Andrey Platonov
In beauty and furious world
(Machinist Maltsev)
At the Tolubeevsky depot, Alexander Vasilyevich Maltsev was considered the best locomotive driver.
He was about thirty years old, but he already had the qualifications of a first-class driver and had been driving fast trains for a long time. When the first powerful passenger locomotive of the IS series arrived at our depot, Maltsev was assigned to work on this machine, which was quite reasonable and correct. Worked as an assistant to Maltsev old man from the depot mechanics named Fyodor Petrovich Drabanov, but he soon passed the driver exam and went to work on another machine, and I, instead of Drabanov, was assigned to work in Maltsev’s brigade as an assistant; Before that, I also worked as a mechanic’s assistant, but only on an old, low-power machine.
I was pleased with my assignment. The IS machine, the only one on our traction site at that time, made me feel inspired by its very appearance; I could look at her for a long time, and a special, touched joy awakened in me - as beautiful as in childhood when reading Pushkin’s poems for the first time. In addition, I wanted to work in the crew of a first-class mechanic in order to learn from him the art of driving heavy high-speed trains.
Alexander Vasilyevich accepted my appointment to his brigade calmly and indifferently; he apparently did not care who his assistants would be.
Before the trip, as usual, I checked all the components of the car, tested all its servicing and auxiliary mechanisms and calmed down, considering the car ready for the trip. Alexander Vasilyevich saw my work, he followed it, but after me, he again checked the condition of the car with his own hands, as if he did not trust me.
This was repeated later, and I was already accustomed to the fact that Alexander Vasilyevich constantly interfered with my duties, although he was silently upset. But usually, as soon as we were on the move, I forgot about my disappointment. Distracting my attention from the instruments monitoring the condition of the running locomotive, from monitoring the operation of the left car and the path ahead, I glanced at Maltsev. He led the cast with the courageous confidence of a great master, with the concentration of an inspired artist who had absorbed all outside world into one’s inner experience and therefore has power over it. Alexander Vasilyevich’s eyes looked ahead abstractly, as if empty, but I knew that he saw with them the whole road ahead and all of nature rushing towards us - even a sparrow, swept from the ballast slope by the wind of a car piercing into space, even this sparrow attracted Maltsev’s gaze, and he turned his head for a moment after the sparrow: what would become of it after us, where it flew.
It was our fault that we were never late; on the contrary, we were often delayed at intermediate stations, which we had to proceed on the move, because we were running with time catching up and, through delays, we were put back on schedule.
We usually worked in silence; Only occasionally did Alexander Vasilyevich, without turning in my direction, tap the key on the boiler, wanting me to draw my attention to some disorder in the operating mode of the machine, or preparing me for a sharp change in this mode, so that I would be vigilant. I always understood the silent instructions of my senior comrade and worked with full diligence, but the mechanic still treated me, as well as the lubricator-stoker, aloof and constantly checked the grease nipples in the parking lots, the tightness of the bolts in the drawbar units, tested the axle boxes on the drive axes and so on. If I had just inspected and lubricated any working rubbing part, then Maltsev, after me, inspected and lubricated it again, as if not considering my work valid.
“I, Alexander Vasilyevich, have already checked this crosshead,” I told him one day when he began checking this part after me.
“But I want it myself,” Maltsev answered smiling, and in his smile there was sadness that struck me.
Later I understood the meaning of his sadness and the reason for his constant indifference towards us. He felt superior to us because he understood the car more accurately than we did, and he did not believe that I or anyone else could learn the secret of his talent, the secret of seeing both a passing sparrow and a signal ahead, at the same moment sensing the path, the weight of the composition and the force of the machine. Maltsev understood, of course, that in diligence, in diligence, we could even overcome him, but he could not imagine that we loved the locomotive more than him and drove trains better than him - he thought it was impossible to do better. And that’s why Maltsev was sad with us; he missed his talent as if he were lonely, not knowing how to express it to us so that we would understand.
