第6章

Thereiswaterontheroadseverywhere。"

Helookedatherandsmiled。EvidentlyMedinskayanoticedtheeaseofhisbehaviourandsomethingnewinhissmile，forsheadjustedherdressanddrewfartherawayfromhim。Theireyesmet——andMedinskayaloweredherhead。

"Melting！"saidshe，thoughtfully，examiningtheringonherlittlefinger。

"Ye-es，streamseverywhere。"Fomainformedher，admiringhisboots。

"That\'sgood。Springiscoming。"

Nowitwon\'tbedelayedlong。"

"Springiscoming，"repeatedMedinskaya，softly，asiflisteningtothesoundsofherwords。

"Peoplewillstarttofallinlove，"saidFoma，withasmile，andforsomereasonorotherfirmlyrubbedhishands。

"Areyoupreparingyourself？"askedMedinskaya，drily。

"Ihavenoneedforit。Ihavebeenreadylongago。Iamalreadyinloveforallmylife。"

Shecastaglanceathim，andstartedtoplayagain，lookingatthestringsandsayingpensively：

"Spring。Howgooditisthatyouarebutbeginningtolive。Theheartisfullofpower，andthereisnothingdarkinit。"

"SophyaPavlovna！"exclaimedFoma，softly。Sheinterruptedhimwithacaressinggesture。

"Wait，dearest！TodayIcantellyousomethinggood。Doyouknow，apersonwhohaslivedlonghassuchmomentsthatwhenhelooksintohisheartheunexpectedlyfindstheresomethinglongforgotten。Foryearsitlaysomewhereinthedepthofhisheart，butlostnoneofthefragranceofyouth，andwhenmemorytouchesit，thenspringcomesoverthatperson，breathinguponhimthevivifyingfreshnessofthemorningofhislife。Thisisgood，thoughitisverysad。"

Thestringstrembledandweptunderthetouchofherfingers，anditseemedtoFomathattheirsoundsandthesoftvoiceofthewomanweretouchinghisheartgentlyandcaressingly。But，stillfirminhisdecision，helistenedtoherwordsand，notknowingtheirmeaning，thought：

"Youmayspeak！AndIwon\'tbelieveanythingyoumaysay。"

Thisthoughtirritatedhim。Andhefeltsorrythathecouldnotlistentoherwordsasattentivelyandtrustfullyasbefore。

"Areyouthinkingofhowitisnecessarytolive？"askedthewoman。

"SometimesIthinkofit，andthenIforgetagain。Ihavenotimeforit！"saidFomaandsmiled。"Andthen，whatistheretothinkof？Itissimple。Youseehowotherslive。Well，consequently，youmustimitatethem。"

"Ah，don\'tdothis！Spareyourself。Youaresogood！Thereissomethingpeculiarinyou；what——Idonotknow。Butitcanbefelt。

Anditseemstome，itwillbeveryhardforyoutogetalonginlife。Iamsure，youwillnotgoalongtheusualwayofthepeopleofyourcircle。No！Youcannotbepleasedwithalifewhichiswhollydevotedtogain，tohuntsaftertherouble，tothisbusinessofyours。Oh，no！Iknow，youwillhaveadesireforsomethingelse，willyounot？"

Shespokequickly，withalookofalarminhereyes。Lookingather，Fomathought：

"Whatisshedrivingat？"

Andheansweredherslowly：

"PerhapsIwillhaveadesireforsomethingelse。PerhapsIhaveitalready。"

Drawingupclosertohim，shelookedintohisfaceandspokeconvincingly：

"Listen！Donotlivelikeallotherpeople！Arrangeyourlifesomehowdifferently。Youarestrong，young。Youaregood！"

"AndifIamgoodthentheremustbegoodforme！"exclaimedFoma，feelingthathewasseizedwithagitation，andthathisheartwasbeginningtobeatwithanxiety。

"Ah，butthatisnotthecase！Hereonearthitisworseforthegoodpeoplethanforthebadones！"saidMedinskaya，sadly。

Andagainthetremblingnotesofmusicbegantodanceatthetouchofherfingers。Fomafeltthatifhedidnotstarttosayatoncewhatwasnecessary，hewouldtellhernothinglater。

"Godblessme！"hesaidtohimself，andinaloweredvoice，strengtheninghisheart，began：

"SophyaPavlovna！Enough！Ihavesomethingtosay。Ihavecometotellyou：\'Enough！\'Wemustdealfairly，openly。Atfirstyouhaveattractedmetoyourself，andnowyouarefencingawayfromme。I

cannotunderstandwhatyousay。Mymindisdull，butIcanfeelthatyouwishtohideyourself。Icanseeit——doyouunderstandnowwhatbroughtmehere？"

Hiseyesbegantoflashandwitheachwordhisvoicebecamewarmerandlouder。Shemovedherbodyforwardandsaidwithalarm：

"Oh，cease。"

"No，Iwon\'t，Iwillspeak！"

"Iknowwhatyouwanttosay。"

"Youdon\'tknowitall！"saidFoma，threateningly，risingtohisfeet。"ButIknoweverythingaboutyou——everything。"

"Yes？Thenthebetteritisforme，"saidMedinskaya，calmly。

Shealsoarosefromthecouch，asthoughabouttogoawaysomewhere，butafterafewsecondssheagainseatedherselfonthecouch。Herfacewasserious，herlipsweretightlycompressed，buthereyeswerelowered，andFomacouldnotseetheirexpression。Hethoughtthatwhenhetoldher，"Iknoweverythingaboutyou！"shewouldbefrightened，shewouldfeelashamedandconfused，wouldaskhisforgivenessforhavingmadesportofhim。Thenhewouldembraceherandforgiveher。Butthatwasnotthecase；itwashewhowasconfusedbyhercalmness。Helookedather，searchingforwordstoresumehisspeech，butfoundthemnot。

"Itisbetter，"sherepeatedfirmlyanddrily。"Soyouhavelearnedeverything，haveyou？And，ofcourse，you\'vecensuredme，asI

deserve。Iunderstand。Iamguiltybeforeyou。Butno，Icannotjustifymyself。"

Shebecamesilentandsuddenly，liftingherhandswithanervousgesture，claspedherhead，andbegantoadjustherhair。

Fomaheavedadeepsigh。Herwordshadkilledinhimacertainhope——ahope，whosepresenceinhisheartheonlyfeltnowthatitwasdead。Andshakinghishead，hesaid，withbitterreproach：

"TherewasatimewhenIlookedatyouandthought，\'Howbeautifulsheis，howgood，thedove！\'Andnowyousayyourself，\'Iamguilty。\'Ah！"

Thevoiceoftheyouthbrokedown。Andthewomanbegantolaughsoftly。

"Howfineandhowridiculousyouare，andwhatapitythatyoucannotunderstandallthis！"

Theyouthlookedather，feelinghimselfdisarmedbyhercaressingwordsandmelancholysmile。Thatcold，harshsomething，whichhehadinhisheartagainsther，wasnowmeltingbeforethewarmlightofhereyes。Thewomannowseemedtohimsmall，defenseless，likeachild。Shewassayingsomethinginagentlevoiceasthoughimploring，andforeversmiling，buthepaidnoattentiontoherwords。

