Becauseyoumustknowthere\'snothinginthisworldthatI
wouldn\'tbuyforyou。Ihaveamillion！Ha，ha，ha！AndI\'llhavestillmore！Understand？All\'syours！Ha，ha！\"
Andsuddenlyhisenthusiasmwasextinguishedlikeacandleputoutbyaviolentpuffofthewind。Hisflushedfacebegantoshake，hiseyes，burningred，filledwithtears，andhislipsexpandedintoasadandfrightenedsmile。
\"Anfisa，incaseheshoulddie，whatamItodothen？\"
Andimmediatelyafterthesewordshewasseizedwithfury。
\"I\'dburneverything！\"heroared，staringwildlyintosomedarkcorneroftheroom。\"I\'ddestroyeverything！I\'dblowitupwithdynamite！\"
\"Enough，youuglybrute！Doyouwishtofrightenthechild？Ordoyouwanthimtotakesick？\"interposedAnfisa，andthatwassufficientforIgnattorushoffhastily，muttering：
\"Well，well，well！Iamgoing，Iamgoing，butdon\'tcry！Don\'tmakeanynoise。Don\'tfrightenhim。\"
AndwhenFomawassomewhatsick，hisfather，castingeverythingaside，didnotleavethehouseforamoment，butbotheredhissisterandhissonwithstupidquestionsandadvice；gloomy，sighing，andwithfearinhiseyes，hewalkedaboutthehousequiteoutofsorts。
\"WhydoyouvextheLord？\"saidAnfisa。\"Beware，yourgrumblingswillreachHim，andHewillpunishyouforyourcomplaintsagainstHisgraces。\"
\"Eh，sister！\"sighedIgnat。\"Andifitshouldhappen？Myentirelifeiscrumblingaway！WhereforehaveIlived？Nooneknows。\"
Similarscenesandthestrikingtransitionsofhisfatherfromonemoodtoanotherfrightenedthechildatfirst，buthesoonbecameaccustomedtoallthis，andwhenhenoticedthroughthewindowthathisfather，oncominghome，washardlyabletogetoutofthesledge，Fomasaidindifferently：
\"Auntie，papacamehomedrunkagain。\"……
Springcame，and，fulfillinghispromise，Ignattookhissonalongononeofhissteamers，andhereanewlife，aboundinginimpressions，wasopenedbeforeFoma\'seyes。
Thebeautifulandmighty\"Yermak，\"Gordyeeff\'ssteamtow-boat，wasrapidlyfloatingdownthecurrent，andoneachsidetheshoresofthepowerfulandbeautifulVolgawereslowlymovingpasthim——theleftside，allbathedinsunshine，stretchingitselftotheveryendoftheskylikeapompouscarpetofverdure；therightshore，itshighbanksovergrownwithwoods，swungskyward，sinkinginsternrepose。
Thebroad-bosomedriverstretcheditselfmajesticallybetweentheshores；noiselessly，solemnlyandslowlyfloweditswaters，consciousoftheirinvinciblepower；themountainousshoreisreflectedinthewaterinablackshadow，whileontheleftsideitisadornedwithgoldandwithverdantvelvetbyaborderofsandandthewidemeadows。Hereandtherevillagesappearonmountainandonmeadow，thesunshinesbrightonthewindow-panesofthehutsandontheyellowroofsofstraw，thechurchcrossessparkleamidtheverdureofthetrees，graywind-millwingsrevolvelazilyintheair，smokefromthefactorychimneyrisesskywardinthick，blackcurlingclouds。Crowdsofchildreninblue，redorwhiteshirts，standingonthebanks，shoutedloudlyatthesightofthesteamer，whichhaddisturbedthequietoftheriver，andfromunderthesteamer\'swheelsthecheerfulwavesarerushingtowardthefeetofthechildrenandsplashagainstthebank。Nowacrowdofchildren，seatedinaboat，rowedtowardthemiddleoftherivertorockthereonthewavesasinacradle。
Treesstoodoutabovethewater；sometimesmanyofthemaredrownedintheoverflowofthebanks，andthesestandinthewaterlikeislands。Fromtheshoreamelancholysongisheard：
\"Oh，o-o-o，oncemore！\"
Thesteamerpassesmanyrafts，splashingthemwithwaves。Thebeamsareincontinualmotionundertheblowsofthewaves；themenontheraftsinblueshirts，staggering，lookatthesteamerandlaughandshoutsomething。Thebig，beautifulvesselgoessidewiseontheriver；theyellowscantlingswithwhichitisloadedsparklelikegoldandaredimlyreflectedinthemuddy，vernalwater。Apassengersteamercomesfromtheoppositesideandwhistles——theresoundingechoofthewhistlelosesitselfinthewoods，inthegorgesofthemountainousbank，anddiesawaythere。Inthemiddleoftheriverthewavesstirredupbythetwovesselsstrikeagainstoneanotherandsplashagainstthesteamers\'sides，andthevesselsarerockeduponthewater。Ontheslopeofthemountainousbankareverdantcarpetsofwintercorn，brownstripsoffallowgroundandblackstripsofgroundtilledforspringcorn。Birds，likelittledots，soaroverthem，andareclearlyseeninthebluecanopyofthesky；nearbyaflockisgrazing；inthedistancetheylooklikechildren\'stoys；
thesmallfigureoftheshepherdstandsleaningonastaff，andlooksattheriver。
Theglareofthewater——freedomandlibertyareeverywhere，themeadowsarecheerfullyverdantandtheblueskyistenderlyclear；arestrainedpowerisfeltinthequietmotionofthewater；aboveitthegenerousMaysunisshining，theairisfilledwiththeexquisiteodouroffirtreesandoffreshfoliage。Andthebankskeeponmeetingthem，caressingtheeyesandthesoulwiththeirbeauty，asnewpicturesconstantlyunfoldthemselves。
Everythingsurroundingthembearsthestampofsomekindoftardiness：all——natureaswellasmen——livethereclumsily，lazily；butinthatlazinessthereisanoddgracefulness，anditseemsasthoughbeyondthelazinessacolossalpowerwereconcealed；
aninvinciblepower，butasyetdeprivedofconsciousness，asyetwithoutanydefinitedesiresandaims。Andtheabsenceofconsciousnessinthishalf-slumberinglifethrowsshadesofsadnessoverallthebeautifulslope。Submissivepatience，silenthopeforsomethingnewandmoreinspiritingareheardeveninthecryofthecuckoo，waftedtotheriverbythewindfromtheshore。Themelancholysongssoundasthoughimploringsomeoneforhelp。Andattimesthereisinthemaringofdespair。Theriveranswersthesongswithsighs。Andthetree-
topsshake，lostinmeditation。Silence。
Fomaspentalldaylongonthecaptain\'sbridgebesidehisfather。Withoututteringaword，hestaredwide-eyedattheendlesspanoramaofthebanks，anditseemedtohimhewasmovingalongabroadsilverpathinthosewonderfulkingdomsinhabitedbythesorcerersandgiantsofhisfamiliarfairy-tales。Attimeshewouldloadhisfatherwithquestionsabouteverythingthatpassedbeforethem。Ignatansweredhimwillinglyandconcisely，buttheboywasnotpleasedwithhisanswers；theycontainednothinginterestingandintelligibletohim，andhedidnothearwhathelongedtohear。Oncehetoldhisfatherwithasigh：
