"Y-yes, I could," he replied slowly. "But I don't think I've got enough money on me."
"I could lend you some."
At this Nikolai smiled and shook his head as though my offer were a fairy tale.
"Thank you just the same," he said, turning to walk away.
"Where are you going now?" I asked.
"To look at another horse. It's old and small, still--"
Was I thrusting myself on the man? I? Nonsense! I don't see that at all. He felt offended because I had passed his door last winter without stopping and now I wanted to make him friendly again. That was all. But as I wanted no cause for self-reproach, I stopped packing, nor would I ask Nikolai if I might go back with him. But I went out for a walk in the town. I had as much right to do that as anyone.
I met Nikolai in the street with a colt, and we stopped to exchange a few words.
"Is it yours?"
"Yes, I've bought her; the man met me halfway after all," he replied with a smile.