horse stopped so abruptly when just level with the carriage
horses that I was pitched forward on to its neck and cut a very sorry
figure!
X -- THE SORT OF MAN MY FATHER WAS
Papa was a gentleman of the last century, with all the chivalrous
character, self-reliance, and gallantry of the youth of that time. Upon
the men of the present day he looked with a contempt arising partly from
inborn pride and partly from a secret feeling of vexation that, in this
age of ours, he could no longer enjoy the influence and success which
had been his in his youth. His two principal failings were gambling and
gallantry, and he had won or lost, in the course of his career, several
millions of roubles.
Tall and of imposing figure, he walked with a curiously quick, mincing
gait, as well as had a habit of hitching one of his shoulders. His eyes
were small and perpetually twinkling, his nose large and aquiline, his
lips irregular and rather oddly (though pleasantly) compressed, his
articulation slightly defective and lisping, and his head quite bald.
Such was my father's exterior from the days of my earliest recollection.
It was an exterior which not only brought him success and made him a
man a bonnes fortunes but one which pleased people of all ranks and
stations. Especially did it please those whom he desired to please.
At all junctures he knew how to take the lead, for, though not deriving
from the highest circles of society, he had always mixed with them, and
knew how to win their respect. He possessed in the highest degree that
measure of pride and self-confidence which, without giving offence,
maintains a man in the opinion of the world. He had much originality,
