第12章

Fomalistenedtothesonganddirectedhisfootstepstowardit，onthewharf。Therehenoticedthatthecarriers，formedintworows，wererollingoutofthesteamer\'sholdhugebarrelsofsaltedfish。Dirty，cladinredblouses，unfastenedatthecollar，withmittensontheirhands，witharmsbaretotheelbow，theystoodoverthehold，and，merrilyjesting，withfacesanimatedbytoil，theypulledtheropes，alltogether，keepingtimetotheirsong。Andfromtheholdrangoutthehigh，laughingvoiceoftheinvisibleleader：

"ButforourpeasantthroatsThereisnotenoughvodka。"

Andthecompany，likeonehugepairoflungs，heavedforthloudlyandinunison：

"Oh，dubinushka，heave-ho！"

Fomafeltpleasedandenviousashelookedatthiswork，whichwasasharmoniousasmusic。Theslovenlyfacesofthecarriersbeamedwithsmiles，theworkwaseasy，itwentonsmoothly，andtheleaderofthechoruswasinhisbestvein。Fomathoughtthatitwouldbefinetoworkthusinunison，withgoodcomrades，tothetuneofacheerfulsong，togettiredfromworktodrinkaglassofvodkaandeatfatcabbagesoup，preparedbythestout，sprightlymatronofthecompany。

"Quicker，boys，quicker！"rangoutbesidehimsomeone\'sunpleasant，hoarsevoice。

Fomaturnedaround。Astoutman，withanenormouspaunch，tappedontheboardsofthelandingbridgewithhiscane，ashelookedatthecarrierswithhissmalleyesandsaid：

"Bawllessandworkfaster。"

Hisfaceandneckwerecoveredwithperspiration；hewipeditoffeverynowandthenwithhislefthandandbreathedheavily，asthoughheweregoinguphill。

Fomacastatthemanahostilelookandthought：

"Othersareworkingandheissweating。AndIamstillworsethanhe。I\'mlikeacrowonthefence，goodfornothing。"

Fromeachandeveryimpressionthereimmediatelystoodoutinhismindthepainfulthoughtofhisunfitnessforlife。Everythingthatattractedhisattentioncontainedsomethingoffensivetohim，andthissomethingfelllikeabrickuponhisbreast。Atonesideofhim，bythefreightscales，stoodtwosailors，andoneofthem，asquare-built，red-facedfellow，wastellingtheother：

"Astheyrushedonmeitbeganforfair，mydearchap！Therewerefourofthem——Iwasalone！ButIdidn\'tgiveintothem，becauseIsawthattheywouldbeatmetodeath！Evenaramwillkickoutifyoufleeceitalive。HowItoremyselfawayfromthem！Theyallrolledawayindifferentdirections。"

"Butyoucameinforasounddrubbingallthesame？"inquiredtheothersailor。

"Ofcourse！Icaughtit。Iswallowedaboutfiveblows。Butwhat\'sthedifference？Theydidn\'tkillme。Well，thankGodforit！"

"Certainly。"

"Tothestern，devils，tothestern，I\'mtellingyou！"roaredtheperspiringmaninaferociousvoiceattwocarrierswhowererollingabarreloffishalongthedeck。

"Whatareyouyellingfor？"Fomaturnedtohimsternly，ashehadstartedattheshout。

"Isthatanyofyourbusiness？"askedtheperspiringman，castingaglanceatFoma。

"Itismybusiness！Thepeopleareworkingandyourfatismeltingaway。Soyouthinkyoumustyellatthem？"saidFoma，threateningly，movingclosertowardhim。

"You——youhadbetterkeepyourtemper。"

Theperspiringmansuddenlyrushedawayfromhisplaceandwentintohisoffice。Fomalookedafterhimandalsowentawayfromthewharf；filledwithadesiretoabusesomeone，todosomething，justtodiverthisthoughtsfromhimselfatleastforashortwhile。Buthisthoughtstookafirmerholdonhim。

"Thatsailorthere，hetorehimselfaway，andhe\'ssafeandsound！Yes，whileI——"

IntheeveningheagainwentuptotheMayakins。Theoldmanwasnotathome，andinthedining-roomsatLubovwithherbrother，drinkingtea。OnreachingthedoorFomaheardthehoarsevoiceofTaras：

"Whatmakesfatherbotherhimselfabouthim？"

AtthesightofFomahestoppedshort，staringathisfacewithaserious，searchinglook。AnexpressionofagitationwasclearlydepictedonLubov\'sface，andshesaidwithdissatisfactionandatthesametimeapologetically：

"Ah！Soit\'syou？"

"They\'vebeenspeakingofme，"thoughtFoma，asheseatedhimselfatthetable。Tarasturnedhiseyesawayfromhimandsankdeeperinthearmchair。Therewasanawkwardsilencelastingforaboutaminute，andthispleasedFoma。

"Areyougoingtothebanquet？"

"Whatbanquet？"

"Don\'tyouknow？Kononovisgoingtoconsecratehisnewsteamer。

AmasswillbeheldthereandthentheyaregoingtotakeatripuptheVolga。"

"Iwasnotinvited，"saidFoma。

"Nobodywasinvited。HesimplyannouncedontheExchange：

\'Anybodywhowishestohonourmeiswelcome！

"Idon\'tcareforit。"

"Yes？Buttherewillbeagranddrinkingbout，"saidLubov，lookingathimaskance。

"IcandrinkatmyownexpenseifIchoosetodoso。"

"Iknow，"saidLubov，noddingherheadexpressively。

Tarastoyedwithhisteaspoon，turningitbetweenhisfingersandlookingatthemaskance。

"Andwhere\'smygodfather？"askedFoma。

"Hewenttothebank。There\'sameetingoftheboardofdirectorstoday。Electionofofficersistotakeplace。

"They\'llelecthimagain。"

"Ofcourse。"

Andagaintheconversationbrokeoff。Fomabegantowatchthebrotherandthesister。Havingdroppedthespoon，Tarasslowlydrankhisteainbigsips，andsilentlymovingtheglassovertohissister，smiledtoher。She，too，smiledjoyouslyandhappily，seizedtheglassandbegantorinseitassiduously。Thenherfaceassumedastrainedexpression；sheseemedtoprepareherselfforsomethingandaskedherbrotherinalowvoice，almostreverently：

