第10章

Throwthepapertothedogs。I\'llgiveyoumore！"

Andeverythingrockedfromsidetosideinrhythmic，wave-likemovement。NowthepeoplemovedfartherawayfromFoma，nowtheycamenearertohim，theceilingdescended，thefloorrose，anditseemedtoFomathathewouldsoonbeflattenedandcrushed。Thenhebegantofeelthathewasfloatingsomewhereoveranimmenselywideandstormyriver，and，staggering，hecriedoutinfright：

"Wherearewefloating？Whereisthecaptain？"

Hewasansweredbytheloud，senselesslaughterofthedrunkencrowd，andbytheshrill，repulsiveshoutoftheswarthylittleman：

"True！weareallwithouthelmandsails。Whereisthecaptain？

What？Ha，ha，ha！"

Fomaawakenedfromthisnightmareinasmallroomwithtwowindows，andthefirstthinghiseyesfelluponwasawitheredtree。Itstoodnearthewindow；itsthicktrunk，barkless，witharottenheart，preventedthelightfromenteringtheroom；thebent，blackbranches，devoidofleaves，stretchedthemselvesmournfullyandhelplesslyintheair，andshakingtoandfro，theycreakedsoftly，plaintively。Arainwasfalling；streamsofwaterwerebeatingagainstthewindow-panes，andonecouldhearhowthewaterwasfallingtothegroundfromtheroof，sobbingthere。Thissobbingsoundwasjoinedbyanothersound——ashrill，ofteninterrupted，hastyscratchingofapenoverpaper，andthenbyacertainspasmodicgrumbling。

Whenheturnedwithdifficultyhisaching，heavyheadonthepillow，Fomanoticedasmall，swarthyman，whosatbythetablehastilyscratchingwithhispenoverthepaper，shakinghisroundheadapprovingly，waggingitfromsidetoside，shrugginghisshoulders，and，withallhissmallbodyclothedinnightgarmentsonly，constantlymovingaboutinhischair，asthoughheweresittingonfire，andcouldnotgetupforsomereasonorother。

Hislefthand，leanandthin，wasnowfirmlyrubbinghisforehead，nowmakingcertainincomprehensiblesignsintheair；

hisbarefeetscrapedalongthefloor，acertainveinquiveredonhisneck，andevenhisearsweremoving。WhenheturnedtowardFoma，Fomasawhisthinlipswhisperingsomething，hissharp-

pointednoseturneddowntohisthinmoustache，whichtwitchedupwardeachtimethelittlemansmiled。Hisfacewasyellow，bloated，wrinkled，andhisblack，vivacioussmallsparklingeyesdidnotseemtobelongtohim。

Havinggrowntiredoflookingathim，Fomaslowlybegantoexaminetheroomwithhiseyes。Onthelargenails，drivenintothewalls，hungpilesofnewspapers，whichmadethewallslookasthoughcoveredwithswellings。Theceilingwaspastedwithpaperwhichhadbeenwhiteonceuponatime；nowitwaspuffeduplikebladders，tornhereandthere，peeledoffandhangingindirtyscraps；clothing，boots，books，tornpiecesofpaperlayscatteredonthefloor。Altogethertheroomgaveonetheimpressionthatithadbeenscaldedwithboilingwater。

Thelittlemandroppedthepen，bentoverthetable，drummedbrisklyonitsedgewithhisfingersandbegantosingsoftlyinafaintvoice：

"Takethedrumandfearnot，——

Andkissthesutlergirlaloud——

That\'sthesenseoflearning——

Andthat\'sphilosophy。"

Fomaheavedadeedsighandsaid：

"MayIhavesomeseltzer？"

"Ah！"exclaimedthelittleman，andjumpingupfromhischair，appearedatthewideoilcloth-coveredlounge，whereFomalay。

"Howdoyoudo，comrade！Seltzer？Ofcourse！Withcognacorplain？"

"Betterwithcognac，"saidFoma，shakingthelean，burninghandwhichwasoutstretchedtohim，andstaringfixedlyintothefaceofthelittleman。

"Yegorovna！"criedthelatteratthedoor，andturningtoFoma，asked："Don\'tyourecogniseme，FomaIgnatyevich？"

"Iremembersomething。Itseemstomewehadmetsomewherebefore。"

"Thatmeetinglastedforfouryears，butthatwaslongago！

Yozhov。"

"0hLord！"exclaimedFoma，inastonishment，slightlyrisingfromthelounge。"Isitpossiblethatitisyou？"

"Therearetimes，dear，whenIdon\'tbelieveitmyself，butarealfactissomethingfromwhichdoubtjumpsbackasarubberballfromiron。"

Yozhov\'sfacewascomicallydistorted，andforsomereasonorotherhishandsbegantofeelhisbreast。

"Well，well！"drawledoutFoma。"Buthowoldyouhavegrown！Ah-

ah！Howoldareyou？"

"Thirty。"

"Andyoulookasthoughyouwerefifty，lean，yellow。Lifeisn\'tsweettoyou，itseems？Andyouaredrinking，too，Isee。"

Fomafeltsorrytoseehisjollyandbriskschoolmatesowornout，andlivinginthisdog-hole，whichseemedtobeswollenfromburns。Helookedathim，winkedhiseyesmournfullyandsawthatYozhov\'sfacewasforevertwitching，andhissmalleyeswereburningwithirritation。Yozhovwastryingtouncorkthebottleofwater，andthusoccupied，wassilent；hepressedthebottlebetweenhiskneesandmadevaineffortstotakeoutthecork。AndhisimpotencemovedFoma。

"Yes；lifehassuckedyoudry。Andyouhavestudied。Evenscienceseemstohelpmanbutlittle，"saidGordyeeffplaintively。

"Drink！"saidYozhov，turningpalewithfatigue，andhandinghimtheglass。Thenhewipedhisforehead，seatedhimselfontheloungebesideFoma，andsaid：

"Leavesciencealone！Scienceisadrinkofthegods；butithasnotyetfermentedsufficiently，and，thereforeisnotfitforuse，likevodkawhichhasnotyetbeenpurifiedfromempyreumaticoil。Scienceisnotreadyforman\'shappiness，myfriend。Andthoselivingpeoplethatuseitgetnothingbutheadaches。LikethoseyouandIhaveatpresent。Whydoyoudrinksorashly？"

"I？WhatelseamItodo？"askedFoma，laughing。YozhovlookedatFomasearchinglywithhiseyeshalfclosed，andhesaid：

"Connectingyourquestionwitheverythingyoujabberedlastnight，Ifeelwithinmytroubledsoulthatyou，too，myfriend，donotamuseyourselfbecauselifeischeerfultoyou。"

"Eh！"sighedFoma，heavily，risingfromthelounge。"Whatismylife？Itissomethingmeaningless。Ilivealone。Iunderstandnothing。AndyetthereissomethingIlongfor。Iyearntospitonallandthendisappearsomewhere！Iwouldliketorunawayfromeverything。Iamsoweary！"

"That\'sinteresting！"saidYozhov，rubbinghishandsandturningaboutinalldirections。"Thisisinteresting，ifitistrueanddeep，foritshowsthattheholyspiritofdissatisfactionwithlifehasalreadypenetratedintothebedchambersofthemerchants，intothedeathchambersofsoulsdrownedinfatcabbagesoup，inlakesofteaandotherliquids。Givemeacircumstantialaccountofit。Then，mydear，Ishallwriteanovel。"

"Ihavebeentoldthatyouhavealreadywrittensomethingaboutme？"inquiredFoma，withcuriosity，andoncemoreattentivelyscrutinizedhisoldfriendunabletounderstandwhatsowretchedacreaturecouldwrite。

"OfcourseIhave！Didyoureadit？"

"No，Ididnothavethechance。"

"Andwhathavetheytoldyou？"

"Thatyougavemeacleverscolding。"

"Hm！Anddoesn\'titinterestyoutoreadityourself？"inquiredYozhov，scrutinizingGordyeeffclosely。

