第9章

OnthemorningofthenextdayFomaandSashastoodsidebysideonthegangwayofasteamerwhichwasapproachingaharbourontheUstye。Sasha\'sbigblackhatattractedeverybody\'sattentionbyitsdeftlybentbrim，anditswhitefeathers，andFomawasillateaseashestoodbesideher，andfeltasthoughinquisitiveglancescrawledoverhisperplexedface。Thesteamerhissedandquiveredasitnearedthelanding-bridge，whichwassprinkledbyawaitingcrowdofpeopleattiredinbrightsummerclothes，anditseemedtoFomathathenoticedamongthecrowdofvariousfacesandfiguresapersonheknew，whonowseemedtobehidingbehindotherpeople\'sbacks，andyetliftednothiseyefromhim。

"Let\'sgointothecabin！"saidhetohiscompanionuneasily。

"Don\'tacquirethehabitofhidingyoursinsfrompeople，"

repliedSasha，withasmile。"Haveyouperhapsnoticedanacquaintancethere？"

"Mm。Yes。Somebodyiswatchingme。"

"Anursewithamilkbottle？Ha，ha，ha！"

"Well，thereyou\'reneighing！"saidFoma，enraged，lookingatheraskance。"DoyouthinkIamafraid？"

"Icanseehowbraveyouare。"

"You\'llsee。I\'llfaceanybody，"saidFoma，angrily，butafteracloselookatthecrowdintheharbourhisfacesuddenlyassumedanotherexpression，andheaddedsoftly：

"Oh，it\'smygodfather。"

Attheveryedgeofthelanding-stagestoodYakovTarasovich，squeezedbetweentwostoutwomen，withhisiron-likefaceliftedupward，andhewavedhiscapintheairwithmaliciouspoliteness。Hisbeardshook，hisbaldcrownflashed，andhissmalleyepiercedFomalikeborers。

"Whatavulture！"mutteredFoma，raisinghiscapandnoddinghisheadtohisgodfather。

HisbowevidentlyaffordedgreatpleasuretoMayakin。Theoldmansomehowcoiledhimselfup，stampedhisfeet，andhisfaceseemedbeamingwithamalicioussmile。

"Thelittleboywillgetmoneyfornuts，itseems！"SashateasedFoma。Herwordstogetherwithhisgodfather\'ssmileseemedtohavekindledafireinFoma\'sbreast。

"Weshallseewhatisgoingtohappen，"hissedFoma，andsuddenlyhebecameaspetrifiedinmaliciouscalm。Thesteamermadefast，andthepeoplerushedinawavetothelanding-place。Pressedbythecrowd，Mayakindisappearedforawhilefromthesightofhisgodsonandappearedagainwithamaliciouslytriumphantsmile。

Fomastaredathimfixedly，withknittedbrow，andcametowardhimslowlypacingthegangplanks。Theyjostledhimintheback，theyleanedonhim，theysqueezedhim，andthisprovokedFomastillmore。Nowhecamefacetofacewiththeoldman，andthelattergreetedhimwithapolitebow，andasked：

"Whitherareyoutravelling，FomaIgnatyich？"

"Aboutmyaffairs，"repliedFoma，firmly，withoutgreetinghisgodfather。

"That\'spraiseworthy，mydearsir！"saidYakovTarasovich，allbeamingwithasmile。"Theladywiththefeathers——whatisshetoyou，mayIask？"

"She\'smymistress，"saidFoma，loud，withoutloweringhiseyesatthekeenlookofhisgodfather。

Sashastoodbehindhimcalmlyexaminingoverhisshoulderthelittleoldman，whoseheadhardlyreachedFoma\'schin。AttractedbyFoma\'sloudwords，thepubliclookedatthem，scentingascandal。AndMayakin，too，perceivedimmediatelythepossibilityofascandalandinstantlyestimatedcorrectlythequarrelsomemoodofhisgodson。Hecontractedhiswrinkles，bithislips，andsaidtoFoma，peaceably：

"Ihavesomethingtospeaktoyouabout。Willyoucomewithmetothehotel？"

"Yes；foralittlewhile。"

"Youhavenotime，then？It\'saplainthing，youmustbemakinghastetowreckanotherbarge，eh？"saidtheoldman，unabletocontainhimselfanylonger。

"Andwhynotwreckthem，sincetheycanbewrecked？"retortedFoma，passionatelyandfirmly。

"Ofcourse，youdidnotearnthemyourself；whyshouldyousparethem？Well，come。Andcouldn\'twedrownthatladyinthewaterforawhile？"saidMayakin，softly。

"Drivetothetown，Sasha，andengagearoomattheSiberianInn。

I\'llbethereshortly！"saidFomaandturningtoMayakin，heannouncedboldly：

"Iamready！Letusgo！"

Neitherofthemspokeontheirwaytothehotel。Foma，seeingthathisgodfatherhadtoskipashewentinordertokeepupwithhim，purposelytooklongerstrides，andthefactthattheoldmancouldnotkeepstepwithhimsupportedandstrengthenedinhimtheturbulentfeelingofprotestwhichhewasbythistimescarcelyabletomaster。

"Waiter！"saidMayakin，gently，onenteringthehallofthehotel，andturningtowardaremotecorner，"letushaveabottleofmoorberrykvass。"

"AndIwantsomecognac，"orderedFoma。

"So-o！Whenyouhavepoorcardsyouhadbetteralwaysplaythelowesttrumpfirst！"Mayakinadvisedhimsarcastically。

"Youdon\'tknowmygame！"saidFoma，seatinghimselfbythetable。

"Really？Come，come！Manyplaylikethat。"

"How？"

"Imeanasyoudo——boldly，butfoolishly。"

"Iplaysothateithertheheadissmashedtopieces，orthewallbrokeninhalf，"saidFoma，hotly，andstruckthetablewithhisfist。

"Haven\'tyourecoveredfromyourdrunkennessyet？"askedMayakinwithasmile。

Fomaseatedhimselfmorefirmlyinhischair，and，hisfacedistortedwithwrathfulagitation，hesaid：

"Godfather，youareasensibleman。Irespectyouforyourcommonsense。"

"Thankyou，myson！"andMayakinbowed，risingslightly，andleaninghishandsagainstthetable。

"Don\'tmentionit。IwanttotellyouthatIamnolongertwenty。

Iamnotachildanylonger。"

"Ofcoursenot！"assentedMayakin。"You\'velivedagoodwhile，thatgoeswithoutsaying！Ifamosquitohadlivedaslongitmighthavegrownasbigasahen。"

"Stopyourjoking！"Fomawarnedhim，andhediditsocalmlythatMayakinstartedback，andthewrinklesonhisfacequiveredwithalarm。

"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？"askedFoma。

"Ah！you\'vedonesomenastyworkhere。SoIwanttofindoutwhetherthere\'smuchdamageinit！Yousee，Iamarelativeofyours。Andthen，Iamtheonlyoneyouhave。"

"Youaretroublingyourselfinvain。Doyouknow，papa，whatI\'lltellyou？Eithergivemefullfreedom，ortakeallmybusinessintoyourownhands。Takeeverything！Everything——tothelastrouble！"

ThispropositionburstforthfromFomaaltogetherunexpectedlytohimself；hehadneverbeforethoughtofanythinglikeit。Butnowthatheutteredsuchwordstohisgodfatheritsuddenlybecamecleartohimthatifhisgodfatherweretotakefromhimallhispropertyhewouldbecomeaperfectlyfreeman，hecouldgowhereverhepleased，dowhateverhepleased。Untilthismomenthehadbeenboundandenmeshedwithsomething，butheknewnothisfettersandwasunabletobreakthem，whilenowtheywerefallingoffofthemselvessosimply，soeasily。Bothanalarmingandajoyoushopeblazedupwithinhisbreast，asthoughhenoticedthatsuddenlylighthadbeguntoflashuponhisturbidlife，thatawide，spaciousroadlayopennowbeforehim。Certainimagessprangupinhismind，and，watchingtheirshiftings，hemutteredincoherently：

"Here，thisisbetterthananything！Takeeverything，andbedonewithit！And——asforme——Ishallbefreetogoanywhereinthewideworld！Icannotlivelikethis。Ifeelasthoughweightswerehangingonme，asthoughIwereallbound。There——Imustnotgo，thisImustnotdo。Iwanttoliveinfreedom，thatImayknoweverythingmyself。Ishallsearchlifeformyself。For，otherwise，whatamI？Aprisoner！Bekind，takeeverything。Thedeviltakeitall！Givemefreedom，pray！WhatkindofamerchantamI？Idonotlikeanything。Andso——Iwouldforsakemen——

everything。Iwouldfindaplaceformyself，Iwouldfindsomekindofwork，andwouldwork。ByGod！Father！setmeatliberty！

Fornow，yousee，Iamdrinking。I\'mentangledwiththatwoman。"

Mayakinlookedathim，listenedattentivelytohiswords，andhisfacewasstern，immobileasthoughpetrified。Adull，tavernnoisesmotetheair，somepeoplewentpastthem，theygreetedMayakin，buthesawnothing，staringfixedlyattheagitatedfaceofhisgodson，whosmileddistractedly，bothjoyouslyandpitifully。