And we, however, could not understand his skills. I once asked to be allowed to conduct the composition myself; Alexander Vasilyevich allowed me to drive about forty kilometers and sat in the assistant’s place. I drove the train, and after twenty kilometers I was already four minutes late, and I covered the exits from long climbs at a speed of no more than thirty kilometers per hour. Maltsev drove the car after me; he took the climbs at a speed of fifty kilometers, and on the curves his car did not throw up like mine, and he soon made up for the time I had lost.
I worked as Maltsev’s assistant for about a year, from August to July, and on July 5, Maltsev made his last trip as a courier train driver...
We took a train of eighty passenger axles, which was four hours late on its way to us. The dispatcher went to the locomotive and specifically asked Alexander Vasilyevich to reduce the train's delay as much as possible, to reduce this delay to at least three hours, otherwise it would be difficult for him to issue an empty train onto the neighboring road. Maltsev promised to catch up with time, and we moved forward.
It was eight o'clock in the afternoon, but the summer day still lasted, and the sun shone with the solemn strength of the morning. Alexander Vasilyevich demanded that I keep the steam pressure in the boiler only half an atmosphere below the limit all the time.
Half an hour later we emerged into the steppe, onto a calm, soft profile. Maltsev brought the speed up to ninety kilometers and did not go lower; on the contrary, on horizontals and small slopes he brought the speed up to one hundred kilometers. On climbs, I forced the firebox to its maximum capacity and forced the fireman to manually load the scoop, to help the stoker machine, because my steam was running low.
End of introductory fragment.
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The hero of Andrei Platonov’s story is the young and talented driver of a passenger locomotive, Maltsev. This young and ambitious young man, who is about thirty years old, already holds the position of driver upper class, on a brand new and powerful steam locomotive "IS", devoting all his time and energy to his favorite work, he can no longer imagine his life without his favorite work.
The narrator of the work is Maltsev’s young ward, a new machinist who is just starting his work, but he is upset by his partner that he shows obvious distrust in relation to his work done. Also, the young partner was upset by the fact that work with Maltsev usually took place in exceptional silence without stories and the usual human communication characteristic of two people working together.
However, all grievances and omissions were forgotten overnight at the moment when the passenger locomotive set off, Maltsev’s partner was amazed that he managed to understand this iron mechanism so subtly and sensitively, and also not miss the beauty of the passing mime of the world.
The young assistant worked for the outstanding driver for about one year and was amazed at his true talent to perform sometimes unimaginable things on the locomotive, but all this idyll was suddenly crossed out by a tragic event, which completely crossed out the usual way of life for Maltsev.
The story of Andrei Platonov is true proof that even talented and successful people in their business sometimes vitally need support and understanding from the outside, and personal prejudices and hidden pride become absolutely unimportant.
Read the summary In the furious and beautiful world of Platonov
The usual way of life for Maltsev is destroyed by a tragic event that occurred in one of the summer months. Then in July, Maltsev’s assistant set off on his last voyage with his senior mentor and they had to take with them a train that was four hours late. The station dispatcher asked the senior driver to make up for the time lost in the delay for at least one hour.
Trying to follow the dispatcher's instructions, the senior driver pushes out the full power of his train. But suddenly, as an obstacle on their way, a summer thundercloud appears, which blinds Maltsev with its discharges. But despite his blurred vision, the experienced driver does not slow down and with all his confidence continues to control the passenger locomotive. His younger partner notices his very awkward and sometimes poor management.
On the way of the passenger train, an oncoming steam locomotive appears and comes to meet them. Then Maltsev has to admit to the loss of his vision and give control to his partner Konstantin. Thanks to the actions of the young driver, it is possible to prevent an emergency. And by the morning after his arrival, Maltsev’s vision returned.
However, based on the fact that the experienced driver did not transfer control to his assistant in the event of a dangerous situation, he was awaiting trial.