"I\'vecometoyou，"saidhe，interruptingherwords，"withoutpity。

Imeanttotellyoueverything。AndyetIsaidnothing。Idon\'tfeellikedoingit。Myheartsank。Youarebreathinguponmesostrangely。Eh，Ishouldnothaveseenyou！Whatareyoutome？Itwouldbebetterformetogoaway，itseems。"

"Wait，dearest，don\'tgoaway！"saidthewoman，hastily，holdingoutherhandtohim。"Whysosevere？Donotbeangryatme！WhatamItoyou？Youneedadifferentfriend，awomanjustassimple-

mindedandsound-souledasyouare。Shemustbegay，healthy。I——I

amalreadyanoldwoman。Iamforeverworrying。Mylifeissoemptyandsoweary，soempty！Doyouknow，whenapersonhasgrownaccustomedtolivemerrily，andthencannotbemerry，hefeelsbad！

Hedesirestolivecheerfully，hedesirestolaugh，yethedoesnotlaugh——itislifethatislaughingathim。Andastomen。Listen！

Likeamother，Iadviseyou，Ibegandimploreyou——obeynooneexceptyourownheart！Liveinaccordancewithitspromptings。Menknownothing，theycannottellyouanythingthatistrue。Donotheedthem。"

Tryingtospeakasplainlyandintelligiblyaspossible，shewasagitated，andherwordscameincoherentlyhurriedlyoneafteranother。Apitifulsmileplayedonherlipsallthetime，andherfacewasnotbeautiful。

"Lifeisverystrict。Itwantsallpeopletosubmittoitsrequests，andonlytheverystrongonescanresistitwithimpunity。Itisyetquestionablewhethertheycandoit！Oh，ifyouknewhowharditistolive。Mangoessofarthathebeginstofearhisownself。Heissplitintojudgeandcriminal——hejudgeshisownselfandseeksjustificationbeforehimself。Andheiswillingtopassdaysandnightswiththosethatdespisehim，andthatarerepulsivetohim——justtoavoidbeingalonewithhimself。"

Fomaliftedhisheadandsaiddistrustfully，withsurprise：

"Icannotunderstandwhatitis！Lubovalsosaysthesame。"

"WhichLubov？Whatdoesshesay？"

"Myfoster-sister。Shesaysthesame，——sheisforevercomplainingoflife。Itisimpossibletolive，shesays。"

"Oh，sheisyetyoung！Anditisagreathappinessthatshealreadyspeaksofthis。"

"Happiness！"Fomadrawledoutmockingly。"Itmustbeafinehappinessthatmakespeoplesighandcomplain。"

"You\'dbetterlistentocomplaints。Thereisalwaysmuchwisdominthesecomplaintsofmen。Oh！Thereismorewisdominthesecomplaintsthananywhereelse。Youlistentothese，——theywillteachyoutofindyourway。"

Fomaheardthewoman\'svoice，whichsoundedconvincing；andperplexed，lookedabouthim。Everythinghadlongbeenfamiliartohim，buttodayitlookedsomewhatnewtohim。Amassoftriflesfilledtheroom，allthewallswerecoveredwithpicturesandshelves，brightandbeautifulobjectswerestaringfromeverycorner。Thereddishlightofthelampfilledonewithmelancholy。

Twilightwrappedeverythingintheroom，andonlyhereandtherethegoldoftheframes，orthewhitespotsofmarbleflasheddimly。

Heavyfabricsweremotionlesslyhangingbeforethedoors。AllthisembarrassedandalmostchokedFoma；hefeltasthoughhehadlosthisway。Hewassorryforthewoman。Butshealsoirritatedhim。

"DoyouhearhowIspeaktoyou？IwishIwereyourmother，oryoursister。Neverbeforedidanybodyawakeninmesowarmandkindredafeelingasyouhavedone。Andyou，youlookatmeinsuchanunfriendlyway。Doyoubelieveme？Yes？No？"

Helookedatherandsaidwithasigh：

"Idon\'tknow。Iusedtobelieveyou。"

"Andnow？"sheaskedhastily。

"Andnow——itisbestformetogo！Idon\'tunderstandanything，andyetIlongtounderstand。Idonotevenunderstandmyself。OnmywaytoyouIknewwhattosay，andhereallisconfused。Youhaveputmeupontherack，youhavesetmeonedge。Andthenyoutellme——\'Iamasamothertoyou\'——whichmeans——begone！"

"Understandme，Ifeelsorryforyou！"thewomanexclaimedsoftly。

Foma\'sirritationagainstherwasgrowingstrongerandstronger，andashewentonspeakingtoher，hiswordsbecameabsurd。Whilehespoke，hekeptonmovinghisshouldersasthoughtearingsomethingthatentangledhim。

"Sorry？Whatfor？Idonotneedit。Eh，Icannotspeakwell！Itisbadtobedumb。But——Iwouldhavetoldyou！Youdidnottreatmeproperly——indeed，whyhaveyousoenticedaman？AmIaplaythingforyou？"

"Ionlywantedtoseeyoubymyside，"saidthewomansimply，inaguiltyvoice。

Hedidnothearthesewords。

"Andwhenitcametothepoint，youwerefrightenedandyoushutyourselfofffromme。Youbegantorepent。Ha，ha！Lifeisbad！Andwhyareyoualwayscomplainingofsomelife？Whatlife？Manislife，andexceptmanthereisnolife。Youhaveinventedsomeothermonster。Youhavedonethistodeceivetheeye，tojustifyyourself。Youdosomemischief，youloseyourselfindifferentinventionsandfoolishnessesandthenyousigh！Ah，life！Oh，life！

Andhaveyounotdoneityourself？Andcoveringyourselfwithcomplaints，youconfuseothers。Youhavelostyourway，verywell，butwhydoyouwanttoleadmeastray？Isitwickednessthatspeaksinyou：\'Ifeelbad，\'yousay，\'lethimalsofeelbad——there，I\'llbesprinklehisheartwithmypoisonoustears！\'Isn\'tthatso？Eh！

Godhasgivenyouthebeautyofanangel，butyourheart——whereisit？"

Standingbeforeher，hetrembledineverylimb，andexaminedherfromheadtofootwithreproachfullooks。Nowhiswordscamefreelyfromhisheart，hespokenotloud，butwithpowerandpleasure。Herheadraised，thewomanstaredintohisface，withwide-openeyes。

Herlipsweretremblinganddeepwrinklesappearedatthecornersofhermouth。

"Abeautifulpersonshouldleadagoodlife。Whileofyoutheysaythings。"Foma\'svoicebrokedown；heraisedhishandandconcludedinadullvoice：

"Goodbye！"

"Goodbye！"saidMedinskaya，softly。

Hedidnotgiveherhishand，but，turningabruptly，hewalkedawayfromher。Butalreadyatthedoorhefeltthathewassorryforher，andheglancedatheracrosshisshoulder。There，inthecorner，shestoodalone，herheadbent，herhandshangingmotionless。

Understandingthathecouldnotleaveherthus，hebecameconfused，andsaidsoftly，butwithoutrepenting：

"PerhapsIsaidsomethingoffensive——forgiveme！ForafterallI

loveyou，"andheheavedadeepsigh。

Thewomanburstintosoft，nervouslaughter。

"No，youhavenotoffendedme。Godspeedyou。"

