Chapter 168 — Anna Karenina

Levin and Stepan Arkadyevitch reach the hut to find Veslovsky enthroned amid muddy boots, praising peasant bread and vodka. After supper the gentlemen lie in the hay barn talking guns until Oblonsky describes capitalist Malthus's preserved moors and luncheon pavilions. Levin erupts: such people earn contempt and buy it off with dishonest gains like spirit monopolists in new railway form.

The argument turns personal between brothers in law. Oblonsky defends merchants; Levin insists profit beyond labor is dishonest yet cannot draw the line. When Levin says he acts justly only by not widening the gap with the peasant who earns fifty roubles to his five thousand, Oblonsky calls it paradox and Veslovsky agrees it sounds like sophistry. Veslovsky notes they ride and shoot while peasants always work, then goes out to village singing; Oblonsky follows, lecturing Levin that a man has to be manly, not tied to apron strings, and that running after servant girls Ça ne tire pas à conséquence if home sanctity holds.

Levin pretends sleep but hears moonlit talk comparing a girl to a freshly peeled nut. He repeats to himself: Can it be that it's only possible to be just negatively? Tomorrow he will shoot at daybreak and keep cool. The chapter ends with his drowsy Gentlemen, tomorrow before daylight and true sleep while pleasure seekers roam outside.