Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

Chapter 5

Stepan Arkadyevitch (Oblonsky, Anna's brother, by his first name and patronymic) had learned easily at school, thanks to his excellent abilities, but he had been idle (doing nothing) and mischievous (full of playful mischief), and therefore was one of the lowest in his class. But in spite (ill will) of his habitually (by settled habit) dissipated (wasted in idle pleasure) mode of life, his inferior (lower in rank or worth) grade in the service, and his comparative (measured against others) youth, he occupied (to hold; to fill) the honorable (worthy of honor) and lucrative (bringing in money) position of president of one of the government boards at Moscow. This post he had received through his sister Anna (the woman this story follows, wife of a Petersburg official)’s husband, Alexey Alexandrovitch (Karenin, Anna's husband, by his first name and patronymic) Karenin (Anna's husband, a high official in Petersburg), who held one of the most important positions in the ministry to whose department the Moscow office belonged (to be one's own; to be part of). But if Karenin had not got his brother-in-law (a sister's husband or wife's brother) this berth (a bunk on a ship; a place at anchor), then through a hundred other personages (a person of importance)—brothers, sisters, cousins (an uncle's or aunt's child), uncles (the brother of one's father or mother), and aunts (a parent's sister)—Stiva (a familiar form of Oblonsky's name) Oblonsky (Anna's brother, a genial Moscow official) would have received this post, or some other similar one, together with the salary (fixed pay) of six thousand absolutely needful (needed) for him, as his affairs, in spite (ill will) of his wife’s considerable (fairly large) property, were in an embarrassed (awkwardly ashamed) condition (condition: social rank — the old sense here).

Half Moscow and Petersburg were friends and relations of Stepan Arkadyevitch. He was born in the midst (the middle) of those who had been and are the powerful ones of this world. One-third (one part out of three) of the men in the government, the older men, had been friends of his father’s, and had known him in petticoats (a woman's underskirt); another third were his intimate (closely familiar) chums (chummed: made friends), and the remainder (what is left) were friendly acquaintances (a person one knows slightly). Consequently (as a result) the distributors (one who shares out) of earthly (of this world) blessings (God's favor called down) in the shape of places, rents, shares, and such, were all his friends, and could not overlook (to look out over; to miss seeing) one of their own set; and Oblonsky had no need to make any special exertion (hard effort) to get a lucrative (bringing in money) post. He had only not to refuse (to say no to) things, not to show jealousy (envious fear of a rival), not to be quarrelsome (given to quarrelling) or take offense (an offending wrong), all of which from his characteristic (a marking trait; true to character) good nature he never did. It would have struck him as absurd (against all sense) if he had been told that he would not get a position with the salary (fixed pay) he required, especially as he expected nothing out of the way; he only wanted what the men of his own age and standing did get, and he was no worse qualified (fitted) for performing duties of the kind than any other man.

Stepan Arkadyevitch was not merely (only) liked by all who knew him for his good humor (the sense of the laughable; a mood), but for his bright disposition (temper of mind; battle arrangement), and his unquestionable (beyond question) honesty (truthfulness). In him, in his handsome (fine-looking), radiant (shining with light) figure, his sparkling (to flash with small lights) eyes, black hair and eyebrows (the brow hair above the eye), and the white and red of his face, there was something which produced a physical effect of kindliness (gentle kindness) and good humor (the sense of the laughable; a mood) on the people who met him. “Aha! Stiva! Oblonsky! Here he is!” was almost always said with a smile of delight (great pleasure) on meeting him. Even though it happened at times that after a conversation with him it seemed that nothing particularly delightful (giving delight) had happened, the next day, and the next, everyone was just as delighted (greatly pleased) at meeting him again.

After filling for three years the post of president of one of the government boards at Moscow, Stepan Arkadyevitch had won the respect, as well as the liking (a fondness), of his fellow-officials (others holding the same sort of office), subordinates (one under another's command), and superiors (higher; one above), and all who had had business with him. The principal qualities in Stepan Arkadyevitch which had gained him this universal (of all) respect in the service consisted (to be made of), in the first place, of his extreme indulgence (a special allowance; the church's pardon) for others, founded on a consciousness (waking awareness) of his own shortcomings (shortcomings: faults); secondly (in the second place), of his perfect liberalism (belief in freedom and reform)—not the liberalism (belief in freedom and reform) he read of in the papers, but the liberalism (belief in freedom and reform) that was in his blood, in virtue (goodness; a good power) of which he treated all men perfectly equally (in equal measure) and exactly the same, whatever their fortune (wealth; luck) or calling might be; and thirdly (in the third place)—the most important point—his complete indifference (absence of care or interest) to the business in which he was engaged, in consequence (what follows) of which he was never carried away, and never made mistakes.