"I\'llreadit！"Fomaassuredhim，feelingembarrassedbeforeYozhov，andthatYozhovwasoffendedbysuchregardforhiswritings。"Indeed，itisinterestingsinceitisaboutmyself，"

headded，smilingkindheartedlyathiscomrade。

Insayingthishewasnotatallinterested，andhesaiditmerelyoutofpityforYozhov。Therewasquiteanotherfeelinginhim；hewishedtoknowwhatsortofamanYozhovwas，andwhyhehadbecomesowornout。ThismeetingwithYozhovgaveriseinhimtoatranquilandkindfeeling；itcalledforthrecollectionsofhischildhood，andtheseflashednowinhismemory，——flashedlikemodestlittlelights，timidlyshiningathimfromthedistanceofthepast。Yozhovwalkeduptothetableonwhichstoodaboilingsamovar，silentlypouredouttwoglassesofteaasstrongastar，andsaidtoFoma：

"Comeanddrinktea。Andtellmeaboutyourself。"

"Ihavenothingtotellyou。Ihavenotseenanythinginlife。

Mineisanemptylife！Youhadbettertellmeaboutyourself。I

amsureyouknowmorethanIdo，atanyrate。"

Yozhovbecamethoughtful，notceasingtoturnhiswholebodyandtowagglehishead。Inthoughtfulnesshisfacebecamemotionless，allitswrinklesgatherednearhiseyesandseemedtosurroundthemwithrays，andbecauseofthishiseyesrecededdeeperunderhisforehead。

"Yes，mydear，Ihaveseenathingortwo，andIknowagreatdeal，"hebegan，withashakeofthehead。"AndperhapsIknowevenmorethanitisnecessaryformetoknow，andtoknowmorethanitisnecessaryisjustasharmfultomanasitistobeignorantofwhatitisessentialtoknow。ShallItellyouhowI

havelived？Verywell；thatis，I\'lltry。Ihavenevertoldanyoneaboutmyself，becauseIhaveneverarousedinterestinanyone。Itismostoffensivetoliveonearthwithoutarousingpeople\'sinterestinyou！"

"Icanseebyyourfaceandbyeverythingelsethatyourlifehasnotbeenasmoothone！"saidFoma，feelingpleasedwiththefactthat，toallappearances，lifewasnotsweettohiscomradeaswell。Yozhovdrankhisteaatonedraught，thrusttheglassonthesaucer，placedhisfeetontheedgeofthechair，andclaspinghiskneesinhishands，restedhischinuponthem。Inthispose，smallsizedandflexibleasrubber，hebegan：

"ThestudentSachkov，myformerteacher，whoisnowadoctorofmedicine，awhist-playerandameanfellowallaround，usedtotellmewheneverIknewmylessonwell：\'You\'reafinefellow，Kolya！Youareanableboy。Weproletariats，plainandpoorpeople，comingfromthebackyardoflife，wemuststudyandstudy，inordertocometothefront，aheadofeverybody。Russiaisinneedofwiseandhonestpeople。Trytobesuch，andyouwillbemasterofyourfateandausefulmemberofsociety。Onuscommonersrestthebesthopesofthecountry。Wearedestinedtobringintoitlight，truth，\'andsoon。Ibelievedhim，thebrute。Andsincethenabouttwentyyearshaveelapsed。Weproletariatshavegrownup，buthaveneitherappropriatedanywisdom，norbroughtlightintolife。Asbefore，Russiaisstillsufferingfromitschronicdisease——asuperabundanceofrascals；

whilewe，theproletariats，takepleasureinfillingtheirdensethrongs。Myteacher，Irepeat，isalackey，acharacterlessanddumbcreature，whomustobeytheordersofthemayor。While1amaclownintheemployofsociety。Famepursuesmehereintown，dear。IwalkalongthestreetandIhearonedriversaytoanother：\'TheregoesYozhov！Howcleverlyhebarks，thedeucetakehim！\'Yes！Eventhiscannotbesoeasilyattained。"

Yozhov\'sfacewrinkledintoabittergrimace，andhebegantolaugh，noiselessly，withhislipsonly。Fomadidnotunderstandhiswords，and，justtosaysomething，heremarkedatrandom：

"Youdidn\'thit，then，whatyouaimedat？"

"Yes，IthoughtIwouldgrowuphigher。AndsoIshould！SoI

should，Isay！"

Hejumpedupfromhischairandbegantorunaboutintheroom，exclaimingbrisklyinashrillvoice：

"Buttopreserveone\'sselfpureforlifeandtobeafreemaninit，onemusthavevastpowers！Ihadthem。Ihadelasticity，cleverness。Ihavespentalltheseinordertolearnsomethingwhichisabsolutelyunnecessarytomenow。Ihavewastedthewholeofmyselfinordertopreservesomethingwithinmyself。0hdevil！Imyselfandmanyotherswithme，wehaveallrobbedourselvesforthesakeofsavingupsomethingforlife。Justthinkofit：desiringtomakeofmyselfavaluableman，Ihaveunderratedmyindividualityineverywaypossible。Inordertostudy，andnotdieofstarvation，Ihaveforsixyearsinsuccessiontaughtblockheadshowtoreadandwrite，andhadtobearamassofabominationsatthehandsofvariouspapasandmammas，whohumiliatedmewithoutanyconstraint。Earningmybreadandtea，Icouldnot，Ihadnotthetimetoearnmyshoes，andIhadtoturntocharitableinstitutionswithhumblepetitionsforloansonthestrengthofmypoverty。Ifthephilanthropistscouldonlyreckonuphowmuchofthespirittheykillinmanwhilesupportingthelifeofhisbody！Iftheyonlyknewthateachroubletheygiveforbreadcontainsninety-ninecopecks\'worthofpoisonforthesoul！Iftheycouldonlyburstfromexcessoftheirkindnessandpride，whichtheydrawfromtheirholyactivity！Thereisnoneonearthmoredisgustingandrepulsivethanhewhogivesalms，evenasthereisnonemoremiserablethanhewhoacceptsit！"

Yozhovstaggeredaboutintheroomlikeadrunkenman，seizedwithmadness，andthepaperunderhisfeetwasrustling，tearing，flyinginscraps。Hegnashedhisteeth，shookhishead，hishandswavedintheairlikebrokenwingsofabird，andaltogetheritseemedasthoughhewerebeingboiledinakettleofhotwater。

Fomalookedathimwithastrange，mixedsensation；hepitiedYozhov，andatthesametimehewaspleasedtoseehimsuffering。

"Iamnotalone，heissuffering，too，"thoughtFoma，asYozhovspoke。AndsomethingclashedinYozhov\'sthroat，likebrokenglass，andcreakedlikeanunoiledhinge。

"Poisonedbythekindnessofmen，Iwasruinedthroughthefatalcapacityofeverypoorfellowduringthemakingofhiscareer，throughthecapacityofbeingreconciledwithlittleintheexpectationofmuch。Oh！Doyouknow，morepeopleperishthroughlackofproperself-appreciationthanfromconsumption，andperhapsthatiswhytheleadersofthemassesserveasdistrictinspectors！"

"Thedeviltakethedistrictinspectors！"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。"Tellmeaboutyourself。"

"Aboutmyself！Iamhereentire！"exclaimedYozhov，stoppingshortinthemiddleoftheroom，andstrikinghischestwithhishands。"IhavealreadyaccomplishedallIcouldaccomplish。I

haveattainedtherankofthepublic\'sentertainer——andthatisallIcando！Toknowwhatshouldbedone，andnottobeabletodoit，nottohavethestrengthforyourwork——thatistorture！"

"That\'sit！Waitawhile！"saidFoma，enthusiastically。"Nowtellmewhatoneshoulddoinordertolivecalmly；thatis，inordertobesatisfiedwithone\'sself。"

ToFomathesewordssoundedloud，butempty，andtheirsoundsdiedawaywithoutstirringanyemotioninhisheart，withoutgivingrisetoasinglethoughtinhismind。

"Youmustalwaysbeinlovewithsomethingunattainabletoyou。A

mangrowsinheightbystretchinghimselfupwards。"

Nowthathehadceasedspeakingofhimself，Yozhovbegantotalkmorecalmly，inadifferentvoice。Hisvoicewasfirmandresolute，andhisfaceassumedanexpressionofimportanceandsternness。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，hishandwithoutstretchedfingersuplifted，andspokeasthoughhewerereading：

"Menarebasebecausetheystriveforsatiety。Thewell-fedmanisananimalbecausesatietyistheself-contentednessofthebody。Andtheself-contentednessofthespiritalsoturnsmanintoanimal。"