"Well，thengoodbye！"repeatedFomainastilllowervoice。

"Yes，"repliedthewoman，alsoinalowvoice。

Fomapushedasidethestringsofbeadswithhishand；theyswungbacknoisilyandtouchedhischeeks。Heshudderedatthiscoldtouchandwentout，carryingawayaheavy，perplexedfeelinginhisbreast，withhisheartbeatingasthoughasoftbutstrongnetwerecastoverit。

Itwasnightbythistime；themoonwasshiningandthefrostcoveredthepuddleswithcoatingsofdullsilver。Fomawalkedalongthesidewalk，hebrokethesewithhiscane，andtheycrackedmournfully。Theshadowsofthehousesfellontheroadinblacksquares，andtheshadowsofthetrees——inwonderfulpatterns。Andsomeofthemlookedlikethinhands，helplesslyclutchingtheground。

"Whatisshedoingnow？"thoughtFoma，picturingtohimselfthewoman，alone，inthecornerofanarrowroom，inthereddishhalf-

light。

"Itisbestformetoforgether，"hedecided。Buthecouldnotforgether；shestoodbeforehim，provokinginhimnowintensepity，nowirritationandevenanger。Andherimagewassoclear，andthethoughtsofherweresopainful，asthoughhewascarryingthiswomaninhisbreast。Acabwascomingfromtheoppositeside，fillingthesilenceofthenightwiththejarringofthewheelsonthecobble-stonesandwiththeircreakingontheice。Whenthecabwaspassingacrossamoonlitstrip，thenoisewaslouderandmorebrisk，andintheshadowsitwasheavierandduller。Thedriverandthepassengerinitwereshakingandhoppingabout；forsomereasonorothertheybothbentforwardandtogetherwiththehorseformedonebig，blackmass。Thestreetwasspeckledwithspotsoflightandshade，butinthedistancethedarknessseemedthickasthoughthestreetwerefencedoffbyawall，risingfromearthtotheskies。SomehowitoccurredtoFomathatthesepeopledidnotknowwhithertheyweregoing。Andhe，too，didnotknowwhitherhewasgoing。Hishouserosebeforehisimagination——sixbigrooms，wherehelivedalone。AuntAnfisahadgonetothecloister，perhapsnevertoreturn——shemightdiethere。AthomewereIvan，theolddeafdvornik，theoldmaid，Sekleteya，hiscookandservant，andablack，shaggydog，withasnoutasbluntasthatofasheat-fish。

Andthedog，too，wasold。

"PerhapsIreallyoughttogetmarried，"thoughtFoma，withasigh。

Buttheverythoughtofhoweasyitwasforhimtogetmarriedmadehimillatease，andevenridiculousinhisowneyes。Itwerebutnecessarytoaskhisgodfathertomorrowforabride，——andbeforeamonthwouldpass，awomanwouldlivewithhiminhishouse。Andshewouldbenearhimdayandnight。Hewouldsaytoher："Let\'sgoforawalk！"andshewouldgo。Hewouldtellher："Let\'sgotosleep！"

andagainshewouldgo。Shouldshedesiretokisshim，shewouldkisshim，eventhoughhedidnotlikeit。Andifheshouldtellher："Goaway，Idon\'twantit，"shewouldfeeloffended。Whatwouldhespeaktoherabout？Whatwouldshetellhim？Hethoughtandpicturedtohimselfyoungladiesofhisacquaintance，daughtersofmerchants。Someofthemwereverypretty，andheknewthatanyoneofthemwouldmarryhimwillingly。Buthedidnotcaretohaveanyofthemashiswife。Howawkwardandshamefulitmustbewhenagirlbecomesawife。Andwhatdoesthenewly-marriedcouplesaytoeachotherafterthewedding，inthebedroom？Fomatriedtothinkwhathewouldsayinsuchacase，andconfused，hebegantolaugh，findingnoappropriatewords。ThenherecalledLubaMayakin。Shewouldsurelybefirsttosaysomething，utteringsomeunintelligiblewords，whichwereforeigntoherself。Somehowitseemedtohimthatallherwordswereforeign，andshedidnotspeakaswasproperforagirlofherage，appearanceanddescent。

AndherehisthoughtsrestedonLubov\'scomplaints。Hisgaitbecameslower；hewasnowastoundedbythefactthatallthepeoplethatwereneartohimandwithwhomhetalkedagreatdeal，alwaysspoketohimoflife。Hisfather，hisaunt，hisgodfather，Lubov，SophyaPavlovna，alltheseeithertaughthimtounderstandlife，orcomplainedofit。HerecalledthewordssaidbytheoldmanonthesteameraboutFate，andmanyotherremarksonlife，reproachesandbittercomplaintsagainstit，whichhehappenedtohearfromallsortsofpeople。

"Whatdoesitmean？"hethought，"whatislife，ifitisnotman？

Andmanalwaysspeaksasiflifeweresomethingelse，somethingoutsideofman，andthatsomethinghindershimfromliving。Perhapsitisthedevil？"

Apainfulfeelingoffearfellontheyouth；heshudderedandhastilylookedaround。Thestreetwasdesertedandquiet；thedarkwindowsofthehousesstareddimlyintothedarkofnight，andalongthewallsandfencesFoma\'sshadowfollowedhim。

"Driver！"hecriedoutaloud，quickeninghissteps。Theshadowstartedandcrawledafterhim，frightened，black，silent。ItseemedtoFomathattherewasacoldbreathbehindhim，andthatsomethinghuge，invisible，andterriblewasovertakinghim。Frightened，healmostrantomeetthecab，whichappearednoisilyfromthedarkness，andwhenheseatedhimselfinthecab，hedarednotlookback，thoughhewishedtodoso。

CHAPTERVII

ABOUTaweekpassedsinceFomaspoketoMedinskaya。AndherimagestoodfixedlybeforeFomabynightandbyday，awakeninginhisheartagnawingfeelingofanxiety。Helongedtogotoher，andwassomuchafflictedoverherthatevenhisboneswereachingfromthedesireofhishearttobenearheragain。Buthewassternlysilent；hefrownedanddidnotcaretoyieldtothisdesire，industriouslyoccupyinghimselfwithhisaffairsandprovokinginhimselfafeelingofangeragainstthewoman。Hefeltthatifhewentuptoher，hewouldnolongerfindhertobethesameashehadlefther；somethingmusthavechangedwithinherafterthatconversation，andshewouldnolongerreceivehimascordiallyasbefore，wouldnotsmileathimtheclearsmilethatusedtoawakeninhimstrangethoughtsandhopes。Fearingthatallthiswaslostandthatsomethingelsemusthavetakenitsplace，herestrainedhimselfandsuffered。

Hisworkandhislongingforthewomandidnothinderhimfromthinkingoflife。Hedidnotphilosophizeaboutthisenigma，whichwasalreadystirringafeelingofalarminhisheart；hewasnotabletoargue，buthebegantolistenattentivelytoeverythingthatmensaidoflife，andhetriedtoremembertheirwords。Theydidnotmakeanythingcleartohim；nay，theyincreasedhisperplexityandpromptedhimtoregardthemsuspiciously。Theywereclever，cunningandsensible——hesawit；indealingswiththemitwasalwaysnecessarytobeonone\'sguard；heknewalreadythatinimportantmattersnoneofthemspokeastheythought。Andwatchingthemcarefully，hefeltthattheirsighsandtheircomplaintsoflifeawakenedinhimdistrust。Silentlyhelookedateverybodywithsuspicion，andathinwrinklemaskedhisforehead。

