第5章

"Youwillsurelybepresentatthedinner，won\'tyou？"askedMedinskaya。

"Yes。"

"Andtomorrowatthemeetinginmyhouse？"

"Withoutfail！"

"Andperhapssometimeyouwilldropin，simplyonavisit，wouldn\'tyou？"

"I——Ithankyou！I\'llcome！"

"Imustthankyouforthepromise。"

Theybecamesilent。Intheairsoaredthereverentlysoftvoiceofthebishop，whorecitedtheprayerexpressively，outstretchinghishandovertheplacewherethecorner-stoneofthehousewaslaid：

"Mayneitherthewind，norwater，noranythingelsebringharmuntoit；mayitbecompletedinthybenevolence，andfreeallthosethataretoliveinitfromallkindsofcalumny。"

"Howrichandbeautifulourprayersare，aretheynot？"askedMedinskaya。

"Yes，"saidFoma，shortly，withoutunderstandingherwordsandfeelingthathewasblushingagain。

"Theywillalwaysbeopponentsofourcommercialinterests，"

Mayakinwhisperedloudlyandconvincingly，standingbesidethecitymayor，notfarfromFoma。"Whatisittothem？Alltheywantissomehowtodeservetheapprovalofthenewspaper。Buttheycannotreachthemainpoint。Theyliveformeredisplay，notfortheorganisationoflife；thesearetheironlymeasures：thenewspapersandSweden！[MayakinspeaksofSweden，meaningSwitzerland——

Translator\'snote。]ThedoctorscoffedatmealldayyesterdaywiththisSweden。Thepubliceducation，sayshe，inSweden，andeverythingelsethereisfirst-class！ButwhatisSweden，anyway？ItmaybethatSwedenisbutafib，isbutusedasanexample，andthatthereisnoeducationwhateveroranyoftheotherthingsthere。Andthen，wedon\'tliveforthesakeofSweden，andSwedencannotputustotest。

Wehavetomakeourlipaccordingtoourownlast。Isn\'titso？

Andthearchdeacondroned，hisheadthrownback：

"Eternalme-emo-orytothefounderofthisho-ouse！"

Fomashuddered，butMayakinwasalreadybyhisside，andpullinghimbythesleeve，asked：

"Areyougoingtothedinner？"

AndMedinskaya\'svelvet-like，warmlittlehandglidedoncemoreoverFoma\'shand。

ThedinnerwastoFomaarealtorture。Forthefirsttimeinhislifeamongtheseuniformedpeople，hesawthattheywereeatingandspeaking——doingeverythingbetterthanhe，andhefeltthatbetweenhimandMedinskaya，whowasseatedjustoppositehim，wasahighmountain，notatable。BesidehimsatthesecretaryofthesocietyofwhichFomahadbeenmadeanhonorarymember；hewasayoungcourtofficer，bearingtheoddnameofOokhtishchev。Asiftomakehisnameappearmoreabsurdthanitreallywas，hespokeinaloud，ringingtenor，andaltogether——plump，short，round-

facedandalivelytalker——helookedlikeabrandnewbell。

"Theverybestthinginoursocietyisthepatroness；themostreasonableiswhatwearedoing——courtingthepatroness；themostdifficultistotellthepatronesssuchacomplimentaswouldsatisfyher；andthemostsensiblethingistoadmirethepatronesssilentlyandhopelessly。Sothatinreality，youareamembernotof\'theSocietyofSolicitude，\'andsoon，butoftheSocietyofTantaluses，whichiscomposedofpersonsbentonpleasingSophyaMedinskaya。"

Fomalistenedtohischatter，nowandthenlookingatthepatroness，whowasabsorbedinaconversationwiththechiefofthepolice；Fomaroaredinreplytohisinterlocutor，pretendingtobebusyeating，andhewishedthatallthiswouldendthesooner。Hefeltthathewaswretched，stupid，ridiculousandhewascertainthateverybodywaswatchingandcensuringhim。Thistiedhimwithinvisibleshackles，thuscheckinghiswordsandhisthoughts。Atlasthewentsofar，thatthelineofvariousphysiognomies，stretchedoutbythetableoppositehim，seemedtohimalongandwavywhitestripbesprinkledwithlaughingeyes，andalltheseeyeswereprickinghimunpleasantlyandpainfully。

Mayakinsatnearthecitymayor，wavedhisforkintheairquickly，andkeptontalkingallthetime，nowcontracting，nowexpandingthewrinklesofhisface。Themayor，agray-headed，red-faced，short-

neckedman，staredathimlikeabull，withobstinateattentionandattimesherappedontheedgeofthetablewithhisbigfingeraffirmatively。

Theanimatedtalkandlaughterdrownedhisgodfather\'sboldspeech，andFomawasunabletohearasinglewordofit，muchmoresothatthetenorofthesecretarywasunceasinglyringinginhisears：

"Look，there，thearchdeaconarose；heisfillinghislungswithair；

hewillsoonproclaimaneternalmemoryforIgnatMatveyich。"

"MayInotgoaway？"askedFomainalowvoice。

"Whynot？Everybodywillunderstandthis。"

Thedeacon\'sresoundingvoicedrownedandseemedtohavecrushedthenoiseinthehail；theeminentmerchantsfixedtheireyesonthebig，wide-openmouth，fromwhichadeepsoundwasstreamingforth，andavailinghimselfofthismoment，Fomaarosefromhisseatandleftthehall。

Afterawhilehebreathedfreelyand，sittinginhiscab，thoughtsadlythattherewasnoplaceforhimamidthesepeople。Inwardly，hecalledthempolished。Hedidnotliketheirbrilliancy，theirfaces，theirsmilesortheirwords，butthefreedomandtheclevernessoftheirmovements，theirabilitytospeakmuchandonanysubject，theirprettycostumes——allthisarousedinhimamixtureofenvyandrespectforthem。Hefeltsadandoppressedattheconsciousnessofbeingunabletotalksomuchandsofluentlyasallthesepeople，andhereherecalledthatLubaMayakinahadmorethanoncescoffedathimonthisaccount。

FomadidnotlikeMayakin\'sdaughter，andsincehehadlearnedfromhisfatherofMayakin\'sintentiontomarryhimtoLuba，theyoungGordyeeffbegantoshunher。Butafterhisfather\'sdeathhewasalmosteverydayattheMayakins，andsomehowLubasaidtohimoneday：

"Iamlookingatyou，and，doyouknow？——youdonotresembleamerchantatall。"

"Nordoyoulooklikeamerchant\'sdaughter，"saidFoma，andlookedathersuspiciously。Hedidnotunderstandthemeaningofherwords；

didshemeantooffendhim，ordidshesaythesewordswithoutanykindthoughts？

"ThankGodforthis！"saidsheandsmiledtohimakind，friendlysmile。

"Whatmakesyousoglad？"heasked。

"Thefactthatwedon\'tresembleourfathers。"

Fomaglancedatherinastonishmentandkeptsilent。

"Tellmefrankly，"saidshe，loweringhervoice，"youdonotlovemyfather，doyou？Youdon\'tlikehim？"

