"Of course, Matoushka. Plenty for everything you'll want."
And so, after much argument and discussion, with many tears and sad regrets, the three children said good-bye to the great house; and drove with Toulu down the hill for the last time, to Volodia's large new wooden house, which had been re-built in a far handsomer style than the log hut he had lived in formerly.
CHAPTER V.
Fortunately the winter that year was late in coming, so that the peasants of Viletna were able to build some sort of shelter for themselves before it set in with real severity.
Volodia's house, which stood in the centre of the village, had been finished long before any of his neighbours'.
"That's what comes of being a rich man," they said to each other, not grumbling, but stating a fact. "He can employ what men he likes; it is a fine thing to have money."
Volodia's shop had always been popular, but with the arrival of the three children it became ten times more so.
Everyone wished to show sympathy for their misfortunes; and all those who were sufficiently well off, brought a little present, and left it with Volodia's wife, with many mysterious nods and explanations.
"Don't tell them anything about it, but just cook it. It's a chicken we reared ourselves—one of those saved from the flood."