Cometoyoursenses！Asweetheartattheageofsixty-three！Andatsuchapriceasthis。Whatareyoutalkingabout？Well，I\'lltellthistoIgnat。\"
AndMayakinfilledtheairwithajarring，hastylaughter，atwhichhisgoat-likebeardbegantotrembleinanuncomelymanner。IttookFomaalongtimetoobtainacategoricalanswer；theoldman，contrarytohishabit，wasrestlessandirritated；hisspeech，usuallyfluent，wasnowinterrupted；hewasswearingandexpectoratingashespoke，anditwaswithdifficultythatFomalearnedwhatthematterwas。
SophyaPavlovnaMedinskaya，thewealthyarchitect\'swife，whowaswellknowninthecityforhertirelesseffortsinthelineofarrangingvariouscharitableprojects，persuadedIgnattoendowseventy-fivethousandroublesfortheerectionofalodging-houseinthecityandofapubliclibrarywithareading-room。Ignathadgiventhemoney，andalreadythenewspaperslaudedhimforhisgenerosity。Fomahadseenthewomanmorethanonceonthestreets；shewasshort；heknewthatshewasconsideredasoneofthemostbeautifulwomeninthecity，andthatbadrumourswereafootastoherbehaviour。
\"Isthatall？\"exclaimedFoma，whenhisgodfatherconcludedthestory。
\"AndIthoughtGodknowswhat！\"
\"You？Youthought？\"criedMayakin，suddenlygrownangry。\"Youthoughtnothing，youbeardlessyoungster！\"
\"Whydoyouabuseme？\"Fomasaid。
\"Tellme，inyouropinion，isseventy-fivethousandroublesabigsumornot？\"
\"Yes，abigsum，\"saidFoma，afteramoment\'sthought。
\"Ah，ha！\"
\"Butmyfatherhasmuchmoney。Whydoyoumakesuchafussaboutit？\"
YakovTarasovichwastakenaback。Helookedintotheyouth\'sfacewithcontemptandaskedhiminafaintvoice：
\"Andyouspeaklikethis？\"
\"I？Whothen？\"
\"Youlie！Itisyouryoungfoolishnessthatspeaks。Yes！Andmyoldfoolishness——broughttotestamilliontimesbylife——saysthatyouareayoungdogasyet，anditistooearlyforyoutobarkinabasso。\"
Fomahearingthis，hadoftenbeenquiteprovokedbyhisgodfather\'stoopicturesquelanguage。
Mayakinalwaysspoketohimmoreroughlythanhisfather，butnowtheyouthfeltverymuchoffendedbytheoldmanandsaidtohimreservedly，butfirmly：
\"Youhadbetternotabusemewithoutreflection，forIamnolongerasmallchild。\"
\"Come，come！\"exclaimedMayakin，mockinglyliftinghiseyebrowsandsquinting。
ThisrousedFoma\'sindignation。Helookedfullintotheoldman\'seyesandarticulatedwithemphasis：
\"AndIamtellingyouthatIdon\'twanttohearanymoreofthatundeservedabuseofyours。Enough！\"
\"Mm！So-o！Pardonme。\"
YakovTarasovichclosedhiseyes，chewedalittlewithhislips，and，turningasidefromhisgodson，keptsilentforawhile。Thecarriageturnedintoanarrowstreet，and，noticingfromafartheroofofhishouse，Fomainvoluntarilymovedforward。AtthesametimeMayakinaskedhimwitharoguishandgentlesmile：
\"Foma！Tellme——onwhomyouhavesharpenedyourteeth？Eh？\"
\"Why，aretheysharp？\"askedFoma，pleasedwiththemannerinwhichMayakinnowregardedhim。
\"Prettygood。That\'sgood，dear。That\'sverygood！YourfatherandIwereafraidlestyoushouldbealaggard。Well，haveyoulearnedtodrinkvodka？\"
\"Idrankit。\"
\"Rathertoosoon！Didyoudrinkmuchofit？\"
\"Whymuch？\"
\"Doesittastegood？\"
\"Notvery。\"
\"So。Nevermind，allthisisnotsobad。Onlyyouaretoooutspoken。
Youarereadytoconfessallyoursinstoeachandeverypopethatcomesalong。Youmustconsideritisn\'talwaysnecessarytodothat。
Sometimesbykeepingsilentyoubothpleasepeopleandcommitnosins。Yes。A
man\'stongueisveryseldomsober。Hereweare。See，yourfatherdoesnotknowthatyouhavearrived。Ishehomeyet，Iwonder？\"
Hewasathome：hisloud，somewhathoarselaughterwasheardfromtheopenwindowsoftherooms。Thenoiseofthecarriage，whichstoppedatthehouse，causedIgnattolookoutofthewindow，andatthesightofhissonhecriedoutwithjoy：
\"Ah！You\'vecome。\"
AfterawhilehepressedFomatohisbreastwithonehand，and，pressingthepalmofhisotherhandagainsthisson\'sforehead，thusbendinghisheadback，helookedintohisfacewithbeamingeyesandspokecontentedly：