"Shallwereturntothebeginningofourconversation？"

"Ifyouplease，"assentedTaras，shortly。

"Yousaidsomething，butIdidn\'tunderstand。Whatwasit？I

asked：\'Ifallthisis，asyousay，Utopia，ifitisimpossible，dreams，thenwhatishetodowhoisnotsatisfiedwithlifeasitis？\'"

Thegirlleanedherwholebodytowardherbrother，andhereyes，withstrainedexpectation，stoppedonthecalmfaceofherbrother。Heglancedatherinawearyway，movedaboutinhisseat，and，loweringhishead，saidcalmlyandimpressively：

"Wemustconsiderfromwhatsourcespringsthatdissatisfactionwithlife。Itseemstomethat，firstofall，itcomesfromtheinabilitytowork；fromthelackofrespectforwork。And，secondly，fromawrongconceptionofone\'sownpowers。Themisfortuneofmostofthepeopleisthattheyconsiderthemselvescapableofdoingmorethantheyreallycan。Andyetonlylittleisrequiredofman：hemustselectforhimselfanoccupationtosuithispowersandmustmasteritaswellaspossible，asattentivelyaspossible。Youmustlovewhatyouaredoing，andthenlabour，beiteversorough，risestotheheightofcreativeness。Achair，madewithlove，willalwaysbeagood，beautifulandsolidchair。Andsoitiswitheverything。ReadSmiles。Haven\'tyoureadhim？Itisaverysensiblebook。Itisasoundbook。ReadLubbock。Ingeneral，rememberthattheEnglishpeopleconstitutethenationmostqualifiedforlabour，whichfactexplainstheirastonishingsuccessinthedomainofindustryandcommerce。Withthemlabourisalmostacult。Theheightofculturestandsalwaysdirectlydependentupontheloveoflabour。

Andthehighertheculturethemoresatisfiedaretherequirementsofman，thefewertheobstaclesontheroadtowardthefurtherdevelopmentofman\'srequirements。Happinessispossible——itisthecompletesatisfactionofrequirements。Thereitis。And，asyousee，man\'shappinessisdependentuponhisrelationtowardhiswork。"

TarasMayakinspokeslowlyandlaboriously，asthoughitwereunpleasantandtediousforhimtospeak。AndLubov，withknittedbrow，leaningtowardhim，listenedtohiswordswitheagerattentioninhereyes，readytoaccepteverythingandimbibeitintohersoul。

"Well，andsupposeeverythingisrepulsivetoaman？"askedFoma，suddenly，inadeepvoice，castingaglanceatTaras\'sface。

"Butwhat，inparticular，isrepulsivetotheman？"askedMayakin，calmly，withoutlookingatFoma。

Fomabenthishead，leanedhisarmsagainstthetableandthus，likeabull，wentontoexplainhimself：

"Nothingpleaseshim——business，work，allpeopleanddeeds。

SupposeIseethatallisdeceit，thatbusinessisnotbusiness，butmerelyaplugthatwepropupwithittheemptinessofoursouls；thatsomework，whileothersonlygiveordersandsweat，butgetmoreforthat。Whyisitso？Eh？"

"Icannotgraspyouridea，"announcedTaras，whenFomapaused，feelingonhimselfLubov\'scontemptuousandangrylook。

"Youdonotunderstand？"askedFoma，lookingatTaraswithasmile。"Well，I\'llputitinthisway：

Amanissailinginaboatontheriver。Theboatmaybegood，butunderitthereisalwaysadepthallthesame。Theboatissound，butifthemanfeelsbeneathhimthisdarkdepth，noboatcansavehim。"

TaraslookedatFomaindifferentlyandcalmly。Helookedinsilence，andsoftlytappedhisfingersontheedgeofthetable。

Lubovwasuneasilymovingaboutinherchair。Thependulumoftheclocktoldthesecondswithadull，sighingsound。AndFoma\'sheartthrobbedslowlyandpainfully，asthoughconsciousthatherenoonewouldrespondwithawarmwordtoitspainfulperplexity。

"Workisnotexactlyeverythingforaman，"saidhe，moretohimselfthantothesepeoplewhohadnofaithinthesincerityofhiswords。"Itisnottruethatinworkliesjustification。Therearepeoplewhodonotworkatallduringalltheirliveslong，andyettheylivebetterthanthosethatdowork。Howisthat？

Andthetoilers——theyaremerelyunfortunate——horses！Othersrideonthem，theysufferandthat\'sall。ButtheyhavetheirjustificationbeforeGod。Theywillbeasked：\'Towhatpurposedidyoulive？\'Thentheywillsay：\'Wehadnotimetothinkofthat。Weworkedallourlives。\'AndI——whatjustificationhaveI？

Andallthosepeoplewhogiveorders——howwilltheyjustifythemselves？Towhatpurposehavetheylived？Itismyideathateverybodynecessarilyoughttoknow，toknowfirmlywhatheislivingfor。"

Hebecamesilent，and，tossinghisheadup，exclaimedinaheavyvoice：

"Canitbethatmanisbornmerelytowork，acquiremoney，buildahouse，begetchildrenand——die？No，lifemeanssomething。Amanisborn，helivesanddies。Whatfor？Itisnecessary，byGod，itisnecessaryforallofustoconsiderwhatwearelivingfor。

Thereisnosenseinourlife。Nosensewhatever！Thenthingsarenotequal，thatcanbeseenatonce。Somearerich——theyhavemoneyenoughforathousandpeople，andtheyliveinidleness。

Othersbendtheirbacksovertheirworkalltheirlives，andyettheyhavenotevenagrosh。Andthedifferenceinpeopleisveryinsignificant。Therearesomethathavenotevenanytrousersandyettheyreasonasthoughtheywereattiredinsilks。"

Carriedawaybyhisthoughts，Fomawouldhavecontinuedtogivethemutterance，butTarasmovedhisarmchairawayfromthetable，roseandsaidsoftly，withasigh：

"No，thankyou！Idon\'twantanymore。"

Fomabrokeoffhisspeechabruptly，shruggedhisshouldersandlookedatLubovwithasmile。

"Wherehaveyoupickedupsuchphilosophy？"sheasked，suspiciouslyanddrily。

"Thatisnotphilosophy。Thatissimplytorture！"saidFomainanundertone。"Openyoureyesandlookateverything。Thenyouwillthinksoyourself。"