"Eh，mysourblackberry！"saidMayakin，withasigh，interruptingFoma\'sspeech。"Iseeyou\'velostyourway。Andyou\'repratingnonsense。Iwouldliketoknowwhetherthecognacistoblameforit，orisityourfoolishness？"

"Papa！"exclaimedFoma，"thiscansurelybedone。Therewerecaseswherepeoplehavecastawayalltheirpossessionsandthussavedthemselves。"

"Thatwasn\'tinmytime。Notpeoplethatareneartome！"saidMayakin，sternly，"orelseIwouldhaveshownthemhowtogoaway！"

"Manyhavebecomesaintswhentheywentaway。"

"Mm！Theycouldn\'thavegoneawayfromme！Thematterissimple——

youknowhowtoplayatdraughts，don\'tyou？Movefromoneplacetoanotheruntilyouarebeaten，andifyou\'renotbeatenthenyouhavethequeen。Thenallwaysareopentoyou。Doyouunderstand？AndwhyamItalkingtoyouseriously？Psha！"

"Papa！whydon\'tyouwantit？"exclaimedFoma，angrily。

"Listentome！Ifyouareachimney-sweep，go，carrion，ontheroof！Ifyouareafireman，standonthewatch-tower！Andeachandeverysortofmenmusthaveitsownmodeoflife。Calvescannotroarlikebears！Ifyouliveyourownlife；goon，liveit！Anddon\'ttalknonsense，anddon\'tcreepwhereyoudon\'tbelong。Arrangeyourlifeafteryourpattern。"Andfromthedarklipsoftheoldmangushedforthinatrembling，glitteringstreamthejarring，butconfidentandboldwordssofamiliartoFoma。Seizedwiththethoughtoffreedom，whichseemedtohimsoeasilypossible，Fomadidnotlistentohiswords。Thisideahadeatenintohisbrains，andinhisheartthedesiregrewstrongerandstrongertoseverallhisconnectionswiththisemptyandwearisomelife，withhisgodfather，withthesteamers，thebargesandthecarouses，witheverythingamidstwhichitwasnarrowandstiflingforhimtolive。

Theoldman\'swordsseemedtofallonhimfromafar；theywereblendedwiththeclatterofthedishes，withthescrapingofthelackey\'sfeetalongthefloor，withsomeone\'sdrunkenshouting。

Notfarfromthemsatfourmerchantsatatableandarguedloudly：

"Twoandaquarter——andthankGod！"

"LukaMitrich！HowcanI？"

"Givehimtwoandahalf！"

"That\'sright！Yououghttogiveit，it\'sagoodsteamer，ittowsbriskly。"

"Mydearfellows，Ican\'t。Twoandaquarter！"

"Andallthisnonsensecametoyourheadfromyouryouthfulpassion！"saidMayakin，importantly，accompanyinghiswordswitharaponthetable。"Yourboldnessisstupidity；allthesewordsofyoursarenonsense。Wouldyouperhapsgotothecloister？orhaveyouperhapsalongingtogoonthehighways？"

Fomalistenedinsilence。Thebuzzingnoiseabouthimnowseemedtomovefartherawayfromhim。Hepicturedhimselfamidavastrestlesscrowdofpeople；withoutknowingwhytheybustledabouthitherandthither，jumpedononeanother；theireyesweregreedilyopenedwide；theywereshouting，cursing，falling，crushingoneanother，andtheywerealljostlingaboutononeplace。Hefeltbadamongthembecausehedidnotunderstandwhattheywanted，becausehehadnofaithintheirwords，andhefeltthattheyhadnofaithinthemselves，thattheyunderstoodnothing。Andifoneweretotearhimselfawayfromtheirmidsttofreedom，totheedgeoflife，andthencebeholdthem——thenallwouldbecomecleartohim。Thenhewouldalsounderstandwhattheywanted，andwouldfindhisownplaceamongthem。

"Don\'tIunderstand，"saidMayakin，moregently，seeingFomalostinthought，andassumingthathewasreflectingonhiswords——"I

understandthatyouwanthappinessforyourself。Well，myfriend，itisnottobeeasilyseized。Youmustseekhappinessevenastheysearchformushroomsinthewood，youmustbendyourbackinsearchofit，andfindingit，seewhetheritisn\'tatoad-stool。"

"Soyouwillsetmefree？"askedFoma，suddenlyliftinghishead，andMayakinturnedhiseyesawayfromhisfierylook。

"Father！atleastforashorttime！Letmebreathe，letmestepasidefromeverything！"entreatedFoma。"Iwillwatchhoweverythinggoeson。Andthen——ifnot——Ishallbecomeadrunkard。"

"Don\'ttalknonsense。Whydoyouplaythefool？"criedMayakin，angrily。

"Verywell，then！"repliedFoma，calmly。"Verywell！Youdonotwantit？Thentherewillbenothing！I\'llsquanderitall！Andthereisnothingmoreforustospeakof。Goodbye！I\'llsetouttowork，you\'llsee！Itwillaffordyoujoy。Everythingwillgoupinsmoke！"Fomawascalm，hespokewithconfidence；itseemedtohimthatsincehehadthusdecided，hisgodfathercouldnothinderhim。ButMayakinstraightenedhimselfinhischairandsaid，alsoplainlyandcalmly：

"AnddoyouknowhowIcandealwithyou？"

"Asyoulike！"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。"Wellthen。

NowIlikethefollowing：I\'llreturntotownandwillseetoitthatyouaredeclaredinsane，andputintoalunaticasylum。"

"Canthisbedone？"askedFoma，distrustfully，butwithatoneoffrightinhisvoice。

"Wecandoeverything，mydear。"

Fomaloweredhishead，andcastingafurtiveglanceathisgodfather\'sface，shuddered，thinking：

"He\'lldoit；hewon\'tspareme。"

"IfyouplaythefoolseriouslyImustalsodealwithyouseriously。Ipromisedyourfathertomakeamanofyou，andI

willdoit；ifyoucannotstandonyourfeet，I\'llputyouinirons。Thenyouwillstand。ThoughIknowalltheseholywordsofyoursarebutuglycapricesthatcomefromexcessivedrinking。

Butifyoudonotgivethatup，ifyoukeeponbehavingindecently，ifyouruin，outofwantonness，thepropertyaccumulatedbyyourfather，I\'llcoveryouallup。I\'llhaveabellforgedoveryou。Itisveryinconvenienttofoolwithme。"

Mayakinspokegently。Thewrinklesofhischeeksallroseupward，andhissmalleyesintheirdarksocketsweresmilingsarcastically，coldly。Andthewrinklesonhisforeheadformedanoddpattern，risinguptohisbaldcrown。Hisfacewassternandmerciless，andbreathedmelancholyandcoldnessuponFoma\'ssoul。

"Sothere\'snowayoutforme？"askedFoma，gloomily。"Youareblockingallmyways？"

"Thereisaway。Gothere！Ishallguideyou。Don\'tworry，itwillberight！Youwillcomejusttoyourproperplace。"

Thisself-confidence，thisunshakableboastfulnessarousedFoma\'sindignation。Thrustinghishandsintohispocketsinordernottostriketheoldman，hestraightenedhimselfinhischairandclinchinghisteeth，said，facingMayakinclosely：

"Whyareyouboasting？Whatareyouboastingof？Yourownson，whereishe？Yourdaughter，whatisshe？Eh，you——youlife-

builder！Well，youareclever。Youknoweverything。Tellme，whatfordoyoulive？Whatforareyouaccumulatingmoney？Doyouthinkyouarenotgoingtodie？Well，whatthen？You\'vecapturedme。You\'vetakenholdofme，you\'veconqueredme。Butwait，Imayyettearmyselfawayfromyou！Itisn\'ttheendyet！Eh，you！

Whathaveyoudoneforlife？Bywhatwillyouberemembered？Myfather，forinstance，donatedalodging-house，andyou——whathaveyoudone？"

Mayakin\'swrinklesquiveredandsankdownward，whereforehisfaceassumedasickly，weepingexpression。

"Howwillyoujustifyyourself？"askedFoma，softly，withoutliftinghiseyesfromhim。

"Holdyourtongue，youpuppy！"saidtheoldmaninalowvoice，castingaglanceofalarmabouttheroom。

"I\'vesaideverything！AndnowI\'mgoing！Holdmeback！"

Fomarosefromhischair，thrusthiscaponhishead，andmeasuredtheoldmanwithabhorrence。

"Youmaygo；butI\'ll——I\'llcatchyou！ItwillcomeoutasI

say！"saidYakovTarasovichinabrokenvoice。

"AndI\'llgoonaspree！I\'llsquanderall！"

"Verywell，we\'llsee！"

"Goodbye！youhero，"Fomalaughed。

"Goodbye，forashortwhile！I\'llnotgobackonmyown。Iloveit。Iloveyou，too。Nevermind，you\'reagoodfellow！"saidMayakin，softly，andasthoughoutofbreath。

"Donotloveme，butteachme。Butthen，youcannotteachmetherightthing！"saidFoma，asheturnedhisbackontheoldmanandleftthehall。

YakovTarasovichMayakinremainedinthetavernalone。Hesatbythetable，and，bendingoverit，madedrawingsofpatternsonthetray，dippinghistremblingfingerinthespiltkvass，andhissharp-pointedheadwassinkinglowerandloweroverthetable，asthoughhedidnotdecipher，andcouldnotmakeoutwhathisbonyfingerwasdrawingonthetray。