\"AuntieAnfisaknowsbetterthanyou。\"
\"Whatdoessheknow？\"askedIgnat，smiling。
\"Everything，\"repliedtheboy，convincedly。
Nowonderfulkingdomappearedbeforehim。Butoftencitiesappearedonthebanksoftheriver，justsuchcitiesastheonewhereFomalived。Someofthemwerelarger，somesmaller，butthepeople，andthehouses，andthechurches——allwerethesameasinhisowncity。Fomaexaminedthemincompanywithhisfather，butwasstillunsatisfiedandreturnedtothesteamergloomyandfatigued。
\"TomorrowweshallbeinAstrakhan，\"saidIgnatoneday。
\"Andisitjustthesameastheothercities？\"
\"Ofcourse。Howelseshoulditbe？\"
\"AndwhatisbeyondAstrakhan？\"
\"Thesea。TheCaspianSeaitiscalled。\"
\"Andwhatisthere？\"
\"Fishes，queerfellow！Whatelsecantherebeinthewater？\"
\"There\'sthecityKitezhstandinginthewater。\"
\"That\'sadifferentthing！That\'sKitezh。Onlyrighteouspeoplelivethere。\"
\"Andaretherenorighteouscitiesonthesea？\"
No，\"saidIgnat，and，afteramoment\'ssilence，added：\"Theseawaterisbitterandnobodycandrinkit。\"
\"Andistheremorelandbeyondthesea？\"
\"Certainly，theseamusthaveanend。Itislikeacup。\"
\"Andaretherecitiestheretoo？\"
\"Againcities。Ofcourse！Onlythatlandisnotours，itbelongstoPersia。DidyouseethePersianssellingpistachio-nutsandapricotsinthemarket？\"
\"Yes，Isawthem，\"repliedFoma，andbecamepensive。
Onedayheaskedhisfather：
\"Istheremuchmorelandleft？\"
\"Theearthisverybig，mydear！Ifyoushouldgoonfoot，youcouldn\'tgoarounditevenintenyears。\"
Ignattalkedforalongtimewithhissonaboutthesizeoftheearth，andsaidatlength：
\"Andyetnooneknowsforcertainhowbigitreallyis，norwhereitends。\"
\"Andiseverythingalikeonearth？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Thecitiesandall？\"
\"Well，ofcourse，thecitiesarelikecities。Therearehouses，streets——andeverythingthatisnecessary。\"
Aftermanysimilarconversationstheboynolongerstaredsooftenintothedistancewiththeinterrogativelookofhisblackeyes。
Thecrewofthesteamerlovedhim，andhe，too，lovedthosefine，sun-burntandweather-beatenfellows，wholaughinglyplayedwithhim。Theymadefishingtacklesforhim，andlittleboatsoutofbark，playedwithhimandrowedhimabouttheanchoringplace，whenIgnatwenttotownonbusiness。Theboyoftenheardthementalkingabouthisfather，buthepaidnoattentiontowhattheysaid，andnevertoldhisfatherwhatheheardabouthim。Butoneday，inAstrakhan，whilethesteamerwastakinginacargooffuel，FomaheardthevoiceofPetrovich，themachinist：
\"Heorderedsuchalotofwoodtobetakenin。Whatanabsurdman！Firstheloadsthesteameruptotheverydeck，andthenheroars。\'Youbreakthemachinerytoooften，\'hesays。\'Youpouroil，\'hesays，\'atrandom。\'\"
Thevoiceofthegrayandsternpilotreplied：
\"It\'sallhisexorbitantgreediness。Fuelischeaperhere，soheistakingallhecan。Heisgreedy，thedevil！\"
\"Oh，howgreedy！\"
Thisword，repeatedmanytimesinsuccession，fixeditselfinFoma\'smemory，andintheevening，atsupper，hesuddenlyaskedhisfather：
\"Papa！\"
\"What？\"
\"Areyougreedy？\"
Inreplytohisfather\'squestionsFomatoldhimoftheconversationbetweenthepilotandthemachinist。Ignat\'sfacebecamegloomy，andhiseyesbegantoflashangrily。
\"That\'showitis，\"ejaculatedIgnat，shakinghishead。\"Well，you——don\'tyoulistentothem。Theyarenotyourequals；don\'thavesomuchtodowiththem。Youaretheirmaster，theyareyourservants，understandthat。Ifwechooseto，wecanputeveryoneofthemashore。Theyarecheapandtheycanbefoundeverywherelikedogs。Understand？Theymaysaymanybadthingsaboutme。Buttheysaythem，becauseIamtheirmaster。ThewholethingarisesbecauseIamfortunateandrich，andthericharealwaysenvied。
Ahappymaniseverybody\'senemy。\"
Abouttwodayslatertherewasanewpilotandanothermachinistonthesteamer。
\"AndwhereisYakov？\"askedtheboy。
\"Idischargedhim。Iorderedhimaway。\"
\"Forthat？\"queriedFoma。
\"Yes，forthatverything。\"
\"AndPetrovich，too？\"
\"Yes，Isenthimthesameway。\"
Fomawaspleasedwiththefactthathisfatherwasabletochangethemensoquickly。Hesmiledtohisfather，and，comingoutonthedeck，walkeduptoasailor，whosatonthefloor，untwistingapieceofropeandmakingaswab。
\"Wehaveanewpilothere，\"announcedFoma。
\"Iknow。Goodhealthtoyou，FomaIgnatich！Howdidyousleep？\"
\"Andanewmachinist，too。\"
\"Andanewmachinist。AreyousorryforPetrovich？\"
\"Really？Andhewassogoodtoyou。\"
\"Well，whydidheabusemyfather？\"
\"Oh？Didheabusehim？\"
\"Ofcoursehedid。Ihearditmyself。\"
\"Mm——andyourfatherheardit，too？\"
\"No，Itoldhim。\"
\"You——so\"——drawledthesailorandbecamesilent，takinguphisworkagain。
\"Andpapasaystome：\'You，\'hesays，\'youaremasterhere——youcandrivethemallawayifyouwish。\'\"
\"So，\"saidthesailor，gloomilylookingattheboy，whowassoenthusiasticallyboastingtohimofhissupremepower。FromthatdayonFomanoticedthatthecrewdidnotregardhimasbefore。
Somebecamemoreobligingandkind，othersdidnotcaretospeaktohim，andwhentheydidspeaktohim，itwasdoneangrily，andnotatallentertainingly，asbefore。Fomalikedtowatchwhilethedeckwasbeingwashed：theirtrousersrolleduptotheirknees，orsometimestakenoffaltogether，thesailors，withswabsandbrushesintheirhands，cleverlyranaboutthedeck，emptyingpailsofwateronit，besprinklingoneanother，laughing，shouting，falling。Streamsofwaterranineverydirection，andthelivelynoiseofthemenintermingledwiththegraysplashofthewater。Before，theboyneverbotheredthesailorsinthisplayfulandlightwork；nay，hetookanactivepart，besprinklingthemwithwaterandlaughinglyrunningaway，whentheythreatenedtopourwateroverhim。ButafterYakovandPetrovichhadbeendischarged，hefeltthathewasineverybody\'sway，thatnoonecaredtoplaywithhimandthatnooneregardedhimkindly。
