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 XIX
At the men’s end of the table the talk grew more and more animated (full of life; lively). The colonel (the commander of a regiment) told them that the declaration (a formal announcing) of war had already appeared in Petersburg and that a copy, which he had himself seen, had that day been forwarded by courier (a messenger riding express) to the commander in chief.
“And why the deuce (the devil — a mild oath) are we going to fight Bonaparte (Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French)?” remarked (to say; to notice) Shinshín (the countess' sharp-tongued Moscow cousin). “He has stopped Austria’s cackle (a hen's noise; foolish talk) and I fear it will be our turn next.”
The colonel (the commander of a regiment) was a stout (fat and solid; brave), tall, plethoric (red-faced and overfull of blood) German, evidently (as plainly appears) devoted (given wholly in love) to the service and patriotically (with love of country) Russian. He resented (to feel bitter at) Shinshín’s remark (to say; to notice).
“It is for the reasson (reason — the German's accent), my goot (good — the German's accent) sir,” said he, speaking with a German accent (the tone of one's speech), “for the reasson (reason — the German's accent) zat (that — the German's accent) ze Emperor knows zat (that — the German's accent). He declares (to announce formally) in ze manifessto (manifesto — the German's accent) zat (that — the German's accent) he cannot fiew (view — the German's accent) wiz (with — the German's accent) indifference (absence of care or interest) ze danger vreatening (threatening — the German's accent) Russia and zat (that — the German's accent) ze safety and dignity (noble worth) of ze Empire as vell (well — the German's accent) as ze sanctity (holy character) of its alliances (a union of powers)...” he spoke this last word with particular emphasis (special weight laid on) as if in it lay the gist (the heart of the matter) of the matter.
Then with the unerring (without missing; surely) official memory that characterized (to mark the character of) him he repeated (to say or do again) from the opening words of the manifesto (a ruler's public declaration):
... and the wish, which constitutes (to make up) the Emperor’s sole (the only; the foot's bottom) and absolute aim—to establish (to set up firmly) peace in Europe on firm foundations—has now decided him to despatch (to send off; an official message) part of the army abroad (in foreign lands) and to create a new condition (condition: social rank — the old sense here) for the attainment (reaching a goal) of that purpose.
“Zat (that — the German's accent), my dear sir, is vy...” he concluded (to end; to decide), drinking a tumbler (a flat-bottomed drinking glass) of wine with dignity (noble worth) and looking to the count for approval.
“Connaissez-vous le Proverbe:* ‘Jerome (Napoleon's brother, king of Westphalia), Jerome, do not roam (to wander), but turn spindles (the turning spike that twists thread) at home!’?” said Shinshín, puckering (to draw into wrinkles) his brows (the forehead) and smiling. “Cela nous convient à merveille.*(2) Suvórov (the legendary unbeaten Russian field marshal) now—he knew what he was about; yet they beat him à plate couture (dressmaking — French),*(3) and where are we to find Suvórovs (commanders like Suvórov) now? Je vous demande un peu,” *(4) said he, continually (over and over without stop) changing from French to Russian.
*Do you know the proverb (a wise old saying)?
*(2) That suits us down to the ground.
*(3) Hollow (empty inside; a dip in the ground).
*(4) I just ask you that.
“Ve must vight (fight — the German colonel's accent) to the last tr-r-op of our plood (blood — the German colonel's accent)!” said the colonel (the commander of a regiment), thumping (a heavy blow) the table; “and ve must tie for our Emperor, and zen all vill (villain) pe vell (well — the German's accent). And ve must discuss it as little as po-o-ossible”... he dwelt (to live in; to linger on) particularly on the word possible... “as po-o-ossible,” he ended, again turning to the count. “Zat (that — the German's accent) is how ve old hussars (a light-cavalry soldier) look at it, and zere (there — the German's accent)’s an end of it! And how do you, a young man and a young hussar (a light-cavalry soldier), how do you judge of it?” he added, addressing Nicholas (Nicholas Rostóv, the eldest Rostóv son), who when he heard that the war was being discussed had turned from his partner with eyes and ears (the organ of hearing) intent (fixed purpose) on the colonel (the commander of a regiment).
“I am quite of your opinion,” replied Nicholas, flaming (the fire's tongue) up, turning his plate round and moving his wineglasses (a glass for wine) about with as much decision and desperation (reckless hopelessness) as though he were at that moment facing some great danger. “I am convinced (brought to belief) that we Russians must die or conquer (to overcome by force),” he concluded (to end; to decide), conscious (aware)—as were others—after the words were uttered (complete; to speak) that his remarks (to say; to notice) were too enthusiastic (burning with eagerness) and emphatic (forceful and insistent) for the occasion (a particular time; cause) and were therefore awkward (clumsy; uneasy).
“What you said just now was splendid (grand and shining)!” said his partner Julie (Julie Karágina, the wealthy heiress Borís marries).
