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The scarecrow of a beggar shrugged his shoulders, as if in perplexity,

and went irresolutely after the cook. It was obvious from his gait that he

had not consented to go and chop wood because he was hungry and

wanted work, but simply from pride and shame and because he had

been trapped by his own words. It was obvious, too, that his strength

had been undermined by vodka and that he was unhealthy and did not

feel the slightest inclination for toil.

Perplexity: state of being puzzled; bewilderment

irresolutely: hesitantly; undecidedly

Gait: walk

Inclination: interest

toil: hard work

The beggar resembled a scarecrow. His reluctance to go to the shed

was signified by his act of shrugging his shoulders. He followed the cook

hesitantly. He was hesitant because he was hungry and although he

wanted to work, he did not feel energetic enough to do it. As he had

promised Sergei, he had to go to work. He did not feel strong enough

because he was under the influence of the alcohol and was not fit to do

laborious work.

Sergei hurried into the dining-room. From its windows one could see the

woodshed and everything that went on in the yard. Standing at the

window, Sergei saw the cook and the beggar come out into the yard by

the back door and make their way across the dirty snow to the shed.

Olga glared wrathfully at her companion, shoved him aside with her

elbow, unlocked the shed, and angrily banged the door.

Wrathfully: with hatred

shoved him aside: pushed him