"Notverymuch，"saidFoma，slowly。

"AndIdislikehimverymuch。"

"Whatfor？"

"Foreverything。Whenyougrowwiser，youwillknowityourself。

Yourfatherwasabetterman。"

"Ofcourse！"saidFoma，proudly。

Afterthisconversationanattachmentsprangupbetweenthemalmostimmediately，andgrowingstrongerfromdaytoday，itsoondevelopedintofriendship，thoughasomewhatoddfriendshipitwas。

ThoughLubawasnotolderthanhergod-brother，sheneverthelesstreatedhimasanolderpersonwouldtreatalittleboy。Shespoketohimcondescendingly，oftenjestingathisexpense；hertalkwasalwaysfullofwordswhichwereunfamiliartoFoma；andshepronouncedthesewordswithparticularemphasisandwithevidentsatisfaction。

ShewasespeciallyfondofspeakingaboutherbrotherTaras，whomshehadneverseen，butofwhomshewastellingsuchstoriesaswouldmakehimlooklikeAuntAnfisa\'sbraveandnoblerobbers。Often，whencomplainingofherfather，shesaidtoFoma：

"Youwillalsobejustsuchaskinflint。"

Allthiswasunpleasanttotheyouthandstunghisvanity。Butattimesshewasstraightforward，simple-minded，andparticularlykindandfriendlytohim；thenhewouldunburdenhisheartbeforeher，andforalongtimetheywouldshareeachother\'sthoughtsandfeelings。

Bothspokeagreatdealandspokesincerely，butneitheroneunderstoodtheother；itseemedtoFomathatwhateverLubahadtosaywasforeigntohimandunnecessarytoher，andatthesametimeheclearlysawthathisawkwardwordsdidnotatallinteresther，andthatshedidnotcaretounderstandthem。Nomatterhowlongtheseconversationslasted，theygavebothofthemthesensationofdiscomfortanddissatisfaction。Asifaninvisiblewallofperplexityhadsuddenlyarisenandstoodbetweenthem。Theydidnotventuretotouchthiswall，ortotelleachotherthattheyfeltitwasthere——

theyresumedtheirconversations，dimlyconsciousthattherewassomethingineachofthemthatmightbindandunitethem。

WhenFomaarrivedathisgodfather\'shouse，hefoundLubaalone。

Shecameouttomeethim，anditwasevidentthatshewaseitherilloroutofhumour；hereyeswereflashingfeverishlyandweresurroundedwithblackcircles。Feelingcold，shemuffledherselfinawarmshawlandsaidwithasmile：

"Itisgoodthatyou\'vecome！ForIwassittingherealone；itislonesome——Idon\'tfeellikegoinganywhere。Willyoudrinktea？"

"Iwill。Whatisthematterwithyou，areyouill？"

"Gotothedining-room，andI\'lltellthemtobringthesamovar，"

shesaid，notansweringhisquestion。

Hewentintooneofthesmallroomsofthehouse，whosetwowindowsoverlookedthegarden。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodanovaltable，surroundedwithold-fashioned，leather-coveredchairs；ononepartitionhungaclockinalongcasewithaglassdoor，inthecornerwasacupboardfordishes，andoppositethewindows，bythewalls，wasanoakensideboardasbigasafair-sizedroom。

"Areyoucomingfromthebanquet？"askedLuba，entering。

Fomanoddedhisheadmutely。

"Well，howwasit？Grand？"

"Itwasterrible！"Fomasmiled。"Isatthereasifonhotcoals。Theyalllookedtherelikepeacocks，whileIlookedlikeabarn-owl。"

LubawastakingoutdishesfromthecupboardandsaidnothingtoFoma。

"Really，whyareyousosad？"askedFomaagain，glancingathergloomyface。

Sheturnedtohimandsaidwithenthusiasmandanxiety：

"Ah，Foma！WhatabookI\'veread！Ifyoucouldonlyunderstandit！"

"Itmustbeagoodbook，sinceitworkedyouupinthisway，"

saidFoma，smiling。

"Ididnotsleep。Ireadallnightlong。Justthinkofit：youread——

anditseemstoyouthatthegatesofanotherkingdomarethrownopenbeforeyou。Andthepeopletherearedifferent，andtheirlanguageisdifferent，everythingdifferent！Lifeitselfisdifferentthere。"

"Idon\'tlikethis，"saidFoma，dissatisfied。"That\'sallfiction，deceit；soisthetheatre。Themerchantsareridiculedthere。Aretheyreallysostupid？Ofcourse！Takeyourfather，forexample。"

"Thetheatreandtheschoolareoneandthesame，Foma，"saidLuba，instructively。"Themerchantsusedtobelikethis。Andwhatdeceitcantherebeinbooks？"

"Justasinfairy——tales，nothingisreal。"

"Youarewrong！Youhavereadnobooks；howcanyoujudge？Booksarepreciselyreal。Theyteachyouhowtolive。"

"Come，come！"Fomawavedhishand。"Dropit；nogoodwillcomeoutofyourbooks！There，takeyourfather，forexample，doeshereadbooks？Andyetheisclever！Ilookedathimtodayandenviedhim。Hisrelationswitheverybodyaresofree，soclever，hehasawordforeachandeveryone。Youcanseeatoncethatwhateverheshoulddesireheissuretoattain。"

"Whatishestrivingfor？"exclaimedLuba。"Nothingbutmoney。

Buttherearepeoplethatwanthappinessforallonearth，andtogainthisendtheyworkwithoutsparingthemselves；theysufferandperish！Howcanmyfatherbecomparedwiththese？"

"Youneednotcomparethem。Theyevidentlylikeonething，whileyourfatherlikesanother。"

"Theydonotlikeanything！"

How\'sthat？

"Theywanttochangeeverything。"

"Sotheydostriveforsomething？"saidFoma，thoughtfully。"Theydowishforsomething？"

"Theywishforhappinessforall！"criedLuba，hotly。"Ican\'tunderstandthis，"saidFoma，noddinghishead。"Whocaresthereformyhappiness？Andthenagain，whathappinesscantheygiveme，sinceI，myself，donotknowasyetwhatIwant？No，youshouldhaveratherlookedatthosethatwereatthebanquet。"

"Thosearenotmen！"announcedLuba，categorically。

"Idonotknowwhattheyareinyoureyes，butyoucanseeatoncethattheyknowtheirplace。Aclever，easy-goinglot。"

"Ah，Foma！"exclaimedLuba，vexed。"Youunderstandnothing！

Nothingagitatesyou！Youareanidler。"

"Now，that\'sgoingtoofar！I\'vesimplynothadtimeenoughtoseewhereIam。"

"Youaresimplyanemptyman，"saidLuba，resolutelyandfirmly。

"Youwerenotwithinmysoul，"repliedFoma，calmly。"Youcannotknowmythoughts。"

"Whatistherethatyoushouldthinkof？"saidLuba，shrugginghershoulders。

"So？Firstofall，Iamalone。Secondly，Imustlive。Don\'tI

understandthatitisaltogetherimpossibleformetoliveasI

amnow？Idonotcaretobemadethelaughing-stockofothers。I

cannotevenspeaktopeople。No，norcanIthink。"Fomaconcludedhiswordsandsmiledconfusedly。