Beadsofperspirationglistenedonhisbaldcrown，andasusualthewrinklesonhischeeksquiveredwithfrequent，irritablestarts。

Inthetavernaresoundingtumultsmotetheairsothatthewindow-paneswererattling。FromtheVolgawerewaftedthewhistlingsofsteamers，thedullbeatingofthewheelsuponthewater，theshoutingoftheloaders——lifewasmovingonwardunceasinglyandunquestionably。

SummoningthewaiterwithanodYakovTarasovichaskedhimwithpeculiarintensityandimpressiveness"HowmuchdoIoweforallthis？"

CHAPTERX

PREVIOUStohisquarrelwithMayakin，Fomahadcarousedbecauseofthewearinessoflife，outofcuriosity，andhalfindifferently；nowheledadissipatedlifeoutofspite，almostindespair；nowhewasfilledwithafeelingofvengeanceandwithacertaininsolencetowardmen，aninsolencewhichastonishedevenhimselfattimes。Hesawthatthepeopleabouthim，likehimself，lackedsupportandreason，onlytheydidnotunderstandthis，orpurposelywouldnotunderstandit，soasnottohinderthemselvesfromlivingblindly，andfromgivingthemselvescompletely，withoutathought，totheirdissolutelife。Hefoundnothingfirminthem，nothingsteadfast；whensober，theyseemedtohimmiserableandstupid；whenintoxicated，theywererepulsivetohim，andstillmorestupid。Noneoftheminspiredhimwithrespect，withdeep，heartyinterest；hedidnotevenaskthemwhattheirnameswere；heforgotwhereandwhenhemadetheiracquaintance，andregardingthemwithcontemptuouscuriosity，alwayslongedtosayanddosomethingthatwouldoffendthem。Hepasseddaysandnightswiththemindifferentplacesofamusement，andhisacquaintancesalwaysdependedjustuponthecategoryofeachoftheseplaces。Intheexpensiveandelegantrestaurantscertainsharpersofthebetterclassofsocietysurroundedhim——gamblers，coupletsingers，jugglers，actors，andproperty-holderswhowereruinedbyleadingdepravedlives。Atfirstthesepeopletreatedhimwithapatronizingair，andboastedbeforehimoftheirrefinedtastes，oftheirknowledgeofthemeritsofwineandfood，andthentheycourtedfavoursofhim，fawneduponhim，borrowedofhimmoneywhichhescatteredaboutwithoutcounting，drawingitfromthebanks，andalreadyborrowingitonpromissorynotes。Inthecheaptavernshair-dressers，markers，clerks，functionariesandchoristerssurroundedhimlikevultures；andamongthesepeoplehealwaysfeltbetter——freer。Inthesehesawplainpeople，notsomonstrouslydeformedanddistortedasthat"cleansociety"oftheelegantrestaurants；thesewerelessdepraved，cleverer，betterunderstoodbyhim。Attimestheyevincedwholesome，strongemotions，andtherewasalwayssomethingmorehumaninthem。But，likethe"cleansociety，"thesewerealsoeagerformoney，andshamelesslyfleecedhim，andhesawitandrudelymockedthem。

Tobesure，therewerewomen。Physicallyhealthy，butnotsensual，Fomaboughtthem，thedearonesandthecheapones，thebeautifulandtheugly，gavethemlargesumsofmoney，changedthemalmosteveryweek，andingeneral，hetreatedthewomenbetterthanthemen。Helaughedatthem，saidtothemdisgracefulandoffensivewords，buthecouldnever，evenwhenhalf-drunk，ridhimselfofacertainbashfulnessintheirpresence。Theyall，eventhemostbrazen-faced，thestrongestandthemostshameless，seemedtohimweakanddefenseless，likesmallchildren。Alwaysreadytothrashanyman，heneverlaidahandonwomen，althoughwhenirritatedbysomethinghesometimesabusedthemindecently。

Hefeltthathewasimmeasurablystrongerthananywoman，andeverywomanseemedtohimimmeasurablymoremiserablethanhewas。Thoseofthewomenwholedtheirdissolutelivesaudaciously，boastingoftheirdepravity，calledforthinFomaafeelingofbashfulness，whichmadehimtimidandawkward。Oneevening，duringsupperhour，oneofthesewomen，intoxicatedandimpudent，struckFomaonthecheekwithamelon-rind。Fomawashalf-drunk。Heturnedpalewithrage，rosefromhischair，andthrustinghishandsintohispockets，saidinafiercevoicewhichtrembledwithindignation：

"Youcarrion，getout。Begone！Someoneelsewouldhavebrokenyourheadforthis。AndyouknowthatIamforbearingwithyou，andthatmyarmisneverraisedagainstanyofyourkind。Driveherawaytothedevil！"

AfewdaysafterherarrivalinKazan，Sashabecamethemistressofacertainvodka-distiller\'sson，whowascarousingtogetherwithFoma。GoingawaywithhernewmastertosomeplaceontheKama，shesaidtoFoma：

"Goodbye，dearman！Perhapswemaymeetagain。We\'rebothgoingthesameway！ButIadviseyounottogiveyourheartfreerein。

Enjoyyourselfwithoutlookingbackatanything。Andthen，whenthegrueliseatenup，smashthebowlontheground。Goodbye！"

Andsheimpressedahotkissuponhislips，atwhichhereyeslookedstilldarker。

Fomawasgladthatshewasleavinghim，hehadgrowntiredofherandhercoldindifferencefrightenedhim。Butnowsomethingtrembledwithinhim，heturnedasidefromherandsaidinalowvoice：

"Perhapsyouwillnotlivewelltogether，thencomebacktome。"

"Thankyou！"shereplied，andforsomereasonorotherburstintohoarselaughter，whichwasuncommonwithher。

ThuslivedFoma，dayinanddayout，alwaysturningaroundononeandthesameplace，amidpeoplewhowerealwaysalike，andwhoneverinspiredhimwithanynoblefeelings。Andthenheconsideredhimselfsuperiortothem，becausethethoughtsofthepossibilityoffreeinghimselffromthislifewastakingdeeperanddeeperrootinhismind，becausetheyearningforfreedomheldhiminaneverfirmerembrace，becauseeverbrighterwerethepicturesasheimaginedhimselfdriftingawaytotheborderoflife，awayfromthistumultandconfusion。Morethanonce，bynight，remainingallbyhimself，hewouldfirmlyclosehiseyesandpicturetohimselfadarkthrongofpeople，innumerablygreatandeventerribleinitsimmenseness。Crowdedtogethersomewhereinadeepvalley，whichwassurroundedbyhillocks，andfilledwithadustymist，thisthrongjostledoneanotheronthesameplaceinnoisyconfusion，andlookedlikegraininahopper。Itwasasthoughaninvisiblemillstone，hiddenbeneaththefeetofthecrowd，weregrindingit，andpeoplemovedaboutitlikewaves——nowrushingdownwardtobegroundthesooneranddisappear，nowburstingupwardintheefforttoescapethemercilessmillstone。Therewerealsopeoplewhoresembledcrabsjustcaughtandthrownintoahugebasket——clutchingatoneanother，theytwinedaboutheavily，crawledsomewhereandinterferedwithoneanother，andcoulddonothingtofreethemselvesfromcaptivity。

Fomasawfamiliarfacesamidthecrowd：therehisfatheriswalkingboldly，sturdilypushingasideandoverthrowingeverybodyonhisway；heisworkingwithhislongpaws，massingeverythingwithhischest，andlaughinginthunderingtones。Andthenhedisappears，sinkingsomewhereinthedepth，beneaththefeetofthepeople。There，wrigglinglikeasnake，nowjumpingonpeople\'sshoulders，nowglidingbetweentheirfeet，hisgodfatherisworkingwithhislean，butsuppleandsinewybody。HereLuboviscryingandstruggling，followingherfather，withabruptbutfaintmovements，nowremainingbehindhim，nownearinghimagain。

Stridingsoftlywithakindsmileonherface，steppingasidefromeverybody，andmakingwayforeveryone，AuntAnfisaisslowlymovingalong。HerimagequiversinthedarknessbeforeFoma，likethemodestflameofawaxcandle。Anditdiesoutanddisappearsinthedarkness。Pelagayaisquicklygoingsomewherealongastraightroad。ThereSophyaPavlovnaMedinskayaisstanding，herhandshangingimpotently，justasshestoodinherdrawing-roomwhenhesawherlast。Hereyeswerelarge，butsomegreatfrightgleamsinthem。Sasha，too，ishere。Indifferent，payingnoattentiontothejostling，sheisstoutlygoingstraightintotheverydregsoflife，singinghersongsatthetopofhervoice，herdarkeyesfixedinthedistancebeforeher。

Fomahearstumult，howls，laughter，drunkenshouts，irritabledisputesaboutcopecks——songsandsobshoveroverthisenormousrestlessheapoflivinghumanbodiescrowdedintoapit。Theyjump，fall，crawl，crushoneanother，leapononeanother\'sshoulders，gropeeverywherelikeblindpeople，stumblingeverywhereoverotherslikethemselves，struggle，and，falling，disappearfromsight。Moneyrustles，soaringlikebatsovertheheadsofthepeople，andthepeoplegreedilystretchouttheirhandstowardit，thegoldandsilverjingles，bottlesrattle，corkspop，someonesobs，andamelancholyfemalevoicesings：

