There is a big, last minute flurry of activity in the Rostóv house, as everyone hurries to be ready to leave town the next day.
There is a big, last minute flurry of activity in the Rostóv house, as everyone hurries to be ready to leave town the next day.
Book 11, Chapter 13
There is a big, last minute flurry of activity in the Rostóv house, as everyone hurries to be ready to leave town the next day.
Summary:
Having put off packing for so long now, the day before the family is supposed to evacuate everyone is rushing to pack up the Rostóv household belongings. Natásha was ashamed of doing nothing when everyone else was so busy, and several times that morning had tried to set to work, but her heart was just not in it. Natásha was sitting around listlessly when an enormously long row of carts full of wounded men stopped in the street. Natásha runs out and greets them. She encourages as many as possible of the wounded to come into their yard. She asks her father if the wounded can move into the house and he instantly agrees. But, he says, they have waited far too long to evacuate, and the family absolutely had to leave Moscow the next day. He says the Moscow police have already gone. Pétya returns talking about a rumored battle the next day, and the Countess becomes very fearful. Rather than leave tomorrow, the frightened Countess now wants the family to leave Moscow that very evening.
quote from the chapter:
they have brought some wounded here-officers. Will you let them come? They have nowhere to go. I knew you’d let them come! she said quickly all in one breath.
What officers? Whom have they brought? I don’t understand anything about it, said the countess.
Natásha laughed, and the countess too smiled slightly.
I knew you’d give permission… so I’ll tell them, and, having kissed her mother, Natásha got up and went to the door.
In the hall she met her father, who had returned with bad news.
We’ve stayed too long! said the count with involuntary vexation. The Club is closed and the police are leaving.
Papa, is it all right-I’ve invited some of the wounded into the house? said Natásha.
Of course it is, he answered absently. That’s not the point. I beg you not to indulge in trifles now, but to help to pack, and tomorrow we must go, go, go!…
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