第2章

Becauseyoumustknowthere\'snothinginthisworldthatI

wouldn\'tbuyforyou。Ihaveamillion！Ha，ha，ha！AndI\'llhavestillmore！Understand？All\'syours！Ha，ha！"

Andsuddenlyhisenthusiasmwasextinguishedlikeacandleputoutbyaviolentpuffofthewind。Hisflushedfacebegantoshake，hiseyes，burningred，filledwithtears，andhislipsexpandedintoasadandfrightenedsmile。

"Anfisa，incaseheshoulddie，whatamItodothen？"

Andimmediatelyafterthesewordshewasseizedwithfury。

"I\'dburneverything！"heroared，staringwildlyintosomedarkcorneroftheroom。"I\'ddestroyeverything！I\'dblowitupwithdynamite！"

"Enough，youuglybrute！Doyouwishtofrightenthechild？Ordoyouwanthimtotakesick？"interposedAnfisa，andthatwassufficientforIgnattorushoffhastily，muttering：

"Well，well，well！Iamgoing，Iamgoing，butdon\'tcry！Don\'tmakeanynoise。Don\'tfrightenhim。"

AndwhenFomawassomewhatsick，hisfather，castingeverythingaside，didnotleavethehouseforamoment，butbotheredhissisterandhissonwithstupidquestionsandadvice；gloomy，sighing，andwithfearinhiseyes，hewalkedaboutthehousequiteoutofsorts。

"WhydoyouvextheLord？"saidAnfisa。"Beware，yourgrumblingswillreachHim，andHewillpunishyouforyourcomplaintsagainstHisgraces。"

"Eh，sister！"sighedIgnat。"Andifitshouldhappen？Myentirelifeiscrumblingaway！WhereforehaveIlived？Nooneknows。"

Similarscenesandthestrikingtransitionsofhisfatherfromonemoodtoanotherfrightenedthechildatfirst，buthesoonbecameaccustomedtoallthis，andwhenhenoticedthroughthewindowthathisfather，oncominghome，washardlyabletogetoutofthesledge，Fomasaidindifferently：

"Auntie，papacamehomedrunkagain。"……

Springcame，and，fulfillinghispromise，Ignattookhissonalongononeofhissteamers，andhereanewlife，aboundinginimpressions，wasopenedbeforeFoma\'seyes。

Thebeautifulandmighty"Yermak，"Gordyeeff\'ssteamtow-boat，wasrapidlyfloatingdownthecurrent，andoneachsidetheshoresofthepowerfulandbeautifulVolgawereslowlymovingpasthim——theleftside，allbathedinsunshine，stretchingitselftotheveryendoftheskylikeapompouscarpetofverdure；therightshore，itshighbanksovergrownwithwoods，swungskyward，sinkinginsternrepose。

Thebroad-bosomedriverstretcheditselfmajesticallybetweentheshores；noiselessly，solemnlyandslowlyfloweditswaters，consciousoftheirinvinciblepower；themountainousshoreisreflectedinthewaterinablackshadow，whileontheleftsideitisadornedwithgoldandwithverdantvelvetbyaborderofsandandthewidemeadows。Hereandtherevillagesappearonmountainandonmeadow，thesunshinesbrightonthewindow-panesofthehutsandontheyellowroofsofstraw，thechurchcrossessparkleamidtheverdureofthetrees，graywind-millwingsrevolvelazilyintheair，smokefromthefactorychimneyrisesskywardinthick，blackcurlingclouds。Crowdsofchildreninblue，redorwhiteshirts，standingonthebanks，shoutedloudlyatthesightofthesteamer，whichhaddisturbedthequietoftheriver，andfromunderthesteamer\'swheelsthecheerfulwavesarerushingtowardthefeetofthechildrenandsplashagainstthebank。Nowacrowdofchildren，seatedinaboat，rowedtowardthemiddleoftherivertorockthereonthewavesasinacradle。

Treesstoodoutabovethewater；sometimesmanyofthemaredrownedintheoverflowofthebanks，andthesestandinthewaterlikeislands。Fromtheshoreamelancholysongisheard：

"Oh，o-o-o，oncemore！"

Thesteamerpassesmanyrafts，splashingthemwithwaves。Thebeamsareincontinualmotionundertheblowsofthewaves；themenontheraftsinblueshirts，staggering，lookatthesteamerandlaughandshoutsomething。Thebig，beautifulvesselgoessidewiseontheriver；theyellowscantlingswithwhichitisloadedsparklelikegoldandaredimlyreflectedinthemuddy，vernalwater。Apassengersteamercomesfromtheoppositesideandwhistles——theresoundingechoofthewhistlelosesitselfinthewoods，inthegorgesofthemountainousbank，anddiesawaythere。Inthemiddleoftheriverthewavesstirredupbythetwovesselsstrikeagainstoneanotherandsplashagainstthesteamers\'sides，andthevesselsarerockeduponthewater。Ontheslopeofthemountainousbankareverdantcarpetsofwintercorn，brownstripsoffallowgroundandblackstripsofgroundtilledforspringcorn。Birds，likelittledots，soaroverthem，andareclearlyseeninthebluecanopyofthesky；nearbyaflockisgrazing；inthedistancetheylooklikechildren\'stoys；

thesmallfigureoftheshepherdstandsleaningonastaff，andlooksattheriver。

Theglareofthewater——freedomandlibertyareeverywhere，themeadowsarecheerfullyverdantandtheblueskyistenderlyclear；arestrainedpowerisfeltinthequietmotionofthewater；aboveitthegenerousMaysunisshining，theairisfilledwiththeexquisiteodouroffirtreesandoffreshfoliage。Andthebankskeeponmeetingthem，caressingtheeyesandthesoulwiththeirbeauty，asnewpicturesconstantlyunfoldthemselves。

Everythingsurroundingthembearsthestampofsomekindoftardiness：all——natureaswellasmen——livethereclumsily，lazily；butinthatlazinessthereisanoddgracefulness，anditseemsasthoughbeyondthelazinessacolossalpowerwereconcealed；

aninvinciblepower，butasyetdeprivedofconsciousness，asyetwithoutanydefinitedesiresandaims。Andtheabsenceofconsciousnessinthishalf-slumberinglifethrowsshadesofsadnessoverallthebeautifulslope。Submissivepatience，silenthopeforsomethingnewandmoreinspiritingareheardeveninthecryofthecuckoo，waftedtotheriverbythewindfromtheshore。Themelancholysongssoundasthoughimploringsomeoneforhelp。Andattimesthereisinthemaringofdespair。Theriveranswersthesongswithsighs。Andthetree-

topsshake，lostinmeditation。Silence。

Fomaspentalldaylongonthecaptain\'sbridgebesidehisfather。Withoututteringaword，hestaredwide-eyedattheendlesspanoramaofthebanks，anditseemedtohimhewasmovingalongabroadsilverpathinthosewonderfulkingdomsinhabitedbythesorcerersandgiantsofhisfamiliarfairy-tales。Attimeshewouldloadhisfatherwithquestionsabouteverythingthatpassedbeforethem。Ignatansweredhimwillinglyandconcisely，buttheboywasnotpleasedwithhisanswers；theycontainednothinginterestingandintelligibletohim，andhedidnothearwhathelongedtohear。Oncehetoldhisfatherwithasigh：