OnemorninghisgodfathersaidtohimontheExchange：

"Ananyhasarrived。Hewouldliketoseeyou。Gouptohimtowardevening，andseethatyouholdyourtongue。Ananywilltrytoloosenitinordertomakeyoutalkonbusinessmatters。Heiscunning，theolddevil；heisaholyfox；he\'lllifthiseyestowardheaven，andmeanwhilewillputhispawintoyourpocketandgrabyourpurse。Beonyourguard。"

"Doweowehimanything？"askedFoma。

"Ofcourse！Wehaven\'tpaidyetforthebarge，andthenfiftyfive-

fathombeamsweretakenfromhimnotlongago。Ifhewantseverythingatonce——don\'tgive。Aroubleisastickything；thelongeritturnsaboutinyourhand，themorecopeckswillsticktoit。Aroubleislikeagoodpigeon——itgoesupintheair，youturnaroundandsee——ithasbroughtawholeflockwithitintothepigeon-house。"

"Buthowcanwehelppayingitnow，ifhedemandsit？"

"Lethimcryandaskforit——andyouroar——butdon\'tgiveittohim。"

I\'llgouptheresoon。"

AnanySavvichShchurovwasarichlumber-dealer，hadabigsaw-

mill，builtbargesandranrafts。HehadhaddealingswithIgnat，andFomahadmorethanonceseenthistall，heavily-bearded，long-

armed，white-hairedoldman，whokepthimselfaserectasapine-

tree。Hisbig，handsomefigure，hisopenfaceandhiscleareyescalledforthinFomaafeelingofrespectforShchurov，althoughhehearditrumouredthatthislumber-dealerhadgainedhiswealthnotbyhonesttoilandthathewasleadinganevillifeathome，inanobscurevillageoftheforestdistrict；andIgnathadtoldFomathatwhenShchurovwasyoungandwasbutapoorpeasant，heshelteredaconvictinthebath-house，inhisgarden，andthattheretheconvictmadecounterfeitmoneyforhim。SincethattimeAnanybegantogrowrich。Onedayhisbathhouseburneddown，andintheashestheydiscoveredthecorpseofamanwithafracturedskull。TherewasarumourinthevillagethatShchurovhimselfhadkilledhisworkman——killedandthenburnedhim。Suchthingshadhappenedmorethanoncewiththegood-lookingoldman；butsimilarrumourswereonfootwithreferencetomanyarichmanintown——

theyhadall，itwassaid，hoardeduptheirmillionsbywayofrobberies，murdersand，mainly，bypassingcounterfeitmoney。Fomahadheardsuchstoriesinhischildhoodandheneverbeforeconsideredwhethertheyweretrueornot。

HealsoknewthatShchurovhadgotridoftwowives——oneofthemdiedduringthefirstnightofthewedding，inAnany\'sembraces。

Thenhetookhisson\'swifeawayfromhim，andhissontooktodrinkforgriefandwouldhaveperishedindrunkennesshadhenotcometohimselfintimeandgoneofftosavehimselfinahermitage，inIrgiz。Andwhenhismistress-daughter-in-lawhadpassedaway，Shchurovtookintohishouseadumbbeggar-girl，whowaslivingwithhimtothisday，andwhohadrecentlybornehimadeadchild。Onhiswaytothehotel，whereAnanystayed，Fomainvoluntarilyrecalledallthis，andfeltthatShchurovhadbecomestrangelyinterestingtohim。

WhenFomaopenedthedoorandstoppedrespectfullyonthethresholdofthesmallroom，whoseonlywindowoverlookedtherustyroofoftheneighbouringhouse，henoticedthattheoldShchurovhadjustrisenfromsleep，andsittingonhisbed，leaninghishandsagainstit，hestaredattheground；andhewassobentthathislong，whitebeardfelloverhisknees。Butevenbent，hewaslarge。

"Whoentered？"askedAnanyinahoarseandangryvoice，withoutliftinghishead。

"I。Howdoyoudo，AnanySavvich？"

Theoldmanraisedhisheadslowlyand，winkinghislargeeyes，lookedatFoma。

"Ignat\'sson，isthatright？"

"Thesame。"

"Well，comeoverhere，sitdownbythewindow。Letmeseehowyou\'vegrownup。Willyounothaveaglassofteawithme？"

"Iwouldn\'tmind。"

"Waiter！"criedtheoldman，expandinghischest，and，takinghisbeardinhishand，hebegantoexamineFomainsilence。Fomaalsolookedathimstealthily。

Theoldman\'sloftyforeheadwasallcoveredwithwrinkles，anditsskinwasdark。Gray，curlylockscoveredhistemplesandhissharp-

pointedears；hiscalmblueeyeslenttheupperpartofhisfaceawiseandgoodexpression。Buthischeeksandhislipswerethickandred，andseemedoutofplaceonhisface。Histhin，longnosewasturneddownwardasthoughitwishedtohideitselfinhiswhitemoustache；theoldmanmovedhislips，andfrombeneaththemsmall，yellowteethweregleaming。Hehadonapinkcalicoshirt，asilkbeltaroundhiswaist，andblack，loosetrousers，whichweretuckedintohisboots。Fomastaredathislipsandthoughtthattheoldmanwassurelysuchashewassaidtobe。

"Asaboyyoulookedmorelikeyourfather，"saidShchurovsuddenly，andsighed。Then，afteramoment\'ssilence，heasked："Doyourememberyourfather？Doyoueverprayforhim？Youmust，youmustpray！"hewenton，afterheheardFoma\'sbriefanswer。"Ignatwasaterriblesinner，andhediedwithoutrepentance，takenunawares。Hewasagreatsinner！"

"Hewasnotmoresinfulthanothers，"repliedFoma，angrily，offendedinhisfather\'sbehalf。

"Thanwho，forinstance？"demandedShchurov，strictly。

"Aretherenotplentyofsinners？"

"ThereisbutonemanonearthmoresinfulthanwasthelateIgnat——

andthatisthatcursedheathen，yourgodfatherYashka，"

ejaculatedtheoldman。

"Areyousureofit？"inquiredFoma，smiling。

"I？Ofcourse，Iam！"saidShchurov，confidently，noddinghishead，andhiseyesbecamesomewhatdarker。"IwillalsoappearbeforetheLord，andthatnotsinless。IshallbringwithmeaheavyburdenbeforeHisholycountenance。Ihavebeenpleasingthedevilmyself，onlyItrusttoGodforHismercy，whileYashkabelievesinnothing，neitherindreams，norinthesingingofbirds。YashkadoesnotbelieveinGod，thisIknow！Andforhisnon-beliefhewillyetreceivehispunishmentonearth。"

"Areyousureofthis，too？"

"Yes，Iam。Anddon\'tyouthinkIalsoknowthatyouconsideritludicroustolistentome。Whatasagaciousfellow，indeed！Buthewhohascommittedmanysinsisalwayswise。Sinisateacher。

That\'swhyYashkaMayakinisextraordinarilyclever。"