Againhestartedasthoughallhisveinsandmusclesweresuddenlystrained，andagainhebegantorunabouttheroominseethingagitation。

"Aself-contentedmanisthehardenedswellingonthebreastofsociety。Heismyswornenemy。Hefillshimselfupwithcheaptruths，withgnawedmorselsofmustywisdom，andheexistslikeastoreroomwhereastingyhousewifekeepsallsortsofrubbishwhichisabsolutelyunnecessarytoher，andworthless。Ifyoutouchsuchaman，ifyouopenthedoorintohim，thestenchofdecaywillbebreatheduponyou，andastreamofsomemustytrashwillbepouredintotheairyoubreathe。Theseunfortunatepeoplecallthemselvesmenoffirmcharacter，menofprinciplesandconvictions。Andnoonecarestoseethatconvictionsaretothembuttheclotheswithwhichtheycoverthebeggarlynakednessoftheirsouls。Onthenarrowbrowsofsuchpeopletherealwaysshinestheinscriptionsofamiliartoall：calmnessandconfidence。Whatafalseinscription！Justrubtheirforeheadswithfirmhandandthenyouwillseetherealsign-board，whichreads：\'Narrowmindednessandweaknessofsoul！\'"

FomawatchedYozhovbustlingabouttheroom，andthoughtmournfully：

"Whomisheabusing？Ican\'tunderstand；butIcanseethathehasbeenterriblywounded。"

"HowmanysuchpeoplehaveIseen！"exclaimedYozhov，withwrathandterror。"Howtheselittleretailshopshavemultipliedinlife！Inthemyouwillfindcalicoforshrouds，andtar，candyandboraxfortheexterminationofcockroaches，butyouwillnotfindanythingfresh，hot，wholesome！Youcometothemwithanachingsoulexhaustedbyloneliness；youcome，thirstingtohearsomethingthathaslifeinit。Andtheyoffertoyousomewormcud，ruminatedbook-thoughts，grownsourwithage。Andthesedry，stalethoughtsarealwayssopoorthat，inordertogivethemexpression，itisnecessarytouseavastnumberofhigh-soundingandemptywords。WhensuchamanspeaksIsaytomyself：\'Theregoesawell-fed，butover-wateredmare，alldecoratedwithbells；

she\'scartingaloadofrubbishoutofthetown，andthemiserablewretchiscontentwithherfate。\'"

"Theyaresuperfluouspeople，then，"saidFoma。Yozhovstoppedshortinfrontofhimandsaidwithabitingsmileonhislips：

"No，theyarenotsuperfluous，ohno！Theyexistasanexample，toshowwhatmanoughtnottobe。Speakingfrankly，theirproperplaceistheanatomicalmuseums，wheretheypreserveallsortsofmonstersandvarioussicklydeviationsfromthenormal。Inlifethereisnothingthatissuperfluous，dear。EvenIamnecessary！

Onlythosepeople，inwhosesoulsdwellsaslavishcowardicebeforelife，inwhosebosomsthereareenormousulcersofthemostabominableself-adoration，takingtheplacesoftheirdeadhearts——onlythosepeoplearesuperfluous；buteventheyarenecessary，ifonlyforthesakeofenablingmetopourmyhatreduponthem。"

Alldaylong，untilevening，Yozhovwasexcited，ventinghisblasphemyonmenhehated，andhiswords，thoughtheircontentswereobscuretoFoma，infectedhimwiththeirevilheat，andinfectingcalledforthinhimaneagerdesireforcombat。AttimestheresprangupinhimdistrustofYozhov，andinoneofthesemomentsheaskedhimplainly：

"Well！Andcanyouspeaklikethatinthefaceofmen？"

"Idoitateveryconvenientoccasion。AndeverySundayinthenewspaper。I\'llreadsometoyouifyoulike。"

WithoutwaitingforFoma\'sreply，hetoredownfromthewallafewsheetsofpaper，andstillcontinuingtorunabouttheroom，begantoreadtohim。Heroared，squeaked，laughed，showedhisteethandlookedlikeanangrydogtryingtobreakthechaininpowerlessrage。Notgraspingtheidealsinhisfriend\'screations，Fomafelttheirdaringaudacity，theirbitingsarcasm，theirpassionatemalice，andhewasaswellpleasedwiththemasthoughhehadbeenscourgedwithbesomsinahotbath。

"Clever！"heexclaimed，catchingsomeseparatephrase。"That\'scleverlyaimed！"

Everynowandagainthereflashedbeforehimthefamiliarnamesofmerchantsandwell-knowncitizens，whomYozhovhadstung，nowstoutlyandsharply，nowrespectfullyandwithafineneedle-likesting。

Foma\'sapprobation，hiseyesburningwithsatisfaction，andhisexcitedfacegaveYozhovstillmoreinspiration，andhecriedandroaredeverlouderandlouder，nowfallingontheloungefromexhaustion，nowjumpingupagainandrushingtowardFoma。

"Come，now，readaboutme！"exclaimedFoma，longingtohearit。Yozhovrummagedamongapileofpapers，toreoutonesheet，andholdingitinbothhands，stoppedinfrontofFoma，withhislegsstraddledwideapart，whileFomaleanedbackinthebroken-

seatedarmchairandlistenedwithasmile。

ThenoticeaboutFomastartedwithadescriptionofthespreeontherafts，andduringthereadingofthenoticeFomafeltthatcertainparticularwordsstunghimlikemosquitoes。Hisfacebecamemoreserious，andhebenthisheadingloomysilence。Andthemosquitoeswentonmultiplying。

"Nowthat\'stoomuch！"saidhe，atlength，confusedanddissatisfied。"SurelyyoucannotgainthefavourofGodmerelybecauseyouknowhowtodisgraceaman。"

"Keepquiet！Waitawhile！"saidYozhov，curtly，andwentonreading。

Havingestablishedinhisarticlethatthemerchantrisesbeyonddoubtabovetherepresentativesofotherclassesofsocietyinthematterofnuisanceandscandal-making，Yozhovasked："Whyisthisso？"andreplied：

"Itseemstomethatthispredilectionforwildprankscomesfromthelackofcultureinsofarasitisdependentupontheexcessofenergyanduponidleness。Therecannotbeanydoubtthatourmerchantclass，withbutfewexceptions，isthehealthiestand，atthesametime，mostinactiveclass。"

"That\'strue！"exclaimedFoma，strikingthetablewithhisfist。

"That\'strue！Ihavethestrengthofabullanddotheworkofasparrow。"

"Whereisthemerchanttospendhisenergy？HecannotspendmuchofitontheExchange，sohesquanderstheexcessofhismuscularcapitalindrinking-boutsinkabaky；forhehasnoconceptionofotherapplicationsofhisstrength，whicharemoreproductive，morevaluabletolife。Heisstillabeast，andlifehasalreadybecometohimacage，anditistoonarrowforhimwithhissplendidhealthandpredilectionforlicentiousness。Hamperedbycultureheatoncestartstoleadadissolutelife。Thedebauchofamerchantisalwaystherevoltofacaptivebeast。Ofcoursethisisbad。But，ah！itwillbeworseyet，whenthisbeast，inadditiontohisstrength，shallhavegatheredsomesenseandshallhavedisciplinedit。Believeme，eventhenhewillnotceasetocreatescandals，buttheywillbehistoricalevents。

Heavendeliverusfromsuchevents！Fortheywillemanatefromthemerchant\'sthirstforpower；theiraimwillbetheomnipotenceofoneclass，andthemerchantwillnotbeparticularaboutthemeanstowardtheattainmentofthisaim。

"Well，whatdoyousay，isittrue？"askedYozhov，whenhehadfinishedreadingthenewspaper，andthrownitaside。

"Idon\'tunderstandtheend，"repliedFoma。"Andastostrength，thatistrue！WhereamItomakeuseofmystrengthsincethereisnodemandforit！Ioughttofightwithrobbers，orturnarobbermyself。IngeneralIoughttodosomethingbig。Andthatshouldbedonenotwiththehead，butwiththearmsandthebreast。WhileherewehavetogototheExchangeandtrytoaimwelltomakearouble。Whatdoweneeditfor？Andwhatisit，anyway？Haslifebeenarrangedinthisformforever？Whatsortoflifeisit，ifeveryoneisgrievedandfindsittoonarrowforhim？Lifeoughttobeaccordingtothetasteofman。Ifitisnarrowforme，ImustmoveitasunderthatImayhavemoreroom。

