第1章

OUTofthedarkestdepthsoflife，whereviceandcrimeandmiseryabound，comestheByronofthetwentiethcentury，thepoetofthevagabondandtheproletariat，MaximGorky。Notlikethebeggar，humblyimploringforacrustinthenameoftheLord，norlikethejewellerdisplayinghispreciousstonestodazzleandtempttheeye，hecomestotheworld，——nay，inaccentsofTyrtaeusthiscommonerofNizhniNovgorodspursonhistroopsoffreedom-lovingheroestoconquer，asitwere，theplacid，self-

satisfiedliteraturesofto-day，andbringnewlifetopale，bloodlessframes。

LikeByron\'simpassionedutterances，"borneonthetonesofawildandquiteartlessmelody，"isGorky\'smad，unbridled，powerfulvoice，ashesingsofthe"madnessofthebrave，"ofthebarefooteddreamers，whoareproudoftheiridleness，whopossessnothingandfearnothing，whoaregayintheirmisery，thoughmiserableintheirjoy。

Gorky\'svoiceisnotthecalm，cultivated，well-balancedvoiceofChekhov，theRussianDeMaupassant，noreventheapostolic，well-

meaning，butcomparativelyfaintvoiceofTolstoy，thepreacher：

itistheroaringofalion，thecrashofthunder。Initselementarypoweristheheart。rendingcryofasincerebutsufferingsoulthatsawthebrutalityoflifeinallitshorrors，andnowflingsitsexperiencesintothefaceoftheworldwithunequalledsympathyandthecourageofagiant。

ForGorky，aboveall，hascourage；hedarestosaythathefindsthevagabond，theoutcastofsociety，moresublimeandsignificantthansocietyitself。

HisBosyak，thesymbolicincarnationoftheOver-man，isasnaiveandasboldasachild——orasagenius。Inthevehementpassionsofthemagnanimous，compassionateherointatters，inthearistocracyofhissoul，andinhisconstantthirstforFreedom，Gorkyseestherebelliousandirreconcilablespiritofman，offutureman，——intheseheseessomethingbeautiful，somethingpowerful，somethingmonumental，andiscarriedawaybytheirstrangepsychology。Forthebarefooteddreamer\'slifeisGorky\'slife，hisidealsareGorky\'sideals，hispleasuresandpains，Gorky\'spleasuresandpains。

AndGorky，thoughbrokeninhealthnow，buffetedbythestormsoffate，bruisedandwoundedinthebattle-fieldoflife，stilllikeByronandlikeLermontov，"——seeksthestormAsthoughthestormcontainedrepose。"

Andinaleoninevoicehecriesdefiantly：

"Letthestormragewithgreaterforceandfury！"

HERMANBERNSTEIN。

September20，1901。

FOMAGORDYEEF

DedicatedtoANTONP。CHEKHOV

ByMaximGorkyCHAPTERI

ABOUTsixtyyearsago，whenfortunesofmillionshadbeenmadeontheVolgawithfairy-talerapidity，IgnatGordyeeff，ayoungfellow，wasworkingaswater-pumperononeofthebargesofthewealthymerchantZayev。

Builtlikeagiant，handsomeandnotatallstupid，hewasoneofthosepeoplewhomluckalwaysfollowseverywhere——notbecausetheyaregiftedandindustrious，butratherbecause，havinganenormousstockofenergyattheircommand，theycannotstoptothinkoverthechoiceofmeanswhenontheirwaytowardtheiraims，and，exceptingtheirownwill，theyknownolaw。Sometimestheyspeakoftheirconsciencewithfear，sometimestheyreallytorturethemselvesstrugglingwithit，butconscienceisanunconquerablepowertothefaint-heartedonly；thestrongmasteritquicklyandmakeitaslavetotheirdesires，fortheyunconsciouslyfeelthat，givenroomandfreedom，consciencewouldfracturelife。Theysacrificedaystoit；andifitshouldhappenthatconscienceconqueredtheirsouls，theyareneverwrecked，evenindefeat——theyarejustashealthyandstrongunderitsswayaswhentheylivedwithoutconscience。

AttheageoffortyIgnatGordyeeffwashimselftheownerofthreesteamersandtenbarges。OntheVolgahewasrespectedasarichandcleverman，butwasnicknamed"Frantic，"becausehislifedidnotflowalongastraightchannel，likethatofotherpeopleofhiskind，butnowandagain，boilingupturbulently，ranoutofitsrut，awayfromgain——theprimeaimofhisexistence。ItlookedasthoughtherewerethreeGordyeeffsinhim，orasthoughtherewerethreesoulsinIgnat\'sbody。Oneofthem，themightiest，wasonlygreedy，andwhenIgnatlivedaccordingtoitscommands，hewasmerelyamanseizedwithuntamablepassionforwork。Thispassionburnedinhimbydayandbynight，hewascompletelyabsorbedbyit，and，grabbingeverywherehundredsandthousandsofroubles，itseemedasifhecouldneverhaveenoughofthejingleandsoundofmoney。HeworkedaboutupanddowntheVolga，buildingandfasteningnetsinwhichhecaughtgold：heboughtupgraininthevillages，floatedittoRybinskonhisbarges；heplundered，cheated，sometimesnotnoticingit，sometimesnoticing，and，triumphant，beopenlylaughedatbyhisvictims；andinthesenselessnessofhisthirstformoney，herosetotheheightsofpoetry。But，givingupsomuchstrengthtothishuntaftertherouble，hewasnotgreedyinthenarrowsense，andsometimesheevenbetrayedaninconceivablebutsincereindifferencetohisproperty。Once，whentheicewasdriftingdowntheVolga，hestoodontheshore，and，seeingthattheicewasbreakinghisnewbarge，havingcrusheditagainstthebluffshore，heejaculated：

"That\'sit。Again。Crushit！Now，oncemore！Try！"

"Well，Ignat，"askedhisfriendMayakin，cominguptohim，"theiceiscrushingabouttenthousandoutofyourpurse，eh？"

"That\'snothing！I\'llmakeanotherhundred。ButlookhowtheVolgaisworking！Eh？Fine？Shecansplitthewholeworld，likecurd，withaknife。Look，look！Thereyouhavemy\'Boyarinya！\'

Shefloatedbutonce。Well，we\'llhavemasssaidforthedead。"

Thebargewascrushedintosplinters。Ignatandthegodfather，sittinginthetavernontheshore，drankvodkaandlookedoutofthewindow，watchingthefragmentsofthe"Boyarinya"driftingdowntherivertogetherwiththeice。

"Areyousorryforthevessel，Ignat？"askedMayakin。

"WhyshouldIbesorryforit？TheVolgagaveittome，andtheVolgahastakenitback。Itdidnottearoffmyhand。"

"Nevertheless。"

"What——nevertheless？ItisgoodatleastthatIsawhowitwasalldone。It\'salessonforthefuture。Butwhenmy\'Volgar\'wasburned——Iwasreallysorry——Ididn\'tseeit。Howbeautifulitmusthavelookedwhensuchawoodpilewasblazingonthewaterinthedarknight！Eh？Itwasanenormoussteamer。"