Listeningtotheoldman\'shoarseandconfidentvoice，Fomathought：

"Heisscentingdeath，itseems。"

Thewaiter，asmallman，withafacewhichwaspaleandcharacterless，broughtinthesamovarandquicklyhastenedoutoftheroom，withshortsteps。Theoldmanwasundoingsomebundlesonthewindow-sillandsaid，withoutlookingatFoma：

"Youarebold，andthelookofyoureyesisdark。Before，thereusedtobemorelight-eyedpeople，becausethenthesoulsusedtobebrighter。Before，everythingwassimpler——boththepeopleandthesins，andnoweverythinghasbecomecomplicated。Eh，eh！"

Hemadetea，seatedhimselfoppositeFomaandwentonagain：

"Yourfatheratyouragewasawater-pumperandstayedwiththefleetnearourvillage。AtyourageIgnatwasascleartomeasglass。Atasingleglanceyoucouldtellwhatsortofamanhewas。

Whileyou——hereIamlookingatyou，butcannotseewhatyouare。

Whoareyou？Youdon\'tknowityourself，mylad，andthat\'swhyyou\'llsuffer。Everybodynowadaysmustsuffer，becausetheydonotknowthemselves。Lifeisamassofwind-fallentrees，andyoumustknowhowtofindyourwaythroughit。Whereisit？Allaregoingastray，andthedevilisdelighted。Areyoumarried？"

"Notyet，"saidFoma。

"Thereagain，youarenotmarried，andyet，I\'mquitesure，youarenotpureanylonger。Well，areyouworkinghardinyourbusiness？"

"Sometimes。MeanwhileIamwithmygodfather。"

"Whatsortofworkisityouhavenowadays？"saidtheoldman，shakinghishead，andhiseyeswereconstantlytwinkling，nowturningdark，nowbrighteningupagain。"Youhavenolabournow！Informeryearsthemerchanttravelledwithhorsesonbusiness。Evenatnight，insnowstorms，heusedtogo！Murderersusedtowaitforhimontheroadandkillhim。Andhediedamartyr，washinghissinsawaywithblood。Nowtheytravelbyrail；theyaresendingtelegrams，orthey\'veeveninventedsomethingthatamanmayspeakinhisofficeandyoucanhearhimfivemilesaway。Therethedevilsurelyhasahandinit！Amansits，withoutmotion，andcommitssinsmerelybecausehefeelslonesome，becausehehasnothingtodo：themachinedoesallhiswork。Hehasnowork，andwithouttoilmanisruined！Hehasprovidedhimselfwithmachinesandthinksitisgood！Whilethemachineisthedevil\'strapforyou。Hethuscatchesyouinit。Whiletoiling，youfindnotimeforsin，buthavingamachine——youhavefreedom。Freedomkillsaman，evenasthesunbeamskilltheworm，thedwellerofthedepthofearth。

Freedomkillsman！"

Andpronouncinghiswordsdistinctlyandpositively，theoldAnanystruckthetablefourtimeswithhisfinger。Hisfacebeamedtriumphantly，hischestrosehigh，andoveritthesilverhairofhisbeardshooknoiselessly。DreadfellonFomaashelookedathimandlistenedtohiswords，fortherewasaringoffirmfaithinthem，anditwasthepowerofthisfaiththatconfusedFoma。Hehadalreadyforgottenallheknewabouttheoldman，allofwhichhehadbutawhileagobelievedtobetrue。

"Whoevergivesfreedomtohisbody，killshissoul！"saidAnany，lookingatFomasostrangelyasifhesawbehindhimsomebody，whowasgrievedandfrightenedbyhiswords；andwhosefearandpaindelightedhim。"Allyoupeopleoftodaywillperishthroughfreedom。Thedevilhascapturedyou——hehastakentoilawayfromyou，andslippedmachinesandtelegramsintoyourhands。Howfreedomeatsintothesoulsofmen！Justtellme，whyarethechildrenworsethantheirfathers？Becauseoftheirfreedom，yes。

That\'swhytheydrinkandleaddepravedliveswithwomen。Theyhavelessstrengthbecausetheyhavelesswork，andtheyhavenotthespiritofcheerfulnessbecausetheyhavenoworries。Cheerfulnesscomesintimeofrest，whilenowadaysnooneisgettingtired。"

"Well，"saidFoma，softly，"theywereleadingdepravedlivesanddrinkingjustasmuchinformerdaysasnow，Isuppose。"

"Doyouknowit？Youshouldkeepsilence！"criedAnany，flashinghiseyessternly。"Informerdaysmanhadmorestrength，andthesinswereaccordingtohisstrength。Whileyou，oftoday，havelessstrength，andmoresins，andyoursinsaremoredisgusting。Thenmenwerelikeoak-trees。AndGod\'sjudgmentwillalsobeinaccordancewiththeirstrength。Theirbodieswillbeweighed，andangelswillmeasuretheirblood，andtheangelsofGodwillseethattheweightofthesinsdoesnotexceedtheweightofthebodyandtheblood。Doyouunderstand？Godwillnotcondemnthewolffordevouringasheep，butifamiserableratshouldbeguiltyofthesheep\'sdeath，Godwillcondemntherat！"

"HowcanamantellhowGodwilljudgeman？"askedFoma，thoughtfully。"Avisibletrialisnecessary。"

"Whyavisibletrial？"

"Thatpeoplemightunderstand。"

"Who，buttheLord，ismyjudge？"

Fomaglancedattheoldmanandloweringhishead，becamesilent。

Heagainrecalledthefugitiveconvict，whowaskilledandburntbyShchurov，andagainhebelievedthatitreallywasso。Andthewomen——hiswivesandhismistresses——hadsurelybeenhastenedtowardtheirgravesbythisoldman\'scaresses；hehadcrushedthemwithhisbonychest，drunkthesapoftheirlifewiththesethicklipsofhiswhichwerescarletyetfromtheclottedbloodofthewomen，whodiedintheembracesofhislongsinewyarms。Andnow，awaitingdeath，whichwasalreadysomewherebesidehim，hecountshissins，judgesothers，andperhapsjudgeshimself，andsays：

"Who，buttheLord，ismyjudge？"

"Isheafraidornot？"Fomaaskedhimselfandbecamepensive，stealthilyscrutinisingtheoldman。

"Yes，mylad！Think，"spokeShchurov，shakinghishead，"think，howyouaretolive。Thecapitalinyourheartissmall，andyourhabitsaregreat，seethatyouarenotreducedtobankruptcybeforeyourownself！Ho-ho-ho！"

"HowcanyoutellwhatandhowmuchIhavewithinmyheart？"saidFoma，gloomily，offendedbyhislaughter。

"Icanseeit！Iknoweverything，becauseIhavelivedlong！Oh-ho-

ho！HowlongIhavelived！Treeshavegrownupandbeencutdown，andhousesbuiltoutofthem，andeventhehouseshavegrownold。

WhileIhaveseenallthisandamstillalive，andwhen，attimes，Irecallmylife，Ithink，\'Isitpossiblethatonemancouldaccomplishsomuch？IsitpossiblethatIhavewitnessedallthis？\'"TheoldmanglancedatFomasternly，shookhisheadandbecamesilent。