Imustbreakitandreconstructit。Butnod？That\'swherethetroublelies！Whatoughttobedonethatlifemaybefreer？ThatIdonotunderstand，andthat\'sallthereistoit。"

"Yes！"drawledoutYozhov。"Sothat\'swhereyou\'vegone！That，dear，isagoodthing！Ah，yououghttostudyalittle！Howareyouaboutbooks？Doyoureadany？"

"No，Idon\'tcareforthem。Ihaven\'treadany。"

"That\'sjustwhyyoudon\'tcareforthem。""Iamevenafraidtoreadthem。Iknowone——acertaingirl——it\'sworsethandrinkingwithher！Andwhatsenseisthereinbooks？Onemanimaginessomethingandprintsit，andothersreadit。Ifitisinteresting，it\'sallright。Butlearnfromabookhowtolive！——

thatissomethingabsurd。Itwaswrittenbyman，notbyGod，andwhatlawsandexamplescanmanestablishforhimself？"

"AndhowabouttheGospels？Weretheynotwrittenbymen？"

"Thosewereapostles。Nowtherearenone。"

"Good，yourrefutationissound！Itistrue，dear，therearenoapostles。OnlytheJudasesremained，andmiserableonesatthat。"

Fomafeltverywell，forhesawthatYozhovwasattentivelylisteningtohiswordsandseemedtobeweighingeachandeverywordheuttered。Meetingsuchbearingtowardhimforthefirsttimeinhislife，Fomaunburdenedhimselfboldlyandfreelybeforehisfriend，caringnothingforthechoiceofwords，andfeelingthathewouldbeunderstoodbecauseYozhovwantedtounderstandhim。

"Youareacuriousfellow！"saidYozhov，abouttwodaysaftertheirmeeting。"Andthoughyouspeakwithdifficulty，onefeelsthatthereisagreatdealinyou——greatdaringofheart！Ifyouonlyknewalittleabouttheorderoflife！Thenyouwouldspeakloudenough，Ithink。Yes！"

"Butyoucannotwashyourselfcleanwithwords，norcanyouthenfreeyourself，"remarkedFoma，withasigh。"Youhavesaidsomethingaboutpeoplewhopretendthattheyknoweverything，andcandoeverything。Ialsoknowsuchpeople。Mygodfather，forinstance。Itwouldbeagoodthingtosetoutagainstthem，toconvictthem；they\'reaprettydangerousset！"

"Icannotimagine，Foma，howyouwillgetalonginlifeifyoupreservewithinyouthatwhichyounowhave，"saidYozhov，thoughtfully。

"It\'sveryhard。Ilacksteadfastness。OfasuddenIcouldperhapsdosomething。Iunderstandverywellthatlifeisdifficultandnarrowforeveryoneofus。Iknowthatmygodfatherseesthat，too！Butheprofitsbythisnarrowness。Hefeelswellinit；heissharpasaneedle，andhe\'llmakehiswaywhereverhepleases。ButIamabig，heavyman，that\'swhyIamsuffocating！That\'swhyIliveinfetters。Icouldfreemyselffromeverythingwithasingleeffort：justtomovemybodywithallmystrength，andthenallthefetterswillburst！"

"Andwhatthen？"askedYozhov。

"Then？"Fomabecamepensive，and，afteramoment\'sthought，wavedhishand。"Idon\'tknowwhatwillbethen。Ishallsee！"

"Weshallsee！"assentedYozhov。

Hewasgiventodrink，thislittlemanwhowasscaldedbylife。

Hisdaybeganthus：inthemorningathisteahelookedoverthelocalnewspapersanddrewfromthenewsnoticesmaterialforhisfeuilleton，whichhewroterightthenandthereonthecornerofthetable。Thenherantotheeditorialoffice，wherehemadeup"ProvincialPictures"outofclippingsfromcountrynewspapers。

OnFridayhehadtowritehisSundayfeuilleton。Foralltheypaidhimahundredandtwenty-fiveroublesamonth；heworkedfast，anddevotedallhisleisuretimetothe"surveyandstudyofcharitableinstitutions。"TogetherwithFomahestrolledabouttheclubs，hotelsandtavernstilllateatnight，drawingmaterialeverywhereforhisarticles，whichhecalled"brushesforthecleansingoftheconscienceofsociety。"Thecensorhestyledassuperintendentofthediffusionoftruthandrighteousnessinlife，"thenewspaperhecalled"thego-between，engagedinintroducingthereadertodangerousideas，"andhisownwork，"thesaleofasoulinretail，"and"aninclinationtoaudacityagainstholyinstitutions。"

FomacouldhardlymakeoutwhenYozhovjestedandwhenhewasinearnest。Hespokeofeverythingenthusiasticallyandpassionately，hecondemnedeverythingharshly，andFomalikedit。

Butoften，beginningtoargueenthusiastically，herefutedandcontradictedhimselfwithequalenthusiasmorwounduphisspeechwithsomeridiculousturn。ThenitappearedtoFomathatthatmanlovednothing，thatnothingwasfirmlyrootedwithinhim，thatnothingguidedhim。Onlywhenspeakingofhimselfhetalkedinaratherpeculiarvoice，andthemoreimpassionedhewasinspeakingofhimself，themoremercilessandenragedwasheinrevilingeverythingandeverybody。AndhisrelationtowardFomawasdual；sometimeshegavehimcourageandspoketohimhotly，quiveringineverylimb。

"Goahead！Refuteandoverthroweverythingyoucan！Pushforwardwithallyourmight。Thereisnothingmorevaluablethanman，knowthis！Cryatthetopofyourvoice：\'Freedom！Freedom！"

ButwhenFoma，warmedupbytheglowingsparksofthesewords，begantodreamofhowheshouldstarttorefuteandoverthrowpeoplewho，forthesakeofpersonalprofit，donotwanttobroadenlife，Yozhovwouldoftencuthimshort：

"Dropit！Youcannotdoanything！Peoplelikeyouarenotneeded。

Yourtime，thetimeofthestrongbutnotclever，ispast，mydear！Youaretoolate！Thereisnoplaceforyouinlife。"

"No？Youarelying！"criedFoma，irritatedbycontradiction。

"Well，whatcanyouaccomplish？"

"I？"

"You！"

"Why，Icankillyou！"saidFoma，angrily，clenchinghisfist。

"Eh，youscarecrow！"saidYozhov，convincinglyandpitifully，withashrugoftheshoulder。"Isthereanythinginthat？Why，I

amanywayhalfdeadalreadyfrommywounds。"

Andsuddenlyinflamedwithmelancholymalice，hestretchedhimselfandsaid：

"Myfatehaswrongedme。WhyhaveIloweredmyself，acceptingthesopsofthepublic？WhyhaveIworkedlikeamachinefortwelveyearsinsuccessioninordertostudy？WhyhaveIswallowedfortwelvelongyearsintheGymnasiumandtheUniversitythedryandtedioustrashandthecontradictorynonsensewhichisabsolutelyuselesstome？Inordertobecomefeuilleton-writer，toplaytheclownfromdaytoday，entertainingthepublicandconvincingmyselfthatthatisnecessaryandusefultothem。Whereisthepowderofmyyouth？Ihavefiredoffallthechargeofmysoulatthreecopecksashot。WhatfaithhaveIacquiredformyself？Onlyfaithinthefactthateverythinginthislifeisworthless，thateverythingmustbebroken，destroyed。WhatdoIlove？Myself。AndIfeelthattheobjectofmylovedoesnotdeservemylove。WhatcanIaccomplish？"

Healmostwept，andkeptonscratchinghisbreastandhisneckwithhisthin，feeblehands。

Butsometimeshewasseizedwithaflowofcourage，andthenhespokeinadifferentspirit：

"I？Oh，no，mysongisnotyetsungtotheend！Mybreasthasimbibedsomething，andI\'llhisslikeawhip！Wait，I\'lldropthenewspaper，I\'llstarttodoseriouswork，andwriteonesmallbook，whichIwillentitle\'ThePassingoftheSoul\'；thereisaprayerbythatname，itisreadforthedying。Andbeforeitsdeaththissociety，cursedbytheanathemaofinwardimpotence，willreceivemybooklikeincense。"

