Celebrity House [Anna]

When Karenin told Seryozha that they were going to his uncle's house in Moscow, the latter was very happy, but also a little worried.

"I can go too, can't I?" Seryozha asked Karenin, who had big blue eyes and didn't want to be left alone at home.

"Yes, you can go together this time, but you can't miss your homework. I will talk to your tutors to find out about your progress."

"Okay, father," said Seryozha, with stern eyes, and he didn't mind anything else as long as he was not left alone at home.

As the hostess of the house, Anna naturally had to take care of things.

She told Karenin and Seryozha to take what they thought they needed, and then checked to see if there was anything missing.

Karenin didn't have many things, a simple change of clothes, two books, and some official documents.Seryozha had a lot of things, he prepared gifts for his cousins, and when he tried to pack his little train into the suitcase, Anna stopped him.

"We are not moving, Seryozha."

"But I want to share my little train with Grisha and the others." Seryozha looked at his little train reluctantly.

"I believe Grisha will have a little train. After all, it was also given to you by Skiva, and he will keep a copy for his own children."

Seryozha was persuaded.

The telegram came quickly from Oblonsky's side, and he needed them urgently.

Karenin knew he was incidental.

Although his brother-in-law is a nice guy, and they get along very well on weekdays, he fully understands what he thinks about this matter, but since he didn't mention it at all, or he didn't use a stumbling tone to express his apology Karenin's welcome fully explained his inner panic and loss.

Karenin told Kearney some things as usual. Compared with leaving Petersburg before, Karenin took a longer time to tell Kearney. After all, this trip was not arranged a month or more in advance. Far beyond Karenin's plan, his obsessive-compulsive disorder made him worry too much.

"I'm sure just going for a week, the house won't be attacked by anything."

Karenin glanced at his wife and knew that she was joking to make him relax. Obviously the effect was not great, but he said he would control his emotions.

"Sir, are you going to let the horses out for a walk this week?" Kondraki asked.

"As usual, don't run around in the street."

"I know," said Kondraki, and drove the Karenins to the Petersburg station.

Seryozha had never been on a train, so everything seemed strange to him.

Anna gave him a hat made of fox fur and the same scarf, which were also given by his Uncle Skiva. It is said that the red fox that Skiva himself killed was very precious.

It hadn't snowed yet when they set off, but after they boarded the train, the snowflakes began to fall.

Flamekill reserved a separate box for them.

Seryozha was warned by Karenin to maintain proper manners before driving, and when the train started, he could no longer behave like that.

"It's amazing!"

Seryozha patted the cushion under his buttocks, as if everything was as tempting as candy.

"Mother! Did you hear the jet of the train?" Seryozha asked excitedly.

Karenin closed the door when he noticed that Seryozha's feet began to shake. Fortunately, the latter did not make a faux pas of stepping on the mat, and it was tolerable for the time being.

"Yes, I heard that," said Anna.

Seryozha leaned against the window, and it took him a long time to remove his face in satisfaction.

"I love everything about trains."

"So do you want to be a train conductor?" Anna asked.

Seryozha bowed his head and thought for a while, but said nothing, just looked at Karenin with his eyes.

Anna also looked at Karenin.

"You won't object, will you, Alexei?"

Karenin felt as if he was being attacked by the eyes of some shiny little animal. He frowned and said, "Seryozha, I don't agree with you being a leader." He paused and then said, "The train conductor .”

After saying this, Karenin felt that his son had drooped his ears like a kind of long-haired rabbit, and he could only see the curls on the top of his head.

"This is not discrimination, nor is it that I do not recognize your ability."

"Of course, to be honest, you are too young and don't have the qualities that a train driver should have now. If you mean the love of trains and the somewhat inappropriate excitement just now, I think it is completely Unqualified." Karenin said seriously at the end.

Seryozha blushed a little, and murmured: "I'm sorry, father."

"Apologizing is not the best behavior, but at least it shows that you have repented." Karenin nodded slightly.

"Let's continue with the previous paragraph now. I don't agree with you becoming a train conductor. Obviously, the energy I spent in training you should make you a government official like me, or, a soldier. But , if you still insist on becoming a train conductor after you become an adult, it will be a matter for you to consider and measure yourself."

"I can only give you what I think is the most reasonable and best idea when you are not mature enough to think. If you don't agree, I will not force you. But as your father, I always hope that you Those who can agree with my thoughts for you."

After hearing Karenin's words, Seryozha didn't say anything for a while, but Anna looked at the little boy who was thinking with his head down, and then at Karenin who was drinking water, and thought: So this is the daily life of Karenin and his son. conversation.

"I'll fetch some water," said Karenin.

Generally, officials of Karenin's status always need to bring one or two servants with them when they come out. In addition to the need for servants to serve, the issue of decency is also a very important factor.

But considering what they were going to do when they went to Anna's brother's house this time, Karenin asked Anna if she insisted on bringing one or two servants, but the latter agreed not to do so.

"I can take care of Seryozha, and as for you, I'm sure you can take care of yourself, Alexei," Anna said with a smile.

She never liked being around people.

Although it is fun not to do things by yourself, but there is always someone staring at you tremblingly, and she is still not used to that kind of sexless look.