Sónya (Sónya, the Rostóvs' gentle, devoted cousin) trembled (to shake finely) all over and blushed (to redden with shame) to her ears (the organ of hearing) and behind them and down to her neck and shoulders while Nicholas was speaking.
Pierre listened to the colonel (the commander of a regiment)’s speech and nodded (to bow the head slightly) approvingly (with approval).
“That’s fine,” said he.
“The young man’s a real hussar (a light-cavalry soldier)!” shouted (a loud cry) the colonel (the commander of a regiment), again thumping (a heavy blow) the table.
“What are you making such a noise about over there?” Márya (a Russian woman's name — Princess Mary and others) Dmítrievna (a patronymic — daughter of Dmítri)’s deep voice suddenly inquired (to ask) from the other end of the table. “What are you thumping (a heavy blow) the table for?” she demanded of the hussar (a light-cavalry soldier), “and why are you exciting yourself? Do you think the French are here?”
“I am speaking ze truce (an agreed pause in fighting),” replied the hussar (a light-cavalry soldier) with a smile.
“It’s all about the war,” the count shouted (a loud cry) down the table. “You know my son’s going, Márya Dmítrievna? My son is going.”
“I have four sons in the army but still I don’t fret (to worry at; wear away). It is all in God’s hands. You may die in your bed or God may spare (to hold back from harming; extra) you in a battle,” replied Márya Dmítrievna’s deep voice, which easily carried the whole length of the table.
“That’s true!”
Once more the conversations concentrated (to mass together; to fix the mind), the ladies’ at the one end and the men’s at the other.
“You won’t ask,” Natásha (Natásha Rostóva, the novel's radiant heroine)’s little brother was saying; “I know you won’t ask!”
“I will,” replied Natásha.
Her face suddenly flushed (a rush of blood to the face) with reckless (without care of danger) and joyous (full of joy) resolution. She half rose, by a glance (a quick look) inviting (to bid to come) Pierre, who sat opposite, to listen to what was coming, and turning to her mother:
“Mamma!” rang out the clear contralto (a low female singing voice) notes of her childish (like a child) voice, audible (loud enough to hear) the whole length of the table.
“What is it?” asked the countess (a count's wife), startled (jolted with surprise); but seeing by her daughter’s face that it was only mischief (playful trouble; harm), she shook (to move quickly to and fro) a finger (a digit of the hand) at her sternly (with stern severity) with a threatening (holding out harm) and forbidding (to order not to) movement of her head.
The conversation was hushed (a sudden quiet).
“Mamma! What sweets are we going to have?” and Natásha’s voice sounded still more firm and resolute (firmly determined).
The countess (a count's wife) tried to frown (to draw the brows in displeasure), but could not. Márya Dmítrievna shook (to move quickly to and fro) her fat finger (a digit of the hand).
“Cossack (a horseman-warrior of the southern steppes)!” she said threateningly (with a threat).
Most of the guests, uncertain (not sure) how to regard (to look upon; respect) this sally (a sudden dash out; a witty stroke), looked at the elders (the chosen head of a village; an older person).
“You had better take care!” said the countess (a count's wife).
“Mamma! What sweets are we going to have?” Natásha again cried boldly (with bold courage), with saucy (playfully bold) gaiety (merry brightness), confident (sure of oneself) that her prank (a playful trick) would be taken in good part.
Sónya and fat little Pétya (Pétya Rostóv, the eager youngest son) doubled up with laughter (laughing).
“You see! I have asked,” whispered (a soft hushed voice) Natásha to her little brother and to Pierre, glancing (a quick look) at him again.
“Ice pudding (a soft sweet dish), but you won’t get any,” said Márya Dmítrievna.
Natásha saw there was nothing to be afraid of and so she braved (full of courage) even Márya Dmítrievna.
“Márya Dmítrievna! What kind of ice pudding (a soft sweet dish)? I don’t like ice cream.”
“Carrot (the orange root vegetable) ices.”
“No! What kind, Márya Dmítrievna? What kind?” she almost screamed (a piercing cry); “I want to know!”
Márya Dmítrievna and the countess (a count's wife) burst (to break open suddenly) out laughing, and all the guests joined in. Everyone laughed, not at Márya Dmítrievna’s answer but at the incredible boldness (daring courage) and smartness (quick boldness) of this little girl who had dared (to have the courage) to treat Márya Dmítrievna in this fashion.
Natásha only desisted (to stop) when she had been told that there would be pineapple (the sweet spiny fruit) ice. Before the ices, champagne (the sparkling French wine) was served round. The band again struck up, the count and countess (a count's wife) kissed, and the guests, leaving their seats, went up to “congratulate (to wish joy on a success)” the countess (a count's wife), and reached across the table to clink (to touch glasses in a toast) glasses with the count, with the children, and with one another. Again the footmen (a liveried man servant) rushed (to move with violent haste) about, chairs scraped (a small left piece), and in the same order in which they had entered but with redder (more red) faces, the guests returned to the drawing room and to the count’s study.