The story transitions back to the war front, presenting a contrast between Nikolai and Boris and Berg. While Nikolai is proud of how battle-hardened he looks as part of the Pavlogradsky guards, Boris and Berg, in the Izmailovsky regiment, clearly haven’t taken part in actual fighting. While they’ve enjoyed leisure and public recognition, the hussars have literally been doing the dirty work. The contrast illustrates what patronage can do (Anna Mikhailovna’s appeal to Prince Vassily to get Boris this position). Still, Nikolai is a down-to-earth young man who prefers a simple soldier’s life.