"Itisnecessarytoread，tostudy，"Lubaadvisedhimconvincingly，pacingupanddowntheroom。

"Somethingisstirringwithinmysoul，"Fomawenton，notlookingather，asthoughspeakingtohimself；"butIcannottellwhatitis。I

see，forinstance，thatwhatevermygodfathersaysiscleverandreasonable。Butthatdoesnotattractme。Theotherpeoplearebyfarmoreinterestingtome。"

"Youmeanthearistocrats？"askedLuba。

"Yes。"

"That\'sjusttheplaceforyou！"saidLuba，withasmileofcontempt。

"Eh，you！Aretheymen？Dotheyhavesouls？"

"Howdoyouknowthem？Youarenotacquaintedwiththem。"

"Andthebooks？HaveInotreadbooksaboutthem？"

Themaidbroughtinthesamovar，andtheconversationwasinterrupted。

LubamadeteainsilencewhileFomalookedatherandthoughtofMedinskaya。Hewaswishingtohaveatalkwithher。

"Yes，"saidthegirl，thoughtfully，"Iamgrowingmoreandmoreconvincedeverydaythatitishardtolive。WhatshallIdo？Marry？

Whom？ShallImarryamerchantwhowilldonothingbutrobpeopleallhislife，nothingbutdrinkandplaycards？Asavage？Idonotwantit！Iwanttobeanindividual。Iamsuch，forIknowhowwrongtheconstructionoflifeis。ShallIstudy？Myfatherwillnotallowthis。

0hLord！ShallIrunaway？Ihavenotenoughcourage。WhatamItodo？"

Sheclaspedherhandsandbowedherheadoverthetable。

"Ifyouknewbuthowrepulsiveeverythingis。Thereisnotalivingsoularoundhere。Sincemymotherdied，myfatherdroveeveryoneaway。Somewentofftostudy。Lipa，too，leftus。Shewritesme：

\'Read。\'Ah，Iamreading！Iamreading！"sheexclaimed，withdespairinhervoice，andafteramoment\'ssilenceshewentonsadly：

"Booksdonotcontainwhattheheartneedsmost，andthere\'smuchI

cannotunderstandinthem。Andthen，Ifeelwearytobereadingallthetimealone，alone！Iwanttospeaktoaman，butthereisnonetospeakto！Ifeeldisgusted。Welivebutonce，anditishightimeformetolive，andyetthereisnotasoul！WhereforeshallIlive？

Lipatellsme：\'Readandyouwillunderstandit。\'Iwantbreadandshegivesmeastone。Iunderstandwhatonemustdo——onemuststandupforwhathelovesandbelieves。Hemustfightforit。"

Andsheconcluded，utteringsomethinglikeamoan：

"ButIamalone！WhomshallIfight？Therearenoenemieshere。

Therearenomen！Ilivehereinaprison！

Fomalistenedtoherwords，fixedlyexaminingthefingersofhishand；

hefeltthatinherwordswassomegreatdistress，buthecouldnotunderstandher。Andwhenshebecamesilent，depressedandsad，hefoundnothingtotellhersaveafewwordsthatwerelikeareproach：

"There，youyourselfsaythatbooksareworthlesstoyou，andyetyouinstructmetoread。"

Shelookedintohisface，andangerflashedinhereyes。

"Oh，howIwishthatallthesetormentswouldawakenwithinyou，thetormentsthatconstantlyoppressme。Thatyourthoughts，likemine，wouldrobyouofyoursleep，thatyou，too，wouldbedisgustedwitheverything，andwithyourselfaswell！Idespiseeveryoneofyou。

Ihateyou！"

Allaflush，shelookedathimsoangrilyandspokewithsomuchspitefulness，thatinhisastonishmenthedidnotevenfeeloffendedbyher。Shehadneverbeforespokentohiminsuchmanner。

"What\'sthematterwithyou？"heaskedher。

"Ihateyou，too！You，whatareyou？Dead，empty；howwillyoulive？

Whatwillyougivetomankind？"shesaidwithmalice，inalowvoice。

"I\'llgivenothing；letthemstriveforitthemselves，"answeredFoma，knowingthatthesewordswouldaugmentheranger。

"Unfortunatecreature！"exclaimedthegirlwithcontempt。

TheassuranceandthepowerofherreproachesinvoluntarilycompelledFomatolistenattentivelytoherspitefulwords；hefelttherewascommonsenseinthem。Heevencamenearertoher，butshe，enragedandexasperated，turnedawayfromhimandbecamesilent。

Itwasstilllightoutside，andthereflectionofthesettingsunlaystillonthebranchesofthelinden-treesbeforethewindows，buttheroomwasalreadyfilledwithtwilight，andthesideboard，theclockandthecupboardseemedtohavegrowninsize。Thehugependulumpeepedouteverymomentfrombeneaththeglassoftheclock-case，andflashingdimly，washidingwithawearysoundnowontherightside，nowontheleft。Fomalookedatthependulumandhebegantofeelawkwardandlonesome。Lubaaroseandlightedthelampwhichwashangingoverthetable。Thegirl\'sfacewaspaleandstern。

"Youwentforme，"saidFoma，reservedly。"Whatfor？Ican\'tunderstand。"

"Idon\'twanttospeaktoyou！"repliedLuba，angrily。

"That\'syouraffair。Butnevertheless，whatwronghaveIdonetoyou？"

"You？

"I。"

"Understandme，Iamsuffocating！Itisclosehere。Isthislife？

Isthisthewayhowtolive？WhatamI？Iamahanger-oninmyfather\'shouse。Theykeepmehereasahousekeeper。Thenthey\'llmarryme！Againhousekeeping。It\'saswamp。Iamdrowning，suffocating。"

"AndwhathaveItodowithit？"askedFoma。

"Youarenobetterthantheothers。"

"AndthereforeIamguiltybeforeyou？"

"Yes，guilty！Youmustdesiretobebetter。"

"ButdoInotwishit？"exclaimedFoma。

Thegirlwasabouttotellhimsomething，butatthistimethebellbegantoringsomewhere，andshesaidinalowvoice，leaningbackinherchair：

"It\'sfather。"

"Iwouldnotfeelsorryifhestayedawayalittlelonger，"saidFoma。

"IwishIcouldlistentoyousomemore。Youspeaksoveryoddly。"

"Ah！mychildren，mydoves！"exclaimedYakovTarasovich，appearinginthedoorway。"You\'redrinkingtea？Pouroutsometeaforme，Lugava！"

Sweetlysmiling，andrubbinghishands，hesatdownnearFomaandasked，playfullyjostlinghimintheside：

"Whathaveyoubeencooingabout？"

"So——aboutdifferenttrifles，"answeredLuba。

"Ihaven\'taskedyou，haveI？"saidherfathertoher，withagrimace。

"Youjustsitthere，holdyourtongue，andmindyourwoman\'saffairs。"

"I\'vebeentellingheraboutthedinner，"Fomainterruptedhisgodfather\'swords。

"Aha！So-o-o。Well，then，I\'llalsospeakaboutthedinner。Ihavebeenwatchingyouoflate。Youdon\'tbehaveyourselfsensibly！"