"Bytheway，Luba，turnyourattentiontothefact，"beganTaras，standingwithhisbacktowardthetableandscrutinizingtheclock，"thatpessimismisperfectlyforeigntotheAnglo-Saxonrace。ThatwhichtheycallpessimisminSwiftandinByronisonlyaburning，sharpprotestagainsttheimperfectionoflifeandman。Butyoucannotfindamongthemthecold，wellweighedandpassivepessimism。"

Then，asthoughsuddenlyrecallingFoma，heturnedtohim，claspinghishandsbehindhisback，and，wrigglinghisthigh，said：

"Youraiseveryimportantquestions，andifyouareseriouslyinterestedinthemyoumustreadbooks。Inthemwillyoufindmanyveryvaluableopinionsastothemeaningoflife。Howaboutyou——doyoureadbooks？"

"No！"repliedFoma，briefly。

"Ah！"

"Idon\'tlikethem。"

"Aha！Buttheymightneverthelessbeofsomehelptoyou，"saidTaras，andasmilepassedacrosshislips。

"Books？Sincemencannothelpmeinmythoughtsbookscancertainlydonothingforme，"ejaculatedFoma，morosely。

Hebegantofeelawkwardandwearywiththisindifferentman。Hefeltlikegoingaway，butatthesametimehewishedtotellLubovsomethinginsultingaboutherbrother，andhewaitedtillTaraswouldleavetheroom。Lubovwashedthedishes；herfacewasconcentratedandthoughtful；herhandsmovedlazily。Taraswaspacingtheroom，nowandthenhestoppedshortbeforethesideboardonwhichwasthesilverware，whistled，tappedhisfingersagainstthewindow-panesandexaminedthearticleswithhiseyeshalfshut。Thependulumoftheclockflashedbeneaththeglassdoorofthecaselikesomebroad，grinningface，andmonotonouslytoldtheseconds。WhenFomanoticedthatLubovglancedathimafewtimesquestioningly，withexpectantandhostilelooks，heunderstoodthathewasinherwayandthatshewasimpatientlyexpectinghimtoleave。

"Iamgoingtostayhereovernight，"saidhe，withasmile。"I

mustspeakwithmygodfather。Andthenitisratherlonesomeinmyhousealone。"

"ThengoandtellMarfushatomakethebedforyouinthecornerroom，"Lubovhastenedtoadvisehim。

"Ishall。"

Hearoseandwentoutofthedining-room。AndhesoonheardthatTarasaskedhissisteraboutsomethinginalowvoice。

"Aboutme！"hethought。Suddenlythiswickedthoughtflashedthroughhismind："Itwerebutrighttolistenandhearwhatwisepeoplehavetosay。"

Helaughedsoftly，and，steppingontiptoe，wentnoiselesslyintotheotherroom，alsoadjoiningthedining-room。Therewasnolightthere，andonlyathinbandoflightfromthedining-room，passingthroughtheuncloseddoor，layonthedarkfloor。Softly，withsinkingheartandmalicioussmile，Fomawalkedupclosetothedoorandstopped。

"He\'saclumsyfellow，"saidTaras。

ThencameLubov\'sloweredandhastyspeech：

"Hewascarousinghereallthetime。Hecarriedondreadfully！Itallstartedsomehowofasudden。Thefirstthinghedidwastothrashtheson-in-lawoftheVice-GovernorattheClub。Papahadtotakethegreatestpainstohushupthescandal，anditwasagoodthingthattheVice-Governor\'sson-in-lawisamanofverybadreputation。Heisacard-sharperandingeneralashadypersonality，yetitcostfathermorethantwothousandroubles。

AndwhilepapawasbusyinghimselfaboutthatscandalFomacameneardrowningawholecompanyontheVolga。"

"Ha-ha！Howmonstrous！Andthatsamemanbusieshimselfwithinvestigatingastothemeaningoflife。"

"Onanotheroccasionhewascarousingonasteamerwithacompanyofpeoplelikehimself。Suddenlyhesaidtothem：\'PraytoGod！

I\'llflingeveryoneofyouoverboard！\'Heisfrightfullystrong。

Theyscreamed，whilehesaid：\'Iwanttoservemycountry。Iwanttocleartheearthofbasepeople。\'"

"Really？That\'sclever！"

"He\'saterribleman！Howmanywildprankshehasperpetratedduringtheseyears！Howmuchmoneyhehassquandered！"

"And，tellme，onwhatconditionsdoesfathermanagehisaffairsforhim？Doyouknow？"

"No，Idon\'t。Hehasafullpowerofattorney。Whydoyouask？"

"Simplyso。It\'sasolidbusiness。OfcourseitisconductedinpurelyRussianfashion；inotherwords，itisconductedabominably。Butitisasplendidbusiness，nevertheless。Ifitweremanagedproperlyitwouldbeamostprofitablegoldmine。"

"Fomadoesabsolutelynothing。Everythingisinfather\'shands。"

"Yes？That\'sfine。"

"Doyouknow，sometimesitoccurstomethathisthoughtfulframeofmind——thatthesewordsofhisaresincere，andthathecanbeverydecent。ButIcannotreconcilehisscandalouslifewithhiswordsandarguments。Icannotdoitunderanycircumstances！"

"Itisn\'tevenworthwhiletobotheraboutit。Thestriplingandlazybonesseekstojustifyhislaziness。"

"No。Yousee，attimesheislikeachild。Hewasparticularlysobefore。"

"Well，that\'swhatIhavesaid：he\'sastripling。Isitworthwhiletalkingaboutanignoramusandasavage，whowishestoremainanignoramusandasavage，anddoesnotconcealthefact？

Yousee：hereasonsasthebearinthefablebenttheshafts。"

"Youareveryharsh。"

"Yes，Iamharsh！Peoplerequirethat。WeRussiansarealldesperatelyloose。Happily，lifeissoarrangedthat，whetherwewillitornot，wegraduallybraceup。Dreamsarefortheladsandmaidens，butforseriouspeoplethereisseriousbusiness。"

"SometimesIfeelverysorryforFoma。Whatwillbecomeofhim？"

