第8章

Thoughtfully，hedrummedwithhisfingersagainstthetableandexaminedhisface，whichwasreflectedinthebrightlypolishedbrassofthesamovar。Thenheraisedhishead，winkedhiseyesandsaidimpressivelyandirritably：

"Theyarenotmen，theyaresores！ThebloodoftheRussianpeoplehasbecomemixed，ithasbecomemixedandspoiled，andfromthebadbloodhavecomeallthesebookandnewspaper-

writers，theseterriblePharisees。Theyhavebrokenouteverywhere，andtheyarestillbreakingout，moreandmore。

Whencecomesthisspoilingoftheblood？Fromslownessofmotion。

Whencethemosquitoes，forinstance？Fromtheswamp。Allsortsofuncleanlinessmultiplyinstagnantwaters。Thesameistrueofadisorderedlife。"

"Thatisn\'tright，papa！"saidLubov，softly。

"Whatdoyoumeanby——notright？"

"Writersarethemostunselfishpeople，theyarenoblepersonalities！Theydon\'twantanything——alltheystriveforisjustice——truth！They\'renotmosquitoes。"

Lubovgrewexcitedasshelaudedherbelovedpeople；herfacewasflushed，andhereyeslookedatherfatherwithsomuchfeeling，asthoughimploringhimtobelieveher，beingunabletoconvincehim。

"Eh，you！"saidtheoldman，withasigh，interruptingher。

"You\'vereadtoomuch！You\'vebeenpoisoned！Tellme——whoarethey？Nooneknows！ThatYozhov——whatishe？OnlyGodknows。Alltheywantisthetruth，yousay？Whatmodestpeopletheyare！Andsupposetruthistheverydearestthingthereis？Perhapseverybodyisseekingitinsilence？Believeme——mancannotbeunselfish。Manwillnotfightforwhatbelongsnottohim，andifhedoesfight——hisnameis\'fool，\'andheisofnousetoanybody。Amanmustbeabletostandupforhimself，forhisown，thenwillheattainsomething！Hereyouhaveit！Truth！HereI

havebeenreadingthesamenewspaperforalmostfortyyears，andIcanseewell——hereismyfacebeforeyou，andbeforeme，thereonthesamovarisagainmyface，butitisanotherface。Yousee，thesenewspapersgiveasamovarfacetoeverything，anddonotseetherealone。Andyetyoubelievethem。ButIknowthatmyfaceonthesamovarisdistorted。Noonecantelltherealtruth；

man\'sthroatistoodelicateforthis。Andthen，therealtruthisknowntonobody。"

"Papa！"exclaimedLubov，sadly，"Butinbooksandinnewspaperstheydefendthegeneralinterestsofallthepeople。"

"Andinwhatpaperisitwrittenthatyouarewearyoflife，andthatitwastimeforyoutogetmarried？So，thereyourinterestisnotdefended！Eh！You！Neitherisminedefended。WhoknowswhatIneed？Who，butmyself，understandsmyinterests？"

"No，papa，thatisn\'tright，thatisn\'tright！Icannotrefuteyou，butIfeelthatthisisn\'tright！"saidLubovalmostwithdespair。

"Itisright！"saidtheoldman，firmly。"Russiaisconfused，andthereisnothingsteadfastinit；everythingisstaggering！

Everybodylivesawry，everybodywalksononeside，there\'snoharmonyinlife。Allareyellingoutoftune，indifferentvoices。Andnotoneunderstandswhattheotherisinneedof！

Thereisamistovereverything——everybodyinhalesthatmist，andthat\'swhythebloodofthepeoplehasbecomespoiled——hencethesores。Manisgivengreatlibertytoreason，butisnotpermittedtodoanything——that\'swhymandoesnotlive；butrotsandstinks。"

"Whatoughtonetodo，then？"askedLubov，restingherelbowsonthetableandbendingtowardherfather。

"Everything！"criedtheoldman，passionately。"Doeverything。Goahead！Leteachmandowhateverheknowsbest！Butforthatlibertymustbegiventoman——completefreedom！Sincetherehascomeatime，wheneveryrawyouthbelievesthatheknowseverythingandwascreatedforthecompletearrangementoflife——

givehim，givetheroguefreedom！Here，Carrion，live！Come，come，live！Ah！Thensuchacomedywillfollow；feelingthathisbridleisoff，manwillthenrushuphigherthanhisears，andlikeafeatherwillflyhitherandthither。He\'llbelievehimselftobeamiracleworker，andthenhe\'llstarttoshowhisspirit。"

Theoldmanpausedawhileand，loweringhisvoice，wenton，withamalicioussmile：

"Butthereisverylittleofthatcreativespiritinhim！He\'llbristleupforadayortwo，stretchhimselfonallsides——andthepoorfellowwillsoongrowweak。Forhisheartisrotten——he，he，he！Here，he，he，he！Thedearfellowwillbecaughtbythereal，worthypeople，bythoserealpeoplewhoarecompetenttobetheactualcivilmasters，whowillmanagelifenotwitharodnorwithapen，butwithafingerandwithbrains。

"What，theywillsay。Haveyougrowntired，gentlemen？What，theywillsay，yourspleenscannotstandarealfire，canthey？So——

"and，raisinghisvoice，theoldmanconcludedhisspeechinanauthoritativetone：

"Well，then，now，yourabble，holdyourtongues，anddon\'tsqueak！Orwe\'llshakeyouofftheearth，likewormsfromatree！

Silence，dearfellows！Ha，ha，ha！That\'showit\'sgoingtohappen，Lubavka！He，he，he！"

Theoldmanwasinamerrymood。Hiswrinklesquivered，andcarriedawaybyhiswords，hetrembled，closedhiseyesnowandthen，andsmackedhislipsasthoughtastinghisownwisdom。

"Andthenthosewhowilltaketheupperhandintheconfusionwillarrangelifewisely，aftertheirownfashion。Thenthingswon\'tgoatrandom，butasifbyrote。It\'sapitythatweshallnotlivetoseeit！"

Theoldman\'swordsfelloneafteranotheruponLubovlikemeshesofabigstrongnet——theyfellandenmeshedher，andthegirl，unabletofreeherselffromthem，maintainedsilence，dizziedbyherfather\'swords。Staringintohisfacewithanintenselook，shesoughtsupportforherselfinhiswordsandheardinthemsomethingsimilartowhatshehadreadinbooks，andwhichseemedtohertherealtruth。Butthemalignant，triumphantlaughterofherfatherstungherheart，andthewrinkles，whichseemedtocreepaboutonhisfacelikesomanydarklittlesnakes，inspiredherwithacertainfearforherselfinhispresence。Shefeltthathewasturningherasidefromwhathadseemedsosimpleandsoeasyinherdreams。

"Papa！"shesuddenlyaskedtheoldman，inobediencetoathoughtandadesirethatunexpectedlyflashedthroughhermind。"Papa！

andwhatsortofaman——whatinyouropinionisTaras？"

Mayakinshuddered。Hiseyebrowsbegantomoveangrily，hefixedhiskeen，smalleyesonhisdaughter\'sfaceandaskedherdrily：

"Whatsortoftalkisthis？"

