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 (lively). The colonel (a high army officer at the dinner) told them that the declaration of war (the official statement that war has begun) had already appeared in Petersburg (the capital) and that a copy, which he had himself seen, had that day been forwarded by courier (sent by a special messenger) to the commander in chief (the general in charge of the whole army).
“And why the deuce (an angry way to ask why) are we going to fight Bonaparte (Napoleon, the French ruler)?” remarked Shinshín (a relative of the family who likes to tease). “He has stopped Austria’s (a country Napoleon had beaten in earlier wars) cackle (noisy talk, like a hen's) and I fear it will be our turn next.”
The colonel was a stout (fat), tall, plethoric (red-faced and heavy) German, evidently (clearly) devoted to the service (loyal to the army) and patriotically Russian (loving Russia as his own country). He resented (he was angered by) Shinshín’s remark.
“It is for the reasson, my goot sir (it is for this reason, sir; my good sir is a polite, stiff way to speak to a man),” said he, speaking with a German accent (the writer spells his words as he says them), “for the reasson zat ze Emperor knows zat (because the Emperor knows that). He declares in ze manifessto (the Emperor's public statement) zat he cannot fiew wiz indifference (he cannot watch without caring) ze danger vreatening (the danger threatening) Russia (their own country) and zat ze safety and dignity of ze Empire (the safety and honour of the Empire) as vell as (as well as) ze sanctity of its alliances (the holy duty to keep its promises to friendly countries)...” he spoke this last word with particular emphasis (saying it especially strongly) as if in it lay (as if in that word was) the gist of the matter (the main point).
Then with the unerring official memory (a perfect memory for government papers) that characterized him (was typical of him) he repeated from the opening words of the manifesto (the Emperor's public statement):
... and the wish, which constitutes (is) the Emperor’s sole and absolute aim (one and only goal)—to establish peace in Europe on firm foundations (so that it lasts)—has now decided him (has now made him decide) to despatch part of the army abroad (to send part of the army to other countries) and to create a new condition (to take a new step) for the attainment of that purpose (reaching that goal).
“Zat, my dear sir, is vy (that, sir, is why; my dear sir is a polite, stiff way to speak to a man)...” he concluded, drinking a tumbler of wine (a full glass of wine) with dignity (in a serious, proud way) and looking to the count (the master of the house) for approval (hoping he would agree).
“Connaissez-vous le Proverbe (French: do you know the saying?):* ‘Jerome (a man's name in an old Russian saying), Jerome, do not roam, but turn spindles at home (do not go travelling; stay at home and spin thread. He means Russia should not fight in other countries' wars)!’?” said Shinshín, puckering his brows (wrinkling his forehead) and smiling. “Cela nous convient à merveille (French: that fits us exactly).*(2) Suvórov (a great Russian general of the past) now (take him, for example)—he knew what he was about (he knew exactly what he was doing); yet they beat him à plate couture (French: completely),*(3) and where are we to find (where can we find) Suvórovs (generals as great as Suvórov) now? Je vous demande un peu (French: tell me, what can anyone do?),” *(4) said he, continually changing from French to Russian (he keeps switching between French and Russian).
*Do you know the proverb (old saying)?
*(2) That suits us down to the ground (perfectly).
*(3) Hollow (completely: they were beaten completely).
*(4) I just ask you that (tell me, what can anyone do?).
“Ve must vight (we must fight) to the last tr-r-op of our plood (until every one of us is dead)!” said the colonel, thumping (banging) the table; “and ve must tie for our Emperor (we must die for our Emperor), and zen all vill pe vell (then all will be well). And ve must discuss it as little as po-o-ossible (as possible, said slowly)”... he dwelt particularly on (he stretched out and stressed) the word possible... “as po-o-ossible,” he ended, again turning to the count (the master of the house). “Zat is how ve old hussars (that is how we old horse soldiers) look at it, and zere’s an end of it (there is nothing more to say)! And how do you, a young man and a young hussar (a young horse soldier), how do you judge of it (what do you think about it)?” he added, addressing Nicholas (the family's older son, soon a soldier), who when he heard that the war was being discussed had turned from his partner (the girl sitting beside him at dinner) with eyes and ears intent on (watching and listening closely to) the colonel.
“I am quite of your opinion (I agree with you completely),” replied Nicholas (the family's older son, soon a soldier), flaming up (going red with feeling), turning his plate round and moving his wineglasses (glasses for wine) about with as much decision and desperation (as firmly and wildly) as though he were at that moment facing some great danger. “I am convinced (sure) that we Russians (people of Russia) must die or conquer (must die or win),” he concluded, conscious (aware)—as were others (the others knew it too)—after the words were uttered (said) that his remarks were too enthusiastic and emphatic for the occasion (too excited and strong for a dinner) and were therefore awkward.
“What you said just now was splendid (wonderful)!” said his partner Julie (a guest sitting beside Nicholas).
