第7章

"Andeverythingaboutherissopeculiar，"Fomarelatedsoftly。

"Shespeaksinawayallherown。And，God！Howbeautifulsheis！

Andthensheissosmall，likeachild。"

"Andwhattookplacebetweenyou？"askedLubov。

Fomamovedhischairclosertoher，andstooping，heloweredhisvoiceforsomereasonorother，andbegantorelatetoherallthathadtakenplacebetweenhimandMedinskaya。Hespoke，andasherecalledthewordshesaidtoMedinskaya，thesentimentsthatcalledforththewordswerealsoawakenedinhim。

"Itoldher，\'Oh，you！whydidyoumakesportofme？\'"hesaidangrilyandwithreproach。

AndLuba，hercheeksaflamewithanimation，spurredhimon，noddingherheadapprovingly：

"That\'sit！That\'sgood！Well，andshe？"

"Shewassilent！"saidFoma，sadly，withashrugoftheshoulders。

"Thatis，shesaiddifferentthings；butwhat\'stheuse？"

Hewavedhishandandbecamesilent。Luba，playingwithherbraid，wasalsosilent。Thesamovarhadalreadybecomecold。Andthedimnessintheroomwasgrowingthickerandthicker，outsidethewindowitwasheavywithdarkness，andtheblackbranchesofthelinden-treeswereshakingpensively。

"Youmightlightthelamp，"Fomawenton。

"Howunhappywebothare，"saidLuba，withasigh。

Fomadidnotlikethis。

"Iamnotunhappy，"heobjectedinafirmvoice。"Iamsimply——notyetaccustomedtolife。"

"Hewhoknowsnotwhatheisgoingtodotomorrow，isunhappy，"

saidLuba，sadly。"Idonotknowit，neitherdoyou。Whithergo？

Yetgowemust，Whyisitthatmyheartisneveratease？Somekindofalongingisalwaysquiveringwithinit。"

"Itisthesamewithme，"saidFoma。"Istarttoreflect，butonwhat？Icannotmakeitcleartomyself。Thereisalsoapainfulgnawinginmyheart。Eh！ButImustgouptotheclub。"

"Don\'tgoaway，"Lubaentreated。

"Imust。Somebodyiswaitingthereforme。Iamgoing。Goodbye！"

"Tillwemeetagain！"Sheheldoutherhandtohimandsadlylookedintohiseyes。

"Willyougotosleepnow？"askedFoma，firmlyshakingherhand。

"I\'llreadalittle。"

"You\'retoyourbooksasthedrunkardtohiswhisky，"saidtheyouth，withpity。

"Whatistherethatisbetter？"

WalkingalongthestreethelookedatthewindowsofthehouseandinoneofthemhenoticedLuba\'sface。Itwasjustasvagueaseverythingthatthegirltoldhim，evenasvagueasherlongings。

Fomanoddedhisheadtowardherandwithaconsciousnessofhissuperiorityoverher，thought：

"Shehasalsolostherway，liketheotherone。"

Atthisrecollectionheshookhishead，asthoughhewantedtofrightenawaythethoughtofMedinskaya，andquickenedhissteps。

Nightwascomingon，andtheairwasfresh。Acold，invigoratingwindwasviolentlyraginginthestreet，drivingthedustalongthesidewalksandthrowingitintothefacesofthepassers-by。Itwasdark，andpeoplewerehastilystridingalonginthedarkness。Fomawrinkledhisface，forthedustfilledhiseyes，andthought：

"IfitisawomanImeetnow——thenitwillmeanthatSophyaPavlovnawillreceivemeinafriendlyway，asbefore。Iamgoingtoseehertomorrow。Andifitisaman——Iwon\'tgotomorrow，I\'llwait。"

Butitwasadogthatcametomeethim，andthisirritatedFomatosuchanextentthathefeltlikestrikinghimwithhiscane。

Intherefreshment-roomoftheclub，FomawasmetbythejovialOokhtishchev。Hestoodatthedoor，andchattedwithacertainstout，whiskeredman；but，noticingGordyeeff，hecameforwardtomeethim，saying，withasmile：

"Howdoyoudo，modestmillionaire！"Fomaratherlikedhimforhisjollymood，andwasalwayspleasedtomeethim。

Firmlyandkind-heartedlyshakingOokhtishchev\'shand，Fomaaskedhim：

"AndwhatmakesyouthinkthatIammodest？"

"Whataquestion！Aman，wholiveslikeahermit，whoneitherdrinks，norplays，norlikesanywomen。Bytheway，doyouknow，FomaIgnatyevich，thatpeerlesspatronessofoursisgoingabroadtomorrowforthewholesummer？"

"SophyaPavlovna？"askedFoma，slowly。"Ofcourse！Thesunofmylifeissetting。And，perhaps，ofyoursaswell？"

Ookhtishchevmadeacomical，slygrimaceandlookedintoFoma\'sface。

AndFomastoodbeforehim，feelingthathisheadwasloweringonhisbreast，andthathewasunabletohinderit。

"Yes，theradiantAurora。"

"IsMedinskayagoingaway？"adeepbassvoiceasked。"That\'sfine！

Iamglad。"

"MayIknowwhy？"exclaimedOokhtishchev。Fomasmiledsheepishlyandstaredinconfusionatthewhiskeredman，Ookhtishchev\'sinterlocutor。

Thatmanwasstrokinghismoustachewithanairofimportance，anddeep，heavy，repulsivewordsfellfromhislipsonFoma\'sears。

"Because，yousee，therewillbeoneco-cot-telessintown。"

"Shame，MartinNikitich！"saidOokhtishchev，reproachfully，knittinghisbrow。

"Howdoyouknowthatsheisacoquette？"askedFoma，sternly，comingclosertothewhiskeredman。Themanmeasuredhimwithascornfullook，turnedasideandmovinghisthigh，drawledout：

"Ididn\'tsay——coquette。"

"MartinNikitich，youmustn\'tspeakthatwayaboutawomanwho——"

beganOokhtishchevinaconvincingtone，butFomainterruptedhim：

"Excuseme，justamoment！Iwishtoaskthegentleman，whatisthemeaningofthewordhesaid？"

Andashearticulatedthisfirmlyandcalmly，Fomathrusthishandsdeepintohistrousers-pockets，threwhischestforward，whichatoncegavehisfigureanattitudeofdefiance。ThewhiskeredgentlemanagaineyedFomawithasarcasticsmile。

"Gentlemen！"exclaimedOokhtishchev，softly。

"Isaid，co-cot-te，"pronouncedthewhiskeredman，movinghislipsasifhetastedtheword。"Andifyoudon\'tunderstandit，Icanexplainittoyou。"

"Youhadbetterexplainit，"saidFoma，withadeepsigh，notliftinghiseyesofftheman。

Ookhtishchevclaspedhishandsandrushedaside。

"Acocotte，ifyouwanttoknowit，isaprostitute，"saidthewhiskeredmaninalowvoice，movinghisbig，fatfaceclosertoFoma。

Fomagaveasoftgrowland，beforethewhiskeredmanhadtimetomoveaway，heclutchedwithhisrighthandhiscurly，grayishhair。

