WhileFoma，knowingthathumansouls，soaringheavenward，oftentimesassumetheformofpigeons，feltinhisbreasttherisingofaburning，powerfuldesire。
Unifiedbytheirjoy，attentivelyandmutelyawaitingthereturnoftheirbirdsfromthedepthsofthesky，theboys，pressingclosetooneanother，driftedfarawayfromthebreathoflife，evenastheirpigeonswerefarfromearth；atthismomenttheyaremerelychildren，knowingneitherenvynoranger；freefromeverything，theyareneartooneanother，theyaremute，judgingtheirfeelingsbythelightintheireyes——andtheyfeelashappyasthebirdsinthesky。
Butnowthepigeonscomedownontheroofagain，and，tiredoutbytheirflight，areeasilydrivenintothepigeon-house。
\"Friends，let\'sgoforapples？\"suggestsYozhov，theinstigatorofallgamesandadventures。
Hiscalldrivesoutofthechildren\'ssoulsthepeacefulnessbroughtintothembythepigeons，andthen，likeplunderers，carefullylisteningforeachandeverysound，theystealquietlyacrossthebackyardstowardtheneighbouringgarden。Thefearofbeingcaughtisbalancedbythehopeofstealingwithimpunity。
Butstealingisworkanddangerousworkatthat，andeverythingthatisearnedbyyourownlabourissosweet！Andthemoreeffortrequiredtogainit，thesweeteritis。Carefullytheboysclimboverthefenceofthegarden，and，bendingdown，crawltowardtheappletreesand，fulloffright，lookaroundvigilantly。
Theirheartstrembleandtheirthrobbingslackensatthefaintestrustle。Theyarealikeafraidofbeingcaught，and，ifnoticed，ofbeingrecognised，butincasetheyshouldonlyseethemandyellatthem，theywouldbesatisfied。Theywouldseparate，eachgoinginadifferentdirection，andthen，meetingagain，theireyesaglowwithjoyandboldness，wouldlaughinglytelloneanotherhowtheyfeltwhentheyheardsomeonegivingchasetothem，andwhathappenedtothemwhentheyransoquicklythroughthegarden，asthoughthegroundwereburningundertheirfeet。
SuchinvasionsweremoretoFoma\'slikingthanallotheradventuresandgames，andhisbehaviourduringtheseinvasionswasmarkedwithaboldnessthatatonceastoundedandangeredhiscompanions。Hewasintentionallycarelessinotherpeople\'sgardens：hespokeloud，noisilybrokethebranchesofappletrees，and，tearingoffaworm-
eatenapple，threwitinthedirectionoftheproprietor\'shouse。
Thedangerofbeingcaughtintheactdidnotfrightenhim；itratherencouragedhim——hiseyeswouldturndarker，histeethwouldclench，andhisfacewouldassumeanexpressionofangerandpride。
Smolin，distortinghisbigmouthcontemptibly，wouldsaytohim：
\"Youaremakingentirelytoomuchfussaboutyourself。\"
\"Iamnotacowardanyway！\"repliedFoma。
\"Iknowthatyouarenotacoward，butwhydoyouboastofit？
Onemaydoathingaswellwithoutboasting。\"
Yozhovblamedhimfromadifferentpointofview：
\"Ifyouthrustyourselfintotheirhandswillinglyyoucangotothedevil！Iamnotyourfriend。They\'llcatchyouandbringyoutoyourfather——hewouldn\'tdoanythingtoyou，whileIwouldgetsuchaspankingthatallmyboneswouldbeskinned。\"
\"Coward！\"Fomapersisted，stubbornly。
AnditcametopassonedaythatFomawascaughtbythesecondcaptain，Chumakov，athinlittleoldman。Noiselesslyapproachingtheboy，whowashidingawayinhisbosomthestolenapples，theoldmanseizedhimbytheshouldersandcriedinathreateningvoice：
\"NowIhaveyou，littlerogue！Aha！\"
Fomawasthenaboutfifteenyearsold，andhecleverlyslippedoutoftheoldman\'shands。Yethedidnotrunfromhim，but，knittinghisbrowandclenchinghisfist，hesaidthreateningly：
\"Youdaretotouchme！\"
\"Iwouldn\'ttouchyou。I\'lljustturnyouovertothepolice！
Whosesonareyou？\"
Fomadidnotexpectthis，andallhisboldnessandspitefulnesssuddenlylefthim。
Thetriptothepolicestationseemedtohimsomethingwhichhisfatherwouldneverforgivehim。Heshudderedandsaidconfusedly：
\"Gordyeeff。\"
\"IgnatGordyeeff\'s？\"
\"Yes。\"
Nowthesecondcaptainwastakenaback。Hestraightenedhimself，expandedhischestandforsomereasonorotherclearedhisthroatimpressively。Thenhisshoulderssankandhesaidtotheboyinafatherlytone：
\"It\'sashame！Thesonofsuchawell-knownandrespectedman！Itisunbecomingyourposition。Youmaygo。Butshouldthishappenagain！Hm！Ishouldbecompelledtonotifyyourfather，towhom，bytheway，Ihavethehonourofpresentingmyrespects。\"
Fomawatchedtheplayoftheoldman\'sphysiognomyandunderstoodthathewasafraidofhisfather。Likeayoungwolf，helookedaskanceatChumakov；whiletheoldman，withcomicalseriousness，twistedhisgraymoustache，hesitatingbeforetheboy，whodidnotgoaway，notwithstandingthegivenpermission。
\"Youmaygo，\"repeatedtheoldman，pointingattheroadleadingtohishouse。
\"Andhowaboutthepolice？\"askedFoma，sternly，andwasimmediatelyfrightenedatthepossibleanswer。
\"Iwasbutjesting，\"smiledtheoldman。\"Ijustwantedtofrightenyou。\"
\"Youareafraidofmyfatheryourself，\"saidFoma，and，turninghisbacktotheoldman，walkedoffintothedepthofthegarden。
\"Iamafraid？Ah！Verywell！\"exclaimedChumakovafterhim，andFomaknewbythesoundofhisvoicethathehadoffendedtheoldman。Hefeltsadandashamed；hepassedtheafternooninwalking，and，cominghome，hewasmetbyhisfather\'ssternquestion：
\"Foma！DidyougotoChumakov\'sgarden？\"
\"Yes，Idid，\"saidtheboy，calmly，lookingintohisfather\'seyes。
EvidentlyIgnatdidnotexpectsuchananswerandhewassilentforawhile，strokinghisbeard。
\"Fool！Whydidyoudoit？Haveyounotenoughofyourownapples？\"
Fomacastdownhiseyesandwassilent，standingbeforehisfather。
\"See，youareshamed！Yozhishkamusthaveincitedyoutothis！I\'llgiveittohimwhenhecomes，orI\'llmakeanendofyourfriendshipaltogether。\"
\"Ididitmyself，\"saidFoma，firmly。
\"Frombadtoworse！\"exclaimedIgnat。\"Butwhydidyoudoit？\"
\"Because。\"
\"Because！\"mockedthefather。\"Well，ifyoudidityououghttobeabletoexplaintoyourselfandtoothersthereasonforsodoing。
Comehere！\"
Fomawalkeduptohisfather，whowassittingonachair，andplacedhimselfbetweenhisknees。Ignatputhishandontheboy\'sshoulders，and，smiling，lookedintohiseyes。
\"Areyouashamed？\"
\"Iamashamed，\"sighedFoma。