"Andsoletuslivewhilewecan，Andthen——e\'engrassmayceasetogrow！"

ThiswildpicturefasteneditselffirmlyinFoma\'smind，andgrowingclearer，largerandmorevividwitheachtimeitarosebeforehim，rousinginhisbreastsomethingchaotic，onegreatindefinitefeelingintowhichfell，likestreamsintoariver，fearandrevoltandcompassionandwrathandmanyanotherthing。

Allthisboiledupwithinhisbreastintostraineddesire，whichwasthrustingitasunderintoadesirewhosepowerwaschokinghim，andhiseyeswerefilledwithtears；helongedtoshout，tohowllikeabeast，tofrightenallthepeople，tochecktheirsenselessbustle，topourintothetumultandvanityoftheirlifesomethingnew，hisown——totellthemcertainloudfirmwords，toguidethemallintoonedirection，andnotoneagainstanother。Hedesiredtoseizethembytheirheads，totearthemapartonefromanother，tothrashsome，tofondleothers，toreproachthemall，toilluminethemwithacertainfire。

Therewasnothinginhim，neitherthenecessarywords，northefire；allhehadwasthelongingwhichwascleartohim，butimpossibleoffulfillment。Hepicturedhimselfabovelifeoutsideofthedeepvalley，whereinpeoplewerebustlingabout；hesawhimselfstandingfirmlyonhisfeetand——speechless。Hemighthavecriedtothepeople：

"Seehowyoulive！Aren\'tyouashamed？"

Andhemighthaveabusedthem。Butiftheyweretoaskonhearinghisvoice：

"Andhowoughtwetolive？"

Itwasperfectlycleartohimthataftersuchaquestionhewouldhavetoflydownheadforemostfromtheheightsthere，beneaththefeetofthethrong，uponthemillstone。Andlaughterwouldaccompanyhimtohisdestruction。

Sometimeshewasdeliriousunderthepressureofthisnightmare。

Certainmeaninglessandunconnectedwordsburstfromhislips；heevenperspiredfromthispainfulstrugglewithinhim。Attimesitoccurredtohimthathewasgoingmadfromintoxication，andthatthatwasthereasonwhythisterribleandgloomypicturewasforcingitselfintohismind。Withagreateffortofwillhebrushedasidethesepicturesandexcitements；butassoonashewasaloneandnotverydrunk，hewasagainseizedbyhisdeliriumandagaingrewfaintunderitsweight。Andhisthirstforfreedomwasgrowingmoreandmoreintense，torturinghimbyitsforce。

Buttearhimselfawayfromtheshacklesofhiswealthhecouldnot。Mayakin，whohadFoma\'sfullpowerofattorneytomanagehisaffairs，actednowinsuchawaythatFomawasboundtofeelalmosteverydaytheburdenoftheobligationswhichresteduponhim。Peoplewereconstantlyapplyingtohimforpayments，proposingtohimtermsforthetransportationoffreight。Hisemployeesoverwhelmedhiminpersonandbyletterwithtrifleswithwhichhehadneverbeforeconcernedhimself，astheyusedtosettlethesetriflesattheirownrisk。Theylookedforhimandfoundhiminthetaverns，questionedhimastowhatandhowitshouldbedone；hewouldtellthemsometimeswithoutatallunderstandinginwhatwaythisorthatshouldbedone。Henoticedtheirconcealedcontemptforhim，andalmostalwayssawthattheydidnotdotheworkashehadordered，butdiditinadifferentandbetterway。Inthishefeltthecleverhandofhisgodfather，andunderstoodthattheoldmanwasthuspressinghiminordertoturnhimtohisway。Andatthesametimehenoticedthathewasnotthemasterofhisbusiness，butonlyacomponentpartofit，andaninsignificantpartatthat。Thisirritatedhimandmovedhimfartherawayfromtheoldman，itaugumentedhislongingtotearhimselfawayfromhisbusiness，evenatthecostofhisownruin。Infuriated，heflungmoneyaboutthetavernsanddives，butthisdidnotlastlong。YakovTarasovichclosedhisaccountsinthebanks，withdrawingalldeposits。SoonFomabegantofeelthatevenonpromissorynotes，theynowgavehimthemoneynotquiteaswillinglyasbefore。Thisstunghisvanity；andhisindignationwasroused，andhewasfrightenedwhenhelearnedthathisgodfatherhadcirculatedarumourinthebusinessworldthathe，Foma，wasoutofhismind，andthat，perhaps，itmightbecomenecessarytoappointaguardianforhim。Fomadidnotknowthelimitsofhisgodfather\'spower，anddidnotventuretotakeanyone\'scounselinthismatter。Hewasconvincedthatinthebusinessworldtheoldmanwasapower，andthathecoulddoanythinghepleased。AtfirstitwaspainfulforhimtofeelMayakin\'shandoverhim，butlaterhebecamereconciledtothis，renouncedeverything，andresumedhisrestless，drunkenlife，whereintherewasonlyoneconsolation——thepeople。Witheachsucceedingdayhebecamemoreandmoreconvincedthattheyweremoreirrationalandaltogetherworsethanhe——thattheywerenotthemastersoflife，butitsslaves，andthatitwasturningthemaround，bendingandbreakingthematitswill，whiletheysuccumbedtoitunfeelinglyandresignedly，andnoneofthembuthedesiredfreedom。Buthewantedit，andthereforeproudlyelevatedhimselfabovehisdrinkingcompanions，notdesiringtoseeinthemanythingbutwrong。

Onedayinatavernacertainhalf-intoxicatedmancomplainedtohimofhislife。Thiswasasmall-sized，meagreman，withdim，frightenedeyes，unshaven，inashortfrockcoat，andwithabrightnecktie。Heblinkedpitifully，hisearsquiveredspasmodically，andhissoftlittlevoicealsotrembled。

"I\'vestruggledhardtomakemywayamongmen；I\'vetriedeverything，I\'veworkedlikeabull。Butlifejostledmeaside，crushedmeunderfoot，gavemenochance。Allmypatiencegaveway。Eh！andsoI\'vetakentodrink。IfeelthatI\'llberuined。

Well，that\'stheonlywayopentome！"

"Fool！"saidFomawithcontempt。"Whydidyouwanttomakeyourwayamongmen？Youshouldhavekeptawayfromthem，totheright。

Standingaside，youmighthaveseenwhereyourplacewasamongthem，andthengonerighttothepoint！"

"Idon\'tunderstandyourwords。"Thelittlemanshookhisclose-

cropped，angularhead。

Fomalaughed，self-satisfied。

"Isitforyoutounderstandit？""No；doyouknow，IthinkthathewhomGoddecreed——"

"NotGod，butmanarrangeslife！"Fomablurtedout，andwasevenhimselfastonishedattheaudacityofhiswords。Andthelittlemanglancingathimaskancealsoshranktimidly。

"HasGodgivenyoureason？"askedFoma，recoveringfromhisembarrassment。

"Ofcourse；thatistosay，asmuchasistheshareofasmallman，"saidFoma\'sinterlocutorirresolutely。

"Well，andyouhavenorighttoaskofHimasinglegrainmore！

Makeyourownlifebyyourownreason。AndGodwilljudgeyou。WeareallinHisservice。AndinHiseyesweareallofequalvalue。Understand？"

IthappenedveryoftenthatFomawouldsuddenlysaysomethingwhichseemedaudaciouseventohimself，andwhich，atthesametime，elevatedhiminhisowneyes。Therewerecertainunexpected，daringthoughtsandwords，whichsuddenlyflashedlikesparks，asthoughanimpressionproducedthemfromFoma\'sbrains。Andhenoticedmorethanoncethatwhateverhehadcarefullythoughtoutbeforehandwasexpressedbyhimnotquitesowell，andmoreobscure，thanthatwhichsuddenlyflashedupinhisheart。

Fomalivedasthoughwalkinginaswamp，indangerofsinkingateachstepinthemireandslime，whilehisgodfather，likeariverloach，wriggledhimselfonadry，firmlittlespot，vigilantlywatchingthelifeofhisgodsonfromafar。

AfterhisquarrelwithFoma，YakovTarasovichreturnedhome，gloomyandpensive。Hiseyesflasheddrily，andhestraightenedhimselflikeatightly-stretchedstring。Hiswrinklesshrankpainfully，hisfaceseemedtohavebecomesmalleranddarker，andwhenLubovsawhiminthisstateitappearedtoherthathewasseriouslyill，butthathewasforcingandrestraininghimself。

Mutelyandnervouslytheoldmanflunghimselfabouttheroom，castinginreplytohisdaughter\'squestions，drycurtwords，andfinallyshoutedtoher：

"Leavemealone！Youseeithasnothingtodowithyou。"

Shefeltsorryforhimwhenshenoticedthegloomyandmelancholyexpressionofhiskeen，greeneyes；shemadeitherdutytoquestionhimastowhathadhappenedtohim，andwhenheseatedhimselfatthedinner-tableshesuddenlyapproachedhim，placedherhandsonhisshoulders，andlookingdownintohisface，askedhimtenderlyandanxiously：

"Papa，areyouill？tellme！"

