Publisher's Synopsis
The narrative takes up where "Gooseberries" left off. Prompted by the story of the cook Nikanor, a violent character and a drunkard, whom a nice and beautiful woman called Pelageya is in love with, Alyokhin starts to relate to his companions Burkin and Ivan Ivanovich the story of his own unhappy love....Upon leaving the university, he settles in the estate that he'd inherited from his father, and starts working hard so as to pay his debts. He gets elected an honorary justice of the peace and starts to go to the town often, enjoying fine, intelligent company. One of his new acquaintances, Dmitry Luganovitch, vice-president of the circuit court, described as a good-natured, simple-hearted middle-aged man, invites him home for dinner. There he meets Luganovich's young wife Anna Alekseyevna, a beautiful, charming and intelligent woman.Soon Alyokhin discovers that he cannot get her out of his mind, then starts to realize that his feelings are reciprocated. He becomes a regular visitor in the house where he is admired both by the adults and the children. The Luganovichs are very kind to him, offering help and the money, which he is much in need of, but never takes from them.He and Anna Alekseyevna often meet, go to the theatre together, but never speak about their feelings. Even if quite obsessed with her, Alyokhin realizes that there is not much that he can give her, and is horrified by the possibility of destroying this nice family. She is apparently reasoning in the same way: fancies she is not young enough for him, tied up with the feelings of responsibility for her two children.