"AuntieAnfisaknowsbetterthanyou。"

"Whatdoessheknow？"askedIgnat，smiling。

"Everything，"repliedtheboy，convincedly。

Nowonderfulkingdomappearedbeforehim。Butoftencitiesappearedonthebanksoftheriver，justsuchcitiesastheonewhereFomalived。Someofthemwerelarger，somesmaller，butthepeople，andthehouses，andthechurches——allwerethesameasinhisowncity。Fomaexaminedthemincompanywithhisfather，butwasstillunsatisfiedandreturnedtothesteamergloomyandfatigued。

"TomorrowweshallbeinAstrakhan，"saidIgnatoneday。

"Andisitjustthesameastheothercities？"

"Ofcourse。Howelseshoulditbe？"

"AndwhatisbeyondAstrakhan？"

"Thesea。TheCaspianSeaitiscalled。"

"Andwhatisthere？"

"Fishes，queerfellow！Whatelsecantherebeinthewater？"

"There\'sthecityKitezhstandinginthewater。"

"That\'sadifferentthing！That\'sKitezh。Onlyrighteouspeoplelivethere。"

"Andaretherenorighteouscitiesonthesea？"

No，"saidIgnat，and，afteramoment\'ssilence，added："Theseawaterisbitterandnobodycandrinkit。"

"Andistheremorelandbeyondthesea？"

"Certainly，theseamusthaveanend。Itislikeacup。"

"Andaretherecitiestheretoo？"

"Againcities。Ofcourse！Onlythatlandisnotours，itbelongstoPersia。DidyouseethePersianssellingpistachio-nutsandapricotsinthemarket？"

"Yes，Isawthem，"repliedFoma，andbecamepensive。

Onedayheaskedhisfather：

"Istheremuchmorelandleft？"

"Theearthisverybig，mydear！Ifyoushouldgoonfoot，youcouldn\'tgoarounditevenintenyears。"

Ignattalkedforalongtimewithhissonaboutthesizeoftheearth，andsaidatlength：

"Andyetnooneknowsforcertainhowbigitreallyis，norwhereitends。"

"Andiseverythingalikeonearth？"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Thecitiesandall？"

"Well，ofcourse，thecitiesarelikecities。Therearehouses，streets——andeverythingthatisnecessary。"

Aftermanysimilarconversationstheboynolongerstaredsooftenintothedistancewiththeinterrogativelookofhisblackeyes。

Thecrewofthesteamerlovedhim，andhe，too，lovedthosefine，sun-burntandweather-beatenfellows，wholaughinglyplayedwithhim。Theymadefishingtacklesforhim，andlittleboatsoutofbark，playedwithhimandrowedhimabouttheanchoringplace，whenIgnatwenttotownonbusiness。Theboyoftenheardthementalkingabouthisfather，buthepaidnoattentiontowhattheysaid，andnevertoldhisfatherwhatheheardabouthim。Butoneday，inAstrakhan，whilethesteamerwastakinginacargooffuel，FomaheardthevoiceofPetrovich，themachinist：

"Heorderedsuchalotofwoodtobetakenin。Whatanabsurdman！Firstheloadsthesteameruptotheverydeck，andthenheroars。\'Youbreakthemachinerytoooften，\'hesays。\'Youpouroil，\'hesays，\'atrandom。\'"

Thevoiceofthegrayandsternpilotreplied：

"It\'sallhisexorbitantgreediness。Fuelischeaperhere，soheistakingallhecan。Heisgreedy，thedevil！"

"Oh，howgreedy！"

Thisword，repeatedmanytimesinsuccession，fixeditselfinFoma\'smemory，andintheevening，atsupper，hesuddenlyaskedhisfather：

"Papa！"

"What？"

"Areyougreedy？"

Inreplytohisfather\'squestionsFomatoldhimoftheconversationbetweenthepilotandthemachinist。Ignat\'sfacebecamegloomy，andhiseyesbegantoflashangrily。

"That\'showitis，"ejaculatedIgnat，shakinghishead。"Well，you——don\'tyoulistentothem。Theyarenotyourequals；don\'thavesomuchtodowiththem。Youaretheirmaster，theyareyourservants，understandthat。Ifwechooseto，wecanputeveryoneofthemashore。Theyarecheapandtheycanbefoundeverywherelikedogs。Understand？Theymaysaymanybadthingsaboutme。Buttheysaythem，becauseIamtheirmaster。ThewholethingarisesbecauseIamfortunateandrich，andthericharealwaysenvied。

Ahappymaniseverybody\'senemy。"

Abouttwodayslatertherewasanewpilotandanothermachinistonthesteamer。

"AndwhereisYakov？"askedtheboy。

"Idischargedhim。Iorderedhimaway。"

"Forthat？"queriedFoma。

"Yes，forthatverything。"

"AndPetrovich，too？"

"Yes，Isenthimthesameway。"

Fomawaspleasedwiththefactthathisfatherwasabletochangethemensoquickly。Hesmiledtohisfather，and，comingoutonthedeck，walkeduptoasailor，whosatonthefloor，untwistingapieceofropeandmakingaswab。

"Wehaveanewpilothere，"announcedFoma。

"Iknow。Goodhealthtoyou，FomaIgnatich！Howdidyousleep？"

"Andanewmachinist，too。"

"Andanewmachinist。AreyousorryforPetrovich？"

"Really？Andhewassogoodtoyou。"

"Well，whydidheabusemyfather？"

"Oh？Didheabusehim？"

"Ofcoursehedid。Ihearditmyself。"

"Mm——andyourfatherheardit，too？"

"No，Itoldhim。"

"You——so"——drawledthesailorandbecamesilent，takinguphisworkagain。

"Andpapasaystome：\'You，\'hesays，\'youaremasterhere——youcandrivethemallawayifyouwish。\'"

"So，"saidthesailor，gloomilylookingattheboy，whowassoenthusiasticallyboastingtohimofhissupremepower。FromthatdayonFomanoticedthatthecrewdidnotregardhimasbefore。

Somebecamemoreobligingandkind，othersdidnotcaretospeaktohim，andwhentheydidspeaktohim，itwasdoneangrily，andnotatallentertainingly，asbefore。Fomalikedtowatchwhilethedeckwasbeingwashed：theirtrousersrolleduptotheirknees，orsometimestakenoffaltogether，thesailors，withswabsandbrushesintheirhands，cleverlyranaboutthedeck，emptyingpailsofwateronit，besprinklingoneanother，laughing，shouting，falling。Streamsofwaterranineverydirection，andthelivelynoiseofthemenintermingledwiththegraysplashofthewater。Before，theboyneverbotheredthesailorsinthisplayfulandlightwork；nay，hetookanactivepart，besprinklingthemwithwaterandlaughinglyrunningaway，whentheythreatenedtopourwateroverhim。ButafterYakovandPetrovichhadbeendischarged，hefeltthathewasineverybody\'sway，thatnoonecaredtoplaywithhimandthatnooneregardedhimkindly。

