第3章

WhileFoma，knowingthathumansouls，soaringheavenward，oftentimesassumetheformofpigeons，feltinhisbreasttherisingofaburning，powerfuldesire。

Unifiedbytheirjoy，attentivelyandmutelyawaitingthereturnoftheirbirdsfromthedepthsofthesky，theboys，pressingclosetooneanother，driftedfarawayfromthebreathoflife，evenastheirpigeonswerefarfromearth；atthismomenttheyaremerelychildren，knowingneitherenvynoranger；freefromeverything，theyareneartooneanother，theyaremute，judgingtheirfeelingsbythelightintheireyes——andtheyfeelashappyasthebirdsinthesky。

Butnowthepigeonscomedownontheroofagain，and，tiredoutbytheirflight，areeasilydrivenintothepigeon-house。

"Friends，let\'sgoforapples？"suggestsYozhov，theinstigatorofallgamesandadventures。

Hiscalldrivesoutofthechildren\'ssoulsthepeacefulnessbroughtintothembythepigeons，andthen，likeplunderers，carefullylisteningforeachandeverysound，theystealquietlyacrossthebackyardstowardtheneighbouringgarden。Thefearofbeingcaughtisbalancedbythehopeofstealingwithimpunity。

Butstealingisworkanddangerousworkatthat，andeverythingthatisearnedbyyourownlabourissosweet！Andthemoreeffortrequiredtogainit，thesweeteritis。Carefullytheboysclimboverthefenceofthegarden，and，bendingdown，crawltowardtheappletreesand，fulloffright，lookaroundvigilantly。

Theirheartstrembleandtheirthrobbingslackensatthefaintestrustle。Theyarealikeafraidofbeingcaught，and，ifnoticed，ofbeingrecognised，butincasetheyshouldonlyseethemandyellatthem，theywouldbesatisfied。Theywouldseparate，eachgoinginadifferentdirection，andthen，meetingagain，theireyesaglowwithjoyandboldness，wouldlaughinglytelloneanotherhowtheyfeltwhentheyheardsomeonegivingchasetothem，andwhathappenedtothemwhentheyransoquicklythroughthegarden，asthoughthegroundwereburningundertheirfeet。

SuchinvasionsweremoretoFoma\'slikingthanallotheradventuresandgames，andhisbehaviourduringtheseinvasionswasmarkedwithaboldnessthatatonceastoundedandangeredhiscompanions。Hewasintentionallycarelessinotherpeople\'sgardens：hespokeloud，noisilybrokethebranchesofappletrees，and，tearingoffaworm-

eatenapple，threwitinthedirectionoftheproprietor\'shouse。

Thedangerofbeingcaughtintheactdidnotfrightenhim；itratherencouragedhim——hiseyeswouldturndarker，histeethwouldclench，andhisfacewouldassumeanexpressionofangerandpride。

Smolin，distortinghisbigmouthcontemptibly，wouldsaytohim：

"Youaremakingentirelytoomuchfussaboutyourself。"

"Iamnotacowardanyway！"repliedFoma。

"Iknowthatyouarenotacoward，butwhydoyouboastofit？

Onemaydoathingaswellwithoutboasting。"

Yozhovblamedhimfromadifferentpointofview：

"Ifyouthrustyourselfintotheirhandswillinglyyoucangotothedevil！Iamnotyourfriend。They\'llcatchyouandbringyoutoyourfather——hewouldn\'tdoanythingtoyou，whileIwouldgetsuchaspankingthatallmyboneswouldbeskinned。"

"Coward！"Fomapersisted，stubbornly。

AnditcametopassonedaythatFomawascaughtbythesecondcaptain，Chumakov，athinlittleoldman。Noiselesslyapproachingtheboy，whowashidingawayinhisbosomthestolenapples，theoldmanseizedhimbytheshouldersandcriedinathreateningvoice：

"NowIhaveyou，littlerogue！Aha！"

Fomawasthenaboutfifteenyearsold，andhecleverlyslippedoutoftheoldman\'shands。Yethedidnotrunfromhim，but，knittinghisbrowandclenchinghisfist，hesaidthreateningly：

"Youdaretotouchme！"

"Iwouldn\'ttouchyou。I\'lljustturnyouovertothepolice！

Whosesonareyou？"

Fomadidnotexpectthis，andallhisboldnessandspitefulnesssuddenlylefthim。

Thetriptothepolicestationseemedtohimsomethingwhichhisfatherwouldneverforgivehim。Heshudderedandsaidconfusedly：

"Gordyeeff。"

"IgnatGordyeeff\'s？"

"Yes。"

Nowthesecondcaptainwastakenaback。Hestraightenedhimself，expandedhischestandforsomereasonorotherclearedhisthroatimpressively。Thenhisshoulderssankandhesaidtotheboyinafatherlytone：

"It\'sashame！Thesonofsuchawell-knownandrespectedman！Itisunbecomingyourposition。Youmaygo。Butshouldthishappenagain！Hm！Ishouldbecompelledtonotifyyourfather，towhom，bytheway，Ihavethehonourofpresentingmyrespects。"

Fomawatchedtheplayoftheoldman\'sphysiognomyandunderstoodthathewasafraidofhisfather。Likeayoungwolf，helookedaskanceatChumakov；whiletheoldman，withcomicalseriousness，twistedhisgraymoustache，hesitatingbeforetheboy，whodidnotgoaway，notwithstandingthegivenpermission。

"Youmaygo，"repeatedtheoldman，pointingattheroadleadingtohishouse。

"Andhowaboutthepolice？"askedFoma，sternly，andwasimmediatelyfrightenedatthepossibleanswer。

"Iwasbutjesting，"smiledtheoldman。"Ijustwantedtofrightenyou。"

"Youareafraidofmyfatheryourself，"saidFoma，and，turninghisbacktotheoldman，walkedoffintothedepthofthegarden。

"Iamafraid？Ah！Verywell！"exclaimedChumakovafterhim，andFomaknewbythesoundofhisvoicethathehadoffendedtheoldman。Hefeltsadandashamed；hepassedtheafternooninwalking，and，cominghome，hewasmetbyhisfather\'ssternquestion：

"Foma！DidyougotoChumakov\'sgarden？"

"Yes，Idid，"saidtheboy，calmly，lookingintohisfather\'seyes。

EvidentlyIgnatdidnotexpectsuchananswerandhewassilentforawhile，strokinghisbeard。

"Fool！Whydidyoudoit？Haveyounotenoughofyourownapples？"

Fomacastdownhiseyesandwassilent，standingbeforehisfather。

"See，youareshamed！Yozhishkamusthaveincitedyoutothis！I\'llgiveittohimwhenhecomes，orI\'llmakeanendofyourfriendshipaltogether。"

"Ididitmyself，"saidFoma，firmly。

"Frombadtoworse！"exclaimedIgnat。"Butwhydidyoudoit？"

"Because。"

"Because！"mockedthefather。"Well，ifyoudidityououghttobeabletoexplaintoyourselfandtoothersthereasonforsodoing。

Comehere！"

Fomawalkeduptohisfather，whowassittingonachair，andplacedhimselfbetweenhisknees。Ignatputhishandontheboy\'sshoulders，and，smiling，lookedintohiseyes。

