第446页 / 共2288页

"Yes, it's time," he said. "Kouzma, get ready the trap," and he

ran downstairs.

Stepan Arkadyevitch, going down, carefully took the canvas cover

off his varnished gun case with his own hands, and opening it,

began to get ready his expensive new-fashioned gun. Kouzma, who

already scented a big tip, never left Stepan Arkadyevitch's side,

and put on him both his stockings and boots, a task which Stepan

Arkadyevitch readily left him.

"Kostya, give orders that if the merchant Ryabinin comes ... I

told him to come today, he's to be brought in and to wait for

me...."

"Why, do you mean to say you're selling the forest to Ryabinin?"

"Yes. Do you know him?"

"To be sure I do. I have had to do business with him, 'positively

and conclusively.'"

Stepan Arkadyevitch laughed. "Positively and conclusively" were

the merchant's favorite words.