Withaconvulsivemovementofthehand，Fomabegantoshaketheman\'sheadandhisbig，solidbody；liftinguphislefthand，hespokeinadullvoice，keepingtimetothepunishment：

"Don\'tabuseaperson——inhisabsence。Abusehim——rightinhisface——straightinhiseyes。"

Heexperiencedaburningdelight，seeinghowcomicallythestoutarmswereswingingintheair，andhowthelegsoftheman，whomhewasshaking，werebendingunderhim，scrapingagainstthefloor。

Hisgoldwatchfelloutofthepocketanddangledonthechain，overhisroundpaunch。Intoxicatedwithhisownstrengthandwiththedegradationofthesedateman，filledwiththeburningfeelingofmalignancy，tremblingwiththehappinessofrevenge，Fomadraggedhimalongthefloorandinadullvoice，growledwickedly，inwildjoy。Inthesemomentsheexperiencedagreatfeeling——thefeelingofemancipationfromthewearisomeburdenwhichhadlongoppressedhisheartwithgriefandmorbidness。Hefeltthathewasseizedbythewaistandshouldersfrombehind，thatsomeoneseizedhishandandbentit，tryingtobreakit；thatsomeonewascrushinghistoes；buthesawnothing，followingwithhisbloodshoteyesthedark，heavymassmoaningandwrigglinginhishand。Finally，theytorehimawayanddownedhim，and，asthroughareddishmist，henoticedbeforehimonthefloor，athisfeet，themanhehadthrashed。Dishevelled，hewasmovinghislegsoverthefloor，attemptingtorise；twodarkmenwereholdinghimbythearms，hishandsweredanglingintheairlikebrokenwings，and，inavoicethatwaschokingwithsobs，hecriedtoFoma：

"Youmustn\'tbeatme！Youmustn\'t！Ihavean……

Order。Yourascal！Oh，rascal！Ihavechildren。

Everybodyknowsme！Scoundrel！Savage，0——0——0！Youmayexpectaduel！"

AndOokhtishchevspokeloudlyinFoma\'sear：

"Come，mydearboy，forGod\'ssake！"

"Wait，I\'llgivehimakickintheface，"beggedFoma。Buthewasdraggedoff。Therewasabuzzinginhisears，hisheartbeatfast，buthefeltrelievedandwell。AttheentranceoftheclubheheavedadeepsighofreliefandsaidtoOokhtishchev，withagood-

naturedsmile：

"Igavehimasounddrubbing，didn\'tI？"

"Listen！"exclaimedthegaysecretary，indignantly。"Youmustpardonmebutthatwastheactofasavage！Thedeviltakeit。I

neverwitnessedsuchathingbefore！"

"Mydearman！"saidFoma，friendly，"didhenotdeservethedrubbing？Ishenotascoundrel？Howcanhespeaklikethatbehindaperson\'sback？No！Lethimgotoherandtellitplainlytoheralone。"

"Excuseme。Thedeviltakeyou！Butitwasn\'tforheralonethatyougavehimthedrubbing？"

"Thatis，whatdoyoumea，——notforheralone？Forwhomthen？"

askedFoma，amazed。

"Forwhom？Idon\'tknow。Evidentlyyouhadoldaccountstosettle！

0hLord！Thatwasascene！Ishallnotforgetitinallmylife！"

"He——thatman——whoishe？"askedFoma，andsuddenlyburstoutlaughing。"Howheroared，thefool！"

Ookhtishchevlookedfixedlyintohisfaceandasked：

"Tellme，isittrue，thatyoudon\'tknowwhomyou\'vethrashed？AndisitreallyonlyforSophyaPavlovna？"

"Itis，byGod！"avowedFoma。

"So，thedevilknowswhattheresultmaybe！"Hestoppedshort，shruggedhisshouldersperplexedly，wavedhishand，andagainbegantopacethesidewalk，lookingatFomaaskance。"You\'llpayforthis，FomaIgnatyevich。"

"Willhetakemetocourt？"

"WouldtoGodhedoes。HeistheVice-Governor\'sson-in-law，"

"Isthatso？"saidFoma，slowly，andmadealongface。

"Yes。Totellthetruth，heisascoundrelandarascal。AccordingtothisfactImustadmit，thathedeservesadrubbing。Buttakingintoconsiderationthefactthattheladyyoudefendedisalso——"

"Sir！"saidFoma，firmly，placinghishandonOokhtishchev\'sshoulder，"Ihavealwayslikedyou，andyouarenowwalkingwithme。Iunderstanditandcanappreciateit。Butdonotspeakillofherinmypresence。Whatevershemaybeinyouropinion，inmyopinion，sheisdeartome。Tomesheisthebestwoman。SoIamtellingyoufrankly。Sinceyouaregoingwithme，donottouchher。

Iconsiderhergood，thereforesheisgood。"

TherewasgreatemotioninFoma\'svoice。Ookhtishchevlookedathimandsaidthoughtfully：

"Youareaqueerman，Imustconfess。"

"Iamasimpleman——asavage。IhavegivenhimathrashingandnowIfeeljolly，andastotheresult，letcomewhatwill。\'

"Iamafraidthatitwillresultinsomethingbad。Doyouknow——tobefrank，inreturnforyourfrankness——Ialsolikeyou，although——

Mm！Itisratherdangeroustobewithyou。Suchaknightlytempermaycomeoveryouandonemaygetathrashingatyourhands。"

"Howso？Thiswasbutthefirsttime。Iamnotgoingtobeatpeopleeveryday，amI？"saidFoma，confused。Hiscompanionbegantolaugh。

"Whatamonsteryouare！Listentome——itissavagetofight——youmustexcuseme，butitisabominable。Yet，Imusttellyou，inthiscaseyoumadeahappyselection。Youhavethrashedarake，acynic，aparasite——amanwhorobbedhisnephewswithimpunity。"

"Well，thankGodforthat！"saidFomawithsatisfaction。"NowI

havepunishedhimalittle。"

"Alittle？Verywell，letussupposeitwasalittle。Butlistentome，mychild，permitmetogiveyouadvice。Iamamanofthelaw。

He，thatKayazev，isarascal！True！Butyoumustnotthrashevenarascal，forheisasocialbeing，underthepaternalcustodyofthelaw。Youcannottouchhimuntilhetransgressesthelimitsofthepenalcode。Buteventhen，notyou，butwe，thejudges，willgivehimhisdue。Whileyoumusthavepatience。"

"Andwillhesoonfallintoyourhands？"inquiredFoma，naively。

"Itishardtotell。Beingfarfromstupid，hewillprobablyneverbecaught，andtotheendofhisdayshewilllivewithyouandmeinthesamedegreeofequalitybeforethelaw。0hGod，whatIamtellingyou！"saidOokhtishchev，withacomicalsigh。

"Betrayingsecrets？"grinnedFoma。

"Itisn\'tsecrets；butIoughtnottobefrivolous。De-e-evil！Butthen，thisaffairenlivenedme。Indeed，Nemesisiseventhentruetoherselfwhenshesimplykickslikeahorse。"

