Their own thoughts conspired against them, for try as they would to banish the vision of beefsteak, this vision forced itself upon them.
And all at once an idea struck the General who had been a teacher of calligraphy....
"How would it do, your Excellency," he said joyfully, "if we were to find a peasant ?" "That is to say ...

a muzhik ?" "Yes, exactly, a common muzhik ...

such as muzhiks generally are.

He would immediately give us rolls, and he would catch hazel-hens and fish!" "Hm ...

a peasant ...