第13章

Thepuffingoftheengineandtheclatterofthesteamer\'swheels，minglingwiththesoundsofthemusic，producedintheairsomethingwhichsoundedlikethewildsongofasnow-storm。

Thewhistleoftheflute，theshrillsingingoftheclarionets，theheavyroaringofthebasses，therufflingofthelittledrumandthedronesoftheblowsonthebigone，allthisfellonthemonotonousanddullsoundsofthewheels，astheycutthewaterapart，smotetheairrebelliously，drownedthenoiseofthehumanvoicesandhoveredafterthesteamer，likeahurricane，causingthepeopletoshoutatthetopoftheirvoices。Attimesanangryhissingofsteamrangoutwithintheengine，andtherewassomethingirritableandcontemptuousinthissoundasitburstunexpectedlyuponthechaosofthedronesandroarsandshouts。

"Ishallneverforget，evenuntomygrave，thatyourefusedtodiscountthenoteforme，"criedsomeoneinafiercevoice。

"Thatwilldo！Isthisaplaceforaccounts？"rangoutBobrov\'sbass。

"Brethren！Letushavesomespeeches！"

"Musicians，bush！"

"ComeuptothebankandI\'llexplaintoyouwhyIdidn\'tdiscountit。"

"Aspeech！Silence！"

"Musicians，ceaseplaying！"

"Strikeup\'IntheMeadows。\'"

"MadameAngot！"

"No！YakovTarasovich，webegofyou！"

"That\'scalledStrassburgpastry。"

"Webegofyou！Webegofyou！"

"Pastry？Itdoesn\'tlooklikeit，butI\'lltasteitallthesame。"

"Tarasovich！Start。"

"Brethren！Itisjolly！ByGod。"

"Andin\'LaBelleHelene\'sheusedtocomeoutalmostnaked，mydear，"suddenlyRobustov\'sshrillandemotionalvoicebrokethroughthenoise。

"Lookout！JacobcheatedEsau？Aha！"

"Ican\'t！Mytongueisnotahammer，andIamnolongeryoung。

"Yasha！Weallimploreyou！"

"Dousthehonour！"

"We\'llelectyoumayor！"

"Tarasovich！don\'tbecapricious！"

"Sh！Silence！Gentlemen！YakovTarasovichwillsayafewwords！"

"Sh！"

Andjustatthemomentthenoisesubsidedsomeone\'sloud，indignantwhisperwasheard：

"Howshepinchedme，thecarrion。"

AndBobrovinquiredinhisdeepbasso：

"Wheredidshepinchyou？"

Allburstintoringinglaughter，butsoonfellsilent，forYakovTarasovichMayakin，risingtohisfeet，clearedhisthroat，and，strokinghisbaldcrown，surveyedthemerchantswithaseriouslookexpectingattention。

"Well，brethren，openyourears！"shoutedKononov，withsatisfaction。

"Gentlemenofthemerchantclass！"beganMayakinwithasmile。

"Thereisacertainforeignwordinthelanguageofintelligentandlearnedpeople，andthatwordis\'culture。\'SonowIamgoingtotalktoyouaboutthatwordinallthesimplicityofmysoul。"

"So，that\'swhereheisaimingto！"someonessatisfiedexclamationwasheard。

"Sh！Silence！"

"Deargentlemen！"saidMayakin，raisinghisvoice，"inthenewspaperstheykeepwritingaboutusmerchants，thatwearenotacquaintedwiththis\'culture，\'thatwedonotwantit，anddonotunderstandit。Andtheycallussavage，unculturedpeople。

Whatisculture？Itpainsme，oldmanasIam，tohearsuchwords，andonedayImadeitmybusinesstolookupthatword，toseewhatitreallycontains。"Mayakinbecamesilent，surveyedtheaudiencewithhiseyes，andwentondistinctly，withatriumphantsmile：

"Itproved，uponmyresearches，thatthiswordmeansworship，thatis，love，greatloveforbusinessandorderinlife。\'That\'sright！\'Ithought，\'that\'sright！\'Thatmeansthatheisaculturedmanwholovesbusinessandorder，who，ingeneral，lovestoarrangelife，lovestolive，knowsthevalueofhimselfandoflife。Good！"YakovTarasovichtrembled，hiswrinklesspreadoverhisfacelikebeams，fromhissmilingeyestohislips，andhisbaldheadlookedlikesomedarkstar。

Themerchantsstaredsilentlyandattentivelyathismouth，andallfacesbespokeintenseattention。ThepeopleseemedpetrifiedintheattitudesinwhichMayakin\'sspeechhadovertakenthem。

"Butifthatwordistobeinterpretedpreciselythus，andnototherwise，ifsuchisthecase——thenthepeoplewhocallusunculturedandsavage，slanderandblasphemeus！Fortheyloveonlytheword，butnotitsmeaning；whilewelovetheveryrootoftheword，weloveitsrealessence，weloveactivity。Wehavewithinustherealculttowardlife，thatis，theworshipoflife；we，notthey！Theylovereasoning\'weloveaction。Andhere，gentlemenofthemerchantclass，hereisanexampleofourculture，ofourloveforaction。TaketheVolga！Heresheis，ourdearownmother！Witheachandeverydropofherwatershecancorroborateourhonourandrefutetheemptyblasphemyspatteredonus。Onlyonehundredyearshaveelapsed，mydearsirs，sinceEmperorPetertheGreatlauncheddeckedbarksonthisriver，andnowthousandsofsteamshipssailupanddowntheriver。Whohasbuiltthem？TheRussianpeasant，anutterlyunletteredman！Alltheseenormoussteamers，barges——whosearethey？Ours！Whohasinventedthem？We！Everythinghereisours，everythinghereisthefruitofourminds，ofourRussianshrewdness，andourgreatloveforaction！Nobodyhasassistedusinanything！WeourselvesexterminatedpiracyontheVolga；atourownexpensewehiredtroops；weexterminatedpiracyandsentoutontheVolgathousandsofsteamersandvariousvesselsoverallthethousandsofmilesofhercourse。WhichisthebesttownontheVolga？Theonethathasthemostmerchants。Whosearethebesthousesintown？Themerchants！Whotakesthemostcareofthepoor？Themerchant！Hecollectsgroshesandcopecks，anddonateshundredsofthousandsofroubles。Whohaserectedthechurches？

