The Slanderer
The Slanderer
Book Excerpt
hite neckties. A loud noise of voices smote the air. From the outside people looked in at the windows;--their social standing gave them no right to enter.
Just at midnight the host, Akhineyev, made his way to the kitchen to see whether everything was ready for the supper. The kitchen was filled with smoke from the floor to the ceiling; the smoke reeked with the odors of geese, ducks, and many other things. Victuals and beverages were scattered about on two tables in artistic disorder. Marfa, the cook, a stout, red-faced woman, was busying herself near the loaded tables.
"Show me the sturgeon, dear," said Akhineyev, rubbing his hands and licking his lips. "What a fine odor! I could just devour the whole kitchen! Well, let me see the sturgeon!"
Marfa walked up to one of the benches and carefully lifted a greasy newspaper. Beneath that paper, in a huge dish, lay a big fat sturgeon, amid capers, olives, and carrots. Akhineyev glanced at the sturgeon and heaved a sigh of relief. His face became radiant, his eyes rolled. He bent down, and, smacking his lips, gave vent to a sound like a creaking wheel. He stood a while
FREE EBOOKS AND DEALS
(view all)Popular books in Short Story, Fiction and Literature
Readers reviews
4.5
LoginSign up
A short, ironic story from a master. At his daughter's wedding, the father of the bride is overheard by a gossip, and panics that the wrong idea will be spread throughout the village. He sets out to make sure the rumor isn't believed.
- Upvote (0)
- Downvote (0)
the selection is good, it will "teach about How Foolish you are" in a sense that you! your self is your great enemy! so better know yourself, just do what you want to and dont get afraid, and feel gui;ty if you know you do nothing wrong.
02/24/2008