In his role as the general's son, Nikolai Petrovich-not only was he undistinguished by bravery, but he'd even earned a reputation as something of a coward-was required, just like his brother, Pavel, to enter military service;
Nikolai Petrovitxek, jeneral baten semea izanik, ausardiarengatik ez nabarmentzeaz gain oilo busti gaitziziena merezi bazuen ere, soldadutza egin behar zukeen, anaia Pavelek bezala, baina hanka hautsi zuen armadarako deia iritsi zitzaion egun berean, eta, bi hilabetez ohean egon ondoren, "herrentxo" geratu zen bizitza osorako.