Trying to help his friend and mentor, Konstantin is looking for a way out of the current situation. Then he turns to his friend from the institute for help. And he learns that with the help of a Tesla machine, which produces an artificial lightning discharge, it is possible to prove the innocence of his partner.
Konstantin turns to the investigative committee with a request to check Maltsev in this car. And during the experiment, the innocence of the senior driver was completely proven, but unfortunately, Maltsev lost his sight completely.
The senior driver completely loses hope that he will ever have the opportunity to once again drive his favorite passenger locomotive and catch his gaze at the passing beauty of his native land.
Dejected by his current situation, the saddened senior driver with a cane constantly comes to the station, sits on a bench and simply listens to the trains passing by him.
Having once noticed a destitute partner with a cane, Konstantin decides to take Maltsev with him on a flight. Maltsev happily agrees to this proposal and promises that he will not interfere, but will simply sit quietly next to him.
Incredibly, Maltsev's lost vision is restored during the trip and Konstantin decides that his mentor should complete the journey on his own.
After the work has been done, both partners go home to Maltsev together and talk with each other on various topics all night. Konstantin is afraid to leave Maltsev, feeling responsible for him in front of a cruel and furious world.
The work “In a Beautiful and Furious World” reflects and proves the existence human compassion, support, friendship, love and devotion to loved ones, all this is the facets of soul and cordiality in the human world.
Picture or drawing In a beautiful and furious world
Miriam was born in Afghanistan in the mid-70s of the last century. She was born out of wedlock. Her father was Jalil, a respectable merchant who had a decent income from his trade
The story “In a Beautiful and Furious World” by Platonov was written in 1938, and originally had a different title - “Machinist Maltsev”. The work reflects personal experience writer, who in his youth worked as an assistant driver.
To better prepare for a literature lesson, we recommend reading online a summary of “In a Beautiful and Furious World.” A brief retelling of the story will also be useful for the reader's diary.
Main characters
Alexander Vasilievich Maltsev– an experienced driver who loves his job with all his heart.
Konstantin– Maltsev’s assistant, a responsible, decent young man.
Other characters
Investigator- a fair representative of the law.
Chapter I
Alexander Vasilyevich Maltsev is rightfully considered “the best locomotive driver at the Tolubeevsky depot.” Despite his young age - only thirty years old - he already has a “qualification as a first-class driver” and decent experience in driving fast trains. When a new passenger locomotive appears at the station, it is Maltsev who is assigned to work on this powerful machine.
Maltsev’s previous assistant successfully passes the driver’s exam, and Konstantin is appointed to the empty position, which he is incredibly happy about. Alexander Vasilyevich “doesn’t care who his assistants are.” Before the trip, he carefully monitors Kostya’s work, but afterwards he checks the condition of the locomotive “with his own hands.”
Kostya sincerely admires the professionalism of his mentor, who leads “the train with the courageous confidence of a great master,” and dreams of being like him.
Chapter II
Konstantin has been working as Maltsev’s assistant for about a year. On July 5, they take the train four hours late, and the dispatcher asks to “reduce the train’s delay as much as possible.” Alexander Vasilyevich agrees, and the heroes hit the road.
Wanting to save precious minutes, Maltsev drives the train forward with all his might, “towards a powerful cloud appearing over the horizon.” The driver involuntarily admires the beauty of the raging natural elements, and involuntarily compares it with the work of the machine entrusted to him.
The train gets caught in a dust storm, and it becomes difficult not only to see, but even to breathe. However, the train continues to make its way forward, “into the vague, stuffy darkness.” Suddenly, an “instant blue light” flashes - it was lightning that almost hit the locomotive, “but missed it a little.”