\"Youaresunburnt。You\'vegrownstrong。You\'reafinefellow！Madame！
How\'smyson？Isn\'thefine？\"
\"Notbadlooking，\"agentle，silvervoicewasheard。Fomaglancedfrombehindhisfather\'sshoulderandnoticedthataslenderwomanwithmagnificentfairhairwassittinginthefrontcorneroftheroom，restingherelbowsonthetable；herdarkeyes，herthineyebrowsandplump，redlipsstrikinglydefinedonherpaleface。Behindherarmchairstoodalargephilodendron-plantwhosebig，figuredleaveswerehangingdownintheairoverherlittlegoldenhead。
\"Howdoyoudo，SophyaPavlovna，\"saidMayakin，tenderly，approachingherwithhishandoutstretched。\"What，areyoustillcollectingcontributionsfrompoorpeoplelikeus？\"
Fomabowedtohermutely，nothearingheranswertoMayakin，norwhathisfatherwassayingtohim。Theladystaredathimsteadfastlyandsmiledtohimaffablyandserenely。Herchildlikefigure，clothedinsomekindofdarkfabric，wasalmostblendedwiththecrimsonstuffofthearmchair，whileherwavy，goldenhairandherpalefaceshoneagainstthedarkbackground。Sittingthereinthecorner，beneaththegreenleaves，shelookedatoncelikeaflower，andlikeanikon。
\"See，SophyaPavlovna，howheisstaringatyou。Aneagle，eh？\"
saidIgnat。
Hereyesbecamenarrower，afaintblushleapedtohercheeks，andsheburstintolaughter。Itsoundedlikethetinklingofalittlesilverbell。Andsheimmediatelyarose，saying：
\"Iwouldn\'tdisturbyou。Good-bye！\"
WhenshewentpastFomanoiselessly，thescentofperfumecametohim，andhenoticedthathereyesweredarkblue，andhereyebrowsalmostblack。
\"Theslyrogueglidedaway，\"saidMayakininalowvoice，angrilylookingafterher。
\"Well，tellushowwasthetrip？Haveyousquanderedmuchmoney？\"
roaredIgnat，pushinghissonintothesamearmchairwhereMedinskayahadbeensittingawhilebefore。Fomalookedathimaskanceandseatedhimselfinanotherchair。
\"Isn\'tsheabeautifulyoungwoman，eh？\"saidMayakin，smiling，feelingFomawithhiscunningeyes。\"Ifyoukeepongapingathershewilleatawayallyourinsides。\"
Fomashudderedforsomereasonorother，and，sayingnothinginreply，begantotellhisfatheraboutthejourneyinamatter-of-facttone。
ButIgnatinterruptedhim：
\"Wait，I\'llaskforsomecognac。\"
\"Andyouarekeepingondrinkingallthetime，theysay，\"saidFoma，disapprovingly。
Ignatglancedathissonwithsurpriseandcuriosity，andasked：
\"Isthisthewaytospeaktoyourfather？\"
Fomabecameconfusedandloweredhishead。
\"That\'sit！\"saidIgnat，kind-heartedly，andorderedcognactobebroughttohim。
Mayakin，winkinghiseyes，lookedattheGordyeeffs，sighed，bidthemgood-bye，and，afterinvitingthemtohaveteawithhiminhisraspberrygardenintheevening，wentaway。
\"WhereisAuntAnfisa？\"askedFoma，feelingthatnow，beingalonewithhisfather，hewassomewhatillatease。
\"Shewenttothecloister。Well，tellme，andIwillhavesomecognac。\"
Fomatoldhisfatherallabouthisaffairsinafewminutesandheconcludedhisstorywithafrankconfession：
\"Ihavespentmuchmoneyonmyself。\"
\"Howmuch？\"
\"Aboutsixhundredroubles。\"
\"Insixweeks！That\'sagooddeal。Iseeasaclerkyou\'retooexpensiveforme。Wherehaveyousquandereditall？\"
\"Igaveawaythreehundredpudsofgrain。\"
\"Towhom？How？\"
Fomatoldhimallaboutit。
\"Hm！Well，that\'sallright！\"Ignatapproved。\"That\'stoshowwhatstuffwearemadeof。That\'sclearenough——forthefather\'shonour——
forthehonourofthefirm。Andthereisnolosseither，becausethatgivesagoodreputation。Andthat，mydear，istheverybestsignboardforabusiness。Well，whatelse？\"
\"Andthen，Isomehowspentmore。\"
\"Speakfrankly。It\'snotthemoneythatIamaskingyouabout——I
justwanttoknowhowyoulivedthere，\"insistedIgnat，regardinghissonattentivelyandsternly。
\"Iwaseating，drinking。\"Fomadidnotgivein，bendinghisheadmoroselyandconfusedly。
\"Drinkingvodka？\"
\"Vodka，too。\"
\"Ah！So。Isn\'titrathertoosoon？\"