"Areyouashamed？"

"Iamashamed，"sighedFoma。

"Thereyouhaveit，fool！Youhavedisgracedmeandyourself。"

Pressinghisson\'sheadtohisbreast，hestrokedhishairandaskedagain：

"Whyshouldyoudosuchathing——stealingotherpeople\'sapples？"

"I——Idon\'tknow，"saidFoma，confusedly。"Perhapsbecauseitissolonesome。Iplayandplaythesamethingdayafterday。Iamgrowingtiredofit！Whilethisisdangerous。"

"Exciting？"askedthefather，smiling。

"Yes。"

"Mm，perhapsitisso。But，nevertheless，Foma，lookout——dropthis，orIshalldealwithyouseverely。"

"I\'llneverclimbanywhereagain，"saidtheboywithconfidence。

"Andthatyoutakealltheblameonyourself——thatisgood。Whatwillbecomeofyouinthefuture，onlyGodknows，butmeanwhile——

itisprettygood。Itisnotatrifleifamaniswillingtopayforhisdeedswithhisownskin。Someoneelseinyourplacewouldhaveblamedhisfriends，whileyousay：\'Ididitmyself。\'That\'stheproperway，Foma。Youcommitthesin，butyoualsoaccountforit。Didn\'tChumakovstrikeyou？"askedIgnat，pausingashespoke。

"Iwouldhavestruckhimback，"declaredFoma，calmly。

"Mm，"roaredhisfather，significantly。

"Itoldhimthathewasafraidofyou。Thatiswhyhecomplained。

Otherwisehewasnotgoingtosayanythingtoyouaboutit。"

"Isthatso？"

"\'ByGod！Presentmyrespectstoyourfather，\'hesaid。"

"Didhe？"

"Yes。"

"Ah！thedog！Seewhatkindofpeoplethereare；heisrobbedandyethemakesabowandpresentshisrespects！Ha，ha！Itistrueitmighthavebeenworthnomorethanakopeck，butakopeckistohimwhataroubleistome。Anditisn\'tthekopeck，butsinceitismine，noonedarestouchitunlessIthrowitawaymyself。

Eh！Thedeviltakethem！Well，tellme——wherehaveyoubeen，whathaveyouseen？"

Theboysatdownbesidehisfatherandtoldhimindetailalltheimpressionsofthatday。Ignatlistened，fixedlywatchingtheanimatedfaceofhisson，andtheeyebrowsofthebigmancontractedpensively。

"Youarestillbutfloatingonthesurface，dear。Youarestillbutachild。Eh！Eh！"

"Wescaredanowlintheravine，"relatedtheboy。"Thatwasfun！

Itbegantoflyaboutandstruckagainstatree——bang！Itevenbegantosqueaksopitifully。Andwescareditagain；againitroseandflewabouthereandthere，andagainitstruckagainstsomething，sothatitsfeatherswerecomingout。Itflewaboutintheravineandatlasthiditselfsomewherewithdifficulty。Wedidnottrytolookforit，wefeltsorryitwasallbruised。

Papa，isanowlentirelyblindindaytime？"

"Blind！"saidIgnat；"somemenwilltossaboutinlifeevenasthisowlindaytime。Eversearchingforhisplace，hestrivesandstrives——onlyfeathersflyfromhim，butalltonopurpose。Heisbruised，sickened，strippedofeverything，andthenwithallhismighthethrustshimselfanywhere，justtofindreposefromhisrestlessness。Woetosuchpeople。Woetothem，dear！"

"Howpainfulisittothem？"saidFomainalowvoice。

"Justaspainfulastothatowl。"

"Andwhyisitso？"

"Why？Itishardtotell。Someonesuffersbecauseheisdarkenedbyhispride——hedesiresmuch，buthasbutlittlestrength。Anotherbecauseofhisfoolishness。Butthenthereareathousandandoneotherreasons，whichyoucannotunderstand。"

"Comeinandhavesometea，"Anfisacalledtothem。Shehadbeenstandinginthedoorwayforquitealongwhile，and，foldingherhands，lovinglyadmiredtheenormousfigureofherbrother，whobentoverFomawithsuchfriendliness，andthepensiveposeoftheboy，whoclungtohisfather\'sshoulder。

ThusdaybydayFoma\'slifedevelopedslowly——aquiet，peacefullife，notatallbrimfulofemotions。Powerfulimpressions，rousingtheboy\'ssoulforanhourorforaday，sometimesstoodoutstrikinglyagainstthegeneralbackgroundofthismonotonouslife，buttheseweresoonobliterated。Theboy\'ssoulwasasyetbutacalmlake——alakehiddenfromthestormywindsoflife，andallthattouchedthesurfaceofthelakeeithersanktothebottom，stirringtheplacidwaterforamoment，orglidingoverthesmoothsurface，swamapartinbigcirclesanddisappeared。

Havingstayedatthedistrictschoolforfiveyears，Fomapassedfourclassestolerablywellandcameoutabrave，dark-hairedfellow，withaswarthyface，heavyeyebrowsanddarkdownontheupperlip。Hisbigdarkeyeshadanaiveandpensivelook，andhislipswerelikeachild\'s，half-open；butwhenmeetingwithoppositiontohisdesiresorwhenirritatedbysomethingelse，thepupilsofhiseyeswouldgrowwide，hislipspresstight，andhiswholefaceassumeastubbornandresoluteexpression。Hisgodfather，smilingsceptically，wouldoftensaytohim：

"Towomen，Foma，you\'llbesweeterthanhoney，butasyetnotmuchcommonsensecanbeseeninyou。"

Ignatwouldheaveasighatthesewords。

"Youhadbetterstartoutyoursonassoonaspossible。"

"There\'stimeyet，wait。"

"Whywait？He\'llgoabouttheVolgafortwoorthreeyearsandthenwe\'llhavehimmarried。There\'smyLubov。"

LubovMayakinawasnowstudyinginthefifthclassofsomeboardingschool。Fomaoftenmetheronthestreetatwhichmeetingshealwaysbowedcondescendingly，herfairheadinafashionablecap。Fomalikedher，butherrosycheeks，hercheerfulbrowneyesandcrimsonlipscouldnotsmooththeimpressionofoffencegiventohimbyhercondescendingbows。ShewasacquaintedwithsomeGymnasiumstudents，andalthoughYozhov，hisoldfriend，wasamongthem，Fomafeltnoinclinationtobewiththem，andtheircompanyembarrassedhim。Itseemedtohimthattheywereallboastingoftheirlearningbeforehimandthattheyweremockinghisignorance。GatheredtogetherinLubov\'shousetheywouldreadsomebooks，andwheneverhefoundthemreadingorloudlyarguing，theybecamesilentathissight。Allthisremovedthemfurtherfromhim。OnedaywhenhewasatMayakin\'s，Lubacalledhimtogoforawalkinthegarden，andthere，walkingbyhisside，askedhimwithagrimaceonherface：

"Whyareyousounsociable？Younevertalkaboutanything。"

"WhatshallItalkabout，sinceIknownothing！"saidFoma，plainly。

"Study——readbooks。"

"Idon\'tfeellikedoingit。"

"Yousee，theGymnasiumstudentsknoweverything，andknowhowtotalkabouteverything。TakeYozhov，forinstance。"

