EXERCISE IV

(Un nez gelé, pp. 402-3.)

A. 1. We have decided to make our rounds on foot. 2. They were armed from head to foot. 3. I was delighted that we had the opportunity. 4. We were going to a gentleman's house who was not at home. 5. He was more of a talker, as it seems, than the others. 6. The coachman drove his sleigh at full speed. 7. However fast you may run, I shall catch (rattraper) you. 8. Before I could take off my cashmere scarf, he was washing my face. 9. In such weather as it is, I do not venture into the street. 10. They looked at us a moment. 11. We rushed again at them. 12. I profited by the fact that he could not defend himself. 13. He thought he was the victim of an ambuscade. 14. I got rid of the three men. 15. He did not think the joke in good taste. 16. We French look at people {gens) straight in the eye. 17. I rendered the same service to myself as the peasant had rendered me. 18. Gratitude is less nimble than fear. 19. We were guilty only of too much philanthropy. 20. Those present spoke Russian, and did not understand French.

É. Dumas, being at St. Petersburg, ventured into the street one day, having only the tip of his nose to the air. He had armed himself against the cold, by {en) wrapping himself in a great Astrachan coat, and by pulling over his ears a fur-lined cap. At first, he was surprised at the little impression the cold made upon him. He laughed to himself at the stories he had heard told about it. Still he noticed that those whom he met looked at him with anxiety, but without saying anything to him. Soon, a gentleman, who was passing, shouted (crier) to him in Russian, but he did not know a word of Russian, and continued on his way. <-^ He soon met another man, who was driving his sleigh. The latter also shouted to him in Russian. Finally he met a labourer, who picked up a handful of snow, and rushing at Dumas, rubbed his face and nose vigorously. In such weather, Dumas thought this a rather poor joke, and he gave the labourer a blow with his fist. Then two peasants looked at him a moment, and rushing at him, held his arms. The labourer, after having picked up

another handful of snow, rushed at him again, and began again his rubbing. Dumas thought he was the victim of some mistake, and he called for help. An officer, who had run up, asked him, in French with whom he was angry. "What," exclaimed Dumas, "don't you see what those scamps were doing 1 " The officer replied that they were rendering him a great service by (en) rubbing his face with snow, for Dumas had his nose frozen. A passer-by, addressing the officer, told him that his nose was freezing too. The officer stooped, picked up some snow, and rubbed his nose. Then Dumas put oj6f after the labourer, whom he would not have overtaken if some people had not stopped the way. When Dumas arrived where the labourer was, he gave him ten roubles, and explained the affair to him. Those present recommended Dumas to pay more attention in future to his nose. During the rest of his rounds he never lost sight of it.