"Weren\'tyousorryforthateither？"

"Forthesteamer？Itistrue，Ididfeelsorryforthesteamer。

Butthenitismerefoolishnesstofeelsorry！What\'stheuse？I

mighthavecried；tearscannotextinguishfire。Letthesteamersburn。Andeventhougheverythingbeburneddown，I\'dspituponit！Ifthesoulisbutburningtowork，everythingwillbeerectedanew。Isn\'titso？"

"Yes，"saidMayakin，smiling。"Thesearestrongwordsyousay。

Andwhoeverspeaksthatway，eventhoughhelosesall，willneverthelessberich。"

Regardinglossesofthousandsofroublessophilosophically，Ignatknewthevalueofeverykopeika；hegavetothepoorveryseldom，andonlytothosethatwerealtogetherunabletowork。

Whenamoreorlesshealthymanaskedhimforalms，Ignatwouldsay，sternly：

"Getaway！Youcanworkyet。Gotomydvornikandhelphimtoremovethedung。I\'llpayyouforit。"

Wheneverhehadbeencarriedawaybyhisworkheregardedpeoplemoroselyandpiteously，nordidhegivehimselfrestwhilehuntingforroubles。Andsuddenly——itusuallyhappenedinspring，wheneverythingonearthbecamesobewitchinglybeautifulandsomethingreproachfullywildwasbreatheddownintothesoulfromtheclearsky——IgnatGordyeeffwouldfeelthathewasnotthemasterofhisbusiness，butitslowslave。Hewouldlosehimselfinthoughtand，inquisitivelylookingabouthimselffromunderhisthick，knittedeyebrows，walkaboutfordays，angryandmorose，asthoughsilentlyaskingsomething，whichhefearedtoaskaloud。Theyawakenedhisothersoul，theturbulentandlustfulsoulofahungrybeast。Insolentandcynical，hedrank，ledadepravedlife，andmadedrunkardsofotherpeople。Hewentintoecstasy，andsomethinglikeavolcanooffilthboiledwithinhim。Itlookedasthoughhewasmadlytearingthechainswhichhehimselfhadforgedandcarried，andwasnotstrongenoughtotearthem。Excitedandverydirty，hisfaceswollenfromdrunkennessandsleeplessness，hiseyeswanderingmadly，androaringinahoarsevoice，hetrampedaboutthetownfromonetaverntoanother，threwawaymoneywithoutcountingit，criedanddancedtothesadtunesofthefolksongs，orfought，butfoundnorestanywhere——inanything。

Ithappenedonedaythatadegradedpriest，ashort，stoutlittlebald-headedmaninatorncassock，chancedonIgnat，andstucktohim，justasapieceofmudwillsticktoashoe。Animpersonal，deformedandnastycreature，heplayedthepartofabuffoon：

theysmearedhisbaldheadwithmustard，madehimgouponall-

fours，drinkmixturesofdifferentbrandiesanddancecomicaldances；hedidallthisinsilence，anidioticsmileonhiswrinkledface，andhavingdonewhathewastoldtodo，heinvariablysaid，outstretchinghishandwithhispalmupward：

"Givemearouble。"

Theylaughedathimandsometimesgavehimtwentykopeiks，sometimesgavehimnothing，butitsometimeshappenedthattheythrewhimaten-roublebillandevenmore。

"Youabominablefellow，"criedIgnattohimoneday。"Say，whoareyou？"

Thepriestwasfrightenedbythecall，andbowinglowtoIgnat，wassilent。

"Who？Speak！"roaredIgnat。

"Iamaman——tobeabused，"answeredthepriest，andthecompanyburstoutlaughingathiswords。

"Areyouarascal？"askedIgnat，sternly。

"Arascal？Becauseofneedandtheweaknessofmysoul？"

"Comehere！"Ignatcalledhim。"Comeandsitdownbymyside。"

Tremblingwithfear，thepriestwalkeduptotheintoxicatedmerchantwithtimidstepsandremainedstandingoppositehim。

"Sitdownbesideme！"saidIgnat，takingthefrightenedpriestbythehandandseatinghimnexttohimself。"Youareaverynearmantome。Iamalsoarascal！You，becauseofneed；I，becauseofwantonness。Iamarascalbecauseofgrief！Understand？"

"Iunderstand，"saidthepriest，softly。Allthecompanyweregiggling。

"DoyouknownowwhatIam？"

"Ido。"

"Well，say，\'Youarearascal，Ignat！\'"

Thepriestcouldnotdoit。HelookedwithterroratthehugefigureofIgnatandshookhisheadnegatively。Thecompany\'slaughterwasnowliketherattlingofthunder。Ignatcouldnotmakethepriestabusehim。Thenheaskedhim：

"ShallIgiveyoumoney？"

"Yes，"quicklyansweredthepriest。

"Andwhatdoyouneeditfor？"

Hedidnotcaretoanswer。ThenIgnatseizedhimbythecollar，andshookoutofhisdirtylipsthefollowingspeech，whichhespokealmostinawhisper，tremblingwithfear：

"Ihaveadaughtersixteenyearsoldintheseminary。Isaveforher，becausewhenshecomesouttherewon\'tbeanythingwithwhichtocoverhernakedness。"

"Ah，"saidIgnat，andletgothepriest\'scollar。Thenhesatforalongtimegloomyandlostinthought，andnowandagainstaredatthepriest。Suddenlyhiseyesbegantolaugh，andhesaid：

"Aren\'tyoualiar，drunkard？"

Thepriestsilentlymadethesignofthecrossandloweredhisheadonhisbreast。

"Itisthetruth！"saidoneofthecompany，confirmingthepriest\'swords。

"True？Verywell！"shoutedIgnat，and，strikingthetablewithhisfist，headdressedhimselftothepriest：

"Eh，you！Sellmeyourdaughter！Howmuchwillyoutake？"

Thepriestshookhisheadandshrankback。

"Onethousand！"

Thecompanygiggled，seeingthatthepriestwasshrinkingasthoughcoldwaterwasbeingpouredonhim。

"Two！"roaredIgnat，withflashingeyes。

"What\'sthematterwithyou？Howisit？"mutteredthepriest，stretchingoutbothhandstoIgnat。

"Three！"

"IgnatMatveyich！"criedthepriest，inathin，ringingvoice。

"ForGod\'ssake！ForChrist\'ssake！Enough！I\'llsellher！ForherownsakeI\'llsellher！"

Inhissickly，sharpvoicewasheardathreattosomeone，andhiseyes，unnoticedbyanybodybefore，flashedlikecoals。Buttheintoxicatedcrowdonlylaughedathimfoolishly。

"Silence！"criedIgnat，sternly，straighteninghimselftohisfulllengthandflashinghiseyes。

"Don\'tyouunderstand，devils，what\'sgoingonhere？It\'senoughtomakeonecry，whileyougiggle。"

Hewalkeduptothepriest，wentdownonhiskneesbeforehim，andsaidtohimfirmly：

"FathernowyouseewhatarascalIam。Well，spitintomyface！"

