My first remark therefore being literally interpreted, was--"Ivanofka.

Horses.

You can ?" The point of interrogation was expressed by a simultaneous raising of the voice and the eyebrows.
"Ivanofka ?" cried the peasant, in an interrogatory tone of voice.
In Russia, as in other countries, the peasantry when speaking with strangers like to repeat questions, apparently for the purpose of gaining time.
"Ivanofka," I replied.
"Now ?" "Now!" After some reflection the peasant nodded and said something which I did not understand, but which I assumed to mean that he was open to consider proposals for transporting me to my destination.
"Roubles.

How many ?" To judge by the knitting of the brows and the scratching of the head, I should say that that question gave occasion to a very abstruse mathematical calculation.

Gradually the look of concentrated attention gave place to an expression such as children assume when they endeavour to get a parental decision reversed by means of coaxing.