"Thatdoesnotconcernme。Ibelievethatnothinginparticularwillbecomeofhim——neithergoodnorbad。Theinsipidfellowwillsquanderhismoneyaway，andwillberuined。Whatelse？Eh，thedeucetakehim！Suchpeopleasheisarerarenowadays。Nowthemerchantknowsthepowerofeducation。Andhe，thatfoster-

brotherofyours，hewillgotoruin。"

"That\'strue，sir！"saidFoma，openingthedoorandappearingonthethreshold。

Pale，withknittedbrowandquiveringlips，hestaredstraightintoTaras\'sfaceandsaidinadullvoice："True！Iwillgotoruinand——amen！Thesoonerthebetter！"

Lubovsprangupfromthechairwithfrightenedface，andranuptoTaras，whostoodcalmlyinthemiddleoftheroom，withhishandsthrustinhispockets。

"Foma！Oh！Shame！Youhavebeeneavesdropping。Oh，Foma！"saidsheinconfusion。

"Keepquiet，youlamb！"saidFomatoher。

"Yes，eavesdroppingiswrong！"ejaculatedTaras，slowly，withoutliftingfromFomahislookofcontempt。

"Letitbewrong！"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。"Isitmyfaultthatthetruthcanbelearnedbyeavesdroppingonly？"

"Goaway，Foma，please！"entreatedLubov，pressingclosetoherbrother。

"Perhapsyouhavesomethingtosaytome？"askedTaras，calmly。

"I？"exclaimedFoma。"WhatcanIsay？Icannotsayanything。Itisyouwho——you，Ibelieve，knoweverything。"

"Youhavenothingthentodiscusswithme？"askedTarasagain。

"Iamverypleased。"

HeturnedsidewaystoFomaandinquiredofLubov：

"Whatdoyouthink——willfatherreturnsoon？"

Fomalookedathim，and，feelingsomethingakintorespectfortheman，deliberatelyleftthehouse。Hedidnotfeellikegoingtohisownhugeemptyhouse，whereeachstepofhisawakenedaringingecho，hestrolledalongthestreet，whichwasenvelopedinthemelancholygraytwilightoflateautumn。HethoughtofTarasMayakin。

"Howsevereheis。Hetakesafterhisfather。Onlyhe\'snotsorestless。He\'salsoacunningrogue，Ithink，whileLubkaregardedhimalmostasasaint。Thatfoolishgirl！Whatasermonhereadtome！Aregularjudge。Andshe——shewaskindtowardme。"

Butallthesethoughtsstirredinhimnofeelings——neitherhatredtowardTarasnorsympathyforLubov。Hecarriedwithhimsomethingpainfulanduncomfortable，somethingincomprehensibletohim，thatkeptgrowingwithinhisbreast，anditseemedtohimthathisheartwasswollenandwasgnawingasthoughfromanabscess。Hehearkenedtothatunceasingandindomitablepain，noticedthatitwasgrowingmoreandmoreacutefromhourtohour，and，notknowinghowtoallayit，waitedfortheresults。

Thenhisgodfather\'strotterpassedhim。FomasawinthecarriagethesmallfigureofYakovMayakin，buteventhatarousednofeelinginhim。AlamplighterranpastFoma，overtookhim，placedhisladderagainstthelamppostandwentup。Theladdersuddenlyslippedunderhisweight，andhe，claspingthelamppost，cursedloudlyandangrily。AgirljostledFomainthesidewithherbundleandsaid：

"Excuseme。"

Heglancedatherandsaidnothing。Thenadrizzlingrainbegantofallfromthesky——tiny，scarcelyvisibledropsofmoistureovercastthelightsofthelanternsandtheshopwindowswithgrayishdust。Thisdustmadehimbreathewithdifficulty。

"ShallIgotoYozhovandpassthenightthere？Imightdrinkwithhim，"thoughtFomaandwentawaytoYozhov，nothavingtheslightestdesireeithertoseethefeuilleton-writerortodrinkwithhim。

AtYozhov\'shefoundashaggyfellowsittingonthelounge。Hehadonablouseandgraypantaloons。Hisfacewasswarthy，asthoughsmoked，hiseyeswerelarge，immobileandangry，histhickupperlipwascoveredwithabristle-like，soldiermoustache。Hewassittingonthelounge，withhisfeetclaspedinhishugearmsandhischinrestingonhisknees。Yozhovsatsidewaysinachair，withhislegsthrownacrossthearmofthechair。Amongbooksandnewspapersonthetablestoodabottleofvodkaandtherewasanodourofsomethingsaltyintheroom。

"Whyareyoutrampingabout？"YozhovaskedFoma，and，noddingathim，saidtothemanonthelounge："Gordyeeff！"

Themanglancedatthenewcomerandsaidinaharsh，shrillvoice："Krasnoshchokov。"

FomaseatedhimselfonacorneroftheloungeandsaidtoYozhov：

"Ihavecometostayhereovernight。"

"Well？Goon，Vasily。"

ThelatterglancedatFomaaskanceandwentoninacreakingvoice：

"Inmyopinion，youareattackingthestupidpeopleinvain。

Masaniellowasafool，butwhathadtobeperformedwasdoneinthebestwaypossible。AndthatWinkelriedwascertainlyafoolalso，andyethadhenotthrusttheimperialspearsintohimselftheSwisswouldhavebeenthrashed。Havetherenotbeenmanyfoolslikethat？Yettheyaretheheroes。Andthecleverpeoplearethecowards。Wheretheyoughttodealtheobstacleablowwithalltheirmighttheystoptoreflect：\'Whatwillcomeofit？

Perhapswemayperishinvain？\'Andtheystandtherelikeposts——

untiltheybreathetheirlast。Andthefoolisbrave！Herushesheadforemostagainstthewall——bang！Ifhisskullbreaks——whatofit？Calves\'headsarenotdear。Andifhemakesacrackinthewallthecleverpeoplewillpickitopenintogates，willpassandcreditthemselveswiththehonour。No，NikolayMatveyich，braveryisagoodthingeventhoughitbewithoutreason。"

"Vasily，youaretalkingnonsense！"saidYozhov，stretchinghishandtowardhim。

"Ah，ofcourse！"assentedVasily。"HowamItosipcabbagesoupwithabastshoe？AndyetIamnotblind。Icansee。Thereisplentyofbrains，butnogoodcomesofit。Duringthetimethecleverpeoplethinkandreflectastohowtoactinthewisestway，thefoolswilldownthem。That\'sall。"