\"Thereyouhaveit，fool！Youhavedisgracedmeandyourself。\"
Pressinghisson\'sheadtohisbreast，hestrokedhishairandaskedagain：
\"Whyshouldyoudosuchathing——stealingotherpeople\'sapples？\"
\"I——Idon\'tknow，\"saidFoma，confusedly。\"Perhapsbecauseitissolonesome。Iplayandplaythesamethingdayafterday。Iamgrowingtiredofit！Whilethisisdangerous。\"
\"Exciting？\"askedthefather，smiling。
\"Yes。\"
\"Mm，perhapsitisso。But，nevertheless，Foma，lookout——dropthis，orIshalldealwithyouseverely。\"
\"I\'llneverclimbanywhereagain，\"saidtheboywithconfidence。
\"Andthatyoutakealltheblameonyourself——thatisgood。Whatwillbecomeofyouinthefuture，onlyGodknows，butmeanwhile——
itisprettygood。Itisnotatrifleifamaniswillingtopayforhisdeedswithhisownskin。Someoneelseinyourplacewouldhaveblamedhisfriends，whileyousay：\'Ididitmyself。\'That\'stheproperway，Foma。Youcommitthesin，butyoualsoaccountforit。Didn\'tChumakovstrikeyou？\"askedIgnat，pausingashespoke。
\"Iwouldhavestruckhimback，\"declaredFoma，calmly。
\"Mm，\"roaredhisfather，significantly。
\"Itoldhimthathewasafraidofyou。Thatiswhyhecomplained。
Otherwisehewasnotgoingtosayanythingtoyouaboutit。\"
\"Isthatso？\"
\"\'ByGod！Presentmyrespectstoyourfather，\'hesaid。\"
\"Didhe？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ah！thedog！Seewhatkindofpeoplethereare；heisrobbedandyethemakesabowandpresentshisrespects！Ha，ha！Itistrueitmighthavebeenworthnomorethanakopeck，butakopeckistohimwhataroubleistome。Anditisn\'tthekopeck，butsinceitismine，noonedarestouchitunlessIthrowitawaymyself。
Eh！Thedeviltakethem！Well，tellme——wherehaveyoubeen，whathaveyouseen？\"
Theboysatdownbesidehisfatherandtoldhimindetailalltheimpressionsofthatday。Ignatlistened，fixedlywatchingtheanimatedfaceofhisson，andtheeyebrowsofthebigmancontractedpensively。
\"Youarestillbutfloatingonthesurface，dear。Youarestillbutachild。Eh！Eh！\"
\"Wescaredanowlintheravine，\"relatedtheboy。\"Thatwasfun！
Itbegantoflyaboutandstruckagainstatree——bang！Itevenbegantosqueaksopitifully。Andwescareditagain；againitroseandflewabouthereandthere，andagainitstruckagainstsomething，sothatitsfeatherswerecomingout。Itflewaboutintheravineandatlasthiditselfsomewherewithdifficulty。Wedidnottrytolookforit，wefeltsorryitwasallbruised。
Papa，isanowlentirelyblindindaytime？\"
\"Blind！\"saidIgnat；\"somemenwilltossaboutinlifeevenasthisowlindaytime。Eversearchingforhisplace，hestrivesandstrives——onlyfeathersflyfromhim，butalltonopurpose。Heisbruised，sickened，strippedofeverything，andthenwithallhismighthethrustshimselfanywhere，justtofindreposefromhisrestlessness。Woetosuchpeople。Woetothem，dear！\"
\"Howpainfulisittothem？\"saidFomainalowvoice。
\"Justaspainfulastothatowl。\"
\"Andwhyisitso？\"
\"Why？Itishardtotell。Someonesuffersbecauseheisdarkenedbyhispride——hedesiresmuch，buthasbutlittlestrength。Anotherbecauseofhisfoolishness。Butthenthereareathousandandoneotherreasons，whichyoucannotunderstand。\"
\"Comeinandhavesometea，\"Anfisacalledtothem。Shehadbeenstandinginthedoorwayforquitealongwhile，and，foldingherhands，lovinglyadmiredtheenormousfigureofherbrother，whobentoverFomawithsuchfriendliness，andthepensiveposeoftheboy，whoclungtohisfather\'sshoulder。
ThusdaybydayFoma\'slifedevelopedslowly——aquiet，peacefullife，notatallbrimfulofemotions。Powerfulimpressions，rousingtheboy\'ssoulforanhourorforaday，sometimesstoodoutstrikinglyagainstthegeneralbackgroundofthismonotonouslife，buttheseweresoonobliterated。Theboy\'ssoulwasasyetbutacalmlake——alakehiddenfromthestormywindsoflife，andallthattouchedthesurfaceofthelakeeithersanktothebottom，stirringtheplacidwaterforamoment，orglidingoverthesmoothsurface，swamapartinbigcirclesanddisappeared。
Havingstayedatthedistrictschoolforfiveyears，Fomapassedfourclassestolerablywellandcameoutabrave，dark-hairedfellow，withaswarthyface，heavyeyebrowsanddarkdownontheupperlip。Hisbigdarkeyeshadanaiveandpensivelook，andhislipswerelikeachild\'s，half-open；butwhenmeetingwithoppositiontohisdesiresorwhenirritatedbysomethingelse，thepupilsofhiseyeswouldgrowwide，hislipspresstight，andhiswholefaceassumeastubbornandresoluteexpression。Hisgodfather，smilingsceptically，wouldoftensaytohim：
\"Towomen，Foma，you\'llbesweeterthanhoney，butasyetnotmuchcommonsensecanbeseeninyou。\"
Ignatwouldheaveasighatthesewords。
\"Youhadbetterstartoutyoursonassoonaspossible。\"
\"There\'stimeyet，wait。\"
\"Whywait？He\'llgoabouttheVolgafortwoorthreeyearsandthenwe\'llhavehimmarried。There\'smyLubov。\"
LubovMayakinawasnowstudyinginthefifthclassofsomeboardingschool。Fomaoftenmetheronthestreetatwhichmeetingshealwaysbowedcondescendingly，herfairheadinafashionablecap。Fomalikedher，butherrosycheeks，hercheerfulbrowneyesandcrimsonlipscouldnotsmooththeimpressionofoffencegiventohimbyhercondescendingbows。ShewasacquaintedwithsomeGymnasiumstudents，andalthoughYozhov，hisoldfriend，wasamongthem，Fomafeltnoinclinationtobewiththem，andtheircompanyembarrassedhim。Itseemedtohimthattheywereallboastingoftheirlearningbeforehimandthattheyweremockinghisignorance。GatheredtogetherinLubov\'shousetheywouldreadsomebooks，andwheneverhefoundthemreadingorloudlyarguing，theybecamesilentathissight。Allthisremovedthemfurtherfromhim。OnedaywhenhewasatMayakin\'s，Lubacalledhimtogoforawalkinthegarden，andthere，walkingbyhisside，askedhimwithagrimaceonherface：
\"Whyareyousounsociable？Younevertalkaboutanything。\"
\"WhatshallItalkabout，sinceIknownothing！\"saidFoma，plainly。
\"Study——readbooks。\"
\"Idon\'tfeellikedoingit。\"
\"Yousee，theGymnasiumstudentsknoweverything，andknowhowtotalkabouteverything。TakeYozhov，forinstance。\"
\"IknowYozhov——achatterbox。\"