Surprisedandmelancholy，heleftthedeck，walkeduptothewheel，satdownthere，and，offended，hethoughtfullybegantostareatthedistantgreenbankandthedentedstripofwoodsuponit。Andbelow，onthedeck，thewaterwassplashingplayfully，andthesailorsweregailylaughing。Heyearnedtogodowntothem，butsomethingheldhimback。

"Keepawayfromthemasmuchaspossible，"herecalledhisfather\'swords；"youaretheirmaster。"Thenhefeltlikeshoutingatthesailors——somethingharshandauthoritative，sohisfatherwouldscoldthem。Hethoughtalongtimewhattosay，butcouldnotthinkofanything。Anothertwo，threedayspassed，anditbecameperfectlycleartohimthatthecrewnolongerlikedhim。Hebegantofeellonesomeonthesteamer，andamidtheparti-colouredmistofnewimpressions，stillmoreoftentherecameupbeforeFomatheimageofhiskindandgentleAuntAnfisa，withherstories，andsmiles，andsoft，ringinglaughter，whichfilledtheboy\'ssoulwithajoyouswarmth。Hestilllivedintheworldoffairy-tales，buttheinvisibleandpitilesshandofrealitywasalreadyatworktearingthebeautiful，finewebofthewonderful，throughwhichtheboyhadlookedateverythingabouthim。Theincidentwiththemachinistandthepilotdirectedhisattentiontohissurroundings；Foma\'seyesbecamemoresharp-

sighted。Aconscioussearchfulnessappearedinthemandinhisquestionstohisfatherrangayearningtounderstandwhichthreadsandspringsweremanagingthedeedsofmen。

Onedayascenetookplacebeforehim：thesailorswerecarryingwood，andoneofthem，theyoung，curly-hairedandgayYefim，passingthedeckoftheshipwithhand-barrows，saidloudlyandangrily：

"No，hehasnoconsciencewhatever！TherewasnoagreementthatI

shouldcarrywood。Asailor——well，one\'sbusinessisclear——buttocarrywoodintothebargain——thankyou！ThatmeansformetotakeofftheskinIhavenotsold。Heiswithoutconscience！Hethinksitisclevertosapthelifeoutofus。"

Theboyheardthisgrumblingandknewthatitwasconcerninghisfather。HealsonoticedthatalthoughYefimwasgrumbling，hecarriedmorewoodonhisstretcherthantheothers，andwalkedfasterthantheothers。NoneofthesailorsrepliedtoYefim\'sgrumbling，andeventheonewhoworkedwithhimwassilent，onlynowandthenprotestingagainsttheearnestnesswithwhichYefimpiledupthewoodonthestretchers。

"Enough！"hewouldsay，morosely，"youarenotloadingahorse，areyou？"

"Andyouhadbetterkeepquiet。Youwereputtothecart——cartitanddon\'tkick——andshouldyourbloodbesucked——keepquietagain。Whatcanyousay？"

SuddenlyIgnatappeared，walkeduptothesailorand，stoppinginfrontofhim，askedsternly：

"Whatwereyoutalkingabout？"

"Iamtalking——Iknow，"repliedYefim，hesitating。"Therewasnoagreement——thatImustsaynothing。"

"Andwhoisgoingtosuckblood？"askedIgnat，strokinghisbeard。

Thesailorunderstoodthathehadbeencaughtunawares，andseeingnowayoutofit，heletthelogofwoodfallfromhishands，rubbedhispalmsagainsthispants，and，facingIgnatsquarely，saidratherboldly：

"AndamInotright？Don\'tyousuckit？"

"I？"

"You。"

Fomasawthathisfatherswunghishand。Aloudblowresounded，andthesailorfellheavilyonthewood。Hearoseimmediatelyandworkedoninsilence。Bloodwastricklingfromhisbruisedfaceontothewhitebarkofthebirchwood；hewipedthebloodoffhisfacewiththesleeveofhisshirt，lookedathissleeveand，heavingasigh，maintainedsilence，andwhenhewentpastFomawiththehand-harrows，twobig，turbidtearsweretremblingonhisface，nearthebridgeofhisnose，andFomanoticedthem。

AtdinnerFomawaspensiveandnowandthenglancedathisfatherwithfearinhiseyes。

"Whydoyoufrown？"askedhisfather，gently。

"Frown？"

"Areyouill，perhaps？Becareful。Ifthereisanything，tellme。"

"Youarestrong，"saidFomaofasuddenmusingly。

"I？That\'sright。Godhasfavouredmewithstrength。"

"Howhardyoustruckhim！"exclaimedtheboyinalowvoice，loweringhishead。

Ignatwasabouttoputapieceofbreadwithcaviarintohismouth，buthishandstopped，heldbackbyhisson\'sexclamation；

helookedinterrogativelyatFoma\'sdroopingheadandasked：

"YoumeanYefim，don\'tyou？"

"Yes，hewasbleeding。Andhowhewalkedafterward，howhecried，"saidtheboyinalowvoice。

"Mm，"roaredIgnat，chewingabite。"Well，areyousorryforhim？"

"It\'sapity！"saidFoma，withtearsinhisvoice。

"Yes。Sothat\'sthekindofafellowyouare，"saidIgnat。

Then，afteramoment\'ssilence，hefilledawineglasswithvodka，emptiedit，andsaidsternly，inaslightlyreprimandingtone：

"Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldpityhim。Hebrawledatrandom，andthereforegotwhathedeserved。Iknowhim：heisagoodfellow，industrious，strongandnotabitfoolish。Buttoargueisnothisbusiness；Imayargue，becauseIamthemaster。

Itisn\'tsimpletobemaster。Apunchwouldn\'tkillhim，butwillmakehimwiser。That\'stheway。Eh，Foma！Youareaninfant，andyoudonotunderstandthesethings。Imustteachyouhowtolive。

Itmaybethatmydaysoneartharenumbered。"

Ignatwassilentforawhile，dranksomemorevodkaandwentoninstinctively：

"Itisnecessarytohavepityonmen。Youarerightindoingso。

Butyoumustpitythemsensibly。Firstlookataman，findoutwhatgoodthereisinhim，andwhatusemaybemadeofhim！Andifyoufindhimtobestrongandcapable——pityandassisthim。

Andifheisweakandnotinclinedtowork——spituponhim，passhimby。Justkeepthisinmind——themanwhocomplainsagainsteverything，whosighsandmoansallthetime——thatmanisworthnothing；hemeritsnocompassionandyouwilldohimnogoodwhatever，evenifyouhelphim。Pityforsuchpeoplemakesthemmoremorose，spoilsthemthemore。Inyourgodfather\'shouseyousawvariouskindsofpeople——unfortunatetravellersandhangers-

on，andallsortsofrabble。Forgetthem。Theyarenotmen，theyarejustshells，andaregoodfornothing。Theyarelikebugs，fleasandotheruncleanthings。NordotheyliveforGod\'ssake——

theyhavenoGod。TheycallHisnameinvain，inordertomovefoolstopity，and，thuspitied，tofilltheirbellieswithsomething。Theylivebutfortheirbellies，andasidefromeating，drinking，sleepingandmoaningtheycandonothing。Andalltheyaccomplishisthesoul\'sdecay。Theyareinyourwayandyoutripoverthem。Agoodmanamongthem——likefreshapplesamongbadones——maysoonbespoilt，andnoonewillprofitbyit。