\"AskYefimwhetherIeverdrankenoughtobeintoxicated。\"
\"WhyshouldIaskYefim？Youmusttellmeeverythingyourself。Soyouaredrinking？Idon\'tlikeit。\"
\"ButIcangetalongwithoutdrinking。\"
\"Come，come！Doyouwantsomecognac？\"
Fomalookedathisfatherandsmiledbroadly。Andhisfatheransweredhimwithakindlysmile：
\"Eh，you。Devil！Drink，butlookout——knowyourbusiness。Whatcanyoudo？Adrunkardwillsleephimselfsober，afool——never。
Letusunderstandthismuchatleast，forourownconsolation。
Anddidyouhaveagoodtimewithgirls，too？Befrank！AreyouafraidthatIwillbeatyou，orwhat？\"
\"Yes。Therewasoneonthesteamer。IhadhertherefromPermtoKazan。\"
\"So，\"Ignatsighedheavilyandsaid，frowning：\"You\'vebecomedefiledrathertoosoon。\"
\"Iamtwentyyearsold。Andyouyourselftoldmethatinyourdaysfellowsmarriedattheageoffifteen，\"repliedFoma，confused。
\"Thentheymarried。Verywell，then，letusdropthesubject。Well，you\'vehaddealingswithawoman。Whatofit？Awomanislikevaccination，youcannotpassyourlifewithouther。Asformyself，Icannotplaythehypocrite。IbegantogoaroundwithwomenwhenI
wasyoungerthanyouarenow。Butyoumustbeonyourguardwiththem。\"
Ignatbecamepensiveandwassilentforalongtime，sittingmotionless，hisheadbentlowonhisbreast。
\"Listen，Foma，\"hestartedagain，sternlyandfirmly。\"Ishalldiebeforelong。Iamold。Somethingoppressesmybreast。I
breathewithdifficulty。I\'lldie。Thenallmyaffairswillfallonyourshoulders。Atfirstyourgodfatherwillassistyou——mindhim！Youstartedquitewell；youattendedtoeverythingproperly；
youheldthereinsfirmlyinyourhands。Andthoughyoudidsquanderabigsumofmoney，itisevidentthatyoudidnotloseyourhead。Godgrantthesameinthefuture。Youshouldknowthis：
businessisaliving，strongbeast；youmustmanageitably；youmustputastrongbridleonitoritwillconqueryou。Trytostandaboveyourbusiness。Placeyourselfsothatitwillallbeunderyourfeet；
thateachlittletackshallbevisibletoyou。\"
Fomalookedathisfather\'sbroadchest，heardhisheavyvoiceandthoughttohimself：
\"Oh，butyouwon\'tdiesosoon！\"
Thisthoughtpleasedhimandawakenedinhimakind，warmfeelingforhisfather。
\"Relyuponyourgodfather。Hehasenoughcommonsenseinhisheadtosupplythewholetownwithit。Allhelacksiscourage，orhewouldhaverisenhigh。Yes，Itellyoumydaysoneartharenumbered。
Indeed，itishightimetopreparemyselffordeath；tocasteverythingaside；tofast，andseetoitthatpeoplebearmegood-
will。\"
\"Theywill！\"saidFomawithconfidence。
\"Iftherewerebutareasonwhytheyshould。\"
\"Andthelodging-house？\"
Ignatlookedathissonandbegantolaugh。
\"Yakovhashadtimetotellittoyoualready！Theoldmiser。Hemusthaveabusedme？\"
\"Alittle。\"Fomasmiled。
\"Ofcourse！Don\'tIknowhim？\"
\"Hespokeofitasthoughitwerehisownmoney。\"
Ignatleanedbackinhischairandburstintostilllouderlaughter。
\"Theoldraven，eh？That\'squitetrue。Whetheritbehisownmoneyormine，itisallthesametohim。Thereheistremblingnow。Hehasanaiminview，thebald-headedfellow。Canyoutellmewhatitis？\"
Fomathoughtawhileandsaid：
\"Idon\'tknow。\"
\"Eh，you\'restupid。Hewantstotellourfortunes。\"
Howisthat？\"
\"Comenow，guess！\"
Fomalookedathisfatherand——guessedit。Hisfacebecamegloomy，heslightlyraisedhimselffromthearmchairandsaidresolutely：
\"No，Idon\'twantto。Ishallnotmarryher！\"
\"Oh？Whyso？Sheisastronggirl；sheisnotfoolish；she\'shisonlychild。\"
\"AndTaras？Thelostone？ButI——Idon\'twanttoatall！\"
\"Thelostoneisgone，consequentlyitisnotworthwhilespeakingofhim。Thereisawill，dear，whichsays：\'Allmymovableandrealestatesshallgotomydaughter，Lubov。\'Andastothefactthatsheisyourgodfather\'sdaughter，we\'llsetthisright。\"
\"Itisallthesame，\"saidFoma，firmly。\"Ishallnotmarryher！\"
\"Well，itisratherearlytospeakofitnow！Butwhydoyoudislikehersomuch？\"
Idonotlikesuchassheis。\"
\"So-o！Justthinkofit！Andwhichwomenaremoretoyourliking，sir，mayIask？\"
