In fact, but for the circumstance that the travellers happened to encounter a couple of peasants, they would have come on their errand in vain.

To a query as to whether the country house known as Zamanilovka was anywhere in the neighbourhood the peasants replied by doffing their caps; after which one of them who seemed to boast of a little more intelligence than his companion, and who wore a wedge-shaped beard, made answer: "Perhaps you mean Manilovka--not ZAmanilovka ?" "Yes, yes--Manilovka." "Manilovka, eh?
Well, you must continue for another verst, and then you will see it straight before you, on the right." "On the right ?" re-echoed the coachman.
"Yes, on the right," affirmed the peasant.

"You are on the proper road for Manilovka, but ZAmanilovka--well, there is no such place.

The house you mean is called Manilovka because Manilovka is its name; but no house at all is called ZAmanilovka.

The house you mean stands there, on that hill, and is a stone house in which a gentleman lives, and its name is Manilovka; but ZAmanilovka does not stand hereabouts, nor ever has stood." So the travellers proceeded in search of Manilovka, and, after driving an additional two versts, arrived at a spot whence there branched off a by-road.