My Aunt Tanya, when she was in a bad temper because the coffee-pot had
been spilt or because she had been beaten at croquet, was in the habit
of sending every one to the devil. My father wrote the following story,
"Susoitchik," about it.
The devil, not the chief devil, but one of the rank and file, the one
charged with the management of social affairs, Susoitchik by name, was
greatly perturbed on the 6th of August, 1884. From the early morning
onward, people kept arriving who had been sent him by Tatyana Kuzminsky.
The first to arrive was Alexander Mikhailovitch Kuzminsky; the second
was Misha Islavin; the third was Vyatcheslaf; the fourth was Seryozha
Tolstoy, and last of all came old Lyoff Tolstoy, senior, accompanied
by Prince Urusof. The first visitor, Alexander Mikhailovitch, caused
Susoitchik no surprise, as he often paid Susoitchik visits in obedience
to the behests of his wife.
"What, has your wife sent you again?"
"Yes," replied the presiding judge of the district-court, shyly, not
knowing what explanation he could give of the cause of his visit.
"You come here very often. What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing in particular; she just sent her compliments," murmured
Alexander Mikhailovitch, departing from the exact truth with some
effort.
"Very good, very good; come whenever you like; she is one of my best
workers."
Before Susoitchik had time to show the judge out, in came all the
children, laughing and jostling, and hiding one behind the other.
"What brought you here, youngsters? Did my little Tanyitchka send you?
That's right; no harm in coming. Give my compliments to Tanya, and
tell her that I am always at her service. Come whenever you like. Old
Susoitchik may be of use to you."
No sooner had the young folk made their bow than old Lyoff Tolstoy
appeared with Prince Urusof.
"Aha! so it's the old boy! Many thanks to Tanyitchka. It's a long time
since I have seen you, old chap. Well and hearty? And what can I do for
you?"
Lyoff Tolstoy shuffled about, rather abashed.
Prince Urusof, mindful of the etiquette of diplomatic receptions,
stepped forward and explained Tolstoy's appearance by his wish to make
acquaintance with Tatyana Andreyevna's oldest and most faithful friend.
"Les amis des nos amis sont nos amis."
"Ha! ha! ha! quite so!" said Susoitchik. "I must reward her for to-day's
work. Be so kind, Prince, as to hand her the marks of my good-will."
And he handed over the insignia of an order in a morocco case. The
insignia consisted of a necklace of imp's tails to be worn about the
throat, and two toads, one to be worn on the bosom and the other on the
bustle.