. . . In fact, she was an excellent
watch-dog. It is true that there was another dog in the yard, a tawny
old dog with brown spots, called Wolf, but he was never, even at night,
let off the chain; and, indeed, he was so decrepit that he did not even
wish for freedom. He used to lie curled up in his kennel, and only
rarely uttered a sleepy, almost noiseless bark, which broke off at once,
as though he were himself aware of its uselessness. Mumu never went into
the mistress's house; and when Gerasim carried wood into the rooms, she
always stayed behind, impatiently waiting for him at the steps, pricking
up her ears and turning her head to right and to left at the slightest
creak of the door . . .
So passed another year. Gerasim went on performing his duties as house-
porter, and was very well content with his lot, when suddenly an
unexpected incident occurred. . . . One fine summer day the old lady was
walking up and down the drawing-room with her dependants. She was in
high spirits; she laughed and made jokes. Her servile companions laughed
and joked too, but they did not feel particularly mirthful; the
household did not much like it, when their mistress was in a lively
mood, for, to begin with, she expected from every one prompt and
complete participation in her merriment, and was furious if any one
showed a face that did not beam with delight; and secondly, these
outbursts never lasted long with her, and were usually followed by a
sour and gloomy mood.
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