On reaching the offices of the board, Stepan Arkadyevitch, escorted (a guarding company) by a deferential (humbly respectful) porter (a carrier; a doorkeeper) with a portfolio (a minister's office; a paper case), went into his little private room, put on his uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike), and went into the boardroom (the room where a company's officers meet). The clerks (a writing officer) and copyists (one who makes copies by hand) all rose, greeting (to welcome) him with good-humored (cheerful and easygoing) deference (respectful yielding). Stepan Arkadyevitch moved quickly, as ever, to his place, shook (to move quickly to and fro) hands with his colleagues (a fellow in office), and sat down. He made a joke or two, and talked just as much as was consistent (holding together) with due decorum (proper dignified behavior), and began work. No one knew better than Stepan Arkadyevitch how to hit (hit: captured exactly — the old sense here) on the exact line between freedom, simplicity (plain simpleness), and official stiffness (stiff hardness) necessary for the agreeable (pleasant) conduct of business. A secretary, with the good-humored (cheerful and easygoing) deference (respectful yielding) common to everyone in Stepan Arkadyevitch’s office, came up with papers, and began to speak in the familiar and easy tone (a sound's quality; a manner) which had been introduced (to make known; bring in) by Stepan Arkadyevitch.

“We have succeeded (to follow; to prosper) in getting the information from the government department of Penza (a Russian province and town). Here, would you care?...”

“You’ve got them at last?” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, laying his finger (a digit of the hand) on the paper. “Now, gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners)....”

And the sitting of the board began.

“If they knew,” he thought, bending (to curve; to bow) his head with a significant air as he listened to the report, “what a guilty little boy their president was half an hour ago.” And his eyes were laughing during the reading of the report. Till two o’clock (the time-keeping machine) the sitting would go on without a break, and at two o’clock (the time-keeping machine) there would be an interval (a space between) and luncheon (lunch).

It was not yet two, when the large glass doors of the boardroom (the room where a company's officers meet) suddenly opened and someone came in.

All the officials sitting on the further side under the portrait (a painted likeness) of the Tsar (the emperor of Russia) and the eagle (the great hunting bird), delighted (greatly pleased) at any distraction (a pulling away of the mind), looked round at the door; but the doorkeeper (one who keeps the door) standing at the door at once drove out the intruder (one who pushes in unwanted), and closed the glass door after him.

When the case had been read through, Stepan Arkadyevitch got up and stretched (to draw out), and by way of tribute (payment owed to a power; honor paid) to the liberalism (belief in freedom and reform) of the times took out a cigarette (a small paper roll of tobacco) in the boardroom (the room where a company's officers meet) and went into his private room. Two of the members of the board, the old veteran (an old tried soldier) in the service, Nikitin (a Russian family name), and the Kammerjunker (a young gentleman of the court, in German) Grinevitch (a Russian patronymic, meaning son of Grigory), went in with him.

“We shall have time to finish after lunch,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch.

“To be sure we shall!” said Nikitin.

“A pretty sharp (keen-edged) fellow this Fomin (a Russian family name) must be,” said Grinevitch of one of the persons taking part in the case they were examining (to inspect closely).

Stepan Arkadyevitch frowned (to draw the brows in displeasure) at Grinevitch’s words, giving him thereby (by that means) to understand that it was improper (not proper) to pass judgment (the power of judging; a decision) prematurely (too early), and made him no reply.

“Who was that came in?” he asked the doorkeeper (one who keeps the door).

“Someone, your excellency (a title given to a high officer), crept (to move low and slowly) in without permission directly my back was turned. He was asking for you. I told him: when the members come out, then....”

“Where is he?”

“Maybe he’s gone into the passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here), but here he comes anyway. That is he,” said the doorkeeper (one who keeps the door), pointing to a strongly (with strength) built, broad-shouldered (with wide shoulders) man with a curly (full of curls) beard (the chin's hair), who, without taking off his sheepskin (a coat of sheep's hide) cap, was running lightly (with light touch) and rapidly (fast) up the worn (used to wearing out) steps of the stone staircase (a flight of stairs). One of the members going down—a lean (to tilt against; thin) official with a portfolio (a minister's office; a paper case)—stood out of his way and looked disapprovingly (with disapproval) at the legs of the stranger (one unknown), then glanced (a quick look) inquiringly (with a questioning look) at Oblonsky.