"Waitalittle！"saidYozhov。

"Ican\'t！Iamondutytoday。Iamratherlateasitis。I\'lldropintomorrow——mayI？"

"Come！I\'llgivearoasting！"

"That\'sexactlyyourbusiness。"

Vasilyadjustedhimselfslowly，rosefromthelounge，tookYozhov\'syellow，thinlittlehandinhisbig，swarthypawandpressedit。

"Goodbye！"

ThenhenoddedtowardFomaandwentthroughthedoorsideways。

"Haveyouseen？"YozhovaskedFoma，pointinghishandatthedoor，behindwhichtheheavyfootstepsstillresounded。

"Whatsortofamanishe？"

"Assistantmachinist，VaskaKrasnoshchokov。Here，takeanexamplefromhim：Attheageoffifteenhebegantostudy，toreadandwrite，andattwenty-eighthehasreadthedevilknowshowmanygoodbooks，andhasmasteredtwolanguagestoperfection。Nowhe\'sgoingabroad。"

"Whatfor？"inquiredFoma。

"Tostudy。Toseehowpeoplelivethere，whileyoulanguishhere——

whatfor？"

"Hespokesensiblyofthefools，"saidFoma，thoughtfully。

"Idon\'tknow，forIamnotafool。"

"Thatwaswellsaid。Thestupidmanoughttoactatonce。Rushforwardandoverturn。"

"There，he\'sbrokenloose！"exclaimedYozhov。"YoubettertellmewhetheritistruethatMayakin\'ssonhasreturned？"

"Yes。"

"Whydoyouask？"

"Nothing。"

"Icanseebyyourfacethatthereissomething。"

"Weknowallabouthisson；we\'veheardabouthim。"

"ButIhaveseenhim。"

"Well？Whatsortofmanishe？"

"Thedevilknowshim！WhathaveItodowithhim？"

"Ishelikehisfather？"

"He\'sstouter，plumper；thereismoreseriousnessabouthim；heissocold。"

"WhichmeansthathewillbeevenworsethanYashka。Well，now，mydear，beonyourguardortheywillsuckyoudry。"

"Well，letthemdoit！"

"They\'llrobyou。You\'llbecomeapauper。ThatTarasfleecedhisfather-in-lawinYekateringburgsocleverly。"

"Lethimfleecemetoo，ifhelikes。Ishallnotsayawordtohimexcept\'thanks。\'"

"Youarestillsingingthatsameoldtune？"

"Yes。"

"Tobesetatliberty。"

"Yes。"

"Dropit！Whatdoyouwantfreedomfor？Whatwillyoudowithit？

Don\'tyouknowthatyouarenotfitforanything，thatyouareilliterate，thatyoucertainlycannotevensplitalogofwood？

Now，ifIcouldonlyfreemyselffromthenecessityofdrinkingvodkaandeatingbread！"

Yozhovjumpedtohisfeet，and，stoppinginfrontofFoma，begantospeakinaloudvoice，asthoughdeclaiming：

"Iwouldgathertogethertheremainsofmywoundedsoul，andtogetherwiththebloodofmyheartIwouldspitthemintothefaceofourintelligentsociety，thedeviltakeit！Iwouldsaytothem：

\'Youinsects，youarethebestsapofmycountry！ThefactofyourexistencehasbeenrepaidbythebloodandthetearsofscoresofgenerationsofRussianpeople。0，younits！Howdearlyyourcountryhaspaidforyou！Whatareyoudoingforitssakeinreturn？Haveyoutransformedthetearsofthepastintopearls？

Whathaveyoucontributedtowardlife？Whathaveyouaccomplished？Youhavepermittedyourselvestobeconquered？Whatareyoudoing？Youpermityourselvestobemocked。"\'

Hestampedhisfeetwithrage，andsettinghisteethtogetherstaredatFomawithburning，angrylooks，andresembledaninfuriatedwildbeast。

"Iwouldsaytothem：\'You！Youreasontoomuch，butyouarenotverywise，andyouareutterlypowerless，andyouareallcowards！Yourheartsarefilledupwithmoralityandnobleintentions，buttheyareassoftandwarmasfeatherbeds；thespiritofcreativenesssleepswithinthemaprofoundandcalmsleep，andyourheartsdonotthrob，theymerelyrockslowly，likecradles。\'Dippingmyfingerinthebloodofmyheart，I

wouldsmearupontheirbrowsthebrandsofmyreproaches，andthey，paupersinspirit，miserableintheirself-contentment，theywouldsuffer。Oh，howtheywouldsuffer！Myscourgeissharp，myhandisfirm！AndIlovetoodeeplytohavecompassion！

Theywouldsuffer！Andnowtheydonotsuffer，fortheyspeakoftheirsufferingstoomuch，toooften，andtooloud！Theylie！

Genuinesufferingismute，andgenuinepassionknowsnobounds！

Passions，passions！Whenwilltheyspringupintheheartsofmen？Weareallmiserablebecauseofapathy。"

Shortofbreathheburstintoafitofcoughing，hecoughedforalongtime，hoppingabouthitherandthither，wavinghishandslikeamadman。AndthenheagainstoppedinfrontofFomawithpalefaceandblood-shoteyes。Hebreathedheavily，hislipstremblednowandthen，displayinghissmall，sharpteeth。

Dishevelled，withhisheadcoveredwithshortheir，helookedlikeaperchjustthrownoutofthewater。ThiswasnotthefirsttimeFomasawhiminsuchastate，and，asalways，hewasinfectedbyhisagitation。Helistenedtothefierywordsofthesmallman，silently，withoutattemptingtounderstandtheirmeaning，havingnodesiretoknowagainstwhomtheyweredirected，absorbingtheirforceonly。Yozhov\'swordsbubbledonlikeboilingwater，andheatedhissoul。

"Iwillsaytothem，tothosemiserableidlers：

\'Look！Lifegoesonward，leavingyoubehind！"\'

"Eh！That\'sfine！"exclaimedFoma，ecstatically，andbegantomoveaboutonthelounge。"You\'reahero，Nikolay！Oh！Goahead！

Throwitrightintotheirfaces！"

ButYozhovwasnotinneedofencouragement，itseemedevenasthoughhehadnotheardatallFoma\'sexclamations，andhewenton：