Surprisedandmelancholy，heleftthedeck，walkeduptothewheel，satdownthere，and，offended，hethoughtfullybegantostareatthedistantgreenbankandthedentedstripofwoodsuponit。Andbelow，onthedeck，thewaterwassplashingplayfully，andthesailorsweregailylaughing。Heyearnedtogodowntothem，butsomethingheldhimback。
\"Keepawayfromthemasmuchaspossible，\"herecalledhisfather\'swords；\"youaretheirmaster。\"Thenhefeltlikeshoutingatthesailors——somethingharshandauthoritative，sohisfatherwouldscoldthem。Hethoughtalongtimewhattosay，butcouldnotthinkofanything。Anothertwo，threedayspassed，anditbecameperfectlycleartohimthatthecrewnolongerlikedhim。Hebegantofeellonesomeonthesteamer，andamidtheparti-colouredmistofnewimpressions，stillmoreoftentherecameupbeforeFomatheimageofhiskindandgentleAuntAnfisa，withherstories，andsmiles，andsoft，ringinglaughter，whichfilledtheboy\'ssoulwithajoyouswarmth。Hestilllivedintheworldoffairy-tales，buttheinvisibleandpitilesshandofrealitywasalreadyatworktearingthebeautiful，finewebofthewonderful，throughwhichtheboyhadlookedateverythingabouthim。Theincidentwiththemachinistandthepilotdirectedhisattentiontohissurroundings；Foma\'seyesbecamemoresharp-
sighted。Aconscioussearchfulnessappearedinthemandinhisquestionstohisfatherrangayearningtounderstandwhichthreadsandspringsweremanagingthedeedsofmen。
Onedayascenetookplacebeforehim：thesailorswerecarryingwood，andoneofthem，theyoung，curly-hairedandgayYefim，passingthedeckoftheshipwithhand-barrows，saidloudlyandangrily：
\"No，hehasnoconsciencewhatever！TherewasnoagreementthatI
shouldcarrywood。Asailor——well，one\'sbusinessisclear——buttocarrywoodintothebargain——thankyou！ThatmeansformetotakeofftheskinIhavenotsold。Heiswithoutconscience！Hethinksitisclevertosapthelifeoutofus。\"
Theboyheardthisgrumblingandknewthatitwasconcerninghisfather。HealsonoticedthatalthoughYefimwasgrumbling，hecarriedmorewoodonhisstretcherthantheothers，andwalkedfasterthantheothers。NoneofthesailorsrepliedtoYefim\'sgrumbling，andeventheonewhoworkedwithhimwassilent，onlynowandthenprotestingagainsttheearnestnesswithwhichYefimpiledupthewoodonthestretchers。
\"Enough！\"hewouldsay，morosely，\"youarenotloadingahorse，areyou？\"
\"Andyouhadbetterkeepquiet。Youwereputtothecart——cartitanddon\'tkick——andshouldyourbloodbesucked——keepquietagain。Whatcanyousay？\"
SuddenlyIgnatappeared，walkeduptothesailorand，stoppinginfrontofhim，askedsternly：
\"Whatwereyoutalkingabout？\"
\"Iamtalking——Iknow，\"repliedYefim，hesitating。\"Therewasnoagreement——thatImustsaynothing。\"
\"Andwhoisgoingtosuckblood？\"askedIgnat，strokinghisbeard。
Thesailorunderstoodthathehadbeencaughtunawares，andseeingnowayoutofit，heletthelogofwoodfallfromhishands，rubbedhispalmsagainsthispants，and，facingIgnatsquarely，saidratherboldly：
\"AndamInotright？Don\'tyousuckit？\"
\"I？\"
\"You。\"
Fomasawthathisfatherswunghishand。Aloudblowresounded，andthesailorfellheavilyonthewood。Hearoseimmediatelyandworkedoninsilence。Bloodwastricklingfromhisbruisedfaceontothewhitebarkofthebirchwood；hewipedthebloodoffhisfacewiththesleeveofhisshirt，lookedathissleeveand，heavingasigh，maintainedsilence，andwhenhewentpastFomawiththehand-harrows，twobig，turbidtearsweretremblingonhisface，nearthebridgeofhisnose，andFomanoticedthem。
AtdinnerFomawaspensiveandnowandthenglancedathisfatherwithfearinhiseyes。
\"Whydoyoufrown？\"askedhisfather，gently。
\"Frown？\"
\"Areyouill，perhaps？Becareful。Ifthereisanything，tellme。\"
\"Youarestrong，\"saidFomaofasuddenmusingly。
\"I？That\'sright。Godhasfavouredmewithstrength。\"
\"Howhardyoustruckhim！\"exclaimedtheboyinalowvoice，loweringhishead。
Ignatwasabouttoputapieceofbreadwithcaviarintohismouth，buthishandstopped，heldbackbyhisson\'sexclamation；
helookedinterrogativelyatFoma\'sdroopingheadandasked：
\"YoumeanYefim，don\'tyou？\"
\"Yes，hewasbleeding。Andhowhewalkedafterward，howhecried，\"saidtheboyinalowvoice。
\"Mm，\"roaredIgnat，chewingabite。\"Well，areyousorryforhim？\"
\"It\'sapity！\"saidFoma，withtearsinhisvoice。
\"Yes。Sothat\'sthekindofafellowyouare，\"saidIgnat。
Then，afteramoment\'ssilence，hefilledawineglasswithvodka，emptiedit，andsaidsternly，inaslightlyreprimandingtone：
\"Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldpityhim。Hebrawledatrandom，andthereforegotwhathedeserved。Iknowhim：heisagoodfellow，industrious，strongandnotabitfoolish。Buttoargueisnothisbusiness；Imayargue，becauseIamthemaster。
Itisn\'tsimpletobemaster。Apunchwouldn\'tkillhim，butwillmakehimwiser。That\'stheway。Eh，Foma！Youareaninfant，andyoudonotunderstandthesethings。Imustteachyouhowtolive。
Itmaybethatmydaysoneartharenumbered。\"
Ignatwassilentforawhile，dranksomemorevodkaandwentoninstinctively：
\"Itisnecessarytohavepityonmen。Youarerightindoingso。
Butyoumustpitythemsensibly。Firstlookataman，findoutwhatgoodthereisinhim，andwhatusemaybemadeofhim！Andifyoufindhimtobestrongandcapable——pityandassisthim。
Andifheisweakandnotinclinedtowork——spituponhim，passhimby。Justkeepthisinmind——themanwhocomplainsagainsteverything，whosighsandmoansallthetime——thatmanisworthnothing；hemeritsnocompassionandyouwilldohimnogoodwhatever，evenifyouhelphim。Pityforsuchpeoplemakesthemmoremorose，spoilsthemthemore。Inyourgodfather\'shouseyousawvariouskindsofpeople——unfortunatetravellersandhangers-
on，andallsortsofrabble。Forgetthem。Theyarenotmen，theyarejustshells，andaregoodfornothing。Theyarelikebugs，fleasandotheruncleanthings。NordotheyliveforGod\'ssake——
