Anton Chekhov

“ The turner lashed his nag, and without looking at the old woman went on muttering to himself:
"'Your honor! It's true as before God ... Here's the Cross for you, I set off almost before it was light. How could I be here in time if the Lord ... The Mother of God ... is wroth, and has sent such a snowstorm? Kindly look for yourself ... Even a first-rate horse could not do it, while mine -- you can see for yourself -- is not a horse but a disgrace.' And Pavel Ivanitch will frown and shout: 'We know you! You always find some excuse! Especially you, Grishka; I know you of old! ”

“ She ought to have lived another ten years, the silly thing; as it is I'll be bound she thinks I really was that sort of man ... Holy Mother! but where the devil am I driving? There's no need for a doctor now, but a burial. Turn back!"
Grigory turned back and lashed the horse with all his might. The road grew worse and worse every hour. Now he could not see the yoke at all. Now and then the sledge ran into a young fir tree, a dark object scratched the turner's hands and flashed before his eyes, and the field of vision was white and whirling again.
"To live over again," thought the turner. ”

“ The turner, stupefied with amazement, borrowed a horse from a neighbor, and now was taking his old woman to the hospital in the hope that, by means of powders and ointments, Pavel Ivanitch would bring back his old woman's habitual expression.
"I say, Matryona, ..." the turner muttered, "if Pavel Ivanitch asks you whether I beat you, say, 'Never!' and I never will beat you again. I swear it. And did I ever beat you out of spite? I just beat you without thinking. I am sorry for you. Some men wouldn't trouble, but here I am taking you ... I am doing my best. ”