There were, I believe, no such schools in my time.

The one where my assistant learned was opened by the Zemstvo." "The Zemstvo is the new local administration, is it not ?" "Exactly so.

And I could not do without the assistant," continued my new acquaintance, gradually losing his rigidity, and showing himself, what he really was, a kindly, talkative man.

"I have often to go to other villages, and almost every day a number of peasants come here.

At first I had very little to do, for the people thought I was an official, and would make them pay dearly for what I should give them; but now they know that they don't require to pay, and come in great numbers.