theyhavenoGod。TheycallHisnameinvain，inordertomovefoolstopity，and，thuspitied，tofilltheirbellieswithsomething。Theylivebutfortheirbellies，andasidefromeating，drinking，sleepingandmoaningtheycandonothing。Andalltheyaccomplishisthesoul\'sdecay。Theyareinyourwayandyoutripoverthem。Agoodmanamongthem——likefreshapplesamongbadones——maysoonbespoilt，andnoonewillprofitbyit。
Youareyoung，that\'sthetrouble。Youcannotcomprehendmywords。Helphimwhoisfirminmisery。Hemaynotaskyouforassistance，butthinkofityourself，andassisthimwithouthisrequest。Andifheshouldhappentobeproudandthusfeeloffendedatyouraid，donotallowhimtoseethatyouarelendinghimahelpinghand。That\'sthewayitshouldbedone，accordingtocommonsense！Here，forexample，twoboards，letussay，fallintothemud——oneofthemisarottenone，theother，agoodsoundboard。Whatshouldyoudo？Whatgoodisthereintherottenboard？Youhadbetterdropit，letitstayinthemudandsteponitsoasnottosoilyourfeet。Astothesoundboard，liftitupandplaceitinthesun；ifitcanbeofnousetoyou，someoneelsemayavailhimselfofit。That\'sthewayitis，myson！Listentomeandremember。ThereisnoreasonwhyYefimshouldbepitied。Heisacapablefellow，heknowshisvalue。Youcannotknockhissouloutwithaboxontheear。I\'lljustwatchhimforaboutaweek，andthenI\'llputhimatthehelm。Andthere，Iamquitesure，he\'llbeagoodpilot。Andifheshouldbepromotedtocaptain，hewouldn\'tlosecourage——hewouldmakeaclevercaptain！That\'sthewaypeoplegrow。Ihavegonethroughthisschoolmyself，dear。I，too，receivedmorethanoneboxontheearwhenIwasofhisage。Life，myson，isnotadearmothertoallofus。Itisourexactingmistress。\"
Ignattalkedwithhissonabouttwohours，tellinghimofhisownyouth，ofhistoils，ofmen；theirterriblepower，andoftheirweakness；ofhowtheylive，andsometimespretendtobeunfortunateinordertoliveonotherpeople\'smoney；andthenhetoldhimofhimself，andofhowherosefromaplainworkingmantobeproprietorofalargeconcern。Theboylistenedtohiswords，lookedathimandfeltasthoughhisfatherwerecomingnearerandnearertohim。Andthoughhisfather\'sstorydidnotcontainthematerialofwhichAuntAnfisa\'sfairy-taleswerebrimful，therewassomethingnewinit，somethingclearerandmorecomprehensiblethaninherfairy-tales，andsomethingjustasinteresting。Somethingpowerfulandwarmbegantothrobwithinhislittleheart，andhewasdrawntowardhisfather。Ignat，evidently，surmisedhisson\'sfeelingsbyhiseyes：heroseabruptlyfromhisseat，seizedhiminhisarmsandpressedhimfirmlytohisbreast。AndFomaembracedhisneck，and，pressinghischeektothatofhisfather，wassilentandbreathedrapidly。
\"Myson，\"whisperedIgnatinadullvoice，\"Mydarling！Myjoy！
LearnwhileIamalive。Alas！itishardtolive。\"
Thechild\'shearttrembledatthiswhisper；hesethisteethtogether，andhottearsgushedfromhiseyes。
UntilthisdayIgnathadneverkindledanyparticularfeelinginhisson：theboywasusedtohim；hewastiredoflookingathisenormousfigure，andfearedhimslightly，butwasatthesametimeawarethathisfatherwoulddoanythingforhimthathewanted。SometimesIgnatwouldstayawayfromhomeaday，two，aweek，orpossiblytheentiresummer。AndyetFomadidnotevennoticehisabsence，soabsorbedwashebyhisloveforAuntAnfisa。WhenIgnatreturnedtheboywasglad，buthecouldhardlytellwhetheritwashisfather\'sarrivalthatgladdenedhimortheplaythingshebroughtwithhim。Butnow，atthesightofIgnat，theboyrantomeethim，graspedhimbythehand，laughed，staredintohiseyesandfeltwearyifhedidnotseehimfortwoorthreehours：Hisfatherbecameinterestingtohim，and，rousinghiscuriosity，hefairlydevelopedloveandrespectforhimself。
EverytimethattheyweretogetherFomabeggedhisfather：
\"Papa，tellmeaboutyourself。\"……
ThesteamerwasnowgoinguptheVolga。OnesuffocatingnightinJuly，whentheskywasovercastwiththickblackclouds，andeverythingontheVolgawassomewhatominouslycalm，theyreachedKazanandanchorednearUslonattheendofanenormousfleetofvessels。TheclinkingoftheanchorchainsandtheshoutingofthecrewawakenedFoma；helookedoutofthewindowandsaw，farinthedistance，smalllightsglimmeringfantastically：thewaterabouttheboatblackandthick，likeoil——andnothingelsecouldbeseen。Theboy\'shearttrembledpainfullyandhebegantolistenattentively。Ascarcelyaudible，melancholysongreachedhisears——mournfulandmonotonousasachantonthecaravanthewatchmencalledtooneanother；thesteamerhissedangrilygettingupsteam。Andtheblackwateroftheriversplashedsadlyandquietlyagainstthesidesofthevessels。Staringfixedlyintothedarkness，untilhiseyeshurt，theboydiscernedblackpilesandsmalllightsdimlyburninghighabovethem。Heknewthatthosewerebarges，butthisknowledgedidnotcalmhimandhisheartthrobbedunevenly，and，inhisimagination，terrifyingdarkimagesarose。
\"O-o-o，\"adrawlingcrycamefromthedistanceandendedlikeawail。
Someonecrossedthedeckandwentuptothesideofthesteamer。
\"O-o-o，\"washeardagain，butnearerthistime。
\"Yefim！\"someonecalledinalowvoiceonthedeck。\"Yefimka！\"
\"Well？\"
\"Devil！Getup！Taketheboat-hook。\"
\"O-o-o，\"someonemoanednearby，andFoma，shuddering，steppedbackfromthewindow。
Thequeersoundcamenearerandnearerandgrewinstrength，sobbedanddiedoutinthedarkness。Whileonthedecktheywhisperedwithalarm：
\"Yefimka！Getup！Aguestisfloating！\"
\"Where？\"cameahastyquestion，thenbarefeetbegantopatteraboutthedeck，abustlewasheard，andtwoboat-hooksslippeddownpasttheboy\'sfaceandalmostnoiselesslyplungedintothewater。
\"Ague-e-est！\"Somebegantosobnearby，andaquiet，butveryqueersplashresounded。
Theboytrembledwithfrightatthismournfulcry，buthecouldnottearhishandsfromthewindownorhiseyesfromthewater。
\"Lightthelantern。Youcan\'tseeanything。\"
\"Directly。\"
Andthenaspotofdimlightfelloverthewater。Fomasawthatthewaterwasrockingcalmly，thataripplewaspassingoverit，asthoughthewaterwereafflicted，andtrembledforpain。
\"Look！Look！\"theywhisperedonthedeckwithfright。
Atthesametimeabig，terriblehumanface，withwhiteteethsettogether，appearedonthespotoflight。Itfloatedandrockedinthewater，itsteethseemedtostareatFomaasthoughsaying，withasmile：
