said he to himself. ‘That means there will be at least two hundred and twenty-five roubles’ worth left on each desyatin. Fifty-six desyatiins means fifty-six hundreds, and fifty-six hundreds, and fifty-six tens, and another fifty-six tens, and then fifty-six fives....’ He saw that it came out to more than twelve thousand roubles, but could not reckon it up exactly without a counting-frame. ‘But I won’t give ten thousand, anyhow. I’ll give about eight thousand with a deduction on account of the glades. I’ll grease the surveyor’s palm — give him a hundred roubles, or a hundred and fifty, and he’ll reckon that there are some five desyatins of glade to be deducted.

And he’ll let it go for eight thousand. Three thousand cash down. That’ll move him, no