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WHITE SHORTS: the Dnieper, at the inn kept by Ferapontov, where he had been in the habit of putting up for the last white shorts years. Some thirty years ago Ferapontov, by Alpatych's advice, had bought a wood from the prince, had begun to trade, and now had a house, white shorts inn, and a corn dealer's shop in that province. He was a stout, dark, red-faced peasant in the forties, with thick lips, a broad knob of a nose, similar knobs over his black frowning brows, and a round belly. Wearing a waistcoat over his cotton shirt, Ferapontov was standing before his shop which opened onto the street. On seeing Alpatych he went up to him. "You're white shorts Yakov Alpatych. Folks are leaving the town, but you have come to it," said he. "Why are they leaving the white shorts asked Alpatych. "That's whatWHITE SHORTS: white shorts say. Folks are foolish! white shorts afraid of the French." "Women's fuss, women's fuss!" said Alpatych. "Just what I think, Yakov Alpatych. What I say is: orders have been given not to let them in, so that must be right. And the peasants are asking three rubles for carting- it isn't white shorts Yakov Alpatych heard without heeding. He asked for a samovar and for hay for his horses, white shorts when he had had his tea he went to bed. All night long troops were moving past the inn. Next morning Alpatych donned a jacket he wore only in town and went out on business. It was a sunny morning and by eight o'clock it was already hot. "A good day for harvesting," thought Alpatych. From beyond the town firing had been heard since early morning. At eight o'clock the booming
WHITE SHORTS: of cannon was added to the sound of musketry. Many people were hurrying through the streets and there were many soldiers, but cabs were still driving about, tradesmen stood at their shops, and service was being held in the churches as usual. Alpatych went to the shops, to government offices, to the post office, and to the Governor's. In the offices and shops and at the post office everyone was talking about the army and about the white shorts who was already attacking the town, everybody was asking what should be done, and all were trying to calm one another. In front of the Governor's house Alpatych found a large number of people, Cossacks, and a traveling carriage of the Governor's. At the porch he white shorts white shorts of the landed gentry, one of whom he knew. This man, an ex-captain of
WHITE SHORTS: police, was saying angrily: "It's no joke, you know! It's all very well if you're single. 'One man though undone is but one,' white shorts the proverb says, but with thirteen in your family and all the property... They've brought us to utter ruin! What sort of governors are they to white shorts that? They ought to be hanged- the brigands!..." "Oh come, that's enough!" said the other. "What do I care? Let him hear! We're not dogs," said the ex-captain of police, and looking round he noticed Alpatych. "Oh, Yakov Alpatych! What have you come for?" "To see the Governor by his excellency's order," answered Alpatych, lifting his white shorts and proudly thrusting his hand into the bosom of his coat as he always did when he mentioned the prince.... He has ordered white shorts to inquire into the position of affairs," he
WHITE SHORTS: added. "Yes, go and find white shorts shouted the angry gentleman. "They've brought white shorts to such a pass that there are no carts or anything!... There it is again, do you hear?" said he, pointing in the direction whence came the sounds of firing. "They've brought us all to ruin... the brigands!" he repeated, and descended the porch steps. Alpatych swayed his head white shorts went upstairs. In the waiting room were tradesmen, women, white shorts officials, looking silently at one another. The door of the Governor's room opened and they all rose and moved forward. An official ran out, said some words to a merchant, called a stout official with a cross hanging on his neck to follow him, and vanished again, evidently wishing to avoid the inquiring looks and questions addressed to him. Alpatych moved forward and next time the official
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