The Feldsher has been four times to see him, and the doctor himself came once, and said that he must be brought to the hospital." "And why has he not been taken there ?" "How could he be taken?
Who is to carry him?
Do you think he's a baby?
The hospital is forty versts off.

If you put him in a cart he would die before he had gone a verst.

And then, who knows what they do with people in the hospital ?" This last question contained probably the true reason why the doctor's orders had been disobeyed.
"Very well, that's enough; hold your tongue," says the grey-beard of the little group to the woman; and then, turning to the other peasants, remarks, "There is nothing to be done.

The Stanovoi [officer of rural police] will be here one of these days, and will make a row again if we don't elect a new Elder.

Whom shall we choose ?" As soon as this question is asked several peasants look down to the ground, or try in some other way to avoid attracting attention, lest their names should be suggested.