\"Yousimplyenvyhim。Heisveryclever——yes。HewillsoongraduatefromtheGymnasium——andthenhe\'llgotoMoscowtostudyintheUniversity。\"
\"Well，whatofit？\"saidFoma，indifferently。
\"Andyou\'llremainjustanignorantman。\"
\"Well，beitso。\"
\"Thatwillbenice！\"exclaimedLuba，ironically。
\"Ishallholdmygroundwithoutscience，\"saidFoma，sarcastically。
\"AndI\'llhavealaughatallthelearnedpeople。Letthehungrystudy。
Idon\'tneedit。\"
\"Pshaw，howstupidyouare，bad，disgusting！\"saidthegirlwithcontemptandwentaway，leavinghimaloneinthegarden。Offendedandgloomy，helookedafterher，movedhiseyebrowsandloweringhishead，slowlywalkedoffintothedepthofthegarden。
Healreadybegantorecognisethebeautyofsolitudeandthesweetpoisonofcontemplation。Oftentimes，duringsummerevenings，wheneverythingwascolouredbythefierytintsofsunset，kindlingtheimagination，anuneasylongingforsomethingincomprehensiblepenetratedhisbreast。Sittingsomewhereinadarkcornerofthegardenorlyinginbed，heconjuredupbeforehimtheimagesofthefairy-taleprincesses——theyappearedwiththefaceofLubaandofotheryoungladiesofhisacquaintance，noiselesslyfloatingbeforehiminthetwilightandstaringintohiseyeswithenigmaticlooks。
Attimesthesevisionsawakenedinhimamightyenergy，asthoughintoxicatinghim——hewouldriseand，straighteninghisshoulders，inhaletheperfumedairwithafullchest；butsometimesthesesamevisionsbroughttohimafeelingofsadness——hefeltlikecrying，butashamedofsheddingtears，herestrainedhimselfandneverweptinsilence。OrsuddenlyhisheartbegantotremblewiththedesiretoexpresshisgratitudetoGod，tobowbeforeHim；thewordsoftheprayerflashedthroughhismemory，andbeholdingthesky，hewhisperedthemforalongtime，onebyone，andhisheartgrewlighter，breathingintoprayertheexcessofhispower。
Thefatherpatientlyandcarefullyintroducedhimintocommercialcircles，tookhimontheExchange，toldhimabouthiscontractsandenterprises，abouthisco-associates，describedtohimhowtheyhadmadetheirway，whatfortunestheynowpossessed，whatnaturesweretheirs。Fomasoonmasteredit，regardingeverythingseriouslyandthoughtfully。
\"Ourbudisbloomingintoablood-redcup-rose！\"Mayakinsmiled，winkingtoIgnat。
Andyet，evenwhenFomawasnineteenyearsold，therewassomethingchildishinhim，somethingnaivewhichdistinguishedhimfromtheboysofhisage。Theywerelaughingathim，consideringhimstupid；hekeptawayfromthem，offendedbytheirrelationstowardhim。AsforhisfatherandMayakin，whowerewatchinghimvigilantly，thisuncertaintyofFoma\'scharacterinspiredthemwithseriousapprehensions。
\"Icannotunderstandhim！\"Ignatwouldsaywithcontriteheart。\"Hedoesnotleadadissipatedlife，hedoesnotseemtorunafterthewomen，treatsmeandyouwithrespect，listenstoeverything——heismorelikeaprettygirlthanafellow！Andyethedoesnotseemtobestupid！\"
\"No，there\'snothingparticularlystupidabouthim，\"saidMayakin。
\"Itlooksasthoughhewerewaitingforsomething——asthoughsomekindofshroudwerecoveringhiseyes。Hislatemothergropedonearthinthesameway。
\"Justlook，there\'sAfrikankaSmolin，buttwoyearsolderthanmyboy——whatamanhehasbecome！Thatis，itisdifficulttotellwhetherheishisfather\'sheadorhisfatherhis。Hewantstogotosomefactorytostudy。Heswears：
\"\'Eh，\'sayshe，\'papa，youhavenottaughtmeenough。\'Yes。Whileminedoesnotexpresshimselfatall。0hLord！\"
\"Lookhere，\"Mayakinadvisedhim，\"youhadbetterpushhimheadforemostintosomeactivebusiness！Iassureyou！Goldistestedinfire。We\'llseewhathisinclinationsarewhenatliberty。
SendhimoutontheKama——alone。\"
\"Togivehimatrial？\"
\"Well，he\'lldosomemischief——you\'lllosesomething——butthenwe\'llknowwhatstuffheismadeof。\"
\"Indeed——I\'llsendhimoff，\"Ignatdecided。
Andthusinthespring，IgnatsenthissonoffontheKamawithtwobargesladenwithcorn。ThebargeswereledbyGordyeeff\'ssteamer\"Philezhny，\"underthecommandofFoma\'soldacquaintance，theformersailorYefim——now，YefimIlyich，asquarelybuiltmanofaboutthirtywithlynx-likeeyes——asober-minded，steadyandverystrictcaptain。
Theysailedfastandcheerfully，becauseallwerecontented。AtfirstFomawasproudoftheresponsiblecommissionwithwhichhehadbeencharged。Yefimwaspleasedwiththepresenceoftheyoungmaster，whodidnotrebukeorabusehimforeachandeveryoversight；
andthehappyframeofmindofthetwomostimportantpersonsonthesteamerreflectedinstraightraysontheentirecrew。HavinglefttheplacewheretheyhadtakenintheircargoofcorninApril，thesteamerreachedtheplaceofitsdestinationinthebeginningofMay，andthebargeswereanchoredneartheshorewiththesteamerattheirside。
Foma\'sdutywastodeliverthecornassoonaspossible，andreceivingthepayments，startoffforPerm，whereacargoofironwasawaitinghim，whichIgnathadundertakentodeliveratthemarket。
Thebargesstoodoppositealargevillage，nearapineforest，abouttwoverstsdistantfromtheshore。Ontheverynextdayaftertheirarrival，abigandnoisycrowdofwomenandpeasants，onfootandonhorses，cameuptotheshoreearlyinthemorning。
Shoutingandsinging，theyscatteredonthedecksandinaninstantworkstartedexpeditiously。Havingdescendedintotheholds，thewomenwerefillingthesackswithrye，thepeasants，throwingthesacksupontheirshoulders，ranoverthegang-plankstotheshore，andfromtheshore，carts，heavilyladenwiththelong-expectedcorn，wentoffslowlytothevillage。Thewomensangsongs；thepeasantsjestedandgailyabusedoneanother；thesailorsrepresentingtheguardiansofpeace，scoldedtheworkingpeoplenowandthen；thegang-planks，bendingunderthefeetofthecarriers，splashedagainstthewaterheavily；whileontheshorethehorsesneighed，andthecartsandthesandunderthewheelswerecreaking。
Thesunhadjustrisen，theairwasfreshandinvigoratinganddenselyfilledwiththeodourofpines；thecalmwateroftheriver，reflectingtheclearsky，wasgentlymurmuring，breakingagainstthesidesofthevesselsandthechainsoftheanchors。