Listeningtoeachandeverywordofhis，watchinghimandcomparinghisremarks，FomasawthatYozhovwasjustasweakashewas，thathe，too，hadlosthisway。ButYozhov\'smoodstillinfectedFoma，hisspeechesenrichedFoma\'svocabulary，andsometimeshenoticedwithjoyousdelighthowcleverlyandforciblyhehadhimselfexpressedthisorthatidea。HeoftenmetinYozhov\'shousecertainpeculiarpeople，who，itseemedtohim，kneweverything，understoodeverything，contradictedeverything，andsawdeceitandfalsehoodineverything。Hewatchedtheminsilence，listenedtotheirwords；theiraudacitypleasedhim，buthewasembarrassedandrepelledbytheircondescendingandhaughtybearingtowardhim。AndthenheclearlysawthatinYozhov\'sroomtheywereallclevererandbetterthantheywereinthestreetandinthehotels。Theyheldpeculiarconversations，wordsandgesturesforuseintheroom，andallthiswaschangedoutsidetheroom，intothemostcommonplaceandhuman。Sometimes，intheroom，theyallblazeduplikeahugewoodpile，andYozhovwasthebrightestfirebrandamongthem；butthelightofthisbonfireilluminatedbutfaintlytheobscurityofFomaGordyeeff\'ssoul。

OnedayYozhovsaidtohim：

"Todaywewillcarouse！Ourcompositorshaveformedaunion，andtheyaregoingtotakealltheworkfromthepublisheronacontract。Therewillbesomedrinkingonthisaccount，andIaminvited。ItwasIwhoadvisedthemtodoit。Letusgo？Youwillgivethemagoodtreat。"

"Verywell！"saidFoma，towhomitwasimmaterialwithwhomhepassedthetime，whichwasaburdentohim。

IntheeveningofthatdayFomaandYozhovsatinthecompanyofrough-facedpeople，ontheoutskirtsofagrove，outsidethetown。Thereweretwelvecompositorsthere，neatlydressed；theytreatedYozhovsimply，asacomrade，andthissomewhatsurprisedandembarrassedFoma，inwhoseeyesYozhovwasafterallsomethingofamasterorsuperiortothem，whiletheywerereallyonlyhisservants。TheydidnotseemtonoticeGordyeeff，although，whenYozhovintroducedFomatothem，theyshookhandswithhimandsaidthattheyweregladtoseehim。Helaydownunderahazel-bush，andwatchedthemall，feelinghimselfastrangerinthiscompany，andnoticingthatevenYozhovseemedtohavegotawayfromhimdeliberately，andwaspayingbutlittleattentiontohim。HeperceivedsomethingstrangeaboutYozhov；

thelittlefeuilleton-writerseemedtoimitatethetoneandthespeechofthecompositors。Hebustledaboutwiththematthewoodpile，uncorkedbottlesofbeer，cursed，laughedloudlyandtriedhisbesttoresemblethem。Hewasevendressedmoresimplythanusual。

"Eh，brethren！"heexclaimed，withenthusiasm。"Ifeelwellwithyou！I\'mnotabigbird，either。Iamonlythesonofthecourthouseguard，andnoncommissionedofficer，MatveyYozhov！"

"Whydoeshesaythat？"thoughtFoma。"Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhosesonamanis？Amanisnotrespectedonaccountofhisfather，butforhisbrains。"

Thesunwassettinglikeahugebonfireinthesky，tintingthecloudswithhuesofgoldandofblood。Dampnessandsilencewerebreathedfromtheforest，whileatitsoutskirtsdarkhumanfiguresbustledaboutnoisily。Oneofthem，shortandlean，inabroad-brimmedstrawhat，playedtheaccordion；anotherone，withdarkmoustacheandwithhiscaponthebackofhishead，sanganaccompanimentsoftly。Twootherstuggedatastick，testingtheirstrength。Severalbusiedthemselveswiththebasketcontainingbeerandprovisions；atallmanwithagrayishbeardthrewbranchesonthefire，whichwasenvelopedinthick，whitishsmoke。Thedampbranches，fallingonthefire，crackledandrustledplaintively，andtheaccordionteasinglyplayedalivelytune，whilethefalsettoofthesingerreinforcedandcompleteditsloudtones。

Apartfromthemall，onthebrinkofasmallravine，laythreeyoungfellows，andbeforethemstoodYozhov，whospokeinaringingvoice：

"Youbearthesacredbanneroflabour。AndI，likeyourselves，amaprivatesoldierinthesamearmy。WeallserveHerMajesty，thePress。Andwemustliveinfirm，solidfriendship。"

"That\'strue，NikolayMatveyich！"someone\'sthickvoiceinterruptedhim。"Andwewanttoaskyoutouseyourinfluencewiththepublisher！Useyourinfluencewithhim！Illnessanddrunkennesscannotbetreatedasoneandthesamething。And，accordingtohissystem，itcomesoutthus；ifoneofusgetsdrunkheisfinedtotheamountofhisday\'searnings；ifhetakessickthesameisdone。Weoughttobepermittedtopresentthedoctor\'scertificate，incaseofsickness，tomakeitcertain；andhe，tobejust，oughttopaythesubstituteatleasthalfthewagesofthesickman。Otherwise，itishardforus。

Whatifthreeofusshouldsuddenlybetakensickatonce？"

"Yes；thatiscertainlyreasonable，"assentedYozhov。"But，myfriends，theprincipleofcooperation——"

Fomaceasedlisteningtothespeechofhisfriend，forhisattentionwasdivertedbytheconversationofothers。Twomenweretalking；onewasatallconsumptive，poorlydressedandangry-lookingman；theotherafair-hairedandfair-beardedyoungman。

"Inmyopinion，"saidthetallmansternly，andcoughing，"itisfoolish！Howcanmenlikeusmarry？Therewillbechildren。Dowehaveenoughtosupportthem？Thewifemustbeclothed——andthenyoucan\'ttellwhatsortofawomanyoumaystrike。"

"She\'safinegirl，"saidthefair-hairedman，softly。"Well，it\'snowthatsheisfine。Abetrothedgirlisonething，awifequiteanother。Butthatisn\'tthemainpoint。Youcantry——

perhapsshewillreallybegood。Butthenyou\'llbeshortofmeans。Youwillkillyourselfwithwork，andyouwillruinher，too。Marriageisanimpossiblethingforus。Doyoumeantosaythatwecansupportafamilyonsuchearnings？Here，yousee，I

haveonlybeenmarriedfouryears，andmyendisnear。Ihaveseennojoy——nothingbutworryandcare。"

Hebegantocough，coughedforalongtime，withagroan，andwhenhehadceased，hesaidtohiscomradeinachokingvoice：

"Dropit，nothingwillcomeofit！"

Hisinterlocutorbenthisheadmournfully，whileFomathought：

"Hespeakssensibly。It\'sevidenthecanreasonwell。"

ThelackofattentionshowntoFomasomewhatoffendedhimandarousedinhimatthesametimeafeelingofrespectforthesemenwithdarkfacesimpregnatedwithlead-dust。Almostallofthemwereengagedinpracticalseriousconversation，andtheirremarkswerestuddedwithcertainpeculiarwords。Noneofthemfawneduponhim，nonebotheredhimwithov，withhisbacktothefire，andhesawbeforehimarowofbrightlyilluminated，cheerfulandsimplefaces。Theywereallexcitedfromdrinking，butwerenotyetintoxicated；theylaughed，jested，triedtosing，drank，andatecucumbers，whitebreadandsausages。AllthishadforFomaaparticularlypleasantflavour；hegrewbolder，seizedbythegeneralgoodfeeling，andhelongedtosaysomethinggoodtothesepeople，topleasethemallinsomewayorother。Yozhov，sittingbyhisside，movedaboutontheground，jostledhimwithhisshoulderand，shakinghishead，mutteredsomethingindistinctly。

Brethren！"shoutedthestoutfellow。"Let\'sstrikeupthestudentsong。Well，one，two！"

"Swiftasthewaves，"

Someoneroaredinhisbassvoice：

"Arethedaysofourlife。"

"Friends！"saidYozhov，risingtohisfeet，aglassinhishand。

Hestaggered，andleanedhisotherhandagainstFoma\'shead。Thestartedsongwasbrokenoff，andallturnedtheirheadstowardhim。