"IknowYozhov——achatterbox。"

"Yousimplyenvyhim。Heisveryclever——yes。HewillsoongraduatefromtheGymnasium——andthenhe\'llgotoMoscowtostudyintheUniversity。"

"Well，whatofit？"saidFoma，indifferently。

"Andyou\'llremainjustanignorantman。"

"Well，beitso。"

"Thatwillbenice！"exclaimedLuba，ironically。

"Ishallholdmygroundwithoutscience，"saidFoma，sarcastically。

"AndI\'llhavealaughatallthelearnedpeople。Letthehungrystudy。

Idon\'tneedit。"

"Pshaw，howstupidyouare，bad，disgusting！"saidthegirlwithcontemptandwentaway，leavinghimaloneinthegarden。Offendedandgloomy，helookedafterher，movedhiseyebrowsandloweringhishead，slowlywalkedoffintothedepthofthegarden。

Healreadybegantorecognisethebeautyofsolitudeandthesweetpoisonofcontemplation。Oftentimes，duringsummerevenings，wheneverythingwascolouredbythefierytintsofsunset，kindlingtheimagination，anuneasylongingforsomethingincomprehensiblepenetratedhisbreast。Sittingsomewhereinadarkcornerofthegardenorlyinginbed，heconjuredupbeforehimtheimagesofthefairy-taleprincesses——theyappearedwiththefaceofLubaandofotheryoungladiesofhisacquaintance，noiselesslyfloatingbeforehiminthetwilightandstaringintohiseyeswithenigmaticlooks。

Attimesthesevisionsawakenedinhimamightyenergy，asthoughintoxicatinghim——hewouldriseand，straighteninghisshoulders，inhaletheperfumedairwithafullchest；butsometimesthesesamevisionsbroughttohimafeelingofsadness——hefeltlikecrying，butashamedofsheddingtears，herestrainedhimselfandneverweptinsilence。OrsuddenlyhisheartbegantotremblewiththedesiretoexpresshisgratitudetoGod，tobowbeforeHim；thewordsoftheprayerflashedthroughhismemory，andbeholdingthesky，hewhisperedthemforalongtime，onebyone，andhisheartgrewlighter，breathingintoprayertheexcessofhispower。

Thefatherpatientlyandcarefullyintroducedhimintocommercialcircles，tookhimontheExchange，toldhimabouthiscontractsandenterprises，abouthisco-associates，describedtohimhowtheyhadmadetheirway，whatfortunestheynowpossessed，whatnaturesweretheirs。Fomasoonmasteredit，regardingeverythingseriouslyandthoughtfully。

"Ourbudisbloomingintoablood-redcup-rose！"Mayakinsmiled，winkingtoIgnat。

Andyet，evenwhenFomawasnineteenyearsold，therewassomethingchildishinhim，somethingnaivewhichdistinguishedhimfromtheboysofhisage。Theywerelaughingathim，consideringhimstupid；hekeptawayfromthem，offendedbytheirrelationstowardhim。AsforhisfatherandMayakin，whowerewatchinghimvigilantly，thisuncertaintyofFoma\'scharacterinspiredthemwithseriousapprehensions。

"Icannotunderstandhim！"Ignatwouldsaywithcontriteheart。"Hedoesnotleadadissipatedlife，hedoesnotseemtorunafterthewomen，treatsmeandyouwithrespect，listenstoeverything——heismorelikeaprettygirlthanafellow！Andyethedoesnotseemtobestupid！"

"No，there\'snothingparticularlystupidabouthim，"saidMayakin。

"Itlooksasthoughhewerewaitingforsomething——asthoughsomekindofshroudwerecoveringhiseyes。Hislatemothergropedonearthinthesameway。

"Justlook，there\'sAfrikankaSmolin，buttwoyearsolderthanmyboy——whatamanhehasbecome！Thatis，itisdifficulttotellwhetherheishisfather\'sheadorhisfatherhis。Hewantstogotosomefactorytostudy。Heswears：

"\'Eh，\'sayshe，\'papa，youhavenottaughtmeenough。\'Yes。Whileminedoesnotexpresshimselfatall。0hLord！"

"Lookhere，"Mayakinadvisedhim，"youhadbetterpushhimheadforemostintosomeactivebusiness！Iassureyou！Goldistestedinfire。We\'llseewhathisinclinationsarewhenatliberty。

SendhimoutontheKama——alone。"

"Togivehimatrial？"

"Well，he\'lldosomemischief——you\'lllosesomething——butthenwe\'llknowwhatstuffheismadeof。"

"Indeed——I\'llsendhimoff，"Ignatdecided。

Andthusinthespring，IgnatsenthissonoffontheKamawithtwobargesladenwithcorn。ThebargeswereledbyGordyeeff\'ssteamer"Philezhny，"underthecommandofFoma\'soldacquaintance，theformersailorYefim——now，YefimIlyich，asquarelybuiltmanofaboutthirtywithlynx-likeeyes——asober-minded，steadyandverystrictcaptain。

Theysailedfastandcheerfully，becauseallwerecontented。AtfirstFomawasproudoftheresponsiblecommissionwithwhichhehadbeencharged。Yefimwaspleasedwiththepresenceoftheyoungmaster，whodidnotrebukeorabusehimforeachandeveryoversight；

andthehappyframeofmindofthetwomostimportantpersonsonthesteamerreflectedinstraightraysontheentirecrew。HavinglefttheplacewheretheyhadtakenintheircargoofcorninApril，thesteamerreachedtheplaceofitsdestinationinthebeginningofMay，andthebargeswereanchoredneartheshorewiththesteamerattheirside。

Foma\'sdutywastodeliverthecornassoonaspossible，andreceivingthepayments，startoffforPerm，whereacargoofironwasawaitinghim，whichIgnathadundertakentodeliveratthemarket。

Thebargesstoodoppositealargevillage，nearapineforest，abouttwoverstsdistantfromtheshore。Ontheverynextdayaftertheirarrival，abigandnoisycrowdofwomenandpeasants，onfootandonhorses，cameuptotheshoreearlyinthemorning。

Shoutingandsinging，theyscatteredonthedecksandinaninstantworkstartedexpeditiously。Havingdescendedintotheholds，thewomenwerefillingthesackswithrye，thepeasants，throwingthesacksupontheirshoulders，ranoverthegang-plankstotheshore，andfromtheshore，carts，heavilyladenwiththelong-expectedcorn，wentoffslowlytothevillage。Thewomensangsongs；thepeasantsjestedandgailyabusedoneanother；thesailorsrepresentingtheguardiansofpeace，scoldedtheworkingpeoplenowandthen；thegang-planks，bendingunderthefeetofthecarriers，splashedagainstthewaterheavily；whileontheshorethehorsesneighed，andthecartsandthesandunderthewheelswerecreaking。

Thesunhadjustrisen，theairwasfreshandinvigoratinganddenselyfilledwiththeodourofpines；thecalmwateroftheriver，reflectingtheclearsky，wasgentlymurmuring，breakingagainstthesidesofthevesselsandthechainsoftheanchors。