\"Thosethataremoresimple。She\'salwaysbusywithherGymnasiumstudentsandwithherbooks。She\'sbecomelearned。She\'llbelaughingatmyexpense，\"saidFoma，emotionally。
\"Thatisquitetrue。Sheistoobold。Butthatisatrifle。Allsortsofrustcanberemovedifyoutrytodoit。That\'samatterforthefuture。Andyourgodfatherisacleveroldman。Hiswasapeaceful，sedentarylife；sittinginoneplacehegaveathoughttoeverything。Itisworthwhilelisteningtohim，forhecanseethewrongsideofeachandeveryworldlyaffair。Heisouraristocrat——
descendingfromMotherYekaterina——ha，ha！Heunderstandsagreatdealabouthimself。AndashisstemwascutoffbyTaras，hedecidedtoputyouinTaras\'splace，doyousee？\"
\"No，I\'dratherselectmyplacemyself，\"saidFoma，stubbornly。
\"Youarefoolishasyet。\"Ignatsmiledinreplytohisson\'swords。
TheirconversationwasinterruptedbythearrivalofAuntAnfisa。
\"Foma！You\'vecome，\"shecriedout，somewherebehindthedoors。
Fomaroseandwenttomeether，withagentlesmile。
Againhislifestreamedonslowly，calmly，monotonously。AgaintheExchangeandhisfather\'sinstructions。Retainingakindlysarcasticandencouragingtoneinhisrelationtowardhisson，Ignatbegantotreathimmorestrictly。Hecensuredhimforeachandeverytrifleandconstantlyremindedhimthathebroughthimupfreely；thathewasneverinhiswayandthatheneverbeathim。
\"Otherfathersbeatfellowslikeyourselfwithlogsofwood。AndInevereventouchedyouwithafinger。\"
\"EvidentlyIdidn\'tdeserveit，\"saidFomaoneday，calmly。
Ignatbecameangryathissonforthesewordsandforthetone。
\"Don\'ttalksomuch！\"heroared。\"You\'vepickedupcouragebecauseofthesoftnessofmyhand。YoufindananswertoeverywordIsay。
Beware；thoughmyhandwassoft，itcanneverthelessstillsqueezeyousothattearswillgushforthfromyourheels。You\'vegrownuptoosoon，likeatoad-stool，justsprungupfromtheground。Youhaveabadsmellalready。\"
\"Whyareyousoangryatme？\"askedFoma，perplexedandoffended，whenhisfatherchancedtobeinahappyframeofmind。
\"Becauseyoucannottolerateitwhenyourfathergrumblesatyou。
You\'rereadytoquarrelimmediately。\"
\"Butitisoffensive。IhavenotgrownworsethanIwasbefore。
Don\'tIseehowothersliveatmyage？\"
\"Yourheadwouldn\'tfallofffrommyscoldingyou。AndIscoldyoubecauseIseethereissomethinginyouthatisnotmine。Whatitis，Idonotknow，butIseeitisthere。Andthatsomethingisharmfultoyou。\"
ThesewordsofIgnatmadethesonverythoughtful。Fomaalsofeltsomethingstrangeinhimself，somethingwhichdistinguishedhimfromtheyouthofhisage，buthe，too，couldnotunderstandwhatitwas。Andhelookedathimselfwithsuspicion。
FomalikedtobeontheExchangeamidthebustleandtalkofthesedatepeoplewhoweremakingdealsamountingtothousandsofroubles；therespectwithwhichthelesswell-to-dotradesmengreetedandspoketohim——toFoma，thesonofthemillionaire——
flatteredhimgreatly。Hefelthappyandproudwheneverhesuccessfullymanagedsomepartofhisfather\'sbusiness，assumingallresponsibilityonhisownshoulders，andreceivedasmileofapprovalfromhisfatherforit。Therewasinhimagreatdealofambition，yearningtoappearasagrown-upmanofbusiness，but——
justasbeforehistriptoPerm——helivedasinsolitude；hestillfeltnolongingforfriends，althoughhenowcameincontacteverydaywiththemerchants\'sonsofhisage。Theyhadinvitedhimmorethanoncetojointhemintheirsprees，butheratherrudelyanddisdainfullydeclinedtheirinvitationsandevenlaughedatthem。
\"Iamafraid。Yourfathersmaylearnofyoursprees，andasthey\'llgiveyouadrubbing，Imightalsocomeinforashare。\"
Whathedidnotlikeinthemwasthattheywereleadingadissipatedanddepravedlife，withouttheirfathers\'knowledge，andthatthemoneytheywerespendingwaseitherstolenfromtheirparentsorborrowedonlong-termedpromissorynotes，tobepaidwithexorbitantinterest。