"Whatdoyoumean？"askedFoma，knittinghisbrow，illpleased。

"Ijustmeanthatyourbehaviourispreposterous，andthat\'sall。

Whenthegovernor，forinstance，speakstoyou，youkeepquiet。"

"WhatshouldItellhim？Hesaysthatitisamisfortunetoloseafather。Well，Iknowit。WhatcouldItellhim？"

"ButastheLordwilleditso，Idonotgrumble，yourExcellency。

That\'swhatyoushouldhavesaid，orsomethinginthisspirit。

Governors，mydear，areveryfondofmeeknessinaman。"

"WasItolookathimlikealamb？"saidFoma，withasmile。

"Youdidlooklikealamb，andthatwasunnecessary。Youmustlookneitherlikealamb，norlikeawolf，butjustplayoffbeforehimasthoughsaying：\'Youareourfather，weareyourchildren，\'andhewillimmediatelysoften。"

"Andwhatisthisfor？"

"Foranyevent。Agovernor，mydear，canalwaysbeofusesomewhere。"

"Whatdoyouteachhim，papa？"saidLuba，indignantly，inalowvoice。

"Well，what？"

"Todanceattendance。"

"Youlie，youlearnedfool！Iteachhimpolitics，notdancingattendance；Iteachhimthepoliticsoflife。Youhadbetterleaveusalone！Departfromevil，andpreparesomelunchforus。Goahead！"

Lubarosequicklyandthrowingthetowelacrossthebackofthechair，lefttheroom。Mayakin，winkinghiseyes，lookedafterher，tappedthetablewithhisfingersandsaid：

"Ishallinstructyou，Foma。Ishallteachyouthemostgenuine，trueknowledgeandphilosophy，andifyouunderstandthem，yourlifewillbefaultless。"

Fomasawhowthewrinklesontheoldman\'sforeheadweretwitching，andtheyseemedtohimlikelinesofSlavonicletters。

"Firstofall，Foma，sinceyouliveonthisearth，itisyourdutytothinkovereverythingthattakesplaceaboutyou。Why？Thatyoumaynotsufferforyourownsenselessness，andmaynotharmothersbyyourfolly。Now，everyactofmanisdouble-faced，Foma。Oneisvisibletoall——thisisthewrongside；theotherisconcealed——andthatistherealone。Itisthatonethatyoumustbeabletofindinordertounderstandthesenseofthething。Takeforexamplethelodging-asylums，thework-houses，thepoor-housesandothersimilarinstitutions。Justconsider，whataretheyfor？"

"Whatistheretoconsiderhere？"saidFoma，wearily"Everybodyknowswhattheyarefor——forthepoorandfeeble。"

"Eh，dear！Sometimeseverybodyknowsthatacertainmanisarascalandascoundrel，andyetallcallhimIvanorPeter，andinsteadofabusinghimtheyrespectfullyaddhisfather\'snametohisown。"

"Whathasthistodowithit？"

"It\'salltothepoint。Soyousaythatthesehousesareforthepoor，forbeggars，consequently，inaccordancewithChrist\'scommandment。Verywell！Butwhoisthebeggar？Thebeggarisaman，forcedbyfatetoremindusofChrist；heisabrotherofChrist；heisthebelloftheLordandheringsinlifetorouseourconscience，toarousethesatietyofthefleshofman。Hestandsbythewindowandsingsout：\'ForthesakeofChrist！\'andbyhissingingheremindsusofChrist，ofHisholycommandmenttohelptheneighbour。ButmenhavesoarrangedtheirlifethatitisimpossibleforthemtoactaccordingtotheteachingsofChrist，andJesusChristhasbecomealtogetherunnecessarytous。

Notonetime，butperhapsahundredthousandtimeshaveweturnedHimovertothecross，andyetwecannotdriveHimaltogetheroutoflife，becauseHispoorbrethrensingHisHolynameonthestreetsandthusremindusofHim。Andnowwehavearrangedtolockupthesebeggarsinseparatehousesthattheyshouldnotwalkaroundonthestreetsandshouldnotrouseourconscience。

"Cle-ver！"whisperedFoma，amazed，staringfixedlyathisgodfather。

"Aha！"exclaimedMayakin，hiseyesbeamingwithtriumph。

"Howisitthatmyfatherdidnotthinkofthis？"askedFoma，uneasily。

"Justwait！Listenfurther，itisstillworse。Soyousee，wehavearrangedtolockthemupinallsortsofhousesandthattheymightbekepttherecheaply，wehavecompelledthoseoldandfeeblebeggarstoworkandweneedgivenoalmsnow，andsinceourstreetshavebeenclearedofthevariousraggedbeggars，wedonotseetheirterribledistressandpoverty，andwemay，therefore，thinkthatallmenoneartharewell-fed，shodandclothed。That\'swhatallthesedifferenthousesarefor，fortheconcealmentofthetruth，forthebanishmentofChristfromourlife！Isthiscleartoyou？"

"Yes！"saidFoma，confusedbytheoldman\'scleverwords。

"Andthisisnotall。Thepoolisnotyetbaledouttothebottom！"

exclaimedMayakin，swinginghishandintheairwithanimation。

Thewrinklesofhisfacewereinmotion；hislong，ravenousnosewasstirring，andinhisvoicerangnotesofirritabilityandemotion。

"Now，letuslookatthisthingfromtheotherside。Whocontributesmostinfavourofthepoor，forthesupportofthesehouses，asylums，poor-houses？Therichpeople，themerchants，ourbodyofmerchants。Verywell！Andwhocommandsourlifeandregulatesit？Thenobles，thefunctionariesandallsortsofotherpeople，notbelongingtoourclass。Fromthemcomethelaws，thenewspapers，science——everythingfromthem。Before，theywereland-owners，nowtheirlandwassnatchedawayfromthem——andtheystartedoutinservice。Verywell！Butwhoarethemostpowerfulpeopletoday？Themerchantisthesupremepowerinanempire，becausehehasthemillionsonhisside！Isn\'tthatso？"

"True！"assentedFoma，eagertohearthesoonerthatwhichwastofollow，andwhichwasalreadysparklingintheeyesofhisgodfather。

"Justmarkthis，"theoldmanwentondistinctlyandimpressively。

"Wemerchantshadnohandinthearrangementoflife，nordowehaveavoiceorahandinittoday。Lifewasarrangedbyothers，anditistheythatmultipliedallsortsofscabsinlife——idlersandpoorunfortunates；andsincebymultiplyingthemtheyobstructedlifeandspoiltit——itis，justlyjudging，nowtheirdutytopurifyit。Butwearepurifyingit，wecontributemoneyforthepoor，welookafterthem——we，judgeitforyourself，whyshouldwemendanother\'srags，sincewedidnottearthem？Whyshouldwerepairahouse，sinceothershavelivedinitandsinceitbelongstoothers？Wereitnotwiserforustostepasideandwatchuntilacertaintimehowrottennessismultiplyingandchokingthosethatarestrangerstous？Theycannotconquerit，theyhavenotthemeanstodoit。Thentheywillturntousandsay：\'Pray，helpus，gentlemen！\'andwe\'lltellthem：\'Letushaveroomforourwork！Rankusamongthebuildersofthissamelife！\'Andassoonastheydothiswe，too，willhavetoclearlifeatonesweepofallsortsoffilthandchaff。ThentheEmperorwillseewithhiscleareyeswhoarereallyhisfaithfulservants，andhowmuchwisdomtheyhavesavedupwhiletheirhandswereidle。Doyouunderstand？"