"Workingmen！Permitmetosayafewwords，wordsfromtheheart。

Iamhappyinyourcompany！Ifeelwellinyourmidst。Thatisbecauseyouaremenoftoil，menwhoserighttohappinessisnotsubjecttodoubt，althoughitisnotrecognised。Inyourennoblingmidst，0hhonestpeople，thelonelyman，whoispoisonedbylife，breathessoeasily，sofreely。"

Yozhov\'svoicequiveredandquaked，andhisheadbegantoshake。

Fomafeltthatsomethingwarmtrickleddownonhishand，andhelookedupatthewrinkledfaceofYozhov，whowentonspeaking，tremblingineverylimb：

"Iamnottheonlyone。Therearemanylikemyself，intimidatedbyfate，brokenandsuffering。Wearemoreunfortunatethanyouare，becauseweareweakerbothinbodyandinsoul，butwearestrongerthanyoubecausewearearmedwithknowledge，whichwehavenoopportunitytoapply。Wearegladlyreadytocometoyouandresignourselvestoyouandhelpyoutolive。Thereisnothingelseforustodo！Withoutyouwearewithoutgroundtostandon；withoutus，youarewithoutlight！Comrades！wewerecreatedbyFateitselftocompleteoneanother！"

"Whatdoeshebegofthem？"thoughtFoma，listeningtoYozhov\'swordswithperplexity。Andexaminingthefacesofthecompositorshesawthattheyalsolookedattheoratorinquiringly，perplexedly，wearily。

"Thefutureisyours，myfriends！"saidYozhov，faintly，shakinghisheadmournfullyasthoughfeelingsorryforthefuture，andyieldingtothesepeopleagainsthiswillthepredominanceoverit。"Thefuturebelongstothemenofhonesttoil。Youhaveagreattaskbeforeyou！Youhavetocreateanewculture，everythingfree，vitalandbright！I，whoamoneofyouinfleshandinspirit；whoamthesonofasoldier；Iproposeatoasttoyourfuture！Hurrah！"

Yozhovemptiedhisglassandsankheavilytotheground。Thecompositorsunanimouslytookuphisbrokenexclamation，andapowerful，thunderingshoutrolledthroughtheair，causingtheleavesonthetreestotremble。

"Let\'sstartasongnow，"proposedthestoutfellowagain。

"Comeon！"chimedintwoorthreevoices。Anoisydisputeensuedastowhattosing。Yozhovlistenedtothenoise，and，turninghisheadfromonesidetoanother，scrutinizedthemall。

"Brethren，"Yozhovsuddenlycriedagain，"answerme。Sayafewwordsinreplytomyaddressofwelcome。"

Again——thoughnotatonce——allbecamesilent，somelookingathimwithcuriosity，othersconcealingagrin，stillotherswithanexpressionofdissatisfactionplainlywrittenontheirfaces。Andheagainrosefromthegroundandsaid，hotly：

"Twoofusherearecastawaybylife——Iandthatotherone。Webothdesirethesameregardformanandthehappinessoffeelingourselvesusefuluntoothers。Comrades！Andthatbig，stupidman——

"

"NikolayMatveyich，youhadbetternotinsultourguest！"saidsomeoneinadeep，displeasedvoice。

"Yes，that\'sunnecessary，"affirmedthestoutfellow，whohadinvitedFomatothefireside。"Whyuseoffensivelanguage？"

Athirdvoicerangoutloudlyanddistinctly：

"Wehavecometogethertoenjoyourselves——totakearest。"

"Fools！"laughedYozhov，faintly。"Kind-heartedfools！Doyoupityhim？Butdoyouknowwhoheis？Heisofthosepeoplewhosuckyourblood。"

"Thatwilldo，NikolayMatveyich！"theycriedtoYozhov。Andallbegantotalk，payingnofurtherattentiontohim。Fomafeltsosorryforhisfriendthathedidnoteventakeoffence。HesawthatthesepeoplewhodefendedhimfromYozhov\'sattackswerenowpurposelyignoringthefeuilleton-writer，andheunderstoodthatthiswouldpainYozhovifheweretonoticeit。Andinordertotakehisfriendawayfrompossibleunpleasantness，henudgedhiminthesideandsaid，withakind-heartedlaugh：

"Well，yougrumbler，shallwehaveadrink？Orisittimetogohome？"

"Home？Whereisthehomeofthemanwhohasnoplaceamongmen？"

askedYozhov，andshoutedagain："Comrades！"

Unanswered，hisshoutwasdrownedinthegeneralmurmur。ThenhedroopedhisheadandsaidtoFoma：

"Let\'sgofromhere。"

"Let\'sgo。ThoughIdon\'tmindsittingalittlelonger。It\'sinteresting。Theybehavesonobly，thedevils。ByGod！"

"Ican\'tbearitanylonger。Ifeelcold。Iamsuffocating。"

"Well，comethen。"

Fomarosetohisfeet，removedhiscap，and，bowingtothecompositors，saidloudlyandcheerfully：

"Thankyou，gentlemen，foryourhospitality！Good-bye！"

Theyimmediatelysurroundedhimandspoketohimpersuasively：

"Stayhere！Whereareyougoing？Wemightsingalltogether，eh？"

"No，Imustgo，itwouldbedisagreeabletomyfriendtogoalone。Iamgoingtoescorthim。Iwishyouajollyfeast！"

"Eh，yououghttowaitalittle！"exclaimedthestoutfellow，andthenwhispered：

"Someonewillescorthimhome！"

Theconsumptivealsoremarkedinalowvoice：

"Youstayhere。We\'llescorthimtotown，andgethimintoacaband——thereyouare！"

Fomafeltlikestayingthere，andatthesametimewasafraidofsomething。WhileYozhovrosetohisfeet，and，clutchingatthesleevesofhisovercoat，muttered：

"Come，thedeviltakethem！"

"Tillwemeetagain，gentlemen！I\'mgoing！"saidFomaanddepartedamidexclamationsofpoliteregret。

"Ha，ha，ha！"Yozhovburstoutlaughingwhenhehadgotabouttwentystepsawayfromthefire。"Theyseeusoffwithsorrow，buttheyaregladthatIamgoingaway。Ihinderedthemfromturningintobeasts。"

"It\'strue，youdiddisturbthem，"saidFoma。"Whydoyoumakesuchspeeches？Peoplehavecomeouttoenjoythemselves，andyouobtrudeyourselfuponthem。Thatboresthem！"

"Keepquiet！Youdon\'tunderstandanything！"criedYozhov，harshly。"YouthinkIamdrunk？It\'smybodythatisintoxicated，butmysoulissober，itisalwayssober；itfeelseverything。

Oh，howmuchmeannessthereisintheworld，howmuchstupidityandwretchedness！Andmen——thesestupid，miserablemen。"

Yozhovpaused，and，claspinghisheadwithhishands，stoodforawhile，staggering。

"Yes！"drawledoutFoma。"Theyareverymuchunlikeoneanother。

Nowthesemen，howpolitetheyare，likegentlemen。Andtheyreasoncorrectly，too，andallthatsortofthing。Theyhavecommonsense。Yettheyareonlylabourers。"

Inthedarknessbehindthemthemenstruckupapowerfulchoralsong。Inharmoniousatfirst，itswelledandgrewuntilitrolledinahuge，powerfulwavethroughtheinvigoratingnocturnalair，abovethedesertedfield。

"MyGod！"saidYozhov，sadlyandsoftly，heavingasigh。"Wherebyarewetolive？Whereonfastenoursoul？Whoshallquenchitsthirstsforfriendshipbrotherhood，love，forpureandsacredtoil？"

"Thesesimplepeople，"saidFoma，slowlyandpensively，withoutlisteningtohiscompanionswords，absorbedashewasinhisownthoughts，"ifonelooksintothesepeople，they\'renotsobad！

It\'sevenvery——itisinteresting。Peasants，labourers，tolookatthemplainly，theyarejustlikehorses。Theycarryburdens，theypuffandblow。"

"Theycarryourlifeontheirbacks，"exclaimedYozhovwithirritation。"Theycarryitlikehorses，submissively，stupidly。

Andthissubmissivenessoftheirsisourmisfortune，ourcurse！"

