During their absence their families suffered, their business often was ruined.

At the end of their term they were beggars.

As beggars, too, they were sent home from their military post.

If they happened to have a good uniform at the time of their dismissal, it was stripped from them, and replaced by a shabby one.

They received a free ticket for the return journey, and a few kopecks a day for expenses.
In this fashion they were hurried back into the Pale, like escaped prisoners.