"Ofcourse，Ido！"exclaimedFoma。

Whenhisgodfatherspokeofthefunctionaries，Fomaremindedhimselfofthepeoplethatwerepresentatthedinner；herecalledthebrisksecretary，andathoughtflashedthroughhismindthatthisstoutlittlemanhasinallprobabilityanincomeofnomorethanathousandroublesayear，whilehe，Foma，hasamillion。Butthatmanlivessoeasilyandfreely，whilehe，Foma，doesnotknowhowtolive，isindeedabashedtolive。Thiscomparisonandhisgodfather\'sspeechrousedinhimawhirlofthoughts，buthehadtimetograspandexpressonlyoneofthem：

"Indeed，doweworkforthesakeofmoneyonly？What\'stheuseofmoneyifitcangiveusnopower？"

"Aha！"saidMayakin，winkinghiseyes。

"Eh！"exclaimedFoma，offended。"Howaboutmyfather？Haveyouspokentohim？"

"Ispoketohimfortwentyyears。"

"Well，howabouthim？"

"Mywordsdidnotreachhim。Thecrownofyourfather\'sheadwasratherthick。Hissoulwasopentoall，whilehismindwashiddenawayfarwithinhim。Yes，hemadeablunder，andIamverysorryaboutthemoney。"

"Iamnotsorryforthemoney。"

"Youshouldhavetriedtoearnevenatenthpartofit，thenspeak。"

"MayIcomein？"cameLuba\'svoicefrombehindthedoor。

"Yes，steprightin，"saidthefather。

"Willyouhavelunchnow？"sheasked，entering。

"Letushaveit。"

Shewalkeduptothesideboardandsoonthedisheswererattling。

YakovTarasovichlookedather，movedhislips，andsuddenlystrikingFoma\'skneewithhishand，hesaidtohim：

"That\'stheway，mygodson！Think。"

Fomarespondedwithasmileandthought："Buthe\'sclever——

clevererthanmyfather。"

Butanothervoicewithinhimimmediatelyreplied：

"Cleverer，butworse。"

CHAPTERV

FOMA\'SdualrelationtowardMayakingrewstrongerandstrongerastimewenton；listeningtohiswordsattentivelyandwitheagercuriosity，hefeltthateachmeetingwithhisgodfatherwasstrengtheninginhimthefeelingofhostilitytowardtheoldman。

SometimesYakovTarasovichrousedinhisgodsonafeelingakintofear，sometimesevenphysicalaversion。ThelatterusuallycametoFomawhenevertheoldmanwaspleasedwithsomethingandlaughed。

Fromlaughtertheoldman\'swrinkleswouldtremble，thuschangingtheexpressionofhisfaceeverynowandthen；hisdry，thinlipswouldstretchoutandmovenervously，displayingblackbrokenteeth，andhisredlittlebeardwasasthoughaflame。Hislaughtersoundedlikethesqueakingofrustyhinges，andaltogethertheoldmanlookedlikealizardatplay。Unabletoconcealhisfeelings，FomaoftenexpressedthemtoMayakinratherrudely，bothinwordsandingesture，buttheoldman，pretendingnottonoticeit，keptavigilanteyeonhim，directinghiseachandeverystep。WhollyabsorbedbythesteamshipaffairsoftheyoungGordyeeff，heevenneglectedhisownlittleshop，andallowedFomaconsiderableleisuretime。ThankstoMayakin\'simportantpositionintownandtohisextensiveacquaintanceontheVolga，businesswassplendid，butMayakin\'szealousinterestinhisaffairsstrengthenedFoma\'ssuspicionsthathisgodfatherwasfirmlyresolvedtomarryhimtoLuba，andthismadetheoldmanmorerepulsivetohim。

HelikedLuba，butatthesametimesheseemedsuspiciousanddangerousforhim。Shedidnotmarry，andMayakinneversaidawordaboutit；hegavenoeveningparties，invitednoneoftheyouthstohishouseanddidnotallowLubatoleavethehouse。Andallhergirlfriendsweremarriedalready。Fomaadmiredherwordsandlistenedtoherjustaseagerlyastoherfather；butwhenevershestartedtospeakofTaraswithloveandanguish，itseemedtohimthatshewashidinganothermanunderthatname，perhapsthatsameYozhov，whoaccordingtoherwords，hadtoleavetheuniversityforsomereasonorother，andgotoMoscow。Therewasagreatdealofsimplemindednessandkindnessinher，whichpleasedFoma，andofttimesherwordsawakenedinhimafeelingofpityforher；itseemedtohimthatshewasnotalive，thatshewasdreamingthoughawake。

Hisconductatthefuneralfeastforhisfatherbecameknowntoallthemerchantsandgavehimabadreputation。OntheExchange，henoticed，everybodylookedathimsneeringly，malevolently，andspoketohiminsomepeculiarway。Onedayheheardbehindhimalowexclamation，fullofcontempt：

"Gordyeeff！Milksop！"

Hefeltthatthiswassaidofhim，buthedidnotturnaroundtoseewhoitwasthatflungthosewordsathim。Therichpeople，whohadinspiredhimwithtimiditybefore，werenowlosinginhiseyesthewitcheryoftheirwealthandwisdom。Theyhadmorethanoncesnatchedoutofhishandsthisorthatprofitablecontract；heclearlysawthattheywoulddoitagain，andtheyallseemedtohimalike——greedyformoney，alwaysreadytocheatoneanother。Whenheimpartedtohisgodfatherhisobservation，theoldmansaid：

"Howthen？Businessisjustthesameaswar——ahazardousaffair。

Theretheyfightforthepurse，andinthepurseisthesoul。"

"Idon\'tlikethis，"announcedFoma。

"NeitherdoIlikeeverything——there\'stoomuchfraud。

Buttobefairinbusinessmattersisutterlyimpossible；youmustbeshrewd！Inbusiness，dear，onapproachingamanyoumustholdhoneyinyourlefthand，andclutchaknifeinyourright。Everybodywouldliketobuyfivecopecks\'worthforahalfacopeck。"

"Well，thisisn\'ttoogood，"saidFoma，thoughtfully。"Butitwillbegoodlater。Whenyouhavetakentheupperhand，thenitwillbegood。

Life，dearFoma，isverysimple：eitherbiteeverybody，orlieinthegutter。

Theoldmansmiled，andthebrokenteethinhismouthrousedinFomathekeenthought：

"Youhavebittenmany，itseems。"

"There\'sbutoneword——battle！"repeatedtheoldman。

"Isthistherealone？"askedFoma，lookingatMayakinsearchingly。

"Thatis，whatdoyoumean——thereal？"