"I can take care of myself, Mom."

That's what Seryozha said then, but he stopped saying it a few hours later.

"Let Seryozha sleep in it, Anna," said Karenin.

"I think so too." Anna said, and then helplessly showed Karenin her clothes, which were tightly held by some weirdo.

"I'll do it." Karenin said and was about to get up, but Anna stopped him.

"Just let him fall asleep," said Anna, her fingers still touching Seryozha's curly hair, as if touching a kind of furry little Pomeranian.

"Before I felt that you were not as close as usual to Seryozha," Karenin said.

"You really observed carefully." Anna thought, then smiled.

"You always think I dote on him too much, don't you?"

"It is indeed better now," said Karenin. "I think it is reasonable. After all, Seryozha is a boy, and too much pampering is not very good for him."

Anna saw that Karenin went to get his book, and there was hot tea on her right hand, and even a plate of small snacks, and then she looked at what she had?A squishy little Bambi.

A childish emotion rose in her chest.

"Alexis."

"What?" Karenin looked at his wife, who raised the corners of his mouth slightly and asked innocently, "Don't you think I'm a little bored now?"

Karenin handed over the book in his hand, but he was not sure whether Anna would like it, after all, she liked dancing more than reading.

"Look at my hands, they're busy, maybe you can read to me," said Anna.

Karenin was a little surprised.

Some sophisticated families would hire French people to read aloud for them. Karenin did not continue this habit, he was more used to silent reading.

"Read something to me," said Anna again.

Karenin frowned: "You insist on me reading to you?"

"Yes."

Anna smiled: "If you don't mind, I feel a little thirsty."

Karenin poured a cup of tea for Anna, then picked up the book, and randomly selected a passage to read to Anna.

To be honest, listening to Karenin read aloud was not a pleasure.

Although his voice was actually extremely charming, Karenin was used to tonelessness and the rigorous and flat narrative style of government official documents, so in the end, Anna almost fell asleep.

"Obviously your insistence is not right." Karenin said calmly, closed the book, and took a sip of tea.

"Perhaps you should try to tell Seryozha a story to exercise." Anna yawned.

"You'd better not suggest that, Anna." Karenin reprimanded, "You can't blame me for your excessive doting on Seryozha and causing him to rely too much on you."

"I want to say that you are no less a father than I am on the question of whether you love Seryozha." Anna said, humming a song softly before Karenin retorted.

The tune is very melodious, and it is especially charming against the winter snowflakes.

"I haven't heard you sing this piece before." Karenin asked in a low voice.

"I'm not singing it exactly, and I don't know what it is, but it's really nice anyway."

"indeed."

The lights and snowflakes in the carriage were drifting, hazy and white, with only one window glass separated, Anna knew that it was cold outside, but in the carriage, she didn't seem to feel this way.

"I like it," said Karenin.

Anna looked into the other person's eyes with a very gentle look, and she bent her eyes from the bottom of her heart, as if she had found approval.

Following yet another point of divergence, the first point of sameness.

The melodious tune sounded again, like snowflakes, chic and lingering.

After six o'clock in the evening, their family went to the restaurant for dinner.

There are not many people dining. After all, those who can eat in the dining area of ​​the carriage always have a certain status.

Karenin took a fancy to a position in the third row, which had the widest view and was closest to the escape car.

Anna glanced at Karenin and thought: This person instinctively has a desire to control and a sense of crisis.

Sitting behind Karenin was an old woman with a thin body, but she was dressed in a fashionable way, her hair was combed meticulously, but judging from the way she approached the menu, her eyes might not be very good.

"Can I just order what I like, Father," Seryozha asked Karenin. The only thing he didn't like was carrots, which he always avoided.

"It's not good to be picky eaters, Seryozha," Karenin said flatly.

Seryozha sighed softly. At this time, he always liked Uncle Skiva as his father, because the former also didn't like carrots.

"Was it a group of rabbits who decided to eat carrots?" Seryozha muttered softly.Then he looked at Anna again, "Don't they sell pudding?"

"Since it's not there, that means, yes, they don't sell pudding," Karenin said.

"I think maybe it's because there are no cute children like you on the train." Anna teased Seryozha.

"They should have put the patch on," said Seryozha, and added earnestly, "Mother, you should praise me for being handsome."

"Wait for another ten years, and I'll do that."

Seryozha nodded, and settled for the dessert of biscuits.

Karenin took the menu and went to the waiter in the dining car. He was going to tell them to use less frosting, but as he passed the old woman, he heard her asking for no tarragon.

On his return, Karenin caught a glimpse of the food in front of the lady and said: "Madam, I suggest you change the plate."

The old lady looked at Karenin with some puzzlement.

"If you're allergic to tarragon."

"I asked them not to put tarragon." The old woman looked at the food in front of her with some fear, and she rang the bell angrily.

When the diner came over, the old woman scolded them, but the diner didn't fully take it to heart.

"I'll complain to you!" said the old woman.

The driver doesn't care: "I'll replace it for you, but I suggest you don't."

"Why can't I? Do you know who my son is?" the old woman raised her voice.

