Pétya decides to remain and take part in tomorrow’s battle, contrary to his instructions. Pétya offers many small gifts to Denísov and his men, and kindly offers dinner to their captured French drummer boy.
Pétya decides to remain and take part in tomorrow’s battle, contrary to his instructions. Pétya offers many small gifts to Denísov and his men, and kindly offers dinner to their captured French drummer boy.
Book 14, Chapter 7
Pétya decides to remain and take part in tomorrow’s battle, contrary to his instructions. Pétya offers many small gifts to Denísov and his men, and kindly offers dinner to their captured French drummer boy.
Summary:
Pétya has become an orderly to a general commanding a large Russian guerrilla detachment. Noting that Pétya is too desirous of facing enemy fire and wishing to protect Pétya from his youthful enthusiasm, this general ordered Pétya to deliver the letter to Denísov and return at once. But once in Denísov’s camp, Pétya is impressed by the amazing heroism of Denísov and his men. Overjoyed with his new situation, Pétya decides to remain and take part in tomorrow’s battle. So satisfied with this situation is he that Pétya seems to become compulsively generous and begins to offer all kinds of small gifts to Denísov and his men. At the risk of appearing too kind-hearted, Pétya also asks permission to make sure a French drummer boy who Denísov’s men have captured will receive dinner.
quote from the chapter:
Pétya Rostóv handed him his clasp knife. The officer admired it.
Please keep it. I have several like it, said Pétya, blushing. Heavens! I was quite forgetting! he suddenly cried. I have some raisins, fine ones; you know, seedless ones. We have a new sutler and he has such capital things. I bought ten pounds. I am used to something sweet. Would you like some?… and Pétya ran out into the passage to his Cossack and brought back some bags which contained about five pounds of raisins. Have some, gentlemen, have some!
You want a coffeepot, don’t you? he asked the esaul. I bought a capital one from our sutler! He has splendid things. And he’s very honest, that’s the chief thing. I’ll be sure to send it to you. Or perhaps your flints are giving out, or are worn out-that happens sometimes, you know. I have brought some with me, here they are-and he showed a bag-a hundred flints. I bought them very cheap. Please take as many as you want, or all if you like….
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