AndFoma，carriedawaybyhisownthought，argued：

"Theycarryburdens，theytoilalltheirlifelongformeretrifles。Andsuddenlytheysaysomethingthatwouldn\'tcomeintoyourmindinacentury。Evidentlytheyfeel。Yes，itisinterestingtobewiththem。"

Staggering，Yozhovwalkedinsilenceforalongtime，andsuddenlyhewavedhishandintheairandbegantodeclaiminadull，chokingvoice，whichsoundedasthoughitissuedfromhisstomach：

"Lifehascruellydeceivedme，Ihavesufferedsomuchpain。"

"These，dearboy，aremyownverses，"saidhe，stoppingshortandnoddinghisheadmournfully。"Howdotheyrun？I\'veforgotten。

Thereissomethingthereaboutdreams，aboutsacredandpurelongings，whicharesmotheredwithinmybreastbythevapouroflife。Oh！"

"TheburieddreamswithinmybreastWillneverriseagain。"

"Brother！YouarehappierthanI，becauseyouarestupid。WhileI——"

"Don\'tberude！"saidFoma，irritated。"Youwouldbetterlistenhowtheyaresinging。"

"Idon\'twanttolistentootherpeople\'ssongs，"saidYozhov，withashakeofthehead。"Ihavemyown，itisthesongofasoulrentinpiecesbylife。"

Andhebegantowailinawildvoice：

TheburieddreamswithinmybreastWillneverriseagain……

Howgreattheirnumberis！"

"Therewasawholeflowergardenofbright，livingdreamsandhopes。Theyperished，witheredandperished。Deathiswithinmyheart。Thecorpsesofmydreamsarerottingthere。Oh！oh！"

Yozhovburstintotears，sobbinglikeawoman。Fomapitiedhim，andfeltuncomfortablewithhim。Hejerkedathisshoulderimpatiently，andsaid：

"Stopcrying！Come，howweakyouare，brother！"ClaspinghisheadinhishandYozhovstraighteneduphisstoopingframe，madeaneffortandstartedagainmournfullyandwildly：

"Howgreattheirnumberis！

Theirsepulchrehownarrow！

IclothedthemallinshroudsofrhymeAndmanysadandsolemnsongsO\'erthemIsangfromtimetotime！"

"0h，Lord！"sighedFomaindespair。"Stopthat，forChrist\'ssake！ByGod，howsad！"

Inthedistancetheloudchoralsongwasrollingthroughthedarknessandthesilence。Someonewaswhistling，keepingtimetotherefrain，andthisshrillsound，whichpiercedtheear，ranaheadofthebillowofpowerfulvoices。Fomalookedinthatdirectionandsawthetall，blackwallofforest，thebrightfieryspotofthebonfireshininguponit，andthemistyfiguressurroundingthefire。Thewallofforestwaslikeabreast，andthefirelikeabloodywoundinit。Itseemedasthoughthebreastwastrembling，asthebloodcourseddowninburningstreams。Embracedindensegloomfromallsidesthepeopleseemedonthebackgroundoftheforest，likelittlechildren；they，too，seemedtoburn，illuminatedbytheblazeofthebonfire。Theywavedtheirhandsandsangtheirsongsloudly，powerfully。

AndYozhov，standingbesideFoma，spokeexcitedly：

"Youhard-heartedblockhead！Whydoyourepulseme？Yououghttolistentothesongofthedyingsoul，andweepoverit，for，whywasitwounded，whyisitdying？Begonefromme，begone！YouthinkIamdrunk？Iampoisoned，begone！"

Withoutliftinghiseyesofftheforestandthefire，sobeautifulinthedarkness，FomamadeafewstepsasidefromYozhovandsaidtohiminalowvoice：

"Don\'tplaythefool。Whydoyouabusemeatrandom？"

"Iwanttoremainalone，andfinishsingingmysong。"

Staggering，he，too，movedasidefromFoma，andafterafewsecondsagainexclaimedinasobbingvoice：

"Mysongisdone！AndnevermoreShallIdisturbtheirsleepofdeath，OhLord，0hLord，reposemysoul！

Foritishopelessinitswounds，OhLord，reposemysoul。"

Fomashudderedatthesoundsoftheirgloomywailing，andhehurriedafterYozhov；butbeforeheovertookhimthelittlefeuilleton-writerutteredahystericalshriek，threwhimselfchestdownuponthegroundandburstoutsobbingplaintivelyandsoftly，evenassicklychildrencry。

"Nikolay！"saidFoma，liftinghimbytheshoulders。"Ceasecrying；what\'sthematter？0hLord。Nikolay！Enough，aren\'tyouashamed？"

ButYozhovwasnotashamed；hestruggledontheground，likeafishjusttakenfromthewater，andwhenFomahadliftedhimtohisfeet，hepressedclosetoFoma\'sbreast，claspinghissideswithhisthinarms，andkeptonsobbing。

"Well，that\'senough！"saidFoma，withhisteethtightlyclenched。"Enough，dear。"

Andagitatedbythesufferingofthemanwhowaswoundedbythenarrownessoflife，filledwithwrathonhisaccount，heturnedhisfacetowardthegloomwherethelightsofthetownwereglimmering，and，inanoutburstofwrathfulgrief，roaredinadeep，loudvoice：

"A-a-ana-thema！Becursed！Justwait。You，too，shallchoke！Becursed！"

CHAPTERXI

"LUBAVKA！"saidMayakinonedaywhenhecamehomefromtheExchange，"prepareyourselfforthisevening。Iamgoingtobringyouabridegroom！Prepareaniceheartylittlelunchforus。Putoutonthetableasmuchofouroldsilverwareaspossible，alsobringoutthefruit-vases，sothatheisimpressedbyourtable！

Lethimseethateachandeverythingwehaveisararity！"

Lubovwassittingbythewindowdarningherfather\'ssocks，andherheadwasbentlowoverherwork。

"Whatisallthisfor，papa？"sheasked，dissatisfiedandoffended。

"Why，forsauce，forflavour。Andthen，it\'sindueorder。Foragirlisnotahorse；youcan\'tdisposeofherwithouttheharness。"

Allaflushwithoffence，Lubovtossedherheadnervously，andflingingherworkaside，castaglanceatherfather；and，takingupthesocksagain，shebentherheadstillloweroverthem。Theoldmanpacedtheroomtoandfro，pluckingathisfierybeardwithanxiety；hiseyesstaredsomewhereintothedistance，anditwasevidentthathewasallabsorbedinsomegreatcomplicatedthought。Thegirlunderstoodthathewouldnotlistentoherandwouldnotcaretocomprehendhowdegradinghiswordswereforher。Herromanticdreamsofahusband-friend，aneducatedman，whowouldreadwithherwisebooksandhelphertofindherselfinherconfuseddesires，thesedreamswerestifledbyherfather\'sinflexibleresolutiontomarryhertoSmolin。Theyhadbeenkilledandhadbecomedecomposed，settlingdownasabittersedimentinhersoul。Shehadbeenaccustomedtolookinguponherselfasbetterandhigherthantheaveragegirlofthemerchantclass，thantheemptyandstupidgirlwhothinksofnothingbutdresses，andwhomarriesalmostalwaysaccordingtothecalculationofherparents，andbutseldominaccordancewiththefreewillofherheart。Andnowsheherselfisabouttomarrymerelybecauseitwastime，andalsobecauseherfatherneededason-in-lawtosucceedhiminhisbusiness。Andherfatherevidentlythoughtthatshe，byherself，washardlycapableofattractingtheattentionofaman，andthereforeadornedherwithsilver。Agitated，sheworkednervously，prickedherfingers，brokeneedles，butmaintainedsilence，beingawarethatwhateversheshouldsaywouldnotreachherfather\'sheart。

Andtheoldmankeptonpacingtheroomtoandfro，nowhummingpsalmssoftly，nowimpressivelyinstructinghisdaughterhowtobehavewiththebridegroom。Andthenhealsocountedsomethingonhisfingers，frownedandsmiled。

"Mm！So！Tryme，0hLord，andjudgeme。Fromtheunjustandthefalseman，deliverme。Yes！Putonyourmother\'semeralds，Lubov。"

"Enough，papa！"exclaimedthegirl，sadly。"Pray，leavethatalone。"

"Don\'tyoukick！ListentowhatI\'mtellingyou。"