Hercaresseswereextremelyrare；theyalwayssoftenedthelonelyoldman，andthoughhedidnotrespondtothemforsomereasonorotherheneverthelesscouldnothelpappreciatingthem。Andnowheshruggedhisshoulders，thusthrowingoffherhandsandsaid：

"Go，gotoyourplace。HowtheitchingcuriosityofEvegivesyounorest。"

ButLubovdidnotgoaway；persistinglylookingintohiseyes，sheasked，withanoffendedtoneinhervoice：

"Papa，whydoyoualwaysspeaktomeinsuchawayasthoughI

wereasmallchild，orverystupid？"

"Becauseyouaregrownupandyetnotveryclever。Yes！That\'sthewholestory！Go，sitdownandeat！"

Shewalkedawayandsilentlyseatedherselfoppositeherfather，compressingherlipsforaffront。ContrarytohishabitsMayakinateslowly，stirringhisspooninhisplateofcabbage-soupforalongtime，andexaminingthesoupclosely。

"Ifyourobstructedmindcouldbutcomprehendyourfather\'sthoughts！"saidhe，suddenly，ashesighedwithasortofwhistlingsound。

Lubovthrewherspoonasideandalmostwithtearsinhervoice，said：

"Whydoyouinsultme，papa？YouseethatIamalone，alwaysalone！Youunderstandhowdifficultmylifeis，andyouneversayasinglekindwordtome。Youneversayanythingtome！Andyouarealsolonely；lifeisdifficultforyoutoo，Icanseeit。Youfinditveryhardtolive，butyoualonearetoblameforit！Youalone！

"NowBalaam\'sshe-asshasalsostartedtotalk！"saidtheoldman，laughing。"Well！whatwillbenext？"

"Youareveryproudofyourwisdom，papa。"

"Andwhatelse？"

"Thatisn\'tgood；anditpainsmegreatly。Whydoyourepulseme？

Youknowthat，saveyou，Ihavenoone。"

Tearsleapedtohereyes；herfathernoticedthem，andhisfacequivered。

"Ifyouwerenotagirl！"heexclaimed。"IfyouhadasmuchbrainsasMarfaPoosadnitza，forinstance。Eh，Lubov？ThenI\'dlaughateverybody，andatFoma。Comenow，don\'tcry！"

Shewipedhereyesandasked：

"WhataboutFoma？"

"He\'srebellious。Ha！ha！hesays：\'Takeawaymyproperty，givemefreedom！\'Hewantstosavehissoulinthekabak。That\'swhatenteredFoma\'shead。"

"Well，whatisthis？"askedLubov，irresolutely。ShewantedtosaythatFoma\'sdesirewasgood，thatitwasanobledesireifitwereearnest，butshefearedtoirritateherfatherwithherwords，andsheonlygazedathimquestioningly。

"Whatisit？"saidMayakin，excitedly，trembling。"Thateithercomestohimfromexcessivedrinking，orelse——Heavenforbid——

fromhismother，theorthodoxspirit。AndifthisheathenishleavenisgoingtoriseinhimI\'llhavetostrugglehardwithhim！Therewillbeagreatconflictbetweenus。Hehascomeout，breastforemost，againstme；hehasatoncedisplayedgreataudacity。He\'syoung——there\'snotmuchcunninginhimasyet。Hesays：\'I\'lldrinkawayeverything，everythingwillgoupinsmoke！I\'llshowyouhowtodrink！

Mayakinliftedhishandoverhishead，and，clenchinghisfist，threatenedfuriously。

"Howdareyou？Whoestablishedthebusiness？Whobuiltitup？

You？Yourfather。Fortyyearsoflabourwereputintoit，andyouwishtodestroyit？Wemustallgotoourplacesherealltogetherasoneman，therecautiously，onebyone。Wemerchants，tradesmen，haveforcenturiescarriedRussiaonourshoulders，andwearestillcarryingit。PetertheGreatwasaCzarofdivinewisdom，heknewourvalue。Howhesupportedus！Hehadprintedbooksfortheexpresspurposeofteachingusbusiness。

ThereIhaveabookwhichwasprintedathisorderbyPolidorVirgilyOorbansky，aboutinventory，printedin1720。Yes，onemustunderstandthis。Heunderstoodit，andclearedthewayforus。Andnowwestandonourownfeet，andwefeelourplace。

Clearthewayforus！Wehavelaidthefoundationoflife，insteadofbrickswehavelaidourselvesintheearth。Nowwemustbuildthestories。Giveusfreedomofaction！That\'swherewemustholdourcourse。That\'swheretheproblemlies；butFomadoesnotcomprehendthis。Buthemustunderstandit，mustresumethework。Hehashisfather\'smeans。WhenIdieminewillbeaddedtohis。Work，youpuppy！Andheisraving。No，wait！I\'llliftyouuptotheproperpoint！"

TheoldmanwaschokingwithagitationandwithflashingeyeslookedathisdaughtersofuriouslyasthoughFomaweresittinginherplace。HisagitationfrightenedLubov，butshelackedthecouragetointerruptherfather，andshelookedathissternandgloomyfaceinsilence。

"Theroadhasbeenpavedbyourfathers，andyoumustwalkonit。

Ihaveworkedforfiftyyearstowhatpurpose？ThatmychildrenmayresumeitafterIamgone。Mychildren！Wherearemychildren？"

Theoldmandroopedhisheadmournfully，hisvoicebrokedown，andhesaidsadly，asifhewerespeakinguntohimself：

"Oneisaconvict，utterlyruined；theother，adrunkard。Ihavelittlehopeinhim。Mydaughter，towhom，then，shallIleavemylabourbeforemydeath？IfIhadbutason-in-law。IthoughtFomawouldbecomeamanandwouldbesharpenedup，thenIwouldgiveyouuntohim，andwithyouallIhave——there！ButFomaisgoodfornothing，andIseenooneelseinhisstead。Whatsortofpeoplewehavenow！Informerdaysthepeoplewereasofiron，whilenowtheyareofindia-rubber。Theyareallbendingnow。Andnothing——theyhavenofirmnessinthem。Whatisit？Whyisitso？"

Mayakinlookedathisdaughterwithalarm。Shewassilent。

"Tellme，"heaskedher，"whatdoyouneed？How，inyouropinion，isitpropertolive？Whatdoyouwant？Youhavestudied，read，tellmewhatisitthatyouneed？"

ThequestionsfellonLubov\'sheadquiteunexpectedlytoher，andshewasembarrassed。Shewaspleasedthatherfatheraskedheraboutthismatter，andwasatthesametimeafraidtoreply，lestsheshouldbeloweredinhisestimation。Andthen，gatheringcourage，asthoughpreparingtojumpacrossthetable，shesaidirresolutelyandinatremblingvoice：

"Thatallthepeopleshouldbehappyandcontented；thatallthepeopleshouldbeequal，allthepeoplehaveanequalrighttolife，totheblissoflife，allmusthavefreedom，evenastheyhaveair。Andequalityineverything！"

Atthebeginningofheragitatedspeechherfatherlookedatherfacewithanxiouscuriosityinhiseyes，butasshewentonhastilyhurlingherwordsathimhiseyesassumedanaltogetherdifferentexpression，andfinallyhesaidtoherwithcalmcontempt：

"Iknewitbefore——youareagildedfool！"

Sheloweredherhead，butimmediatelyraiseditandexclaimedsadly：

"Youhavesaidsoyourself——freedom。"

"Youhadbetterholdyourtongue！"theoldmanshoutedatherrudely。"Youcannotseeeventhatwhichisvisiblyforcedoutsideofeachman。Howcanallthepeoplebehappyandequal，sinceeachonewantstobeabovetheother？Eventhebeggarhashisprideandalwaysboastsofsomethingorotherbeforeotherpeople。Asmallchild，evenhewantstobefirstamonghisplaymates。Andonemanwillneveryieldtoanother；onlyfoolsbelieveinit。Eachmanhashisownsoul，andhisownface；onlythosewholovenottheirsoulsandcarenotfortheirfacescanbeplaneddowntothesamesize。Eh，you！You\'vereadmuchtrash，andyou\'vedevouredit！"

Bitterreproachandbitingcontemptwereexpressedontheoldman\'sface。Henoisilypushedhischairawayfromthetable，jumpedup，andfoldinghishandsbehindhisback，begantodartaboutintheroomwithshortsteps，shakinghisheadandsayingsomethingtohimselfinanangry，hissingwhisper。Lubov，palewithemotionandanger，feelingherselfstupidandpowerlessbeforehim，listeningtohiswhisper，andherheartpalpitatedwildly。

"Iamleftalone，alone，likeJob。0hLord！WhatshallIdo？Oh，alone！AmInotwise？AmInotclever？Butlifehasoutwittedmealso。Whatdoesitlove？Whomdoesitfondle？Itbeatsthegood，andsuffersnotthebadtogounpunished，andnooneunderstandslife\'sjustice。"

Thegirlbegantofeelpainfullysorryfortheoldman；shewasseizedwithanintenseyearningtohelphim；shelongedtobeofusetohim。

Followinghimwithburningeyes，shesuddenlysaidinalowvoice：

"Papa，dear！donotgrieve。Tarasisstillalive。Perhapshe——"