Fomastoppedsuddenly，asthoughhehadmetanobstacleonhisway。

"Nemesis——thegoddessofJustice，"babbledOokhtishchev。"What\'sthematterwithyou？"

"Anditallcameabout，"saidFoma，slowly，inadullvoice，"becauseyousaidthatshewasgoingaway。"

"Who？

"SophyaPavlovna。"

"Yes，sheisgoingaway。Well？"

HestoodoppositeFomaandstaredathim，withasmileinhiseyes。

Gordyeeffwassilent，withloweredhead，tappingthestoneofthesidewalkwithhiscane。

"Come，"saidOokhtishchev。

Fomastarted，sayingindifferently：

"Well，lethergo。AndIamalone。"Ookhtishchev，wavinghiscane，begantowhistle，lookingathiscompanion。

"Sha\'n\'tIbeabletogetalongwithouther？"askedFoma，lookingsomewhereinfrontofhimandthen，afterapause，heansweredhimselfsoftlyandirresolutely：

"Ofcourse，Ishall。"

"Listentome！"exclaimedOokhtishchev。"I\'llgiveyousomegoodadvice。Amanmustbehimself。Whileyou，youareanepicman，sotosay，andthelyricalisnotbecomingtoyou。Itisn\'tyourgenre。"

"Speaktomemoresimply，sir，"saidFoma，havinglistenedattentivelytohiswords。

"Moresimply？Verywell。Iwanttosay，giveupthinkingofthislittlelady。Sheispoisonousfoodforyou。"

"Shetoldmethesame，"putinFoma，gloomily。

"Shetoldyou？"Ookhtishchevaskedandbecamethoughtful。"Now，I\'lltellyou，shouldn\'tweperhapsgoandhavesupper？"

"Let\'sgo，"Fomaassented。Andhesuddenlyroaredobdurately，clinchinghisfistsandwavingthemintheair："Well，letusgo，andI\'llgetwoundup；I\'llbreakloose，afterallthis，soyoucan\'tholdmeback！"

"Whatfor？We\'lldoitmodestly。"

"No！wait！"saidFoma，anxiously，seizinghimbytheshoulder。

"What\'sthat？AmIworsethanotherpeople？Everybodylives，whirls，hustlesabout，hashisownpoint。WhileIamweary。

Everybodyissatisfiedwithhimself。Andastotheircomplaining，theylie，therascals！Theyaresimplypretendingforbeauty\'ssake。Ihavenoreasontopretend。Iamafool。Idon\'tunderstandanything，mydearfellow。Isimplywishtolive！Iamunabletothink。Ifeeldisgusted；onesaysthis，anotherthat！Pshaw！Butshe，eh！Ifyouknew。Myhopewasinher。Iexpectedofher——justwhatIexpected，Icannottell；butsheisthebestofwomen！AndI

hadsomuchfaithinher——whensometimesshespokesuchpeculiarwords，allherown。Hereyes，mydearboy，aresobeautiful！0hLord！Iwasashamedtolookuponthem，andasIamtellingyou，shewouldsayafewwords，andeverythingwouldbecomecleartome。ForIdidnotcometoherwithlovealone——Icametoherwithallmysoul！Isought——Ithoughtthatsinceshewassobeautiful，consequently，Imightbecomeamanbyherside！"

Ookhtishchevlistenedtothepainful，unconnectedwordsthatburstfromhiscompanion\'slips。Hesawhowthemusclesofhisfacecontractedwiththeefforttoexpresshisthoughts，andhefeltthatbehindthisbombasttherewasagreat，seriousgrief。Therewassomethingintenselypatheticinthepowerlessnessofthisstrongandsavageyouth，whosuddenlystartedtopacethesidewalkwithbig，unevensteps。Skippingalongafterhimwithhisshortlegs，OokhtishchevfeltithisdutysomehowtocalmFoma。

EverythingFomahadsaidanddonethateveningawakenedinthejollysecretaryafeelingoflivelycuriositytowardFoma，andthenhefeltflatteredbythefranknessoftheyoungmillionaire。Thisfranknessconfusedhimwithitsdarkpower；hewasdisconcertedbyitspressure，andthough，inspiteofhisyouth，hehadastockofwordsreadyforalloccasionsinlife，ittookhimquiteawhiletorecallthem。

"Ifeelthateverythingisdarkandnarrowaboutme，"saidGordyeeff。"Ifeelthataburdenisfallingonmyshoulders，butwhatitisIcannotunderstand！Itputsarestraintonme，anditchecksthefreedomofmymovementsalongtheroadoflife。

Listeningtopeople，youhearthateachsaysadifferentthing。Butshecouldhavesaid——"

"Eh，mydearboy！"OokhtishchevinterruptedFoma，gentlytakinghisarm。"Thatisn\'tright！Youhavejuststartedtoliveandalreadyyouarephilosophizing！No，thatisnotright！Lifeisgivenustolive！Whichmeans——liveandletotherslive。That\'sthephilosophy！

Andthatwoman。Bah！Isshethentheonlyoneintheworld？Theworldislargeenough。Ifyouwish，I\'llintroduceyoutosuchavirilewoman，thateventheslightesttraceofyourphilosophywouldatoncevanishfromyoursoul！Oh，aremarkablewoman！Andhowwellsheknowshowtoavailherselfoflife！Doyouknow，there\'salsosomethingepicabouther？Sheisbeautiful；aPhryne，Imaysay，andwhatamatchshewouldbetoyou！Ah，devil！Itisreallyasplendididea。I\'llmakeyouacquaintedwithher！Wemustdriveonenailoutwithanother。"

"Myconsciencedoesnotallowit，"saidFoma，sadlyandsternly。

"Solongassheisalive，Icannotevenlookatwomen。"

"Sucharobustandhealthyyoungman。Ho，ho！"exclaimedOokhtishchev，andinthetoneofateacherbegantoarguewithFomathatitwasessentialforhimtogivehispassionanoutletinagoodspree，inthecompanyofwomen。

"Thiswillbemagnificent，anditisindispensabletoyou。Youmaybelieveme。Andastoconscience，youmustexcuseme。Youdon\'tdefineitquiteproperly。Itisnotconsciencethatinterfereswithyou，buttimidity，Ibelieve。Youliveoutsideofsociety。Youarebashful，andawkward。Youaredimlyconsciousofallthis，anditisthisconsciousnessthatyoumistakeforconscience。Inthiscasetherecanbenoquestionaboutconscience。Whathasconsciencetodohere，sinceitisnaturalformantoenjoyhimself，sinceitishisnecessityandhisright？"

Fomawalkedon，regulatinghisstepstothoseofhiscompanion，andstaringalongtheroad，whichlaybetweentworowsofbuildings，resembledanenormousditch，andwasfilledwithdarkness。Itseemedthattherewasnoendtotheroadandthatsomethingdark，inexhaustibleandsuffocatingwasslowlyflowingalongitinthedistance。Ookhtishchev\'skind，suasivevoicerangmonotonouslyinFoma\'sears，andthoughhewasnotlisteningtohiswords，hefeltthattheyweretenaciousintheirway；thattheyadheredtohim，andthathewasinvoluntarilymemorizingthem。Notwithstandingthatamanwalkedbesidehim，hefeltasthoughhewerealone，strayinginthedark。Andthedarknessseizedhimandslowlydrewhimalong，andhefeltthathewasdrawnsomewhere，andyethadnodesiretostop。Somesortoffatiguehinderedhisthinking；therewasnodesireinhimtoresisttheadmonitionsofhiscompanion——andwhyshouldheresistthem？