"Musthenotevenbementioned？"saidLubov，softlyandconfusedly。

Idon\'twanttospeakofhim——andIalsoadviseyounottospeakofhim！"——theoldmanthreatenedherwithhisfingerandloweredhisheadwithagloomyfrown。Butwhenhesaidthathedidnotwanttospeakofhisson，heevidentlydidnotunderstandhimselfcorrectly，forafteraminute\'ssilencehesaidsternlyandangrily：

"Taraska，too，isasore。Lifeisbreathinguponyou，milksops，andyoucannotdiscriminateitsgenuinescents，andyouswallowallsortsoffilth，whereforethereistroubleinyourheads。

That\'swhyyouarenotcompetenttodoanything，andyouareunhappybecauseofthisincompetence。Taraska。Yes。Hemustbeaboutfortynow。Heislosttome！Agalley-slave——isthatmyson？Ablunt-snoutedyoungpig。Hewouldnotspeaktohisfather，and——hestumbled。"

"Whatdidhedo？"askedLubov，eagerlylisteningtotheoldman\'swords。

"Whoknows？Itmaybethatnowhecannotunderstandhimself，ifhebecamesensible，andhemusthavebecomeasensibleman；he\'sthesonofafatherwho\'snotstupid，andthenhemusthavesufferednotalittle。Theycoddlethem，thenihilists！Theyshouldhaveturnedthemovertome。I\'dshowthemwhattodo。

Intothedesert！Intotheisolatedplaces——march！Come，now，mywisefellows，arrangelifethereaccordingtoyourownwill！Goahead！AndasauthoritiesoverthemI\'dstationtherobustpeasants。Well，now，honourablegentlemen，youweregiventoeatandtodrink，youweregivenaneducation——whathaveyoulearned？

Payyourdebts，pray。Yes，Iwouldnotspendabrokengroshonthem。Iwouldsqueezeallthepriceoutofthem——giveitup！Youmustnotsetamanatnaught。Itisnotenoughtoimprisonhim！

Youtransgressedthelaw，andareagentleman？Nevermind，youmustwork。Outofasingleseedcomesanearofcorn，andamanoughtnotbepermittedtoperishwithoutbeingofuse！Aneconomicalcarpenterfindsaplaceforeachandeverychipofwood——justsomusteverymanbeprofitablyusedup，andusedupentire，totheverylastvein。Allsortsoftrashhaveaplaceinlife，andmanisnevertrash。Eh！itisbadwhenpowerliveswithoutreason，norisitgoodwhenreasonliveswithoutpower。

TakeFomanow。Whoiscomingthere——givealook。"

Turningaround，Lubovnoticedthecaptainofthe"Yermak，"Yefim，comingalongthegardenpath。Hehadrespectfullyremovedhiscapandbowedtoher。Therewasahopelesslyguiltyexpressiononhisfaceandheseemedabashed。YakovTarasovichrecognizedhimand，instantlygrownalarmed，hecried：

"Whereareyoucomingfrom？Whathashappened？"

"I——Ihavecometoyou！"saidYefim，stoppingshortatthetable，withalowbow。

"Well，Isee，you\'vecometome。What\'sthematter？Where\'sthesteamer？"

"Thesteameristhere！"Yefimthrusthishandsomewhereintotheairandheavilyshiftedfromonefoottotheother。

"Whereisit，devil？Speakcoherently——whathashappened？"criedtheoldman，enraged。

"So——amisfortune，Yakov。"

"Haveyoubeenwrecked？"

"No，Godsavedus。"

"Burnedup？Well，speakmorequickly。"

Yefimdrewairintohischestandsaidslowly：

"BargeNo。9wassunk——smashedup。Oneman\'sbackwasbroken，andoneisaltogethermissing，sothathemusthavedrowned。Aboutfivemorewereinjured，butnotsoverybadly，thoughsomeweredisabled。"

"So-o！"drawledoutMayakin，measuringthecaptainwithanill-

omenedlook。

"Well，Yefimushka，I\'llstripyourskinoff"

"Itwasn\'tIwhodidit！"saidYefim，quickly。

"Notyou？"criedtheoldman，shakingwithrage。"Whothen？"

"Themasterhimself。"

"Foma？Andyou。Wherewereyou？"

"Iwaslyinginthehatchway。"

"Ah！Youwerelying。"

"Iwasboundthere。"

"Wha-at？"screamedtheoldmaninashrillvoice。

"Allowmetotellyoueverythingasithappened。Hewasdrunkandheshouted："\'Getaway！I\'lltakecommandmyself！\'Isaid\'I

can\'t！Iamthecaptain。\'\'Bindhim！\'saidhe。Andwhentheyhadboundme，theyloweredmeintothehatchway，withthesailors。

Andasthemasterwasdrunk，hewantedtohavesomefun。Afleetofboatswascomingtowardus。Sixemptybargestowedby\'Cheruigorez。\'SoFomaIgnatyichblockedtheirway。Theywhistled。Morethanonce。Imusttellthetruth——theywhistled！"

"Well？"

"Well，andtheycouldn\'tmanageit——thetwobargesinfrontcrashedintous。Andastheystruckthesideofourninth，weweresmashedtopieces。Andthetwobargeswerealsosmashed。Butwefaredmuchworse。"

Mayakinrosefromthechairandburstintojarring，angrylaughter。AndYefimsighed，and，outstretchinghishands，said：xxx"Hehasaveryviolentcharacter。Whenheissoberheissilentmostofthetime，andwalksaroundthoughtfully，butwhenhewetshisspringswithwine——thenhebreaksloose。Thenheisnotmasterofhimselfandofhisbusiness——buttheirwildenemy——

youmustexcuseme！AndIwanttoleave，YakovTarasovich！Iamnotusedtobeingwithoutamaster，Icannotlivewithoutamaster！"

"Keepquiet！"saidMayakin，sternly。"Where\'sFoma？"

"There；atthesameplace。Immediatelyaftertheaccident，hecametohimselfandatoncesentforworkmen。They\'llliftthebarge。Theymayhavestartedbythistime。"

"Ishetherealone？"askedMayakin，loweringhishead。

"Notquite，"repliedYefim，softly，glancingstealthilyatLubov。

"Really？"

"There\'saladywithhim。Adarkone。"

"So。"

"Itlooksasthoughthewomanisoutofherwits，"saidYefim，withasigh。"She\'sforeversinging。Shesingsverywell。It\'sverycaptivating。"

"Iamnotaskingyouabouther！"criedMayakin，angrily。Thewrinklesofhisfacewerepainfullyquivering，anditseemedtoLubovthatherfatherwasabouttoweep。

"Calmyourself，papa！"sheentreatedcaressingly。"Maybethelossisn\'tsogreat。"

"Notgreat？"criedYakovTarasovichinaringingvoice。"Whatdoyouunderstand，youfool？Isitonlythatthebargewassmashed？

Eh，you！Amanislost！That\'swhatitis！Andheisessentialtome！Ineedhim，dulldevilsthatyouare！"Theoldmanshookhisheadangrilyandwithbriskstepswalkedoffalongthegardenpathleadingtowardthehouse。