Theloudandcheerfulnoiseoftoil，theyouthfulbeautyofnature，gailyilluminedbythesunbeams——allwasfullofakind-hearted，somewhatcrude，soundpower，whichpleasantlystirredFoma\'ssoul，awakeninginhimnewandperplexedsensationsanddesires。Hewassittingbythetableundertheawningofthesteameranddrinkingtea，togetherwithYefimandthereceiverofthecorn，aprovincialclerk——aredheaded，short-sightedgentlemaninglasses。Nervouslyshrugginghisshouldersthereceiverwastellinginahoarsevoicehowthepeasantswerestarving，butFomapaidlittleattentiontohiswords，lookingnowattheworkbelow，nowattheothersideoftheriver——atall，yellow，sandysteepshore，whoseedgeswerecoveredwithpinetrees。Itwasunpeopledandquiet。
\"I\'llhavetogooverthere，\"thoughtFoma。Andasthoughfromadistancethereceiver\'stiresome，unpleasant，harshvoicefellonhisears：
\"Youwouldn\'tbelieveit——atlastitbecamehorrible！Suchanincidenttookplace！ApeasantcameuptoacertainintelligentmaninOsaandbroughtalongwithhimagirlaboutsixteenyearsold。
\"\'Whatdoyouwish？\"
\"\'Here，\'hesays，\'I\'vebroughtmydaughtertoyourHonour。\'
\"\'Whatfor？\'
\"\'Perhaps，\'hesays，\'you\'lltakeher——youareabachelor。\'
\"\'Thatis，how？Whatdoyoumean？\'
\"\'Itookheraroundtown，\'hesays。\'Iwantedtohireheroutasaservant——butnobodywouldhaveher——takeheratleastasyourmistress！\'
\"Doyouunderstand？Heofferedhisowndaughter——justthinkofit！
Adaughter——asamistress！Thedevilknowswhatthatis！Eh？Theman，ofcourse，becameindignantandbeganabusingthepeasant。Butthepeasantspoketohimreasonably：
\"\'YourHonour！Ofwhatuseisshetomeatthistime？Utterlyuseless。
Ihave，\'sayshe，\'threeboys——theywillbeworkingmen；itisnecessarytokeepthemup。Giveme，\'sayshe，\'tenroublesforthegirl，andthatwillimprovemylotandthatofmyboys。\'
\"Howisthat？Eh？Itissimplyterrible，Itellyou。\"
\"Nogood！\"sighedYefim。\"Astheysay——hungerwillbreakthroughstonewalls。Thestomach，yousee，hasitsownlaws。\"
ThisstorycalledforthinFomaagreatincomprehensibleinterestinthefateofthegirl，andtheyouthhastenedtoenquireofthereceiver：
\"Well，didthemanbuyher？\"
\"Ofcoursenot！\"exclaimedthereceiver，reproachfully。
\"Well，andwhatbecameofher？\"
\"Somegoodpeopletookpityonher——andprovidedforher。\"
\"A-h！\"drawledFoma，andsuddenlyhesaidfirmlyandangrily：\"I
wouldhavegiventhatpeasantsuchathrashing！Iwouldhavebrokenhishead！\"Andheshowedthereceiverhisbigtightly-clenchedfist。
\"Eh！Whatfor？\"criedthereceiverinasickly，loudvoice，tearinghisspectaclesfromhiseyes。\"Youdonotunderstandthemotive。\"
\"Idounderstandit！\"saidFoma，withanobstinateshakeofhishead。
\"Butwhatcouldhedo？Itcametohismind。\"
\"Howcanoneallowhimselftosellahumanbeing？\"
\"Ah！Itisbrutal，Iagreewithyou。\"
\"Andagirlatthat！Iwouldhavegivenhimthetenroubles！\"
Thereceiverwavedhishandhopelesslyandbecamesilent。HisgestureconfusedFoma。Hearosefromhisseat，walkedofftotherailingandlookeddownatthedeckofthebarge，whichwascoveredwithanindustriouslyworkingcrowdofpeople。Thenoiseintoxicatedhim，andtheuneasysomething，whichwasramblinginhissoul，wasnowdefinedintoapowerfuldesiretowork，tohavethestrengthofagiant，topossessenormousshouldersandputonthematonetimeahundredbagsofrye，thateveryonelookingathimmightbeastonished。
\"Comenow，hurryupthere！\"heshouteddowninaringingvoice。A
fewheadswereraisedtohim，somefacesappearedbeforehim，andoneofthem——thefaceofadark-eyedwoman——smiledathimagentleandenticingsmile。Somethingflaredupinhisbreastatthissmileandbegantospreadoverhisveinsinahotwave。Hedrewbackfromtherailingandwalkeduptothetableagain，feelingthathischeekswereburning。
\"Listen！\"saidthereceiver，addressinghim，\"wiretoyourfatheraskinghimtoallowsomegrainforwaste！Justseehowmuchislosthere。Andhereeverypoundisprecious！Youshouldhaveunderstoodthis！Whatafinefatheryouhave，\"heconcludedwithabitinggrimace。
\"HowmuchshallIallow？\"askedFoma，boldlyanddisdainfully。\"Doyouwantahundredpuds？[Apudisaweightof40Russianpounds。]
Twohundred？\"
\"I——Ithankyou！\"exclaimedthereceiver，overjoyedandconfused，\"ifyouhavetherighttodoit。\"
\"Iamthemaster！\"saidFoma，firmly。\"Andyoumustnotspeakthatwayaboutmyfather——normakesuchfaces。\"
\"Pardonme！I——Idonotdoubtthatyouhavefullpower。Ithankyouheartily。Andyourfather，too——inbehalfofallthesemen——
inbehalfofthepeople！\"
Yefimlookedcautiouslyattheyoungmaster，spreadingoutandsmackinghislips，whilethemasterwithanairofprideonhisfacelistenedtothequick-wittedspeechofthereceiver，whowaspressinghishandfirmly。
\"Twohundredpuds！ThatisRussian-like，youngman！Ishalldirectlynotifythepeasantsofyourgift。You\'llseehowgratefultheywillbe——howglad。\"Andheshouteddown：
\"Eh，boys！Themasterisgivingawaytwohundredpuds。\"
\"Threehundred！\"interposedFoma。
\"Threehundredpuds。Oh！Thankyou！Threehundredpudsofgrain，boys！\"
Buttheirresponsewasweak。Thepeasantslifteduptheirheadsandmutelyloweredthemagain，resumingtheirwork。Afewvoicessaidirresolutelyandasthoughunwillingly：
\"Thanks。MayGodgiveyou。Wethankyouveryhumbly。\"
Andsomecriedoutgailyanddisdainfully：
\"What\'stheuseofthat？Iftheyhadgiveneachofusaglassofvodkainstead——thatwouldbeajustfavour。Forthegrainisnotforus——butforthecountryCouncil。\"
\"Eh！Theydonotunderstand！\"exclaimedthereceiver，confused。
\"I\'llgodownandexplainittothem。\"
Andhedisappeared。Butthepeasants\'regardforhisgiftdidnotinterestFoma。Hesawthattheblackeyesoftherosy-cheekedwomanwerelookingathimsostrangelyandpleasingly。Theyseemedtothankhimandcaressinglybeckonedhim，andbesidesthoseeyeshesawnothing。Thewomanwasdressedlikethecitywomen。Sheworeshoes，acalicowaist，andoverherblackhairshehadapeculiarkerchief。Tallandsupple，seatedonapileofwood，sherepairedsacks，quicklymovingherhands，whichwerebareuptotheelbows，andshesmiledatFomaallthetime。
\"FomaIgnatyich！\"heheardYefim\'sreproachfulvoice，\"you\'veshowedofftoomuch。Well，ifitwereonlyaboutfiftypuds！Butwhysomuch？Lookoutthatwedon\'tgetagoodscoldingforthis。\"