Itbecamequiet。Outsidethewindowsomethingwassoftlyrustlingontheroofofthehouse；therattleofwheelsandthemuffledsoundsofconversationwereheardfrombelow，fromthestreet。Thesamovaronthetablesangasadtune。Shchurovwasfixedlystaringintohisglassoftea，strokinghisbeard，andonecouldhearthatsomethingrattledinhisbreast，asifsomeburdenwasturningaboutinit。

"It\'shardforyoutolivewithoutyourfather，isn\'tit？"saidhe。

"Iamgettingusedtoit，"repliedFoma。

"Youarerich，andwhenYakovdies，youwillbericherstill。He\'llleaveeverythingtoyou。"

"Idon\'tneedit。"

"Towhomelseshouldheleaveit？Hehasbutonedaughter，andyououghttomarrythatdaughter，andthatsheisyourgodsisterandfoster-sister——nomatter！Thatcanbearranged——andthenyouwouldbemarried。Whatgoodisthereinthelifeyouarenowleading？I

supposeyouareforeverrunningaboutwiththegirls？"

"No。"

"Youdon\'tsay！Eh，eh，eh！themerchantispassingaway。Acertainforestertoldme——Idon\'tknowwhetherheliedornot——thatinformerdaysthedogswerewolves，andthendegeneratedintodogs。

Itisthesamewithourcalling；wewillsoonalsobedogs。Wewilltakeupscience，putstylishhatsonourheads，we\'lldoeverythingthatisnecessaryinordertoloseourfeatures，andtherewillbenothingbywhichtodistinguishusfromotherpeople。IthasbecomeacustomtomakeGymnasiumstudentsofallchildren。Themerchants，thenobles，thecommoners——allareadjustedtomatchthesamecolour。Theydressthemingrayandteachthemallthesamesubjects。Theygrowmanevenastheygrowatree。Whydotheydoit？Nooneknows。Evenalogcouldbetoldfromanotherbyitsknotatleast，whileheretheywanttoplanethepeopleoversothatallofthemshouldlookalike。Thecoffinisalreadywaitingforusoldpeople。Ye-es！Itmaybethataboutfiftyyearshence，noonewillbelievethatIlivedinthisworld。I，Anany，thesonofSavva，bythesurnameofShchurov。So！AndthatI，Anany，fearednoone，saveGod。AndthatinmyyouthIwasapeasant，thatallthelandI

possessedthenwastwodesyatinsandaquarter；whiletowardmyoldageIhavehoardedupeleventhousanddesyatins，allforests，andperhapstwomillionsincash。"

"There，theyalwaysspeakofmoney！"saidFoma，withdissatisfaction。"Whatjoydoesmanderivefrommoney？""Mm，"

bellowedShchurov。"Youwillmakeapoormerchant，ifyoudonotunderstandthepowerofmoney。"

"Whodoesunderstandit？"askedFoma。

"I！"saidShchurov，withconfidence。"Andeverycleverman。Yashkaunderstandsit。Money？Thatisagreatdeal，mylad！Justspreaditoutbeforeyouandthink，\'Whatdoesitcontain？\'Thenwillyouknowthatallthisishumanstrength，humanmind。Thousandsofpeoplehaveputtheirlifeintoyourmoneyandthousandsmorewilldoit。Andyoucanthrowitallintothefireandseehowthemoneyisburning，andatthatmomentyouwillconsideryourselfmaster。"

"Butnobodydoesthis。"

"Becausefoolshavenomoney。Moneyisinvestedinbusiness。

Businessgivesbreadtothemasses。Andyouaremasteroverallthosemasses。WhereforedidGodcreateman？ThatmanshouldpraytoHim。HewasaloneandHefeltlonesome，soHebegantodesirepower，andasmanwascreatedintheimageoftheLord，manalsodesirespower。Andwhat，savemoney，cangivepower？That\'stheway。Well，andyou——haveyoubroughtmemoney？"

"No，"answeredFoma。FromthewordsoftheoldmanFoma\'sheadwasheavyandtroubled，andhewasgladthattheconversationhad，atlast，turnedtobusinessmatters。

"Thatisn\'tright，"saidShchurov，sternlyknittinghisbrow。"Itisoverdue——youmustpay。

"You\'llgetahalfofittomorrow。"

"Whyahalf？Whynotall？"

"Wearebadlyinneedofmoneynow。"

"Andhaven\'tyouany？ButIalsoneedit。"

"Waitalittle。"

"Eh，mylad，Iwillnotwait！Youarenotyourfather。Youngsterslikeyou，milksops，areanunreliablelot。Inamonthyoumaybreakupthewholebusiness。AndIwouldbetheloserforit。Yougivemeallthemoneytomorrow，orI\'llprotestthenotes。Itwouldn\'ttakemelongtodoit！"

FomalookedatShchurov，withastonishment。Itwasnotatallthatsameoldman，whobutamomentagospokesosagaciouslyaboutthedevil。Thenhisfaceandhiseyesseemeddifferent，andnowhelookedfierce，hislipssmiledpitilessly，andtheveinsonhischeeks，nearhisnostrils，wereeagerlytrembling。Fomasawthatifhedidnotpayhimatonce，Shchurovwouldindeednotsparehimandwoulddishonourthefirmbyprotestingthenotes。

"Evidentlybusinessispoor？"grinnedShchurov。"Well，tellthetruth——wherehaveyousquanderedyourfather\'smoney？"

Fomawantedtotesttheoldman：

"Businessisnonetoobrisk，"saidhe，withafrown。"Wehavenocontracts。Wehavereceivednoearnestmoney，andsoitisratherhard。"

"So-o！ShallIhelpyouout？"

"Besokind。Postponethedayofpayment，"beggedFoma，modestlyloweringhiseyes。

"Mm。ShallIassistyououtofmyfriendshipforyourfather？Well，beitso，I\'lldoit。"

"Andforhowlongwillyoupostponeit？"inquiredFoma。

"Forsixmonths。"

"Ithankyouhumbly。"

"Don\'tmentionit。Youowemeeleventhousandsixhundredroubles。

Nowlisten：rewritethenotesfortheamountoffifteenthousand，paymetheinterestonthissuminadvance。AndassecurityI\'lltakeamortgageonyourtwobarges。"

Fomarosefromthechairandsaid，withasmile：

"Sendmethenotestomorrow。I\'llpayyouinfull。"

Shchurovalsorosefromhischairand，withoutloweringhiseyesatFoma\'ssarcasticlook，said，calmlyscratchinghischest：

"That\'sallright。"

"Thankyouforyourkindness。"

"That\'snothing！Youdon\'tgivemeachance，orIwouldhaveshownyoumykindness！"saidtheoldmanlazily，showinghisteeth。

"Yes！Ifoneshouldfallintoyourhands——"

"He\'dfinditwarm——"

"Iamsureyou\'dmakeitwarmforhim。"

"Well，mylad，thatwilldo！"saidShchurov，sternly。"Thoughyouconsideryourselfquiteclever，itisrathertoosoon。You\'vegainednothing，andalreadyyoubegantoboast！Butyoujustwinfromme——thenyoumayshoutforjoy。Goodbye。Haveallthemoneyfortomorrow。"

"Don\'tletthattroubleyou。Goodbye！"

"Godbewithyou！"

WhenFomacameoutoftheroomheheardthattheoldmangaveaslow，loudyawn，andthenbegantohuminaratherhoarsebass：