Theyinturndidnotlikehimforthisveryreserveandaversion，whichcontainedthepridesooffensivetothem。Hewastimidaboutspeakingtopeopleolderthanhimself，fearinglestheshouldappearintheireyesstupidandthick-headed。
HeoftenrecalledPelageya，andatfirsthefeltmelancholywheneverherimageflashedbeforehisimagination。Buttimewenton，andlittlebylittlerubbedoffthebrightcoloursofthiswoman；andbeforehewasawareofithisthoughtswereoccupiedbytheslender，angel-likeMedinskaya。SheusedtocomeuptoIgnatalmosteverySundaywithvariousrequests，allofwhichgenerallyhadbutoneaim——tohastenthebuildingofthelodging-asylum。InherpresenceFomafeltawkward，huge，heavy；thispainedhim，andheblusheddeeplyundertheendearinglookofSophyaPavlovna\'slargeeyes。Henoticedthateverytimeshelookedathim，hereyeswouldgrowdarker，whileherupperlipwouldtrembleandraiseitselfslightly，thusdisplayingverysmallwhiteteeth。Thisalwaysfrightenedhim。WhenhisfathernoticedhowsteadfastlyhewasstaringatMedinskayahetoldhimoneday：
\"Don\'tbestaringsomuchatthatface。Lookout，sheislikeabirchember：fromtheoutsideitisjustasmodest，smoothanddark——
altogethercoldtoallappearances——buttakeitintoyourhandanditwillburnyou。\"
Medinskayadidnotkindleintheyouthanysensualpassion，fortherewasnothinginherthatresembledPelageya，andaltogethershewasnotatalllikeotherwomen。Heknewthatshamefulrumoursaboutherwereintheair，buthedidnotbelieveanyofthem。Buthisrelationstoherwerechangedwhenhenoticedheronedayinacarriagebesideastoutmaninagrayhatandwithlonghairfallingoverhisshoulders。
Hisfacewaslikeabladder——redandbloated；hehadneithermoustachenorbeard，andaltogetherhelookedlikeawomanindisguise。Fomawastoldthatthiswasherhusband。Thendarkandcontradictingfeelingssprangupwithinhim：hefeltlikeinsultingthearchitect，andatthesametimeheenviedandrespectedhim。Medinskayanowseemedtohimlessbeautifulandmoreaccessible；hebegantofeelsorryforher，andyethethoughtmalignantly：
\"Shemustsurelyfeeldisgustedwhenhekissesher。\"
Andafterallthishesometimesperceivedinhimselfsomebottomlessandoppressiveemptiness，whichcouldnotbefilledupbyanything——
neitherbytheimpressionsofthedayjustgonebynorbytherecollectionofthepast；andtheExchange，andhisaffairs，andhisthoughtsofMedinskaya——allwereswallowedupbythisemptiness。Italarmedhim：inthedarkdepthofthisemptinesshesuspectedsomehiddenexistenceofahostilepower，asyetformlessbutalreadycarefullyandpersistentlystrivingtobecomeincarnate。
InthemeantimeIgnat，changingbutlittleoutwardly，wasgrowingevermorerestlessandquerulousandwascomplainingmoreoftenofbeingill。
\"Ilostmysleep。Itusedtobesosoundthateventhoughyouhadtornoffmyskin，Iwouldnothavefeltit。WhilenowItossaboutfromsidetoside，andIfallasleeponlytowardmorning。AndeverynowandthenIawaken。Myheartbeatsunevenly，now，thoughtiredout；oftenthus：tuk-tuk-tuk。Andsometimesitsinksofasudden——anditseemsasthoughitwouldsoontearitselfawayandfallsomewhereintothedeep；
intothebosom。0hLord，havepityuponmethroughThygreatmercy。\"
Andheavingapenitentsigh，hewouldliftheavenwardhissterneyes，growndimnow，devoidoftheirbright，sparklingglitter。
\"Deathkeepsaneyeonmesomewherecloseby，\"hesaidonedaymorosely，buthumbly。Andindeed，itsoonfelledhisbig，sturdybodytotheground。
ThishappenedinAugust，earlyinthemorning。Fomawassoundasleepwhensuddenlyhefeltsomebodyshakinghimbytheshoulder，andahoarsevoicecalledathisear：
\"Getup。\"
Heopenedhiseyesandsawthathisfatherwasseatedinachairnearhisbed，monotonouslyrepeatinginadullvoice：
\"Getup，getup。\"
Thesunhadjustrisen，anditslight，fallingonIgnat\'swhitelinenshirt，hadnotyetlostitsrosytints。
\"It\'searly，\"saidFoma，stretchinghimself。
\"Well，you\'llsleepenoughlater。\"
Lazilymufflinghimselfintheblanket，Fomaasked：
\"Whydoyouneedme？\"
\"Getup，dear，willyou，please？\"exclaimedIgnat，adding，somewhatoffended：\"Itmustbenecessary，sinceIamwakingyou。\"