\"Leavemealone！\"saidFoma，shortly。
\"Whatisittome？I\'llkeepquiet。Butasyouaresoyoung，andasIwastoldtokeepaneyeonyou，Imaygetaraponthesnoutforbeingheedless。\"
\"I\'lltellmyfatherallaboutit。Keepquiet！\"saidFoma。
\"Asforme——letitbeso——sothatyouaremasterhere。\"
\"Verywell。\"
\"Ihavesaidthis，FomaIgnatyich，foryourownsake——becauseyouaresoyoungandsimple-minded。\"
\"Leavemealone，Yefim！\"
Yefimheavedasighandbecamesilent，whileFomastaredatthewomanandthought：
\"Iwishtheywouldbringsuchawomanforsaletome。\"
Hisheartbeatrapidly。Thoughasyetphysicallypure，healreadyknewfromconversationsthemysteriesofintimaterelationsbetweenmenandwomen。Heknewbyrudeandshamefulnames，andthesenameskindledinhimanunpleasant，burningcuriosityandshame；hisimaginationworkedobstinately，forhecouldnotpictureittohimselfinintelligibleimages。Andinhissoulhedidnotbelievethatthoserelationswerereallysosimpleandrude，ashehadbeentold。Whentheyhadlaughedathimandassuredhimthattheyweresuch，and，indeed，couldnotbeotherwise，hesmiledstupidlyandconfusedly，butthoughtneverthelessthattherelationswithwomendidnothavetobeinsuchashamefulformforeveryone，andthat，inallprobability，therewassomethingpurer，lessrudeandabusivetoahumanbeing。
Nowlookingatthedark-eyedworkingwomanwithadmiration，Fomadistinctlyfeltjustthatrudeinclinationtowardher，andhewasashamedandafraidofsomething。AndYefim，standingbesidehim，saidadmonitively：
\"Thereyouarestaringatthewoman，sothatIcannotkeepsilenceanylonger。Youdonotknowher，butwhenshewinksatyou，youmay，becauseofyouryouth——andwithanaturelikeyours——youmaydosuchathingthatwe\'llhavetogohomeonfootbytheshore。Andwe\'llhavetothankGodifourtrousersatleastremainwithus。\"
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"askedFoma，redwithconfusion。
\"Iwantnothing。Andyouhadbettermindme。InregardtoaffairswithwomenImayperfectlywellbeateacher。Youmustdealwithawomanveryplainly——giveherabottleofvodka，somethingtoeatafterit，thenacoupleofbottlesofbeerandaftereverythinggivehertwentykopecksincash。Forthispriceshewillshowyouallherloveinthebestwaypossible。\"
\"Youarelying，\"saidFoma，softly。
\"Iamlying？WhyshallIlietoyousinceIhaveobservedthatsamepolicyperhapsahundredtimes？Justchargemetohavedealingswithher。Eh？I\'llmakeyouacquaintedwithherinamoment。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidFoma，feelingthathecouldhardlybreatheandthatsomethingwaschokinghisthroat。
\"Well，then，I\'llbringherupintheevening。\"
AndYefimsmiledapprovinglyintoFoma\'sfaceandwalkedoff。
UntileveningFomawalkedaboutasthoughlostinmist，notnoticingtherespectfulandbeseechingglanceswithwhichthepeasantsgreetedhimatthereceiver\'sinstigation。Dreadfellonhim，hefelthimselfguiltybeforesomebody，andtoallthosethataddressedhimherepliedhumblyandgently，asthoughexcusinghimselfforsomething。Someoftheworkingpeoplewenthometowardevening，othersgatheredontheshorenearabig，brightbonfireandbegancookingtheirsupper。Fragmentsoftheirconversationfloatedaboutinthestillnessoftheevening。Thereflectionofthefirefellontheriverinredandyellowstripes，whichtrembledonthecalmwaterandonthewindowpanesofthecabinwhereFomawassitting。Hesatinthecorneronalounge，whichwascoveredwithoilcloth——andwaited。Onthetablebeforehimwereafewbottlesofvodkaandbeer，andplateswithbreadanddessert。Hecoveredthewindowsanddidnotlightthelamp；thefaintlightfromthebonfire，penetratingthroughthecurtains，fellonthetable，onthebottlesandonthewall，andtrembled，nowgrowingbrighter，nowfainter。Itwasquietonthesteamerandonthebarges，onlyfromtheshorecameindistinctsoundsofconversation，andtheriverwassplashing，scarcelyaudible，againstthesidesofthesteamer。ItseemedtoFomathatsomebodywashidinginthedarknearby，listeningtohimandspyinguponhim。Nowsomebodyiswalkingoverthegang-plankofthebargeswithquickandheavysteps——thegang-plankstrikesagainstthewaterclangouslyandangrily。Fomahearsthemuffledlaughterofthecaptainandhisloweredvoice。Yefimstandsbythecabindoorandspeakssoftly，butsomewhatreprimandingly，asthoughinstructing。
Fomasuddenlyfeltlikecryingout：
\"Itisnotnecessary！\"
Andhearosefromthelounge——butatthismomentthecabindoorwasopened，thetallformofawomanappearedonthethreshold，and，noiselesslyclosingthedoorbehindher，shesaidinalowvoice：
\"0hdear！Howdarkitis！Istherealivingsoulsomewherearoundhere？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredFoma，softly。
\"Well，then，goodevening。\"
Andthewomanmovedforwardcarefully。
\"I\'lllightthelamp，\"saidFomainabrokenvoice，and，sinkingonthelounge，hecurledhimselfupinthecorner。
\"Itisgoodenoughthisway。Whenyougetusedtoityoucanseeeverythinginthedarkaswell。\"
\"Beseated，\"saidFoma。
\"Iwill。\"
Shesatdownontheloungeabouttwostepsawayfromhim。Fomasawtheglitterofhereyes，hesawasmileonherfulllips。Itseemedtohimthatthissmileofherswasnotatalllikethatothersmilebefore——thissmileseemedplaintive，sad。Thissmileencouragedhim；hebreathedwithlessdifficultyatthesightoftheseeyes，which，onmeetinghisown，suddenlyglanceddownonthefloor。Buthedidnotknowwhattosaytothiswomanandforabouttwominutesbothweresilent。Itwasaheavy，awkwardsilence。
Shebegantospeak：
\"Youmustbefeelinglonesomehereallalone？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredFoma。
\"Anddoyoulikeourplacehere？\"askedthewomaninalowvoice。
\"Itisnice。Therearemanywoodshere。\"
Andagaintheybecamesilent。
\"Theriver，ifyoulike，ismorebeautifulthantheVolga，\"
utteredFoma，withaneffort。
\"IwasontheVolga。\"
\"Where？\"
\"InthecityofSimbirsk。\"
\"Simbirsk？\"repeatedFomalikeanecho，feelingthathewasagainunabletosayaword。
Butsheevidentlyunderstoodwithwhomshehadtodeal，andshesuddenlyaskedhiminaboldwhisper：
