That done, the visitors duly inspected the couple already mentioned, and expressed astonishment at their muscles.

True enough, they were fine animals.

Next, the party looked at a Crimean bitch which, though blind and fast nearing her end, had, two years ago, been a truly magnificent dog.

At all events, so said Nozdrev.

Next came another bitch--also blind; then an inspection of the water-mill, which lacked the spindle-socket wherein the upper stone ought to have been revolving--"fluttering," to use the Russian peasant's quaint expression.