\"Eh，boy，boy，itiscold。Goodbye！\"
Theboat-hooksshook，wereliftedintheair，wereloweredagainintothewaterandcarefullybegantopushsomethingthere。
\"Shovehim！Shove！Lookout，hemaybethrownunderthewheel。\"
\"Shovehimyourselfthen。\"
Theboat-hooksglidedoverthesideofthesteamer，and，scratchingagainstit，producedanoiselikethegrindingofteeth。Fomacouldnotclosehiseyesforwatchingthem。Thenoiseoffeetstampingonthedeck，overhishead，wasgraduallymovingtowardthestern。Andthenagainthatmoaningcryforthedeadwasheard：
\"Ague-e-est！\"
\"Papa！\"criedFomainaringingvoice。\"Papa！\"Hisfatherjumpedtohisfeetandrushedtowardhim。
\"Whatisthat？Whataretheydoingthere？\"criedFoma。
Wildlyroaring，Ignatjumpedoutofthecabinwithhugebounds。
Hesoonreturned，soonerthanFoma，staggeringandlookingaroundhim，hadtimetoreachhisfather\'sbed。
\"Theyfrightenedyou？It\'snothing！\"saidIgnat，takinghimupinhisarms。\"Liedownwithme。\"
\"Whatisit？\"askedFoma，quietly。
\"Itwasnothing，myson。Onlyadrownedman。Amanwasdrownedandheisfloating。That\'snothing！Don\'tbeafraid，hehasalreadyfloatedclearofus。\"
\"Whydidtheypushhim？\"interrogatedtheboy，firmlypressingclosetohisfather，andshuttinghiseyesforfright。
\"Itwasnecessarytodoso。Thewatermighthavethrownhimunderthewheel。Underours，forinstance。Tomorrowthepolicewouldnoticeit，therewouldbetrouble，inquests，andwewouldbeheldhereforexamination。That\'swhyweshovedhimalong。Whatdifferencedoesitmaketohim？Heisdead；itdoesn\'tpainhim；
itdoesn\'toffendhim。Andthelivingwouldbetroubledonhisaccount。Sleep，myson。
\"Sohewillfloatonthatway？\"
\"Hewillfloat。They\'lltakehimoutsomewhereandburyhim。\"
\"Andwillafishdevourhim？\"
\"Fishdonoteathumanbodies。Crabseatthem。Theylikethem。\"
Foma\'sfrightwasmelting，fromtheheatofhisfather\'sbody，butbeforehiseyestheterriblesneeringfacewasstillrockingintheblackwater。
\"Andwhoishe？\"
\"Godknows！SaytoGodabouthim：\'0hLord，resthissoul！\'\"
\"Lord，resthissoul！\"repeatedFoma，inawhisper。
\"That\'sright。Sleepnow，don\'tfear。Heisfarawaynow！Floatingon。
Seehere，becarefulasyougouptothesideoftheship。Youmayfalloverboard。Godforbid！And——\"
\"Didhefalloverboard？\"
\"Ofcourse。Perhapshewasdrunk，andthat\'shisend！Andmaybehethrewhimselfintothewater。Therearepeoplewhodothat。
Theygoandthrowthemselvesintothewaterandaredrowned。
Life，mydear，issoarrangedthatdeathissometimesaholidayforone，sometimesitisablessingforall。\"
\"Papa。\"
\"Sleep，sleep，dear。\"
CHAPTERIII
DURINGtheveryfirstdayofhisschoollife，stupefiedbythelivelyandheartynoiseofprovokingmischiefsandofwild，childishgames，Fomapickedouttwoboysfromthecrowdwhoatonceseemedmoreinterestingtohimthantheothers。Onehadaseatinfrontofhim。Foma，lookingaskance，sawabroadback；afullneck，coveredwithfreckles；bigears；andthebackoftheheadcloselycropped，coveredwithlight-redhairwhichstoodoutlikebristles。
Whentheteacher，abald-headedman，whoselowerliphungdown，calledout：\"Smolin，African！\"thered-headedboyaroseslowly，walkeduptotheteacher，calmlystaredintohisface，and，havinglistenedtotheproblem，carefullybegantomakebigroundfiguresontheblackboardwithchalk。
\"Goodenough！\"saidtheteacher。\"Yozhov，Nicolai。Proceed！\"
OneofFoma\'sneighbours，afidgetylittleboywithblacklittlemouse-eyes，jumpedupfromhisseatandpassedthroughtheaisle，strikingagainsteverythingandturninghisheadonallsides。Attheblackboardheseizedthechalk，and，standinguponthetoesofhisboots，noisilybegantomarktheboardwiththechalk，creakingandfillingwithchalkdust，dashingoffsmall，illegiblemarks。
\"Notsoloud！\"saidtheteacher，wrinklinghisyellowfaceandcontractinghisfatiguedeyes。Yozhovspokequicklyandinaringingvoice：
\"Nowweknowthatthefirstpeddlermade17k。profit。\"
\"Enough！Gordyeeff！Tellmewhatmustwedoinordertofindouthowmuchthesecondpeddlergained？\"
Watchingtheconductoftheboys，sounlikeeachother，Fomawasthustakenunawaresbythequestionandhekeptquiet。
\"Don\'tyouknow？How？Explainittohim，Smolin。\"
Havingcarefullywipedhisfingers，whichhadbeensoiledwithchalk，Smolinputtheragaway，and，withoutlookingatFoma，finishedtheproblemandagainbegantowipehishands，whileYozhov，smilingandskippingalongashewalked，returnedtohisseat。
\"Eh，you！\"hewhispered，seatinghimselfbesideFoma，incidentallystrikinghissidewithhisfist。\"Whydon\'tyouknowit？Whatwastheprofitaltogether？Thirtykopecks。Andthereweretwopeddlers。Oneofthemgot17。Well，howmuchdidtheotheroneget？\"
\"Iknow，\"repliedFoma，inawhisper，feelingconfusedandexaminingthefaceofSmolin，whowassedatelyreturningtohisseat。Hedidn\'tlikethatround，freckledface，withtheblueeyes，whichwereloadedwithfat。AndYozhovpinchedhislegandasked：
\"Whosesonareyou？TheFrantic\'s？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"So。Doyouwishmetopromptyoualways？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andwhatwillyougivemeforit？\"
Fomathoughtawhileandasked：
\"Anddoyouknowitallyourself？\"
\"I？Iamthebestpupil。You\'llseeforyourself。\"
\"Hey，there！Yozhov，youaretalkingagain？\"criedtheteacher，faintly。
Yozhovjumpedtohisfeetandsaidboldly：
\"It\'snotI，IvanAndreyich——it\'sGordyeeff。\"
\"Bothofthemwerewhispering，\"announcedSmolin，serenely。
Wrinklinghisfacemournfullyandmovinghisbiglipcomically，theteacherreprimandedthemall，buthiswordsdidnotpreventYozhovfromwhisperingimmediately：
\"Verywell，Smolin！I\'llrememberyoufortelling。\"
\"Well，whydoyoublameitallonthenewboy？\"askedSmolin，inalowvoice，withouteventurninghisheadtothem。
\"Allright，allright，\"hissedYozhov。