Mayakinstoppedsuddenlyasthoughnailedtothespot，andheslowlyliftedhishead。

"Thetreethatgrewcrookedinitsyouthandcouldnotholdoutwillcertainlybreakwhenit\'sold。Butnevertheless，evenTarasisastrawtomenow。ThoughIdoubtwhetherheisbetterthanFoma。Gordyeeffhasacharacter，hehashisfather\'sdaring。Hecantakeagreatdealonhimself。ButTaraska，yourecalledhimjustintime。Yes！"

Andtheoldman，whoamomentagohadlosthiscouragetothepointofcomplaining，and，grief-strickenhadrunabouttheroomlikeamouseinatrap，nowcalmlyandfirmlywalkedupwithacarewornfacetothetable，carefullyadjustedhischair，andseatedhimself，saying：

"We\'llhavetosoundTaraska。HelivesinUsolyeatsomefactory。

Iwastoldbysomemerchants——they\'remakingsodathere，I

believe。I\'llfindouttheparticulars。I\'llwritetohim。"

"Allowmetowritetohim，papa！"beggedLubov，softly，flushing，tremblingwithjoy。

"You？"askedMayakin，castingabriefglanceather；hethenbecamesilent，thoughtawhileandsaid：

"That\'sallright。That\'sevenbetter！Writetohim。Askhimwhetherheisn\'tmarried，howhelives，whathethinks。ButthenI\'lltellyouwhattowritewhenthetimehascome。"

"Doitatonce，papa，"saidthegirl。

"Itisnecessarytomarryyouoffthesooner。Iamkeepinganeyeonacertainred-hairedfellow。Hedoesn\'tseemtobestupid。

He\'sbeenpolishedabroad，bytheway。

"IsitSmolin，papa？"askedLubov，inquisitivelyandanxiously。

"Andsupposingitishe，whatofit？"inquiredYakovTarasovichinabusiness-liketone。

"Nothing，Idon\'tknowhim，"repliedLubov，indefinitely。

"We\'llmakeyouacquainted。It\'stime，Lubov，it\'stime。OurhopesforFomaarepoor，althoughIdonotgivehimup。"

"IdidnotreckononFoma——whatishetome？"

"That\'swrong。Ifyouhadbeenclevererperhapshewouldn\'thavegoneastray！WheneverIusedtoseeyoutogether，Ithought：\'Mygirlwillattractthefellowtoherself！Thatwillbeafineaffair！\'ButIwaswrong。Ithoughtthatyouwouldknowwhatistoyouradvantagewithoutbeingtoldofit。That\'stheway，mygirl！"saidthefather，instructively。

Shebecamethoughtfulasshelistenedtohisimpressivespeech。

Robustandstrong，Lubovwasthinkingofmarriagemoreandmorefrequentlyoflate，forshesawnootherwayoutofherloneliness。Thedesiretoforsakeherfatherandgoawaysomewhereinordertostudysomething，todosomething。Thisdesireshehadlongsinceovercome，evenassheconqueredinherselfmanyanotherlongingjustaskeen，butshallowandindefinite。Fromthevariousbooksshehadreadathicksedimentremainedwithinher，andthoughitwassomethingliveithadthelifeofaprotoplasm。Thissedimentdevelopedinthegirlafeelingofdis-satisfactionwithherlife，ayearningtowardpersonalindependence，alongingtobefreedfromtheheavyguardianshipofherfather，butshehadneitherthepowertorealizethesedesires，northeclearconceptionoftheirrealization。Butnaturehaditsinfluenceonher，andatthesightofyoungmotherswithchildrenintheirarmsLubovoftenfeltasadandmournfullanguorwithinher。Attimesstoppingbeforethemirrorshesadlyscrutinizedinitherplump，freshfacewithdarkcirclesaroundhereyes，andshefeltsorryforherself。Shefeltthatlifewasgoingpasther，forgettinghersomewhereontheside。Nowlisteningtoherfather\'swordsshepicturedtoherselfwhatsortofmanSmolinmightbe。ShehadmethimwhenhewasyetaGymnasiumstudent，hisfacewascoveredwithfreckles，hewassnub-nosed，alwaysclean，sedateandtiresome。Hedancedheavily，awkwardly，hetalkeduninterestingly。Alongtimehadpassedsincethen，hehadbeenabroad，hadstudiedsomethingthere，howwashenow？FromSmolinherthoughtsdartedtoherbrother，andwithasinkingheartshethought：whatwouldhesayinreplytoherletter？Whatsortofamanwashe？TheimageofherbrotherasshehadpicturedittoherselfpreventedherfromseeingbothherfatherandSmolin，andshehadalreadymadeuphermindnottoconsenttomarrybeforemeetingTaras，whensuddenlyherfathershoutedtoher：

"Eh，Lubovka！Whyareyouthoughtful？Whatareyouthinkingofmostly？"

"So，everythinggoessoswiftly，"repliedLuba，withasmile。

"Whatgoesswiftly？"

"Everything。AweekagoitwasimpossibletospeakwithyouaboutTaras，whilenow——"

"\'Tisneed，mygirl！Needisapower，itbendsasteelrodintoaspring。Andsteelisstubborn。Taras，we\'llseewhatheis！Manistobeappreciatedbyhisresistancetothepoweroflife；ifitisn\'tlifethatwringshim，buthethatwringslifetosuithimself，myrespectstothatman！Allowmetoshakeyourhand，let\'srunourbusinesstogether。Eh，Iamold。Andhowverybrisklifehasbecomenow！Witheachsucceedingyearthereismoreandmoreinterestinit，moreandmorerelishtoit！IwishIcouldliveforever，IwishIcouldactallthetime！"Theoldmansmackedhislips，rubbedhishands，andhissmalleyesgleamedgreedily。

"Butyouareathin-bloodedlot！Ereyouhavegrownupyouarealreadyovergrownandwithered。Youlivelikeanoldradish。Andthefactthatlifeisgrowingfairerandfairerisincomprehensibletoyou。Ihavelivedsixty-sevenyearsonthisearth，andthoughIamnowstandingclosetomygraveIcanseethatinformeryears，whenIwasyoung，therewerefewerflowersonearth，andtheflowerswerenotquiteasbeautifulastheyarenow。Everythingisgrowingmorebeautiful！Whatbuildingswehavenow！Whatdifferenttradeimplements。Whathugesteamers！Aworldofbrainshasbeenputintoeverything！Youlookandthink；whatcleverfellowsyouare——0hpeople！Youmeritrewardandrespect！

You\'vearrangedlifecleverly。Everythingisgood，everythingispleasant。Onlyyou，oursuccessors，youaredevoidofalllivefeelings！Anylittlecharlatanfromamongthecommonersisclevererthanyou！TakethatYozhov，forinstance，whatishe？

Andyetherepresentshimselfasjudgeoverus，andevenoverlifeitself——hehascourage。Butyou，pshaw！Youlivelikebeggars！Inyourjoyyouarebeasts，inyourmisfortunevermin！

Youarerotten！Theyoughttoinjectfireintoyourveins，theyoughttotakeyourskinoffandstrewsaltuponyourrawflesh，thenyouwouldhavejumped！"

YakovTarasovich，small-sized，wrinkledandbony，withblack，brokenteethinhismouth，bald-headedanddark，asthoughburnedbytheheatoflifeandsmokedinit，trembledinvehementagitation，showeringjarringwordsofcontemptuponhisdaughter，whowasyoung，well-grownandplump。Shelookedathimwithaguiltyexpressioninhereyes，smiledconfusedly，andinherheartgrewagreaterandgreaterrespectfortheliveoldmanwhowassosteadfastinhisdesires……

AndFomawentonstrayingandraving，passinghisdaysandnightsintavernsanddens，andmasteringmoreandmorefirmlyhiscontemptuously-hatefulbearingtowardthepeoplethatsurroundedhim。Attimestheyawakenedinhimasadyearningtofindamongthemsomesortofresistancetohiswickedfeeling，tomeetaworthyandcourageousmanwhowouldcausehimtoblushwithshamebyhisburningreproach。Thisyearningbecameclearer——eachtimeitsprangupinhimitwasalongingforassistanceonthepartofamanwhofeltthathehadlosthiswayandwasperishing。

"Brethren！"hecriedoneday，sittingbythetableinatavern，half-intoxicated，andsurroundedbycertainobscureandgreedypeople，whoateanddrankasthoughtheyhadnothadapieceofbreadintheirmouthsformanyalongdaybefore。

"Brethren！Ifeeldisgusted。Iamtiredofyou！Beatmeunmercifully，drivemeaway！Youarerascals，butyouarenearertooneanotherthantome。Why？AmInotadrunkardandarascalaswell？AndyetIamastrangertoyou！IcanseeIamastranger。Youdrinkoutofmeandsecretlyyouspituponme。I

canfeelit！Whydoyoudoit？"

Tobesure，theycouldtreathiminadifferentway。InthedepthofhissoulperhapsnotoneofthemconsideredhimselflowerthanFoma，buthewasrich，andthishinderedthemfromtreatinghimmoreasacompanion，andthenhealwaysspokecertaincomicallywrathful，conscience-rendingwords，andthisembarrassedthem。

Moreover，hewasstrongandreadytofight，andtheydarednotsayawordagainsthim。Andthatwasjustwhathewanted。Hewishedmoreandmoreintenselythatoneofthesepeoplehedespisedwouldstandupagainsthim，facetoface，andwouldtellhimsomethingstrong，which，likealever，wouldturnhimasidefromtheslopingroad，whosedangerhefelt，andwhosefilthhesaw，beingfilledwithhelplessaversionforit。