Kostya notices that Maltsev “has become worse at driving.” He thinks it’s because he’s tired and begins to look carefully at the path and signals. Konstantin manages to notice in time a “foggy cloud of red light” - an oncoming train. On full speed ahead he stops the train, thereby avoiding a terrible accident. Maltsev transfers control of the locomotive to his assistant, and admits that he is blind. His vision returns the next day.
Chapter III
Maltsev is put on trial, but it is almost impossible to prove the innocence of the experienced driver. The investigation finds it very suspicious that Alexander Vasilyevich regained his sight the very next day.
He tries to explain that he “saw the world in his imagination for a long time and believed in its reality,” and therefore did not immediately realize that he was blind, but no one believes him. As a result, Maltsev is sent to prison, and Konstantin continues to work.
Chapter IV
In winter, Kostya visits his brother, a student, and learns that the university has “a Tesla installation in the physics laboratory for producing artificial lightning.” A plan emerges in his head.
Upon returning home, Kostya once again carefully considers his assumption, and then writes to the investigator who was in charge of Maltsev’s case. In the letter, he insistently asks to “test prisoner Maltsev for his exposure to electrical discharges,” and thus prove the special sensitivity of his body to the external influence of electricity.
For a long time there was no answer, but then the investigator announced the consent of the regional prosecutor to such an unusual experiment. A few days later, an investigator calls Kostya and reports the results of the experiment. Maltsev, having passed in complete darkness under the Tesla installation, again “does not see the light - this was established objectively, by forensic medical examination.” But only this time the driver’s vision is not restored.
The investigator reproaches himself for what he has done - he is sure that he has irrevocably ruined an innocent person.
Chapter V
The following summer, Konstantin successfully passes the “driver exam” and begins to drive independently. Every time he brings the locomotive under the train, he notices the blind Maltsev sitting on a bench.
Kostya is trying to somehow cheer up the former driver, but to no avail. Then he decides to take it with him on the flight. Once again finding himself in the cabin of a steam locomotive, and leading the train under the guidance of his former student, Alexander Vasilyevich experiences real bliss.
On the way back, Maltsev’s vision suddenly returns. Kostya accompanies him home and sits next to Alexander Vasilyevich all night, afraid to leave him alone with the hostile forces of the “beautiful and furious world.”
Conclusion
In his work, Platonov reveals many topics, among which the most pressing are the problems of loneliness, sympathy, guilt and responsibility.
After familiarizing yourself with a brief retelling“In a Beautiful and Furious World” we recommend reading the story in full.
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At the Tolubeevsky depot, Alexander was considered the best locomotive driver
Vasilievich Maltsev.
He was about thirty years old, but he already had the qualifications of a first driver
class and drove fast trains for a long time. When the first powerful one arrived at our depot
passenger locomotive of the "IS" series, then they were assigned to work on this machine
Maltsev, which was quite reasonable and correct. Assistant to Maltsev
an elderly man from the depot mechanics named Fedor Petrovich worked
Drabanov, but he soon passed the machinist exam and went to work for
another car, and I, instead of Drabanov, was assigned to work in the brigade
Maltsev as an assistant; before that I also worked as an assistant mechanic, but only
on an old, low-power car.
I was pleased with my assignment. The IS car, the only one in production at that time
our traction area, just by its appearance made me feel
inspiration; I could look at her for a long time, and was especially moved by joy
awakened in me - as beautiful as when I first read it in childhood
poems by Pushkin. In addition, I wanted to work in a first-class team
mechanic to learn from him the art of driving heavy speed
Alexander Vasilievich accepted my appointment to his brigade calmly and
indifferent; he apparently didn’t care who his members were
assistants
Before the trip, as usual, I checked all the components of the car, tested everything
its servicing and auxiliary mechanisms and calmed down, considering the machine
ready to go. Alexander Vasilyevich saw my work, he followed
her, but after I checked the condition of the car again with my own hands,
He definitely didn't trust me.