We！Whocontributesthemostmoneytothegovernment？Themerchants！Gentlemen！tousaloneistheworkdearforitsownsake，forthesakeofourloveforthearrangementoflife，andwealoneloveorderandlife！Andhewhotalksaboutusmerelytalks，andthat\'sall！Lethimtalk！Whenthewindblowsthewillowrustles；whenthewindsubsidesthewillowissilent；andneitheracart-shaft，norabroomcanbemadeoutofthewillow；

itisauselesstree！Andfromthisuselessnesscomesthenoise。

Whathavethey，ourjudges，accomplished；howhavetheyadornedlife？Wedonotknowit。Whileourworkisclearlyevident！

Gentlemenofthemerchantclass！Seeinginyoutheforemostmeninlife，mostindustriousandlovingyourlabours，seeinginyouthemenwhocanaccomplishandhaveaccomplishedeverything，I

nowheartily，withrespectandloveforyou，liftmybrimminggoblet，totheglorious，strong-souled，industriousRussianmerchantclass。Longmayyoulive！MayyousucceedforthegloryofMotherRussia！Hurrah！"

Theshrill，jarringshoutofMayakincalledforthadeafening，triumphantroarfromthemerchants。Allthesebig，fleshybodies，arousedbywineandbytheoldman\'swords，stirredandutteredfromtheirchestssuchaunanimous，massiveshoutthateverythingaroundthemseemedtotrembleandtoquake。

"Yakov！youarethetrumpetoftheLord！"criedZubov，holdingouthisgoblettowardMayakin。

Overturningthechairs，jostlingthetables，thuscausingthedishesandthebottlestorattleandfall，themerchants，agitated，delighted，somewithtearsintheireyes，rushedtowardMayakinwithgobletsintheirhands。

"Ah！Doyouunderstandwhathasbeensaidhere？"askedKononov，graspingRobustovbytheshoulderandshakinghim。"Understandit！Thatwasagreatspeech！"

"YakovTarasovich！Come，letmeembraceyou！"

"Let\'stoss，Mayakin！

"Strikeuptheband。"

"Soundaflourish！Amarch。\'ThePersianMarch。"\'

"Wedon\'twantanymusic！Thedeviltakeit！"

"Hereisthemusic！Eh，YakovTarasovich！Whatamind！"

"Iwassmallamongmybrethren，butIwasfavouredwithunderstanding。"

"Youlie，Trofim！"

"Yakov！you\'lldiesoon。Oh，whatapity！Wordscan\'texpresshowsorryweare！"

"Butwhatafuneralthatisgoingtobe！"

"Gentlemen！LetusestablishaMayakinfund！Iputupathousand！"

"Silence！Holdon！"

"Gentlemen！"YakovTarasovichbegantospeakagain，quiveringineverylimb。"And，furthermore，wearetheforemostmeninlifeandtherealmastersinourfatherlandbecauseweare——peasants！\'

"Corr-rect！"

"That\'sright！Dearmother！That\'sanoldmanforyou！"

"Holdon！Lethimfinish。"

"WeareprimitiveRussianpeople，andeverythingthatcomesfromusistrulyRussian！Consequentlyitisthemostgenuine，themostusefulandobligatory。"

"Astrueastwoandtwomakefour！"

"It\'ssosimple。"

"Heisaswiseasaserpent！"

"Andasmeekasa——"

"Asahawk。Ha，ha，ha！"

Themerchantsencircledtheiroratorinaclosering，theylookedathimwiththeiroilyeyes，andweresoagitatedthattheycouldnolongerlistentohiswordscalmly。Aroundhimatumultofvoicessmotetheair，andminglingwiththenoiseoftheengine，andthebeatingofthewheelsuponthewater，itformedawhirlwindofsoundswhichdrownedthejarringvoiceoftheoldman。Theexcitementofthemerchantswasgrowingmoreandmoreintense；allfaceswereradiantwithtriumph；handsholdingoutgobletswereoutstretchedtowardMayakin；themerchantsclappedhimontheshoulder，jostledhim，kissedhim，gazedwithemotionintohisface。Andsomescreamedecstatically：

"Thekamarinsky。Thenationaldance！"

"Wehaveaccomplishedallthat！"criedYakovTarasovich，pointingattheriver。"Itisallours！Wehavebuiltuplife！"

Suddenlyrangoutaloudexclamationwhichdrownedallsounds：

"Ah！Soyouhavedoneit？Ah，you。"

Andimmediatelyafterthis，avulgaroathresoundedthroughtheair，pronounceddistinctlywithgreatrancour，inadullbutpowerfulvoice。Everyonehearditandbecamesilentforamoment，searchingwiththeireyesthemanwhohadabusedthem。Atthismomentnothingwasheardsavethedeepsighsoftheenginesandtheclankingoftherudderchains。

"Who\'ssnarlingthere？"askedKononovwithafrown。

"Wecan\'tgetalongwithoutscandals！"saidReznikov，withacontritesigh。

"Whowasswearinghereatrandom？"

Thefacesofthemerchantsmirroredalarm，curiosity，astonishment，reproach，andallthepeoplebegantobustleaboutstupidly。OnlyYakovTarasovichalonewascalmandseemedevensatisfiedwithwhathadoccurred。Risingontiptoe，withhisneckoutstretched，hestaredsomewheretowardtheendofthetable，andhiseyesflashedstrangely，asthoughhesawtheresomethingwhichwaspleasingtohim。