WhenFomalookedcloselyathisfather\'sface，henoticedthatitwasgrayandweary。
\"Areyouill？\"
\"Slightly。\"
\"Shallwesendforadoctor？\"
\"Thedeviltakehim！\"Ignatwavedhishand。\"Iamnotayoungmananylonger。Iknowitaswellwithouthim。\"
\"What？\"
\"Oh，Iknowit！\"saidtheoldman，mysteriously，castingastrangeglancearoundtheroom。Fomawasdressinghimself，andhisfather，withloweredhead，spokeslowly：
\"Iamafraidtobreathe。SomethingtellsmethatifIshouldnowheaveadeepsigh，myheartwouldburst。TodayisSunday！Afterthemorningmassisover，sendforthepriest。\"
\"Whatareyoutalkingabout，papa？\"Fomasmiled。
\"Nothing。Washyourselfandgointothegarden。Iorderedthesamovartobebroughtthere。We\'lldrinkourteainthemorningcoolness。Ifeellikedrinkingnowhot，strongtea。Bequicker。\"
Theoldmanrosewithdifficultyfromthechair，and，bentandbarefooted，lefttheroominastaggeringgait。Fomalookedathisfather，andashootingchilloffearmadehisheartshrink。
Hewashedhimselfinhaste，andhurriedoutintothegarden。
There，underanold，spreadingapple-treesatIgnatinabigoakenarmchair。Thelightofthesunfellinthinstripesthroughthebranchesofthetreesuponthewhitefigureoftheoldmancladinhisnight-garments。Therewassuchaprofoundsilenceinthegardenthateventherustleofabranch，accidentallytouchedbyFoma\'sclothes，seemedtohimlikealoudsoundandheshuddered。
Onthetable，beforehisfather，stoodthesamovar，purringlikeawell-fedtom-catandexhalingastreamofsteamintotheair。
Amidthesilenceandthefreshverdureofthegarden，whichhadbeenwashedbyabundantrainsthedaybefore，thisbrightspotoftheboldlyshining，loudbrassseemedtoFomaassomethingunnecessary，assomethingwhichsuitedneitherthetimenortheplace——northefeelingthatsprangupwithinhimatthesightofthesickly，bentoldman，whowasdressedinwhite，andwhosataloneunderneaththemute，motionless，dark-greenfoliage，whereinredapplesweremodestlypeeping。
\"Beseated，\"saidIgnat。
\"Weoughttosendforadoctor。\"Fomaadvisedhimirresolutely，seatinghimselfoppositehim。
\"Itisn\'tnecessary。It\'salittlebetternowintheopenair。
AndnowI\'llsipsometeaandperhapsthatwilldomemoregood，\"
saidIgnat，pouringoutteaintotheglasses，andFomanoticedthattheteapotwastremblinginhisfather\'shand。
\"Drink。\"
Silentlymovinguponeglassforhimself，Fomabentoverit，blowingthefoamoffthesurfaceofthetea，andwithpaininhisheart，hearingtheloud，heavybreathingofhisfather。Suddenlysomethingstruckagainstthetablewithsuchforcethatthedishesbegantorattle。
Fomashuddered，threwuphisheadandmetthefrightened，almostsenselesslookofhisfather\'seyes。Ignatstaredathissonandwhisperedhoarsely：
\"Anapplefelldownthedeviltakeit！。Itsoundedlikethefiringofagun。\"
\"Won\'tyouhavesomecognacinyourtea？\"Fomasuggested。
\"Itisgoodenoughwithoutit。\"
Theybecamesilent。Aflightoffincheswingedpastoverthegarden，scatteringaprovokinglycheerfultwitteringintheair。Andagaintheripebeautyofthegardenwasbathedinsolemnsilence。ThefrightwasstillinIgnat\'seyes。
\"0hLord，JesusChrist！\"saidheinalowvoice，makingthesignofthecross。\"Yes。Thereitis——thelasthourofmylife。\"
\"Stop，papa！\"whisperedFoma。
\"Whystop？We\'llhaveourtea，andthensendforthepriest，andforMayakin。\"
\"I\'drathersendforthemnow。\"
\"They\'llsoontollforthemass——thepriestisn\'thome——andthenthere\'snohurry，itmaypasssoon。\"
Andhenoisilystartedtosiptheteaoutofthesaucer。
\"Ishouldliveanotheryearortwo。Youareyoung，andIamverymuchafraidforyou。Livehonestlyandfirmly；donotcovetwhatbelongstootherpeople，takegoodcareofyourown。\"
Itwashardforhimtospeak，hestoppedshortandrubbedhischestwithhishand。
\"Donotrelyuponothers；expectbutlittlefromthem。Weallliveinordertotake，nottogive。0hLord！Havemercyonthesinner！\"
