The Nihilist propaganda had in the early days of that mistaken mission reached him and unsettled his discontented mind.

Misfortune seemed to pursue him.

In higher grades of life than his there are men who, like Tula, make a profession of misfortune.
Paul stumbled down two steps.

The cottage was dark.

The starosta had apparently trodden on a chicken, which screamed shrilly and fluttered about in the dark with that complete abandon which belongs to chickens, sheep, and some women.
"Have you no light ?" cried the starosta.
Paul retreated to the top step, where he had a short-lived struggle with a well-grown calf which had been living in the room with the family, and evinced a very creditable desire for fresh air.
"Yes, yes, we have a little petroleum," said a voice.