AndFomawasatthistimeaboutfourhundredverstsawayfromhisgodfather，inavillagehut，ontheshoreoftheVolga。Hehadjustawakenedfromsleep，andlyingonthefloor，onabedoffreshhay，inthemiddleofthehut，hegazedgloomilyoutofthewindowatthesky，whichwascoveredwithgray，scatteredclouds。

Thewindwastearingthemasunderanddrivingthemsomewhere；

heavyandweary，oneovertakinganother，theywerepassingacrosstheskyinanenormousflock。Nowformingasolidmass，nowbreakingintofragments，nowfallinglowovertheearth，insilentconfusion，nowagainrisingupward，oneswallowedbyanother。

Withoutmovinghishead，whichwasheavyfromintoxication，Fomalookedlongatthecloudsandfinallybegantofeelasthoughsilentcloudswerealsopassingthroughhisbreast，——passing，breathingadampcoldnessuponhisheartandoppressinghim。

Therewassomethingimpotentinthemotionofthecloudsacrossthesky。Andhefeltthesamewithinhim。Withoutthinking，hepicturedtohimselfallhehadgonethroughduringthepastmonths。Itseemedtohimasthoughhehadfallenintoaturbid，boilingstream，andnowhehadbeenseizedbydarkwaves，thatresembledthesecloudsinthesky；hadbeenseizedandcarriedawaysomewhere，evenasthecloudswerecarriedbythewind。Inthedarknessandthetumultwhichsurroundedhim，hesawasthoughthroughamistthatcertainotherpeoplewerehasteningtogetherwithhim——to-daynotthoseofyesterday，newoneseachday，yetalllookingalike——equallypitifulandrepulsive。

Intoxicated，noisy，greedy，theyflewabouthimasinawhirlwind，carousedathisexpense，abusedhim，fought，screamed，andevenweptmorethanonce。Andhebeatthem。Herememberedthatonedayhehadstrucksomebodyontheface，tornsomeone\'scoatoffandthrownitintothewaterandthatsomeonehadkissedhishandswithwet，coldlipsasdisgustingasfrogs。Hadkissedandwept，imploringhimnottokill。Certainfacesflashedthroughhismemory，certainsoundsandwordsranginit。Awomaninayellowsilkwaist，unfastenedatthebreast，hadsunginaloud，sobbingvoice：

"AndsoletuslivewhilewecanAndthen——e\'engrassmayceasetogrow。"

Allthesepeople，likehimself，grownwildandbeastlike，wereseizedbythesamedarkwaveandcarriedawaylikerubbish。Allthesepeople，likehimself，musthavebeenafraidtolookforwardtoseewhitherthispowerful，wildwavewascarryingthem。Anddrowningtheirfearinwine，theywererushingforwarddownthecurrentstruggling，shouting，doingsomethingabsurd，playingthefool，clamouring，clamouring，withouteverbeingcheerful。Hewasdoingthesame，whirlingintheirmidst。Andnowitseemedtohim，thathewasdoingallthisforfearofhimself，inordertopassthesoonerthisstripoflife，orinordernottothinkofwhatwouldbeafterward。

Amidtheburningturmoilofcarouses，inthecrowdofpeople，seizedbydebauchery，perplexedbyviolentpassions，half-crazyintheirlongingtoforgetthemselves——onlySashawascalmandcontained。Sheneverdranktointoxication，alwaysaddressedpeopleinafirm，authoritativevoice，andallhermovementswereequallyconfident，asthoughthisstreamhadnottakenpossessionofher，butshewasherselfmasteringitsviolentcourse。SheseemedtoFomathecleverestpersonofallthosethatsurroundedhim，andthemosteagerfornoiseandcarouse；sheheldthemallinhersway，foreverinventingsomethingnewandspeakinginoneandthesamemannertoeverybody；forthedriver，thelackeyandthesailorshehadthesametoneandthesamewordsasforherfriendsandforFoma。ShewasyoungerandprettierthanPelageya，buthercaressesweresilent，cold。Fomaimaginedthatdeepinherheartshewasconcealingfromeverybodysomethingterrible，thatshewouldneverloveanyone，neverrevealherselfentire。

Thissecrecyinthewomanattractedhimtowardherwithafeelingoftimorouscuriosity，ofagreat，strainedinterestinhercalm，coldsoul，whichseemedevenasdarkashereyes。

SomehowFomasaidtoheroneday：

"ButwhatpilesofmoneyyouandIhavesquandered！"

Sheglancedathim，andasked：

"Andwhyshouldwesaveit？"

"Indeed，why？"thoughtFoma，astonishedbythefactthatshereasonedsosimply。

"Whoareyou？"heaskedheratanotheroccasion。

"Why，haveyouforgottenmyname？"

"Well，theidea！"

"Whatdoyouwishtoknowthen？"

"Iamaskingyouaboutyourorigin。"

"Ah！IamanativeoftheprovinceofYaroslavl。I\'mfromOoglich。Iwasaharpist。Well，shallItastesweetertoyou，nowthatyouknowwhoIam？"

"DoIknowit？"askedFoma，laughing。

"Isn\'tthatenoughforyou？Ishalltellyounothingmoreaboutit。Whatfor？Weallcomefromthesameplace，bothpeopleandbeasts。AndwhatistherethatIcantellyouaboutmyself？Andwhatfor？Allthistalkisnonsense。Let\'sratherthinkalittleastohowweshallpasstheday。"

Onthatdaytheytookatriponasteamer，withanorchestraofmusic，drankchampagne，andeveryoneofthemgotterriblydrunk。

Sashasangapeculiar，wonderfullysadsong，andFoma，movedbyhersinging，weptlikeachild。Thenhedancedwithherthe"Russiandance，"andfinally，perspiringandfatigued，threwhimselfoverboardinhisclothesandwasnearlydrowned。

Now，recallingallthisandagreatdealmore，hefeltashamedofhimselfanddissatisfiedwithSasha。Helookedatherwell-shapedfigure，heardherevenbreathingandfeltthathedidnotlovethiswoman，andthatshewasunnecessarytohim。Certaingray，oppressivethoughtswereslowlyspringingupinhisheavy，achinghead。Itseemedtohimasthougheverythinghehadlivedthroughduringthistimewastwistedwithinhimintoaheavyandmoistball，andthatnowthisballwasrollingaboutinhisbreast，unwindingitselfslowly，andthethingraycordswerebindinghim。

"Whatisgoingoninme？"hethought。"I\'vebeguntocarouse。

Why？Idon\'tknowhowtolive。Idon\'tunderstandmyself。WhoamI？"

Hewasastonishedbythisquestion，andhepausedoverit，attemptingtomakeitcleartohimself——whyhewasunabletoliveasfirmlyandconfidentlyasotherpeopledo。Hewasnowstillmoretortured。byconscience。Moreuneasyatthisthought，hetossedaboutonthehayandirritated，pushedSashawithhiselbow。

"Becareful！"saidshe，althoughnearlyasleep。

"It\'sallright。You\'renotsuchaladyofquality！"mutteredFoma。

"What\'sthematterwithyou？"

"Nothing。"