Somewhereinthedistancethedeepsoundofthebellfellonthesilenceofthemorning。IgnatandFomacrossedthemselvesthreetimes。
Afterthefirstsoundofthebell-tonecameanother，thenathird，andsoontheairwasfilledwithsoundsofthechurch-bells，comingfromallsides——flowing，measured，callingaloud。
\"There，theyaretollingforthemass，\"saidIgnat，listeningtotheechoofthebell-metal。\"Canyoutellthebellsbytheirsounds？\"
\"No，\"answeredFoma。
\"Justlisten。Thisonenow——doyouhear？thebass——thisisfromtheNikolaChurch。ItwaspresentedbyPeterMitrichVyagin——andthis，thehoarseone——thisisatthechurchofPraskevaPyatnitza。\"
Thesingingwavesofthebell-tonesagitatedtheair，whichwasfilledwiththem，andtheydiedawayintheclearblueofthesky。Fomastaredthoughtfullyathisfather\'sfaceandsawthatthealarmwasdisappearingfromhiseyes，andthattheywerenowbrighter。
Butsuddenlytheoldman\'sfaceturnedveryred，hiseyesdistendedandrolledoutoftheirorbits，hismouthopenedwithfright，andfromitissuedastrange，hissingsound：
\"F-F-A-A-ch。\"
ImmediatelyafterthisIgnat\'sheadfellbackonhisshoulder，andhisheavybodyslowlyslippeddownfromthechairtothegroundasiftheearthhaddraggedhimimperiouslyuntoitself。Fomawasmotionlessandsilentforawhile，thenherusheduptoIgnat，liftedhisheadfromthegroundandlookedintohisface。Thefacewasdark，motionless，andthewide-openeyesexpressednothing——neitherpain，norfear，norjoy。Fomalookedaroundhim。Asbefore，nobodywasinthegarden，andtheresoundingchatterofthebellswasstillroaringintheair。Foma\'shandsbegantotremble，heletgohisfather\'shead，anditstruckheavilyagainsttheground。Dark，thickbloodbegantogushinanarrowstreamfromhisopenmouthacrosshisbluecheek。
Fomastruckhisbreastwithbothhands，andkneelingbeforethedeadbody，hewildlycriedaloud。Hewastremblingwithfright，andwitheyeslikethoseofamadmanhewassearchingforsomeoneintheverdureofthegarden。
CHAPTERIV
HISfather\'sdeathstupefiedFomaandfilledhimwithastrangesensation；quietwaspouredintohissoul——apainful，immovablequiet，whichabsorbedallthesoundsoflifewithoutaccountingforit。Allsortsofacquaintanceswerebustlingabouthim；theyappeared，disappeared，saidsomethingtohim——hisrepliestothemwereuntimely，andtheirwordscalledforthnoimagesinhim，drowning，withoutleavinganytrace，inthebottomlessdepthsofthedeath-likesilencewhichfilledhissoul。Heneithercried，norgrieved，northoughtofanything；paleandgloomy，withknittedbrow，hewasattentivelylisteningtothisquiet，whichhadforcedoutallhisfeelings，benumbedhisheartandtightlyclutchedhisbrains。Hewasconsciousbutofthepurelyphysicalsensationofheavinessinallhisframeandparticularlyinhisbreast，andthenitalsoseemedtohimthatitwasalwaystwilight，andeventhoughthesunwasstillhighinthesky——
everythingonearthlookeddarkandmelancholy。
ThefuneralwasarrangedbyMayakin。Hastilyandbrisklyhewasbustlingaboutintherooms，makingmuchclatterwiththeheelsofhisboots；hecriedatthehouseholdhelpimperiously，clappedhisgodsonontheshoulder，consolinghim：
\"Andwhyareyoupetrified？Roarandyouwillfeelrelieved。Yourfatherwasold——oldinbody。Deathispreparedforallofus，youcannotescapeit——consequentlyyoumustnotbeprematurelytorpid。
Youcannotbringhimtolifeagainwithyoursorrow，andyourgriefisunnecessarytohim，foritissaid：\'Whenthebodyisrobbedofthesoulbytheterribleangels，thesoulforgetsallrelativesandacquaintances，\'whichmeansthatyouareofnoconsequencetohimnow，whetheryoucryorlaugh。Butthelivingmustcarefortheliving。Youhadbettercry，forthisishuman。Itbringsmuchrelieftotheheart。\"
ButneitherdidthesewordsprovokeanythinginFoma\'sheadorinhisheart。Hecametohimself，however，onthedayofthefuneral，thankstothepersistenceofhisgodfather，whowasassiduouslyandoddlytryingtorousehissadsoul。