Andhewasagainabsorbedinhiscalculations，snappinghisgreeneyesandplayingwithhisfingersinfrontofhisface。

"Thatmakesthirty-fivepercent。Mm！Thefellow\'sarogue。Senddownthylightandthytruth。"

"Papa！"exclaimedLubov，mournfullyandwithfright。

"What？"

"You——areyoupleasedwithhim？"

"Withwhom？

"Smolin。"

"Smolin？Yes，he\'sarogue，he\'sacleverfellow，asplendidmerchant！Well，I\'moffnow。Sobeonyourguard，armyourself。"

WhenLubovremainedalonesheflungherworkasideandleanedagainstthebackofherchair，closinghereyestightly。Herhandsfirmlyclaspedtogetherlayonherknees，andtheirfingerstwitched。Filledwiththebitternessofoffendedvanity，shefeltanalarmingfearofthefuture，andprayedinsilence：

"MyGod！0hLord！Ifhewereonlyakindman！Makehimkind，sincere。0hLord！Astrangemancomes，examinesyou，andtakesyouuntohimselfforyears，ifyoupleasehim！Howdisgracefulthatis，howterrible。0hLord，myGod！IfIcouldonlyrunaway！

IfIonlyhadsomeonetoadvisemewhattodo！Whoishe？HowcanIlearntoknowhim？Icannotdoanything！AndIhavethought，ah，howmuchIhavethought！Ihaveread。TowhatpurposehaveI

read？WhyshouldIknowthatitispossibletoliveotherwise，soasIcannotlive？Anditmaybethatwereitnotforthebooksmylifewouldbeeasier，simpler。Howpainfulallthisis！Whatawretched，unfortunatebeingIam！Alone。IfTarasatleastwerehere。"

Attherecollectionofherbrothershefeltstillmoregrieved，stillmoresorryforherself。ShehadwrittentoTarasalong，exultantletter，inwhichshehadspokenofherloveforhim，ofherhopeinhim；imploringherbrothertocomeassoonaspossibletoseehisfather，shehadpicturedtohimplansofarrangingtolivetogether，assuringTarasthattheirfatherwasextremelycleverandunderstoodeverything；shetoldabouthisloneliness，hadgoneintoecstasyoverhisaptitudeforlifeandhad，atthesametime，complainedofhisattitudetowardher。

Fortwoweekssheimpatientlyexpectedareply，andwhenshehadreceivedandreaditsheburstoutsobbingforjoyanddisenchantment。Theanswerwasdryandshort；initTarassaidthatwithinamonthhewouldbeontheVolgaonbusinessandwouldnotfailtocallonhisfather，iftheoldmanreallyhadnoobjectiontoit。Theletterwascold，likeablockofice；

withtearsinhereyessheperuseditoverandoveragain，rumpledit，creasedit，butitdidnotturnwarmeronthisaccount，itonlybecamewet。Fromthesheetofstiffnotepaperwhichwascoveredwithwritinginalarge，firmhand，awrinkledandsuspiciouslyfrowningface，thinandangularlikethatofherfather，seemedtolookather。

OnYakovTarasovichtheletterofhissonmadeadifferentimpression。OnlearningthecontentsofTaras\'sreplytheoldmanstartedandhastilyturnedtohisdaughterwithanimationandwithapeculiarsmile：

"Well，letmeseeit！Showittome！He-he！Let\'sreadhowwisemenwrite。Wherearemyspectacles？Mm！\'Dearsister！\'Yes。"

Theoldmanbecamesilent；hereadtohimselfthemessageofhisson，putitonthetable，and，raisinghiseyebrows，silentlypacedtheroomtoandfro，withanexpressionofamazementonhiscountenance。Thenhereadtheletteroncemore，thoughtfullytappedthetablewithhisfingersandspoke：

"Thatletterisn\'tbad——itissound，withoutanyunnecessarywords。Well？Perhapsthemanhasreallygrownhardenedinthecold。Thecoldisseverethere。Lethimcome，we\'lltakealookathim。It\'sinteresting。Yes。InthepsalmofDavidconcerningthemysteriesofhissonitissaid：\'WhenThouhastreturnedmyenemy\'——I\'veforgottenhowitreadsfurther。\'Myenemy\'sweaponshaveweakenedintheend，andhismemoryhathperishedamidnoise。Well，we\'lltalkitoverwithhimwithoutnoise。

Theoldmantriedtospeakcalmlyandwithacontemptuoussmile，butthesmiledidnotcome；hiswrinklesquiveredirritably，andhissmalleyeshadaparticularlyclearbrilliancy。

"Writetohimagain，Lubovka。\'Comealong！\'writehim，\'don\'tbeafraidtocome！\'"

LubovwroteTarasanotherletter，butthistimeitwasshorterandmorereserved，andnowsheawaitedareplyfromdaytoday，attemptingtopicturetoherselfwhatsortofmanhemustbe，thismysteriousbrotherofhers。Beforesheusedtothinkofhimwithsinkingheart，withthatsolemnrespectwithwhichbelieversthinkofmartyrs，menofuprightlife；nowshefearedhim，forhehadacquiredtherighttobejudgeovermenandlifeatthepriceofpainfulsufferings，atthecostofhisyouth，whichwasruinedinexile。Oncoming，hewouldaskher：

"Youaremarryingofyourownfreewill，forlove，areyounot？"

Whatshouldshetellhim？Wouldheforgiveherfaint-heartedness？

Andwhydoesshemarry？Canitreallybepossiblethatthisisallshecandoinordertochangeherlife？

Gloomythoughtsspranguponeafteranotherintheheadofthegirlandconfusedandtorturedher，impotentasshewastosetupagainstthemsomedefinite，all-conqueringdesire。Thoughshewasinananxiousandcompressingherlips。Smolinrosefromhischair，madeasteptowardherandbowedrespectfully。Shewasratherpleasedwiththislowandpolitebow，alsowiththecostlyfrockcoat，whichfittedSmolin\'ssupplefiguresplendidly。Hehadchangedbutslightly——hewasthesamered-headed，closely-

cropped，freckledyouth；onlyhismoustachehadbecomelong，andhiseyesseemedtohavegrownlarger。

"Nowhe\'schanged，eh？"exclaimedMayakintohisdaughter，pointingatthebridegroom。AndSmolinshookhandswithher，andsmiling，saidinaringingbaritonevoice：

"Iventuretohopethatyouhavenotforgottenyouroldfriend？"

It\'sallright！Youcantalkofthislater，"saidtheoldman，scanninghisdaughterwithhiseyes。

"Lubova，youcanmakeyourarrangementshere，whilewefinishourlittleconversation。Wellthen，AfricanMitrich，explainyourself。"

"Youwillpardonme，LubovYakovlevna，won\'tyou？"askedSmolin，gently。

"Praydonotstanduponceremony，"saidLubov。"He\'spoliteandclever，"sheremarkedtoherself；and，asshewalkedaboutintheroomfromthetabletothesideboard，shebegantolistenattentivelytoSmolin\'swords。Hespokesoftly，confidently，withasimplicity，inwhichwasfeltcondescendencetowardtheinterlocutor。"Wellthen，forfouryearsIhavecarefullystudiedtheconditionofRussianleatherinforeignmarkets。It\'sasadandhorridcondition！Aboutthirtyyearsagoourleatherwasconsideredthereasthestandard，whilenowthedemandforitisconstantlyfallingoff，and，ofcourse，thepricegoeshandinhandwithit。Andthatisperfectlynatural。Lackingthecapitalandknowledgeallthesesmallleatherproducersarenotabletoraisetheirproducttotheproperstandard，and，atthesametime，toreducetheprice。Theirgoodsareextremelybadanddear。AndtheyarealltoblameforhavingspoiledRussia\'sreputationasmanufacturerofthebestleather。Ingeneral，thepettyproducer，lackingthetechnicalknowledgeandcapital，isconsequentlyplacedinapositionwhereheisunabletoimprovehisproductsinproportiontothedevelopmentofthetechnicalside。Suchaproducerisamisfortuneforthecountry，theparasiteofhercommerce。"

"Hm！"bellowedtheoldman，lookingathisguestwithoneeye，andwatchinghisdaughterwiththeother。"Sothatnowyourintentionistobuildsuchagreatfactorythatalltheotherswillgotothedogs？"