Translated by Jamey Gambrell, © 2003

Blin (bliny, pl): large, thin pancake, rather like a crepe.

Golubchik (m), Golubushka (f): my dear, my good fellow, often used ironically. In the novel it is used as a form of address, like "comrade."

Izba: small cottage or peasant hut, something like a log cabin.

Kvas: fermented drink, slightly sweet.

Lapty: shoe or slipper made of bast, usually worn by peasants.

Murza: Tatar feudal lord.

Terem: mansion or large house, often several stories high.

Benedikt pulled on his felt boots, stomped his feet to get the fit right, checked the damper on the stove, brushed the bread crumbs onto the floor-for the mice-wedged a rag in the window to keep out the cold, stepped out the door, and breathed the pure, frosty air in through his nostrils. Ah, what a day! The night's storm had passed, the snow gleamed all white and fancy, the sky was turning blue, and the high elfir trees stood still. Black rabbits flitted from treetop to treetop. Benedikt stood squinting, his reddish beard tilted upward, watching the rabbits. If only he could down a couple-for a new cap. But he didn't have a stone.

It would be nice to have the meat, too. Mice, mice, and more mice-he was fed up with them.

Give black rabbit meat a good soaking, bring it to boil seven times, set it in the sun for a week or two, then steam it in the oven-and it won't kill you.

That is, if you catch a female. Because the male, boiled or not, it doesn't matter. People didn't used to know this, they were hungry and ate the males too. But now they know: if you eat the males you'll be stuck with a wheezing and a gurgling in your chest the rest of your life. Your legs will wither. Thick black hairs will grow like crazy out of your ears and you'll stink to high heaven.