Somethinguglyandridiculoustookplace。Thepriesttoo，kneltbeforeIgnat，andlikeahugeturtle，creptaroundnearhisfeet，kissedhiskneesandmutteredsomething，sobbing。Ignatbentoverhim，liftedhimfromthefloorandcriedtohim，commandingandbegging：

"Spit！Spitrightintomyshamelesseyes！"

Thecompany，stupefiedforamomentbyIgnat\'ssternvoice，laughedagainsothatthepanesrattledinthetavernwindows。

"I\'llgiveyouahundredroubles。Spit！"

Andthepriestcreptoverthefloorandsobbedforfear，orforhappiness，tohearthatthismanwasbegginghimtodosomethingdegradingtohimself。

FinallyIgnatarosefromthefloor，kickedthepriest，and，flingingathimapackageofmoney，saidmorosely，withasmile：

"Rabble！Canamanrepentbeforesuchpeople？Someareafraidtohearofrepentance，otherslaughatasinner。Iwasabouttounburdenmyselfcompletely；thehearttrembled。Letme，I

thought。No，Ididn\'tthinkatall。Justso！Getoutofhere！Andseethatyounevershowyourselftomeagain。Doyouhear？"

"Oh，aqueerfellow！"saidthecrowd，somewhatmoved。

Legendswerecomposedabouthisdrinkingboutsintown；everybodycensuredhimstrictly，butnooneeverdeclinedhisinvitationtothosedrinkingbouts。Thushelivedforweeks。

Andunexpectedlyheusedtocomehome，notyetaltogetherfreedfromtheodourofthekabaks，butalreadycrestfallenandquiet。

Withhumblydowncasteyes，inwhichshamewasburningnow，hesilentlylistenedtohiswife\'sreproaches，and，humbleandmeekasalamb，wentawaytohisroomandlockedhimselfin。Formanyhoursinsuccessionhekneltbeforethecross，loweringhisheadonhisbreast；hishandshunghelplessly，hisbackwasbent，andhewassilent，asthoughhedarednotpray。Hiswifeusedtocomeuptothedoorontiptoeandlisten。Deepsighswereheardfrombehindthedoor——likethebreathingofatiredandsicklyhorse。

"God！Yousee，"whisperedIgnatinamuffledvoice，firmlypressingthepalmsofhishandstohisbroadbreast。

Duringthedaysofrepentancehedranknothingbutwaterandateonlyryebread。

Inthemorninghiswifeplacedatthedoorofhisroomabigbottleofwater，aboutapoundandahalfofbread，andsalt。Heopenedthedoor，tookinthesevictualsandlockedhimselfinagain。Duringthistimehewasnotdisturbedinanyway；

everybodytriedtoavoidhim。Afewdayslaterheagainappearedontheexchange，jested，laughed，madecontractstofurnishcornassharp-sightedasabirdofprey，arareexpertatanythingconcerninghisaffairs。

ButinallthemoodsofIgnat\'slifetherewasonepassionatedesirethatneverlefthim——thedesiretohaveason；andtheolderhegrewthegreaterwasthisdesire。Veryoftensuchconversationasthistookplacebetweenhimandhiswife。Inthemorning，athertea，oratnoonduringdinnerhourhegloomilyglaredathiswife，astout，well-fedwoman，witharedfaceandsleepyeyes，andaskedher：

"Well，don\'tyoufeelanything？"

Sheknewwhathemeant，butsheinvariablyreplied：

"HowcanIhelpfeeling？Yourfistsarelikedumb-bells。"

"YouknowwhatI\'mtalkingabout，youfool。"

"Canonebecomepregnantfromsuchblows？"

"It\'snotonaccountoftheblowsthatyoudon\'tbearanychildren；it\'sbecauseyoueattoomuch。Youfillyourstomachwithallsortsoffood——andthere\'snoroomforthechildtoengender。"

"AsifIdidn\'tbearyouanychildren？"

"Thoseweregirls，"saidIgnat，reproachfully。"Iwantason！Doyouunderstand？Ason，anheir！TowhomshallIgivemycapitalaftermydeath？Whoshallprayformysins？ShallIgiveittoacloister？Ihavegiventhemenough！OrshallIleaveittoyou？

Whatafinepilgrimyouare！Eveninchurchyouthinkonlyoffishpies。IfIdie，you\'llmarryagain，andmymoneywillbeturnedovertosomefool。DoyouthinkthisiswhatIamworkingfor？"

Andhewasseizedwithsardonicanguish，forhefeltthathislifewasaimlessifheshouldhavenosontofollowhim。

Duringthenineyearsoftheirmarriedlifehiswifehadbornehimfourdaughters，allofwhomhadpassedaway。WhileIgnathadawaitedtheirbirthtremblingly，hemournedtheirdeathbutlittle——atanyratetheywereunnecessarytohim。Hebegantobeathiswifeduringthesecondyearoftheirmarriedlife；atfirsthediditwhilebeingintoxicatedandwithoutanimosity，butjustaccordingtotheproverb："Loveyourwifelikeyoursoulandshakeherlikeapear-tree；"butaftereachconfinement，deceivedinhisexpectation，hishatredforhiswifegrewstronger，andhebegantobeatherwithpleasure，inrevengefornotbearinghimason。

OncewhileonbusinessintheprovinceofSamarsk，hereceivedatelegramfromrelativesathome，informinghimofhiswife\'sdeath。Hemadethesignofthecross，thoughtawhileandwrotetohisfriendMayakin：

"Buryherinmyabsence；lookaftermyproperty。"

Thenhewenttothechurchtoservethemassforthedead，and，havingprayedforthereposeofthelateAquilina\'ssoul，hebegantothinkthatitwasnecessaryforhimtomarryassoonaspossible。

Hewasthenforty-threeyearsold，tall，broad-shouldered，withaheavybassvoice，likeanarch-deacon；hislargeeyeslookedboldandwisefromunderhisdarkeyebrows；inhissunburntface，overgrownwithathick，blackbeard，andinallhismightyfiguretherewasmuchtrulyRussian，crudeandhealthybeauty；inhiseasymotionsaswellasinhisslow，proudwalk，aconsciousnessofpowerwasevident——afirmconfidenceinhimself。Hewaslikedbywomenanddidnotavoidthem。

Eresixmonthshadpassedafterthedeathofhiswife，hecourtedthedaughterofanUralCossack。Thefatherofthebride，notwithstandingthatIgnatwasknowneveninUralasa"pranky"

man，gavehimhisdaughterinmarriage，andtowardautumnIgnatGordyeeffcamehomewithayoungCossack-wife。HernamewasNatalya。Tall，well-built，withlargeblueeyesandwithalongchestnutbraid，shewasaworthymatchforthehandsomeIgnat。Hewashappyandproudofhiswifeandlovedherwiththepassionateloveofahealthyman，buthesoonbegantocontemplateherthoughtfully，withavigilanteye。

Seldomdidasmilecrosstheoval，demurefaceofhiswife——shewasalwaysthinkingofsomethingforeigntolife，andinhercalmblueeyessomethingdarkandmisanthropicwasflashingattimes。