Theloudandcheerfulnoiseoftoil，theyouthfulbeautyofnature，gailyilluminedbythesunbeams——allwasfullofakind-hearted，somewhatcrude，soundpower，whichpleasantlystirredFoma\'ssoul，awakeninginhimnewandperplexedsensationsanddesires。Hewassittingbythetableundertheawningofthesteameranddrinkingtea，togetherwithYefimandthereceiverofthecorn，aprovincialclerk——aredheaded，short-sightedgentlemaninglasses。Nervouslyshrugginghisshouldersthereceiverwastellinginahoarsevoicehowthepeasantswerestarving，butFomapaidlittleattentiontohiswords，lookingnowattheworkbelow，nowattheothersideoftheriver——atall，yellow，sandysteepshore，whoseedgeswerecoveredwithpinetrees。Itwasunpeopledandquiet。

"I\'llhavetogooverthere，"thoughtFoma。Andasthoughfromadistancethereceiver\'stiresome，unpleasant，harshvoicefellonhisears：

"Youwouldn\'tbelieveit——atlastitbecamehorrible！Suchanincidenttookplace！ApeasantcameuptoacertainintelligentmaninOsaandbroughtalongwithhimagirlaboutsixteenyearsold。

"\'Whatdoyouwish？"

"\'Here，\'hesays，\'I\'vebroughtmydaughtertoyourHonour。\'

"\'Whatfor？\'

"\'Perhaps，\'hesays，\'you\'lltakeher——youareabachelor。\'

"\'Thatis，how？Whatdoyoumean？\'

"\'Itookheraroundtown，\'hesays。\'Iwantedtohireheroutasaservant——butnobodywouldhaveher——takeheratleastasyourmistress！\'

"Doyouunderstand？Heofferedhisowndaughter——justthinkofit！

Adaughter——asamistress！Thedevilknowswhatthatis！Eh？Theman，ofcourse，becameindignantandbeganabusingthepeasant。Butthepeasantspoketohimreasonably：

"\'YourHonour！Ofwhatuseisshetomeatthistime？Utterlyuseless。

Ihave，\'sayshe，\'threeboys——theywillbeworkingmen；itisnecessarytokeepthemup。Giveme，\'sayshe，\'tenroublesforthegirl，andthatwillimprovemylotandthatofmyboys。\'

"Howisthat？Eh？Itissimplyterrible，Itellyou。"

"Nogood！"sighedYefim。"Astheysay——hungerwillbreakthroughstonewalls。Thestomach，yousee，hasitsownlaws。"

ThisstorycalledforthinFomaagreatincomprehensibleinterestinthefateofthegirl，andtheyouthhastenedtoenquireofthereceiver：

"Well，didthemanbuyher？"

"Ofcoursenot！"exclaimedthereceiver，reproachfully。

"Well，andwhatbecameofher？"

"Somegoodpeopletookpityonher——andprovidedforher。"

"A-h！"drawledFoma，andsuddenlyhesaidfirmlyandangrily："I

wouldhavegiventhatpeasantsuchathrashing！Iwouldhavebrokenhishead！"Andheshowedthereceiverhisbigtightly-clenchedfist。

"Eh！Whatfor？"criedthereceiverinasickly，loudvoice，tearinghisspectaclesfromhiseyes。"Youdonotunderstandthemotive。"

"Idounderstandit！"saidFoma，withanobstinateshakeofhishead。

"Butwhatcouldhedo？Itcametohismind。"

"Howcanoneallowhimselftosellahumanbeing？"

"Ah！Itisbrutal，Iagreewithyou。"

"Andagirlatthat！Iwouldhavegivenhimthetenroubles！"

Thereceiverwavedhishandhopelesslyandbecamesilent。HisgestureconfusedFoma。Hearosefromhisseat，walkedofftotherailingandlookeddownatthedeckofthebarge，whichwascoveredwithanindustriouslyworkingcrowdofpeople。Thenoiseintoxicatedhim，andtheuneasysomething，whichwasramblinginhissoul，wasnowdefinedintoapowerfuldesiretowork，tohavethestrengthofagiant，topossessenormousshouldersandputonthematonetimeahundredbagsofrye，thateveryonelookingathimmightbeastonished。

"Comenow，hurryupthere！"heshouteddowninaringingvoice。A

fewheadswereraisedtohim，somefacesappearedbeforehim，andoneofthem——thefaceofadark-eyedwoman——smiledathimagentleandenticingsmile。Somethingflaredupinhisbreastatthissmileandbegantospreadoverhisveinsinahotwave。Hedrewbackfromtherailingandwalkeduptothetableagain，feelingthathischeekswereburning。

"Listen！"saidthereceiver，addressinghim，"wiretoyourfatheraskinghimtoallowsomegrainforwaste！Justseehowmuchislosthere。Andhereeverypoundisprecious！Youshouldhaveunderstoodthis！Whatafinefatheryouhave，"heconcludedwithabitinggrimace。

"HowmuchshallIallow？"askedFoma，boldlyanddisdainfully。"Doyouwantahundredpuds？[Apudisaweightof40Russianpounds。]

Twohundred？"

"I——Ithankyou！"exclaimedthereceiver，overjoyedandconfused，"ifyouhavetherighttodoit。"

"Iamthemaster！"saidFoma，firmly。"Andyoumustnotspeakthatwayaboutmyfather——normakesuchfaces。"

"Pardonme！I——Idonotdoubtthatyouhavefullpower。Ithankyouheartily。Andyourfather，too——inbehalfofallthesemen——

inbehalfofthepeople！"

Yefimlookedcautiouslyattheyoungmaster，spreadingoutandsmackinghislips，whilethemasterwithanairofprideonhisfacelistenedtothequick-wittedspeechofthereceiver，whowaspressinghishandfirmly。

"Twohundredpuds！ThatisRussian-like，youngman！Ishalldirectlynotifythepeasantsofyourgift。You\'llseehowgratefultheywillbe——howglad。"Andheshouteddown：

"Eh，boys！Themasterisgivingawaytwohundredpuds。"

"Threehundred！"interposedFoma。

"Threehundredpuds。Oh！Thankyou！Threehundredpudsofgrain，boys！"

Buttheirresponsewasweak。Thepeasantslifteduptheirheadsandmutelyloweredthemagain，resumingtheirwork。Afewvoicessaidirresolutelyandasthoughunwillingly：

"Thanks。MayGodgiveyou。Wethankyouveryhumbly。"

Andsomecriedoutgailyanddisdainfully：

"What\'stheuseofthat？Iftheyhadgiveneachofusaglassofvodkainstead——thatwouldbeajustfavour。Forthegrainisnotforus——butforthecountryCouncil。"

"Eh！Theydonotunderstand！"exclaimedthereceiver，confused。

"I\'llgodownandexplainittothem。"

Andhedisappeared。Butthepeasants\'regardforhisgiftdidnotinterestFoma。Hesawthattheblackeyesoftherosy-cheekedwomanwerelookingathimsostrangelyandpleasingly。Theyseemedtothankhimandcaressinglybeckonedhim，andbesidesthoseeyeshesawnothing。Thewomanwasdressedlikethecitywomen。Sheworeshoes，acalicowaist，andoverherblackhairshehadapeculiarkerchief。Tallandsupple，seatedonapileofwood，sherepairedsacks，quicklymovingherhands，whichwerebareuptotheelbows，andshesmiledatFomaallthetime。

