“From Verkhogliàdov in the Merkoùlovsky district; perhaps you know it?—by the river Kostra....”
“What d’ you want?”
“I’m looking for a place, sir, as doorkeeper, or bailiff.”
“What have you been up till now?”
“Well, when I served in the army, I used to be postillion for the commander; then, in Mouràvki, I was cook for the examining magistrate. I’m a Jack-of-all trades, your honour—gardener, whipper-in, cook—anything you like!”
“Can you break stones?”
“Why, no, your honour, I can’t do that kind of work!”
“Why?”
“Well, you see, the army life breaks a chap down so; I was in a line regiment, not in the guards, and a man never gets over that.”
“Oh, you’re healthy enough, I can see that, and yet you want to do such little fiddling work! What sort of career is it to be a bailiff or a whipper-in?”...