Whenevershewasfreefromhouseholddutiessheseatedherselfinthemostspaciousroombythewindow，andsattheresilentlyfortwoorthreehours。Herfacewasturnedtowardthestreet，butthelookofhereyeswassoindifferenttoeverythingthatlivedandmovedtherebeyondthewindow，andatthesametimeitwassofixedlydeep，asthoughshewerelookingintoherverysoul。Andherwalk，too，wasqueer。Natalyamovedaboutthespaciousroomslowlyandcarefully，asifsomethinginvisiblerestrainedthefreedomofhermovements。Theirhousewasfilledwithheavyandcoarselyboastfulluxury；everythingtherewasresplendent，screamingoftheproprietor\'swealth，buttheCossack-wifewalkedpastthecostlyfurnitureandthesilverwareinashyandsomewhatfrightenedmanner，asthoughfearinglesttheymightseizeandchokeher。Evidently，thenoisylifeofthebigcommercialtowndidnotinterestthissilentwoman，andwhenevershewentoutdrivingwithherhusband，hereyeswerefixedonthebackofthedriver。Whenherhusbandtookhervisitingshewentandbehavedtherejustasqueerlyasathome；whenguestscametoherhouse，shezealouslyservedthemrefreshments，takingnointerestwhateverinwhatwassaid，andshowingpreferencetowardnone。OnlyMayakin，awitty，drollman，attimescalledforthonherfaceasmile，asvagueasashadow。Heusedtosayofher：

"It\'satree——notawoman！Butlifeislikeaninextinguishablewood-pile，andeveryoneofusblazesupsometimes。She，too，willtakefire；wait，givehertime。Thenweshallseehowshewillbloom。"

"Eh！"Ignatusedtosaytoherjestingly。"Whatareyouthinkingabout？Areyouhomesick？Brightenupabit！"

Shewouldremainsilent，calmlylookingathim。

"Yougoentirelytoooftentothechurch。Youshouldwait。Youhaveplentyoftimetoprayforyoursins。Committhesinsfirst。

Youknow，ifyoudon\'tsinyoudon\'trepent；ifyoudon\'trepent，youdon\'tworkoutyoursalvation。Youbettersinwhileyouareyoung。Shallwegooutforadrive？"

"Idon\'tfeellikegoingout。"

Heusedtositdownbesideherandembraceher。Shewascold，returninghiscaressesbutsparingly。Lookingstraightintohereyes，heusedtosay：

"Natalya！Tellme——whyareyousosad？Doyoufeellonesomeherewithme？"

"No，"sherepliedshortly。

"Whatthenisit？Areyoulongingforyourpeople？"

No，it\'snothing。"

"Whatareyouthinkingabout？"

"Iamnotthinking。"

"Whatthen？"

"Oh，nothing！"

Oncehemanagedtogetfromheramorecompleteanswer：

"Thereissomethingconfusedinmyheart。Andalsoinmyeyes。

Anditalwaysseemstomethatallthisisnotreal。"

Shewavedherhandaroundher，pointingatthewalls，thefurnitureandeverything。Ignatdidnotreflectonherwords，and，laughing，saidtoher：

"That\'stonopurpose！Everythinghereisgenuine。Allthesearecostly，solidthings。Ifyoudon\'twantthese，I\'llburnthem，I\'llsellthem，I\'llgivethemaway——andI\'llgetnewones！Doyouwantmeto？"

"Whatfor？"saidshecalmly。

Hewondered，atlast，howonesoyoungandhealthycouldliveasthoughsheweresleepingallthetime，caringfornothing，goingnowhere，excepttothechurch，andshunningeverybody。Andheusedtoconsoleher：

"Justwait。You\'llbearason，andthenanaltogetherdifferentlifewillcommence。Youaresosadbecauseyouhavesolittleanxiety，andhewillgiveyoutrouble。You\'llbearmeason，willyounot？

"IfitpleasesGod，"sheanswered，loweringherhead。

Thenhermoodbegantoirritatehim。

"Well，whydoyouwearsuchalongface？Youwalkasthoughonglass。Youlookasifyouhadruinedsomebody\'ssoul！Eh！Youaresuchasucculentwoman，andyetyouhavenotasteforanything。

Fool！"

Cominghomeintoxicatedoneday，hebegantoplyherwithcaresses，whilesheturnedawayfromhim。Thenhegrewangry，andexclaimed：

"Natalya！Don\'tplaythefool，lookout！"

Sheturnedherfacetohimandaskedcalmly：

"Whatthen？"

Ignatbecameenragedatthesewordsandatherfearlesslook。

"What？"heroared，comingupclosetoher。

"Doyouwishtokillme？"askedshe，notmovingfromherplace，norwinkinganeye。

Ignatwasaccustomedtoseeingpeopletremblebeforehiswrath，anditwasstrangeandoffensivetohimtoseehercalm。

"There，"hecried，liftinghishandtostrikeher。Slowly，butintime，sheeludedtheblow；thensheseizedhishand，pusheditawayfromher，andsaidinthesametone：

"Don\'tyoudaretotouchme。Iwillnotallowyoutocomenearme！"

Hereyesbecamesmallerandtheirsharp，metallicglittersoberedIgnat。Heunderstoodbyherfacethatshe，too，wasastrongbeast，andifshechosetoshewouldn\'tadmithimtoher，eventhoughsheweretoloseherlife。

"Oh，"hegrowled，andwentaway。

Buthavingretreatedonce，hewouldnotdoitagain：hecouldnotbearthatawoman，andhiswifeatthat，shouldnotbowbeforehim——thiswouldhavedegradedhim。Hethenbegantorealisethathenceforthhiswifewouldneveryieldtohiminanymatter，andthatanobstinatestrifeforpredominancemuststartbetweenthem。

"Verywell！We\'llseewhowillconquer，"hethoughtthenextday，watchinghiswifewithsterncuriosity；andinhissoulastrongdesirewasalreadyragingtostartthestrife，thathemightenjoyhisvictorythesooner。

Butaboutfourdayslater，NatalyaFominichnaannouncedtoherhusbandthatshewaspregnant。

Ignattrembledforjoy，embracedherfirmly，andsaidinadullvoice：

"You\'reafinefellow，Natalya！Natasha，ifitshouldbeason！

IfyoubearmeasonI\'llenrichyou！Itellyouplainly，I\'llbeyourslave！ByGod！I\'llliedownatyourfeet，andyoumaytrampleuponme，ifyoulike！"

"Thisisnotwithinourpower；it\'sthewilloftheLord，"saidsheinalowvoice。

"Yes，theLord\'s！"exclaimedIgnatwithbitternessanddroopedhisheadsadly。

Fromthatmomenthebegantolookafterhiswifeasthoughshewerealittlechild。

"Whydoyousitnearthewindow？Lookout。You\'llcatchcoldinyourside；youmaytakesick，"heusedtosaytoher，bothsternlyandmildly。"Whydoyouskiponthestaircase？Youmayhurtyourself。Andyouhadbettereatmore，eatfortwo，thathemayhaveenough。"