\"Whydon\'tyoutreatmetosomething？\"
\"Here！\"Fomagaveastart。\"Indeed，howqueerIam？Well，then，comeuptothetable。\"
Hebustledaboutinthedark，pushedthetable，tookuponebottle，thenanother，andagainreturnedthemtotheirplace，laughingguiltilyandconfusedlyashedidso。Shecameupclosetohimandstoodbyhisside，and，smiling，lookedathisfaceandathistremblinghands。
\"Areyoubashful？\"shesuddenlywhispered。
Hefeltherbreathonhischeekandrepliedjustassoftly：
\"Yes。\"
Thensheplacedherhandsonhisshouldersandquietlydrewhimtoherbreast，sayinginasoothingwhisper：
\"Nevermind，don\'tbebashful，myyoung，handsomedarling。HowI
pityyou！\"
Andhefeltlikecryingbecauseofherwhisper，hisheartwasmeltinginsweetfatigue；pressinghisheadclosetoherbreast，heclaspedherwithhishands，mumblingtohersomeinarticulatewords，whichwereunknowntohimself。
\"Begone！\"saidFomainaheavyvoice，staringatthewallwithhiseyeswideopen。
Havingkissedhimonthecheekshewalkedoutofthecabin，sayingtohim：
\"Well，good-bye。\"
Fomafeltintolerablyashamedinherpresence；butnosoonerdidshedisappearbehindthedoorthanhejumpedupandseatedhimselfonthelounge。Thenhearose，staggering，andatoncehewasseizedwiththefeelingofhavinglostsomethingveryvaluable，somethingwhosepresencehedidnotseemtohavenoticedinhimselfuntilthemomentitwaslost。Butimmediatelyanew，manlyfeelingofself-pridetookpossessionofhim。Itdrownedhisshame，and，insteadoftheshame，pityforthewomansprangupwithinhim——
forthehalf-cladwoman，whowentoutaloneintothedarkofthechillyMaynight。Hehastilycameoutonthedeck——itwasastarlit，butmoonlessnight；thecoolnessandthedarknessembracedhim。Ontheshorethegolden-redpileofcoalswasstillglimmering。Fomalistened——
anoppressivestillnessfilledtheair，onlythewaterwasmurmuring，breakingagainsttheanchorchains。Therewasnotasoundoffootstepstobeheard。Fomanowlongedtocallthewoman，buthedidnotknowhername。Eagerlyinhalingthefreshairintohisbroadchest，hestoodondeckforafewminutes。Suddenly，frombeyondtheroundhouse——
fromtheprow——amoanreachedhisears——adeep，loudmoan，resemblingawail。Heshudderedandwentthithercarefully，understandingthatshewasthere。
Shesatonthedeckclosetothesideofthesteamer，and，leaningherheadagainstaheapofropes，shewept。Fomasawthatherbarewhiteshouldersweretrembling，heheardherpitifulmoans，andbegantofeeldepressed。Bendingoverher，heaskedhertimidly：
\"Whatisit？\"
Shenoddedherheadandsaidnothinginreply。
\"HaveIoffendedyou？\"
\"Goaway，\"shesaid。
\"But，how？\"saidFoma，alarmedandconfused，touchingherheadwithhishand。\"Don\'tbeangry。Youcameofyourownfreewill。\"
\"Iamnotangry！\"sherepliedinaloudwhisper。\"WhyshouldIbeangryatyou？Youarenotaseducer。Youareapuresoul！Eh，mydarling！Beseatedherebymyside。\"
AndtakingFomabythehand，shemadehimsitdown，likeachild，inherlap，pressedhisheadclosetoherbreast，and，bendingoverhim，pressedherlipstohisforalongtime。
\"Whatareyoucryingabout？\"askedFoma，caressinghercheekwithonehand，whiletheotherclaspedthewoman\'sneck。
\"Iamcryingaboutmyself。Whyhaveyousentmeaway？\"sheaskedplaintively。
\"Ibegantofeelashamedofmyself，\"saidFoma，loweringhishead。
\"Mydarling！Tellmethetruth——haven\'tyoubeenpleasedwithme？\"
sheaskedwithasmile，butherbig，hottearswerestilltricklingdownonFoma\'sbreast。
\"Whyshouldyouspeaklikethis？\"exclaimedtheyouth，almostfrightened，andhotlybegantomumbletohersomewordsaboutherbeauty，aboutherkindness，tellingherhowsorryhewasforherandhowbashfulinherpresence。Andshelistenedandkeptonkissinghischeeks，hisneck，hisheadandhisuncoveredbreast。
Hebecamesilent——thenshebegantospeak——softlyandmournfullyasthoughspeakingofthedead：
\"AndIthoughtitwassomethingelse。Whenyousaid，\'Begone！\'I
gotupandwentaway。Andyourwordsmademefeelsad，verysad。
Therewasatime，Iremembered，whentheycaressedmeandfondledmeunceasingly，withoutgrowingtired；forasinglekindsmiletheyusedtodoformeanythingIpleased。Irecalledallthisandbegantocry！Ifeltsorryformyyouth，forIamnowthirtyyearsold，thelastdaysforawoman！Eh，FomaIgnatyevich！\"sheexclaimed，liftinghervoicelouder，andreiteratingtherhythmofherharmoniousspeech，whoseaccentsroseandfellinunisonwiththemelodiousmurmuringofthewater。
\"Listentome——preserveyouryouth！Thereisnothingintheworldbetterthanthat。Thereisnothingmorepreciousthanyouth。Withyouth，aswithgold，youcanaccomplishanythingyouplease。Livesothatyoushallhaveinoldagesomethingtoremindyouofyouryouth。HereIrecalledmyself，andthoughIcried，yetmyheartblazedupattheveryrecollectionofmypastlife。AndagainI
wasyoung，asthoughIdrankofthewateroflife！MysweetchildI\'llhaveagoodtimewithyou，ifIpleaseyou，we\'llenjoyourselvesasmuchaswecan。Eh！I\'llburntoashes，nowthatIhaveblazedup！\"
Andpressingtheyouthclosetoherself，shegreedilybegantokisshimonthelips。
\"Lo-o-oko-u-u-u-t！\"thewatchonthebargewailedmournfully，and，cuttingshortthelastsyllable，begantostrikehismalletagainstthecast-ironboard。
Theshrill，tremblingsoundsharshlybrokethesolemnquietofthenight。
Afewdayslater，whenthebargeshaddischargedtheircargoandthesteamerwasreadytoleaveforPerm，Yefimnoticed，tohisgreatsorrow，thatacartcameuptotheshoreandthatthedark-
eyedPelageya，withatrunkandwithsomebundles，wasinit。
\"Sendasailortobringherthings，\"orderedFoma，noddinghisheadtowardtheshore。
Withareproachfulshakeofhishead，Yefimcarriedouttheorderangrily，andthenaskedinaloweredvoice：
\"Soshe，too，iscomingwithus？\"
\"Sheisgoingwithme，\"Fomaannouncedshortly。
\"Itisunderstood。Notwithallofus。Oh，Lord！\"
\"Whyareyousighing？\"
\"Yes。FomaIgnatyich！Wearegoingtoabigcity。Aretherenotplentyofwomenofherkind？\"
\"Well，keepquiet！\"saidFoma，sternly。
\"Iwillkeepquiet，butthisisn\'tright！\"
\"What？\"
\"Thisverywantonnessofours。Oursteamerisperfect，clean——andsuddenlythereisawomanthere！Andifitwereatleasttherightsortofawoman！Butasitis，shemerelybearsthenameofwoman。\"
