The Toupee Artist by Nikolai Leskov. Short summary

5 seconds

An old woman who babysat the narrator’s brother recalls a story of her life. As a young girl, she fell in love with «dumb artist» Arkady, but the young people could not be together.

1 minute

The tall old woman who babysat the narrator’s younger brother told him the story of Arkady, the «dull artist.» The young man «drew and combed» serf artists.

He was talented, handsome and everyone liked him. The artist was forbidden to cut men’s hair, except for Count Kamensky himself. At that time, the narrator, Lyuba, was 19 years old. She and Arkady fell in love with each other, but could not be together. The girl was one of the actresses whose «covenant of chastity» only Kamensky could break.

Lyuba replaces the lead performer in the play, after which she receives a gift from the Count. Kamensky is visited by his brother who needs to be shaved. His face was all lumpy and difficult to do. The barbers advise him to go to Arkady, but the Count forbids him to cut the other’s hair.

The brother asks to send Arkady to cut the poodle’s hair. Kamensky tells him to hurry, as after the theater he must prepare Lyuba to meet him. This terrifies Arkady and he decides to take the girl away.

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