32 ADVENTURES IN IDEALISM 



linen, low-necked, wide-sleeved, richly embroidered in 

 blue and red cross-stitch work. Each had a wide, 

 bright sash about her waist, and on her bosom beads 

 of every color, every description, row on row. To 

 complete the richness and gaiety of that national cos- 

 tume there were ribbons some of them fastening 

 the long braids of hair that hung down the back, 

 and some going to tie up the beads. Never was there 

 a more brilliant and tantalizing display of color. The 

 men in their Sunday attire were a fine sight too 

 short breeches of cloth or velvet tucked into the high 

 boots; over the breeches a gay red shirt, buttoned on 

 one side (called, for that reason, koso-vorotko) ; a 

 bright girdle giving additional dash of color ; and, to 

 complete the costume, a high cap which only the Don 

 Cossacks wear in Russia, and which only they know 

 how to wear! 



The ensemble was so enchanting that, inspired by 

 it, my husband asked a girl and boy of about seven- 

 teen, who were known as good dancers, to dance for 

 us. Everybody was glad to do what would please 

 Gregory Konstantinovich. So, some of the shepherds 

 passing by with their instruments were called, and then 

 we saw the real Russian dance. The girl and boy were 

 beautiful types of the Don Cossack pure, unmixed 

 blood was theirs. Tall, graceful, with the athletic 

 vigor that only ever-outdoor life can give, their faces 

 strong and handsome with the traits that centuries of 

 warrior forefathers had impressed upon them, in 