"Itisn\'tforeveryonetophilosophize，"saidOokhtishchev，swinginghiscaneintheair，andsomewhatcarriedawaybyhiswisdom。"Forifeverybodyweretophilosophize，whowouldlive？Andwelivebutonce！Andthereforeitwerebesttomakehastetolive。

ByGod！That\'strue！Butwhat\'stheuseoftalking？Wouldyoupermitmetogiveyouashakingup？Let\'sgoimmediatelytoapleasure-houseIknow。Twosisterslivethere。Ah，howtheylive！

Youwillcome？"

"Well，I\'llgo，"saidFoma，calmly，andyawned。"Isn\'titratherlate？"heasked，lookingupattheskywhichwascoveredwithclouds。

"It\'snevertoolatetogotoseethem！"exclaimedOokhtishchev，merrily。

CHAPTERVIII

ONthethirddayafterthesceneintheclub，Fomafoundhimselfaboutsevenverstsfromthetown，onthetimber-wharfofthemerchantZvantzev，inthecompanyofthemerchant\'ssonofOokhtishchev——asedate，bald-headedandred-nosedgentlemanwithsidewhiskers——andfourladies。TheyoungZvantzevworeeyeglasses，wasthinandpale，andwhenhestood，thecalvesofhislegswereforevertremblingasthoughtheyweredisgustedatsupportingthefeeblebody，cladinalong，checkedtop-coatwithacape，inwhosefoldsasmallheadinajockeycapwascomicallyshaking。ThegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerscalledhimJeanandpronouncedthisnameasthoughhewassufferingfromaninveteratecold。Jean\'sladywasatall，stoutwomanwithashowybust。Herheadwascompressedonthesides，herlowforeheadreceded，herlong，sharp-pointednosegaveherfaceanexpressionsomewhatbird-like。Andthisuglyfacewasperfectlymotionless，andtheeyesalone，small，roundandcold，wereforeversmilingapenetratingandcunningsmile。Ookhtishchev\'slady\'snamewasVera；shewasatall，palewomanwithredhair。Shehadsomuchhair，thatitseemedasthoughthewomanhadputonherheadanenormouscapwhichwascomingdownoverherears，hercheeksandherhighforehead，fromunderwhichherlargeblueeyeslookedforthcalmlyandlazily。

Thegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerssatbesideayoung，plump，buxomgirl，whoconstantlygiggledinaringingvoiceatsomethingwhichhewhisperedinherearasheleanedoverhershoulder。

AndFoma\'sladywasastatelybrunette，cladallinblack。Dark-

complexioned，withwavylocks，shekeptherheadsoerectandhighandlookedateverythingaboutherwithsuchcondescendinghaughtiness，thatitwasatonceevidentthatsheconsideredherselfthemostimportantpersonthere。

Thecompanywereseatedontheextremelinkoftheraft，extendingfarintothesmoothexpanseoftheriver。Boardswerespreadoutontheraftandinthecentrestoodacrudelyconstructedtable；emptybottles，provisionbaskets，candy-

wrappersandorangepeelswerescatteredabouteverywhere。Inthecorneroftheraftwasapileofearth，uponwhichabonfirewasburning，andapeasantinashortfurcoat，squatting，warmedhishandsoverthefire，andcastfurtiveglancesatthepeopleseatedaroundthetable。Theyhadjustfinishedeatingtheirsturgeonsoup，andnowwinesandfruitswerebeforethemonthetable。

Fatiguedwithatwo-days\'spreeandwiththedinnerthathadjustbeenfinished，thecompanywasinawearyframeofmind。Theyallgazedattheriver，chatting，buttheirconversationwasnowandagaininterruptedbylongpauses。

Thedaywasclearandbrightandyoung，asinspring。Thecold，clearskystretcheditselfmajesticallyovertheturbidwaterofthegigantically-wide，overflowingriver，whichwasascalmastheskyandasvastasthesea。Thedistant，mountainousshorewastenderlybathedinbluishmist。Throughit，there，onthemountaintops，thecrossesofchurcheswereflashinglikebigstars。Theriverwasanimatedatthemountainousshore；steamersweregoinghitherandthither，andtheirnoisecameindeepmoanstowardtheraftsandintothemeadows，wherethecalmflowofthewavesfilledtheairwithsoftandfaintsounds。Giganticbargesstretchedthemselvesoneafteranotheragainstthecurrent，likehugepigs，tearingasunderthesmoothexpanseoftheriver。Blacksmokecameinponderouspuffsfromthechimneysofthesteamers，slowlymeltinginthefreshair，whichwasfullofbrightsunshine。Attimesawhistleresounded——itwasliketheroarofsomehuge，enragedanimal，embitteredbytoil。Andonthemeadowsneartherafts，allwascalmandsilent。Solitarytreesthathadbeendrownedbytheflood，werenowalreadycoveredwithlight-

greenspanglesoffoliage。Coveringtheirrootsandreflectingtheirtops，thewatergavethemtheappearanceofglobes，anditseemedasthoughtheslightestbreezewouldsendthemfloating，fantasticallybeautiful，downthemirror-likebosomoftheriver。

Thered-hairedwoman，pensivelygazingintothedistance，begantosingsoftlyandsadly：

"AlongtheVolgariverAlittleboatisflo-o-oating。"

Thebrunette，snappingherlarge，sterneyeswithcontempt，said，withoutlookingather："Wefeelgloomyenoughwithoutthis。"

"Don\'ttouchher。Lethersing！"entreatedFoma，kindly，lookingintohislady\'sface。Hewaspalesomesparkseemedtoflashupinhiseyesnowandthen，andanindefinite，indolentsmileplayedabouthislips。

"Letussinginchorus！"suggestedthemanwiththesidewhiskers。

"No，letthesetwosing！"exclaimedOokhtishchevwithenthusiasm。

"Vera，singthatsong！Youknow，\'Iwillgoatdawn。\'Howisit？

Sing，Pavlinka！"

Thegigglinggirlglancedatthebrunetteandaskedherrespectfully：

"ShallIsing，Sasha？"

"Ishallsingmyself，"announcedFoma\'scompanion，andturningtowardtheladywiththebirdlikeface，sheordered：

"Vassa，singwithme！"

VassaimmediatelybrokeoffherconversationwithZvantzev，strokedherthroatalittlewithherhandandfixedherroundeyesonthefaceofhersister。Sasharosetoherfeet，leanedherhandagainstthetable，andherheadliftedhaughtily，begantodeclaiminapowerful，almostmasculinevoice：

"Lifeonearthisbrighttohim，Whoknowsnocaresorwoe，AndwhoseheartisnotconsumedBypassion\'sardentglow！"

Hersisternoddedherheadandslowly，plaintivelybegantomoaninadeepcontralto：

"Ahme！Ofmethemaidenfair。"