This was repeated later, and I was already accustomed to the fact that Alexander
Vasilievich constantly interfered with my duties, although he was upset
silently. But usually, as soon as we were on the move, I forgot about my
chagrin. Taking your attention away from the devices monitoring your condition
running steam locomotive, from observing the work of the left car and the path ahead, I
looked at Maltsev. He led the lineup with the courageous confidence of a great
master, with the concentration of an inspired artist who has absorbed all
the outer world into one's inner experience and therefore having dominion over it.
Alexander Vasilyevich’s eyes looked ahead abstractly, as if empty, but I
knew that he saw with them the whole road ahead and all of nature rushing towards us
towards - even a sparrow, swept from the ballast slope by the wind
piercing the space of the car, even this sparrow attracted the eye
Maltsev, and he turned his head for a moment after the sparrow: what’s wrong?
It will become after us where he flew.
It was our fault that we were never late; on the contrary, we are often
were delayed at intermediate stations that we must proceed from
progress, because we walked with the catch up of time and us through delays
entered back into the schedule.
We usually worked in silence; only occasionally Alexander Vasilievich, not
turning in my direction, he knocked on the boiler with the key, wanting me to turn
your attention to any disorder in the operating mode of the machine, or
preparing me for a sudden change in this regime so that I am vigilant.
I always understood the silent instructions of my senior comrade and worked with
full diligence, but the mechanic still treated me, as well as
to the oiler-stoker, aloof and constantly checking in the parking lots
grease nipples, tightening the bolts in the drawbar units, tested the axle boxes on
driving axles, etc. If I have just inspected and lubricated any
working rubbing part, then Maltsev, following me, examined it again and
lubricated, as if not considering my work valid.
“I, Alexander Vasilyevich, have already checked this crosshead,” I said
him once when he started checking this detail after me.
“And I want it myself,” Maltsev answered smiling, and in his smile there was
sadness that struck me.
Later I understood the meaning of his sadness and the reason for his constant
indifference to us. He felt superior to us because
understood the machine more accurately than we did, and he did not believe that I or anyone else could
learn the secret of his talent, the secret of seeing at the same time and incidental
sparrow, and a signal ahead, feeling at the same moment the path, the weight of the train and
machine force. Maltsev understood, of course, that in diligence, in diligence
we can even overcome him, but I couldn’t imagine that we are more than him
they loved the steam locomotive and drove trains better than him - he thought it couldn’t have been better.
And that’s why Maltsev was sad with us; he was bored by his talent, how
from loneliness, not knowing how to express it so that we understand.
And we, however, could not understand his skills. I asked once
allow me to lead the composition myself; Alexander Vasilievich allowed
I drove about forty kilometers and sat down in the assistant’s place. I led the train, and
twenty kilometers later I was already four minutes late, and exits from
covered long climbs at a speed of no more than thirty kilometers per
hour. Maltsev drove the car after me; he climbed the climbs at speed
fifty kilometers, and on curves his car didn’t get thrown around like
me, and he soon made up for the time I had lost.
I worked as Maltsev’s assistant for about a year, from August to July, and 5
July Maltsev made his last trip as a driver
courier train...
We took a train of eighty passenger axles, which was late for us at
four hours' journey. The dispatcher came out to the locomotive and specifically asked
Alexander Vasilievich to reduce, as far as possible, train delays, reduce
this is at least three o'clock late, otherwise it will be difficult for him to give out an empty
to the next road. Maltsev promised him to catch up with time, and we set off.
It was eight o'clock in the afternoon, but the summer day still lasted, and the sun
shone with solemn morning power. Alexander Vasilievich demanded from
keep me at all times the steam pressure in the boiler is only half an atmosphere lower
ultimate.