"Gordyeeff"saidYonaYushkov，softly。

AndallheadswereturnedtowardthedirectioninwhichYakovTarasovichwasstaring。

There，withhishandsrestingonthetable，stoodFoma。Hisfacedistortedwithwrath，histeethfirmlysettogether，hesilentlysurveyedthemerchantswithhisburning，wide-openeyes。Hislowerjawwastrembling，hisshoulderswerequivering，andthefingersofhishands，firmlyclutchingtheedgeofthetable，werenervouslyscratchingthetablecloth。Atthesightofhiswolf-

like，angryfaceandhiswrathfulpose，themerchantsagainbecamesilentforamoment。

"Whatareyougapingat？"askedFoma，andagainaccompaniedhisquestionwithaviolentoath。

"He\'sdrunk！"saidBobrov，withashakeofthehead。

"Andwhywasheinvited？"whisperedReznikov，softly。

"FomaIgnatyevich！"saidKononov，sedately，"youmustn\'tcreateanyscandals。Ifyourheadisreeling——go，mydearboy，quietlyandpeacefullyintothecabinandliedown！Liedown，and——"

"Silence，you！"roaredFoma，andturnedhiseyeathim。"Donotdaretospeaktome！Iamnotdrunk。Iamsobererthananyoneofyouhere！Doyouunderstand？"

"Butwaitawhile，myboy。Whoinvitedyouhere？"askedKononov，reddeningwithoffence。

"Ibroughthim！"rangoutMayakin\'svoice。

"Ah！Well，then，ofcourse。Excuseme，FomaIgnatyevich。Butasyoubroughthim，Yakov，yououghttosubduehim。Otherwiseit\'snogood。"

Fomamaintainedsilenceandsmiled。Andthemerchants，too，weresilent，astheylookedathim。

"Eh，Fomka！"beganMayakin。"Againyoudisgracemyoldage。"

"Godfather！"saidFoma，showinghisteeth，"Ihavenotdoneanythingasyet，soitisratherearlytoreadmealecture。Iamnotdrunk，Ihavedrunknothing，butIhaveheardeverything。

Gentlemenmerchants！Permitmetomakeaspeech！Mygodfather，whomyourespectsomuch，hasspoken。Nowlistentohisgodson。"

"What——speeches？"saidReznikov。"Whyhaveanydiscourses？Wehavecometogethertoenjoyourselves。"

"Come，youhadbetterdropthat，FomaIgnatyevich。"

"Betterdrinksomething。"

"Let\'shaveadrink！Ah，Foma，you\'rethesonofafinefather！"

Fomarecoiledfromthetable，straightenedhimselfandcontinuouslysmiling，listenedtothekind，admonitorywords。

Amongallthosesedatepeoplehewastheyoungestandthehandsomest。Hiswell-shapedfigure，inatight-fittingfrockcoat，stoodout，tohisadvantage，amongthemassofstoutbodieswithprominentpaunches。Hisswarthyfacewithlargeeyeswasmoreregularlyfeatured，morefulloflifethantheshrivelledorredfacesofthosewhostoodbeforehimwithastonishmentandexpectancy。Hethrewhischestforward，sethisteethtogether，andflingingtheskirtsofhisfrockcoatapart，thrusthishandsintohispockets。

"Youcan\'tstopupmymouthnowwithflatteryandcaresses！"saidhe，firmlyandthreateningly，"Whetheryouwilllistenornot，I

amgoingtospeakallthesame。Youcannotdrivemeawayfromhere。"

Heshookhishead，and，raisinghisshoulders，announcedcalmly：

"Butifanyoneofyoudaretotouchme，evenwithafinger，I\'llkillhim！IswearitbytheLord。I\'llkillasmanyasIcan！"

Thecrowdofpeoplethatstoodoppositehimswayedback，evenasbushesrockedbythewind。Theybegantotalkinagitatedwhispers。Foma\'sfacegrewdarker，hiseyesbecameround。

"Well，ithasbeensaidherethatyouhavebuiltuplife，andthatyouhavedonethemostgenuineandproperthings。"

Fomaheavedadeepsigh，andwithinexpressibleaversionscrutinizedhislisteners\'faces，whichsuddenlybecamestrangelypuffedup，asthoughtheywereswollen。Themerchantsweresilent，pressingcloserandclosertooneanother。Someoneinthebackrowsmuttered：

"Whatishetalkingabout？Ah！Fromapaper，orbyheart？"

"Oh，yourascals！"exclaimedGordyeeff，shakinghishead。"Whathaveyoumade？Itisnotlifethatyouhavemade，butaprison。

Itisnotorderthatyouhaveestablished，youhaveforgedfettersonman。Itissuffocating，itisnarrow，thereisnoroomforalivingsoultoturn。Manisperishing！Youaremurderers！

Doyouunderstandthatyouexisttodayonlythroughthepatienceofmankind？"

"Whatdoesthismean？"exclaimedReznikov，claspinghishandsinrageandindignation。"IlyaYefimov，what\'sthis？Ican\'tbeartohearsuchwords。"

"Gordyeeff！"criedBobrov。"Lookout，youspeakimproperwords。"

"Forsuchwordsyou\'llget——oi，oi，oi！"saidZubov，insinuatingly。

"Silence！"roaredFoma，withblood-shoteyes。"Nowthey\'regrunting。"

"Gentlemen！"rangoutMayakin\'scalm，maliciousvoice，likethescreechofasmooth-fileoniron。"Don\'ttouchhim！Ientreatyouearnestly，donothinderhim。Lethimsnarl。Lethimamusehimself。Hiswordscannotharmyou。"

"Well，no，Ihumblythankyou！"criedYushkov。AndcloseatFoma\'ssidestoodSmolinandwhisperedinhisear：

"Stop，mydearboy！What\'sthematterwithyou？Areyououtofyourwits？They\'lldoyou——！"