Sheturnedherbacktohim，andsaidlazily，withalazyyawn：

"IdreamedthatIbecameaharpistagain。ItseemedtomethatI

wassingingasolo，andoppositemestoodabig，dirtydog，snarlingandwaitingformetofinishthesong。AndIwasafraidofthedog。AndIknewthatitwoulddevourme，assoonasI

stoppedsinging。SoIkeptsinging，singing。Andsuddenlyitseemedmyvoicefailedme。Horrible！Andthedogisgnashinghisteeth。0hLord，havemercyonme！Whatdoesitmean？"

"Stopyouridletalk！"Fomainterruptedhersternly。"Youbettertellmewhatyouknowaboutme。"

"Iknow，forinstance，thatyouareawakenow，"sheanswered，withoutturningtohim。

"Awake？That\'strue。I\'veawakened，"saidFoma，thoughtfullyand，throwinghisarmbehindhishead，wenton："That\'swhyIamaskingyou。WhatsortofmandoyouthinkIam？"

"Amanwithadrunkenheadache，"answeredSasha，yawning。

"Aleksandra！"exclaimedFoma，beseechingly，"don\'ttalknonsense！

Tellmeconscientiously，whatdoyouthinkofme？"

"Idon\'tthinkanything！"shesaiddrily。"Whyareyoubotheringmewithnonsense？"

"Isthisnonsense？"saidFoma，sadly。"Eh，youdevils！Thisistheprincipalthing。Themostessentialthingtome。"

Heheavedadeepsighandbecamesilent。Afteraminute\'ssilence，Sashabegantospeakinherusual，indifferentvoice：

"Tellhimwhoheis，andwhyheissuchasheis？Didyoueversee！Isitpropertoasksuchquestionsofourkindofwomen？AndonwhatgroundshouldIthinkabouteachandeveryman？Ihavenoteventimetothinkaboutmyself，and，perhaps，Idon\'tfeellikedoingitatall。"

Fomalaugheddrilyandsaid：

"IwishIwerelikethis——andhadnodesiresforanything。"

Thenthewomanraisedherheadfromthepillow，lookedintoFoma\'sfaceandlaydownagain，saying：

"Youaremusingtoomuch。Lookout——nogoodwillcomeofittoyou。Icannottellyouanythingaboutyourself。Itisimpossibletosayanythingtrueaboutaman。Whocanunderstandhim？Mandoesnotknowhimself。Well，here，I\'lltellyou——youarebetterthanothers。Butwhatofit？"

"AndinwhatwayamIbetter？"askedFoma，thoughtfully。

"So！Whenonesingsagoodsong——youweep。Whenonedoessomemeanthing——youbeathim。Withwomenyouaresimple，youarenotimpudenttothem。Youarepeaceable。Andyoucanalsobedaring，sometimes。"

YetallthisdidnotsatisfyFoma。

"You\'renottellingmetherightthing！"saidhe，softly。

"Well，Idon\'tknowwhatyouwant。Butseehere，whatarewegoingtodoaftertheyhaveraisedthebarge？"

"Whatcanwedo？"askedFoma。

"ShallwegotoNizhniortoKazan？"

"Whatfor？"

Tocarouse。"

"1don\'twanttocarouseanymore。"

"Whatelseareyougoingtodo？"

"What？Nothing。"

Andbothweresilentforalongtime，withoutlookingateachother。

"Youhaveadisagreeablecharacter，"saidSasha，"awearisomecharacter。"

"ButneverthelessIwon\'tgetdrunkanymore！"saidFoma，firmlyandconfidently。

"Youarelying！"retortedSasha，calmly。

"You\'llsee！Whatdoyouthink——isitgoodtoleadsuchalifeasthis？"

"I\'llsee。"

"No，justtellme——isitgood？"

"Butwhatisbetter？"

Fomalookedatheraskanceand，irritated，said：

"Whatrepulsivewordsyouspeak。"

"Well，hereagainIhaven\'tpleasedhim！"saidSasha，laughing。

"Whatafinecrowd！"saidFoma，painfullywrinklinghisface。

"They\'reliketrees。Theyalsolive，buthow？Nooneunderstands。

Theyarecrawlingsomewhere。Andcangivenoaccounteithertothemselvesortoothers。Whenthecockroachcrawls，heknowswhitherandwhereforehewantstogo？Andyou？Whitherareyougoing？"

"Holdon！"Sashainterruptedhim，andaskedhimcalmly："Whathaveyoutodowithme？Youmaytakefrommeallthatyouwant，butdon\'tyoucreepintomysoul！"

"Intoyourso-o-ul！"Fomadrawledout，withcontempt。"Intowhatsoul？He，he！"

Shebegantopacetheroom，gatheringtogethertheclothesthatwerescatteredeverywhere。Fomawatchedherandwasdispleasedbecauseshedidnotgetangryathimforhiswordsabouthersoul。Herfacelookedcalmandindifferent，asusual，buthewishedtoseeherangryoroffended；hewishedforsomethinghumanfromthewoman。

"Thesoul！"heexclaimed，persistinginhisaim。"Canonewhohasasoulliveasyoulive？Asoulhasfireburninginit，thereisasenseofshameinit。"

Bythistimeshewassittingonabench，puttingonherstockings，butathiswordssheraisedherheadandsternlyfixedhereyesuponhisface。

"Whatareyoustaringat？"askedFoma。

"Whydoyouspeakthatway？"saidshe，withoutliftinghereyesfromhim。

"BecauseImust。"

"Lookout——mustyoureally？"

Therewassomethingthreateninginherquestion。Fomafeltintimidatedandsaid，thistimewithoutprovocationinhisvoice：

"HowcouldIhelpspeaking？"

"Oh，you！"sighedSashaandresumeddressingherself"Andwhataboutme？"

"Merelyso。Youseemasthoughyouwerebornoftwofathers。DoyouknowwhatIhaveobservedamongpeople？"

"Well？"

"Ifamancannotanswerforhimself，itmeansthatheisafraidofhimself，thathispriceisagrosh！"

"Doyourefertome？"askedFoma，afterapause。

"Toyou，too。"

Shethrewapinkmorninggownoverhershouldersand，standinginthecentreoftheroom，stretchedoutherhandtowardFoma，wholayatherfeet，andsaidtohiminalow，dullvoice：

"Youhavenorighttospeakaboutmysoul。Youhavenothingtodowithit！Andthereforeholdyourtongue！Imayspeak！IfI

please，Icouldtellsomethingtoallofyou。Eh，howIcouldtellit！Only，——whowilldaretolistentome，ifIshouldspeakatthetopofmyvoice？AndIhavesomewordsaboutyou，——they\'relikehammers！AndIcouldknockyouallonyourheadssothatyouwouldloseyourwits。Andalthoughyouareallrascals——youcannotbecuredbywords。Youshouldbeburnedinthefire——justasfrying-pansareburnedoutonthefirstMondayofLent。"

Raisingherhandssheabruptlyloosenedherhair，andwhenitfelloverhershouldersinheavy，blacklocks——thewomanshookherheadhaughtilyandsaid，withcontempt：

"NevermindthatIamleadingalooselife！Itoftenhappens，thatthemanwholivesinfilthispurerthanhewhogoesaboutinsilks。IfyouonlyknewwhatIthinkofyou，youdogs，whatwrathIbearagainstyou！Andbecauseofthiswrath——Iamsilent！