"Openforusthedoorsofmercy。OhblessedVirginMary！"

Fomacarriedawaywithhimfromtheoldmanadoublefeeling。

Shchurovpleasedhimandatthesametimewasrepulsivetohim。

Herecalledtheoldman\'swordsaboutsin，thoughtofthepowerofhisfaithinthemercyoftheLord，andtheoldmanarousedinFomaafeelingakintorespect。

"He，too，speaksoflife；heknowshissins；butdoesnotweepoverthem，doesnotcomplainofthem。Hehassinned——andheiswillingtostandtheconsequences。Yes。Andshe？"HerecalledMedinskaya，andhisheartcontractedwithpain。

"Andsheisrepenting。Itishardtotellwhethershedoesitpurposely，inordertohidefromjustice，orwhetherherheartisreallyaching。\'Who，buttheLord，\'sayshe，\'istojudgeme？\'

That\'showitis。"

ItseemedtoFomathatheenviedAnany，andtheyouthhastenedtorecallShchurov\'sattemptstoswindlehim。ThiscalledforthinhimanaversionfortheoldmanHecouldnotreconcilehisfeelingsand，perplexed，hesmiled。

"Well，IhavejustbeenatShchurov\'s，"hesaid，comingtoMayakinandseatinghimselfbythetable。

Mayakin，inagreasymorning-gown，acounting-boardinhishand，begantomoveaboutinhisleather-coveredarm-chairimpatiently，andsaidwithanimation：

"Pouroutsometeaforhim，Lubava！Tellme，Foma，ImustbeintheCityCouncilatnineo\'clock；tellmeallaboutit，makehaste！"

Smiling，FomarelatedtohimhowShchurovsuggestedtorewritethenotes。

"Eh！"exclaimedYakovTarasovichregretfully，withashakeofthehead。"You\'vespoiltthewholemassforme，dear！Howcouldyoubesostraightforwardinyourdealingswiththeman？Psha！Thedevildrovemetosendyouthere！Ishouldhavegonemyself。Iwouldhaveturnedhimaroundmyfinger！"

"Hardly！Hesays，\'Iamanoak。\'"

"Anoak？AndIamasaw。Anoak！Anoakisagoodtree，butitsfruitsaregoodforswineonly。Soitcomesoutthatanoakissimplyablockhead。"

"Butit\'sallthesame，wehavetopay，anyway。"

"Cleverpeopleareinnohurryaboutthis；whileyouarereadytorunasfastasyoucantopaythemoney。Whatamerchantyouare！"

YakovTarasovichwaspositivelydissatisfiedwithhisgodson。Hefrownedandinanangrymannerorderedhisdaughter，whowassilentlypouringouttea：

"Pushthesugarnearertome。Don\'tyouseethatIcan\'treachit？"

Lubov\'sfacewaspale，hereyesseemedtroubled，andherhandsmovedlazilyandawkwardly。Fomalookedatherandthought：

"Howmeeksheisinthepresenceofherfather。"

"Whatdidhespeaktoyouabout？"askedMayakin。

"Aboutsins。"

"Well，ofcourse！Hisownaffairisdearesttoeachandeveryman。

Andheisamanufacturerofsins。Bothinthegalleysandinhelltheyhavelongbeenweepingandlongingforhim，waitingforhimimpatiently。"

"Hespeakswithweight，"saidFoma，thoughtfully，stirringhistea。

"Didheabuseme？"inquiredMayakin，withamaliciousgrimace。

"Somewhat。"

"Andwhatdidyoudo？"

"Ilistened。"

"Mm！Andwhatdidyouhear？"

"\'Thestrong，\'hesays，\'willbeforgiven；butthereisnoforgivenessfortheweak。\'"

"Justthinkofit！Whatwisdom！Eventhefleasknowthat。"

Forsomereasonoranother，thecontemptwithwhichMayakinregardedShchurov，irritatedFoma，and，lookingintotheoldman\'sface，hesaidwithagrin：

"Buthedoesn\'tlikeyou。"

"Nobodylikesme，mydear，"saidMayakin，proudly。"Thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldlikeme。Iamnogirl。Buttheyrespectme。

Andtheyrespectonlythosetheyfear。"Andtheoldmanwinkedathisgodsonboastfully。

"Hespeakswithweight，"repeatedFoma。"Heiscomplaining。\'Therealmerchant，\'sayshe，\'ispassingaway。Allpeoplearetaughtthesamething，\'hesays：\'sothatallmaybeequal，lookingalike。"\'

"Doesheconsideritwrong？"

"Evidentlyso。"

"Fo-o-o-l！"Mayakindrawledout，withcontempt。

"Why？Isitgood？"askedFoma，lookingathisgodfathersuspiciously。

"Wedonotknowwhatisgood；butwecanseewhatiswise。Whenweseethatallsortsofpeoplearedriventogetherinoneplaceandareallinspiredtherewithoneandthesameidea——thenmustweacknowledgethatitiswise。Because——whatisamanintheempire？

Nothingmorethanasimplebrick，andallbricksmustbeofthesamesize。Doyouunderstand？Andthosepeoplethatareofequalheightandweight——IcanplaceinanypositionIlike。"

"Andwhomdoesitpleasetobeabrick？"saidFoma，morosely。

"Itisnotaquestionofpleasing，itisamatteroffact。Ifyouaremadeofhardmaterial，theycannotplaneyou。Itisnoteverybody\'sphizthatyoucanruboff。Butsomepeople，whenbeatenwithahammer，turnintogold。Andiftheheadhappenstocrack——

whatcanyoudo？Itmerelyshowsitwasweak。"

"Healsospokeabouttoil。\'Everything，\'hesays，\'isdonebymachinery，andthusaremenspoiled。"\'

"Heisoutofhiswits！"Mayakinwavedhishanddisdainfully。"Iamsurprised，whatanappetiteyouhaveforallsortsofnonsense！

Whatdoesitcomefrom？"

"Isn\'tthattrue，either？"askedFoma，breakingintosternlaughter。

"Whattruethingcanheknow？Amachine！Theoldblockheadshouldhavethought——\'whatisthemachinemadeof？\'Ofiron！Consequently，itneednotbepitied；itiswoundup——anditforgesroublesforyou。Withoutanywords，withouttrouble，yousetitintomotionanditrevolves。Whileaman，heisuneasyandwretched；heisoftenverywretched。Hewails，grieves，weeps，begs。Sometimeshegetsdrunk。Ah，howmuchthereisinhimthatissuperfluoustome！

Whileamachineislikeanarshin(yardstick)，itcontainsexactlysomuchastheworkrequired。Well，Iamgoingtodress。Itistime。"

Heroseandwentaway，loudlyscrapingwithhisslippersalongthefloor。Fomaglancedafterhimandsaidsoftly，withafrown：

"Thedevilhimselfcouldnotseethroughallthis。Onesaysthis，theother，that。"

"Itispreciselythesamewithbooks，"saidLubovinalowvoice。

Fomalookedather，smilinggood-naturedly。Andsheansweredhimwithavaguesmile。

Hereyeslookedfatiguedandsad。

"Youstillkeeponreading？"askedFoma。

"Yes，"thegirlansweredsadly。

"Andareyoustilllonesome？"