"Getaway！"saidFoma，firmly，flashinghisangryeyesathim。

"YougotoMayakinandflatterhim，perhapssomethingwillcomeyourway！"

Smolinwhistledthroughhisteethandsteppedaside。Andthemerchantsbegantodisperseonthesteamer，onebyone。ThisirritatedFomastillmorehewishedhecouldchainthemtothespotbyhiswords，buthecouldnotfindsuchpowerfulwords。

"Youhavebuiltuplife！"heshouted。"Whoareyou？

Swindlers，robbers。"

AfewmenturnedtowardFoma，asifhehadcalledthem。

"Kononov！aretheysoongoingtotryyouforthatlittlegirl？

They\'llconvictyoutothegalleys。Goodbye，Ilya！Youarebuildingyoursteamersinvain。They\'lltransportyoutoSiberiaonagovernmentvessel。"

Kononovsankintoachair；hisbloodleapedtohisface，andheshookhisfistinsilence。Fomasaidhoarsely：

"Verywell。Good。Ishallnotforgetit。"

Fomasawhisdistortedfacewithitstremblinglips，andunderstoodwithwhatweaponshecoulddealthesementhemostforcibleblows。

"Ha，ha，ha！Buildersoflife！Gushchin，doyougivealmstoyourlittlenephewsandnieces？Givethematleastacopeckaday。Youhavestolensixty-seventhousandroublesfromthem。Bobrov！whydidyoulieaboutthatmistressofyours，sayingthatshehadrobbedyou，andthensendhertoprison？Ifyouhadgrowntiredofher，youmighthavegivenherovertoyourson。Anywayhehasstartedanintriguewiththatothermistressofyours。Didn\'tyouknowit？Eh，youfatpig，ha，ha！Andyou，Lup，openagainabrothel，andfleeceyourgueststhereasbefore。Andthenthedevilwillfleeceyou，ha，ha！Itisgoodtobearascalwithapiousfacelikeyours！Whomdidyoukillthen，Lup？"

Fomaspoke，interruptinghisspeechwithloud，malevolentlaughter，andsawthathiswordswereproducinganimpressiononthesepeople。Before，whenhehadspokentoallofthemtheyturnedawayfromhim，steppingaside，forminggroups，andlookingattheiraccuserfromafarwithangerandcontempt。Hesawsmilesontheirfaces，hefeltintheireverymovementsomethingscornful，andunderstoodthatwhilehiswordsangeredthemtheydidnotstingasdeepashewishedthemto。Allthishadchilledhiswrath，andwithinhimtherewasalreadyarisingthebitterconsciousnessofthefailureofhisattackonthem。Butassoonashebegantospeakofeachoneseparately，therewasaswiftandstrikingchangeintherelationofhishearerstowardhim。

WhenKononovsankheavilyinthechair，asthoughhewereunabletowithstandtheweightofFoma\'sharshwords，Fomanoticedthatbitterandmalicioussmilescrossedthefacesofsomeofthemerchants。Heheardsomeone\'swhisperofastonishmentandapproval：

"That\'swellaimed！"

ThiswhispergavestrengthtoFoma，andheconfidentlyandpassionatelybegantohurlreproaches，jeersandabusesatthosewhomethiseyes。Hegrowledjoyously，seeingthathiswordsweretakingeffect。Hewaslistenedtosilently，attentively；severalmenmovedclosertowardhim。

Exclamationsofprotestwereheard，butthesewerebrief，notloud，andeachtimeFomashoutedsomeone\'sname，allbecamesilent，listening，castingfurtive，maliciousglancesinthedirectionoftheiraccusedcomrade。

Bobrovlaughedperplexedly，buthissmalleyesboredintoFomaasgimlets。AndLupReznikov，wavinghishands，hoppedaboutawkwardlyand，shortofbreath，said：

"Bemywitnesses。What\'sthis！No-o！Iwillnotforgivethis！

I\'llgotocourt。What\'sthat？"andsuddenlyhescreamedinashrillvoice，out-stretchinghishandtowardFoma：

"Bindhim！"

Fomawaslaughing。

"Youcannotbindthetruth，youcan\'tdoit！Evenbound，truthwillnotgrowdumb！"

"Go-o-od！"drawledoutKononovinadull，brokenvoice。

"Seehere，gentlemenofthemerchantclass！"rangoutMayakin\'svoice。"Iask！youtoadmirehim，that\'sthekindofafellowheis！"

OneafteranotherthemerchantsmovedtowardFoma，andontheirfaceshesawwrath，curiosity，amaliciousfeelingofsatisfaction，fear。SomeoneofthosemodestpeopleamongwhomFomawassitting，whisperedtohim：

"Giveittothem。Godblessyou。Goahead！Thatwillbetoyourcredit。"

"Robustov！"criedFoma。"Whatareyoulaughingat？Whatmakesyouglad？Youwillalsogotothegalleys。"

"Puthimashore！"suddenlyroaredRobustov，springingtohisfeet。

AndKononovshoutedtothecaptain：

"Back！Tothetown！TotheGovernor。"

Andsomeoneinsinuatingly，inavoicetremblingwithfeeling：

"That\'sacollusiveagreement。Thatwasdoneonpurpose。Hewasinstigated，andmadedrunktogivehimcourage。"

"No，it\'sarevolt！"

"Bindhim！Justbindhim！"

Fomagraspedachampagnebottleandswungitintheair。

"Comeonnow！No，itseemsthatyouwillhavetolistentome。"

Withrenewedfury，franticwithjoyatseeingthesepeopleshrinkingandquailingundertheblowsofhiswords，Fomaagainstartedtoshoutnamesandvulgaroaths，andtheexasperatedtumultwashushedoncemore。Themen，whomFomadidnotknow，gazedathimwitheagercuriosity，withapproval，whilesomelookedathimevenwithjoyoussurprise。Oneofthem，agray-

hairedlittleoldmanwithrosycheeksandsmallmouseeyes，suddenlyturnedtowardthemerchants，whohadbeenabusedbyFoma，andsaidinasweetvoice：