"Istherenothingbetterthanthis？Doesthiscontaineverything？"

"Whereelseshoulditbe？Everybodylivesforhimself。Eachofuswishesthebestforhimself。Andwhatisthebest？Togoinfrontofothers，tostandabovethem。Sothateverybodyistryingtoattainthefirstplaceinlife——onebythismeans，anotherbythatmeans。Buteveryoneispositivelyanxioustobeseenfromafar，likeatower。

Andmanwasindeedappointedtogoupward。EventheBookofJobsays：

\'Manisbornuntotrouble，asthesparks，toflyupward。\'Justsee：

evenchildrenatplayalwayswishtosurpassoneanother。Andeachandeverygamehasitsclimax，whichmakesitinteresting。Doyouunderstand？"

"Iunderstandthis！"saidFoma，firmlyandconfidently。

"Butyoumustalsofeelthis。Withunderstandingaloneyoucannotgofar，andyoumustdesire，anddesiresothatabigmountainshouldseemtoyoubutahillock，andtheseabutapuddle。Eh！

WhenIwasofyourageIhadaneasylife，whileyouareonlytakingaim。Butthen，goodfruitdoesnotripenearly。"

Theoldman\'smonotonousspeechessoonaccomplishedwhattheywereintendedtodo。Fomalistenedtothemandmadecleartohimselftheaimoflife。Hemustbebetterthanothers，heresolved，andtheambition，kindledbytheoldman，tookdeeprootinhisheart。Ittookrootwithinhisheart，butdidnotfillitup，forFoma\'srelationstowardMedinskayaassumedthatcharacter，whichtheywereboundtoassume。Helongedforher，healwaysyearnedtoseeher；whileinherpresencehebecametimid，awkwardandstupid；heknewitandsufferedonthisaccount。Hefrequentlyvisitedher，butitwashardtofindherathomealone；

perfumeddandieslikefliesoverapieceofsugar——werealwaysflittingabouther。TheyspoketoherinFrench，sangandlaughed，whilehelookedattheminsilence，torturedbyangerandjealousy。

Hislegscrossed，hesatsomewhereinacornerofherrichlyfurnisheddrawing-room，whereitwasextremelydifficulttowalkwithoutoverturningoratleaststrikingagainstsomething——Fomasatandwatchedthemsternly。

Overthesoftrugsshewasnoiselesslypassinghitherandthither，castingtohimkindglancesandsmiles，whileheradmirerswerefawninguponher，andtheyall，likeserpents，werecleverlyglidingbythevariouslittletables，chairs，screens，flower-stands——astorehousefullofbeautifulandfrailthings，scatteredabouttheroomwithacarelessnessequallydangeroustothemandtoFoma。Butwhenhewalkedthere，therugsdidnotdrownhisfootsteps，andallthesethingscaughtathiscoat，trembledandfell。Besidethepianostoodasailormadeofbronze，whosehandwaslifted，readytothrowthelife-savingring；onthisringwereropesofwire，andthesealwayspulledFomabythehair。AllthisprovokedlaughteramongSophyaPavlovnaandheradmirers，andFomasufferedgreatly，changingfromheattocold。

Buthefeltnolessuncomfortableevenwhenalonewithher。

Greetinghimwithakindlysmile，shewouldtakeaseatbesidehiminoneofthecosycornersofherdrawing-roomandwouldusuallystartherconversationbycomplainingtohimofeverybody：

"Youwouldn\'tbelievehowgladIamtoseeyou！"Bendinglikeacat，shewouldgazeintohiseyeswithherdarkglance，inwhichsomethingavidiouswouldnowflashup。

"Ilovetospeaktoyou，"shesaid，musicallydrawlingherwords。

"I\'vegrowntiredofalltherestofthem。They\'reallsoboring，ordinaryandworn-out，whileyouarefresh，sincere。Youdon\'tlikethosepeopleeither，doyou？"

"Ican\'tbearthem！"repliedFoma，firmly。

"Andme？"sheaskedsoftly。

Fomaturnedhiseyesawayfromherandsaid，withasigh：

"Howmanytimeshaveyouaskedmethat？"

"Isithardforyoutotellme？"

"Itisn\'thard，butwhatfor？"

"Imustknowit。"

"Youaremakingsportofme，"saidFoma，sternly。Andsheopenedhereyeswideandinquiredinatoneofgreatastonishment：

"HowdoImakesportofyou？Whatdoesitmeantomakesport？"

Andherfacelookedsoangelicthathecouldnothelpbelievingher。

"Iloveyou！Iloveyou！Itisimpossiblenottoloveyou！"saidhehotly，andimmediatelyaddedsadly，loweringhisvoice："Butyoudon\'tneedit！"

"Thereyouhaveit！"sighedMedinskaya，satisfied，drawingbackfromhim。"Iamalwaysextremelypleasedtohearyousaythis，withsomuchyouthfulnessandoriginality。Wouldyouliketokissmyhand？"

Withoutsayingawordheseizedherthin，whitelittlehandandcarefullybendingdowntoit，hepassionatelykisseditforalongtime。Smilingandgraceful，notintheleastmovedbyhispassion，shefreedherhandfromhis。Pensively，shelookedathimwiththatstrangeglitterinhereyes，whichalwaysconfusedFoma；sheexaminedhimassomethingrareandextremelycurious，andsaid：

"Howmuchstrengthandpowerandfreshnessofsoulyoupossess！Doyouknow？Youmerchantsareanaltogethernewrace，anentireracewithoriginaltraditions，withanenormousenergyofbodyandsoul。

Takeyou，forinstance——youareapreciousstone，andyoushouldbepolished。Oh！"

Whenevershetoldhim："You，"or"accordingtoyourmerchantfashion，"itseemedtoFomathatshewaspushinghimawayfromherwiththesewords。Thisatoncesaddenedandoffendedhim。Hewassilent，lookingathersmallmaidenlyfigure，whichwasalwayssomehowparticularlywelldressed，alwayssweet-scentedlikeaflower。

Sometimeshewasseizedwithawild，coarsedesiretoembraceandkissher。Butherbeautyandthefragilityofherthin，supplebodyawakenedinhimafearofbreakinganddisfiguringher，andhercalm，caressingvoiceandtheclear，butsomewhatcautiouslookofhereyeschilledhispassion；itseemedtohimasthoughshewerelookingstraightintohissoul，diviningallhisthoughts。Buttheseburstsofemotionwererare。GenerallytheyouthregardedMedinskayawithadoration，admiringeverythinginher——herbeauty，herwords，herdresses。Andbesidethisadorationtherewasinhimapainfullykeenconsciousnessofhisremotenessfromher，ofhersupremacyoverhim。

Theserelationswereestablishedbetweenthemwithinashorttime；

aftertwoorthreemeetingsMedinskayawasinfullpossessionoftheyouthandsheslowlybegantotorturehim。Evidentlyshelikedtohaveahealthy，strongyouthathermercy；shelikedtorouseandtametheanimalinhimmerelywithhervoiceandglance，andconfidentofthepowerofhersuperiority，shefoundpleasureinthusplayingwithhim。Onleavingher，hewasusuallyhalf-sickfromexcitement，bearingheragrudge，angrywithhimself，filledwithmanypainfulandintoxicatingsensations。Andabouttwodayslaterhewouldcometoundergothesametortureagain。

