Chapter 3 one

"Why, Peter, are you still there?" It was a gentleman in his forties who asked this question.Hatless, wrapped in a dusty overcoat and checkered trousers, he walked out of the carriage shop on the Avenue of X on May 20, 1859, and stood in the low doorway. on the steps, and asked his servant.The servant was a young guy with a big face, light-colored down on his chin, and a pair of small, cloudy eyes. Everything about the servant, including the sapphire rings on his ears, his oiled hair of various shades, his respectful and obedient manner, in a word, showed that he belonged to a generation educated in the new law.He followed his master's wishes, looked at the avenue, and reported: "Yes, there is no shadow yet."

"No shadow?" The master asked again. "No," replied the servant. The master sighed and sat down on the open chair.While he sits with his legs back, looking around and thinking, let me introduce the reader. His surname was Kirsanov, and his first and father's names were Nikolai Petrovich.Fifteen versts from the carriage shop he had a very nice estate with 200 serfs, or, as he said, a "farm" of 2,000 acres since the land was sub-leased to the peasants.His father was a general who had fought in the War of 1812; Because of his official rank, he also has a bit of reputation in the resident.Nikolai Petrovich was born in southern Russia, and like his elder brother Pavel (mentioned below), was educated at home until the age of fourteen, under mediocre governesses, impudent but flattering adjutants and Surrounded by the staff of the team headquarters.His mother's maiden name was Kolyazin, her maiden name was Agathe, and after she became the general's wife she was called Agafoklia Kuzminishna Kirsanova.This "officer's wife" wears a gorgeous cap and rustling brocade, and is always the first to rush to kiss the cross during mass in the church, speak loudly and endlessly, and let the children kiss their hands in the morning to say hello , before going to bed, she wished her child farewell. In a word, life is going well.Although Nikolai Petrovich was the son of a general, he not only lacked the vigor he should have, but also got the nickname of "coward".Originally, he was supposed to join the army like his brother Pavel, but on the day his appointment arrived he broke his leg and spent two months in bed with a "lame".Seeing that there was no hope, his father asked him to change his official career.He had just turned eighteen, and he was sent to Petersburg for university.It so happened that his elder brother was now an officer in the Guards, and the two young brothers rented a flat together and lived under the care of their uncle Ilya Kolyazin, a dignitary at the time.After getting them settled, my father returned to his division and his wife, and rarely wrote letters to them. Even if he wrote letters, the four-page gray newspapers were written in big fonts written by clerks. Major General Odd Kirsanov" and added "Verner Pen" around the signature.In 1835, Nikolai Petrovich graduated from the university as a bachelor. In the same year, General Kirsanov was dismissed because of his poor performance in the inspection of the troops. He and his wife came to live in Petersburg.He had planned to rent a house near the Tavriski Gardens and join the English Club, but suddenly he suffered a stroke and died.Agafoklia Kuzminishna couldn't bear the lonely life of living alone in the capital and thanking guests behind closed doors, and soon passed away.Nikolai Petrovich fell in love with his landlady, the daughter of the civil servant Priepolovinsky, contrary to their wishes, while his parents were still alive.She was a so-called "open-minded" pretty lady who often read the serious articles in the "Science Section" of the magazine.As soon as he was in mourning, he married Maria, gave up the royal office that his father had obtained for him, and lived a happy life.They first lived in a villa near the Forestry College, then moved to the city and rented a small and comfortable house with clean stairs and a cool living room.In the end, the couple moved to the countryside and have lived in the countryside since then.There their son Arkady was born.The husband and wife lived a warm and peaceful life, they were inseparable, playing the piano and singing together.The hostess grows flowers and feeds poultry, the host engages in farming or hunting, and Arkady grows up in a warm and peaceful atmosphere.Ten years passed quickly, and when Kirsanov's wife died in 1847, he could not bear the blow, his hair grew gray in a few weeks, and he decided to go abroad—just to relax! . . . But then came 1848. What can be done?I had to go back to my hometown.He had nothing to do for a long time, and when he was bored, he became concerned about agriculture.In 1955 he took his son to school, and for three consecutive winters he stayed with him in Petersburg without going anywhere, trying to get as close as possible to his young classmates in Arkady.He didn't make it the last two winters, so we don't see him until May, 1859, awaiting the return of his son, who had also received his bachelor's degree.At that time, his body was fat, his hair was frosty white, and his waist was a little bent.

-------- ①A verst is equal to 1.04 kilometers. ② Refers to the war when Napoleon invaded Russia and burned Moscow. ③French: Agathe. ④This is a club that only rich people, hereditary landlords, and big bureaucrats can join. ⑤ February Revolution and June Revolution occurred in France in 1848.Out of fear, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia took various preventive measures, one of which was to prohibit citizens from leaving the country. The servant, perhaps out of courtesy, or perhaps not wanting to be conspicuous in front of the master, went into the doorway to smoke his pipe.Nikolai Petrovitch was looking down at the old steps with his head bent.On the steps, a bulging piebald chick paced back and forth with bright yellow paws, and on the banister of the steps, a dirty cat curled up and stared at it.The sun was scorching.From the semi-dark passage of the coach shop came the smell of freshly baked oatmeal bread.Our Nikolai Petrovich was so engrossed in his thoughts that "son... maester... Arkady" kept turning in his head.He tried to think of something else, but the longing just lingered.He couldn't help remembering his dead wife... "It's a pity I couldn't wait for this day!" He said to himself sadly... A fat gray pigeon flew to the road, and hurried to the pond beside the well to drink water.Just as Nikolai Petrovich turned to look at it, he heard the sound of approaching wheels...

The servant came out of the door and reported to the master: "It must be the young master." Nikolai Petrovitch got up at once and looked towards the avenue.A carriage with three stage horses appeared on the boulevard, and at the window of the carriage one could see the collar of a student cap and the familiar face of his dear son... "Arkady! Arkady!" Ursanov yelled loudly, waved his hands, and hurried forward... In a short while his lips were on the dusty, tanned young scholar's cheek.