Half an hour later we emerged into the steppe, onto a calm, soft profile. Maltsev
brought the speed up to ninety kilometers and did not go lower, on the contrary -
on horizontals and small slopes the speed was increased to one hundred kilometers. On
climbs, I forced the firebox to its maximum capacity and forced the fireman
manually load the scoop, to help the stoker machine, because I have steam
Maltsev drove the car forward, moving the regulator to the entire arc and giving
reverse to full cut-off. We were now walking towards a powerful cloud that had appeared
from beyond the horizon. From our side the cloud was illuminated by the sun, and from the inside it was torn
fierce, irritated lightning, and we saw lightning swords vertically
pierced the silent distant land, and we rushed madly towards that distant
earth, as if rushing to its defense. Alexander Vasilyevich was apparently carried away
this is a sight: he leaned far out the window, looking forward, and his eyes,
accustomed to smoke, fire and space, they now shone with inspiration.
He understood that the work and power of our machine could be compared with
the work of a thunderstorm, and, perhaps, was proud of this thought.
Soon we noticed a dust whirlwind rushing across the steppe towards us.
This means that the storm was bearing a thundercloud on our foreheads. The light darkened around us;
dry earth and steppe sand whistled and scraped against the iron body
steam locomotive; there was no visibility, and I started the turbo dynamo for illumination and
turned on the headlight in front of the locomotive. It was now difficult for us to breathe
from the hot dusty whirlwind that clogged into the cabin and doubled in its
force from the oncoming movement of the car, from flue gases and early dusk,
surrounding us. The locomotive howled its way forward into the vague, stuffy darkness.
Into the slit of light created by the headlight. Speed dropped to
sixty kilometers; we worked and looked forward as if in a dream.
Suddenly a large drop hit the windshield and immediately dried up,
tormented by the hot wind. Then an instant blue light flashed at my eyelashes
and penetrated into my very shuddering heart; I grabbed the faucet
injector, but the pain in my heart had already left me, and I immediately looked into
towards Maltsev - he looked ahead and drove the car without changing his face.
What was that? - I asked the fireman.
Lightning, he said. - I wanted to hit us, but just a little
missed.
Maltsev heard our words.
What lightning? - he asked loudly.
“Now it was,” said the fireman.
“I didn’t see,” Maltsev said and turned his face outward again.
I didn't see it! - the fireman was surprised. - I thought the boiler exploded, what?
the light came on, but he didn’t see.
I also doubted that it was lightning.
Where's the thunder? - I asked.
We passed the thunder,” explained the fireman. - Thunder always strikes afterwards.
While he hit, while the air was shaken, while back and forth, we were already away from him
flew by. Passengers may have heard - they are behind.
the dark steppe, over which the quiet, overworked people rested motionless
It got completely dark, and it came good night. We smelled the damp
earth, the fragrance of herbs and grains, saturated with rain and thunderstorms, and rushed
forward, catching up with time.
I noticed that Maltsev began to drive worse - on curves we
was thrown, the speed reached more than a hundred kilometers, then decreased
up to forty. I decided that Alexander Vasilyevich was probably very tired, and
so I didn’t say anything to him, although it was very difficult for me to keep
the best mode for the operation of the furnace and boiler with this behavior of the mechanic. However
in half an hour we must stop to get water, and there, at the stop,
Alexander Vasilyevich will eat and rest a little. We've already caught up forty minutes,
and until the end of our traction section we will catch up in at least another hour.
Current page: 1 (book has 1 pages in total)
Platonov Andrey
In a beautiful and furious world
A. Platonov
IN A BEAUTIFUL AND FURIOUS WORLD
At the Tolubeevsky depot, Alexander Vasilyevich Maltsev was considered the best locomotive driver.
He was about thirty years old, but he already had the qualifications of a first-class driver and had been driving fast trains for a long time. When the first powerful passenger locomotive of the IS series arrived at our depot, Maltsev was assigned to work on this machine, which was quite reasonable and correct. An elderly man from the depot mechanics named Fyodor Petrovich Drabanov worked as an assistant for Maltsev, but he soon passed the driver’s exam and went to work on another machine, and instead of Drabanov, I was assigned to work in Maltsev’s brigade as an assistant; Before that, I also worked as a mechanic’s assistant, but only on an old, low-power machine.
