BOOK ONE
Book One, Part One
Chapter 15
Enter “le terrible dragon”, “respected and feared” by all for her frank and plain speech. She always speaks Russian and loves her godchild Natasha, that “Cossack” and “scamp of a girl”. And she will give Pierre a piece of her mind: “It would be better if you went to the war.”
Chapter 16
“You may die in your bed or God may spare you in a battle.” Ominous words from a mother of four men in the army. She wags her fat finger at her “Cossack”, but everyone laughs to see Natasha take on le terrible dragon.
Chapter 17
Tall and stout, she dances the Daniel Cooper with the count using only her face and a few “slight exertions”. This measured levity in someone so severe makes everyone feel joyous.
