In the course of a fortnight, Fedor Ivanitch had brought Glafira Petrovna's little house into order and had cleared the court-yard and the garden.

From Lavriky comfortable furniture was sent him; from the town, wine, books, and papers; horses made their appearance in the stable; in brief Fedor Ivanitch provided himself with everything necessary and began to live--not precisely after the manner of a country landowner, nor precisely after the manner of a hermit.

His days passed monotonously; but he was not bored though he saw no one; he set diligently and attentively to work at farming his estate, rode about the neighbourhood and did some reading.

He read little, however; he found it pleasanter to listen to the tales of old Anton.

Lavretsky usually sat at the window with a pipe and a cup of cold tea.