"FomaIgnatyich！"heheardYefim\'sreproachfulvoice，"you\'veshowedofftoomuch。Well，ifitwereonlyaboutfiftypuds！Butwhysomuch？Lookoutthatwedon\'tgetagoodscoldingforthis。"

"Leavemealone！"saidFoma，shortly。

"Whatisittome？I\'llkeepquiet。Butasyouaresoyoung，andasIwastoldtokeepaneyeonyou，Imaygetaraponthesnoutforbeingheedless。"

"I\'lltellmyfatherallaboutit。Keepquiet！"saidFoma。

"Asforme——letitbeso——sothatyouaremasterhere。"

"Verywell。"

"Ihavesaidthis，FomaIgnatyich，foryourownsake——becauseyouaresoyoungandsimple-minded。"

"Leavemealone，Yefim！"

Yefimheavedasighandbecamesilent，whileFomastaredatthewomanandthought：

"Iwishtheywouldbringsuchawomanforsaletome。"

Hisheartbeatrapidly。Thoughasyetphysicallypure，healreadyknewfromconversationsthemysteriesofintimaterelationsbetweenmenandwomen。Heknewbyrudeandshamefulnames，andthesenameskindledinhimanunpleasant，burningcuriosityandshame；hisimaginationworkedobstinately，forhecouldnotpictureittohimselfinintelligibleimages。Andinhissoulhedidnotbelievethatthoserelationswerereallysosimpleandrude，ashehadbeentold。Whentheyhadlaughedathimandassuredhimthattheyweresuch，and，indeed，couldnotbeotherwise，hesmiledstupidlyandconfusedly，butthoughtneverthelessthattherelationswithwomendidnothavetobeinsuchashamefulformforeveryone，andthat，inallprobability，therewassomethingpurer，lessrudeandabusivetoahumanbeing。

Nowlookingatthedark-eyedworkingwomanwithadmiration，Fomadistinctlyfeltjustthatrudeinclinationtowardher，andhewasashamedandafraidofsomething。AndYefim，standingbesidehim，saidadmonitively：

"Thereyouarestaringatthewoman，sothatIcannotkeepsilenceanylonger。Youdonotknowher，butwhenshewinksatyou，youmay，becauseofyouryouth——andwithanaturelikeyours——youmaydosuchathingthatwe\'llhavetogohomeonfootbytheshore。Andwe\'llhavetothankGodifourtrousersatleastremainwithus。"

"Whatdoyouwant？"askedFoma，redwithconfusion。

"Iwantnothing。Andyouhadbettermindme。InregardtoaffairswithwomenImayperfectlywellbeateacher。Youmustdealwithawomanveryplainly——giveherabottleofvodka，somethingtoeatafterit，thenacoupleofbottlesofbeerandaftereverythinggivehertwentykopecksincash。Forthispriceshewillshowyouallherloveinthebestwaypossible。"

"Youarelying，"saidFoma，softly。

"Iamlying？WhyshallIlietoyousinceIhaveobservedthatsamepolicyperhapsahundredtimes？Justchargemetohavedealingswithher。Eh？I\'llmakeyouacquaintedwithherinamoment。"

"Verywell，"saidFoma，feelingthathecouldhardlybreatheandthatsomethingwaschokinghisthroat。

"Well，then，I\'llbringherupintheevening。"

AndYefimsmiledapprovinglyintoFoma\'sfaceandwalkedoff。

UntileveningFomawalkedaboutasthoughlostinmist，notnoticingtherespectfulandbeseechingglanceswithwhichthepeasantsgreetedhimatthereceiver\'sinstigation。Dreadfellonhim，hefelthimselfguiltybeforesomebody，andtoallthosethataddressedhimherepliedhumblyandgently，asthoughexcusinghimselfforsomething。Someoftheworkingpeoplewenthometowardevening，othersgatheredontheshorenearabig，brightbonfireandbegancookingtheirsupper。Fragmentsoftheirconversationfloatedaboutinthestillnessoftheevening。Thereflectionofthefirefellontheriverinredandyellowstripes，whichtrembledonthecalmwaterandonthewindowpanesofthecabinwhereFomawassitting。Hesatinthecorneronalounge，whichwascoveredwithoilcloth——andwaited。Onthetablebeforehimwereafewbottlesofvodkaandbeer，andplateswithbreadanddessert。Hecoveredthewindowsanddidnotlightthelamp；thefaintlightfromthebonfire，penetratingthroughthecurtains，fellonthetable，onthebottlesandonthewall，andtrembled，nowgrowingbrighter，nowfainter。Itwasquietonthesteamerandonthebarges，onlyfromtheshorecameindistinctsoundsofconversation，andtheriverwassplashing，scarcelyaudible，againstthesidesofthesteamer。ItseemedtoFomathatsomebodywashidinginthedarknearby，listeningtohimandspyinguponhim。Nowsomebodyiswalkingoverthegang-plankofthebargeswithquickandheavysteps——thegang-plankstrikesagainstthewaterclangouslyandangrily。Fomahearsthemuffledlaughterofthecaptainandhisloweredvoice。Yefimstandsbythecabindoorandspeakssoftly，butsomewhatreprimandingly，asthoughinstructing。

Fomasuddenlyfeltlikecryingout：

"Itisnotnecessary！"

Andhearosefromthelounge——butatthismomentthecabindoorwasopened，thetallformofawomanappearedonthethreshold，and，noiselesslyclosingthedoorbehindher，shesaidinalowvoice：

"0hdear！Howdarkitis！Istherealivingsoulsomewherearoundhere？"

"Yes，"answeredFoma，softly。

"Well，then，goodevening。"

Andthewomanmovedforwardcarefully。

"I\'lllightthelamp，"saidFomainabrokenvoice，and，sinkingonthelounge，hecurledhimselfupinthecorner。

"Itisgoodenoughthisway。Whenyougetusedtoityoucanseeeverythinginthedarkaswell。"

"Beseated，"saidFoma。

"Iwill。"

Shesatdownontheloungeabouttwostepsawayfromhim。Fomasawtheglitterofhereyes，hesawasmileonherfulllips。Itseemedtohimthatthissmileofherswasnotatalllikethatothersmilebefore——thissmileseemedplaintive，sad。Thissmileencouragedhim；hebreathedwithlessdifficultyatthesightoftheseeyes，which，onmeetinghisown，suddenlyglanceddownonthefloor。Buthedidnotknowwhattosaytothiswomanandforabouttwominutesbothweresilent。Itwasaheavy，awkwardsilence。

Shebegantospeak：

"Youmustbefeelinglonesomehereallalone？"

"Yes，"answeredFoma。

"Anddoyoulikeourplacehere？"askedthewomaninalowvoice。

"Itisnice。Therearemanywoodshere。"

Andagaintheybecamesilent。

"Theriver，ifyoulike，ismorebeautifulthantheVolga，"

utteredFoma，withaneffort。

"IwasontheVolga。"

"Where？"

"InthecityofSimbirsk。"

"Simbirsk？"repeatedFomalikeanecho，feelingthathewasagainunabletosayaword。

Butsheevidentlyunderstoodwithwhomshehadtodeal，andshesuddenlyaskedhiminaboldwhisper：

"Whydon\'tyoutreatmetosomething？"

