He began questioning me on the fate of Iván Kouzmitch, whom he called his gossip, and he often interrupted me by many questions and sententious remarks, which if they did not show a man versed in the conduct of war, yet showed that he was possessed of natural wit, and of intelligence.
Ivan Kuzmitxen zoriaren galdezka hasi zitzaidan, aitakidea deitzen zion eta sarritan eteten zuen nire kontaketaren haria galdera osagarriak eta moraltasunezko oharpenak eginez, eta horrek gerraren antzean batere aditua ez zela erakusten bazuen ere, agerian ipintzen zituen, behinik behin, haren zorroztasuna eta berezko buru-argitasuna.