"Iknowthelimitationsofmypowers。Iknowthey\'llshoutatme：

\'Holdyourpeace！\'They\'lltellme：\'Keepsilence！\'Theywillsayitwisely，theywillsayitcalmly，mockingme，theywillsayitfromtheheightoftheirmajesty。IknowIamonlyasmallbird，0h，Iamnotanightingale！ComparedwiththemIamanignorantman，Iamonlyafeuilleton-writer，amantoamusethepublic。

Letthemcryandsilenceme，letthemdoit！Ablowwillfallonmycheek，buttheheartwillneverthelesskeeponthrobbing！AndIwillsaytothem：

"\'Yes，Iamanignorantman！AndmyfirstadvantageoveryouisthatIdonotknowasinglebook-truthdearertomethanaman！

Manistheuniverse，andmayheliveforeverwhocarriesthewholeworldwithinhim！Andyou，\'Iwillsay，\'forthesakeofawordwhich，perhaps，doesnotalwayscontainameaningcomprehensibletoyou，forthesakeofawordyouofteninflictsoresandwoundsononeanother，forthesakeofawordyouspurtoneanotherwithbile，youassaultthesoul。Forthis，believeme，lifewillseverelycallyoutoaccount：astormwillbreakloose，anditwillwhiskandwashyouofftheearth，aswindandrainwhiskandwashthedustoffatreeIThereisinhumanlanguageonlyonewordwhosemeaningisclearanddeartoeverybody，andwhenthatwordispronounced，itsoundsthus：

\'Freedom！\'"

"Crushon！"roaredFoma，jumpingupfromtheloungeandgraspingYozhovbytheshoulders。WithflashingeyeshegazedintoYozhov\'sface，bendingtowardhim，andalmostmoanedwithgriefandaffliction："Oh！Nikolay！Mydearfellow，Iammortallysorryforyou！Iammoresorrythanwordscantell！"

"What\'sthis？What\'sthematterwithyou？"criedYozhov，pushinghimaway，amazedandshiftedfromhispositionbyFoma\'sunexpectedoutburstandstrangewords。

"Oh，brother！"saidFoma，loweringhisvoice，whichthussoundeddeeper，morepersuasive。"Oh，livingsoul，whydoyousinktoruin？"

"Who？I？Isink？Youlie！"

"Mydearboy！Youwillnotsayanythingtoanybody！Thereisnoonetospeakto！Whowilllistentoyou？OnlyI！"

"Gotothedevil！"shoutedYozhov，angrily，jumpingawayfromhimasthoughhehadbeenscorched。

AndFomawenttowardhim，andspokeconvincingly，withintensesorrow：

"Speak！speaktome！Ishallcarryawayyourwordstotheproperplace。Iunderstandthem。And，ah！howIwillscorchthepeople！

Justwait！Myopportunitywillcome。"

"Goaway！"screamedYozhov，hysterically，squeezinghisbacktothewall，underFoma\'spressure。Perplexed，crushed，andinfuriatedhestoodandwavedoffFoma\'sarmsoutstretchedtowardhim。Andatthistimethedooroftheroomopened，andonthethresholdappearedawomanallinblack。Herfacewasangry-

lookingandexcited，hercheekwastiedupwithakerchief。Shetossedherheadback，stretchedoutherhandtowardYozhovandsaid，inahissingandshrillvoice：

"NikolayMatveyich！Excuseme，butthisisimpossible！Suchbeast-likehowlingandroaring。Guestseveryday。Thepolicearecoming。No，Ican\'tbearitanylonger！Iamnervous。Pleasevacatethelodgingsto-morrow。Youarenotlivinginadesert，therearepeopleaboutyouhere。Andaneducatedmanatthat！A

writer！Allpeoplerequirerest。Ihaveatoothache。Irequestyoutomovetomorrow。I\'llpasteupanotice，I\'llnotifythepolice。"

Shespokerapidly，andthemajorityofherwordswerelostinthehissingandwhistlingofhervoice；onlythosewordsweredistinct，whichsheshriekedoutinashrill，irritatedtone。Thecornersofherkerchiefprotrudedonherheadlikesmallhorns，andshookfromthemovementofherjaws。AtthesightofheragitatedandcomicalfigureFomagraduallyretreatedtowardthelounge，whileYozhovstood，andwipinghisforehead，staredatherfixedly，andlistenedtoherwords：

"Soknowitnow！"shescreamed，andbehindthedoor，shesaidoncemore：

"Tomorrow！Whatanoutrage。"

"Devil！"whisperedYozhov，staringdullyatthedoor。

"Yes！whatawoman！Howstrict！"saidFoma，lookingathiminamazement，asheseatedhimselfonthelounge。

Yozhov，raisinghisshoulders，walkeduptothetable，pouredoutahalfatea-glassfullofvodka，emptieditandsatdownbythetable，bowinghisheadlow。Therewassilenceforaboutaminute。

ThenFomasaid，timidlyandsoftly：

"Howitallhappened！Wehadnotimeeventowinkaneye，and，suddenly，suchanoutcome。Ah！"

"You！"saidYozhovinanundertone，tossinguphishead，andstaringatFomaangrilyandwildly。"Keepquiet！You，thedeviltakeyou。Liedownandsleep！Youmonster。Nightmare。Oh！"

AndhethreatenedFomawithhisfist。Thenhefilledtheglasswithmorebrandy，andemptieditagain。

AfewminuteslaterFomalayundressedonthelounge，and，withhalf-shuteyes，followedYozhovwhosatbythetableinanawkwardpose。Hestaredatthefloor，andhislipswerequietlymoving。Fomawasastonished，hecouldnotmakeoutwhyYozhovhadbecomeangryathim。Itcouldnotbebecausehehadbeenorderedtomoveout。Foritwashehimselfwhohadbeenshouting。

"0hdevil！"whisperedYozhov，andgnashedhisteeth。

Fomaquietlyliftedhisheadfromthepillow。Yozhovdeeplyandnoisilysighing，againstretchedouthishandtowardthebottle。

ThenFomasaidtohimsoftly：

"Let\'sgotosomehotel。Itisn\'tlateyet。"

Yozhovlookedathim，and，rubbinghisheadwithhishands，begantolaughstrangely。ThenherosefromhischairandsaidtoFomacurtly：

"Dressyourself！"