Flashinghereyesathersister，Sashaexclaimedinherlow-

pitchednotes：

"Likeabladeofgrassmyhearthaswithered。"

Thetwovoicesmingledandfloatedoverthewaterinmelodious，fullsounds，whichquiveredfromexcessofpower。Oneofthemwascomplainingoftheunbearablepainintheheart，andintoxicatedbythepoisonofitsplaint，itsobbedwithmelancholyandimpotentgrief；sobbed，quenchingwithtearsthefireofthesuffering。Theother——thelower，moremasculinevoice——rolledpowerfullythroughtheair，fullofthefeelingofbloodymortificationandofreadinesstoavenge。Pronouncingthewordsdistinctly，thevoicecamefromherbreastinadeepstream，andeachwordreekedwithboilingblood，stirredupbyoutrage，poisonedbyoffenceandmightilydemandingvengeance。

"Iwillrequitehim，"

sangVassa，plaintively，closinghereyes。

"Iwillinflamehim，I\'lldryhimup，"

Sashapromisedsternlyandconfidently，waftingintotheairstrong，powerfultones，whichsoundedlikeblows。Andsuddenly，changingthetempoofthesongandstrikingahigherpitch，shebegantosing，asslowlyashersister，voluptuousandexultantthreats：

"Drierthantheragingwind，Drierthanthemown-downgrass，Oi，themownanddried-upgrass。"

Restinghiselbowsonthetable，Fomabenthishead，andwithknittedbrow，gazedintothefaceofthewoman，intoherblack，half-shuteyesStaringfixedlyintothedistance，hereyesflashedsobrightlyandmalignantlythat，becauseoftheirlight，thevelvetyvoice，thatburstfromthewoman\'schest，seemedtohimalsoblackandflashing，likehereyes。Herecalledhercaressesandthought：

"Howdoesshecometobesuchassheis？Itisevenfearfultobewithher。"

Ookhtishchev，sittingclosetohislady，anexpressionofhappinessonhisface，listenedtothesongandwasradiantwithsatisfaction。ThegentlemanwiththesidewhiskersandZvantzevweredrinkingwine，softlywhisperingsomethingastheyleanedtowardeachother。Thered-headedwomanwasthoughtfullyexaminingthepalmofOokhtishchev\'shand，holdingitinherown，andthejollygirlbecamesad。Shedroopedherheadlowandlistenedtothesong，motionless，asthoughbewitchedbyit。Fromthefirecamethepeasant。Hesteppedcarefullyovertheboards，ontiptoe；hishandswereclaspedbehindhisback，andhisbroad，beardedfacewasnowtransformedintoasmileofastonishmentandofanaivedelight。

"Eh！butfeel，mykind，braveman！"

entreatedVassa，plaintively，noddingherhead。Andhersister，herchestbentforward，herhandstillhigher，woundupthesonginpowerfultriumphantnotes：

"Theyearningandthepangsoflove！"

Whenshefinishedsinging，shelookedhaughtilyabouther，andseatingherselfbyFoma\'sside，claspedhisneckwithafirmandpowerfulhand。

"Well，wasitanicesong？"

"It\'scapital！"saidFomawithasigh，ashesmiledather。

Thesongfilledhisheartwiththirstfortendernessand，stillfullofcharmingsounds，itquivered，butatthetouchofherarmhefeltawkwardandashamedbeforetheotherpeople。

"Bravo-o！Bravo，AleksandraSarelyevna！"shoutedOokhtishchev，andtheotherswereclappingtheirhands。Butshepaidnoattentiontothem，andembracingFomaauthoritatively，said：

"Well，makemeapresentofsomethingforthesong。"

"Verywell，Iwill，"Fomaassented。

"What？"

"Youtellme。"

"I\'lltellyouwhenwecometotown。Andifyou\'llgivemewhatI

like——Oh，howIwillloveyou！"

"Forthepresent？"askedFoma，smilingsuspiciously。"Yououghttolovemeanyway。"

Shelookedathimcalmlyand，afteramoment\'sthought，saidresolutely：

"It\'stoosoontoloveyouanyway。Iwillnotlie。WhyshouldI

lietoyou？Iamtellingyoufrankly。Iloveyouformoney，forpresents。Becauseasidefrommoney，menhavenothing。Theycannotgiveanythingmorethanmoney。Nothingofworth。Iknowitwellalready。Onecanlovemerelyso。Yes，waitalittle——I\'llknowyoubetterandthen，perhaps，Imayloveyoufreeofcharge。Andmeanwhile，youmustn\'ttakemeamiss。Ineedmuchmoneyinmymodeoflife。"

Fomalistenedtoher，smiledandnowandthenquiveredfromthenearnessofhersound，well-shapedbody。Zvantzev\'ssour，crackedandboringvoicewasfallingonhisears。"Idon\'tlikeit。I

cannotunderstandthebeautyofthisrenownedRussiansong。Whatisitthatsoundsinit？Eh？Thehowlofawolf。Somethinghungry，wild。Eh！it\'sthegroanofasickdog——altogethersomethingbeastly。There\'snothingcheerful，there\'snochictoit；therearenoliveandvivifyingsoundsinit。No，yououghttohearwhatandhowtheFrenchpeasantsings。Ah！ortheItalian。"

"Excuseme，IvanNikolayevich，"criedOokhtishchev，agitated。

"Imustagreewithyou，theRussiansongismonotonousandgloomy。Ithasnot，youknow，thatbrilliancyofculture，"saidthemanwiththesidewhiskerswearily，ashesippedsomewineoutofhisglass。

"Butnevertheless，thereisalwaysawarmheartinit，"putinthered-hairedlady，asshepeeledanorange。

Thesunwassetting。Sinkingsomewherefarbeyondtheforest，onthemeadowshore，itpaintedtheentireforestwithpurpletintsandcastrosyandgoldenspotsoverthedarkcoldwater。Fomagazedinthatdirectionatthisplayofthesunbeams，watchedhowtheyquiveredastheyweretransposedovertheplacidandvastexpanseofwaters，andcatchingfragmentsofconversation，hepicturedtohimselfthewordsasaswarmofdarkbutterflies，busilyflutteringintheair。Sasha，herheadrestingonhisshoulder，wassoftlywhisperingintohisearsomethingatwhichheblushedandwasconfused，forhefeltthatshewaskindlinginhimthedesiretoembracethiswomanandkissherunceasingly。

Asidefromher，noneofthoseassembledthereinterestedhim——whileZvantzevandthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerswereactuallyrepulsivetohim。

"Whatareyoustaringat？Eh？"heheardOokhtishchev\'sjestingly-

sternvoice。

Thepeasant，atwhomOokhtishchevshouted，drewthecapfromhishead，clappeditagainsthiskneeandanswered，withasmile：

"Icameovertolistentothelady\'ssong。"

"Well，doesshesingwell？"

"Whataquestion！Ofcourse，"saidthepeasant，lookingatSasha，withadmirationinhiseyes。

"That\'sright！"exclaimedOokhtishchev。

"Thereisagreatpowerofvoiceinthatlady\'sbreast，"saidthepeasant，noddinghishead。

Athiswords，theladiesburstoutlaughingandthemenmadesomedouble-meaningremarksaboutSasha。

Aftershehadcalmlylistenedtotheseandsaidnothinginreply，Sashaaskedthepeasant：

"Doyousing？"

"Wesingalittle！"andhewavedhishand，"Whatsongsdoyouknow？"

"Allkinds。Ilovesinging。"Andhesmiledapologetically。

"Come，let\'ssingsomethingtogether，youandI。"

"Howcanwe？AmIamatchforyou？"

"Well，strikeup！"

"MayIsitdown？"

"Comeoverhere，tothetable。"

"Howlivelythisis！"exclaimedZvantzev，wrinklinghisface。

"Ifyoufindittedious，goanddrownyourself，"saidSasha，angrilyflashinghereyesathim。

"No，thewateriscold，"repliedZvantzev，shrinkingatherglance。

"Asyouplease！"Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。"Butitisabouttimeyoudidit，andthen，there\'salsoplentyofwaternow，sothatyouwouldn\'tspoilitallwithyourrottenbody。"

"Fie，howwitty！"hissedtheyouth，turningawayfromher，andaddedwithcontempt："InRussiaeventheprostitutesarerude。"

Headdressedhimselftohisneighbour，butthelattergavehimonlyanintoxicatedsmileinreturn。Ookhtishchevwasalsodrunk。

Staringintothefaceofhiscompanion，withhiseyesgrowndim，hemutteredsomethingandheardnothing。Theladywiththebird-

likefacewaspeckingcandy，holdingtheboxunderherverynose。

Pavlinkawentawaytotheedgeoftheraftand，standingthere，threworangepeelsintothewater。

"Ineverbeforeparticipatedinsuchanabsurdoutingand——

company，"saidZvantzev，tohisneighbour，plaintively。

AndFomawatchedhimwithasmile，delightedthatthisfeebleandugly-lookingmanfeltbored，andthatSashahadinsultedhim。Nowandthenhecastatherakindglanceofapproval。Hewaspleasedwiththefactthatshewassofrankwitheverybodyandthatsheboreherselfproudly，likearealgentlewoman。

Thepeasantseatedhimselfontheboardsatherfeet，claspedhiskneesinhishands，liftedhisfacetoherandseriouslylistenedtoherwords。

"Youmustraiseyourvoice，whenIlowermine，understand？"

"Iunderstand；but，Madam，yououghttohandmesomejusttogivemecourage！"

"Foma，givehimaglassofbrandy！"

Andwhenthepeasantemptiedit，clearedhisthroatwithpleasure，lickedhislipsandsaid："Now，Icandoit，"sheordered，knittingherbrow：

"Begin！"

Thepeasantmadeawrymouth，liftedhiseyestoherface，andstartedinahigh-pitchedtenor：

"Icannotdrink，Icannoteat。"

Tremblingineverylimb，thewomansobbedouttremulously，withstrangesadness：

"Winecannotgladdenmysoul。"

Thepeasantsmiledsweetly，tossedhisheadtoandfro，andclosinghiseyes，pouredoutintotheairatremulouswaveofhigh-pitchednotes：

"Oh，timehascomeformetobidgoodbye！"

Andthewoman，shudderingandwrithing，moanedandwailed：

"Oi，frommykindredImustpart。"

Loweringhisvoiceandswayingtoandfro，thepeasantdeclaimedinasing-songwitharemarkablyintenseexpressionofanguish：

"Alas，toforeignlandsImustdepart。"

Whenthetwovoices，yearningandsobbing，pouredforthintothesilenceandfreshnessoftheevening，everythingaboutthemseemedwarmerandbetter；everythingseemedtosmilethesorrowfulsmileofsympathyontheanguishofthemanwhomanobscurepoweristearingawayfromhisnativesoilintosomeforeignplace，wherehardlabouranddegradationareinstoreforhim。Itseemedasthoughnotthesounds，northesong，buttheburningtearsofthehumanheartinwhichtheplainthadsurgedup——itseemedasthoughthesetearsmoistenedtheair。

Wildgriefandpainfromthesoresofbodyandsoul，whichwereweariedinthestrugglewithsternlife；intensesufferingsfromthewoundsdealttomanbytheironhandofwant——allthiswasinvestedinthesimple，crudewordsandwastossedinineffablymelancholysoundstowardthedistant，emptysky，whichhasnoechoforanybodyoranything。

Fomahadsteppedasidefromthesingers，andstaredatthemwithafeelingakintofright，andthesong，inahugewave，pouredforthintohisbreast，andthewildpowerofgrief，withwhichithadbeeninvested，clutchedhisheartpainfully。Hefeltthattearswouldsoongushfromhisbreast，somethingwasclogginghisthroatandhisfacewasquivering。HedimlysawSasha\'sblackeyes；immobileandflashinggloomily，theyseemedtohimenormousandstillgrowinglargerandlarger。Anditseemedtohimthatitwasnottwopersonswhoweresinging——thateverythingabouthimwassingingandsobbing，quiveringandpalpitatingintorrentsofsorrow，madlystrivingsomewhere，sheddingburningtears，andall——andallthingslivingseemedclaspedinonepowerfulembraceofdespair。Anditseemedtohimthathe，too，wassinginginunisonwithallofthem——withthepeople，theriverandthedistantshore，whencecameplaintivemoansthatmingledwiththesong。

Nowthepeasantwentdownonhisknees，andgazingatSasha，wavedhishands，andshebentdowntowardhimandshookherhead，keepingtimetothemotionsofhishands。Bothwerenowsingingwithoutwords，withsoundsonly，andFomastillcouldnotbelievethatonlytwovoiceswerepouringintotheairthesemoansandsobswithsuchmightypower。

Whentheyhadfinishedsinging，Foma，tremblingwithexcitement，withatear-stainedface，gazedatthemandsmiledsadly。

"Well，diditmoveyou？"askedSasha。Palewithfatigue，shebreathedquicklyandheavily。

Fomaglancedatthepeasant。Thelatterwaswipingthesweatoffhisbrowandlookingaroundhimwithsuchawanderinglookasthoughhecouldnotmakeoutwhathadtakenplace。

Allwassilence。Allweremotionlessandspeechless。

"0hLord！"sighedFoma，risingtohisfeet。"Eh，Sasha！Peasant！

Whoareyou？"healmostshouted。

"Iam——Stepan，"saidthepeasant，smilingconfusedly，andalsorosetohisfeet。"I\'mStepan。Ofcourse！"

"Howyousing！Ah！"Fomaexclaimedinastonishment，uneasilyshiftingfromfoottofoot。

"Eh，yourHonour！"sighedthepeasantandaddedsoftlyandconvincingly："Sorrowcancompelanoxtosinglikeanightingale。Andwhatmakestheladysinglikethis，onlyGodknows。Andshesings，withallherveins——thatistosay，soyoumightjustliedownanddiewithsorrow！Well，that\'salady。"

"Thatwassungverywell！"saidOokhtishchevinadrunkenvoice。

No，thedevilknowswhatthisis！"Zvantzevsuddenlyshouted，almostcrying，irritatedashejumpedupfromthetable。"I\'vecomeouthereforagoodtime。Iwanttoenjoymyself，andheretheyperformafuneralserviceforme！Whatanoutrage！Ican\'tstandthisanylonger。I\'mgoingaway！"

"Jean，Iamalsogoing。I\'mweary，too，"announcedthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskers。

"Vassa，"criedZvantzevtohislady，"dressyourself！"

"Yes，it\'stimetogo，"saidthered-hairedladytoOokhtishchev。

"Itiscold，anditwillsoonbedark。"

"Stepan！Cleareverythingaway！"commandedVassa。

Allbegantobustleabout，allbegantospeakofsomething。Fomastaredattheminsuspenseandshuddered。Staggering，thecrowdwalkedalongtherafts。Paleandfatigued，theysaidtooneanotherstupid，disconnectedthings。Sashajostledthemunceremoniously，asshewasgettingherthingstogether。

"Stepan！Callforthehorses！"

"AndI\'lldrinksomemorecognac。Whowantssomemorecognacwithme？"drawledthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskersinabeatificvoice，holdingabottleinhishands。

VassawasmufflingZvantzev\'sneckwithascarf。Hestoodinfrontofher，frowning，dissatisfied，hislipscurledcapriciously，thecalvesofhislegsshivering。Fomabecamedisgustedashelookedatthem，andhewentofftotheotherraft。Hewasastonishedthatallthesepeoplebehavedasthoughtheyhadnotheardthesongatall。Inhisbreastthesongwasaliveandthereitcalledtolifearestlessdesiretodosomething，tosaysomething。Buthehadnoonetheretospeakto。

Thesunhadsetandthedistancewasenvelopedinbluemist。Fomaglancedthitherandturnedaway。Hedidnotfeellikegoingtotownwiththesepeople，neitherdidhecaretostayherewiththem。Andtheywerestillpacingtheraftwithunevensteps，shakingfromsidetosideandmutteringdisconnectedwords。Thewomenwerenotquiteasdrunkasthemen，andonlythered-hairedonecouldnotliftherselffromthebenchforalongtime，andfinally，whensherose，shedeclared：

"Well，I\'mdrunk。"

Fomasatdownonalogofwood，andliftingtheaxe，withwhichthepeasanthadchoppedwoodforthefire，hebegantoplaywithit，tossingitupintheairandcatchingit。

"Oh，myGod！Howmeanthisis！"Zvantzev\'scapriciousvoicewasheard。

Fomabegantofeelthathehatedit，andhim，andeverybody，exceptSasha，whoawakenedinhimacertainuneasyfeeling，whichcontainedatonceadmirationforherandafearlestshemightdosomethingunexpectedandterrible。

"Brute！"shoutedZvantzevinashrillvoice，andFomanoticedthathestruckthepeasantonthechest，afterwhichthepeasantremovedhiscaphumblyandsteppedaside。

"Fo-o-ol！"criedZvantzev，walkingafterhimandliftinghishand。

Fomajumpedtohisfeetandsaidthreateningly，inaloudvoice：

"Eh，you！Don\'ttouchhim！"

"Wha-a-at？"Zvantzevturnedaroundtowardhim。

"Stepan，comeoverhere，"calledFoma。

"Peasant！"Zvantzevhurledwithcontempt，lookingatFoma。

Fomashruggedhisshouldersandmadeasteptowardhim；butsuddenlyathoughtflashedvividlythroughhismind！HesmiledmaliciouslyandinquiredofStepan，softly：

"Thestringofraftsismooredinthreeplaces，isn\'tit？

"Inthree，ofcourse！"

"Cuttheconnections！"

"Andthey？"

"Keepquiet！Cut！"

"But——"

"Cut！Quietly，sotheydon\'tnoticeit！"

Thepeasanttooktheaxeinhishands，slowlywalkeduptotheplacewhereonelinkwaswellfastenedtoanotherlink，struckafewtimeswithhisaxe，andreturnedtoFoma。

"I\'mnotresponsible，yourHonour，"hesaid。

"Don\'tbeafraid。"

"They\'vestartedoff，"whisperedthepeasantwithfright，andhastilymadethesignofthecross。AndFomagazed，laughingsoftly，andexperiencedapainfulsensationthatkeenlyandsharplystunghisheartwithacertainstrange，pleasantandsweetfear。

Thepeopleontheraftwerestillpacingtoandfro，movingaboutslowly，jostlingoneanother，assistingtheladieswiththeirwraps，laughingandtalking，andtheraftwasmeanwhileturningslowlyandirresolutelyinthewater。

"Ifthecurrentcarriesthemagainstthefleet，"whisperedthepeasant，"they\'llstrikeagainstthebows——andthey\'llbesmashedintosplinters。"

"Keepquiet！"

"They\'lldrown！"

"You\'llgetaboat，andovertakethem。"

"That\'sit！Thankyou。Whatthen？They\'reafterallhumanbeings。

Andwe\'llbeheldresponsibleforthem。"Satisfiednow，laughingwithdelight，thepeasantdashedinboundsacrosstheraftstotheshore。AndFomastoodbythewaterandfeltapassionatedesiretoshoutsomething，buthecontrolledhimself，inordertogivetimefortherafttofloatofffarther，sothatthosedrunkenpeoplewouldnotbeabletojumpacrosstothemooredlinks。Heexperiencedapleasantcaressingsensationashesawtheraftsoftlyrockinguponthewaterandfloatingofffartherandfartherfromhimeverymoment。Theheavyanddarkfeeling，withwhichhishearthadbeenfilledduringthistime，nowseemedtofloatawaytogetherwiththepeopleontheraft。Calmlyheinhaledthefreshairandwithitsomethingsoundthatclearedhisbrain。AttheveryedgeofthefloatingraftstoodSasha，withherbacktowardFoma；helookedatherbeautifulfigureandinvoluntarilyrecalledMedinskaya。Thelatterwassmallerinsize。Therecollectionofherstunghim，andhecriedoutinaloud，mockingvoice：

"Eh，there！Good-bye！Ha！ha！ha！"

Suddenlythedarkfiguresofthepeoplemovedtowardhimandcrowdedtogetherinonegroup，inthecentreoftheraft。Butbythistimeaclearstripofwater，aboutthreeyardswide，wasflashingbetweenthemandFoma。

Therewasasilencelastingforafewseconds。

Thensuddenlyahurricaneofshrill，repulsivelypitifulsounds，whichwerefullofanimalfright，washurledatFoma，andlouderthanallandmorerepulsivethanall，Zvantzev\'sshrill，jarringcrypiercedtheear：

"He-e-elp！"

Someone——inallprobability，thesedategentlemanwiththesidewhiskers——roaredinhisbasso：

"Drowning！They\'redrowningpeople！"

"Areyoupeople？"criedFoma，angrily，irritatedbytheirscreamswhichseemedtobitehim。Andthepeopleranaboutontheraftinthemadnessoffright；theraftrockedundertheirfeet，floatedfasteronaccountofthis，andtheagitatedwaterwasloudlysplashingagainstandunderit。Thescreamsrenttheair，thepeoplejumpedabout，wavingtheirhands，andthestatelyfigureofSashaalonestoodmotionlessandspeechlessontheedgeoftheraft。

"Givemyregardstothecrabs！"criedFoma。Fomafeltmoreandmorecheerfulandrelievedinproportionastheraftwasfloatingawayfromhim。

"FomaIgnatyevich！"saidOokhtishchevinafaint，butsobervoice，"lookout，thisisadangerousjoke。I\'llmakeacomplaint。"

"Whenyouaredrowned？Youmaycomplain！"answeredFoma，cheerfully。

"Youareamurderer！"exclaimedZvantzev，sobbing。Butatthistimearingingsplashofwaterwasheardasthoughitgroanedwithfrightorwithastonishment。Fomashudderedandbecameasthoughpetrified。Thenrangoutthewild，deafeningshrieksofthewomen，andtheterror-strickenscreamsofmen，andallthefiguresontheraftremainedpetrifiedintheirplaces。AndFoma，staringatthewater，feltasthoughhereallywerepetrified。Inthewatersomethingblack，surroundedwithsplashes，wasfloatingtowardhim。

Ratherinstinctivelythanconsciously，Fomathrewhimselfwithhischestonthebeamsoftheraft，andstretchedouthishands，hisheadhangingdownoverthewater。Severalincrediblylongsecondspassed。Cold，wetarmsclaspedhisneckanddarkeyesflashedbeforehim。ThenheunderstoodthatitwasSasha。

Thedullhorror，whichhadsuddenlyseizedhim，vanished，replacednowbywild，rebelliousjoy。Havingdraggedthewomanoutofthewater，hegraspedherbythewaist，claspedhertohisbreast，and，notknowingwhattosaytoher，hestaredintohereyeswithastonishment。Shesmiledathimcaressingly。

"Iamcold，"saidSasha，softly，andquiveredineverylimb。

Fomalaughedgailyatthesoundofhervoice，liftedherintohisarmsandquickly，almostrunning，dashedacrosstheraftstotheshore。Shewaswetandcold，butherbreathingwashot，itburnedFoma\'scheekandfilledhisbreastwithwildjoy。

"Youwantedtodrownme？"saidshe，firmly，pressingclosetohim。"Itwasrathertooearly。Wait！"

"Howwellyouhavedoneit，"mutteredFoma，asheran。

"You\'reafine，bravefellow！Andyourdevicewasn\'tbad，either，thoughyouseemtobesopeaceable。"

"Andtheyarestillroaringthere，ha！ha！"

"Thedeviltakethem！Iftheyaredrowned，we\'llbesenttoSiberia，"saidthewoman，asthoughshewantedtoconsoleandencouragehimbythis。Shebegantoshiver，andtheshudderofherbody，feltbyFoma，madehimhastenhispace。

Sobsandcriesforhelpfollowedthemfromtheriver。There，ontheplacidwater，floatedinthetwilightasmallisland，withdrawingfromtheshoretowardthestreamofthemaincurrentoftheriver，andonthatlittleislanddarkhumanfigureswererunningabout。

Nightwasclosingdownuponthem。

CHAPTERIX

ONESundayafternoon，YakovTarasovichMayakinwasdrinkingteainhisgardenandtalkingtohisdaughter。Thecollarofhisshirtunbuttoned，atowelwoundroundhisneck，hesatonabenchunderacanopyofverdantcherry-trees，wavedhishandsintheair，wipedtheperspirationoffhisface，andincessantlypouredforthintotheairhisbriskspeech。

"Themanwhopermitshisbellytohavetheupperhandoverhimisafoolandarogue！Istherenothingbetterintheworldthaneatinganddrinking？Uponwhatwillyouprideyourselfbeforepeople，ifyouarelikeahog？"

Theoldman\'seyessparkledirritablyandangrily，hislipstwistedwithcontempt，andthewrinklesofhisgloomyfacequivered。

"IfFomaweremyownson，Iwouldhavemadeamanofhim！"

Playingwithanacaciabranch，Lubovmutelylistenedtoherfather\'swords，nowandthencastingacloseandsearchinglookinhisagitated，quiveringface。Growingolder，shechanged，withoutnoticingit，hersuspiciousandcoldrelationtowardtheoldman。Inhiswordsshenowbegantofindthesameideasthatwereinherbooks，andthiswonheroveronherfather\'sside，involuntarilycausingthegirltopreferhislivewordstothecoldlettersofthebook。Alwaysoverwhelmedwithbusinessaffairs，alwaysalertandclever，hewenthisownwayalone，andsheperceivedhissolitude，knewhowpainfulitwas，andherrelationstowardherfathergrewinwarmth。Attimessheevenenteredintoargumentswiththeoldman；healwaysregardedherremarkscontemptuouslyandsarcastically；butmoretenderlyandattentivelyfromtimetotime。

"IfthedeceasedIgnatcouldreadinthenewspapersoftheindecentlifehissonisleading，hewouldhavekilledFoma！"

saidMayakin，strikingthetablewithhisfists。"Howtheyhavewrittenitup！It\'sadisgrace！"

"Hedeservesit，"saidLubov。

"Idon\'tsayitwasdoneatrandom！They\'vebarkedathim，aswasnecessary。Andwhowasitthatgotintosuchafitofanger？"

"Whatdifferencedoesitmaketoyou？"askedthegirl。

"It\'sinterestingtoknow。HowcleverlytherascaldescribedFoma\'sbehaviour。Evidentlyhemusthavebeenwithhimandwitnessedalltheindecencyhimself。"

"Oh，no，hewouldn\'tgowithFomaonaspree！\'saidLubov，confidently，andblusheddeeplyatherfather\'ssearchinglook。

"So！Youhavefineacquaintances，Lubka！"saidMayakinwithhumorousbitterness。"Well，whowroteit？"

"Whatdoyouwishtoknowitfor，papa？"

"Come，tellme！"

Shehadnodesiretotell，buttheoldmanpersisted，andhisvoicewasgrowingmoreandmoredryandangry。Thensheaskedhimuneasily：

"Andyouwillnotdohimanyillforit？"

"I？Iwill——bitehisheadoff！Fool！WhatcanIdotohim？They，thesewriters，arenotafoolishlotandarethereforeapower——apower，thedevils！AndIamnotthegovernor，andevenhecannotputone\'shandoutofjointortieone\'stongue。Likemice，theygnawuslittlebylittle。Andwehavetopoisonthemnotwithmatches，butwithroubles。Yes！Well，whoisit？"

"Doyouremember，whenIwasgoingtoschool，aGymnasiumstudentusedtocomeuptous。Yozhov？Suchadarklittlefellow！"

"Mm！Ofcourse，Isawhim。Iknowhim。Soit\'she？"

"Yes。"

"Thelittlemouse！Evenatthattimeonecouldseealreadythatsomethingwrongwouldcomeoutofhim。Eventhenhestoodinthewayofotherpeople。Aboldboyhewas。Ishouldhavelookedafterhimthen。Perhaps，Imighthavemadeamanofhim。"

Lubovlookedatherfather，smiledinimically，andaskedhotly：

"Andisn\'thewhowritesfornewspapersaman？"

Foralongwhile，theoldmandidnotanswerhisdaughter。