Youareyoung，that\'sthetrouble。Youcannotcomprehendmywords。Helphimwhoisfirminmisery。Hemaynotaskyouforassistance，butthinkofityourself，andassisthimwithouthisrequest。Andifheshouldhappentobeproudandthusfeeloffendedatyouraid，donotallowhimtoseethatyouarelendinghimahelpinghand。That\'sthewayitshouldbedone，accordingtocommonsense！Here，forexample，twoboards，letussay，fallintothemud——oneofthemisarottenone，theother，agoodsoundboard。Whatshouldyoudo？Whatgoodisthereintherottenboard？Youhadbetterdropit，letitstayinthemudandsteponitsoasnottosoilyourfeet。Astothesoundboard，liftitupandplaceitinthesun；ifitcanbeofnousetoyou，someoneelsemayavailhimselfofit。That\'sthewayitis，myson！Listentomeandremember。ThereisnoreasonwhyYefimshouldbepitied。Heisacapablefellow，heknowshisvalue。Youcannotknockhissouloutwithaboxontheear。I\'lljustwatchhimforaboutaweek，andthenI\'llputhimatthehelm。Andthere，Iamquitesure，he\'llbeagoodpilot。Andifheshouldbepromotedtocaptain，hewouldn\'tlosecourage——hewouldmakeaclevercaptain！That\'sthewaypeoplegrow。Ihavegonethroughthisschoolmyself，dear。I，too，receivedmorethanoneboxontheearwhenIwasofhisage。Life，myson，isnotadearmothertoallofus。Itisourexactingmistress。"

Ignattalkedwithhissonabouttwohours，tellinghimofhisownyouth，ofhistoils，ofmen；theirterriblepower，andoftheirweakness；ofhowtheylive，andsometimespretendtobeunfortunateinordertoliveonotherpeople\'smoney；andthenhetoldhimofhimself，andofhowherosefromaplainworkingmantobeproprietorofalargeconcern。Theboylistenedtohiswords，lookedathimandfeltasthoughhisfatherwerecomingnearerandnearertohim。Andthoughhisfather\'sstorydidnotcontainthematerialofwhichAuntAnfisa\'sfairy-taleswerebrimful，therewassomethingnewinit，somethingclearerandmorecomprehensiblethaninherfairy-tales，andsomethingjustasinteresting。Somethingpowerfulandwarmbegantothrobwithinhislittleheart，andhewasdrawntowardhisfather。Ignat，evidently，surmisedhisson\'sfeelingsbyhiseyes：heroseabruptlyfromhisseat，seizedhiminhisarmsandpressedhimfirmlytohisbreast。AndFomaembracedhisneck，and，pressinghischeektothatofhisfather，wassilentandbreathedrapidly。

"Myson，"whisperedIgnatinadullvoice，"Mydarling！Myjoy！

LearnwhileIamalive。Alas！itishardtolive。"

Thechild\'shearttrembledatthiswhisper；hesethisteethtogether，andhottearsgushedfromhiseyes。

UntilthisdayIgnathadneverkindledanyparticularfeelinginhisson：theboywasusedtohim；hewastiredoflookingathisenormousfigure，andfearedhimslightly，butwasatthesametimeawarethathisfatherwoulddoanythingforhimthathewanted。SometimesIgnatwouldstayawayfromhomeaday，two，aweek，orpossiblytheentiresummer。AndyetFomadidnotevennoticehisabsence，soabsorbedwashebyhisloveforAuntAnfisa。WhenIgnatreturnedtheboywasglad，buthecouldhardlytellwhetheritwashisfather\'sarrivalthatgladdenedhimortheplaythingshebroughtwithhim。Butnow，atthesightofIgnat，theboyrantomeethim，graspedhimbythehand，laughed，staredintohiseyesandfeltwearyifhedidnotseehimfortwoorthreehours：Hisfatherbecameinterestingtohim，and，rousinghiscuriosity，hefairlydevelopedloveandrespectforhimself。

EverytimethattheyweretogetherFomabeggedhisfather：

"Papa，tellmeaboutyourself。"……

ThesteamerwasnowgoinguptheVolga。OnesuffocatingnightinJuly，whentheskywasovercastwiththickblackclouds，andeverythingontheVolgawassomewhatominouslycalm，theyreachedKazanandanchorednearUslonattheendofanenormousfleetofvessels。TheclinkingoftheanchorchainsandtheshoutingofthecrewawakenedFoma；helookedoutofthewindowandsaw，farinthedistance，smalllightsglimmeringfantastically：thewaterabouttheboatblackandthick，likeoil——andnothingelsecouldbeseen。Theboy\'shearttrembledpainfullyandhebegantolistenattentively。Ascarcelyaudible，melancholysongreachedhisears——mournfulandmonotonousasachantonthecaravanthewatchmencalledtooneanother；thesteamerhissedangrilygettingupsteam。Andtheblackwateroftheriversplashedsadlyandquietlyagainstthesidesofthevessels。Staringfixedlyintothedarkness，untilhiseyeshurt，theboydiscernedblackpilesandsmalllightsdimlyburninghighabovethem。Heknewthatthosewerebarges，butthisknowledgedidnotcalmhimandhisheartthrobbedunevenly，and，inhisimagination，terrifyingdarkimagesarose。

"O-o-o，"adrawlingcrycamefromthedistanceandendedlikeawail。

Someonecrossedthedeckandwentuptothesideofthesteamer。

"O-o-o，"washeardagain，butnearerthistime。

"Yefim！"someonecalledinalowvoiceonthedeck。"Yefimka！"

"Well？"

"Devil！Getup！Taketheboat-hook。"

"O-o-o，"someonemoanednearby，andFoma，shuddering，steppedbackfromthewindow。

Thequeersoundcamenearerandnearerandgrewinstrength，sobbedanddiedoutinthedarkness。Whileonthedecktheywhisperedwithalarm：

"Yefimka！Getup！Aguestisfloating！"

"Where？"cameahastyquestion，thenbarefeetbegantopatteraboutthedeck，abustlewasheard，andtwoboat-hooksslippeddownpasttheboy\'sfaceandalmostnoiselesslyplungedintothewater。

"Ague-e-est！"Somebegantosobnearby，andaquiet，butveryqueersplashresounded。

Theboytrembledwithfrightatthismournfulcry，buthecouldnottearhishandsfromthewindownorhiseyesfromthewater。

"Lightthelantern。Youcan\'tseeanything。"

"Directly。"

Andthenaspotofdimlightfelloverthewater。Fomasawthatthewaterwasrockingcalmly，thataripplewaspassingoverit，asthoughthewaterwereafflicted，andtrembledforpain。

"Look！Look！"theywhisperedonthedeckwithfright。

Atthesametimeabig，terriblehumanface，withwhiteteethsettogether，appearedonthespotoflight。Itfloatedandrockedinthewater，itsteethseemedtostareatFomaasthoughsaying，withasmile：

"Eh，boy，boy，itiscold。Goodbye！"

Theboat-hooksshook，wereliftedintheair，wereloweredagainintothewaterandcarefullybegantopushsomethingthere。