Andseeinghowclumsilyandslowlyheturnedonthelounge，Yozhovshoutedwithangerandimpatience：

"Well，bequicker！Youpersonificationofstupidity。Yousymbolicalcart-shaft。"

"Don\'tcurse！"saidFoma，withapeaceablesmile。"Isitworthwhiletobeangrybecauseawomanhascackled？"

Yozhovglancedathim，spatandburstintoharshlaughter。

CHAPTERXIII

"AREallhere？"askedIlyaYefimovichKononov，standingonthebowofhisnewsteamer，andsurveyingthecrowdofguestswithbeamingeyes。

"Itseemstobeall！"

Andraisingupwardhisstout，red，happy-lookingface，heshoutedtothecaptain，whowasalreadystandingonthebridge，besidethespeaking-tube：

"Castoff，Petrukha！"

"Yes，sir！"

Thecaptainbaredhishuge，baldhead，madethesignofthecross，glancingupatthesky，passedhishandoverhiswide，blackbeard，clearedhisthroat，andgavethecommand：

"Back！"

Theguestswatchedthemovementsofthecaptainsilentlyandattentively，and，emulatinghisexample，theyalsobegantocrossthemselves，atwhichperformancetheircapsandhighhatsflashedthroughtheairlikeaflockofblackbirds。

GiveusThyblessing，0hLord！"exclaimedKononovwithemotion。

"Letgoastern！Forward！"orderedthecaptain。Themassive"IlyaMurometz，"heavingamightysigh，emittedathickcolumnofwhitesteamtowardthesideofthelanding-bridge，andstartedupstreameasily，likeaswan。

"Howitstartedoff，"enthusiasticallyexclaimedcommercialcounsellorLupGrigoryevReznikov，atall，thin，good-lookingman。"Withoutaquiver！Likealadyinthedance！"

"Halfspeed！"

"It\'snotaship，it\'saLeviathan！"remarkedwithadevoutsighthepock-markedandstoopingTrofimZubov，cathedral-wardenandprincipalusurerintown。

Itwasagrayday。Thesky，overcastwithautumnclouds，wasreflectedinthewateroftheriver，thusgivingitacoldleadencolouring。Flashinginthefreshnessofitspaintthesteamersailedalongthemonotonousbackgroundoftheriverlikeahugebrightspot，andtheblacksmokeofitsbreathhungintheairlikeaheavycloud。Allwhite，withpinkpaddle-boxesandbrightredblades，thesteamereasilycutthroughthecoldwaterwithitsbowanddroveitaparttowardtheshores，andtheroundwindow-panesonthesidesofthesteamerandthecabinglitteredbrilliantly，asthoughsmilingaself-satisfied，triumphantsmile。

"Gentlemenofthishonourablecompany！"exclaimedKononov，removinghishat，andmakingalowbowtotheguests。"AswehavenowrendereduntoGod，sotosay，whatisduetoGod，wouldyoupermitthatthemusiciansrendernowuntotheEmperorwhatisduetotheEmperor？"

And，withoutwaitingforananswerfromhisguests，heplacedhisfisttohismouth，andshouted：

"Musicians！Play\'BeGlorious！\'"

Themilitaryorchestra，behindtheengine，thunderedoutthemarch。

AndMakarBobrov，thedirectorandfounderofthelocalcommercialbank，begantohuminapleasantbasso，beatingtimewithhisfingersonhisenormouspaunch：

"Beglorious，beglorious，ourRussianCzar——tra-rata！Boom！"

"Iinviteyoutothetable，gentlemen！Please！Takepot-luck，he，he！Ientreatyouhumbly，"saidKononov，pushinghimselfthroughthedensegroupofguests。

Therewereaboutthirtyofthem，allsedatemen，thecreamofthelocalmerchants。Theoldermenamongthem，bald-headedandgray，woreold-fashionedfrock-coats，capsandtallboots。Buttherewereonlyfewofthese；highsilkhats，shoesandstylishcoatsreignedsupreme。Theywereallcrowdedonthebowofthesteamer，andlittlebylittle，yieldingtoKononov\'srequests，movedtowardsthesterncoveredwithsailcloth，wherestoodtablesspreadwithlunch。LupReznikovwalkedarminarmwithYakovMayakin，and，bendingovertohisear，whisperedsomethingtohim，whilethelatterlistenedandsmiled。Foma，whohadbeenbroughttothefestivalbyhisgodfather，afterlongadmonitions，foundnocompanionforhimselfamongthesepeoplewhowererepulsivetohim，and，paleandgloomy，heldhimselfapartfromthem。DuringthepasttwodayshehadbeendrinkingheavilywithYozhov，andnowhehadaterribleheadache。Hefeltillateaseinthesedateandyetjollycompany；thehummingofthevoices，thethunderingofthemusicandtheclamourofthesteamer，alltheseirritatedhim。

Hefeltapressingneedtodozeoff，andhecouldfindnorestfromthethoughtastowhyhisgodfatherwassokindtohimtoday，andwhyhebroughthimhitherintothecompanyoftheforemostmerchantsofthetown。Whyhadheurgedsopersuasively，andevenentreatedhimtoattendKononov\'smassandbanquet？

"Don\'tbefoolish，come！"Fomarecalledhisgodfather\'sadmonitions。"Whydoyoufightshyofpeople？Mangetshischaracterfromnature，andinrichesyouarelowerthanveryfew。

Youmustkeepyourselfonanequalfootingwiththeothers。

Come！"

"Butwhenareyougoingtospeakseriouslywithme，papa？"Fomahadasked，watchingtheplayofhisgodfather\'sfaceandgreeneyes。

"Youmeanaboutsettingyoufreefromthebusiness？Ha，ha！We\'lltalkitover，we\'lltalkitover，myfriend！Whataqueerfellowyouare。Well？Willyouenteramonasterywhenyouhavethrownawayyourwealth？Aftertheexampleofthesaints？Eh？"

"I\'llseethen！"Fomahadanswered。

"So。Well，andmeanwhile，beforeyougotothemonastery，comealongwithme！Getreadyquickly。Rubyourphizwithsomethingwet，foritisverymuchswollen。Sprinkleyourselfwithcologne，getitfromLubov，todriveawaythesmellofthekabak。Goahead！"

