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An hour later Olga came in and announced that the wood had all been chopped.
“Good! Give him half a rouble,” said Sergei. “If he wants to he can come back and cut wood on the first day of each month. We can always find work for him.”
On the first of the month the waif made his appearance and again earned half a rouble, although he could barely stand on his legs. From that day on he often appeared in the yard and every time work was found for him. Now he would shovel snow, now put the wood-shed in order, now beat the dust out of rugs and mattresses. Every time he received from twenty to forty copecks, and once, even a pair of old trousers were sent out to him.
When Sergei moved into another house he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy, and silent. He hardly touched the furniture, and walked behind the wagons hanging his head, not even making a pretence of appearing busy. He only shivered in the cold and became embarrassed when the carters jeered at him for his idleness, his feebleness, and his tattered, fancy overcoat. After the moving was over Sergei sent for him.
“Good! Give him half a rouble,” said Sergei. “If he wants to he can come back and cut wood on the first day of each month. We can always find work for him.”
On the first of the month the waif made his appearance and again earned half a rouble, although he could barely stand on his legs. From that day on he often appeared in the yard and every time work was found for him. Now he would shovel snow, now put the wood-shed in order, now beat the dust out of rugs and mattresses. Every time he received from twenty to forty copecks, and once, even a pair of old trousers were sent out to him.
When Sergei moved into another house he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy, and silent. He hardly touched the furniture, and walked behind the wagons hanging his head, not even making a pretence of appearing busy. He only shivered in the cold and became embarrassed when the carters jeered at him for his idleness, his feebleness, and his tattered, fancy overcoat. After the moving was over Sergei sent for him.
Explanation:
After an hour, Olga approached Sergei and informed him that all of the wood pieces had been chopped. Sergei was relieved to learn that the beggar had completed his assignment. He asked Olga to pay him half a rouble (the conventional unit of currency in Belarus, Russia, and Tajikistan) for the work he had done. He also told her that she could inform him to come to chop the wood on the first of every month to make money. Also, he said that they could find some work for him whenever he needed it.
Then the beggar turned up on the first of the following month and got half a rouble. The income made him manage his situation. He began to come to the yard regularly after that and found his work. After chopping the wood, he was assigned to shovel snow, clean the woodshed, and beat the dust out of rugs and beds. After completing his work, he was given twenty to forty copecks each time. Also, a pair of old trousers were given to him.
Then the beggar turned up on the first of the following month and got half a rouble. The income made him manage his situation. He began to come to the yard regularly after that and found his work. After chopping the wood, he was assigned to shovel snow, clean the woodshed, and beat the dust out of rugs and beds. After completing his work, he was given twenty to forty copecks each time. Also, a pair of old trousers were given to him.
Shovelling snow
Sergei later moved to a new home and hired the beggar to assist him in transporting items such as furniture. When Mr Sergei summoned him to pack his belongings, the beggar was not under the influence of alcohol. On the other hand, he was depressed and stayed silent. He didn't even help move the furniture. He simply walked behind the vans, his head hung low, and he did not attempt to appear occupied. He shook from the cold and appeared embarrassed when other workers mocked him for being lazy and weak and laughed at his torn overcoat. Sergei called the beggar after the work was completed.
Meanings of the difficult words:
| S.No | Words | Meanings |
1 | Mattress | A fabric case filled with soft, firm, or springy material, used for sleeping on |
2 | Trouser | An outer garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate part for each leg |
3 | Embarrassed | Feeling or showing embarrassment |
4 | Carter | A strong open vehicle with two or four wheels, typically used for carrying loads and pulled by a horse |
5 | Wagon | A vehicle used for transporting goods or another specified purpose |
6 | Waif | A homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, especially a child |
7 | Gloomy | Dark or poorly lit, especially so as to appear depressing or frightening |
8 | Sober | Not affected by alcohol; not drunk |
Reference:
National Council of Educational Research and Training (2006). Moments. The Beggar – Anton Chekhov (pp. 62-68). Published at the Publication Division by the Secretary, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
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