AndthepregnancymadeNatalyamoremoroseandsilent，asthoughshewerelookingstilldeeperintoherself，absorbedinthethrobbingofnewlifewithinher。Butthesmileonherlipsbecameclearer，andinhereyesflashedattimessomethingnew，weakandtimid，likethefirstrayofthedawn。

When，atlast，thetimeofconfinementcame，itwasearlyonanautumnmorning。Atthefirstcryofpainsheuttered，Ignatturnedpaleandstartedtosaysomething，butonlywavedhishandandleftthebedroom，wherehiswifewasshrinkingconvulsively，andwentdowntothelittleroomwhichhadservedhislatemotherasachapel。Heorderedvodka，seatedhimselfbythetableandbegantodrinksternly，listeningtothealarminthehouseandtothemoansofhiswifethatcamefromabove。Inthecorneroftheroom，theimagesoftheikons，indifferentanddark，stoodoutconfusedly，dimlyilluminedbytheglimmeringlightoftheimagelamp。Therewasastampingandscrapingoffeetoverhishead，somethingheavywasmovedfromonesideofthefloortotheother，therewasaclatteringofdishes，peoplewerebustlinghurriedly，upanddownthestaircase。Everythingwasbeingdoneinhaste，yettimewascreepingslowly。Ignatcouldhearamuffledvoicefromabove"Asitseems，shecannotbedeliveredthatway。WehadbettersendtothechurchtoopenthegatesoftheLord。"

Vassushka，oneofthehangers-oninhishouse，enteredtheroomnexttoIgnat\'sandbegantoprayinaloudwhisper：

"God，ourLord，descendfromtheskiesinThybenevolence，bornoftheHolyVirgin。Thoudostdivinethehelplessnessofhumancreatures。ForgiveThyservant。"

Andsuddenlydrowningallothersounds，asuperhuman，soul-

rendingcryrangout，andacontinuousmoanfloatedsoftlyovertheroomanddiedoutinthecorners，whichwerefillednowwiththetwilight。Ignatcaststernglancesattheikons，heavedadeepsighandthought：

"Isitpossiblethatit\'sagainadaughter？"

Attimeshearose，stupidlystoodinthemiddleoftheroom，andcrossedhimselfinsilence，bowingbeforetheikons；thenhewentbacktothetable，drankthevodka，whichhadnotmadehimdizzyduringthesehours，dozedoff，andthuspassedthewholenightandfollowingmorninguntilnoon。

Andthen，atlast，themidwifecamedownhastily，cryingtohiminathin，joyousvoice。

"Icongratulateyouwithason，IgnatMatveyich！"

"Youlie！"saidheinadullvoice。"What\'sthematterwithyou，batushka！"Heavingasighwithallthestrengthofhismassivechest，Ignatwentdownonhisknees，andclaspinghishandsfirmlytohisbreast，mutteredinatremblingvoice：

"ThankGod！EvidentlyThoudidstnotwantthatmystemshouldbechecked！MysinsbeforeTheeshallnotremainwithoutrepentance。

IthankThee，OhLord。Oh！"and，risingtohisfeet，heimmediatelybegantocommandnoisily：

"Eh！LetsomeonegotoSt。Nicholasforapriest。TellhimthatIgnatMatveyichaskedhimtocome！Lethimcometomakeaprayerforthewoman。"

Thechambermaidappearedandsaidtohimwithalarm：

"IgnatMatveyich，NatalyaFominichnaiscallingyou。Sheisfeelingbad。"

"Whybad？It\'llpass！"heroared，hiseyesflashingcheerfully。

"TellherI\'llbethereimmediately！Tellhershe\'safinefellow！

I\'lljustgetapresentforherandI\'llcome！Holdon！Preparesomethingtoeatforthepriest。SendsomebodyafterMayakin！"

Hisenormousfigurelookedasthoughithadgrownbigger，andintoxicatedwithjoy，hestupidlytossedabouttheroom；hewassmiling，rubbinghishandsandcastingferventglancesattheimages；hecrossedhimselfswinginghishandwide。Atlasthewentuptohiswife。

Hiseyesfirstofallcaughtaglimpseofthelittleredbody，whichthemidwifewasbathinginatub。Noticinghim，Ignatstoodupontiptoes，and，foldinghishandsbehindhisback，walkeduptohim，steppingcarefullyandcomicallyputtingforthhislips。

Thelittleonewaswhimperingandsprawlinginthewater，naked，impotentandpitiful。

"Lookoutthere！Handlehimmorecarefully！Hehasn\'tgotanybonesyet，"saidIgnattothemidwife，softly。

Shebegantolaugh，openinghertoothlessmouth，andcleverlythrowingthechildoverfromonehandtotheother。

"Youbettergotoyourwife。"

Heobedientlymovedtowardthebedandaskedonhisway：

"Well，howisit，Natalya？"

Then，onreachingher，hedrewbackthebedcurtain，whichhadthrownashadowoverthebed。

"I\'llnotsurvivethis，"saidsheinalow，hoarsevoice。

Ignatwassilent，fixedlystaringathiswife\'sface，sunkinthewhitepillow，overwhichherdarklockswerespreadoutlikedeadsnakes。Yellow，lifeless，withblackcirclesaroundherlarge，wide-openeyes——herfacewasstrangetohim。Andtheglanceofthoseterribleeyes，motionlesslyfixedsomewhereinthedistancethroughthewall——that，too，wasunfamiliartoIgnat。Hisheart，compressedbyapainfulforeboding，slackeneditsjoyousthrobbing。

"That\'snothing。That\'snothing。It\'salwayslikethis，"saidhesoftly，bendingoverhiswifetogiveherakiss。Butshemoanedrightintohisface：

"I\'llnotsurvivethis。"

Herlipsweregrayandcold，andwhenhetouchedthemwithhisownheunderstoodthatdeathwasalreadywithinher。

"Oh，Lord！"heuttered，inanalarmedwhisper，feelingthatfrightwaschokinghisthroatandsuppressinghisbreath。

"Natasha？Whatwillbecomeofhim？Hemustbenursed！Whatisthematterwithyou？"

Healmostbegantocryathiswife。Themidwifewasbustlingabouthim；shakingthecryingchildintheair。Shespoketohimreassuringly，butheheardnothing——hecouldnotturnhiseyesawayfromthefrightfulfaceofhiswife。Herlipsweremoving，andheheardwordsspokeninalowvoice，butcouldnotunderstandthem。Sittingontheedgeofthebed，hespokeinadullandtimidvoice："Justthinkofit！Hecannotdowithoutyou；he\'saninfant！Gatherstrength！Drivethisthoughtawayfromyou！Driveitaway。"

Hetalked，yetheunderstoodhewasspeakinguselesswords。Tearswelledupwithinhim，andinhisbreasttherecameafeelingheavyasstoneandcoldasice。

"Forgiveme。Goodbye！Takecare。Lookout。Don\'tdrink，"

whisperedNatalya，soundlessly。

Thepriestcame，and，coveringherfacewithsomething，andsighing，begantoreadgentle，beseechingwords：

