Chapter 32
The Stolen Purse and Honor's Price
The Pávlograd Hussars were stationed two miles from Braunau. The squadron in which Nicholas Rostóv served as a cadet was quartered in the German village of Salzeneck. The best quarters in the village were assigned to cavalry-captain Denísov, the squadron commander, known throughout the whole cavalry division as Váska Denísov. Cadet Rostóv, ever since he had overtaken the regiment in Poland, had lived with the squadron commander. On October 11, the day when all was astir at headquarters over the news of Mack’s defeat, the camp life of the officers of this squadron was proceeding as usual. Denísov, who had…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Red Flag Radar
Think of three people in your life who make you feel uneasy but you can't pinpoint why. Write down the specific behaviors or patterns that trigger your discomfort. Don't judge these feelings - just document them. Then consider: which of these red flags have proven accurate in the past, and which turned out to be unfounded?
Consider:
- •Your gut reactions often notice patterns your conscious mind hasn't processed yet
- •Some people trigger discomfort because they remind us of past negative experiences
- •The goal isn't to become suspicious of everyone, but to trust your instincts while gathering evidence
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you ignored red flags about someone and later regretted it. What specific warning signs did you dismiss, and what would you do differently now?
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