ForIfearthatifIshouldsingittoyou——mysoulwouldbecomeempty。Iwouldhavenothingtoliveon。"Fomalookedather，andnowhewaspleasedwithher。Inherwordstherewassomethingakintohisframeofmind。Laughing，hesaidtoher，withsatisfactiononhisfaceandinhisvoice：

"AndIalsofeelthatsomethingisgrowingwithinmysoul。Eh，I

tooshallhavemysay，whenthetimecomes。"

"Againstwhom？"askedSasha，carelessly。

"I——againsteverybody！"exclaimedFoma，jumpingtohisfeet。

"Againstfalsehood。Ishallask——"

"Askwhetherthesamovarisready，"Sashaorderedindifferently。

Fomaglancedatherandcried，enraged：

"Gotothedevil！Askyourself。"

"Well，allright，Ishall。Whatareyousnarlingabout？"

Andshesteppedoutofthehut。

Inpiercingguststhewindblewacrosstheriver，strikingagainstitsbosom，andcoveredwithtroubleddarkwaves，theriverwasspasmodicallyrushingtowardthewindwithanoisysplash，andallinthefrothofwrath。Thewillowbushesontheshorebentlowtotheground——trembling，theynowwereabouttoliedownontheground，now，frightened，theythrustthemselvesawayfromit，drivenbytheblowsofthewind。Intheairrangawhistling，ahowling，andadeepgroaningsound，thatburstfromdozensofhumanbreasts：

"Itgoes——itgoes——itgoes！"

Thisexclamation，abruptasablow，andheavyasthebreathfromanenormousbreast，whichissuffocatingfromexertion，wassoaringovertheriver，fallinguponthewaves，asifencouragingtheirmadplaywiththewind，andtheystrucktheshoreswithmight。

Twoemptybargeslayanchoredbythemountainousshore，andtheirtallmasts，risingskyward，rockedincommotionfromsidetoside，asthoughdescribingsomeinvisiblepatternintheair。Thedecksofbothbargeswereencumberedwithscaffolds，builtofthickbrownbeams；hugesheaveswerehangingeverywhere；chainsandropeswerefastenedtothem，androckingintheair；thelinksofthechainswerefaintlyclanging。Athrongofpeasantsinblueandinredblousespulledalargebeamacrossthedockand，heavilystampingtheirfeet，groanedwithfullchest：

"Itgoes——itgoes——itgoes！"

Hereandtherehumanfiguresclungtothescaffoldings，likebiglumpsofblueandred；thewind，blowingtheirblousesandtheirtrousers，gavethemenoddforms，makingthemappearnowhump-

backed，nowroundandpuffeduplikebladders。Thepeopleonthescaffoldsandonthedecksofthebargesweremakingfast，hewing，sawing，drivinginnails；andbigarms，withshirtsleevesrolleduptotheelbowswereseeneverywhere。Thewindscatteredsplintersofwood，andavaried，lively，brisknoiseintheair；thesawgnawedthewood，chokingwithwickedjoy；thebeams，woundedbytheaxes，moanedandgroaneddrily；theboardscrackedsicklyastheysplitfromtheblowstheyreceived；thejointersqueakedmaliciously。Theironclinkingofthechainsandthegroaningcreakingofthesheavesjoinedthewrathfulroaringofthewaves，andthewindhowledloudly，scatteringovertheriverthenoiseoftoilanddrovethecloudsacrossthesky。

"Mishka-a！Thedeucetakeyou！"criedsomeonefromthetopofthescaffolding。Andfromthedeck，alarge-formedpeasant，withhisheadthrownupward，answered：

"Wh-a-at？"Andthewind，playingwithhislong，flaxenbeard，flungitintohisface。

"Handustheend。"

Aresoundingbassoshoutedasthroughaspeaking-trumpet：

"Seehowyou\'vefastenedthisboard，youblinddevil？Can\'tyousee？I\'llrubyoureyesforyou！"

"Pull，myboys，comeon！"

"Oncemore——brave——boys！"criedoutsomeoneinaloud，beseechingvoice。

Handsomeandstately，inashortclothjacketandhighboots，Fomastood，leaninghisbackagainstamast，andstrokinghisbeardwithhistremblinghand，admiredthedaringworkofthepeasants。Thenoiseabouthimcalledforthinhimapersistentdesiretoshout，toworktogetherwiththepeasants，tohewwood，tocarryburdens，tocommand——tocompeleverybodytopayattentiontohim，andtoshowthemhisstrength，hisskill，andthelivesoulwithinhim。Butherestrainedhimself。Andstandingspeechless，motionless，hefeltashamedandafraidofsomething。

Hewasembarrassedbythefactthathewasmasterovereverybodythere，andthatifheweretostarttoworkhimself，noonewouldbelievethathewasworkingmerelytosatisfyhisdesire，andnottospurthemonintheirwork；tosetthemanexample。Andthen，thepeasantsmightlaughathim，inallprobability。

Afairandcurly-headedfellow，withhisshirtcollarunbuttoned，wasnowandagainrunningpasthim，nowcarryingalogonhisshoulder，nowanaxeinhishands；hewasskippingalong，likeafrolicsomegoat，scatteringabouthimcheerful，ringinglaughter，jests，violentoaths，andworkingunceasingly，nowassistingone，nowanother，ashewascleverlyandquicklyrunningacrossthedeck，whichwasobstructedwithtimberandshavings。Fomawatchedhimclosely，andenviedthismerryfellow，whowasradiantwithsomethinghealthyandinspiring。

"Evidentlyheishappy，"thoughtFoma，andthisthoughtprovokedinhimakeen，piercingdesiretoinsulthimsomehow，toembarrasshim。Allthoseabouthimwereseizedwiththezestofpressingwork，allwereunanimouslyandhastilyfasteningthescaffoldings，arrangingthepulleys，preparingtoraisethesunkenbargefromthebottomoftheriver；allweresoundandmerry——theyalllived。Whilehestoodalone，asidefromthem，notknowingwhattodo，notknowinghowtodoanything，feelinghimselfsuperfluoustothisgreattoil。Itvexedhimtofeelthathewassuperfluousamongmen，andthemorecloselyhewatchedthem，themoreintensewasthisvexation。Andhewasstungmostbythethoughtthatallthiswasbeingdoneforhim。Andyethewasoutofplacethere。

"Whereismyplace，then？"hethoughtgloomily。"Whereismywork？AmI，then，somedeformedbeing？Ihavejustasmuchstrengthasanyofthem。Butofwhatuseisittome？"Thechainsclanged，thepulleysgroaned，theblowsoftheaxesresoundedloudovertheriver，andthebargesrockedfromtheshocksofthewaves，buttoFomaitseemedthathewasrockingnotbecausethebargewasrockingunderhisfeet，butratherbecausehewasnotabletostandfirmlyanywhere，hewasnotdestinedtodoso。

Thecontractor，asmall-sizedpeasantwithasmallpointedgraybeard，andwithnarrowlittleeyesonhisgraywrinkledface，cameuptohimandsaid，notloud，butpronouncinghiswordswithacertainmthebottomoftheriver。Hewishedthattheymightnotsucceed，thattheymightfeelembarrassedinhispresence，andawickedthoughtflashedthroughhismind：

