Then Katinka hastened to brush her pretty hair, and put on her best sarafane (dress), with the scarlet embroidered boddice and straps, and was all ready when her father came in, to tell him of their invitation, and help him to make his toilet.
"I must have my hair cut," said Ivan, seating himself on a bench, while Katinka tied a band round his head, fastening it over his forehead, then got a great pair of shears and cut his hair straight round by the band. Then like a good little Russian daughter as she was, Katinka took a little bit of tallow candle and rubbed it on her father's head to keep it smooth, belted down his gray flannel blouse, and handed him his sheepskin jacket, with a hint that it was high time for them to be off.
When the guests entered his isba Nicholas kissed Ivan—for that is always the custom between Russian men who are friends—then he called to Alexis:
"Heads up, my boy, and help me with the supper."
Alexis, who was turning somersaults in his joy, came right side up with a spring, and soon the feast was on the table, and the four wooden benches drawn up around it.
Ivan and Nicholas had each a bench for himself, Alexis sat beside Katinka, while Noviska and Todleben were placed on the remaining bench.
Katinka had wrapped baby Demetrius up in his little lambskin blanket, and laid him on the top of the stove, where he fell fast asleep while she was patting his soft cheek.
What appetites they all had! and how quickly the good things disappeared! wine-soup and grouse; cheese-cakes and honey; white rolls and sweet cream-cakes vanished almost as if by magic, till at last there was only a bowl of cream left. Alexis—who had acted as waiter, removing all the empty dishes in turn—placed this in the middle of the table, giving to each one a birch-wood spoon and refilling the glasses with tea; then he sat down by Katinka again at the plain uncovered table.
Let me tell you that tea is prepared in Russia in a very different manner to what it is in this country. It is made very strong, and is drunk always from glasses instead of from cups, and so hot that it would bring tears from the eyes of any one but a Russian. Milk is not used; a slice of lemon instead floats on the top. Sugar is never put in the glass, but tea-drinkers hold a lump between their teeth, and then drink the tea through the sugar! Even very little children are given strong tea to drink as soon as they have teeth to hold the sugar, and they seem to thrive on it.
There was much to talk about. Nicholas had a very busy time of it in persuading Katinka to take the rent money which the grand lady had left, and which he protested he no longer required, since the landlord was paid, and he already felt well enough to work. Katinka in her turn, had to laugh at the jokes of Alexis, who was really a funny boy when he was not hungry; Todleben had to sing a droll little child's song; and Ivan had to tell Nicholas all about the queer and wonderful ways of his pony Todeloff.