AndFomafoundwhatheneeded。

Oneday，irritatedbythelackofattentionforhim，hecriedtohisdrinking-companions：

"Youboys，keepquiet，everyoneofyou！Whogivesyoutodrinkandtoeat？Haveyouforgottenit？I\'llbringyouinorder！I\'llshowyouhowtorespectme！Convicts！WhenIspeakyoumustallkeepquiet！"

And，indeed，allbecamesilent；eitherforfearlesttheymightlosehisgoodwill，or，perhaps，afraidthathe，thathealthyandstrongbeast，mightbeatthem。Theysatinsilenceaboutaminute，concealingtheirangerathim，bendingovertheplatesandattemptingtohidefromhimtheirfrightandembarrassment。

Fomameasuredthemwithaself-satisfiedlook，andgratifiedbytheirslavishsubmissiveness，saidboastfully：

"Ah！You\'vegrowndumbnow，that\'stheway！Iamstrict！I——"

"Yousluggard！"camesomeone\'scalm，loudexclamation。

"Wha-at？"roaredFoma，jumpingupfromhischair。"Whosaidthat？"

Thenacertain，strange，shabby-lookingmanaroseattheendofthetable；hewastall，inalongfrock-coat，withaheapofgrayishhaironhislargehead。Hishairwasstiff，standingoutinalldirectionsinthicklocks，hisfacewasyellow，unshaven，withalong，crookednose。ToFomaitseemedthatheresembledaswabwithwhichthesteamerdecksarewashed，andthisamusedthehalf-intoxicatedfellow。

"Howfine！"saidhe，sarcastically。"Whatareyousnarlingat，eh？DoyouknowwhoIam？"

WiththegestureofatragicactorthemanstretchedouttoFomahishand，withitslong，pliantfingerslikethoseofajuggler，andhesaidinadeephoarsebasso：

"Youaretherottendiseaseofyourfather，who，thoughhewasaplunderer，wasneverthelessaworthymanincomparisonwithyou。"

Becauseoftheunexpectednessofthis，andbecauseofhiswrath，Foma\'sheartshrank。Hefiercelyopenedhiseyeswideandkeptsilent，findingnowordstoreplytothisinsolence。Andtheman，standingbeforehim，wentonhoarsely，withanimation，beastlikerollinghislarge，butdimandswollen，eyes：

"Youdemandofusrespectforyou，youfool！Howhaveyoumeritedit？Whoareyou？Adrunkard，drinkingawaythefortuneofyourfather。Yousavage！YououghttobeproudthatI，arenownedartist，adisinterestedandfaithfulworshipperattheshrineofart，drinkfromthesamebottlewithyou！Thisbottlecontainssandalandmolasses，infusedwithsnuff-tobacco，whileyouthinkitisportwine。Itisyourlicenseforthenameofsavageandass。"

"Eh，youjailbird！"roaredFoma，rushingtowardtheartist。Buthewasseizedandheldback。Strugglinginthearmsofthosethatseizedhim，hewascompelledtolistenwithoutreplying，tothethundering，deepandheavybassofthemanwhoresembledaswab。

"Youhavethrowntomenafewcopecksoutofthestolenroubles，andyouconsideryourselfahero！Youaretwiceathief。Youhavestolentheroublesandnowyouarestealinggratitudeforyourfewcopecks！ButIshallnotgiveittoyou！I，whohavedevotedallmylifetothecondemnationofvice，Istandbeforeyouandsayopenly：\'Youareafoolandabeggarbecauseyouaretoorich！Hereliesthewisdom：allthericharebeggars。\'That\'showthefamouscoupletist，Rimsky-Kannibalsky，servesTruth！"

Fomawasnowstandingmeeklyamongthepeoplethathadcloselysurroundedhim，andheeagerlylistenedtothecoupletist\'sthunderingwords，whichnowarousedinhimasensationasthoughsomebodywasscratchingasorespot，andthussoothingtheacuteitchingofthepain。Thepeoplewereexcited；someattemptedtocheckthecoupletist\'sflowofeloquence，otherswantedtoleadFomaawaysomewhere。Withoutsayingawordhepushedthemasideandlistened，moreandmoreabsorbedbytheintensepleasureofhumiliationwhichhefeltinthepresenceofthesepeople。Thepainirritatedbythewordsofthecoupletist，caressedFoma\'ssoulmoreandmorepassionately，andthecoupletistwentonthundering，intoxicatedwiththeimpurityofhisaccusation：

"Youthinkthatyouarethemasteroflife？Youarethelowslaveoftherouble。"

Someoneinthecrowdhiccoughed，and，evidentlydispleasedwithhimselfforthis，cursedeachtimehehiccoughed：

"0hdevil。"

Andacertain，unshaven，fat-facedmantookpityonFoma，or，perhaps，becametiredofwitnessingthatscene，and，wavinghishands，hedrawledoutplaintively：

"Gentlemen，dropthat！Itisn\'tgood！Forweareallsinners！

Decidedlyall，believeme！"

"Well，speakon！"mutteredFoma。"Sayeverything！Iwon\'ttouchyou。"

Themirrorsonthewallsreflectedthisdrunkenconfusion，andthepeople，asreflectedinthemirrors，seemedmoredisgustingandhideousthantheywereinreality。

"Idonotwanttospeak！"exclaimedthecoupletist，"Idonotwanttocastthepearlsoftruthandofmywrathbeforeyou。"

Herushedforward，andraisinghisheadmajestically，turnedtowardthedoorwithtragicfootsteps。

"Youlie！"saidFoma，attemptingtofollowhim。"Holdon！youhavemademeagitated，nowcalmme。"

Theyseizedhim，surroundedhimandshoutedsomethingtohimwhilehewasrushingforward，overturningeverybody。Whenhemettactileobstaclesonhiswaythestrugglewiththemgavehimease，unitingallhisriotousfeelingsintooneyearningtooverthrowthatwhichhinderedhim。Andnow，afterhehadjostledthemallasideandrushedoutintothestreet，hewasalreadylessagitated。Standingonthesidewalkhelookedaboutthestreetandthoughtwithshame：

"HowcouldIpermitthatswabtomockmeandabusemyfatherasathief？"

Itwasdarkandquietabouthim，themoonwasshiningbrightly，andalightrefreshingbreezewasblowing。Fomaheldhisfacetothecoolbreezeashewalkedagainstthewindwithrapidstrides，timidlylookingaboutonallsides，andwishingthatnoneofthecompanyfromthetavernwouldfollowhim。Heunderstoodthathehadloweredhimselfintheeyesofallthesepeople。Ashewalkedhethoughtofwhathehadcometo：asharperhadpubliclyabusedhimindisgracefulterms，whilehe，thesonofawell-knownmerchant，hadnotbeenabletorepayhimforhismocking。

"Itservesmeright！"thoughtFoma，sadlyandbitterly。"Thatservesmeright！Don\'tloseyourhead，understand。Andthenagain，Iwanteditmyself。Iinterferedwitheverybody，sonow，takeyourshare！"Thesethoughtsmadehimfeelpainfullysorryforhimself。Seizedandsoberedbythemhekeptonstrollingalongthestreets，andsearchingforsomethingstrongandfirminhimself。Buteverythingwithinhimwasconfused；itmerelyoppressedhisheart，withoutassuminganydefiniteforms。Asinapainfuldreamhereachedtheriver，seatedhimselfonthebeamsbytheshore，andbegantolookatthecalmdarkwater，whichwascoveredwithtinyripples。Calmlyandalmostnoiselesslyflowedonthebroad，mightyriver，carryingenormousweightsuponitsbosom。Theriverwasallcoveredwithblackvessels，thesignallightsandthestarswerereflectedinitswater；thetinyripples，murmuringsoftly，weregentlybreakingagainsttheshoreattheveryfeetofFoma。Sadnesswasbreatheddownfromthesky，thefeelingoflonelinessoppressedFoma。

"0hLordJesusChrist！"thoughthe，sadlygazingatthesky。

"WhatafailureIam。Thereisnothinginme。Godhasputnothingintome。OfwhatuseamI？OhLordJesus！"

AttherecollectionofChristFomafeltsomewhatbetter——hislonelinessseemedalleviated，andheavingadeepsigh，hebegantoaddressGodinsilence：

"0hLordJesusChrist！Otherpeopledonotunderstandanythingeither，buttheythinkthatallisknowntothem，andthereforeitiseasierforthemtolive。WhileI——Ihavenojustification。

Hereitisnight，andIamalone，Ihavenoplacetogo，Iamunabletosayanythingtoanybody。Ilovenoone——onlymygodfather，andheissoulless。IfThouhadstbutpunishedhimsomehow！Hethinksthereisnoneclevererandbetteronearththanhimself。WhileThousufferestit。Andthesamewithme。Ifsomemisfortunewerebutsenttome。Ifsomeillnessweretoovertakeme。ButhereIamasstrongasiron。Iamdrinking，leadingagaylife。Iliveinfilth，butthebodydoesnotevenrust，andonlymysoulaches。OhLord！Towhatpurposeissuchalife？"