I was pleased with my assignment. The “IS” car, the only one on our traction site at that time, evoked a feeling of inspiration in me by its very appearance: I could look at it for a long time, and a special, touched joy awakened in me, as beautiful as in childhood when reading Pushkin’s poems for the first time. In addition, I wanted to work in the crew of a first-class mechanic in order to learn from him the art of driving heavy high-speed trains.
Alexander Vasilyevich accepted my appointment to his brigade calmly and indifferently: he apparently did not care who would be his assistants.
Before the trip, as usual, I checked all the components of the car, tested all its servicing and auxiliary mechanisms and calmed down, considering the car ready for the trip. Alexander Vasilyevich saw my work, he followed it, but after me, he again checked the condition of the car with his own hands, as if he did not trust me.
This was repeated later, and I was already accustomed to the fact that Alexander Vasilyevich constantly interfered with my duties, although he was silently upset. But usually, as soon as we were on the move, I forgot about my disappointment. Distracting my attention from the instruments monitoring the condition of the running locomotive, from monitoring the operation of the left car and the path ahead, I glanced at Maltsev. He led the cast with the courageous confidence of a great master, with the concentration of an inspired artist who has absorbed the entire outer world into his inner experience and therefore dominates it. Alexander Vasilyevich’s eyes looked ahead, as if empty, abstractly, but I knew that he saw with them the whole road ahead and all of nature rushing towards us - even a sparrow, swept from the ballast slope by the wind of a car piercing into space, even this sparrow attracted Maltsev’s gaze , and he turned his head for a moment after the sparrow: what will happen to him after us, where did he fly?
It was our fault that we were never late; on the contrary, we were often delayed at intermediate stations, which we had to proceed on the move, because we were running with time, and through delays we were put back on schedule.
We usually worked in silence; Only occasionally did Alexander Vasilyevich, without turning in my direction, tap the key on the boiler, wanting me to draw my attention to some disorder in the operating mode of the machine, or preparing me for a sharp change in this mode, so that I would be vigilant. I always understood the silent instructions of my senior comrade and worked with full diligence, but the mechanic still treated me, as well as the lubricator-stoker, aloof and constantly checked the grease nipples in the parking lots, the tightness of the bolts in the drawbar units, tested the axle boxes on the drive axes and so on. If I had just inspected and lubricated any working rubbing part, then Maltsev followed me again inspecting and lubricating it, as if not considering my work valid.
“I, Alexander Vasilyevich, have already checked this crosshead,” I told him one day when he began checking this part after me.
“But I want it myself,” Maltsev answered smiling, and in his smile there was sadness that struck me.
Later I understood the meaning of his sadness and the reason for his constant indifference towards us. He felt superior to us because he understood the car more accurately than we did, and he did not believe that I or anyone else could learn the secret of his talent, the secret of seeing both a passing sparrow and a signal ahead, at the same moment sensing the path, the weight of the composition and the force of the machine. Maltsev understood, of course, that in diligence, in diligence, we could even overcome him, but he could not imagine that we loved the locomotive more than him and drove trains better than him - he thought it was impossible to do better. And that’s why Maltsev was sad with us; he missed his talent as if he were lonely, not knowing how to express it to us so that we would understand.
And we, however, could not understand his skills. I once asked to be allowed to drive the train myself: Alexander Vasilyevich allowed me to drive about forty kilometers and sat in the assistant’s place. I drove the train - and after twenty kilometers I was already four minutes late, and I covered the exits from long climbs at a speed of no more than thirty kilometers per hour. Maltsev drove the car after me; he took the climbs at a speed of fifty kilometers, and on the curves his car did not throw up like mine, and he soon made up for the time I had lost.
I worked as Maltsev’s assistant for about a year, from August to July, and
end of introductory fragment