Fomawassilent，lookingaskanceathisbriskneighbour，whoatoncepleasedhimandrousedinhimadesiretogetasfaraspossibleawayfromhim。DuringrecesshelearnedfromYozhovthatSmolin，too，wasrich，beingthesonofatan-yardproprietor，andthatYozhovhimselfwasthesonofaguardattheCourtofExchequer，andverypoor。Thelastwasclearlyevidentbytheadroitboy\'scostume，madeofgrayfustianandadornedwithpatchesonthekneesandelbows；byhispale，hungry-lookingface；and，byhissmall，angularandbonyfigure。Thisboyspokeinametallicalto，elucidatinghiswordswithgrimacesandgesticulations，andheoftenusedwordswhosemeaningwasknownbuttohimself。
\"We\'llbefriends，\"heannouncedtoFoma。
\"Whydidyoucomplaintotheteacheraboutme？\"GordyeeffremindedYozhov，lookingathimsuspiciously。
\"There！What\'sthedifferencetoyou？Youareanewscholarandrich。Theteacherisnotexactingwiththerich。AndIamapoorhanger-on；hedoesn\'tlikeme，becauseIamimpudentandbecauseIneverbringhimanypresents。IfIhadbeenabadpupilhewouldhaveexpelledmelongago。YouknowI\'llgototheGymnasiumfromhere。I\'llpassthesecondclassandthenI\'llleave。Alreadyastudentispreparingmeforthesecondclass。
ThereI\'llstudysothattheycan\'tholdmeback！Howmanyhorsesdoyouhave？\"
\"Three。Whatdoyouneedtostudysomuchfor？\"askedFoma。
\"BecauseIampoor。Thepoormuststudyhardsothattheymaybecomerich。Theybecomedoctors，functionaries，officers。I
shallbea\'tinkler。\'Aswordatmyside，spuronmyboots。
Cling，cling！Andwhatareyougoingtobe？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidFoma，pensively，examininghiscompanion。
\"Youneednotbeanything。Andareyoufondofpigeons？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whatagood-for-nothingyouare！Oh！Eh！\"YozhovimitatedFoma\'sslowwayofspeaking。\"Howmanypigeonsdoyouhave？\"
\"Ihavenone。\"
\"Eh，you！Rich，andyetyouhavenopigeons。EvenIhavethree。
IfmyfatherhadbeenrichIwouldhavehadahundredpigeonsandchasedthemalldaylong。Smolinhaspigeons，too，fineones！
Fourteen。Hemademeapresentofone。Only，heisgreedy。Allthericharegreedy。Andyou，areyougreedy，too？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidFoma，irresolutely。
\"ComeuptoSmolin\'sandthethreeofustogetherwillchasethepigeons。\"
\"Verywell。Iftheyletme。\"
\"Why，doesnotyourfatherlikeyou？\"
\"Hedoeslikeme。\"
\"Well，then，he\'llletyougo。Onlydon\'ttellhimthatIamcoming。Perhapshewouldnotletyougowithme。TellhimyouwanttogotoSmolin\'s。Smolin！\"
Aplumpboycameuptothem，andYozhovaccostedhim，shakinghisheadreproachfully：
\"Eh，youred-headedslanderer！Itisn\'tworthwhiletobefriendswithyou，blockhead！\"
\"Whydoyouabuseme？\"askedSmolin，calmly，examiningFomafixedly。
\"Iamnotabusingyou；Iamtellingthetruth，\"Yozhovexplained，straighteninghimselfwithanimation。\"Listen！Althoughyouareakissel，but——letitgo！We\'llcomeuptoseeyouonSundayaftermass。\"
\"Come，\"Smolinnoddedhishead。
\"We\'llcomeup。They\'llringthebellsoon。Imustruntosellthesiskin，\"declaredYozhov，pullingoutofhispocketapaperpackage，whereinsomelivethingwasstruggling。Andhedisappearedfromtheschool-yardasmercuryfromthepalmofahand。
\"Whataqueerfellowheis！\"saidFoma，dumfoundedbyYozhov\'sadroitnessandlookingatSmolininterrogatively。
\"Heisalwayslikethis。He\'sveryclever，\"thered-headedboyexplained。
\"Andcheerful，too，\"addedFoma。
\"Cheerful，too，\"Smolinassented。Thentheybecamesilent，lookingateachother。
\"Willyoucomeupwithhimtomyhouse？\"askedthered-headedboy。
\"Yes。\"
\"Comeup。It\'snicethere。\"
Fomasaidnothingtothis。ThenSmolinaskedhim：
\"Haveyoumanyfriends？\"
\"Ihavenone。\"
\"NeitherdidIhaveanyfriendsbeforeIwenttoschool。Onlycousins。Nowyou\'llhavetwofriendsatonce。\"
\"Yes，\"saidFoma。
\"Areyouglad？\"
\"I\'mglad。\"
\"Whenyouhavelotsoffriends，itislively。Anditiseasiertostudy，too——theypromptyou。\"
\"Andareyouagoodpupil？\"
\"Ofcourse！Idoeverythingwell，\"saidSmolin，calmly。
Thebellbegantobangasthoughithadbeenfrightenedandwashastilyrunningsomewhere。
Sittinginschool，Fomabegantofeelsomewhatfreer，andcomparedhisfriendswiththerestoftheboys。Hesoonlearnedthattheybothweretheverybestboysinschoolandthattheywerethefirsttoattracteverybody\'sattention，evenasthetwofigures5and7，whichhadnotyetbeenwipedofftheblackboard。
AndFomafeltverymuchpleasedthathisfriendswerebetterthananyoftheotherboys。
Theyallwenthomefromschooltogether，butYozhovsoonturnedintosomenarrowsidestreet，whileSmolinwalkedwithFomauptohisveryhouse，and，departing，said：
\"Yousee，webothgohomethesameway，too。\"
AthomeFomawasmetwithpomp：hisfathermadehimapresentofaheavysilverspoon，withaningeniousmonogramonit，andhisauntgavehimascarfknittedbyherself。Theywereawaitinghimfordinner，havingpreparedhisfavouritedishesforhim，andassoonashetookoffhiscoat，seatedhimatthetableandbegantoplyhimwithquestions。
\"Well，howwasit？Howdidyouliketheschool？\"askedIgnat，lookinglovinglyathisson\'srosy，animatedface。
\"Prettygood。It\'snice！\"repliedFoma。
\"Mydarling！\"sighedhisaunt，withfeeling，\"lookout，holdyourownwithyourfriends。Assoonastheyoffendyoutellyourteachersaboutit。\"
\"Goon。Whatelsewillyoutellhim？\"Ignatsmiled。\"Neverdothat！Trytogetsquarewitheveryoffenderyourself，punishhimwithyourownhand，notwithsomebodyelse\'s。Arethereanygoodfellowsthere？\"
\"Therearetwo，\"Fomasmiled，recallingYozhov。\"Oneofthemissobold——terrible！\"
\"Whoseishe？\"
\"Aguard\'sson。\"
\"Mm！Bolddidyousay？\"
\"Dreadfullybold！\"
\"Well，lethimbe！Andtheother？\"
\"Theotheroneisred-headed。Smolin。\"
\"Ah！EvidentlyMitryIvanovitch\'sson。Sticktohim，he\'sgoodcompany。Mitryisacleverpeasant。Ifthesontakesafterhisfatheritisallright。Butthatotherone——youknow，Foma，youhadbetterinvitethemtoourhouseonSunday。I\'llbuysomepresentsandyoucantreatthem。We\'llseewhatsortofboystheyare。\"
\"SmolinaskedmetocometohimthisSunday，\"saidFoma，lookingupathisfatherquestioningly。