"Shovehim！Shove！Lookout，hemaybethrownunderthewheel。"

"Shovehimyourselfthen。"

Theboat-hooksglidedoverthesideofthesteamer，and，scratchingagainstit，producedanoiselikethegrindingofteeth。Fomacouldnotclosehiseyesforwatchingthem。Thenoiseoffeetstampingonthedeck，overhishead，wasgraduallymovingtowardthestern。Andthenagainthatmoaningcryforthedeadwasheard：

"Ague-e-est！"

"Papa！"criedFomainaringingvoice。"Papa！"Hisfatherjumpedtohisfeetandrushedtowardhim。

"Whatisthat？Whataretheydoingthere？"criedFoma。

Wildlyroaring，Ignatjumpedoutofthecabinwithhugebounds。

Hesoonreturned，soonerthanFoma，staggeringandlookingaroundhim，hadtimetoreachhisfather\'sbed。

"Theyfrightenedyou？It\'snothing！"saidIgnat，takinghimupinhisarms。"Liedownwithme。"

"Whatisit？"askedFoma，quietly。

"Itwasnothing，myson。Onlyadrownedman。Amanwasdrownedandheisfloating。That\'snothing！Don\'tbeafraid，hehasalreadyfloatedclearofus。"

"Whydidtheypushhim？"interrogatedtheboy，firmlypressingclosetohisfather，andshuttinghiseyesforfright。

"Itwasnecessarytodoso。Thewatermighthavethrownhimunderthewheel。Underours，forinstance。Tomorrowthepolicewouldnoticeit，therewouldbetrouble，inquests，andwewouldbeheldhereforexamination。That\'swhyweshovedhimalong。Whatdifferencedoesitmaketohim？Heisdead；itdoesn\'tpainhim；

itdoesn\'toffendhim。Andthelivingwouldbetroubledonhisaccount。Sleep，myson。

"Sohewillfloatonthatway？"

"Hewillfloat。They\'lltakehimoutsomewhereandburyhim。"

"Andwillafishdevourhim？"

"Fishdonoteathumanbodies。Crabseatthem。Theylikethem。"

Foma\'sfrightwasmelting，fromtheheatofhisfather\'sbody，butbeforehiseyestheterriblesneeringfacewasstillrockingintheblackwater。

"Andwhoishe？"

"Godknows！SaytoGodabouthim：\'0hLord，resthissoul！\'"

"Lord，resthissoul！"repeatedFoma，inawhisper。

"That\'sright。Sleepnow，don\'tfear。Heisfarawaynow！Floatingon。

Seehere，becarefulasyougouptothesideoftheship。Youmayfalloverboard。Godforbid！And——"

"Didhefalloverboard？"

"Ofcourse。Perhapshewasdrunk，andthat\'shisend！Andmaybehethrewhimselfintothewater。Therearepeoplewhodothat。

Theygoandthrowthemselvesintothewaterandaredrowned。

Life，mydear，issoarrangedthatdeathissometimesaholidayforone，sometimesitisablessingforall。"

"Papa。"

"Sleep，sleep，dear。"

CHAPTERIII

DURINGtheveryfirstdayofhisschoollife，stupefiedbythelivelyandheartynoiseofprovokingmischiefsandofwild，childishgames，Fomapickedouttwoboysfromthecrowdwhoatonceseemedmoreinterestingtohimthantheothers。Onehadaseatinfrontofhim。Foma，lookingaskance，sawabroadback；afullneck，coveredwithfreckles；bigears；andthebackoftheheadcloselycropped，coveredwithlight-redhairwhichstoodoutlikebristles。

Whentheteacher，abald-headedman，whoselowerliphungdown，calledout："Smolin，African！"thered-headedboyaroseslowly，walkeduptotheteacher，calmlystaredintohisface，and，havinglistenedtotheproblem，carefullybegantomakebigroundfiguresontheblackboardwithchalk。

"Goodenough！"saidtheteacher。"Yozhov，Nicolai。Proceed！"

OneofFoma\'sneighbours，afidgetylittleboywithblacklittlemouse-eyes，jumpedupfromhisseatandpassedthroughtheaisle，strikingagainsteverythingandturninghisheadonallsides。Attheblackboardheseizedthechalk，and，standinguponthetoesofhisboots，noisilybegantomarktheboardwiththechalk，creakingandfillingwithchalkdust，dashingoffsmall，illegiblemarks。

"Notsoloud！"saidtheteacher，wrinklinghisyellowfaceandcontractinghisfatiguedeyes。Yozhovspokequicklyandinaringingvoice：

"Nowweknowthatthefirstpeddlermade17k。profit。"

"Enough！Gordyeeff！Tellmewhatmustwedoinordertofindouthowmuchthesecondpeddlergained？"

Watchingtheconductoftheboys，sounlikeeachother，Fomawasthustakenunawaresbythequestionandhekeptquiet。

"Don\'tyouknow？How？Explainittohim，Smolin。"

Havingcarefullywipedhisfingers，whichhadbeensoiledwithchalk，Smolinputtheragaway，and，withoutlookingatFoma，finishedtheproblemandagainbegantowipehishands，whileYozhov，smilingandskippingalongashewalked，returnedtohisseat。

"Eh，you！"hewhispered，seatinghimselfbesideFoma，incidentallystrikinghissidewithhisfist。"Whydon\'tyouknowit？Whatwastheprofitaltogether？Thirtykopecks。Andthereweretwopeddlers。Oneofthemgot17。Well，howmuchdidtheotheroneget？"

"Iknow，"repliedFoma，inawhisper，feelingconfusedandexaminingthefaceofSmolin，whowassedatelyreturningtohisseat。Hedidn\'tlikethatround，freckledface，withtheblueeyes，whichwereloadedwithfat。AndYozhovpinchedhislegandasked：

"Whosesonareyou？TheFrantic\'s？"

"Yes。"

"So。Doyouwishmetopromptyoualways？"

"Yes。"

"Andwhatwillyougivemeforit？"

Fomathoughtawhileandasked：

"Anddoyouknowitallyourself？"

"I？Iamthebestpupil。You\'llseeforyourself。"

"Hey，there！Yozhov，youaretalkingagain？"criedtheteacher，faintly。

Yozhovjumpedtohisfeetandsaidboldly：

"It\'snotI，IvanAndreyich——it\'sGordyeeff。"

"Bothofthemwerewhispering，"announcedSmolin，serenely。

Wrinklinghisfacemournfullyandmovinghisbiglipcomically，theteacherreprimandedthemall，buthiswordsdidnotpreventYozhovfromwhisperingimmediately：

"Verywell，Smolin！I\'llrememberyoufortelling。"

"Well，whydoyoublameitallonthenewboy？"askedSmolin，inalowvoice，withouteventurninghisheadtothem。