"Here！"Fomagaveastart。"Indeed，howqueerIam？Well，then，comeuptothetable。"

Hebustledaboutinthedark，pushedthetable，tookuponebottle，thenanother，andagainreturnedthemtotheirplace，laughingguiltilyandconfusedlyashedidso。Shecameupclosetohimandstoodbyhisside，and，smiling，lookedathisfaceandathistremblinghands。

"Areyoubashful？"shesuddenlywhispered。

Hefeltherbreathonhischeekandrepliedjustassoftly：

"Yes。"

Thensheplacedherhandsonhisshouldersandquietlydrewhimtoherbreast，sayinginasoothingwhisper：

"Nevermind，don\'tbebashful，myyoung，handsomedarling。HowI

pityyou！"

Andhefeltlikecryingbecauseofherwhisper，hisheartwasmeltinginsweetfatigue；pressinghisheadclosetoherbreast，heclaspedherwithhishands，mumblingtohersomeinarticulatewords，whichwereunknowntohimself。

"Begone！"saidFomainaheavyvoice，staringatthewallwithhiseyeswideopen。

Havingkissedhimonthecheekshewalkedoutofthecabin，sayingtohim：

"Well，good-bye。"

Fomafeltintolerablyashamedinherpresence；butnosoonerdidshedisappearbehindthedoorthanhejumpedupandseatedhimselfonthelounge。Thenhearose，staggering，andatoncehewasseizedwiththefeelingofhavinglostsomethingveryvaluable，somethingwhosepresencehedidnotseemtohavenoticedinhimselfuntilthemomentitwaslost。Butimmediatelyanew，manlyfeelingofself-pridetookpossessionofhim。Itdrownedhisshame，and，insteadoftheshame，pityforthewomansprangupwithinhim——

forthehalf-cladwoman，whowentoutaloneintothedarkofthechillyMaynight。Hehastilycameoutonthedeck——itwasastarlit，butmoonlessnight；thecoolnessandthedarknessembracedhim。Ontheshorethegolden-redpileofcoalswasstillglimmering。Fomalistened——

anoppressivestillnessfilledtheair，onlythewaterwasmurmuring，breakingagainsttheanchorchains。Therewasnotasoundoffootstepstobeheard。Fomanowlongedtocallthewoman，buthedidnotknowhername。Eagerlyinhalingthefreshairintohisbroadchest，hestoodondeckforafewminutes。Suddenly，frombeyondtheroundhouse——

fromtheprow——amoanreachedhisears——adeep，loudmoan，resemblingawail。Heshudderedandwentthithercarefully，understandingthatshewasthere。

Shesatonthedeckclosetothesideofthesteamer，and，leaningherheadagainstaheapofropes，shewept。Fomasawthatherbarewhiteshouldersweretrembling，heheardherpitifulmoans，andbegantofeeldepressed。Bendingoverher，heaskedhertimidly：

"Whatisit？"

Shenoddedherheadandsaidnothinginreply。

"HaveIoffendedyou？"

"Goaway，"shesaid。

"But，how？"saidFoma，alarmedandconfused，touchingherheadwithhishand。"Don\'tbeangry。Youcameofyourownfreewill。"

"Iamnotangry！"sherepliedinaloudwhisper。"WhyshouldIbeangryatyou？Youarenotaseducer。Youareapuresoul！Eh，mydarling！Beseatedherebymyside。"

AndtakingFomabythehand，shemadehimsitdown，likeachild，inherlap，pressedhisheadclosetoherbreast，and，bendingoverhim，pressedherlipstohisforalongtime。

"Whatareyoucryingabout？"askedFoma，caressinghercheekwithonehand，whiletheotherclaspedthewoman\'sneck。

"Iamcryingaboutmyself。Whyhaveyousentmeaway？"sheaskedplaintively。

"Ibegantofeelashamedofmyself，"saidFoma，loweringhishead。

"Mydarling！Tellmethetruth——haven\'tyoubeenpleasedwithme？"

sheaskedwithasmile，butherbig，hottearswerestilltricklingdownonFoma\'sbreast。

"Whyshouldyouspeaklikethis？"exclaimedtheyouth，almostfrightened，andhotlybegantomumbletohersomewordsaboutherbeauty，aboutherkindness，tellingherhowsorryhewasforherandhowbashfulinherpresence。Andshelistenedandkeptonkissinghischeeks，hisneck，hisheadandhisuncoveredbreast。

Hebecamesilent——thenshebegantospeak——softlyandmournfullyasthoughspeakingofthedead：

"AndIthoughtitwassomethingelse。Whenyousaid，\'Begone！\'I

gotupandwentaway。Andyourwordsmademefeelsad，verysad。

Therewasatime，Iremembered，whentheycaressedmeandfondledmeunceasingly，withoutgrowingtired；forasinglekindsmiletheyusedtodoformeanythingIpleased。Irecalledallthisandbegantocry！Ifeltsorryformyyouth，forIamnowthirtyyearsold，thelastdaysforawoman！Eh，FomaIgnatyevich！"sheexclaimed，liftinghervoicelouder，andreiteratingtherhythmofherharmoniousspeech，whoseaccentsroseandfellinunisonwiththemelodiousmurmuringofthewater。

"Listentome——preserveyouryouth！Thereisnothingintheworldbetterthanthat。Thereisnothingmorepreciousthanyouth。Withyouth，aswithgold，youcanaccomplishanythingyouplease。Livesothatyoushallhaveinoldagesomethingtoremindyouofyouryouth。HereIrecalledmyself，andthoughIcried，yetmyheartblazedupattheveryrecollectionofmypastlife。AndagainI

wasyoung，asthoughIdrankofthewateroflife！MysweetchildI\'llhaveagoodtimewithyou，ifIpleaseyou，we\'llenjoyourselvesasmuchaswecan。Eh！I\'llburntoashes，nowthatIhaveblazedup！"

Andpressingtheyouthclosetoherself，shegreedilybegantokisshimonthelips。

"Lo-o-oko-u-u-u-t！"thewatchonthebargewailedmournfully，and，cuttingshortthelastsyllable，begantostrikehismalletagainstthecast-ironboard。

Theshrill，tremblingsoundsharshlybrokethesolemnquietofthenight。

Afewdayslater，whenthebargeshaddischargedtheircargoandthesteamerwasreadytoleaveforPerm，Yefimnoticed，tohisgreatsorrow，thatacartcameuptotheshoreandthatthedark-

eyedPelageya，withatrunkandwithsomebundles，wasinit。

"Sendasailortobringherthings，"orderedFoma，noddinghisheadtowardtheshore。

Withareproachfulshakeofhishead，Yefimcarriedouttheorderangrily，andthenaskedinaloweredvoice：

"Soshe，too，iscomingwithus？"

"Sheisgoingwithme，"Fomaannouncedshortly。

"Itisunderstood。Notwithallofus。Oh，Lord！"

"Whyareyousighing？"

"Yes。FomaIgnatyich！Wearegoingtoabigcity。Aretherenotplentyofwomenofherkind？"

"Well，keepquiet！"saidFoma，sternly。

"Iwillkeepquiet，butthisisn\'tright！"

"What？"

