familiar but respectful bearing, and with that modest assumption characteristic of all secretaries that he knew more about business than his superior. He brought some papers to Oblonsky; and, under the form of a question, he attempted to explain some difficulty. Without waiting to hear the end of the explanation, Stepan Arkadyevitch laid his hand affectionately on the secretary's arm.
"No, do as I asked you to," said he, tempering his remark with a smile; and, having briefly given his own explanation of the matter, he pushed away the papers, and said, "Do it so, I beg of you, Zakhar Nikititch."
The secretary went off confused. Levin during this scene with the secretary had entirely recovered from his embarrassment, and was standing with both arms resting on a chair; on his face was an ironical expression.
"I don't understand, I don't understand," said he.
"What don't you understand?" asked Oblonsky, smiling, and taking out a cigarette. He was expecting some sort of strange outbreak from Levin.
"I don't understand what you are up to," said Levin, shrugging his shoulders. "How can you do this sort of thing seriously?"
"Why not?"
"Why, because it is doing nothing."
"You think so? We are overwhelmed with work."
"On paper! Well, yes, you have a special gift for such things," added Levin.
"You mean that I .... there is something that I lack?"
"Perhaps so, yes. However, I cannot help admiring your high and mighty ways, and rejoicing that I have for a friend a man of such importance. But, you did not answer my question," he added, making a desperate effort to look Oblonsky full in the face.
"Now that's very good, very good! Go ahead, and you will succeed. 'T is well that you have eight thousand acres of land in the district of Karazinsk, such muscles, and the complexion of a little girl of twelve; but you will catch up with us all the same. .... Yes, as to