"Perhapsthechainswillbreak。"

"Boys！Attention！"shoutedthecontractor。"Startalltogether。

Godblessus！"Andsuddenly，claspinghishandsintheair，hecriedinashrillvoice：

"Let——her——go-o-o！"

Thelabourerstookuphisshout，andallcriedoutinonevoice，withexcitementandexertion：

"Lethergo！Shemoves。"

Thepulleyssqueakedandcreaked，thechainsclanked，strainedundertheheavyweightthatsuddenlyfelluponthem；andthelabourers，bracingtheirchestsagainstthehandleofthewindlasses，roaredandtrampedheavily。Thewavessplashednoisilybetweenthebargesasthoughunwillingtogiveuptheirprizetothemen。EverywhereaboutFoma，chainsandropeswerestretchedandtheyquiveredfromthestrain——theywerecreepingsomewhereacrossthedeck，pasthisfeet，likehugegrayworms；

theywereliftedupward，linkafterlink，fallingbackwitharattlingnoise，andallthesesoundsweredrownedbythedeafeningroaringofthelabourers。

"Itgoes，itgoes，itgoes，"theyallsanginunison，triumphantly。Buttheringingvoiceofthecontractorpiercedthedeepwaveoftheirvoices，andcutitevenasaknifecutsbread。

"Myboys！Goahead，allatonce，allatonce。"

Fomawasseizedwithastrangeemotion；passionatelyhenowlongedtominglewiththisexcitedroaringofthelabourers，whichwasasbroadandaspowerfulastheriver——toblendwiththisirritating，creaking，squeaking，clangingofironandturbulentsplashingofwaves。Perspirationcameoutonhisfacefromtheintensityofhisdesire，andsuddenlypalefromagitation，hetorehimselfawayfromthemast，andrushedtowardthewindlasseswithbigstrides。

"Allatonce！Atonce！"hecriedinafiercevoice。Whenhereachedtheleverofthewindlass，hedashedhischestagainstitwithallhismight，andnotfeelingthepain，hebegantogoaroundthewindlass，roaring，andfirmlystampinghisfeetagainstthedeck。Somethingpowerfulandburningrushedintohisbreast，replacingtheeffortswhichhespentwhileturningthewindlass-lever！Inexpressiblejoyragedwithinhimandforceditselfoutsideinanagitatedcry。Itseemedtohimthathealone，thatonlyhisstrengthwasturningthelever，thusraisingtheweight，andthathisstrengthwasgrowingandgrowing。

Stooping，andloweringhishead，likeabullhemassedthepoweroftheweight，whichthrewhimback，butyieldedtohim，nevertheless。Eachstepforwardexcitedhimthemore，eachexpendedeffortwasimmediatelyreplacedinhimbyafloodofburningandvehementpride。Hisheadreeled，hiseyeswereblood-

shot，hesawnothing，heonlyfeltthattheywereyieldingtohim，thathewouldsoonconquer，thathewouldoverthrowwithhisstrengthsomethinghugewhichobstructedhisway——wouldoverthrow，conquerandthenbreatheeasilyandfreely，fullofprouddelight。Forthefirsttimeinhislifeheexperiencedsuchapowerful，spiritualizingsensation，andhedrankitwithallthestrengthofahungry，thirstysoul；hewasintoxicatedbyitandhegaveventtohisjoyinloud，exultingcriesinunisonwiththeworkers：

"Itgoes——itgoes——itgoes。"

"Holdon！Fasten！Holdon，boys！"

SomethingdashedagainstFoma\'schest，andhewashurledbackward。

"Icongratulateyouonasuccessfulresult，FomaIgnatyich！"thecontractorcongratulatedhimandthewrinklesquiveredonhisfaceincheerfulbeams。

"ThankGod！Youmustbequitetirednow？"

ColdwindblewinFoma\'sface。Acontented，boastfulbustlewasintheairabouthim；swearingatoneanotherinafriendlyway，merry，withsmilesontheirperspiringbrows，thepeasantsapproachedhimandsurroundedhimclosely。Hesmiledinembarrassment：theexcitementwithinhimhadnotyetcalmeddownandthishinderedhimfromunderstandingwhathadhappenedandwhyallthosewhosurroundedhimweresomerryandcontented。

"We\'veraisedahundredandseventythousandpudsasifwepluckedaradishfromagarden-bed！"saidsomeone。

"Weoughttogetavedroofwhiskyfromourmaster。"

Foma，standingonaheapofcable，lookedovertheheadsoftheworkersandsaw；betweenthebarges，sidebysidewiththem，stoodathirdbarge，black，slippery，damaged，wrappedinchains。

Itwaswarpedallover，itseemedasthoughitswelledfromsometerriblediseaseand，impotent，clumsy，itwassuspendedbetweenitscompanions，leaningagainstthem。Itsbrokenmaststoodoutmournfullyinthecentre；reddishstreamsofwater，likeblood，wererunningacrossthedeck，whichwascoveredwithstainsofrust。Everywhereonthedecklayheapsofiron，ofblack，wetstumpsofwood，andofropes。

"Raised？"askedFoma，notknowingwhattosayatthesightofthisugly，heavymass，andagainfeelingoffendedatthethoughtthatmerelyforthesakeofraisingthisdirty，bruisedmonsterfromthewater，hissoulhadfoamedupwithsuchjoy。

"How\'sthebarge？"askedFoma，indefinitely，addressingthecontractor。

"It\'sprettygood！Wemustunloadrightaway，andputacompanyofabouttwentycarpenterstoworkonit——they\'llbringitquicklyintoshapeI"saidthecontractorinaconsolingtone。

Andthelight-hairedfellow，gailyandbroadlysmilingintoFoma\'sface，asked：

"Arewegoingtohaveanyvodka？"

"Can\'tyouwait？Youhavetime！"saidthecontractor，sternly。

"Don\'tyousee——themanistired。"

Thenthepeasantsbegantospeak：

"Ofcourse，heistired！

"Thatwasn\'teasywork！"

"Ofcourse，onegetstiredifheisn\'tusedtowork。"

"Itisevenhardtoeatgruelifyouarenotusedtoit。"

"Iamnottired，"saidFoma，gloomily，andagainwereheardtherespectfulexclamationsofthepeasants，astheysurroundedhimmoreclosely。

"Work，ifonelikesit，isapleasantthing。"

"It\'sjustlikeplay。"

"It\'slikeplayingwithawoman。"

Butthelight-hairedfellowpersistedinhisrequest：

"YourHonour！Yououghttotreatustoavedroofvodka，eh？"hesaid，smilingandsighing。

Fomalookedatthebeardedfacesbeforehimandfeltlikesayingsomethingoffensivetothem。Butsomehoweverythingbecameconfusedinhisbrain，hefoundnothoughtsinitand，finally，withoutgivinghimselfanaccountofhiswords，saidangrily：

"Allyouwantistodrinkallthetime！Itmakesnodifferencetoyouwhatyoudo！Youshouldhavethought——why？towhatpurpose？

Eh，you！"

Therewasanexpressionofperplexityonthefacesofthosethatsurroundedhim，blueandred，beardedfiguresbegantosigh，scratchthemselves，shiftthemselvesfromonefoottoanother。