"Thisverywantonnessofours。Oursteamerisperfect，clean——andsuddenlythereisawomanthere！Andifitwereatleasttherightsortofawoman！Butasitis，shemerelybearsthenameofwoman。"

Fomafrownedinsinuatinglyandaddressedthecaptain，imperiouslyemphasizinghiswords：

"Yefim，Iwantyoutobearitinmind，andtotellittoeverybodyhere，thatifanyonewillutteranobscenewordabouther，I\'llstrikehimontheheadwithalogofwood！"

"Howterrible！"saidYefim，incredulously，lookingintothemaster\'sfacewithcuriosity。Butheimmediatelymadeastepbackward。Ignat\'sson，likeawolf，showedhisteeth，theapplesofhiseyesbecamewider，andheroared：

"Laugh！I\'llshowyouhowtolaugh！"

ThoughYefimlostcourage，heneverthelesssaidwithdignity：

"Althoughyou，FomaIgnatyich，arethemaster，yetasIwastold，\'Watch，Yefim，\'andthenIamthecaptainhere。"

"Thecaptain？"criedFoma，shudderingineverylimbandturningpale。"AndwhoamI？"

"Well，don\'tbawl！Onaccountofsuchatrifleasawoman。"

RedspotscameoutonFoma\'spaleface，heshiftedfromonefoottotheother，thrusthishandsintothepocketsofhisjacketwithaconvulsivemotionandsaidinafirmandevenvoice：

"You！Captain！Seehere，sayanotherwordagainstme——andyougotothedevil！I\'llputyouashore！I\'llgetalongaswellwiththepilot！Understand？Youcannotcommandme。Doyousee？"

Yefimwasdumfounded。Helookedathismasterandcomicallywinkedhiseyes，findingnoreplytohiswords。

"Doyouunderstand，Isay？"

"Yes。Iunderstand！"drawledYefim。"Butwhatisallthisnoiseabout？Onaccountof——"

"Silence！"

Foma\'seyes，whichflashedwildly，andhisfacedistortedwithwrath，suggestedtothecaptainthehappythoughttoleavehismasterassoonaspossibleand，turningaroundquickly，hewalkedoff。

"Pshaw！Howterrible！Asitseemstheappledidnotfalltoofarfromthetree，"hemutteredsneeringly，walkingonthedeck。HewasangryatFoma，andconsideredhimselfoffendedfornothing，butatthesametimehebegantofeeloverhimselfthereal，firmhandofamaster。Foryearsaccustomedtobeingsubordinate，heratherlikedthismanifestationofpoweroverhim，and，enteringthecabinoftheoldpilot，herelatedtohimthescenebetweenhimselfandhismaster，withashadeofsatisfactioninhisvoice。

"See？"heconcludedhisstory。"Apupcomingfromagoodbreedisanexcellentdogattheveryfirstchase。Fromhisexteriorheisso-so。Amanofratherheavymindasyet。Well，nevermind，lethimhavehisfun。Itseemsnowasthoughnothingwrongwillcomeoutofthis。Withacharacterlikehis，no。Howhebawledatme！

Aregulartrumpet，Itellyou！Andheappointedhimselfmasteratonce。Asthoughhehadsippedpowerandstrictnessoutofaladle。"

Yefimspokethetruth：duringthesefewdaysFomaunderwentastrikingtransformation。Thepassionnowkindledinhimmadehimmasterofthesoulandbodyofawoman；heeagerlyabsorbedthefierysweetnessofthispower，andthisburnedoutallthatwasawkwardinhim，allthatgavehimtheappearanceofasomewhatstupid，gloomyfellow，and，destroyingit，filledhisheartwithyouthfulpride，withtheconsciousnessofhishumanpersonality。

Loveforawomanisalwaysfruitfultotheman，bethelovewhateveritmay；eventhoughitweretocausebutsufferingsthereisalwaysmuchthatisrichinit。Workingasapowerfulpoisononthosewhosesoulsareafflicted，itisforthehealthymanasfireforiron，whichistobetransformedintosteel。

Foma\'spassionforthethirty-year-oldwoman，wholamentedinhisembracesherdeadyouth，didnottearhimawayfromhisaffairs；

hewasneverlostinthecaresses，orinhisaffairs，bringingintobothhiswholeself。Thewoman，likegoodwine，provokedinhimalikeathirstforlabourandforlove，andshe，too，becameyoungerfromthekissesoftheyouth。

InPerm，Fomafoundaletterwaitingforhim。Itwasfromhisgodfather，whonotifiedhimthatIgnat，outofanxietyforhisson，hadbeguntodrinkheavily，andthatitwasharmfultodrinkthus，foramanofhisage。Theletterconcludedwithadvicetohurryupmattersinordertoreturnhomethesooner。Fomafeltalarmedoverthisadvice，anditcloudedtheclearholidayofhisheart。Butthisshadowsoonmeltedinhisworriesoverhisaffairs，andinthecaressesofPelageya。Hislifestreamedonwiththeswiftnessofariverwave，andeachdaybroughttohimnewsensations，awakeninginhimnewthoughts。Pelageya\'srelationswithhimcontainedallthepassionofamistress，allthatpoweroffeelingwhichwomenofherageputintotheirpassionwhendrinkingthelastdropsfromthecupoflife。Butattimesadifferentfeelingawokeinher，afeelingnotlesspowerful，andbywhichFomabecamestillmoreattachedtoher——somethingsimilartoamother\'syearningtoguardherbelovedsonfromerrors，toteachhimthewisdomoflife。Oftentimesatnight，sittinginhisembracesonthedeck，shespoketohimtenderlyandsadly：

"Mindmeasanoldersisterofyours。Ihavelived，Iknowmen。I

haveseenagreatdealinmylife！Chooseyourcompanionswithcare，fortherearepeoplejustascontagiousasadisease。Atfirstyoucannottellthemevenwhenyouseethem；helookstobeamanlikeeverybodyelse，and，suddenly，withoutbeingawareofityourself，youwillstarttoimitatehiminlife。Youlookaround——

andyoufindthatyouhavecontractedhisscabs。Imyselfhavelosteverythingonaccountofafriend。Ihadahusbandandtwochildren。

Welivedwell。Myhusbandwasaclerkatavolost。"Shebecamesilentandlookedforalongtimeatthewater，whichwasstirredbythevessel。Thensheheavedasighandspoketohimagain：

"MaytheHolyVirginguardyoufromwomenofmykind——becareful。

Youaretenderasyet，yourhearthasnotbecomeproperlyhardened。

Andwomenarefondofsuchasyou——strong，handsome，rich。Andmostofallbewareofthequietwomen。Theysticktoamanlikeblood-

suckers，andsuckandsuck。Andatthesametimetheyarealwayssokind，sogentle。Theywillkeeponsuckingyourjuice，butwillpreservethemselves。They\'llonlybreakyourheartinvain。Youhadbetterhavedealingswiththosethatarebold，likemyself。Theselivenotforthesakeofgain。"

Andshewasindeeddisinterested。InPermFomapurchasedforherdifferentnewthingsandwhat-not。Shewasdelighted，butlater，havingexaminedthem，shesaidsadly：

"Don\'tsquanderyourmoneytoofreely。Seethatyourfatherdoesnotgetangry。Iloveyouanyway，withoutallthis。"