Onedayheaskedhertimidly：

"SophyaPavlovna！Haveyoueverhadanychildren？"

"No。"

"Ithoughtnot！"exclaimedFomawithdelight。

Shecastathimthelookofaverynaivelittlegirl，andsaid：

"Whatmadeyouthinkso？AndwhydoyouwanttoknowwhetherI

hadanychildrenornot？"

Fomablushed，and，bendinghishead，begantospeaktoherinaheavyvoice，asthoughhewasliftingeverywordfromthegroundandasthougheachwordweighedafewpuds。

"Yousee——awomanwho——hasgivenbirthtochildren——suchawomanhasaltogetherdifferenteyes。"

"So？Whatkindaretheythen？"

"Shameless！"Fomablurtedout。

Medinskayabrokeintohersilverlaughter，andFoma，lookingather，alsobegantolaugh。

"Excuseme！"saidhe，atlength。"PerhapsI\'vesaidsomethingwrong，improper。"

"Oh，no，no！Youcannotsayanythingimproper。Youareapure，amiableboy。Andso，myeyesarenotshameless？"

"Yoursarelikeanangel\'s！"announcedFomawithenthusiasm，lookingatherwithbeamingeyes。Andsheglancedathim，asshehadneverdonebefore；herlookwasthatofamother，asadlookoflovemingledwithfearforthebeloved。

"Go，dearone。Iamtired；Ineedarest，"shesaidtohim，assherosewithoutlookingathim。Hewentawaysubmissively。

Forsometimeafterthisincidentherattitudetowardhimwasstricterandmoresincere，asthoughshepitiedhim，butlatertheirrelationsassumedtheoldformofthecat-and-mouseplay。

Foma\'srelationtowardMedinskayacouldnotescapehisgodfather\'snotice，andonedaytheoldmanaskedhim，withamaliciousgrimace：

"Foma！Youhadbetterfeelyourheadmoreoftensothatyoumaynotloseitbyaccident。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"askedFoma。

"IspeakofSonka。Youaregoingtoseehertoooften。"

"Whathasthattodowithyou？"saidFoma，ratherrudely。"AndwhydoyoucallherSonka？"

"It\'snothingtome。Iwouldlosenothingifyoushouldbefleeced。AndastocallingherSonka——everybodyknowsthatishername。Sodoeseverybodyknowthatshelikestorakeupthefirewithotherpeople\'shands。"

"Sheisclever！"announcedFoma，firmly，frowningandhidinghishandsinhispockets。"Sheisintelligent。"

"Clever，that\'strue！Howcleverlyshearrangedthatentertainment；

therewasanincomeoftwothousandfourhundredroubles，theexpenses——onethousandninehundred；theexpensesreallydidnotevenamounttoathousandroubles，foreverybodydoeseverythingforherfornothing。Intelligent！Shewilleducateyou，andespeciallywillthoseidlersthatrunaroundher。"

"They\'renotidlers，theyarecleverpeople！"repliedFoma，angrily，contradictinghimselfnow。"AndIlearnfromthem。WhatamI？Iknownothing。WhatwasItaught？Whiletheretheyspeakofeverything——andeachonehashiswordtosay。Donothindermefrombeinglikeaman。"

"Pooh！Howyou\'velearnedtospeak！Withsomuchanger，likethehailstrikingagainsttheroof！Verywell，belikeaman，butinordertobelikeamanitmightbelessdangerousforyoutogotothetavern；thepeoplethereareafterallbetterthanSophya\'speople。Andyou，youngman，youshouldhavelearnedtodiscriminateonepersonfromanother。

TakeSophya，forinstance：Whatdoessherepresent？Aninsectfortheadornmentofnatureandnothingmore！"

Intenselyagitated，FomasethisteethtogetherandwalkedawayfromMayakin，thrustinghishandsstilldeeperintohispockets。ButtheoldmansoonstartedagainaconversationaboutMedinskaya。

Theywereontheirwaybackfromthebayafteraninspectionofthesteamers，andseatedinabigandcommodioussledge，theywereenthusiasticallydiscussingbusinessmattersinafriendlyway。ItwasinMarch。Thewaterunderthesledge-runnerswasbubbling，thesnowwasalreadycoveredwitharatherdirtyfleece，andthesunshonewarmlyandmerrilyintheclearsky。

"Willyougotoyourladyassoonaswearrive？"askedMayakin，unexpectedly，interruptingtheirbusinesstalk。

"Iwill，"saidFoma，shortly，andwithdispleasure，"Mm。Tellme，howoftendoyougiveherpresents？"askedMayakin，plainlyandsomewhatintimately。

"Whatpresents？Whatfor？"Fomawondered。

"Youmakehernopresents？Youdon\'tsay。Doesshelivewithyouthenmerelyso，forlove\'ssake？"

Fomaboiledupwithangerandshame，turnedabruptlytowardtheoldmanandsaidreproachfully：

"Eh！Youareanoldman，andyetyouspeaksothatitisashametolistentoyou！Tosaysuchathing！Doyouthinkshewouldcomedowntothis？"

Mayakinsmackedhislipsandsangoutinamournfulvoice：

"Whatablockheadyouare！Whatafool！"andsuddenlygrownangry，hespatout："Shameuponyou！Allsortsofbrutesdrankoutofthepot，nothingbutthedregsremained，andnowafoolhasmadeagoduntohimselfofthisdirtypot。Devil！Youjustgouptoherandtellherplainly：\'Iwanttobeyourlover。Iamayoungman，don\'tchargememuchforit。\'"

"Godfather！"saidFoma，sternly，inathreateningvoice，"I

cannotbeartohearsuchwords。Ifitweresomeoneelse。"

"Butwhoexceptmyselfwouldcautionyou？GoodGod！"Mayakincriedout，claspinghishands。"Soshehasledyoubythenoseallwinterlong！Whatanose！Whatabeastsheis！"

Theoldmanwasagitated；inhisvoicerangvexation，anger，eventearsFomahadneverbeforeseenhiminsuchastate，andlookingathim，hewasinvoluntarilysilent。

"Shewillruinyou！0hLord！TheBabylonianprostitute！"

Mayakin\'seyeswereblinking，hislipsweretrembling，andinrude，cynicalwordshebegantospeakofMedinskaya，irritated，withawrathfuljarinhisvoice。

Fomafeltthattheoldmanspokethetruth。Henowbegantobreathewithdifficultyandhefeltthathismouthhadadry，bittertaste。