"Allright，allright，"hissedYozhov。

Fomawassilent，lookingaskanceathisbriskneighbour，whoatoncepleasedhimandrousedinhimadesiretogetasfaraspossibleawayfromhim。DuringrecesshelearnedfromYozhovthatSmolin，too，wasrich，beingthesonofatan-yardproprietor，andthatYozhovhimselfwasthesonofaguardattheCourtofExchequer，andverypoor。Thelastwasclearlyevidentbytheadroitboy\'scostume，madeofgrayfustianandadornedwithpatchesonthekneesandelbows；byhispale，hungry-lookingface；and，byhissmall，angularandbonyfigure。Thisboyspokeinametallicalto，elucidatinghiswordswithgrimacesandgesticulations，andheoftenusedwordswhosemeaningwasknownbuttohimself。

"We\'llbefriends，"heannouncedtoFoma。

"Whydidyoucomplaintotheteacheraboutme？"GordyeeffremindedYozhov，lookingathimsuspiciously。

"There！What\'sthedifferencetoyou？Youareanewscholarandrich。Theteacherisnotexactingwiththerich。AndIamapoorhanger-on；hedoesn\'tlikeme，becauseIamimpudentandbecauseIneverbringhimanypresents。IfIhadbeenabadpupilhewouldhaveexpelledmelongago。YouknowI\'llgototheGymnasiumfromhere。I\'llpassthesecondclassandthenI\'llleave。Alreadyastudentispreparingmeforthesecondclass。

ThereI\'llstudysothattheycan\'tholdmeback！Howmanyhorsesdoyouhave？"

"Three。Whatdoyouneedtostudysomuchfor？"askedFoma。

"BecauseIampoor。Thepoormuststudyhardsothattheymaybecomerich。Theybecomedoctors，functionaries，officers。I

shallbea\'tinkler。\'Aswordatmyside，spuronmyboots。

Cling，cling！Andwhatareyougoingtobe？"

"Idon\'tknow，"saidFoma，pensively，examininghiscompanion。

"Youneednotbeanything。Andareyoufondofpigeons？"

"Yes。"

"Whatagood-for-nothingyouare！Oh！Eh！"YozhovimitatedFoma\'sslowwayofspeaking。"Howmanypigeonsdoyouhave？"

"Ihavenone。"

"Eh，you！Rich，andyetyouhavenopigeons。EvenIhavethree。

IfmyfatherhadbeenrichIwouldhavehadahundredpigeonsandchasedthemalldaylong。Smolinhaspigeons，too，fineones！

Fourteen。Hemademeapresentofone。Only，heisgreedy。Allthericharegreedy。Andyou，areyougreedy，too？"

"Idon\'tknow，"saidFoma，irresolutely。

"ComeuptoSmolin\'sandthethreeofustogetherwillchasethepigeons。"

"Verywell。Iftheyletme。"

"Why，doesnotyourfatherlikeyou？"

"Hedoeslikeme。"

"Well，then，he\'llletyougo。Onlydon\'ttellhimthatIamcoming。Perhapshewouldnotletyougowithme。TellhimyouwanttogotoSmolin\'s。Smolin！"

Aplumpboycameuptothem，andYozhovaccostedhim，shakinghisheadreproachfully：

"Eh，youred-headedslanderer！Itisn\'tworthwhiletobefriendswithyou，blockhead！"

"Whydoyouabuseme？"askedSmolin，calmly，examiningFomafixedly。

"Iamnotabusingyou；Iamtellingthetruth，"Yozhovexplained，straighteninghimselfwithanimation。"Listen！Althoughyouareakissel，but——letitgo！We\'llcomeuptoseeyouonSundayaftermass。"

"Come，"Smolinnoddedhishead。

"We\'llcomeup。They\'llringthebellsoon。Imustruntosellthesiskin，"declaredYozhov，pullingoutofhispocketapaperpackage，whereinsomelivethingwasstruggling。Andhedisappearedfromtheschool-yardasmercuryfromthepalmofahand。

"Whataqueerfellowheis！"saidFoma，dumfoundedbyYozhov\'sadroitnessandlookingatSmolininterrogatively。

"Heisalwayslikethis。He\'sveryclever，"thered-headedboyexplained。

"Andcheerful，too，"addedFoma。

"Cheerful，too，"Smolinassented。Thentheybecamesilent，lookingateachother。

"Willyoucomeupwithhimtomyhouse？"askedthered-headedboy。

"Yes。"

"Comeup。It\'snicethere。"

Fomasaidnothingtothis。ThenSmolinaskedhim：

"Haveyoumanyfriends？"

"Ihavenone。"

"NeitherdidIhaveanyfriendsbeforeIwenttoschool。Onlycousins。Nowyou\'llhavetwofriendsatonce。"

"Yes，"saidFoma。

"Areyouglad？"

"I\'mglad。"

"Whenyouhavelotsoffriends，itislively。Anditiseasiertostudy，too——theypromptyou。"

"Andareyouagoodpupil？"

"Ofcourse！Idoeverythingwell，"saidSmolin，calmly。

Thebellbegantobangasthoughithadbeenfrightenedandwashastilyrunningsomewhere。

Sittinginschool，Fomabegantofeelsomewhatfreer，andcomparedhisfriendswiththerestoftheboys。Hesoonlearnedthattheybothweretheverybestboysinschoolandthattheywerethefirsttoattracteverybody\'sattention，evenasthetwofigures5and7，whichhadnotyetbeenwipedofftheblackboard。

AndFomafeltverymuchpleasedthathisfriendswerebetterthananyoftheotherboys。

Theyallwenthomefromschooltogether，butYozhovsoonturnedintosomenarrowsidestreet，whileSmolinwalkedwithFomauptohisveryhouse，and，departing，said：

"Yousee，webothgohomethesameway，too。"

AthomeFomawasmetwithpomp：hisfathermadehimapresentofaheavysilverspoon，withaningeniousmonogramonit，andhisauntgavehimascarfknittedbyherself。Theywereawaitinghimfordinner，havingpreparedhisfavouritedishesforhim，andassoonashetookoffhiscoat，seatedhimatthetableandbegantoplyhimwithquestions。

"Well，howwasit？Howdidyouliketheschool？"askedIgnat，lookinglovinglyathisson\'srosy，animatedface。

"Prettygood。It\'snice！"repliedFoma。

"Mydarling！"sighedhisaunt，withfeeling，"lookout，holdyourownwithyourfriends。Assoonastheyoffendyoutellyourteachersaboutit。"

"Goon。Whatelsewillyoutellhim？"Ignatsmiled。"Neverdothat！Trytogetsquarewitheveryoffenderyourself，punishhimwithyourownhand，notwithsomebodyelse\'s。Arethereanygoodfellowsthere？"

"Therearetwo，"Fomasmiled，recallingYozhov。"Oneofthemissobold——terrible！"

"Whoseishe？"

"Aguard\'sson。"

"Mm！Bolddidyousay？"

"Dreadfullybold！"

"Well，lethimbe！Andtheother？"

"Theotheroneisred-headed。Smolin。"

"Ah！EvidentlyMitryIvanovitch\'sson。Sticktohim，he\'sgoodcompany。Mitryisacleverpeasant。Ifthesontakesafterhisfatheritisallright。Butthatotherone——youknow，Foma，youhadbetterinvitethemtoourhouseonSunday。I\'llbuysomepresentsandyoucantreatthem。We\'llseewhatsortofboystheyare。"

