midday
He could read and write , and very rarely drank , but as a workman this strong and healthy young man was not worth a farthing . A sluggish , overpowering sloth was mingled with the strength in his muscles , which were strong as cords . Like everyone else in his village , he lived in his own hut , and had his share of land , but neither tilled it nor sowed it , and did not work at any sort of trade . His old mother begged alms at people 's windows and he himself lived like a bird of the air ; he did not know in the morning what he would eat at midday . It was not that he was lacking in will , or energy , or feeling for his mother ; it was simply that he felt no inclination for work and did not recognize the advantage of it . His whole figure suggested unruffled serenity , an innate , almost artistic passion for living carelessly , never with his sleeves tucked up . When Savka 's young , healthy body had a physical craving for muscular work , the young man abandoned himself completely for a brief interval to some free but nonsensical pursuit , such as sharpening skates not wanted for any special purpose , or racing about after the peasant women .