"Verywell，father，enough，"hebeggedsoftlyandsadly，turningasidefromMayakin。

"Eh，yououghttogetmarriedassoonaspossible！"exclaimedtheoldmanwithalarm。

"ForChrist\'ssake，donotspeak，"utteredFomainadullvoice。

Mayakinglancedathisgodsonandbecamesilent。Foma\'sfacelookeddrawn；hegrewpale，andtherewasagreatdealofpainful，bitterstuporinhishalf-openlipsandinhissadlook。Ontherightandontheleftoftheroadafieldstretcheditself，coveredhereandtherewithpatchesofwinter-raiment。Rookswerehoppingbusilyaboutovertheblackspots，wherethesnowhadmelted。Thewaterunderthesledge-runnerswassplashing，themuddysnowwaskickedupbythehoofsofthehorses。

"Howfoolishmanisinhisyouth！"exclaimedMayakin，inalowvoice。

Fomadidnotlookathim。

"Beforehimstandsthestumpofatree，andyetheseesthesnoutofabeast——that\'showhefrightenshimself。Oh，oh！"

"Speakmoreplainly，"saidFoma，sternly。

"Whatistheretosay？Thethingisclear：girlsarecream；womenaremilk；womenarenear，girlsarefar。Consequently，gotoSonka，ifyoucannotdowithoutit，andtellherplainly。That\'showthematterstands。Fool！Ifsheisasinner，youcangethermoreeasily。

Whyareyousoangry，then？Whysobristledup？"

"Youdon\'tunderstand，"saidFoma，inalowvoice。

"WhatisitIdonotunderstand？Iunderstandeverything！"

"Theheart。Manhasaheart，"sighedtheyouth。

Mayakinwinkedhiseyesandsaid：

"Thenhehasnomind。"

CHAPTERVI

WHENFomaarrivedinthecityhewasseizedwithsad，revengefulanger。HewasburningwithapassionatedesiretoinsultMedinskaya，toabuseher。Histeethfirmlysettogether，hishandsthrustdeepintohispockets，hewalkedforafewhoursinsuccessionaboutthedesertedroomsofhishouse，hesternlyknittedhisbrow，andconstantlythrewhischestforward。Hisbreastwastoonarrowtoholdhisheart，whichwasfilledwithwrath。Hestampedthefloorwithheavyandmeasuredsteps，asthoughhewereforginghisanger。

"Thevilewretch——disguisedherselfasanangel！"Pelageyavividlyaroseinhismemory，andhewhisperedmalignantlyandbitterly：

"Thoughafallenwoman，sheisbetter。Shedidnotplaythehypocrite。Sheatonceunfoldedhersoulandherbody，andherheartissurelyjustasherbreast——whiteandsound。"

SometimesHopewouldwhispertimidlyinhisear：

"Perhapsallthatwassaidofherwasalie。"

Butherecalledtheeagercertaintyofhisgodfather，andthepowerofhiswords，andthisthoughtperished。Hesethisteethmorefirmlytogetherandthrewhischeststillmoreforward。Evilthoughtslikesplintersofwoodstuckintohisheart，andhisheartwasshatteredbytheacutepaintheycaused。

BydisparagingMedinskaya，Mayakinmadehermoreaccessibletohisgodson，andFomasoonunderstoodthis。Afewdayspassed，andFoma\'sagitatedfeelingsbecamecalm，absorbedbythespringbusinesscares。Thesorrowforthelossoftheindividualdeadenedthespiteheowedthewoman，andthethoughtofthewoman\'saccessibilityincreasedhispassionforher。Andsomehow，withoutperceivingithimself，hesuddenlyunderstoodandresolvedthatheoughttogouptoSophyaPavlovnaandtellherplainly，openly，justwhathewantedofher——that\'sall！Heevenfeltacertainjoyatthisresolution，andheboldlystartedofftoMedinskaya，thinkingonthewayonlyhowtotellherbestallthatwasnecessary。

TheservantsofMedinskayawereaccustomedtohisvisits，andtohisquestionwhethertheladywasathomethemaidreplied：

"Pleasegointothedrawing-room。Sheistherealone。"

Hebecamesomewhatfrightened，butnoticinginthemirrorhisstatelyfigureneatlycladwithafrock-coat，andhisswarthy，seriousfaceinaframeofadownyblackbeard，setwithlargedarkeyes——heraisedhisshouldersandconfidentlysteppedforwardthroughtheparlour。Strangesoundsofastringinstrumentwerecalmlyfloatingtomeethim；theyseemedtoburstintoquiet，cheerlesslaughter，complainingofsomething，tenderlystirringtheheart，asthoughimploringitforattentionandhavingnohopesofgettingit。Fomadidnotliketohearmusic——italwaysfilledhimwithsadness。Evenwhenthe"machine"inthetavernplayedsomesadtune，hisheartfilledwithmelancholyanguish，andhewouldeitheraskthemtostopthe"machine"orwouldgoawaysomelittledistancefeelingthathecouldnotlistencalmlytothesetuneswithoutwords，butfulloflamentationandtears。Andnowheinvoluntarilystoppedshortatthedoorofthedrawing-room。

Acurtainoflongstringsofparti-colouredglassbeadshungoverthedoor。Thebeadshadbeenstrungsoastoformafantasticfigureofsomekindofplants；thestringswerequietlyshakinganditseemedthatpaleshadowsofflowersweresoaringintheair。

Thistransparentcurtaindidnothidetheinsideofthedrawing-

roomfromFoma\'seyes。Seatedonacouchinherfavouritecorner，Medinskayaplayedthemandolin。AlargeJapaneseumbrella，fasteneduptothewall，shadedthelittlewomaninblackbyitsmixtureofcolours；thehighbronzelampunderaredlamp-shadecastonherthelightofsunset。Themildsoundsoftheslenderstringsweretremblingsadlyinthenarrowroom，whichwasfilledwithsoftandfragranttwilight。Nowthewomanloweredthemandolinonherkneesandbeganrunningherfingersoverthestrings，alsotoexaminefixedlysomethingbeforeher。Fomaheavedasigh。

AsoftsoundofmusicsoaredaboutMedinskaya，andherfacewasforeverchangingasthoughshadowswerefallingonit，fallingandmeltingawayundertheflashofhereyes。

Fomalookedatherandsawthatwhenaloneshewasnotquitesogood-lookingasinthepresenceofpeople——nowherfacelookedolder，moreserious——hereyeshadnottheexpressionofkindnessandgentleness，theyhadarathertiredandwearylook。Andherpose，too，wasweary，asifthewomanwereabouttostirbutcouldnot。Fomanoticedthatthefeelingwhichpromptedhimtocometoherwasnowchanginginhisheartintosomeotherfeeling。Hescrapedwithhisfootalongthefloorandcoughed。

"Whoisthat？"askedthewoman，startingwithalarm。Andthestringstrembled，issuinganalarmedsound。

"ItisI，"saidFoma，pushingasidethestringsofthebeads。

"Ah！Buthowquietlyyou\'veentered。Iamgladtoseeyou。Beseated！Whydidn\'tyoucomeforsuchalongtime？"

Holdingoutherhandtohim，shepointedwiththeotheratasmallarmchairbesideher，andhereyesweregailysmiling。

"Iwasoutonthebayinspectingmysteamers，"saidFoma，withexaggeratedease，movinghisarmchairnearertothecouch。

"Istheremuchsnowyetonthefields？"

"Asmuchasonemaywant。Butitisalreadymeltingconsiderably。