human
Cover yourself, Yakof! Yakof, cover yourself, I tell you.
gpt
Where do you wish to go, your excellency?
human
I have been at Yukhvanka's. Tell me, pray, why does he act so?
gpt
Why indeed, your excellency!
human
What's to be done with him? He's thoroughly good for nothing, lazy, thievish, a liar; he persecutes his mother, and to all appearances he is such a confirmed good-for-nothing that there is no reforming him.
gpt
I didn't know, your excellency, that he displeased you so.
human
And his wife, continued the prince, interrupting the overseer,
gpt
Well, if he behaves so, your excellency, began the overseer,
human
Enough of that, Yakof, interrupted Nekhliudof, smiling shrewdly.
gpt
You and I have discussed that again and again. You know what ideas I have on this subject; and whatever you may say to me, I still remain of the same opinion.
human
Certainly, your excellency, you understand it all, said Yakof, shrugging his shoulders, and looking askance at the prince as though what he saw were worthy of no consideration.
gpt
But as far as the old woman is concerned, I beg you to see that you are disturbing yourself to no purpose, he continued.
human
Certainly it is true that she has brought up the orphans, she has fed Yukhvanka, and got him a wife, and so forth; but you know that is common enough among peasants. When the mother or father has transferred the property[26] to the son, then the new owners get control, and the old mother is obliged to work for her own living to the utmost of her strength. Of course they are lacking in delicate feelings, but this is common enough among the peasantry; and so I take the liberty of explaining to you that you are stirred up about the old woman all for nothing. She is a clever old woman, and a good housewife;[27] is there any reason for a gentleman to worry over her? Well, she has quarrelled with her daughter-in-law; maybe the young woman struck her: that's like a woman, and they would make up again while you torment yourself. You really take it all too much to heart,