"Ifeeldisgusted，becauseIamalone。There\'snooneheretosayawordto。"

"That\'sbad。"

Shesaidnothingtothis，but，loweringherhead，sheslowlybegantofingerthefringesofthetowel。

"Yououghttogetmarried，"saidFoma，feelingthathepitiedher。

"Leavemealone，please，"answeredLubov，wrinklingherforehead。

"Whyleaveyoualone？Youwillgetmarried，Iamsure。"

"There！"exclaimedthegirlsoftly，withasigh。"That\'sjustwhatIamthinkingof——itisnecessary。Thatis，I\'llhavetogetmarried。Buthow？Doyouknow，Ifeelnowasthoughamiststoodbetweenotherpeopleandmyself——athick，thickmist！"

"That\'sfromyourbooks，"Fomainterposedconfidently。

"Wait！AndIceasetounderstandwhatisgoingonaboutme。Nothingpleasesme。Everythinghasbecomestrangetome。Nothingisasitshouldbe。Everythingiswrong。Iseeit。Iunderstandit，yetI

cannotsaythatitiswrong，andwhyitisso。"

"Itisnotso，notso，"mutteredFoma。"That\'sfromyourbooks。

Yes。AlthoughIalsofeelthatit\'swrong。Perhapsthatisbecausewearesoyoungandfoolish。"

"Atfirstitseemedtome，"saidLubov，notlisteningtohim，"thateverythinginthebookswascleartome。Butnow——"

"Dropyourbooks，"suggestedFoma，withcontempt。

"Ah，don\'tsaythat！HowcanIdropthem？Youknowhowmanydifferentideasthereareintheworld！OLord！They\'resuchideasthatsetyourheadafire。Accordingtoacertainbookeverythingthatexistsonearthisrational。"

"Everything？"askedFoma。

"Everything！Whileanotherbooksaysthecontraryistrue。"

"Wait！Nowisn\'tthisnonsense？"

"Whatwereyoudiscussing？"askedMayakin，appearingatthedoor，inalongfrock-coatandwithseveralmedalsonhiscollarandhisbreast。

"Justso，"saidLubov，morosely。

"Wespokeaboutbooks，"addedFoma。

"Whatkindofbooks？"

"Thebookssheisreading。Shereadthateverythingonearthisrational。"

"Really！"

"Well，andIsayitisalie！"

"Yes。"YakovTarasovichbecamethoughtful，hepinchedhisbeardandwinkedhiseyesalittle。

"Whatkindofabookisit？"heaskedhisdaughter，afterapause。

"Alittleyellow-coveredbook，"saidLubov，unwillingly。

"Justputthatbookonmytable。Thatissaidnotwithoutreflection——everythingonearthisrational！Seesomeonethoughtofit。Yes。Itisevenverycleverlyexpressed。Andwereitnotforthefools，itmighthavebeenperfectlycorrect。Butasfoolsarealwaysinthewrongplace，itcannotbesaidthateverythingonearthisrational。Andyet，I\'lllookatthebook。Maybethereiscommonsenseinit。Goodbye，Foma！Willyoustayhere，ordoyouwanttodrivewithme？"

"I\'llstayherealittlelonger。"

"Verywell。"

LubovandFomaagainremainedalone。

"Whatamanyourfatheris，"saidFoma，noddinghisheadtowardthedirectionofhisgodfather。

"Well，whatkindofamandoyouthinkheis？"

"Heretortseverycall，andwantstocovereverythingwithhiswords。"

"Yes，heisclever。Andyethedoesnotunderstandhowpainfulmylifeis，"saidLubov，sadly。

"NeitherdoIunderstandit。Youimaginetoomuch。"

"WhatdoIimagine？"criedthegirl，irritated。

"Why，allthesearenotyourownideas。Theyaresomeoneelse\'s。"

"Someoneelse\'s。Someoneelse\'s。"

Shefeltlikesayingsomethingharsh；butbrokedownandbecamesilent。Fomalookedatherand，settingMedinskayabyherside，thoughtsadly：

"Howdifferenteverythingis——bothmenandwomen——andyouneverfeelalike。"

Theysatoppositeeachother；bothwerelostinthought，andneitheronelookedattheother。Itwasgettingdarkoutside，andintheroomitwasquitedarkalready。Thewindwasshakingthelinden-trees，andtheirbranchesseemedtoclutchatthewallsofthehouse，asthoughtheyfeltcoldandimploredforshelterintherooms。

"Luba！"saidFoma，softly。

Sheraisedherheadandlookedathim。

"Doyouknow，IhavequarrelledwithMedinskaya。"

"Why？"askedLuba，brighteningup。

"So。Itcameaboutthatsheoffendedme。Yes，sheoffendedme。"

"Well，it\'sgoodthatyou\'vequarrelledwithher，"saidthegirl，approvingly，"forshewouldhaveturnedyourhead。Sheisavilecreature；sheisacoquette，evenworsethanthat。Oh，whatthingsIknowabouther！"

"She\'snotatallavilecreature，"saidFoma，morosely。"Andyoudon\'tknowanythingabouther。Youarealllying！"

"Oh，Ibegyourpardon！"

"No。Seehere，Luba，"saidFoma，softly，inabeseechingtone，"don\'tspeakillofherinmypresence。Itisn\'tnecessary。Iknoweverything。ByGod！Shetoldmeeverythingherself。"

"Herself！"exclaimedLuba，inastonishment。"Whatastrangewomansheis！Whatdidshetellyou？"

"Thatsheisguilty，"Fomaejaculatedwithdifficulty，withawrysmile。

"Isthatall？"Therewasaringofdisappointmentinthegirl\'squestion；Fomahearditandaskedhopefully：

"Isn\'tthatenough？"

"Whatwillyoudonow？"

"That\'sjustwhatIamthinkingabout。"

"Doyouloveherverymuch？"

Fomawassilent。Helookedintothewindowandansweredconfusedly：

"Idon\'tknow。ButitseemstomethatnowIlovehermorethanbefore。"

"Thanbeforethequarrel？"

"Yes。"

"Iwonderhowonecanlovesuchawoman！"saidthegirl，shrugginghershoulders。

"Lovesuchawoman？Ofcourse！Whynot？"exclaimedFoma。

"Ican\'tunderstandit。Ithink，youhavebecomeattachedtoherjustbecauseyouhavenotmetabetterwoman。"

"No，Ihavenotmetabetterone！"Fomaassented，andafteramoment\'ssilencesaidshyly，"Perhapsthereisnonebetter。"

"Amongourpeople，"Lubovinterposed。

"Ineedherverybadly！Because，yousee，Ifeelashamedbeforeher。"

"Whyso？"

"Oh，ingeneral，Ifearher；thatis，Iwouldnotwanthertothinkillofme，asofothers。SometimesIfeeldisgusted。Ithink——

wouldn\'titbeagreatideatogooutonsuchaspreethatallmyveinswouldstarttingling。AndthenIrecallherandIdonotventure。Andsoeverythingelse，Ithinkofher，\'Whatifshefindsitout？\'andIamafraidtodoit。"

"Yes，"thegirldrawledoutthoughtfully，"thatshowsthatyouloveher。Iwouldalsobelikethis。IfIloved，Iwouldthinkofhim——

ofwhathemightsay……"