"I don't know who your son is, but maybe you want to know who my uncle is!" the dining car attendant knocked on the table.

"If I could know who your uncle is, I'd like to meet him. Does he work in Petersburg?" A calm and indifferent voice sounded.

Anna looked up at Karenin.

The man stared fixedly at the dining car attendant, with a sneering smile on his lips.

"Dmitry Anatoly, or Sergei Lavrov, or Alexey Vorobev..."

When Karenin announced a long list of names of high-ranking officials in Petersburg, Anna saw that the dining car attendant lowered his head timidly.

This kind of villain probably understands that Karenin is not easy to mess with.

"I suggest that you apologize to the honorable lady, sir," said Karenin flatly.

The catering driver didn't say anything, and apologized to the old lady heartily, and promised to give her the best food without tarragon.

"Things that bully the weak and fear the strong are the most shameful." Anna thought.

Seryosha looked at his father with admiration, "Father, you were very good just now."

Karenin glanced at Seryozha, and said, "If you were just an ordinary conductor at the moment, maybe you wouldn't be able to do it."

Seryozha thought carefully.

Anna glanced at Karenin, who took a sip of his hot tea.

No wonder, she hummed softly in her heart.No wonder this family is so kind. Sure enough, the most cunning people in the world are all political.

"Thank you so much just now."

The lady in front came over to say thank you.

"You don't need to be too polite, please sit down, madam." Karenin invited the lady to sit down, but the latter declined.

"Then I will bother you."

"If you are looking outside, we haven't considered it thoroughly," Karenin said.

The lady then did not refuse.

Seryozha and Anna sat on Karenin's side, and the lady took Anna's place.

"I have not yet introduced you, I am Alexey Alexandrovich Karenin, this is my wife Anna Arkadyevna, and this is my son, Sergei Alek Sejic."

"What a fine family!" the lady exclaimed, and then said: "I am Countess Ekaterina Vronsky."

"Mr. Karenin, what are you and your family doing in Moscow?"

"To visit my wife's brother, there is always a distance between Moscow and Petersburg," replied Karenin. "And you, madam?"

"Yes, the distance between people grows farther and farther as they grow older," said Countess Vronsky.

"I went to see my son in Moscow, where he has a job, but he has recently decided to transfer to Petersburg. How happy I am!"

Son, Vronsky.Carlie quietly chewed and analyzed these keywords.

"Is your son a soldier?"

"Look at how carefully you observe. Yes, he's in the army, and his officers are fond of him, but I always tell people that he's still a wayward young man!"

Countess Vronsky's fondness for her son had previously been entirely superficial.

"The weather in Petersburg is not very good. I hope Moscow will be better. What do you think?" Karenin changed the subject. Generally speaking, when he starts talking about the weather, it means that he does not think the conversation is of much value. Or, he wanted this conversation to end quickly.

As Karenin thought, the conversation was over within 10 minutes.

After saying goodbye to each other after dinner, Karenin and the others returned to the box, and he picked up his official documents and began to read them.

Anna looked at the man opposite after Seryozha fell asleep, and asked, "Did you realize that the lady is not an ordinary person?"

Karenin raised his head from the official document and replied: "Obviously, it is not ordinary people who can eat in the dining car. Although the clothes of Countess Vronsky will not be very gorgeous, but in terms of design, Compared to her age, it is relatively trendy, only the upper-class people in Peterborough can be so fashionable."

Karenin paused, and then said: "Of course, what makes me sure is her ring, the family ring."

Anna felt that if it was not Karenin who said this, but someone else, she would definitely find this explanation slightly ironic, as if explaining why you can't see lice on a bald man's head Son.

"What can she do for you?"

Karenin put down the official document, and after a while he said calmly: "Maybe you won't see it right away." After speaking, he buried his head in his official document again.

Only then did Anna realize that something was weird.

"Alexis, I seem to think you're mad at me."

"It's just an illusion. Nothing can cause me to have such irrational emotions." Karenin said calmly, and flipped a page of the official document.

"Let me read them all, if you can."

The translation of that meaning in ordinary people's words is "I am doing something, please be quiet", and the simpler translation is "shut up".

Anna pursed her lips, then took a book and read it by herself for a while.

Silent all night.

At about ten o'clock the next morning, the train arrived at Moscow Station.

In the morning, Anna observed that Karenin did not seem to be different. He read the book for a while as usual, then corrected some of Seryozha's etiquette problems, and talked to Anna about the views in the book, Everything seemed normal as if last night was just a dream.

Anna shook her head, deciding not to think about that inexplicable thing anymore.

"Who's going to fetch your happy family later?" asked Countess Vronsky.

"Anna's brother will be here, and you, madam?" asked Karenin, modestly and politely.

"My Alexey will come," said Countess Vronsky with a smile. "It is wonderful to say that my son is also called Alexey, and your Alexey was here yesterday." Helped me. If you are not in a hurry, I really want to introduce you. You are so upright and kind, and my son is so filial. He will be surprised, and maybe you will become good friends."

Karenin's lips moved, and then he pulled the corners of his mouth, showing a somewhat hypocritical smirk: "I think the part about surprise is yes."