Sónya (a poor cousin who loves Nicholas) trembled all over and blushed (went red) to her ears and behind them and down to her neck and shoulders (she turned pink all over) while Nicholas (the family's older son, soon a soldier) was speaking.
Pierre (Count Bezúkhov's son) listened to the colonel’s speech and nodded approvingly (to show he agreed).
“That’s fine (well said),” said he.
“The young man’s a real hussar (a true horse soldier)!” shouted the colonel, again thumping (banging) the table.
“What are you making such a noise about over there?” Márya Dmítrievna’s (a woman all Moscow fears) deep voice suddenly inquired (asked) from the other end of the table. “What are you thumping (banging) the table for?” she demanded of (asked sharply) the hussar (the horse-soldier colonel), “and why are you exciting yourself (growing so angry and loud)? Do you think the French are here?”
“I am speaking ze truce (I am speaking the truth, said with his German accent),” replied the hussar (the colonel) with a smile.
“It’s all about the war,” the count (the master of the house) shouted down the table (shouted along the table to the far end). “You know my son’s going, Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears)? My son is going.”
“I have four sons in the army but still I don’t fret (I do not worry). It is all in God’s hands (God decides what happens). You may die in your bed or God may spare you (God may keep you alive) in a battle,” replied Márya Dmítrievna’s (a woman all Moscow fears) deep voice, which easily carried the whole length of the table (could be heard all along the table).
“That’s true!”
Once more the conversations concentrated (gathered again into two groups), the ladies’ at the one end and the men’s at the other.
“You won’t ask (her brother bets she is too afraid to do it),” Natásha’s (the family's youngest daughter) little brother was saying; “I know you won’t ask!”
“I will,” replied Natásha (the family's youngest daughter).
Her face suddenly flushed (went red) with reckless and joyous resolution (wild, happy decision). She half rose (she partly stood up), by a glance inviting (with a look asking) Pierre, who sat opposite, to listen to what was coming, and turning to her mother:
“Mamma (Mother)!” rang out (sounded clearly) the clear contralto notes (low sounds) of her childish (young) voice, audible (able to be heard) the whole length of the table.
“What is it?” asked the countess (the mother of the family), startled (surprised); but seeing by her daughter’s face that it was only mischief (a naughty joke), she shook a finger at her sternly (strictly) with a threatening and forbidding movement (a shake of the head to warn her) of her head.
The conversation was hushed (went quiet).
“Mamma (Mother)! What sweets are we going to have?” and Natásha’s (the family's youngest daughter) voice sounded still more (even more) firm and resolute (determined).
The countess (the mother of the family) tried to frown (look angry), but could not. Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears) shook her fat finger (moved it from side to side to warn her).
“Cossack (her nickname for bold Natásha, after the wild, fearless horsemen of the south)!” she said threateningly (as a warning).
Most of the guests, uncertain how to regard this sally (not sure what to think of this bold joke), looked at the elders (the older people).
“You had better take care (be careful)!” said the countess (the mother of the family).
“Mamma (Mother)! What sweets are we going to have?” Natásha (the family's youngest daughter) again cried (shouted) boldly, with saucy gaiety (happy and a little rude), confident that her prank (joke) would be taken in good part (would not make anyone angry).
Sónya (the poor cousin) and fat little Pétya (the family's youngest son) doubled up with laughter (bent over laughing).
“You see! I have asked,” whispered Natásha (the family's youngest daughter) to her little brother and to Pierre, glancing at him again.
“Ice pudding (a frozen sweet dessert), but you won’t get any,” said Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears).
Natásha (the family's youngest daughter) saw there was nothing to be afraid of and so she braved (she dared to face) even Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears).
“Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears)! What kind of ice pudding (frozen sweet dessert)? I don’t like ice cream.”
“Carrot ices (ice cream made of carrots, a silly made-up answer to tease the girl).”
“No! What kind, Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears)? What kind?” she almost screamed; “I want to know!”
Márya Dmítrievna (a woman all Moscow fears) and the countess (the mother of the family) burst out laughing (suddenly laughed loudly), and all the guests joined in. Everyone laughed, not at Márya Dmítrievna’s (a woman all Moscow fears) answer but at the incredible boldness and smartness (how amazingly brave and quick she was) of this little girl who had dared to treat Márya Dmítrievna in this fashion (in this way).
Natásha (the family's youngest daughter) only desisted (only stopped) when she had been told that there would be pineapple ice (ice cream made with pineapple). Before the ices, champagne was served round (handed to every guest). The band again struck up (began to play), the count (the master of the house) and countess kissed, and the guests, leaving their seats, went up to “congratulate” the countess (the mother of the family), and reached across the table to clink glasses (touch glasses together in a toast) with the count, with the children, and with one another. Again the footmen (male servants) rushed about (hurried here and there), chairs scraped (chairs made a rough noise), and in the same order in which they had entered but with redder faces (with faces pinker from the wine), the guests returned to the drawing room (the large room for guests) and to the count’s study (private work room).