"SmolinaskedmetocometohimthisSunday，"saidFoma，lookingupathisfatherquestioningly。

"So。Well，youmaygo！That\'sallright，go。Observewhatkindofpeoplethereareintheworld。Youcannotpassyourlifealone，withoutfriendship。YourgodfatherandI，forinstance，havebeenfriendsformorethantwentyyears，andIhaveprofitedagreatdealbyhiscommonsense。Soyou，too，trytobefriendlywiththosethatarebetterandwiserthanyou。Rubagainstagoodman，likeacoppercoinagainstsilver，andyoumaythenpassforasilvercoinyourself。"

And，burstingintolaughterathiscomparison，Ignataddedseriously：

"Iwasonlyjesting。Trytobe，notartificial，butgenuine。Andhavesomecommonsense，nomatterhowlittle，butyourown。Haveyoumanylessonstodo？"

"Many！"sighedtheboy，andtohissigh，likeanecho，hisauntansweredwithaheavysigh。

"Well，study。Don\'tbeworsethanothersatschool。Although，I\'lltellyou，evenifthereweretwenty-fiveclassesinyourschool，theycouldneverteachyouthereanythingsavereading，writingandarithmetic。Youmayalsolearnsomenaughtythings，butGodprotectyou！Ishallgiveyouaterriblespankingifyoudo。IfyousmoketobaccoI\'llcutyourlipsoff。"

"RememberGod，Fomushka，"saidtheaunt。"Seethatyoudon\'tforgetourLord。"

"That\'strue！HonourGodandyourfather。ButIwishtotellyouthatschoolbooksarebutatrivialmatter。Youneedtheseasacarpenterneedsanadzeandapointer。Theyaretools，butthetoolscannotteachyouhowtomakeuseofthem。Understand？Letussee：Supposeanadzewerehandedtoacarpenterforhimtosquareabeamwithit。It\'snotenoughtohavehandsandanadze；

itisalsonecessaryforhimtoknowhowtostrikethewoodsoasnottohithisfootinstead。Toyoutheknowledgeofreadingandwritingisgiven，andyoumustregulateyourlifewithit。Thusitfollowsthatbooksalonearebutatrifleinthismatter；itisnecessarytobeabletotakeadvantageofthem。Anditisthisabilitythatismorecunningthananybooks，andyetnothingaboutitiswritteninthebooks。This，Foma，youmustlearnfromLifeitself。Abookisadeadthing，youmaytakeitasyouplease，youmaytearit，breakit——itwillnotcryout。Whileshouldyoubutmakeasinglewrongstepinlife，orwronglyoccupyaplaceinit，Lifewillstarttobawlatyouinathousandvoices；itwilldealyouablow，fellingyoutotheground。"

Foma，hiselbowsleaningonthetable，attentivelylistenedtohisfather，andunderthesoundofhispowerfulvoicehepicturedtohimselfnowthecarpentersquaringabeam，nowhimself，hishandsoutstretched，carefullyandstealthilyapproachingsomecolossalandlivingthing，anddesiringtograspthatterriblesomething。

"Amanmustpreservehimselfforhisworkandmustbethoroughlyacquaintedwiththeroadtoit。Aman，dear，islikethepilotonaship。Inyouth，asathightide，gostraight！Awayisopentoyoueverywhere。Butyoumustknowwhenitistimetosteer。Thewatersrecede——hereyouseeasandbank，there，arock；itisnecessarytoknowallthisandtoslipoffintime，inordertoreachtheharboursafeandsound。"

"Iwillreachit！"saidtheboy，lookingathisfatherproudlyandwithconfidence。

"Eh？Youspeakcourageously！"Ignatburstintolaughter。Andtheauntalsobegantolaughkindly。

SincehistripwithhisfatherontheVolga，Fomabecamemorelivelyandtalkativeathome，withhisfather，withhisauntandwithMayakin。Butonthestreet，inanewplace，orinthepresenceofstrangers，hewasalwaysgloomy，alwayslookingabouthimwithsuspicion，asthoughhefeltsomethinghostiletohimeverywhere，somethinghiddenfromhimspyingonhim。

Atnightshesometimesawokeofasuddenandlistenedforalongtimetothesilenceabouthim，fixedlystaringintothedarkwithwide-openeyes。Andthenhisfather\'sstoriesweretransformedbeforehimintoimagesandpictures。Withoutbeingawareofit，hemixedupthosestorieswithhisaunt\'sfairy-tales，thuscreatingforhimselfachaosofadventureswhereinthebrightcoloursoffantasywerewhimsicallyintertwinedwiththesternshadesofreality。Thisresultedinsomethingcolossal，incomprehensible；theboyclosedhiseyesanddroveitallawayfromhimandtriedtochecktheplayofhisimagination，whichfrightenedhim。Invainheattemptedtofallasleep，andthechamberbecamemoreandmorecrowdedwithdarkimages。Thenhequietlyrousedhisaunt。

"Auntie！Auntie！"

"What？Christbewithyou。"

"I\'llcometoyou，"whisperedFoma。

"Why？Sleep，darling，sleep。"

"Iamafraid，"confessedtheboy。

"Youbettersaytoyourself，\'AndtheLordwillriseagain，\'thenyouwon\'tbeafraid。"

Fomalieswithhiseyesopenandsaystheprayer。Thesilenceofthenightpicturesitselfbeforehimintheformofanendlessexpanseofperfectlycalm，darkwater，whichhasoverflowedeverythingandcongealed；thereisnotarippleonit，notashadowofamotion，andneitheristhereanythingwithinit，althoughitisbottomlesslydeep。Itisveryterribleforonetolookdownfromthedarkatthisdeadwater。Butnowthesoundofthenightwatchman\'smalletisheard，andtheboyseesthatthesurfaceofthewaterisbeginningtotremble，and，coveringthesurfacewithripples，lightlittleballsaredancinguponit。Thesoundofthebellonthesteeple，withonemightyswing，bringsallthewaterinagitationanditisslightlytremblingfromthatsound；abigspotoflightisalsotrembling，spreadinglightuponthewater，radiatingfromitscentreintothedarkdistance，theregrowingpaleranddyingout。Againthereiswearyanddeathlikereposeinthisdarkdesert。

"Auntie，"whispersFoma，beseechingly。

"Dearest？"

"Iamcomingtoyou。"

"Come，then，come，mydarling。"

Goingoverintoauntie\'sbed，hepressesclosetoher，begging：

"Tellmesomething。"

"Atnight？"protestsauntie，sleepily。

"Please。"

Hedoesnothavetoaskherlong。Yawning，hereyesclosed，theoldwomanbeginsslowlyinavoicegrownheavywithsleep：

"Well，mydearsir，inacertainkingdom，inacertainempire，therelivedamanandhiswife，andtheywereverypoor。Theyweresounfortunatethattheyhadnothingtoeat。Theywouldgoaroundbegging，somebodywouldgivethemacrustofstalebreadandthatwouldkeepthemforawhile。Anditcametopassthatthewifebegotachild——achildwasborn——itwasnecessarytochristenit，but，beingpoor，theycouldnotentertainthegodparentsandtheguests，sonobodycametochristenthechild。

Theytriedthisandtheytriedthat——yetnobodycame。AndtheybegantopraytotheLord，\'0hLord！0hLord！\'"