Fomafrownedinsinuatinglyandaddressedthecaptain，imperiouslyemphasizinghiswords：
\"Yefim，Iwantyoutobearitinmind，andtotellittoeverybodyhere，thatifanyonewillutteranobscenewordabouther，I\'llstrikehimontheheadwithalogofwood！\"
\"Howterrible！\"saidYefim，incredulously，lookingintothemaster\'sfacewithcuriosity。Butheimmediatelymadeastepbackward。Ignat\'sson，likeawolf，showedhisteeth，theapplesofhiseyesbecamewider，andheroared：
\"Laugh！I\'llshowyouhowtolaugh！\"
ThoughYefimlostcourage，heneverthelesssaidwithdignity：
\"Althoughyou，FomaIgnatyich，arethemaster，yetasIwastold，\'Watch，Yefim，\'andthenIamthecaptainhere。\"
\"Thecaptain？\"criedFoma，shudderingineverylimbandturningpale。\"AndwhoamI？\"
\"Well，don\'tbawl！Onaccountofsuchatrifleasawoman。\"
RedspotscameoutonFoma\'spaleface，heshiftedfromonefoottotheother，thrusthishandsintothepocketsofhisjacketwithaconvulsivemotionandsaidinafirmandevenvoice：
\"You！Captain！Seehere，sayanotherwordagainstme——andyougotothedevil！I\'llputyouashore！I\'llgetalongaswellwiththepilot！Understand？Youcannotcommandme。Doyousee？\"
Yefimwasdumfounded。Helookedathismasterandcomicallywinkedhiseyes，findingnoreplytohiswords。
\"Doyouunderstand，Isay？\"
\"Yes。Iunderstand！\"drawledYefim。\"Butwhatisallthisnoiseabout？Onaccountof——\"
\"Silence！\"
Foma\'seyes，whichflashedwildly，andhisfacedistortedwithwrath，suggestedtothecaptainthehappythoughttoleavehismasterassoonaspossibleand，turningaroundquickly，hewalkedoff。
\"Pshaw！Howterrible！Asitseemstheappledidnotfalltoofarfromthetree，\"hemutteredsneeringly，walkingonthedeck。HewasangryatFoma，andconsideredhimselfoffendedfornothing，butatthesametimehebegantofeeloverhimselfthereal，firmhandofamaster。Foryearsaccustomedtobeingsubordinate，heratherlikedthismanifestationofpoweroverhim，and，enteringthecabinoftheoldpilot，herelatedtohimthescenebetweenhimselfandhismaster，withashadeofsatisfactioninhisvoice。
\"See？\"heconcludedhisstory。\"Apupcomingfromagoodbreedisanexcellentdogattheveryfirstchase。Fromhisexteriorheisso-so。Amanofratherheavymindasyet。Well，nevermind，lethimhavehisfun。Itseemsnowasthoughnothingwrongwillcomeoutofthis。Withacharacterlikehis，no。Howhebawledatme！
Aregulartrumpet，Itellyou！Andheappointedhimselfmasteratonce。Asthoughhehadsippedpowerandstrictnessoutofaladle。\"
Yefimspokethetruth：duringthesefewdaysFomaunderwentastrikingtransformation。Thepassionnowkindledinhimmadehimmasterofthesoulandbodyofawoman；heeagerlyabsorbedthefierysweetnessofthispower，andthisburnedoutallthatwasawkwardinhim，allthatgavehimtheappearanceofasomewhatstupid，gloomyfellow，and，destroyingit，filledhisheartwithyouthfulpride，withtheconsciousnessofhishumanpersonality。
Loveforawomanisalwaysfruitfultotheman，bethelovewhateveritmay；eventhoughitweretocausebutsufferingsthereisalwaysmuchthatisrichinit。Workingasapowerfulpoisononthosewhosesoulsareafflicted，itisforthehealthymanasfireforiron，whichistobetransformedintosteel。
Foma\'spassionforthethirty-year-oldwoman，wholamentedinhisembracesherdeadyouth，didnottearhimawayfromhisaffairs；
hewasneverlostinthecaresses，orinhisaffairs，bringingintobothhiswholeself。Thewoman，likegoodwine，provokedinhimalikeathirstforlabourandforlove，andshe，too，becameyoungerfromthekissesoftheyouth。
InPerm，Fomafoundaletterwaitingforhim。Itwasfromhisgodfather，whonotifiedhimthatIgnat，outofanxietyforhisson，hadbeguntodrinkheavily，andthatitwasharmfultodrinkthus，foramanofhisage。Theletterconcludedwithadvicetohurryupmattersinordertoreturnhomethesooner。Fomafeltalarmedoverthisadvice，anditcloudedtheclearholidayofhisheart。Butthisshadowsoonmeltedinhisworriesoverhisaffairs，andinthecaressesofPelageya。Hislifestreamedonwiththeswiftnessofariverwave，andeachdaybroughttohimnewsensations，awakeninginhimnewthoughts。Pelageya\'srelationswithhimcontainedallthepassionofamistress，allthatpoweroffeelingwhichwomenofherageputintotheirpassionwhendrinkingthelastdropsfromthecupoflife。Butattimesadifferentfeelingawokeinher，afeelingnotlesspowerful，andbywhichFomabecamestillmoreattachedtoher——somethingsimilartoamother\'syearningtoguardherbelovedsonfromerrors，toteachhimthewisdomoflife。Oftentimesatnight，sittinginhisembracesonthedeck，shespoketohimtenderlyandsadly：
\"Mindmeasanoldersisterofyours。Ihavelived，Iknowmen。I
haveseenagreatdealinmylife！Chooseyourcompanionswithcare，fortherearepeoplejustascontagiousasadisease。Atfirstyoucannottellthemevenwhenyouseethem；helookstobeamanlikeeverybodyelse，and，suddenly，withoutbeingawareofityourself，youwillstarttoimitatehiminlife。Youlookaround——
andyoufindthatyouhavecontractedhisscabs。Imyselfhavelosteverythingonaccountofafriend。Ihadahusbandandtwochildren。
Welivedwell。Myhusbandwasaclerkatavolost。\"Shebecamesilentandlookedforalongtimeatthewater，whichwasstirredbythevessel。Thensheheavedasighandspoketohimagain：
\"MaytheHolyVirginguardyoufromwomenofmykind——becareful。
Youaretenderasyet，yourhearthasnotbecomeproperlyhardened。
Andwomenarefondofsuchasyou——strong，handsome，rich。Andmostofallbewareofthequietwomen。Theysticktoamanlikeblood-
suckers，andsuckandsuck。Andatthesametimetheyarealwayssokind，sogentle。Theywillkeeponsuckingyourjuice，butwillpreservethemselves。They\'llonlybreakyourheartinvain。Youhadbetterhavedealingswiththosethatarebold，likemyself。Theselivenotforthesakeofgain。\"
Andshewasindeeddisinterested。InPermFomapurchasedforherdifferentnewthingsandwhat-not。Shewasdelighted，butlater，havingexaminedthem，shesaidsadly：
\"Don\'tsquanderyourmoneytoofreely。Seethatyourfatherdoesnotgetangry。Iloveyouanyway，withoutallthis。\"