"Thesearewordsfromtheconscience！That\'snothing！Youmustendureit。That\'sapropheticaccusation。Wearesinful。Totellthetruthwearevery——"

Hewashissed，andZubovevenjostledhimontheshoulder。Hemadealowbowanddisappearedinthecrowd。

"Zubov！"criedFoma。"Howmanypeoplehaveyoufleecedandturnedtobeggars？DoyoueverdreamofIvanPetrovMyakinnikov，whostrangledhimselfbecauseofyou？Isittruethatyoustealateverymasstenroublesoutofthechurchbox？"

Zubovhadnotexpectedtheattack，andheremainedaspetrified，withhishanduplifted。Butheimmediatelybegantoscreaminashrillvoice，ashejumpedupquickly：

"Ah！Youturnagainstmealso？Againstme，too？

AndsuddenlyhepuffeduphischeeksandfuriouslybegantoshakehisfistatFoma，ashescreamedinashrillvoice：

"ThefoolsaysinhisheartthereisnoGod！I\'llgotothebishop！Infidel！You\'llgetthegalleys！"

Thetumultonthesteamergrew，andatthesightoftheseenraged，perplexedandinsultedpeople，Fomafelthimselfafairy-talegiant，slayingmonsters。Theybustledabout，wavingtheirarms，talkingtooneanother——someredwithanger，otherspale，yetallequallypowerlesstochecktheflowofhisjeersatthem。

"Sendthesailorsoverhere！"criedReznikov，tuggingKononovbytheshoulder。"What\'sthematterwithyou，Ilya？Ah？Haveyouinvitedustoberidiculed？"

"Againstonepuppy，"screamedZubov。

AcrowdhadgatheredaroundYakovTarasovitchMayakin，andlistenedtohisquietspeechwithanger，andnoddedtheirheadsaffirmatively。

"Act，Yakov！"saidRobustov，loudly。"Weareallwitnesses。Goahead！"

AndabovethegeneraltumultofvoicesrangoutFoma\'sloud，accusingvoice：

"Itwasnotlifethatyouhavebuilt——youhavemadeacesspool！

Youhavebredfilthandputrefactionbyyourdeeds！Haveyouaconscience？DoyourememberGod？Money——that\'syourGod！Andyourconscienceyouhavedrivenaway。Whitherhaveyoudrivenitaway？

Blood-suckers！Youliveonthestrengthofothers。Youworkwithotherpeople\'shands！Youshallpayforallthis！Whenyouperish，youwillbecalledtoaccountforeverything！Foreverything，eventoateardrop。Howmanypeoplehaveweptbloodatthosegreatdeedsofyours？Andaccordingtoyourdeserts，evenhellistoogoodaplaceforyou，rascals。Notinfire，butinboilingmudyoushallbescorched。Yoursufferingsshalllastforcenturies。Thedevilswillhurlyouintoaboilerandwillpourintoit——ha，ha，ha！they\'llpourintoit——ha，ha，ha！

Honourablemerchantclass！BuildersofLife。Oh，youdevils！"

Fomaburstintoringinglaughter，and，holdinghissides，staggered，tossinghisheaduphigh。

Atthatmomentseveralmenquicklyexchangedglances，simultaneouslyrushedonFomaanddownedhimwiththeirweight。A

racketensued。

"Nowyou\'recaught！"ejaculatedsomeoneinasuffocatingvoice。

"Ah！Isthatthewayyou\'redoingit？"criedFoma，hoarsely。

Foraboutahalfaminuteawholeheapofblackbodiesbustledaboutononespot，heavilystampingtheirfeet，anddullexclamationswereheard：

"Throwhimtotheground！"

"Holdhishand，hishand！Oh！"

"Bythebeard？"

"Getnapkins，bindhimwithnapkins。"

"You\'llbite，willyou？"

"So！Well，how\'sit？Aha！"

"Don\'tstrike！Don\'tdaretostrike。"

"Ready！"

"Howstrongheis！"

"Let\'scarryhimovertheretowardtheside。"

"Outinthefreshair，ha，ha！"

TheydraggedFomaawaytooneside，andhavingplacedhimagainstthewallofthecaptain\'scabin，walkedawayfromhim，adjustingtheircostumes，andmoppingtheirsweat-coveredbrows。Fatiguedbythestruggle，andexhaustedbythedisgraceofhisdefeat，Fomalaythereinsilence，tattered，soiledwithsomething，firmlybound，handandfoot，withnapkinsandtowels。Withround，blood-shoteyeshegazedatthesky；theyweredullandlustreless，asthoseofanidiot，andhischestheavedunevenlyandwithdifficulty。

Nowcametheirturntomockhim。Zubovbegan。Hewalkeduptohim，kickedhiminthesideandaskedinasoftvoice，alltremblingwiththepleasureofrevenge：

"Well，thunder-likeprophet，howisit？NowyoucantastethesweetnessofBabyloniancaptivity，he，he，he！"

"Wait，"saidFoma，hoarsely，withoutlookingathim。"WaituntilI\'mrested。Youhavenottiedupmytongue。"

Butsayingthis，Fomaunderstoodthathecouldnolongerdoanything，norsayanything。Andthatnotbecausetheyhadboundhim，butbecausesomethinghadburnedoutwithinhim，andhissoulhadbecomedarkandempty。

ZubovwassoonjoinedbyReznikov。Thenoneafteranothertheothersbegantodrawnear。Bobrov，KononovandseveralothersprecededbyYakovMayakinwenttothecabin，anxiouslydiscussingsomethinginlowtones。