Stepan Arkadyevitch was standing at the top of the stairs (a step of a flight). His good-naturedly (in a kindly way) beaming (a great timber; a ray of light; to smile brightly) face above the embroidered (sewn with ornament) collar (the neck band) of his uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike) beamed (a great timber; a ray of light; to smile brightly) more than ever when he recognized the man coming up.

“Why, it’s actually you, Levin (a landowner who farms his own estate in the country), at last!” he said with a friendly mocking (making cruel fun) smile, scanning (to look over closely) Levin as he approached. “How is it you have deigned (to lower oneself to grant) to look me up in this den (a beast's lair)?” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, and not content with shaking (to move quickly to and fro) hands, he kissed his friend. “Have you been here long?”

“I have just come, and very much wanted to see you,” said Levin, looking shyly (with shyness) and at the same time angrily (with anger) and uneasily (with unease) around.

“Well, let’s go into my room,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, who knew his friend’s sensitive (quick to feel) and irritable (quick to anger) shyness (timid modesty), and, taking his arm, he drew him along, as though guiding him through dangers.

Stepan Arkadyevitch was on familiar terms with almost all his acquaintances (a person one knows slightly), and called almost all of them by their Christian names: old men of sixty (sixty), boys of twenty, actors, ministers, merchants (a trader), and adjutant-generals (high officers on a commander's staff), so that many of his intimate (closely familiar) chums (chummed: made friends) were to be found at the extreme ends of the social ladder (the climbing steps), and would have been very much surprised to learn that they had, through the medium of Oblonsky, something in common. He was the familiar friend of everyone with whom he took a glass of champagne (the sparkling French wine), and he took a glass of champagne (the sparkling French wine) with everyone, and when in consequence (what follows) he met any of his disreputable (of bad reputation) chums (chummed: made friends), as he used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) in joke to call many of his friends, in the presence of his subordinates (one under another's command), he well knew how, with his characteristic (a marking trait; true to character) tact (fine sense of what fits the moment), to diminish (to make smaller) the disagreeable (unpleasant) impression (a mark on the mind) made on them. Levin was not a disreputable (of bad reputation) chum (chummed: made friends), but Oblonsky, with his ready tact (fine sense of what fits the moment), felt that Levin fancied (the imagination; a liking) he might not care to show his intimacy (close familiar friendship) with him before his subordinates (one under another's command), and so he made haste (hurry) to take him off into his room.

Levin was almost of the same age as Oblonsky; their intimacy (close familiar friendship) did not rest merely (only) on champagne (the sparkling French wine). Levin had been the friend and companion (one who keeps company) of his early youth. They were fond (loving) of one another in spite (ill will) of the difference of their characters and tastes, as friends are fond (loving) of one another who have been together in early youth. But in spite (ill will) of this, each of them—as is often the way with men who have selected careers of different kinds—though in discussion he would even justify (to show to be right) the other’s career, in his heart despised (to look down on with contempt) it. It seemed to each of them that the life he led himself was the only real life, and the life led by his friend was a mere (nothing more than) phantasm (a ghostly unreal show). Oblonsky could not restrain (to hold back) a slight (small; to treat as of no account) mocking (making cruel fun) smile at the sight of Levin. How often he had seen him come up to Moscow from the country where he was doing something, but what precisely (exactly) Stepan Arkadyevitch could never quite make out, and indeed he took no interest (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) in the matter. Levin arrived in Moscow always excited and in a hurry (to move with haste), rather ill at ease (comfort; freedom from effort) and irritated (annoyed) by his own want of ease (comfort; freedom from effort), and for the most part with a perfectly new, unexpected (not looked for) view of things. Stepan Arkadyevitch laughed at this, and liked it. In the same way Levin in his heart despised (to look down on with contempt) the town mode of life of his friend, and his official duties, which he laughed at, and regarded (to look upon; respect) as trifling (of no importance). But the difference was that Oblonsky, as he was doing the same as everyone did, laughed complacently (with self-satisfaction) and good-humoredly (cheerfully and easygoing), while Levin laughed without complacency (smug satisfaction) and sometimes angrily (with anger).

“We have long been expecting you,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, going into his room and letting Levin’s hand go as though to show that here all danger was over. “I am very, very glad to see you,” he went on. “Well, how are you? Eh? When did you come?”

Levin was silent (making no sound), looking at the unknown faces of Oblonsky’s two companions (one who keeps company), and especially at the hand of the elegant (gracefully fine) Grinevitch, which had such long white fingers (a digit of the hand), such long yellow filbert-shaped (shaped like a hazelnut) nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin), and such huge shining (the front of the lower leg) studs (a breeding stable of horses) on the shirt-cuff (the cuff of a shirt), that apparently they absorbed (to soak up; take in wholly) all his attention, and allowed him no freedom of thought. Oblonsky noticed this at once, and smiled.

