'There,' commented Anpadist, 'he will eat him up now; he'll simply eat
the man up. The bailiff will beat him now. Such a poor, unlucky chap,
come to think of it! And what's his offence?... He had some wrangle in
meeting with him, the agent, and he lost all patience, I suppose, and
of course he wouldn't stand it.... A great matter, truly, to make so
much of! So he began pecking at him, Antip. Now he'll eat him up
altogether. You see, he's such a dog. Such a cur--God forgive my
transgressions!--he knows whom to fall upon. The old men that are a bit
richer, or've more children, he doesn't touch, the red-headed devil!
but there's all the difference here! Why he's sent Antip's sons for
recruits out of turn, the heartless ruffian, the cur! God forgive my
transgressions!'
We went on our way.