Thesteamerwassailingtowardthetownatfullspeed。Thebottlesonthetablestrembledandrattledfromthevibrationofthesteamer，andFomaheardthisjarring，plaintivesoundaboveeverythingelse。Nearhimstoodathrongofpeople，sayingmalicious，offensivethings。

ButFomasawthemasthoughthroughafog，andtheirwordsdidnottouchhimtothequick。Avast，bitterfeelingwasnowspringingupwithinhim，fromthedepthofhissoul；hefolloweditsgrowthandthoughhedidnotyetunderstandit，healreadyexperiencedsomethingmelancholyanddegrading。

"Justthink，youcharlatan！Whathaveyoudonetoyourself？"saidReznikov。"Whatsortofalifeisnowpossibletoyou？Doyouknowthatnownooneofuswouldcareevenasmuchastospitonyou？"

"WhathaveIdone？"Fomatriedtounderstand。Themerchantsstoodaroundhiminadense，darkmass。

"Well，"saidYashchurov，"now，Fomka，yourworkisdone。"

"Wait，we\'llsee，"bellowedZubovinalowvoice。

"Letmefree！"saidFoma。

"Well，no！wethankyouhumbly！"

"Untieme。"

"It\'sallright！Youcanliethatwayaswell。"

"Callupmygodfather。"

ButYakovTarasovichcameupatthismoment。Hecameup，stoppednearFoma，sternlysurveyedwithhiseyestheoutstretchedfigureofhisgodson，andheavedadeepsigh。

"Well，Foma，"hebegan。

"Orderthemtounbindme，"entreatedFoma，softly，inamournfulvoice。

"Soyoucanbeturbulentagain？No，no，you\'dbetterliethisway，"hisgodfatherreplied。

"Iwon\'tsayanotherword。IswearitbyGod！Unbindme。Iamashamed！ForChrist\'ssake。YouseeIamnotdrunk。Well，youneedn\'tuntiemyhands。"

"Youswearthatyou\'llnotbetroublesome？"askedMayakin。

"0hLord！Iwillnot，Iwillnot，"moanedFoma。

Theyuntiedhisfeet，butlefthishandsbound。Whenherose，helookedatthemall，andsaidsoftlywithapitifulsmile：

"Youwon。"

"Wealwaysshall！"repliedhisgodfather，smilingsternly。

Fomabent，withhishandstiedbehindhisback，advancedtowardthetablesilently，withoutliftinghiseyestoanyone。Heseemedshorterinstatureandthinner。Hisdishevelledhairfellonhisforeheadandtemples；thetornandcrumpledbosomofhisshirtprotrudingfromunderhisvest，andthecollarcoveredhislips。

Heturnedhisheadtopushthecollardownunderhischin，andwasunabletodoit。Thenthegray-headedlittleoldmanwalkeduptohim，adjustedwhatwasnecessary，lookedintohiseyeswithasmileandsaid：

"Youmustendureit。"

Now，inMayakin\'spresence，thosewhohadmockedFomaweresilent，lookingattheoldmanquestioningly，withcuriosityandexpectancy。Hewascalmbuthiseyesgleamedinawaynotatallbecomingtotheoccasion，contentedlyandbrightly。

"Givemesomevodka，"beggedFoma，seatinghimselfatthetable，andleaninghischestagainstitsedge。Hisbentfigurelookpiteousandhelpless。Aroundtheyweretalkinginwhispers，passingthiswayandthatcautiously。Andeveryonelookednowathim，nowatMayakin，whohadseatedhimselfoppositehim。TheoldmandidnotgiveFomathevodkaatonce。Firsthesurveyedhimfixedly，thenheslowlypouredoutawineglassful，andfinally，withoutsayingaword，raisedittoFoma\'slips。Fomadrankthevodka，andasked：

"Somemore！"

"That\'senough！"repliedMayakin。

Andimmediatelyafterthistherefellaminuteofperfect，painfulsilence。Peoplewerecominguptothetablenoiselessly，ontiptoe，andwhentheywereneartheystretchedtheirneckstoseeFoma。

"Well，Fomka，doyouunderstandnowwhatyouhavedone？"askedMayakin。Hespokesoftly，butallheardhisquestion。

Fomanoddedhisheadandmaintainedsilence。

"There\'snoforgivenessforyou！"Mayakinwentonfirmly，andraisinghisvoice。"ThoughweareallChristians，yetyouwillreceivenoforgivenessatourhands。Justknowthis。"

Fomaliftedhisheadandsaidpensively：

"Ihavequiteforgottenaboutyou，godfather。Youhavenotheardanythingfromme。"

"Thereyouhaveit！"exclaimedMayakin，bitterly，pointingathisgodson。"Yousee？"

Adullgrumbleofprotestburstforth。

"Well，it\'sallthesame！"resumedFomawithasigh。"It\'sallthesame！Nothing——nogoodcameoutofitanyway。"

Andagainhebentoverthetable。

"Whatdidyouwant？"askedMayakin，sternly。

"WhatIwanted？"Fomaraisedhishead，lookedatthemerchantsandsmiled。"Iwanted——"

"Drunkard！Nastyscamp！"

"Iamnotdrunk！"retortedFoma，morosely。"Ihavedrankonlytwoglasses。Iwasperfectlysober。"

"Consequently，"saidBobrov，"youareright，YakovTarasovich，heisinsane。"

"I？"exclaimedFoma。

Buttheypaidnoattentiontohim。Reznikov，ZubovandBobrovleanedovertoMayakinandbegantotalkinlowtones。

"Guardianship！"Foma\'searscaughtthisoneword。"Iaminmyrightmind！"hesaid，leaningbackinhischairandstaringatthemerchantswithtroubledeyes。"IunderstandwhatIwanted。I

wantedtospeakthetruth。Iwantedtoaccuseyou。"

Hewasagainseizedwithemotion，andhesuddenlyjerkedhishandsinanefforttofreethem。

"Eh！Holdon！"exclaimedBobrov，seizinghimbytheshoulders。

"Holdhim。"