"0hGod，AlmightyLord，whocuretheverydisease，curealsoThyservantNatalya，whohasjustgivenbirthtoachild；andrestoreherfromthebedonwhichshenowlies，forinthewordsofDavid，\'WeindulgeinlawlessnessandarewickedinThineeyes。"\'

Theoldman\'svoicewasinterruptednowandthen，histhinfacewassternandfromhisclothescametheodourofrock-rose。

"Guardtheinfantbornofher，guardhimfromallpossibletemptation，fromallpossiblecruelty，fromallpossiblestorms，fromevilspirits，nightandday。"

Ignatlistenedtotheprayer，andweptsilently。Hisbig，hottearsfellonthebarehandofhiswife。Butthehand，evidently，didnotfeelthatthetearsweredroppinguponit：itremainedmotionless，andtheskindidnottremblefromthefallofthetears。AftertheprayerNatalyabecameunconsciousandadaylatershedied，withoutsayinganotherword——shediedjustasquietlyasshehadlived。Havingarrangedapompousfuneral，Ignatchristenedhisson，namedhimFoma，andunwillinglygavehisboyintothefamilyofthegodfather，hisoldfriendMayakin，whosewife，too，hadgivenbirthtoachildnotlongbefore。ThedeathofhiswifehadsownmanygrayhairsinIgnat\'sdarkbeard，butinthesternglitterofhiseyesappearedanewexpression，gentle，clearandmild。

CHAPTERII

MAYAKINlivedinanenormoustwo-storyhousenearabigpalisade，wheresturdy，oldspreadinglindentreesweregrowingmagnificently。Therankbranchescoveredthewindowswithadense，darkembroidery，andthesuninbrokenrayspeepedintothesmallrooms，whichwerecloselycrowdedwithmiscellaneousfurnitureandbigtrunks，whereforeasternandmelancholysemi-

darknessalwaysreignedtheresupreme。Thefamilywasdevout——theodourofwax，ofrock-roseandofimage-lampoilfilledthehouse，andpenitentsighsandprayerssoaredaboutintheair。

Religiousceremonialswereperformedinfallibly，withpleasure，absorbingallthefreepowerofthesoulsofthedwellersofthehouse。Femininefiguresalmostnoiselesslymovedabouttheroomsinthehalf-dark，stifling，heavyatmosphere。Theyweredressedinblack，woresoftslippersontheirfeet，andalwayshadapenitentlookontheirfaces。

ThefamilyofYakovTarazovichMayakinconsistedofhimself，hiswife，adaughterandfivekinswomen，theyoungestofwhomwasthirty-fouryearsold。Thesewerealikedevoutandimpersonal，andsubordinatetoAntoninaIvanovna，themistressofthehouse。

Shewasatall，thinwoman，withadarkfaceandwithsterngrayeyes，whichhadanimperiousandintelligentexpression。MayakinalsohadasonTaras，buthisnamewasnevermentionedinthehouse；acquaintancesknewthatsincethenineteen-year-oldTarashadgonetostudyinMoscow——hemarriedtherethreeyearslater，againsthisfather\'swill——Yakovdisownedhim。Tarasdisappearedwithoutleavinganytrace。ItwasrumouredthathehadbeensenttoSiberiaforsomething。

YakovMayakinwasveryqueerlybuilt。Short，thin，lively，withalittleredbeard，slygreenisheyes，helookedasthoughhesaidtoeachandeveryone：

"Nevermind，sir，don\'tbeuneasy。EventhoughIknowyouforwhatyouare，ifyoudon\'tannoymeIwillnotgiveyouaway。"

Hisbeardresembledanegginshapeandwasmonstrouslybig。Hishighforehead，coveredwithwrinkles，joinedhisbaldcrown，anditseemedasthoughhereallyhadtwofaces——oneanopen，penetratingandintellectualface，withalonggristlenose，andabovethisfaceanotherone，eyelessandmouthless，coveredwithwrinkles，behindwhichMayakinseemedtohidehiseyesandhislipsuntilacertaintime；andwhenthattimehadarrived，hewouldlookattheworldwithdifferenteyesandsmileadifferentsmile。

Hewastheownerofarope-yardandkeptastoreintownneartheharbour。Inthisstore，filleduptotheceilingwithrope，twine，hempandtow，hehadasmallroomwithacreakingglassdoor。Inthisroomstoodabig，old，dilapidatedtable，andnearitadeeparmchair，coveredwithoilcloth，inwhichMayakinsatalldaylong，sippingteaandalwaysreadingthesame"MoskovskiyaVedomosty，"towhichhesubscribed，yearinandyearout，allhislife。Amongmerchantsheenjoyedtherespectandreputationofa"brainy"man，andhewasveryfondofboastingoftheantiquityofhisrace，sayinginahoarsevoice：

"We，theMayakins，weremerchantsduringthereignof\'Mother\'

Catherine，consequentlyIamapure-bloodedman。"

InthisfamilyIgnatGordyeeff\'ssonlivedforsixyears。BythetimehewassevenyearsoldFomawasabig-headed，broad-

shoulderedboy，seeminglyolderthathisyears，bothinhissizeandintheseriouslookofhisdark，almond-shapedeyes。Quiet，silentandpersistentinhischildishdesires，hespentallhisdaysoverhisplaythings，withMayakin\'sdaughter，Luba，quietlylookedafterbyoneofthekinswomen，astout，pock-markedoldmaid，whowas，forsomereasonorother，nicknamed"Buzya。"Shewasadull，somewhattimidcreature；andeventothechildrenshespokeinalowvoice，inwordsofmonosyllables。Havingdevotedhertimetolearningprayers，shehadnostoriestotellFoma。

Fomawasonfriendlytermswiththelittlegirl，butwhensheangeredorteasedhimheturnedpale，hisnostrilsbecamedistended，hiseyesstaredcomicallyandhebeatheraudaciously。

Shecried，rantohermotherandcomplainedtoher，butAntoninalovedFomaandshepaidbutlittleattentiontoherdaughter\'scomplaints，whichstrengthenedthefriendshipbetweenthechildrenstillmore。Foma\'sdaywaslonganduniform。Gettingoutofbedandwashinghimself，heusedtoplacehimselfbeforetheimage，andunderthewhisperingofthepock-markedBuzyaherecitedlongprayers。Thentheydrankteaandatemanybiscuits，cakesandpies。Aftertea——duringthesummer——thechildrenwenttothebigpalisade，whichrandowntoaravine，whosebottomalwayslookeddarkanddamp，fillingthemwithterror。Thechildrenwerenotallowedtogoeventotheedgeoftheravine，andthisinspiredinthemafearofit。Inwinter，fromteatimetodinner，theyplayedinthehousewhenitwasverycoldoutside，orwentoutintheyardtoslidedownthebigicehill。

Theyhaddinneratnoon，"inRussianstyle，"asMayakinsaid。Atfirstabigbowloffat，sourcabbagesoupwasservedwithryebiscuitsin，butwithoutmeat，thenthesamesoupwaseatenwithmeatcutintosmallpieces；thentheyateroastmeat——pork，goose，vealorrennet，withgruel——thenagainabowlofsoupwithvermicelli，andallthiswasusuallyfollowedbydessert。Theydrankkvassmadeofredbilberries，juniper-berries，orofbread——