Vaguethoughtsofprotestflashedoneafteranotherthroughthemindofthelonely，strayingman，whilethesilenceabouthimwasgrowingdeeper，andnighteverdarkeranddarker。Notfarfromtheshorelayaboatatanchor；itrockedfromsidetoside，andsomethingwascreakinginitasthoughmoaning。

"HowamItofreemyselffromsuchalifeasthis？"reflectedFoma，staringattheboat。"Andwhatoccupationisdestinedtobemine？Everybodyisworking。"

Andsuddenlyhewasstruckbyathoughtwhichappearedgreattohim：

"Andhardworkischeaperthaneasywork！Somemanwillgivehimselfupentiretohisworkforarouble，whileanothertakesathousandwithonefinger。"

Hewaspleasantlyrousedbythisthought。Itseemedtohimthathediscoveredanotherfalsehoodinthelifeofman，anotherfraudwhichtheyconceal。Herecalledoneofhisstokers，theoldmanIlya，who，fortencopecks，usedtobeonwatchatthefireplaceoutofhisturn，workingforacomradeeighthoursinsuccession，amidsuffocatingheat。Oneday，whenhehadfallensickonaccountofoverwork，hewaslyingonthebowofthesteamer，andwhenFomaaskedhimwhyhewasthusruininghimself，Ilyarepliedroughlyandsternly：

"Becauseeverycopeckismorenecessarytomethanahundredroublestoyou。That\'swhy！"

And，sayingthis，theoldmanturnedhisbody，whichwasburningwithpain，withitsbacktoFoma。

Reflectingonthestokerhisthoughtssuddenlyandwithoutanyeffort，embracedallthosepettypeoplethatweredoinghardwork。Hewondered，Whydotheylive？Whatpleasureisitforthemtoliveonearth？Theyconstantlydobuttheirdirty，hardwork，theyeatpoorly，arepoorlyclad，theydrink。Onemanissixtyyearsold，andyethekeepsontoilingsidebysidewiththeyoungfellows。AndtheyallappearedtoFomaasahugepileofworms，whichbattledaboutonearthjusttogetsomethingtoeat。

Inhismemoryspranguphismeetingswiththesepeople，oneafteranother——theirremarksaboutlife——nowsarcasticandmournful，nowhopelesslygloomyremarks——theirwailingsongs。AndnowhealsorecalledhowonedayintheofficeYefimhadsaidtotheclerkwhohiredthesailors：

"SomeLopukhinpeasantshavecomeheretohirethemselvesout，sodon\'tgivethemmorethantenroublesamonth。Theirplacewasburneddowntoasheslastsummer，andtheyarenowindireneed——

they\'llworkfortenroubles。"

Sittingonthebeams，Fomarockedhiswholebodytoandfro，andoutofthedarkness，fromtheriver，varioushumanfiguresappearedsilentlybeforehim——sailors，stokers，clerks，waiters，half-intoxicatedpaintedwomen，andtavern-loungers。Theyfloatedintheairlikeshadows；somethingdampandbrackishcamefromthem，andthedark，densethrongmovedonslowly，noiselesslyandswiftly，likecloudsinanautumnsky。Thesoftsplashingofthewavespouredintohissoullikesadlysighingmusic。Faraway，somewhereontheotherbankoftheriver，burnedawood-pile；

embracedbythedarknessonallsides，itwasattimesalmostabsorbedbyit，andinthedarknessittrembled，areddishspotscarcelyvisibletotheeye。Butnowthefireflamedupagain，thedarknessreceded，anditwasevidentthattheflamewasstrivingupward。Andthenitsankagain。

"0hLord，0hLord！"thoughtFoma，painfullyandbitterly，feelingthatgriefwasoppressinghisheartwithevergreaterpower。

"HereIam，alone，evenasthatfire。Onlynolightcomesfromme，nothingbutfumesandsmoke。IfIcouldonlymeetawiseman！

Someonetospeakto。Itisutterlyimpossibleformetolivealone。Icannotdoanything。IwishImightmeetaman。"

Faraway，ontheriver，twolargepurplefiresappeared，andhighabovethemwasathird。Adullnoiseresoundedinthedistance，somethingblackwasmovingtowardFoma。

"Asteamergoingupstream，"hethought。"Theremaybemorethanahundredpeopleaboard，andnoneofthemgiveasinglethoughttome。Theyallknowwhithertheyaresailing。Everyoneofthemhassomethingthatishisown。Everyone，Ibelieve，understandswhathewants。ButwhatdoIwant？Andwhowilltellittome？

Whereissuchaman？"

Thelightsofthesteamerwerereflectedintheriver，quiveringinit；theilluminedwaterrushedawayfromitwithadullmurmur，andthesteamerlookedlikeahugeblackfishwithfinsoffire。

Afewdayselapsedafterthispainfulnight，andFomacarousedagain。Itcameaboutbyaccidentandagainsthiswill。Hehadmadeuphismindtorestrainhimselffromdrinking，andsowenttodinnerinoneofthemostexpensivehotelsintown，hopingtofindtherenoneofhisfamiliardrinking-companions，whoalwaysselectedthecheaperandlessrespectableplacesfortheirdrinkingbouts。Buthiscalculationprovedtobewrong；heatoncecameintothefriendlyjoyousembraceofthebrandy-

distiller\'sson，whohadtakenSashaasmistress。

HeranuptoFoma，embracedhimandburstintomerrylaughter。

"Here\'sameeting！ThisisthethirddayIhaveeatenhere，andI

amweariedbythisterriblelonesomeness。Thereisnotadecentmaninthewholetown，soIhavehadtostrikeupanacquaintancewithnewspapermen。They\'reagaylot，althoughatfirsttheyplayedthearistocratandkeptsneeringatme。Afterawhileweallgotdeaddrunk。They\'llbehereagaintoday——Iswearbythefortuneofmyfather！I\'llintroduceyoutothem。Thereisonewriteroffeuilletonshere；youknow，thatsomeonewhoalwayslaudedyou，what\'shisname？Anamusingfellow，thedeviltakehim！Doyouknowitwouldbeagoodthingtohireonelikethatforpersonaluse！Givehimacertainsumofmoneyandorderhimtoamuse！How\'sthat？Ihadacertaincoupletistinmyemploy，——

itwasratherentertainingtobewithhim。Iusedtosaytohimsometimes：\'Rimsky！giveussomecouplets！\'Hewouldstart，I

tellyou，andhe\'dmakeyousplityoursideswithlaughter。It\'sapity，heranoffsomewhere。Haveyouhaddinner？"

"Notyet。Andhow\'sAleksandra？"askedFoma，somewhatdeafenedbytheloudspeechofthistall，frank，red-facedfellowcladinamotleycostume。

"Well，doyouknow，"saidthelatterwithafrown，"thatAleksandraofyoursisanastywoman！She\'ssoobscure，it\'stiresometobewithher，thedeviltakeher！She\'sascoldasafrog，——brrr！IguessI\'llsendheraway。"

"Cold——that\'strue，"saidFomaandbecamepensive。"Everypersonmustdohisworkinafirstclassmanner，"saidthedistiller\'sson，instructively。"Andifyoubecomesomeone\'ssmistressyoumustperformyourdutyinthebestwaypossible，ifyouareadecentwoman。Well，shallwehaveadrink？"

Theyhadadrink。Andnaturallytheygotdrunk。Alargeandnoisycompanygatheredinthehoteltowardevening。AndFoma，intoxicated，butsadandcalm，spoketothemwithheavyvoice：

"That\'sthewayIunderstandit：somepeopleareworms，otherssparrows。Thesparrowsarethemerchants。Theypecktheworms。

Suchistheirdestinedlot。TheyarenecessaryButIandyou——allofyou——aretonopurpose。Welivesothatwecannotbecomparedtoanything——withoutjustification，merelyatrandom。Andweareutterlyunnecessary。Buteventhesehere，andeverybodyelse，towhatpurposearethey？Youmustunderstandthat。Brethren！Weshallallburst！ByGod！Andwhyshallweburst？Becausethereisalwayssomethingsuperfluousinus，thereissomethingsuperfluousinoursouls。Andallourlifeissuperfluous！

Comrades！Iweep。TowhatpurposeamI？Iamunnecessary！Killme，thatImaydie；Iwanttodie。"

Andhewept，sheddingmanydrunkentears。Adrunken，small-sized，swarthymansatdownclosetohim，begantoremindhimofsomething，triedtokisshim，andstrikingaknifeagainstthetable，shouted：

"True！Silence！Thesearepowerfulwords！Lettheelephantsandthemammothsofthedisorderoflifespeak！TherawRussianconsciencespeaksholywords！Roaron，Gordyeeff！Roarateverything！"AndagainheclutchedatFoma\'sshoulders，flunghimselfonhisbreast，raisingtoFoma\'sfacehisround，black，closely-croppedhead，whichwasceaselesslyturningaboutonhisshouldersonallsides，sothatFomawasunabletoseehisface，andhewasangryathimforthis，andkeptonpushinghimaside，cryingexcitedly：

"Getaway！Whereisyourface？Goon！"

Adeafening，drunkenlaughtersmotetheairaboutthem，andchokingwithlaughter，thesonofthebrandy-distillerroaredtosomeonehoarsely：

"Cometome！Ahundredroublesamonthwithboardandlodging！