"Well，holdme！"saidFomawithsadnessandbitterness。"Holdme——

whatdoyouneedmefor？"

"Sitstill！"criedhisgodfather，sternly。

Fomabecamesilent。Henowunderstoodthatwhathehaddonewasofnoavail，thathiswordshadnotstaggeredthemerchants。Heretheystood，surroundinghiminadensethrong，andhecouldnotseeanythingforthem。Theywerecalm，firm，treatinghimasadrunkardandaturbulentfellow，andwereplottingsomethingagainsthim。Hefelthimselfpitiful，insignificant，crushedbythatdarkmassofstrong-souled，cleverandsedatepeople。Itseemedtohimthatalongtimehadpassedsincehehadabusedthem，solongatimethathehimselfseemedasastranger，incapableofcomprehendingwhathehaddonetothesepeople，andwhyhehaddoneit。Heevenexperiencedinhimselfacertainfeelingofoffence，whichresembledshameathimselfinhisowneyes。Therewasaticklingsensationinhisthroat，andhefelttherewassomethingforeigninhisbreast，asthoughsomedustorasheswerestrewnuponhisheart，anditthrobbedunevenlyandwithdifficulty。Wishingtoexplaintohimselfhisact，hesaidslowlyandthoughtfully，withoutlookingatanyone：

"Iwantedtospeakthetruth。Isthislife？"

"Fool！"saidMayakin，contemptuously。"Whattruthcanyouspeak？

Whatdoyouunderstand？"

"Myheartiswounded，thatIunderstand！WhatjustificationhaveyouallintheeyesofGod？Towhatpurposedoyoulive？Yes，I

feel——Ifeltthetruth！"

"Heisrepenting！"saidReznikov，withasarcasticsmile。

"Lethim！"repliedBobrov，withcontempt。

Someoneadded：

"Itisevident，fromhiswords，thatheisoutofhiswits。"

"Tospeakthetruth，that\'snotgiventoeveryone！"saidYakovTarasovich，sternlyandinstructively，liftinghishandupward。

"Itisnottheheartthatgraspstruth；itisthemind；doyouunderstandthat？Andastoyourfeeling，that\'snonsense！Acowalsofeelswhentheytwisthertail。Butyoumustunderstand，understandeverything！Understandalsoyourenemy。Guesswhathethinkseveninhisdreams，andthengoahead！"

Accordingtohiswont，Mayakinwascarriedawaybytheexpositionofhispracticalphilosophy，butherealisedintimethataconqueredmanisnottobetaughthowtofight，andhestoppedshort。Fomacastathimadullglance，andshookhisheadstrangely。

"Lamb！"saidMayakin。

"Leavemealone！"entreatedFoma，plaintively。"It\'sallyours！

Well，whatelsedoyouwant？Well，youcrushedme，bruisedme，thatservesmeright！WhoamI？0Lord！"

Alllistenedattentivelytohiswords，andinthatattentiontherewassomethingprejudiced，somethingmalicious。

"Ihavelived，"saidFomainaheavyvoice。"Ihaveobserved。I

havethought；myhearthasbecomewoundedwiththoughts！Andhere——theabscessburst。NowIamutterlypowerless！Asthoughallmybloodhadgushedout。Ihaveliveduntilthisday，andstillthoughtthatnowIwillspeakthetruth。Well，Ihavespokenit。"

Hetalkedmonotonously，colourlessly，andhisspeechresembledthatofoneindelirium。

"Ihavespokenit，andIhaveonlyemptiedmyself，that\'sall。

Notatracehavemywordsleftbehindthem。Everythingisuninjured。Andwithinmesomethingblazedup；ithasburnedout，andthere\'snothingmorethere。WhathaveItohopefornow？Andeverythingremainsasitwas。"

YakovTarasovichburstintobitterlaughter。

"Whatthen，didyouthinktolickawayamountainwithyourtongue？Youarmedyourselfwithmaliceenoughtofightabedbug，andyoustartedoutafterabear，isthatit？Madman！Ifyourfatherweretoseeyounow。Eh！"

"Andyet，"saidFoma，suddenly，loudly，withassurance，andhiseyesagainflaredup，"andyetitisallyourfault！Youhavespoiledlife！Youhavemadeeverythingnarrow。Wearesuffocatingbecauseofyou！Andthoughmytruthagainstyouisweak，itistruth，nevertheless！Youaregodlesswretches！Mayyouallbecursed！"

Hemovedaboutinhischair，attemptingtofreehishands，andcriedout，flashinghiseyeswithfury：

"Unbindmyhands！"

Theycameclosertohim；thefacesofthemerchantsbecamemoresevere，andReznikovsaidtohimimpressively：

"Don\'tmakeanoise，don\'tbebothersome！We\'llsoonbeintown。

Don\'tdisgraceyourself，anddon\'tdisgraceuseither。Wearenotgoingtotakeyoudirectfromthewharftotheinsaneasylum。"

"So！"exclaimedFoma。"Soyouaregoingtoputmeintoaninsaneasylum？"

Noonereplied。Helookedattheirfacesandhunghishead。

"Behavepeacefully！We\'llunbindyou！"saidsomeone。

"It\'snotnecessary！"saidFomainalowvoice。"It\'sallthesame。Ispitonit！Nothingwillhappen。"

Andhisspeechagainassumedthenatureofadelirium。

"Iamlost，Iknowit！Onlynotbecauseofyourpower，butratherbecauseofmyweakness。Yes！You，too，areonlywormsintheeyesofGod。And，wait！Youshallchoke。Iamlostthroughblindness。

IsawmuchandIbecameblind，likeanowl。Asaboy，Iremember，Ichasedanowlinaravine；itflewaboutandstruckagainstsomething。Thesunblindedit。Itwasallbruisedanditdisappeared，andmyfathersaidtomethen：\'Itisthesamewithman；somemanbustlesabouttoandfro，bruiseshimself，exhaustshimself，andthenthrowshimselfanywhere，justtorest。\'HeyI

unbindmyhands。"