AntoninaIvanovnaalwayscarriedastockofdifferentkindsofkvass。Theyateinsilence，onlynowandthenutteringasighoffatigue；thechildreneachateoutofaseparatebowl，theadultseatingoutofonebowl。Stupefiedbysuchadinner，theywenttosleep；andfortwoorthreehoursMayakin\'shousewasfilledwithsnoringandwithdrowsysighs。

Awakingfromsleep，theydrankteaandtalkedaboutlocalnews，thechoristers，thedeacons，weddings，orthedishonourableconductofthisorthatmerchant。AfterteaMayakinusedtosaytohiswife：

"Well，mother，handmetheBible。"

YakovTarasovichusedtoreadtheBookofJobmoreoftenthananythingelse。Puttinghisheavy，silver-framedspectaclesonhisbig，ravenousnose，helookedaroundathislistenerstoseewhetherallwereintheirplaces。

Theywereallseatedwherehewasaccustomedtoseethemandontheirfaceswasafamiliar，dullandtimidexpressionofpiety。

"TherewasamaninthelandofUz，"beganMayakin，inahoarsevoice，andFoma，sittingbesideLubaontheloungeinthecorneroftheroom，knewbeforehandthatsoonhisgodfatherwouldbecomesilentandpathisbaldheadwithhishand。Hesatand，listening，picturedtohimselfthismanfromthelandofUz。Themanwastallandbare，hiseyeswereenormouslylarge，likethoseoftheimageoftheSaviour，andhisvoicewaslikeabigbrasstrumpetonwhichthesoldiersplayedinthecamps。Themanwasconstantlygrowingbiggerandbigger；and，reachingthesky，hethrusthisdarkhandsintotheclouds，and，tearingthemasunder，criedoutinaterriblevoice：

"Whyislightgiventoamanwhosewayishid，andwhomGodhathhedgedin？"

DreadfellonFoma，andhetrembled，slumberfledfromhiseyes，heheardthevoiceofhisgodfather，whosaid，withalightsmile，nowandthenpinchinghisbeard：

"Seehowaudacioushewas！"

TheboyknewthathisgodfatherspokeofthemanfromthelandofUz，andthegodfather\'ssmilesoothedthechild。Sothemanwouldnotbreakthesky；hewouldnotrenditasunderwithhisterriblearms。AndthenFomaseesthemanagain——hesitsontheground，"hisfleshisclothedwithwormsandclodsofdust，hisskinisbroken。"Butnowheissmallandwretched，heislikeabeggaratthechurchporch。

Herehesays：

"Whatisman，thatheshouldbeclean？Andhewhichisbornofwoman，thatheshouldberighteous？"[ThesewordsattributedbyMayakintoJobarefromEliphaztheTemanite\'sreply——

Translator\'sNote。]

"HesaysthistoGod，"explainedMayakin，inspired。"How，sayshe，canIberighteous，sinceIammadeofflesh？That\'saquestionaskedofGod。Howisthat？"

Andthereader，triumphantlyandinterrogativelylooksaroundathislisteners。

"Hemeritedit，therighteousman，"theyrepliedwithasigh。

YakovMayakineyesthemwithasmile，andsays：

"Fools！Youbetterputthechildrentosleep。"

IgnatvisitedtheMayakinseveryday，broughtplaythingsforhisson，caughthimupintohisarmsandhuggedhim，butsometimesdissatisfiedhesaidtohimwithill-concealeduneasiness：

"Whyareyousuchabugbear？Oh！Whydoyoulaughsolittle？"

Andhewouldcomplaintothelad\'sgodfather：

"Iamafraidthathemayturnouttobelikehismother。Hiseyesarecheerless。"

"Youdisturbyourselfrathertoosoon，"Mayakinsmilinglyreplied。

He，too，lovedhisgodson，andwhenIgnatannouncedtohimonedaythathewouldtakeFomatohisownhouse，Mayakinwasverymuchgrieved。

"Leavehimhere，"hebegged。"See，thechildisusedtous；

there！he\'scrying。"

"He\'llceasecrying。Ididnotbegethimforyou。Theairoftheplaceisdisagreeable。Itisastedioushereasinanoldbeliever\'shermitage。Thisisharmfultothechild。AndwithouthimIamlonesome。Icomehome——itisempty。Icanseenothingthere。Itwouldnotdoformetoremovetoyourhouseforhissake。Iamnotforhim，heisforme。So。Andnowthatmysisterhascometomyhousetherewillbesomebodytolookafterhim。"

Andtheboywasbroughttohisfather\'shouse。

Therehewasmetbyacomicaloldwoman，withalong，hook-likenoseandwithamouthdevoidofteeth。Tall，stooping，dressedingray，withgrayhair，coveredbyablacksilkcap，shedidnotpleasetheboyatfirst；sheevenfrightenedhim。Butwhenhenoticedonthewrinkledfaceherblackeyes，whichbeamedsotenderlyonhim，heatoncepressedhisheadclosetoherkneesinconfidence。

"Mysicklylittleorphan！"shesaidinavelvet-likevoicethattrembledfromthefulnessofsound，andquietlypattedhisfacewithherhand，"stayclosetome，mydearchild！"

Therewassomethingparticularlysweetandsoftinhercaresses，somethingaltogethernewtoFoma，andhestaredintotheoldwoman\'seyeswithcuriosityandexpectationonhisface。Thisoldwomanledhimintoanewworld，hithertounknowntohim。Theveryfirstday，havingputhimtobed，sheseatedherselfbyhisside，and，bendingoverthechild，askedhim：

"ShallItellyouastory，Fomushka？"

AndafterthatFomaalwaysfellasleepamidthevelvet-likesoundsoftheoldwoman\'svoice，whichpaintedbeforehimamagiclife。Giantsdefeatingmonsters，wiseprincesses，foolswhoturnedouttobewise——troopsofnewandwonderfulpeoplewerepassingbeforetheboy\'sbewitchedimagination，andhissoulwasnourishedbythewholesomebeautyofthenationalcreativepower。

Inexhaustiblewerethetreasuresofthememoryandthefantasyofthisoldwoman，whooftentimes，inslumber，appearedtotheboy——

nowlikethewitchofthefairy-tales——onlyakindandamiableoldwitch——nowlikethebeautiful，all-wiseVasilisa。Hiseyeswideopen，holdinghisbreath，theboylookedintothedarknessthatfilledhischamberandwatcheditasitslowlytrembledinthelightofthelittlelampthatwasburningbeforetheimage。

AndFomafilledthisdarknesswithwonderfulpicturesoffairy-

talelife。Silent，yetlivingshadows，werecreepingoverthewallsandacrossthefloor；itwasbothpleasantandterribletohimtowatchtheirlife；todealoutuntothemformsandcolours，and，havingendowedthemwithlife，instantlytodestroythemallwithasingletwinkleoftheeyelashes。Somethingnewappearedinhisdarkeyes，somethingmorechildishandnaive，lessgrave；thelonelinessandthedarkness，awakinginhimapainfulfeelingofexpectation，stirredhiscuriosity，compelledhimtogoouttothedarkcornerandseewhatwashiddentherebeyondthethickveilsofdarkness。Hewentandfoundnothing，buthelostnohopeoffindingitout。