ShehadalreadytoldhimthatshewouldgowithhimonlyasfarasKazan，whereshehadamarriedsister。Fomacouldnotbelievethatshewouldleavehim，andwhen，ontheeveoftheirarrivalatKazan，sherepeatedherwords，hebecamegloomyandbegantoimplorehernottoforsakehim。

"Donotfeelsorryinadvance，"shesaid。"Wehaveawholenightbeforeus。YouwillhavetimetofeelsorrywhenIbidyougood-

bye，ifyouwillfeelsorryatall。"

Buthestilltriedtopersuadehernottoforsakehim，and，finally——

whichwastobeexpected——announcedhisdesiretomarryher。

"So，so！"andshebegantolaugh。"ShallImarryyouwhilemyhusbandisstillalive？Mydarling，myqueerfellow！Youhaveadesiretomarry，eh？ButdotheymarrysuchwomenasIam？Youwillhavemany，manymistresses。Marrythen，whenyouhaveoverflowed，whenyouhavehadyourfillofallsweetsandfeellikehavingryebread。Thenyoumaymarry！Ihavenoticedthatahealthyman，forhisownpeace，mustnotmarryearly。Onewomanwillnotbeenoughtosatisfyhim，andhe\'llgotootherwomen。

Andforyourownhappiness，youshouldtakeawifeonlywhenyouknowthatshealonewillsufficeforyou。"

Butthemoreshespoke，themorepersistentFomabecameinhisdesirenottopartwithher。

"JustlistentowhatI\'lltellyou，"saidthewoman，calmly。"A

splinterofwoodisburninginyourhand，andyoucanseewellevenwithoutitslight——youhadbetterdipitintowater，sothattherewillbenosmellofsmokeandyourhandwillnotbeburned。"

"Idonotunderstandyourwords。"

"Dounderstand。Youhavedonemenowrong，andIdonotwishtodoyouany。And，therefore，Iamgoingaway。"

Itishardtosaywhatmighthavebeentheresultofthisdisputeifanaccidenthadnotinterferedwithit。InKazanFomareceivedatelegramfromMayakin，whowrotetohisgodsonbriefly："Comeimmediatelyonthepassengersteamer。"Foma\'sheartcontractednervously，andafewhourslater，gloomyandpale，histeethsettogether，hestoodonthedeckofthesteamer，whichwasleavingtheharbour，andclingingtotherailwithhishands，hestaredmotionlesslyintothefaceofhislove，whowasfloatingfarawayfromhimtogetherwiththeharbourandtheshore。Pelageyawavedherhandkerchiefandsmiled，butheknewthatshewascrying，sheddingmanypainfultears。

FromhertearstheentirefrontofFoma\'sshirtwaswet，andfromhertears，hisheart，fullofgloomyalarm，wassadandcold。Thefigureofthewomanwasgrowingsmallerandsmaller，asthoughmeltingaway，andFoma，withoutliftinghiseyes，staredatherandfeltthatasidefromfearforhisfatherandsorrowforthewoman，somenew，powerfulandcausticsensationwasawakeninginhissoul。

Hecouldnotnameit，butitseemedtohimassomethinglikeagrudgeagainstsomeone。

Thecrowdintheharbourblendedintoaclose，darkanddeadspot，faceless，formless，motionless。Fomawentawayfromtherailandbegantopacethedeckgloomily。

Thepassengers，conversingaloud，seatedthemselvestodrinktea；

theportersbustledaboutonthegallery，settingthetables；

somewherebelow，onthestern，inthethirdclass，achildwascrying，aharmonicawaswailing，thecookwaschoppingsomethingwithknives，thedisheswerejarring——producingaratherharshnoise。Cuttingthewavesandmakingfoam，shudderingunderthestrainandsighingheavily，theenormoussteamermovedrapidlyagainstthecurrent。Fomalookedatthewidestripofbroken，struggling，andenragedwavesatthesternofthesteamer，andbegantofeelawilddesiretobreakortearsomething；alsotogo，breastforemost，againstthecurrentandtomassitspressureagainsthimself，againsthisbreastandhisshoulders。

"Fate！"saidsomeonebesidehiminahoarseandwearyvoice。

Thiswordwasfamiliartohim：hisAuntAnfisahadoftenuseditasananswertohisquestions，andhehadinvestedinthisbriefwordaconceptionofapower，similartothepowerofGod。Heglancedatthespeakers：oneofthemwasagraylittleoldman，withakindface；theotherwasyounger，withbig，wearyeyesandwithalittleblackwedge-shapedbeard。Hisbiggristlynoseandhisyellow，sunkencheeksremindedFomaofhisgodfather。

"Fate！"Theoldmanrepeatedtheexclamationofhisinterlocutorwithconfidence，andbegantosmile。"Fateinlifeislikeafishermanontheriver：itthrowsabaitedhooktowardusintothetumultofourlifeandwedartatitwithgreedymouths。Thenfatepullsuptherod——andthemanisstruggling，floppingontheground，andthenyouseehisheartisbroken。That\'showitis，mydearman。"

Fomaclosedhiseyes，asifarayofthesunhadfallenfullonthem，andshakinghishead，hesaidaloud：

"True！Thatistrue！"

Thecompanionslookedathimfixedly：theoldman，withafine，wisesmile；thelarge-eyedman，unfriendly，askance。ThisconfusedFoma；heblushedandwalkedaway，thinkingofFateandwonderingwhyithadfirsttreatedhimkindlybygivinghimawoman，andthentookbackthegiftfromhim，sosimplyandabusively？Andhenowunderstoodthatthevague，causticfeelingwhichhecarriedwithinhimwasagrudgeagainstFateforthussportingwithhim。Hehadbeentoomuchspoiledbylife，toregardmoreplainlythefirstdropofpoisonfromthecupwhichwasjuststarted，andhepassedallthetimeofthejourneywithoutsleep，ponderingovertheoldman\'swordsandfondlinghisgrudge。Thisgrudge，however，didnotawakeninhimdespondencyandsorrow，butratherafeelingofangerandrevenge。

Fomawasmetbyhisgodfather，andtohishastyandagitatedquestion，Mayakin，hisgreenishlittleeyesflashingexcitedly，saidwhenheseatedhimselfinthecarriagebesidehisgodson：

"Yourfatherhasgrownchildish。"

"Drinking？"

"Worse——hehaslosthismindcompletely。"

"Really？0hLord！Tellme。"

"Don\'tyouunderstand？Acertainladyisalwaysaroundhim。"

"Whatabouther？"exclaimedFoma，recallinghisPelageya，andforsomereasonorotherhisheartwasfilledwithjoy。

"Shestickstohimand——bleedshim。"

"Issheaquietone？"

"She？Quietasafire。Seventy-fivethousandroublessheblewoutofhispocketlikeafeather！"

"Oh！Whoisshe？"

"SonkaMedinskaya，thearchitect\'swife。"

"GreatGod！Isitpossiblethatshe——Didmyfather——Isitpossiblethathetookherashissweetheart？"askedFoma，withastonishment，inalowvoice。

Hisgodfatherdrewbackfromhim，andcomicallyopeninghiseyeswide，saidconvincedly：

"Youareoutofyourmind，too！ByGod，you\'reoutofyourmind！