`Splendid! Together!' cried Levin, and he ran with Laska into the thicket to look for the woodcock.

`Oh, yes, what was it that was unpleasant?' he recollected. `Yes, Kitty's ill... Well, it can't be helped; I'm very sorry,' he thought.

`She's found it! Isn't she a clever girl?' he said, taking the warm bird from Laska's mouth and packing it into the almost full gamebag. `I've got it, Stiva!' he shouted.