Hisfaceturnedpale，hiseyesclosed，hisshouldersquivered。

Tatteredandcrumpledherockedaboutinthechair，strikinghischestagainsttheedgeofthetable，andbegantowhispersomething。

Themerchantsexchangedsignificantglances。Some，nudgingoneanotherinthesides，shooktheirheadsatFomainsilence。YakovMayakin\'sfacewasdarkandimmobileasthoughhewnoutofstone。

"Shallweperhapsunbindhim？"whisperedBobrov。

"Whenwegetalittlenearer。"

"No，it\'snotnecessary，"saidMayakininanundertone-"We\'llleavehimhere。Letsomeonesendforacarriage。We\'lltakehimstraighttotheasylum。"

"AndwhereamItorest？"Fomamutteredagain。"WhithershallI

flingmyself？"Andheremainedasthoughpetrifiedinabroken，uncomfortableattitude，alldistorted，withanexpressionofpainonhisface。

Mayakinrosefromhisseatandwenttothecabin，sayingsoftly：

"Keepaneyeonhim，hemightflinghimselfoverboard。"

"Iamsorryforthefellow，"saidBobrov，lookingatYakovTarasovichashedeparted。

"Nooneistoblameforhismadness，"repliedReznikov，morosely。

"AndYakov，"whisperedZubov，noddinghisheadinthedirectionofMayakin。

"WhataboutYakov？Helosesnothingthroughit。"

"Yes，nowhe\'ll，ha，ha！"

"He\'llbehisguardian，ha，ha，ha！"

TheirquietlaughterandwhispermingledwiththegroaningoftheenginedidnotseemtoreachFoma\'sear。Motionlesslyhestaredintothedistancebeforehimwithadimlook，andonlyhislipswereslightlyquivering。

"Hissonhasreturned，"whisperedBobrov。

"Iknowhisson，"saidYashchurov。"ImethiminPerm。"

"Whatsortofamanishe？"

"Abusiness-like，cleverfellow。"

"Isthatso？"

"HemanagesabigbusinessinOosolye。"

"ConsequentlyYakovdoesnotneedthisone。Yes。Sothat\'sit。"

"Look，he\'sweeping！"

"Oh？"

Fomawassittingleaningagainstthebackofthechair，anddroopinghisheadontheshoulder。Hiseyeswereshut，andfromunderhiseyelidstearsweretricklingoneafteranother。Theycourseddownhischeeksintohismoustache。Foma\'slipsquiveredconvulsively，andthetearsfellfromhismoustacheuponhisbreast。Hewassilentandmotionless，onlyhischestheavedunevenly，andwithdifficulty。Themerchantslookedathispale，tear-stainedface，grownleanwithsuffering，withthecornersofhislipslowereddownward，andwalkedawayfromhimquietlyandmutely。

AndthenFomaremainedalone，withhishandstiedbehindhisback，sittingatthetablewhichwascoveredwithdirtydishesanddifferentremainsofthefeast。Attimesheslowlyopenedhisheavy，swolleneyelids，andhiseyes，throughtears，lookeddimlyandmournfullyatthetablewhereeverythingwasdirty，upset，ruined……

Threeyearshavepassed。

AboutayearagoYakovTarasovichMayakindied。Hediedinfullconsciousness，andremainedtruetohimself；afewhoursbeforehisdeathhesaidtohisson，daughterandson-in-law：

"Well，children，liveinrichness！Yakovhastastedeverything，sonowitistimeforYakovtogo。Yousee，Iamdying，yetIamnotdespondent；andtheLordwillsetthatdowntomycredit。I

havebotheredHim，theMostGraciousOne，withjestsonly，butneverwithmoansandcomplaints！0hLord！IamgladthatIhavelivedwithunderstandingthroughThymercy！Farewell，mychildren。Liveinharmony，anddon\'tphilosophizetoomuch。Knowthis，notheisholywhohideshimselffromsinandliescalm。

Withcowardiceyoucannotdefendyourselfagainstsin，thusalsosaystheparableofthetalents。Buthewhowantstoattainhisgoalinlifefearsnotsin。Godwillpardonhimanerror。Godhasappointedmanasthebuilderoflife，buthasnotendowedhimwithtoomuchwisdom。Consequently，Hewillnotcallinhisoutstandingdebtsseverely。ForHeisholyandmostmerciful。"

Hediedafterashortbutverypainfulagony。

Yozhovwasforsomereasonorotherbanishedfromthetownsoonaftertheoccurrenceonthesteamer。

Agreatcommercialhousesprangupinthetownunderthefirm-

nameof"TarasMayakin&AfricanSmolin。"

NothinghadbeenheardofFomaduringthesethreeyears。ItwasrumouredthatuponhisdischargefromtheasylumMayakinhadsenthimawaytosomerelativesofhismotherintheUral。

NotlongagoFomaappearedinthestreetsofthetown。Heiswornout，shabbyandhalf-witted。Almostalwaysintoxicated，heappearsnowgloomy，withknittedbrow，andwithheadbentdownonhisbreast，nowsmilingthepitifulandmelancholysmileofasillyfanatic。Sometimesheisturbulent，butthathappensrarely。Heliveswithhisfoster-sisterinalittlewingintheyard。Hisacquaintancesamongthemerchantsandcitizensoftenridiculehim。AsFomawalksalongthestreet，suddenlysomeoneshoutstohim：

"Eh，youprophet，comehere！"

Yetherarelygoestothosewhocallhim；heshunspeopleanddoesnotcaretospeakwiththem。Butwhenhedoesapproachthemtheysaytohim：

"Well，tellussomethingaboutdoomsday，won\'tyou？Ha，ha，ha！

Prophet！"

TheEnd