“Ah, to be sure, let me introduce (to make known; bring in) you,” he said. “My colleagues (a fellow in office): Philip Ivanitch (a Russian patronymic, meaning son of Ivan) Nikitin, Mihail (a Russian man's name) Stanislavitch (a Russian patronymic, meaning son of Stanislav) Grinevitch”—and turning to Levin—“a district councilor (a member of a council), a modern district councilman (a member of a council), a gymnast (a trained athlete) who lifts thirteen (thirteen) stone with one hand, a cattle-breeder (one who raises cattle) and sportsman (a lover of hunting and sport), and my friend, Konstantin Dmitrievitch (Levin, by his first name and patronymic) Levin, the brother of Sergey Ivanovitch (Koznishev, Levin's half brother, by his first name and patronymic) Koznishev (Levin's half brother, a writer on public questions).”

“Delighted (greatly pleased),” said the veteran (an old tried soldier).

“I have the honor of knowing your brother, Sergey Ivanovitch,” said Grinevitch, holding out his slender (gracefully thin) hand with its long nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin).

Levin frowned (to draw the brows in displeasure), shook (to move quickly to and fro) hands coldly (without warmth), and at once turned to Oblonsky. Though he had a great respect for his half-brother (a brother by one parent only), an author well known to all Russia, he could not endure (to bear; to last) it when people treated him not as Konstantin (Levin's first name) Levin, but as the brother of the celebrated (famous) Koznishev.

“No, I am no longer a district councilor (a member of a council). I have quarreled (an angry dispute) with them all, and don’t go to the meetings any more,” he said, turning to Oblonsky.

“You’ve been quick about it!” said Oblonsky with a smile. “But how? why?”

“It’s a long story. I will tell you some time,” said Levin, but he began telling him at once. “Well, to put it shortly (soon), I was convinced (to bring to belief) that nothing was really done by the district councils, or ever could be,” he began, as though someone had just insulted (an offense to honor) him. “On one side it’s a plaything (a toy); they play at being a parliament, and I’m neither young enough nor old enough to find amusement (light entertainment) in playthings (a toy); and on the other side” (he stammered (to speak with halting breaks)) “it’s a means for the coterie (a small close set of people) of the district to make money. Formerly (in earlier times) they had wardships (the care of a child by a guardian), courts of justice, now they have the district council—not in the form of bribes (money paid to corrupt), but in the form of unearned (not worked for) salary (fixed pay),” he said, as hotly (with heat of feeling) as though someone of those present had opposed his opinion.

“Aha! You’re in a new phase again, I see—a conservative,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “However, we can go into that later.”

“Yes, later. But I wanted to see you,” said Levin, looking with hatred (deep hate) at Grinevitch’s hand.

Stepan Arkadyevitch gave a scarcely (hardly) perceptible (just able to be seen) smile.

“How was it you used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to say you would never wear European dress again?” he said, scanning (to look over closely) his new suit, obviously cut by a French tailor (a maker of clothes). “Ah! I see: a new phase.”

Levin suddenly blushed (to redden with shame), not as grown men blush (to redden with shame), slightly, without being themselves aware of it, but as boys blush (to redden with shame), feeling that they are ridiculous (deserving laughter) through their shyness (timid modesty), and consequently (as a result) ashamed (feeling shame) of it and blushing (to redden with shame) still more, almost to the point of tears (a drop of weeping; to rip). And it was so strange to see this sensible (sensible: aware — the old sense here), manly (like a man) face in such a childish (like a child) plight (a sorry state), that Oblonsky left off looking at him.

“Oh, where shall we meet? You know I want very much to talk to you,” said Levin.

Oblonsky seemed to ponder (to weigh in the mind).

“I’ll tell you what: let’s go to Gurin (a Russian family name)’s to lunch, and there we can talk. I am free till three.”

“No,” answered Levin, after an instant (a moment; immediate)’s thought, “I have got to go on somewhere else.”

“All right, then, let’s dine (to eat dinner) together.”

“Dine (to eat dinner) together? But I have nothing very particular, only a few words to say, and a question I want to ask you, and we can have a talk afterwards (at a later time).”

“Well, say the few words, then, at once, and we’ll gossip (idle talk of others) after dinner.”

“Well, it’s this,” said Levin; “but it’s of no importance, though.”

His face all at once took an expression of anger (hot displeasure) from the effort he was making to surmount (to be set on top of) his shyness (timid modesty).