OtherscastahopelessglanceatFomaandturnedaway。

"Yes，yes！"saidthecontractor，withasigh。"Thatwouldn\'tharm！Thatis——tothink——whyandhow。Thesearewordsofwisdom。"

Thelight-hairedfellowhadadifferentopiniononthematter；

smilingkind-heartedly，hewavedhishandandsaid：

"Wedon\'thavetothinkoverourwork！Ifwehaveit——wedoit！

Ourbusinessissimple！Whenaroubleisearned——thankGod！wecandoeverything。"

"Anddoyouknowwhat\'snecessarytodo？"questionedFoma，irritatedbythecontradiction。

"Everythingisnecessary——thisandthat。"

"Butwhere\'sthesense？"

"There\'sbutoneandthesamesenseineverythingforourclass——

whenyouhaveearnedforbreadandtaxes——live！Andwhenthere\'ssomethingtodrink，intothebargain。"

"Eh，you！"exclaimedFoma，withcontempt。"You\'realsotalking！

Whatdoyouunderstand？"

"Isitourbusinesstounderstand？"saidthelight-hairedfellow，withanodofthehead。ItnowboredhimtospeaktoFoma。Hesuspectedthathewasunwillingtotreatthemtovodkaandhewassomewhatangry。

"That\'sit！"saidFoma，instructively，pleasedthatthefellowyieldedtohim，andnotnoticingthecross，sarcasticglances。

"Andhewhounderstandsfeelsthatitisnecessarytodoeverlastingwork！"

"Thatis，forGod！"explainedthecontractor，eyeingthepeasants，andadded，withadevoutsigh：

"That\'strue。Oh，howtruethatis！"

AndFomawasinspiredwiththedesiretosaysomethingcorrectandimportant，afterwhichthesepeoplemightregardhiminadifferentlight，forhewasdispleasedwiththefactthatall，savethelight-hairedfellow，keptsilentandlookedathimaskance，surlily，withsuchweary，gloomyeyes。

"Itisnecessarytodosuchwork，"hesaid，movinghiseyebrows。

"Suchworkthatpeoplemaysayathousandyearshence：\'ThiswasdonebythepeasantsofBogorodsk——yes！

Thelight-hairedfellowglancedatFomawithastonishmentandasked：

"Arewe，perhaps，todrinktheVolgadry？"Thenhesniffedand，noddinghishead，announced："Wecan\'tdothat——weshouldallburst。"

Fomabecameconfusedathiswordsandlookedabouthim；thepeasantsweresmilingmorosely，disdainfully，sarcastically。Andthesesmilesstunghimlikeneedles。Aserious-lookingpeasant，withabiggraybeard，whohadnotyetopenedhismouthuptothattime，suddenlyopeneditnow，cameclosertoFomaandsaidslowly：

"AndevenifweweretodrinktheVolgadry，andeatupthatmountain，intothebargain——thattoowouldbeforgotten，yourHonour。Everythingwillbeforgotten。Lifeislong。Itisnotforustodosuchdeedsaswouldstandoutaboveeverythingelse。Butwecanputupscaffoldings——thatwecan！"

Hespokeandscepticallyspittingathisfeet，indifferentlywalkedofffromFoma，andslippedintothecrowd，asawedgeintoatree。HiswordscrushedFomacompletely；hefelt，thatthepeasantsconsideredhimstupidandridiculous。Andinordertosavehisimportanceasmasterintheireyes，toattractagainthenowexhaustedattentionofthepeasantstohimself，hebristledup，comicallypuffeduphischeeksandblurtedoutinanimpressivevoice：

"Imakeyouapresentofthreebucketsofvodka。"

Briefspeecheshavealwaysthemostmeaningandarealwaysapttoproduceastrongimpression。ThepeasantsrespectfullymadewayforFoma，makinglowbowstohim，and，smilingmerrilyandgratefully，thankedhimforhisgenerosityinaunanimousroarofapproval。

"Takemeovertotheshore，"saidFoma，feelingthattheexcitementthathadjustbeenarousedinhimwouldnotlastlong。

Awormwasgnawinghisheart，andhewasweary。

"Ifeeldisgusted！"hesaid，enteringthehutwhereSasha，inasmart，pinkgown，wasbustlingaboutthetable，arrangingwinesandrefreshments。"Ifeeldisgusted，Aleksandra！Ifyoucouldonlydosomethingwithme，eh？"

Shelookedathimattentivelyand，seatingherselfonthebench，shouldertoshoulderwithhim，said：

"Sinceyoufeeldisgusted——itmeansthatyouwantsomething。Whatisityouwant？"

"Idon\'tknow！"repliedFoma，noddinghisheadmournfully。

"Thinkofit——search。"

"Iamunabletothink。Nothingcomesoutofmythinking。"

"Eh，you，mychild！"saidSasha，softlyanddisdainfully，movingawayfromhim。"Yourheadissuperfluoustoyou。"

Fomaneithercaughthertonenornoticedhermovement。Leaninghishandsagainstthebench，hebentforward，lookedatthefloor，and，swayinghisbodytoandfro，said：

"SometimesIthinkandthink——andthewholesoulisstuckroundwiththoughtsaswithtar。Andsuddenlyeverythingdisappears，withoutleavinganytrace。Thenitisdarkinthesoulasinacellar——dark，dampandempty——thereisnothingatallinit！Itiseventerrible——IfeelthenasthoughIwerenotaman，butabottomlessravine。YouaskmewhatIwant？"

Sashalookedathimaskanceandpensivelybegantosingsoftly：

"Eh，whenthewindblows——mistcomesfromthesea。"

"Idon\'twanttocarouse——itisrepulsive！Alwaysthesame——thepeople，theamusements，thewine。WhenIgrowmalicious——I\'dthrasheverybody。Iamnotpleasedwithmen——whatarethey？Itisimpossibletounderstandthem——whydotheykeeponliving？Andwhentheyspeakthetruth——towhomarewetolisten？Onesaysthis，anotherthat。WhileI——Icannotsayanything。"

"Eh，withoutthee，dear，mylifeisweary，"

sangSasha，staringatthewallbeforeher。AndFomakeptonrockingandsaid：

"TherearetimeswhenIfeelguiltybeforemen。Everybodylives，makesnoise，whileIamfrightened，staggered——asifIdidnotfeeltheearthunderme。Wasit，perhaps，mymotherthatendowedmewithapathy？Mygodfathersaysthatshewasascoldasice——

thatshewasforeveryearningtowardssomething。Iamalsoyearning。TowardmenIamyearning。I\'dliketogotothemandsay：\'Brethren，helpme！Teachme！Iknownothowtolive！。AndifIamguilty——forgiveme！\'Butlookingabout，Iseethere\'snoonetospeakto。Noonewantsit——theyareallrascals！AnditseemstheyareevenworsethanIam。ForIam，atleast，ashamedoflivingasIam，whiletheyarenot！Theygoon。"

Fomautteredsomeviolent，unbecominginvectivesandbecamesilent。Sashabrokeoffhersongandmovedstillfartherawayfromhim。Thewindwasragingoutsidethewindow，hurlingdustagainstthewindow-panes。Cockroacheswererustlingontheovenastheycrawledoverabunchofpinewoodsplinters。Somewhereintheyardacalfwaslowingpitifully。

