# The Cattle-Dealers explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anton Chekhov. ## What happens Old Malahin and his son Yasha transport cattle by train, facing delays, bribes, and financial losses. Malahin's fussy, sociable nature contrasts with Yasha's passive indifference. The journey highlights the hardships of cattle trading and the strained father-son relationship. ## Themes in this chapter ### Suffering and Compassion The cattle endure four days without food or water, and Malahin expresses pity for them, though he does little to alleviate their suffering. ### Social Class and Inequality Malahin bribes railway workers to expedite the journey, highlighting the corruption and power dynamics of the era. ## Character check-ins ### M. Laptev Old Malahin, a cattle dealer, is the central figure; he is fussy, sociable, and resigned to losses. ### Yegorushka Yasha, the old man's son, is passive and indifferent, following orders without enthusiasm. ## Key lines > The long goods train has been standing for hours in the little station. The engine is as silent as though its fire had gone out; there is not a soul near the train or in the station yard. The freight train has been idle at a small station for hours, with no activity around it. _Sets the scene of stagnation and delay._ > They are the owners of the goods. The old man sits, his legs stretched out before him, musing in silence; the young man half reclines and softly strums on a cheap accordion. The two men own the cargo; the older one sits quietly thinking, while the younger one plays a cheap accordion. _Introduces the father and son and their contrasting moods._ > It meant a loss of fourteen roubles on each bullock. Yes. But only think what it costs to bring the stock! Fifteen roubles carriage, and you must put down six roubles for each bullock, tips, bribes, drinks, and one thing and another. They lost fourteen roubles per bullock due to a price drop, plus high transport costs and bribes. _Highlights the financial strain of cattle trading._ > His face as before shows no sign of emotion and expresses neither boredom nor desire. He is not glad that he is going home, nor sorry that he has not had time to see the sights of the city. Yasha's face remains expressionless, showing no joy about returning home or regret for missing the city. _Emphasizes Yasha's apathy._ > Though they are bullocks, though they are beasts, yet they want to eat and drink as men do. … It’s four days and nights since they have drunk or eaten. Oh, dear! oh, dear! Malahin laments that the cattle, like humans, need food and water, and they have gone without for four days. _Shows Malahin's superficial compassion for the animals._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters/the-cattle-dealers - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters