ore firmly on his head, buttoned his coat tightly about him and
urged his horse to greater speed.

"Just to think," he continued; "I shall have in my possession three
thousand half-rubles [the peasant manner of speaking of money so as to
make it appear a larger sum than it really is], and will carry them in
my bosom. If I wished to I might run away to Odessa instead of taking
the money to my mistress. But no; I will not do that. I will surely
carry the money straight to the one who has been kind enough to trust
me."

When Polikey reached the first kabak (tavern) he found that from long
habit the mare was naturally turning her head toward it; but he would
not allow her to stop, though money had been given him to purchase
both food and drink. Striking the animal a sharp blow with the whip, he
passed by the tavern. The performance was repeated when he reached the
next kabak, which looked very inviting; but he resolutely set his face
against entering, and passed on.

About noon he arrived at his destination, and getting down from the
wagon approached the gate of the merchant's house where the servants of
the court always stopped. Opening it he led the mare through, and (after
unharnessing her) fed her. This done, he next entered the house and had
dinner with the merchant's workingman, and to them he related what an
important mission he had been sent on, making himself very amusing by
the pompous air which he assumed. Dinner over, he carried a letter to
the merchant which the noblewoman had given him to deliver.

The merchant, knowing thoroughly the reputation which Polikey bore,
felt doubtful of trusting him with so much money, and somewhat anxiously
inquired if he really had received orders to carry so many rubles.

Polikey tried to appear offended at this question, but did not succeed,
and he only smiled.

The merchant, after reading the letter a second time and being convinced
that all was right, gave Polikey the money, which he put in his bosom
for safe-keeping.

On his way to the house he did not once stop at any of the shops he
passed. The clothing establishments possessed no attractions for him,
and after he had safely passed them all he stood for a moment, feeling
very pleased that he had been able to withstand temptation, and then
went on his way.

"I have money enough to buy up everything," he said; "but I will not do
so."

The numerous commissions which he had received compelled him to go to
the bazaa