SashaglancedatFoma，withasarcasticsmile，andsaid：

"There\'sanotherunfortunatecreaturelowing。Yououghttogotohim；perhapsyoucouldsinginunison。Andplacingherhandonhiscurlyheadshejestinglypusheditontheside。

"Whatarepeoplelikeyourselfgoodfor？That\'swhatyououghttothinkof。Whatareyougroaningabout？Youaredisgustedwithbeingidle——occupyyourself，then，withbusiness。"

"0hLord！"Fomanoddedhishead。"Itishardforonetomakehimselfunderstood。Yes，itishard！"Andirritated，healmostcriedout："Whatbusiness？Ihavenoyearningtowardbusiness！

Whatisbusiness？Businessismerelyaname——andifyoushouldlookintothedepth，intotherootofit——you\'llfinditisnothingbutabsurdity！DoInotunderstandit？Iunderstandeverything，Iseeeverything，Ifeeleverything！Onlymytongueisdumb。Whataimisthereinbusiness？Money？Ihaveplentyofit！Icouldchokeyoutodeathwithit，coveryouwithit。Allthisbusinessisnothingbutfraud。Imeetbusinesspeople——well，andwhataboutthem？Theirgreedinessisimmense，andyettheypurposelywhirlaboutinbusinessthattheymightnotseethemselves。Theyhidethemselves，thedevils。Trytofreethemfromthisbustle——whatwillhappen？Likeblindmentheywillgropeabouthitherandthither；they\'lllosetheirmind——they\'llgomad！Iknowit！Doyouthinkthatbusinessbringshappinessintoman？No，that\'snotso——somethingelseismissinghere。Thisisnoteverythingyet！Theriverflowsthatmenmaysailonit；

thetreegrows——tobeuseful；thedog——toguardthehouse。Thereisjustificationforeverythingintheworld！Andmen，likecockroaches，arealtogethersuperfluousonearth。Everythingisforthem，andthey——whataretheyfor？Aha！Whereinistheirjustification？Ha，ha，ha！"

Fomawastriumphant。Itseemedtohimthathehadfoundsomethinggoodforhimself，somethingsevereagainstmen。Andfeelingthat，becauseofthis，therewasgreatjoyinhim，helaughedloudly。

"Doesnotyourheadache？"inquiredSasha，anxiously，scrutinizinghisface。

"Mysoulaches！"exclaimedFoma，passionately。"Anditachesbecauseitisupright——becauseitisnottobesatisfiedwithtrifles。Answerit，howtolive？Towhatpurpose？There——takemygodfather——heiswise！Hesays——createlife！Buthe\'stheonlyonelikethis。Well，I\'llaskhim，wait！Andeverybodysays——lifehasusurpedus！Lifehaschokedus。Ishallaskthese，too。Andhowcanwecreatelife？Youmustkeepitinyourhandstodothis，youmustbemasteroverit。Youcannotmakeevenapot，withouttakingtheclayintoyourhands。"

"Listen！"saidSasha，seriously。"Ithinkyououghttogetmarried，that\'sall！"

"Whatfor？"askedFoma，shrugginghisshoulders。

"Youneedabridle。"

"Allright！Iamlivingwithyou——youareallofakind，areyounot？Oneisnotsweeterthantheother。Ihadonebeforeyou，ofthesamekindasyou。No，butthatonediditforlove\'ssake。

Shehadtakenalikingtome——andconsented；shewasgood——but，otherwise，shewasineverywaythesameasyou——thoughyouareprettierthanshe。ButItookalikingtoacertainlady——aladyofnoblebirth！Theysaidsheledalooselife，butIdidnotgether。Yes，shewasclever，intelligent；shelivedinluxury。I

usedtothink——that\'swhereI\'lltastetherealthing！Ididnotgether——and，itmaybe，ifIhadsucceeded，allwouldhavetakenadifferentturn。Iyearnedtowardher。Ithought——Icouldnottearmyselfaway。WhilenowthatIhavegivenmyselftodrink，I\'vedrownedherinwine——Iamforgettingher——andthatalsoiswrong。0man！Youarearascal，tobefrank。"

Fomabecamesilentandsankintomeditation。AndSasharosefromthebenchandpacedthehuttoandfro，bitingherlips。Thenshestoppedshortbeforehim，and，claspingherhandstoherhead，said：

"Doyouknowwhat？I\'llleaveyou。"

"Wherewillyougo？"askedFoma，withoutliftinghishead。

"Idon\'tknow——it\'sallthesame！"

"Butwhy？"

"You\'realwayssayingunnecessarythings。Itislonesomewithyou。Youmakemesad。"

Fomaliftedhishead，lookedatherandburstintomournfullaughter。

"Really？Isitpossible？"

"Youdomakemesad！Doyouknow？IfIshouldreflectonit，I

wouldunderstandwhatyousayandwhyyousayit——forIamalsoofthatsort——whenthetimecomes，Ishallalsothinkofallthis。AndthenIshallbelost。Butnowitistooearlyforme。

No，Iwanttoliveyet，andthen，later，comewhatwill！"

"AndI——willI，too，belost？"askedFoma，indifferently，alreadyfatiguedbyhiswords。

"Ofcourse！"repliedSasha，calmlyandconfidently。"Allsuchpeoplearelost。He，whosecharacterisinflexible，andwhohasnobrains——whatsortofalifeishis？Wearelikethis。"

"Ihavenocharacteratall，"saidFoma，stretchinghimself。Thenafteramoment\'ssilenceheadded：

"AndIhavenobrains，either。"

Theyweresilentforaminute，eyeingeachother。

"Whatarewegoingtodo？"askedFoma。

"Wemusthavedinner。"

"No，Imean，ingeneral？Afterward？"

"Afterward？Idon\'tknow？"

"Soyouareleavingme？"

"Iam。Come，let\'scarousesomemorebeforewepart。Let\'sgotoKazan，andtherewe\'llhaveaspree——smokeandflame！I\'llsingyourfarewellsong。"

"Verywell，"assentedFoma。"It\'squiteproperatleavetaking。

Eh，youdevil！That\'samerrylife！Listen，Sasha。Theysaythatwomenofyourkindaregreedyformoney；areeventhieves。"

"Letthemsay，"saidSasha，calmly。

"Don\'tyoufeeloffended？"askedFoma，withcuriosity。"Butyouarenotgreedy。It\'sadvantageoustoyoutobewithme。Iamrich，andyetyouaregoingaway；thatshowsyou\'renotgreedy。"

"I？"Sashathoughtawhileandsaidwithawaveofthehand：

"PerhapsIamnotgreedy——whatofit？Iamnotoftheverylowestofthestreetwomen。AndagainstwhomshallIfeelagrudge？Letthemsaywhatevertheyplease。Itwillbeonlyhumantalk，notthebellowingofbulls。Andhumanholinessandhonestyarequitefamiliartome！Eh，howwellIknowthem！IfIwerechosenasajudge，Iwouldacquitthedeadonlyl"andburstingintomaliciouslaughter，Sashasaid："Well，thatwilldo，we\'vespokenenoughnonsense。Sitdownatthetable！"