Han Ong

We're bored, us girls.

He's been living here for so long, but he hasn't made any friends at all.

It turned out that the country telegraph had been functioning all along.

Muratov's presence was known for villages around.

We're leaving tomorrow.

You can get to know each other when we come back in the spring, Nikolai Mikhailovich said.

In anticipation of the men's return to Danilovi Gorky, Nura had baked potato pies and then retreated behind the stove.

Out of politeness, Zinaida and Marfa weren't around.

"'Maybe we should invite them over,' Boris Ivanovich said, having finally decided to leave this fantastical sanctuary where he'd stayed too long.

"'No, they won't come today.

They're well-mannered countrywomen.'

They would never come on the first day I'm back.

I don't know why.

Probably to stay out of the way, or so that they won't seem like they're asking for gifts.

They were raised well, not like the women today.

Verka, the shopkeeper, steals and parties.

She's Zinaida's niece, which means she is supposed to come visit her and bring her presents, but she just doesn't want to.

Zinaida's son has been in prison for the past two years, his wife is a drunk, the grandson drowned last summer, and now all she has left is that slow-witted girl.

Nikolai Mikhailovich gestured dismissively.

But what do you need our country dramas for, Ivanovich?