Arrivingonthesteamerwhilethemasswasinprogress，Fomatookupaplaceonthesideandwatchedthemerchantsduringthewholeservice。

Theystoodinsolemnsilence；theirfaceshadanexpressionofdevoutconcentration；theyprayedwithfervour，deeplysighing，bowinglow，devoutlyliftingtheireyesheavenward。AndFomalookednowatone，nowatanother，andrecalledwhatheknewaboutthem。

TherewasLupReznikov；hehadbegunhiscareerasabrothel-

keeper，andhadbecomerichallofasudden。Theysaidhehadstrangledoneofhisguests，arichSiberian。Zubov\'sbusinessinhisyouthhadbeentopurchasethreadfromthepeasants。Hehadfailedtwice。Kononovhadbeentriedtwentyyearsagoforarson，andevennowhewasindictedfortheseductionofaminor。

Togetherwithhim，forthesecondtimealready，onasimilarcharge，ZakharKirillovRobustovhadbeendraggedtocourt。

Robustovwasastout，shortmerchantwitharoundfaceandcheerfulblueeyes。AmongthesepeopletherewashardlyoneaboutwhomFomadidnotknowsomethingdisgraceful。

AndheknewthattheywereallsurelyenvyingthesuccessfulKononov，whowasconstantlyincreasingthenumberofhissteamersfromyeartoyear。Manyofthosepeoplewereatdaggers\'pointswithoneanother，noneofthemwouldshowmercytotheothersinthebattlefieldofbusiness，andallknewwickedanddishonestthingsaboutoneanother。Butnow，whentheygatheredaroundKononov，whowastriumphantandhappy，theyblendedinonedense，darkmass，andstoodandbreathedasoneman，concentratedandsilent，surroundedbysomethinginvisibleyetfirm，bysomethingwhichrepulsedFomafromthem，andwhichinspiredhimwithfearofthem。

"Impostors！"thoughthe，thusencouraginghimself。

Andtheycoughedgently，sighed，crossedthemselves，bowed，and，surroundingtheclergyinathickwall，stoodimmovableandfirm，likebig，blackrocks。

"Theyarepretending！"Fomaexclaimedtohimself。Besidehimstoodthehump-backed，one-eyedPavlinGushchin——hewho，notlongbefore，hadturnedthechildrenofhishalf-wittedbrotherintothestreetasbeggars——hestoodthereandwhisperedpenetratinglyashelookedatthegloomyskywithhissingleeye：

"0hLord！DonotconvictmeinThywrath，norchastisemeinThyindignation。"

AndFomafeltthatthatmanwasaddressingtheLordwiththemostprofoundandfirmfaithinHismercy。

"0hLord，Godofourfathers，whohadstcommandedNoah，Thyservant，tobuildanarkforthepreservationoftheworld，"saidthepriestinhisdeepbassvoice，liftinghiseyesandoutstretchinghishandsskyward，"protectalsothisvesselandgiveuntoitaguardingangelofgoodandpeace。Guardthosethatwillsailuponit。"

Themerchantsinunisonmadethesignofthecross，withwideswingsoftheirarms，andalltheirfacesboretheexpressionofonesentiment——faithinthepowerofprayer。AllthesepicturestookrootinFoma\'smemoryandawakenedinhimperplexityastothesepeople，who，beingabletobelievefirmlyinthemercyofGod，were，nevertheless，socrueluntoman。Hewatchedthempersistently，wishingtodetecttheirfraud，toconvincehimselfoftheirfalsehood。

Theirgravefirmnessangeredhim，theirunanimousself-

confidence，theirtriumphantfaces，theirloudvoices，theirlaughter。Theywerealreadyseatedbythetables，coveredwithluncheon，andwerehungrilyadmiringthehugesturgeon，almostthreeyardsinlength，nicelysprinkledoverwithgreensandlargecrabs。TrofimZubov，tyinganapkinaroundhisneck，lookedatthemonsterfishwithhappy，sweetlyhalf-shuteyes，andsaidtohisneighbour，theflourmerchant，YonaYushkov：

"YonaNikiforich！Look，it\'saregularwhale！It\'sbigenoughtoserveasacasketforyourperson，eh？Ha，ha！Youcouldcreepintoitasafootintoaboot，eh？Ha，ha！"

Thesmall-bodiedandplumpYonacarefullystretchedouthisshortlittlehandtowardthesilverpailfilledwithfreshcaviar，smackedhislipsgreedily，andsquintedatthebottlesbeforehim，fearinglesthemightoverturnthem。

OppositeKononov，onatrestle，stoodahalf-vedrobarrelofoldvodka，importedfromPoland；inahugesilver-mountedshelllayoysters，andacertainparticolouredcake，intheshapeofatower，stoodoutabovealltheviands。

"Gentlemen！Ientreatyou！Helpyourselvestowhateveryouplease！"criedKononov。"Ihavehereeverythingatoncetosuitthetasteofeveryone。Thereisourown，Russianstuff，andthereisforeign，allatonce！That\'sthebestway！Whowishesanything？Doesanybodywantsnails，orthesecrabs，eh？They\'refromIndia，Iamtold。"

AndZubovsaidtohisneighbour，Mayakin：

"Theprayer\'AttheBuildingofaVessel\'isnotsuitableforsteam-tugsandriversteamers，thatis，notthatitisnotsuitable，itisn\'tenoughalone。Ariversteamerisaplaceofpermanentresidenceforthecrew，andthereforeitoughttobeconsideredasahouse。Consequentlyitisnecessarytomaketheprayer\'AttheBuildingofaHouse，\'inadditiontothatforthevessel。Butwhatwillyoudrink？"

"Iamnotmuchofawinefiend。Pourmeoutsomecuminvodka，"

repliedYakovTarasovich。

Foma，seatedattheendofthetableamongsometimidandmodestmenwhowereunfamiliartohim，nowandagainfeltonhimselfthesharpglancesoftheoldman。

"He\'safraidI\'llmakeascandal，"thoughtFoma。"Brethren！"

roaredthemonstrouslystoutshipbuilderYashchurov，inahoarsevoice，"Ican\'tdowithoutherring！Imustnecessarilybeginwithherring，that\'smynature。"

"Musicians！strikeup\'ThePersianMarch！"

"Holdon！Better\'HowGlorious！\'"

"Strikeup\'HowGlorious。"\'