Seeing Ivan, he said: "Well, Ivan, may we remain here until I start in some new business ?" Ivan replied as he had before to Simeon: "Yes, you are perfectly welcome to remain here as long as it suits you." With that announcement he removed his coat and seated himself at the supper-table with the others.

But Tarras-Briukhan's wife objected to the smell of his clothes, saying: "I cannot eat with a fool; neither can I stand the smell." Then Tarras-Briukhan said: "Ivan, from your clothes there comes a bad smell; go and eat by yourself in the porch." "Very well," said Ivan; and he took some bread and went out as ordered, saying, "It is time for me to feed my mare.".