Hefearedhisfatherandrespectedhim。Ignat\'senormoussize，hisharsh，trumpet-likevoice，hisbeardedface，hisgray-hairedhead，hispowerful，longarmsandhisflashingeyes——allthesegavetoIgnattheresemblanceofthefairy-talerobbers。

Fomashudderedwheneverheheardhisvoiceorhisheavy，firmsteps；butwhenthefather，smilingkind-heartedly，andtalkingplayfullyinaloudvoice，tookhimuponhiskneesorthrewhimhighupintheairwithhisbighandstheboy\'sfearvanished。

Once，whentheboywasabouteightyearsold，heaskedhisfather，whohadreturnedfromalongjourney：

"Papa，wherewereyou？"

"OntheVolga。"

"Wereyourobbingthere？"askedFoma，softly。

"Wha-at？"Ignatdrawledout，andhiseyebrowscontracted。

"Aren\'tyouarobber，papa？Iknowit，"saidFoma，winkinghiseyesslyly，satisfiedthathehadalreadyreadthesecretofhisfather\'slife。

"Iamamerchant！"saidIgnat，sternly，butafteramoment\'sthoughthesmiledkind-heartedlyandadded："Andyouarealittlefool！Idealincorn，Irunalineofsteamers。Haveyouseenthe\'Yermak\'？Well，thatismysteamer。Andyours，too。"

"Itisaverybigone，"saidFomawithasigh。

"Well，I\'llbuyyouasmallonewhileyouaresmallyourself。

ShallI？"

"Verywell，"Fomaassented，butafterathoughtfulsilenceheagaindrawledoutregretfully："ButIthoughtyouwerearobberoragiant。"

"ItellyouIamamerchant！"repeatedIgnat，insinuatingly，andtherewassomethingdiscontentedandalmosttimorousinhisglanceatthedisenchantedfaceofhisson。

"LikeGrandpaFedor，theKalatchbaker？"askedFoma，havingthoughtawhile。

"Well，yes，likehim。OnlyIamricherthanhe。IhavemoremoneythanFedor。"

"Haveyoumuchmoney？"

Well，somepeoplehavestillmore。"

"Howmanybarrelsdoyouhave？"

"Ofwhat？"

"Ofmoney，Imean。"

"Fool！Ismoneycountedbythebarrel？"

"Howelse？"exclaimedFoma，enthusiastically，and，turninghisfacetowardhisfather，begantotellhimquickly："Maksimka，therobber，cameoncetoacertaintownandfilleduptwelvebarrelswithmoneybelongingtosomerichmanthere。Andhetookdifferentsilverwareandrobbedachurch。Andcutupamanwithhisswordandthrewhimdownthesteeplebecausehetriedtosoundanalarm。"

"Didyouraunttellyouthat？"askedIgnatadmiringhisson\'senthusiasm。

"Yes！Why？"

"Nothing！"saidIgnat，laughing。"Soyouthoughtyourfatherwasarobber。"

"Andperhapsyouwerearobberlongago？"

Fomaagainreturnedtohistheme，anditwasevidentonhisfacethathewouldbeverygladtohearanaffirmativeanswer。

"Iwasneverarobber。Letthatendit。"

"Never？"

"ItellyouIwasnot！Whataqueerlittleboyyouare！Isitgoodtobearobber？Theyareallsinners，therobbers。Theydon\'tbelieveinGod——theyrobchurches。Theyareallcursedinthechurches。Yes。Lookhere，myson，you\'llhavetostarttostudysoon。Itistime；you\'llsoonbenineyearsold。StartwiththehelpofGod。You\'llstudyduringthewinterandinspringI\'lltakeyoualongwithmeontheVolga。"

"WillIgotoschool？"askedFoma，timidly。

"Firstyou\'llstudyathomewithauntie。"Soonaftertheboywouldsitdownnearthetableinthemorningand，fingeringtheSlavonicalphabet，repeatafterhisaunt：

"Az，Buky，Vedy。"

Whentheyreached"bra，vra，gra，dra"foralongtimetheboycouldnotreadthesesyllableswithoutlaughter。Fomasucceededeasilyingainingknowledge，almostwithoutanyeffort，andsoonhewasreadingthefirstpsalmofthefirstsectionofthepsalter："Blessedisthemanthatwalkethnotinthecounseloftheungodly。"

"That\'sit，mydarling！So，Fomushka，that\'sright！"chimedinhisauntwithemotion，enrapturedbyhisprogress。

"You\'reafinefellow，Foma！"Ignatwouldapprovinglysaywheninformedofhisson\'sprogress。"We\'llgotoAstrakhanforfishinthespring，andtowardautumnI\'llsendyoutoschool！"

Theboy\'sliferolledonward，likeaballdownhill。Beinghisteacher，hisauntwashisplaymateaswell。LubaMayakinusedtocome，andwhenwiththem，theoldwomanreadilybecameoneofthem。

Theyplayedat"hideandseekand"blindman\'sbuff；"thechildrenwerepleasedandamusedatseeingAnfisa，hereyescoveredwithahandkerchief，herarmsoutstretched，walkingabouttheroomcarefully，andyetstrikingagainstchairsandtables，orlookingforthemineachandeverycommodiouscorner，saying：

"Eh，littlerascals。Eh，rogues。Wherehavetheyhiddenthemselves？Eh？"

Andthesunshonecheerfullyandplayfullyupontheoldworn-outbody，whichyetretainedayouthfulsoul，andupontheoldlife，thatwasadorning，accordingtoitsstrengthandabilities，thelife-pathoftwochildren。

IgnatusedtogototheExchangeearlyinthemorningandsometimesstayedawayuntilevening；intheeveningheusedtogotothetowncouncilorvisitingorelsewhere。Sometimeshereturnedhomeintoxicated。AtfirstFoma，onsuchoccasions，ranfromhimandhidhimself，thenhebecameaccustomedtoit，andlearnedthathisfatherwasbetterwhendrunkthansober：hewaskinderandplainerandwassomewhatcomical。Ifithappenedatnight，theboywasusuallyawakenedbyhistrumpet-likevoice：

"Anfisa！Dearsister！Letmeintomyson；letmeintomysuccessor！"

Andauntieansweredhiminacryingandreproachfulvoice：

"Goon。Youbettergotosleep，youcurseddevil！Drunkagain，eh？

Youaregrayalready？"

"Anfisa！MayIseemyson，withoneeye？"FomaknewthatAnfisawouldnotlethimin，andheagainfellasleepinspiteofthenoiseoftheirvoices。ButwhenIgnatcamehomeintoxicatedduringthedayheimmediatelyseizedhissonwithhisenormouspawsandcarriedhimabouttherooms，askinghimwithanintoxicated，happylaughter：

"Fomka！Whatdoyouwish？Speak！Presents？Playthings？Ask！