\"So。Well，youmaygo！That\'sallright，go。Observewhatkindofpeoplethereareintheworld。Youcannotpassyourlifealone，withoutfriendship。YourgodfatherandI，forinstance，havebeenfriendsformorethantwentyyears，andIhaveprofitedagreatdealbyhiscommonsense。Soyou，too，trytobefriendlywiththosethatarebetterandwiserthanyou。Rubagainstagoodman，likeacoppercoinagainstsilver，andyoumaythenpassforasilvercoinyourself。\"
And，burstingintolaughterathiscomparison，Ignataddedseriously：
\"Iwasonlyjesting。Trytobe，notartificial，butgenuine。Andhavesomecommonsense，nomatterhowlittle，butyourown。Haveyoumanylessonstodo？\"
\"Many！\"sighedtheboy，andtohissigh，likeanecho，hisauntansweredwithaheavysigh。
\"Well，study。Don\'tbeworsethanothersatschool。Although，I\'lltellyou，evenifthereweretwenty-fiveclassesinyourschool，theycouldneverteachyouthereanythingsavereading，writingandarithmetic。Youmayalsolearnsomenaughtythings，butGodprotectyou！Ishallgiveyouaterriblespankingifyoudo。IfyousmoketobaccoI\'llcutyourlipsoff。\"
\"RememberGod，Fomushka，\"saidtheaunt。\"Seethatyoudon\'tforgetourLord。\"
\"That\'strue！HonourGodandyourfather。ButIwishtotellyouthatschoolbooksarebutatrivialmatter。Youneedtheseasacarpenterneedsanadzeandapointer。Theyaretools，butthetoolscannotteachyouhowtomakeuseofthem。Understand？Letussee：Supposeanadzewerehandedtoacarpenterforhimtosquareabeamwithit。It\'snotenoughtohavehandsandanadze；
itisalsonecessaryforhimtoknowhowtostrikethewoodsoasnottohithisfootinstead。Toyoutheknowledgeofreadingandwritingisgiven，andyoumustregulateyourlifewithit。Thusitfollowsthatbooksalonearebutatrifleinthismatter；itisnecessarytobeabletotakeadvantageofthem。Anditisthisabilitythatismorecunningthananybooks，andyetnothingaboutitiswritteninthebooks。This，Foma，youmustlearnfromLifeitself。Abookisadeadthing，youmaytakeitasyouplease，youmaytearit，breakit——itwillnotcryout。Whileshouldyoubutmakeasinglewrongstepinlife，orwronglyoccupyaplaceinit，Lifewillstarttobawlatyouinathousandvoices；itwilldealyouablow，fellingyoutotheground。\"
Foma，hiselbowsleaningonthetable，attentivelylistenedtohisfather，andunderthesoundofhispowerfulvoicehepicturedtohimselfnowthecarpentersquaringabeam，nowhimself，hishandsoutstretched，carefullyandstealthilyapproachingsomecolossalandlivingthing，anddesiringtograspthatterriblesomething。
\"Amanmustpreservehimselfforhisworkandmustbethoroughlyacquaintedwiththeroadtoit。Aman，dear，islikethepilotonaship。Inyouth，asathightide，gostraight！Awayisopentoyoueverywhere。Butyoumustknowwhenitistimetosteer。Thewatersrecede——hereyouseeasandbank，there，arock；itisnecessarytoknowallthisandtoslipoffintime，inordertoreachtheharboursafeandsound。\"
\"Iwillreachit！\"saidtheboy，lookingathisfatherproudlyandwithconfidence。
\"Eh？Youspeakcourageously！\"Ignatburstintolaughter。Andtheauntalsobegantolaughkindly。
SincehistripwithhisfatherontheVolga，Fomabecamemorelivelyandtalkativeathome，withhisfather，withhisauntandwithMayakin。Butonthestreet，inanewplace，orinthepresenceofstrangers，hewasalwaysgloomy，alwayslookingabouthimwithsuspicion，asthoughhefeltsomethinghostiletohimeverywhere，somethinghiddenfromhimspyingonhim。
Atnightshesometimesawokeofasuddenandlistenedforalongtimetothesilenceabouthim，fixedlystaringintothedarkwithwide-openeyes。Andthenhisfather\'sstoriesweretransformedbeforehimintoimagesandpictures。Withoutbeingawareofit，hemixedupthosestorieswithhisaunt\'sfairy-tales，thuscreatingforhimselfachaosofadventureswhereinthebrightcoloursoffantasywerewhimsicallyintertwinedwiththesternshadesofreality。Thisresultedinsomethingcolossal，incomprehensible；theboyclosedhiseyesanddroveitallawayfromhimandtriedtochecktheplayofhisimagination，whichfrightenedhim。Invainheattemptedtofallasleep，andthechamberbecamemoreandmorecrowdedwithdarkimages。Thenhequietlyrousedhisaunt。
\"Auntie！Auntie！\"
\"What？Christbewithyou。\"
\"I\'llcometoyou，\"whisperedFoma。
\"Why？Sleep，darling，sleep。\"
\"Iamafraid，\"confessedtheboy。
\"Youbettersaytoyourself，\'AndtheLordwillriseagain，\'thenyouwon\'tbeafraid。\"
Fomalieswithhiseyesopenandsaystheprayer。Thesilenceofthenightpicturesitselfbeforehimintheformofanendlessexpanseofperfectlycalm，darkwater，whichhasoverflowedeverythingandcongealed；thereisnotarippleonit，notashadowofamotion，andneitheristhereanythingwithinit，althoughitisbottomlesslydeep。Itisveryterribleforonetolookdownfromthedarkatthisdeadwater。Butnowthesoundofthenightwatchman\'smalletisheard，andtheboyseesthatthesurfaceofthewaterisbeginningtotremble，and，coveringthesurfacewithripples，lightlittleballsaredancinguponit。Thesoundofthebellonthesteeple，withonemightyswing，bringsallthewaterinagitationanditisslightlytremblingfromthatsound；abigspotoflightisalsotrembling，spreadinglightuponthewater，radiatingfromitscentreintothedarkdistance，theregrowingpaleranddyingout。Againthereiswearyanddeathlikereposeinthisdarkdesert。
\"Auntie，\"whispersFoma，beseechingly。
\"Dearest？\"
\"Iamcomingtoyou。\"
\"Come，then，come，mydarling。\"
Goingoverintoauntie\'sbed，hepressesclosetoher，begging：
\"Tellmesomething。\"
\"Atnight？\"protestsauntie，sleepily。
\"Please。\"
Hedoesnothavetoaskherlong。Yawning，hereyesclosed，theoldwomanbeginsslowlyinavoicegrownheavywithsleep：
\"Well，mydearsir，inacertainkingdom，inacertainempire，therelivedamanandhiswife，andtheywereverypoor。Theyweresounfortunatethattheyhadnothingtoeat。Theywouldgoaroundbegging，somebodywouldgivethemacrustofstalebreadandthatwouldkeepthemforawhile。Anditcametopassthatthewifebegotachild——achildwasborn——itwasnecessarytochristenit，but，beingpoor，theycouldnotentertainthegodparentsandtheguests，sonobodycametochristenthechild。
Theytriedthisandtheytriedthat——yetnobodycame。AndtheybegantopraytotheLord，\'0hLord！0hLord！\'\"