“What are the Shtcherbatskys (the Shtcherbatsky family) doing? Everything as it used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to be?” he said.

Stepan Arkadyevitch, who had long known that Levin was in love with his sister-in-law (a husband's or wife's sister), Kitty (the youngest of the Shtcherbatsky sisters), gave a hardly perceptible (just able to be seen) smile, and his eyes sparkled (to flash with small lights) merrily (with merry cheer).

“You said a few words, but I can’t answer in a few words, because.... Excuse me a minute....”

A secretary came in, with respectful (showing respect) familiarity (easy closeness) and the modest (not making much of oneself) consciousness (waking awareness), characteristic (a marking trait; true to character) of every secretary, of superiority (standing above others) to his chief in the knowledge of their business; he went up to Oblonsky with some papers, and began, under pretense (a false show) of asking a question, to explain some objection (a reason against). Stepan Arkadyevitch, without hearing him out, laid his hand genially (in a warm friendly way) on the secretary’s sleeve (the arm of a garment).

“No, you do as I told you,” he said, softening (to make soft) his words with a smile, and with a brief explanation (a making clear) of his view of the matter he turned away from the papers, and said: “So do it that way, if you please, Zahar (a Russian man's name) Nikititch (a Russian patronymic, meaning son of Nikita).”

The secretary retired (to withdraw) in confusion (mixed-up disorder). During the consultation (a taking of counsel) with the secretary Levin had completely recovered (to get back; to grow well) from his embarrassment (awkward shame). He was standing with his elbows (the arm's joint) on the back of a chair, and on his face was a look of ironical (mocking by saying the opposite) attention.

“I don’t understand it, I don’t understand it,” he said.

“What don’t you understand?” said Oblonsky, smiling as brightly (with bright light) as ever, and picking up a cigarette (a small paper roll of tobacco). He expected some queer (strange) outburst (a sudden breaking out) from Levin.

“I don’t understand what you are doing,” said Levin, shrugging (to lift the shoulders) his shoulders. “How can you do it seriously?”

“Why not?”

“Why, because there’s nothing in it.”

“You think so, but we’re overwhelmed (buried under; overcome) with work.”

“On paper. But, there, you’ve a gift for it,” added Levin.

“That’s to say, you think there’s a lack of something in me?”

“Perhaps so,” said Levin. “But all the same I admire (to look on with wonder) your grandeur (grand greatness), and am proud that I’ve a friend in such a great person. You’ve not answered my question, though,” he went on, with a desperate (without hope; reckless) effort looking Oblonsky straight in the face.

“Oh, that’s all very well. You wait a bit, and you’ll come to this yourself. It’s very nice for you to have over six thousand acres (a field measure of land) in the Karazinsky (a Russian family name) district, and such muscles (the body's moving flesh), and the freshness (new brightness) of a girl of twelve (twelve); still you’ll be one of us one day. Yes, as to your question, there is no change, but it’s a pity (sorrow for another's pain) you’ve been away so long.”

“Oh, why so?” Levin queried (a question), panic-stricken (seized by panic).

“Oh, nothing,” responded Oblonsky. “We’ll talk it over. But what’s brought you up to town?”

“Oh, we’ll talk about that, too, later on,” said Levin, reddening (to grow red; blush) again up to his ears (the organ of hearing).

“All right. I see,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch. “I should ask you to come to us, you know, but my wife’s not quite the thing. But I tell you what; if you want to see them, they’re sure now to be at the Zoological Gardens from four to five. Kitty skates (to glide over ice on blades). You drive along there, and I’ll come and fetch (to go for and bring back) you, and we’ll go and dine (to eat dinner) somewhere together.”

“Capital. So good-bye (a word said when leaving) till then.”

“Now mind, you’ll forget, I know you, or rush (to move with violent haste) off home to the country!” Stepan Arkadyevitch called out laughing.

“No, truly!”

And Levin went out of the room, only when he was in the doorway (the opening of a door) remembering (calling to mind) that he had forgotten to take leave of Oblonsky’s colleagues (a fellow in office).

“That gentleman (a man of good birth and manners) must be a man of great energy,” said Grinevitch, when Levin had gone away.

“Yes, my dear boy,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, nodding (to bow the head slightly) his head, “he’s a lucky fellow! Over six thousand acres (a field measure of land) in the Karazinsky district; everything before him; and what youth and vigor (strong energy)! Not like some of us.”

“You have a great deal to complain (to voice discontent) of, haven (a safe shelter)’t you, Stepan Arkadyevitch?”

“Ah, yes, I’m in a poor way, a bad way,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch with a heavy sigh (a long sad breath).