ShehadalreadytoldhimthatshewouldgowithhimonlyasfarasKazan，whereshehadamarriedsister。Fomacouldnotbelievethatshewouldleavehim，andwhen，ontheeveoftheirarrivalatKazan，sherepeatedherwords，hebecamegloomyandbegantoimplorehernottoforsakehim。
\"Donotfeelsorryinadvance，\"shesaid。\"Wehaveawholenightbeforeus。YouwillhavetimetofeelsorrywhenIbidyougood-
bye，ifyouwillfeelsorryatall。\"
Buthestilltriedtopersuadehernottoforsakehim，and，finally——
whichwastobeexpected——announcedhisdesiretomarryher。
\"So，so！\"andshebegantolaugh。\"ShallImarryyouwhilemyhusbandisstillalive？Mydarling，myqueerfellow！Youhaveadesiretomarry，eh？ButdotheymarrysuchwomenasIam？Youwillhavemany，manymistresses。Marrythen，whenyouhaveoverflowed，whenyouhavehadyourfillofallsweetsandfeellikehavingryebread。Thenyoumaymarry！Ihavenoticedthatahealthyman，forhisownpeace，mustnotmarryearly。Onewomanwillnotbeenoughtosatisfyhim，andhe\'llgotootherwomen。
Andforyourownhappiness，youshouldtakeawifeonlywhenyouknowthatshealonewillsufficeforyou。\"
Butthemoreshespoke，themorepersistentFomabecameinhisdesirenottopartwithher。
\"JustlistentowhatI\'lltellyou，\"saidthewoman，calmly。\"A
splinterofwoodisburninginyourhand，andyoucanseewellevenwithoutitslight——youhadbetterdipitintowater，sothattherewillbenosmellofsmokeandyourhandwillnotbeburned。\"
\"Idonotunderstandyourwords。\"
\"Dounderstand。Youhavedonemenowrong，andIdonotwishtodoyouany。And，therefore，Iamgoingaway。\"
Itishardtosaywhatmighthavebeentheresultofthisdisputeifanaccidenthadnotinterferedwithit。InKazanFomareceivedatelegramfromMayakin，whowrotetohisgodsonbriefly：\"Comeimmediatelyonthepassengersteamer。\"Foma\'sheartcontractednervously，andafewhourslater，gloomyandpale，histeethsettogether，hestoodonthedeckofthesteamer，whichwasleavingtheharbour，andclingingtotherailwithhishands，hestaredmotionlesslyintothefaceofhislove，whowasfloatingfarawayfromhimtogetherwiththeharbourandtheshore。Pelageyawavedherhandkerchiefandsmiled，butheknewthatshewascrying，sheddingmanypainfultears。
FromhertearstheentirefrontofFoma\'sshirtwaswet，andfromhertears，hisheart，fullofgloomyalarm，wassadandcold。Thefigureofthewomanwasgrowingsmallerandsmaller，asthoughmeltingaway，andFoma，withoutliftinghiseyes，staredatherandfeltthatasidefromfearforhisfatherandsorrowforthewoman，somenew，powerfulandcausticsensationwasawakeninginhissoul。
Hecouldnotnameit，butitseemedtohimassomethinglikeagrudgeagainstsomeone。
Thecrowdintheharbourblendedintoaclose，darkanddeadspot，faceless，formless，motionless。Fomawentawayfromtherailandbegantopacethedeckgloomily。
Thepassengers，conversingaloud，seatedthemselvestodrinktea；
theportersbustledaboutonthegallery，settingthetables；
somewherebelow，onthestern，inthethirdclass，achildwascrying，aharmonicawaswailing，thecookwaschoppingsomethingwithknives，thedisheswerejarring——producingaratherharshnoise。Cuttingthewavesandmakingfoam，shudderingunderthestrainandsighingheavily，theenormoussteamermovedrapidlyagainstthecurrent。Fomalookedatthewidestripofbroken，struggling，andenragedwavesatthesternofthesteamer，andbegantofeelawilddesiretobreakortearsomething；alsotogo，breastforemost，againstthecurrentandtomassitspressureagainsthimself，againsthisbreastandhisshoulders。
\"Fate！\"saidsomeonebesidehiminahoarseandwearyvoice。
Thiswordwasfamiliartohim：hisAuntAnfisahadoftenuseditasananswertohisquestions，andhehadinvestedinthisbriefwordaconceptionofapower，similartothepowerofGod。Heglancedatthespeakers：oneofthemwasagraylittleoldman，withakindface；theotherwasyounger，withbig，wearyeyesandwithalittleblackwedge-shapedbeard。Hisbiggristlynoseandhisyellow，sunkencheeksremindedFomaofhisgodfather。
\"Fate！\"Theoldmanrepeatedtheexclamationofhisinterlocutorwithconfidence，andbegantosmile。\"Fateinlifeislikeafishermanontheriver：itthrowsabaitedhooktowardusintothetumultofourlifeandwedartatitwithgreedymouths。Thenfatepullsuptherod——andthemanisstruggling，floppingontheground，andthenyouseehisheartisbroken。That\'showitis，mydearman。\"
Fomaclosedhiseyes，asifarayofthesunhadfallenfullonthem，andshakinghishead，hesaidaloud：
\"True！Thatistrue！\"
Thecompanionslookedathimfixedly：theoldman，withafine，wisesmile；thelarge-eyedman，unfriendly，askance。ThisconfusedFoma；heblushedandwalkedaway，thinkingofFateandwonderingwhyithadfirsttreatedhimkindlybygivinghimawoman，andthentookbackthegiftfromhim，sosimplyandabusively？Andhenowunderstoodthatthevague，causticfeelingwhichhecarriedwithinhimwasagrudgeagainstFateforthussportingwithhim。Hehadbeentoomuchspoiledbylife，toregardmoreplainlythefirstdropofpoisonfromthecupwhichwasjuststarted，andhepassedallthetimeofthejourneywithoutsleep，ponderingovertheoldman\'swordsandfondlinghisgrudge。Thisgrudge，however，didnotawakeninhimdespondencyandsorrow，butratherafeelingofangerandrevenge。
Fomawasmetbyhisgodfather，andtohishastyandagitatedquestion，Mayakin，hisgreenishlittleeyesflashingexcitedly，saidwhenheseatedhimselfinthecarriagebesidehisgodson：
\"Yourfatherhasgrownchildish。\"
\"Drinking？\"
\"Worse——hehaslosthismindcompletely。\"
\"Really？0hLord！Tellme。\"
\"Don\'tyouunderstand？Acertainladyisalwaysaroundhim。\"
\"Whatabouther？\"exclaimedFoma，recallinghisPelageya，andforsomereasonorotherhisheartwasfilledwithjoy。
\"Shestickstohimand——bleedshim。\"
\"Issheaquietone？\"
\"She？Quietasafire。Seventy-fivethousandroublessheblewoutofhispocketlikeafeather！\"
\"Oh！Whoisshe？\"
\"SonkaMedinskaya，thearchitect\'swife。\"
\"GreatGod！Isitpossiblethatshe——Didmyfather——Isitpossiblethathetookherashissweetheart？\"askedFoma，withastonishment，inalowvoice。
Hisgodfatherdrewbackfromhim，andcomicallyopeninghiseyeswide，saidconvincedly：
\"Youareoutofyourmind，too！ByGod，you\'reoutofyourmind！