FomaknewthisawfulstoryaboutGod\'sgodchild。Hehadhearditmorethanonceandwasalreadypicturingtohimselfthisgodchildridingonawhitehorsetohisgodfatherandgodmother；hewasridinginthedarkness，overthedesert，andhesawtherealltheunbearablemiseriestowhichsinnersarecondemned。Andheheardtheirfaintmoansandrequests：
\"Oh！Man！AsktheLordyethowlongarewetosufferhere！\"
ThenitappearedtoFomathatitwashewhowasridingatnightonthewhitehorse，andthatthemoansandtheimploringswereaddressedtohim。Hisheartcontractswithsomeincomprehensibledesire；sorrowcompressedhisbreastandtearsgatheredinhiseyes，whichhehadfirmlyclosedandnowfearedtoopen。
Heistossingaboutinhisbedrestlessly，\"Sleep，mychild。Christbewithyou！\"saystheoldwoman，interruptinghertaleofmensufferingfortheirsins。
ButinthemorningaftersuchanightFomarosesoundandcheerful，washedhimselfhastily，drankhisteainhasteandranofftoschool，providedwithsweetcakes，whichwereawaitedbythealwayshungrylittleYozhov，whogreedilysubsistedonhisrichfriend\'sgenerosity。
\"Gotanythingtoeat？\"heaccostedFoma，turninguphissharp-pointednose。\"Letmehaveit，forIleftthehousewithouteatinganything。
Islepttoolong，deviltakeit！Istudieduptotwoo\'clocklastnight。Haveyousolvedyourproblems？\"
\"No，Ihaven\'t。\"
\"Eh，youlazybones！Well，I\'lldashthemoffforyoudirectly！\"
Drivinghissmall，thinteethintothecakes，hepurredsomethinglikeakitten，stampedhisleftfoot，beatingtime，andatthesametimesolvedtheproblem，rattlingoffshortphrasestoFoma：
\"See？Eightbucketfulsleakedoutinonehour。Andhowmanyhoursdiditleak——six？Eh，whatgoodthingstheyeatinyourhouse！
Consequently，wemustmultiplysixbyeight。Doyoulikecakewithgreenonions？Oh，howIlikeit！Sothatinsixhoursforty-
eightbucketfulsleakedoutofthefirstgauge-cock。Andaltogetherthetubcontainedninety。Doyouunderstandtherest？\"
FomalikedYozhovbetterthanSmolin，buthewasmorefriendlywithSmolin。Hewonderedattheabilityandthesprightlinessofthelittlefellow。HesawthatYozhovwasmorecleverandbetterthanhimself；heenviedhim，andfeltoffendedonthataccount，andatthesametimehepitiedhimwiththecondescendingcompassionofasatisfiedmanforahungryone。Perhapsitwasthisverycompassionthatpreventedhimfrompreferringthisbrightboytotheboringred-headedSmolin。Yozhov，fondofhavingalaughattheexpenseofhiswell-fedfriends，toldthemquiteoften：\"Eh，youarelittletrunksfullofcakes！\"
Fomawasangrywithhimforhissneers，andoneday，touchedtothequick，saidwickedlyandwithcontempt：
\"Andyouareabeggar——apauper！\"
Yozhov\'syellowfacebecameovercast，andherepliedslowly：
\"Verywell，sobeit！Ishallneverpromptyouagain——andyou\'llbelikealogofwood！\"
Andtheydidnotspeaktoeachotherforaboutthreedays，verymuchtotheregretoftheteacher，whoduringthesedayshadtogivethelowestmarkingstothesonoftheesteemedIgnatMatveyich。
Yozhovkneweverything：herelatedatschoolhowtheprocurator\'schambermaidgavebirthtoachild，andthatforthistheprocurator\'swifepouredhotcoffeeoverherhusband；hecouldtellwhereandwhenitwasbesttocatchperch；heknewhowtomaketrapsandcagesforbirds；hecouldgiveadetailedaccountofhowthesoldierhadhangedhimselfinthegarretofthearmoury，andknewfromwhichofthepupils\'parentstheteacherhadreceivedapresentthatdayandpreciselywhatsortofapresentitwas。
ThesphereofSmolin\'sknowledgeandinterestswasconfinedtothemerchant\'smodeoflife，and，aboveall，thered-headedboywasfondofjudgingwhetherthismanwasricherthanthat，valuingandpricingtheirhouses，theirvesselsandtheirhorses。
Allthisheknewtoperfection，andspokeofitwithenthusiasm。
LikeFoma，heregardedYozhovwiththesamecondescendingpity，butmoreasafriendandequal。WheneverGordyeeffquarrelledwithYozhov，Smolinhastenedtoreconcilethem，andhesaidtoFomaoneday，ontheirwayhome：
\"WhydoyoualwaysquarrelwithYozhov？\"
\"Well，whyishesoself-conceited？\"saidFoma，angrily。
\"Heisproudbecauseyouneverknowyourlessons，andhealwayshelpsyouout。Heisclever。Andbecauseheispoor——ishetoblameforthat？
Hecanlearnanythinghewantsto，andhewillberich，too。\"
\"Heislikeamosquito，\"saidFoma，disdainfully；\"hewillbuzzandbuzz，andthenofasuddenwillbite。\"
Buttherewassomethinginthelifeoftheseboysthatunitedthemall；therewerehourswhentheconsciousnessofdifferenceintheirnaturesandpositionswasentirelylost。OnSundaystheyallgatheredatSmolin\'s，and，gettingupontheroofofthewing，wheretheyhadanenormouspigeon-house，theyletthepigeonsloose。
Thebeautiful，well-fedbirds，rufflingtheirsnow-whitewings，dartedoutofthepigeon-houseonebyone，and，seatingthemselvesinarowontheridgeoftheroof，and，illuminedbythesun，cooing，flauntedbeforetheboys。
\"Scarethem！\"imploredYozhov，tremblingforimpatience。
Smolinswungapolewithabast-wispfastenedtoitsend，andwhistled。
Thefrightenedpigeonsrushedintotheair，fillingitwiththehurriedflappingoftheirwings。Andnow，outliningbigcircles，theyeasilysoarupwards，intothebluedepthsofthesky；theyfloathigherandhigher，theirsilverandsnow-whitefeathersflashing。Someofthemarestrivingtoreachthedomeoftheskieswiththelightsoaringofthefalcon，theirwingsoutstretchedwideandalmostmotionless；othersplay，turnoverintheair，nowdroppingdownwardinasnowylump，nowdartinguplikeanarrow。Nowtheentireflockseemsasthoughhangingmotionlessinthedesertofthesky，and，growingsmallerandsmaller，seemstosinkinit。Withheadsthrownback，theboysadmirethebirdsinsilence，withouttakingtheireyesfromthem——
theirtiredeyes，soradiantwithcalmjoy，notaltogetherfreefromenvyingthesewingedcreatures，whichsofreelytookflightfromearthupintothepureandcalmatmospherefulloftheglitterofthesun。Thesmallgroupofscarcelyvisibledots，nowmerespecksintheazureofthesky，leadsontheimaginationofthechildren，andYozhovexpressestheircommonfeelingwhen，inalowvoice，hesaysthoughtfully：
\"That\'sthewayweoughttofly，friends。\"