But we must speak further of his sons.

They had been sent, when twelve years old, to the academy at Kief, because all leaders of that day considered it indispensable to give their children an education, although it was afterwards utterly forgotten.

Like all who entered the academy, they were wild, having been brought up in unrestrained freedom; and whilst there they had acquired some polish, and pursued some common branches of knowledge which gave them a certain resemblance to each other.
The elder, Ostap, began his scholastic career by running away in the course of the first year.

They brought him back, whipped him well, and set him down to his books.

Four times did he bury his primer in the earth; and four times, after giving him a sound thrashing, did they buy him a new one.