FomaknewthisawfulstoryaboutGod\'sgodchild。Hehadhearditmorethanonceandwasalreadypicturingtohimselfthisgodchildridingonawhitehorsetohisgodfatherandgodmother；hewasridinginthedarkness，overthedesert，andhesawtherealltheunbearablemiseriestowhichsinnersarecondemned。Andheheardtheirfaintmoansandrequests：

"Oh！Man！AsktheLordyethowlongarewetosufferhere！"

ThenitappearedtoFomathatitwashewhowasridingatnightonthewhitehorse，andthatthemoansandtheimploringswereaddressedtohim。Hisheartcontractswithsomeincomprehensibledesire；sorrowcompressedhisbreastandtearsgatheredinhiseyes，whichhehadfirmlyclosedandnowfearedtoopen。

Heistossingaboutinhisbedrestlessly，"Sleep，mychild。Christbewithyou！"saystheoldwoman，interruptinghertaleofmensufferingfortheirsins。

ButinthemorningaftersuchanightFomarosesoundandcheerful，washedhimselfhastily，drankhisteainhasteandranofftoschool，providedwithsweetcakes，whichwereawaitedbythealwayshungrylittleYozhov，whogreedilysubsistedonhisrichfriend\'sgenerosity。

"Gotanythingtoeat？"heaccostedFoma，turninguphissharp-pointednose。"Letmehaveit，forIleftthehousewithouteatinganything。

Islepttoolong，deviltakeit！Istudieduptotwoo\'clocklastnight。Haveyousolvedyourproblems？"

"No，Ihaven\'t。"

"Eh，youlazybones！Well，I\'lldashthemoffforyoudirectly！"

Drivinghissmall，thinteethintothecakes，hepurredsomethinglikeakitten，stampedhisleftfoot，beatingtime，andatthesametimesolvedtheproblem，rattlingoffshortphrasestoFoma：

"See？Eightbucketfulsleakedoutinonehour。Andhowmanyhoursdiditleak——six？Eh，whatgoodthingstheyeatinyourhouse！

Consequently，wemustmultiplysixbyeight。Doyoulikecakewithgreenonions？Oh，howIlikeit！Sothatinsixhoursforty-

eightbucketfulsleakedoutofthefirstgauge-cock。Andaltogetherthetubcontainedninety。Doyouunderstandtherest？"

FomalikedYozhovbetterthanSmolin，buthewasmorefriendlywithSmolin。Hewonderedattheabilityandthesprightlinessofthelittlefellow。HesawthatYozhovwasmorecleverandbetterthanhimself；heenviedhim，andfeltoffendedonthataccount，andatthesametimehepitiedhimwiththecondescendingcompassionofasatisfiedmanforahungryone。Perhapsitwasthisverycompassionthatpreventedhimfrompreferringthisbrightboytotheboringred-headedSmolin。Yozhov，fondofhavingalaughattheexpenseofhiswell-fedfriends，toldthemquiteoften："Eh，youarelittletrunksfullofcakes！"

Fomawasangrywithhimforhissneers，andoneday，touchedtothequick，saidwickedlyandwithcontempt：

"Andyouareabeggar——apauper！"

Yozhov\'syellowfacebecameovercast，andherepliedslowly：

"Verywell，sobeit！Ishallneverpromptyouagain——andyou\'llbelikealogofwood！"

Andtheydidnotspeaktoeachotherforaboutthreedays，verymuchtotheregretoftheteacher，whoduringthesedayshadtogivethelowestmarkingstothesonoftheesteemedIgnatMatveyich。

Yozhovkneweverything：herelatedatschoolhowtheprocurator\'schambermaidgavebirthtoachild，andthatforthistheprocurator\'swifepouredhotcoffeeoverherhusband；hecouldtellwhereandwhenitwasbesttocatchperch；heknewhowtomaketrapsandcagesforbirds；hecouldgiveadetailedaccountofhowthesoldierhadhangedhimselfinthegarretofthearmoury，andknewfromwhichofthepupils\'parentstheteacherhadreceivedapresentthatdayandpreciselywhatsortofapresentitwas。

ThesphereofSmolin\'sknowledgeandinterestswasconfinedtothemerchant\'smodeoflife，and，aboveall，thered-headedboywasfondofjudgingwhetherthismanwasricherthanthat，valuingandpricingtheirhouses，theirvesselsandtheirhorses。

Allthisheknewtoperfection，andspokeofitwithenthusiasm。

LikeFoma，heregardedYozhovwiththesamecondescendingpity，butmoreasafriendandequal。WheneverGordyeeffquarrelledwithYozhov，Smolinhastenedtoreconcilethem，andhesaidtoFomaoneday，ontheirwayhome：

"WhydoyoualwaysquarrelwithYozhov？"

"Well，whyishesoself-conceited？"saidFoma，angrily。

"Heisproudbecauseyouneverknowyourlessons，andhealwayshelpsyouout。Heisclever。Andbecauseheispoor——ishetoblameforthat？

Hecanlearnanythinghewantsto，andhewillberich，too。"

"Heislikeamosquito，"saidFoma，disdainfully；"hewillbuzzandbuzz，andthenofasuddenwillbite。"

Buttherewassomethinginthelifeoftheseboysthatunitedthemall；therewerehourswhentheconsciousnessofdifferenceintheirnaturesandpositionswasentirelylost。OnSundaystheyallgatheredatSmolin\'s，and，gettingupontheroofofthewing，wheretheyhadanenormouspigeon-house，theyletthepigeonsloose。

Thebeautiful，well-fedbirds，rufflingtheirsnow-whitewings，dartedoutofthepigeon-houseonebyone，and，seatingthemselvesinarowontheridgeoftheroof，and，illuminedbythesun，cooing，flauntedbeforetheboys。

"Scarethem！"imploredYozhov，tremblingforimpatience。

Smolinswungapolewithabast-wispfastenedtoitsend，andwhistled。

Thefrightenedpigeonsrushedintotheair，fillingitwiththehurriedflappingoftheirwings。Andnow，outliningbigcircles，theyeasilysoarupwards，intothebluedepthsofthesky；theyfloathigherandhigher，theirsilverandsnow-whitefeathersflashing。Someofthemarestrivingtoreachthedomeoftheskieswiththelightsoaringofthefalcon，theirwingsoutstretchedwideandalmostmotionless；othersplay，turnoverintheair，nowdroppingdownwardinasnowylump，nowdartinguplikeanarrow。Nowtheentireflockseemsasthoughhangingmotionlessinthedesertofthesky，and，growingsmallerandsmaller，seemstosinkinit。Withheadsthrownback，theboysadmirethebirdsinsilence，withouttakingtheireyesfromthem——

theirtiredeyes，soradiantwithcalmjoy，notaltogetherfreefromenvyingthesewingedcreatures，whichsofreelytookflightfromearthupintothepureandcalmatmospherefulloftheglitterofthesun。Thesmallgroupofscarcelyvisibledots，nowmerespecksintheazureofthesky，leadsontheimaginationofthechildren，andYozhovexpressestheircommonfeelingwhen，inalowvoice，hesaysthoughtfully：

"That\'sthewayweoughttofly，friends。"