Thedayofthefuneralwascloudyanddreary。Amidaheavycloudofdustanenormouscrowdofpeople，windinglikeablackribbon，followedthecoffinofIgnatGordyeeff。Hereandthereflashedthegoldofthepriest\'srobes，andthedullnoiseoftheslowmovementofthecrowdblendedinharmonywiththesolemnmusicofthechoir，composedofthebishop\'schoristers。Fomawaspushedfrombehindandfromthesides；hewalked，seeingnothingbutthegrayheadofhisfather，andthemournfulsingingresoundedinhisheartlikeamelancholyecho。AndMayakin，walkingbesidehim，keptonintrusivelywhisperinginhisears：
\"Look，whatacrowd——thousands！Thegovernorhimselfcameouttoaccompanyyourfathertothechurch，themayor，andalmosttheentirecitycouncil。Andbehindyou——justturnaround！TheregoesSophyaPavlovna。ThetownpaysitsrespectstoIgnat。\"
AtfirstFomadidnotlistentohisgodfather\'swhisper，butwhenhementionedMedinskaya，heinvoluntarilylookedbackandnoticedthegovernor。Alittledropofsomethingpleasantfellintohisheartatthesightofthisimportantpersonage，withabrightribbonacrosshisshoulder，withordersonhisbreast，pacingafterthecoffin，anexpressionofsorrowonhissterncountenance。
Blessedistheroadwherethissoulgoethtoday，\"YakovTarasovichhummedsoftly，movinghisnose，andheagainwhisperedinhisgodson\'sear：
\"Seventy-fivethousandroublesissuchasumthatyoucandemandsomanyescortsforit。HaveyouheardthatSonkaismakingarrangementsforthelayingofthecorner-stoneonthefifteenth？
Justfortydaysafterthedeathofyourfather。\"
Fomaagainturnedback，andhiseyesmettheeyesofMedinskaya。
Heheavedadeepsighathercaressingglance，andfeltrelievedatonce，asifawarmrayoflightpenetratedhissoulandsomethingmeltedthere。Andthenandthereheconsideredthatitwasunbecominghimtoturnhisheadfromsidetoside。
AtchurchFoma\'sheadbegantoache，anditseemedtohimthateverythingaroundandunderneathhimwasshaking。Inthestiflingair，filledwithdust，withthebreathingofthepeopleandthesmokeoftheincense，theflamesofthecandlesweretimidlytrembling。ThemeekimageofChristlookeddownathimfromthebigikon，andtheflamesofthecandles，reflectedinthetarnishedgoldofthecrownovertheSaviour\'sbrow，remindedhimofdropsofblood。
Foma\'sawakenedsoulwasgreedilyfeedingitselfonthesolemn，gloomypoetryoftheliturgy，andwhenthetouchingcitationwasheard，\"Come，letusgivehimthelastkiss，\"aloud，wailingsobescapedfromFoma\'schest，andthecrowdinchurchwasstirredtoagitationbythisoutburstofgrief。
Havingutteredthesob，Fomastaggered。Hisgodfatherimmediatelycaughthimbyhisarmsandbegantopushhimforwardtothecoffin，singingquiteloudlyandwithsomeanger：
Kisshimwhowasbutlatelywithus。Kiss，Foma，kisshim——heisgivenovertothegrave，coveredwithastone。Heissettlingdownindarkness，andisburiedwiththedead。\"
Fomatouchedhisfather\'sforeheadwithhislipsandsprangbackfromthecoffinwithhorror。
\"Holdyourpeace！Younearlyknockedmedown，\"Mayakinremarkedtohim，inalowvoice，andthesesimple，calmwordssupportedFomabetterthanhisgodfather\'shands。
\"Yethatbeholdmemuteandlifelessbeforeyou，weepforme，brethrenandfriends，\"beggedIgnatthroughthemouthoftheChurch。Buthissonwasnotcryinganylonger；hishorrorwascalledforthbytheblack，swollenfaceofhisfather，andthishorrorsomewhatsoberedhissoul，whichhadbeenintoxicatedbythemournfulmusicoftheChurch\'slamentforitssinfulson。Hewassurroundedbyacquaintances，whowerekindlyconsolinghim；
helistenedtothemandunderstoodthattheyallfeltsorryforhimandthathebecamedeartothem。Andhisgodfatherwhisperedinhisear：
\"See，howtheyallfawnuponyou。Thetom-catshavesmeltthefat。\"
ThesewordswereunpleasanttoFoma，buttheywereusefultohim，astheycausedhimtoansweratallevents。
Atthecemetery，whentheysangforIgnat\'seternalmemory，hecriedagainbitterlyandloud。Hisgodfatherimmediatelyseizedhimbythearmsandledhimawayfromthegrave，speakingtohimearnestly：
\"Whatafaint-heartedfellowyouare！DoInotfeelsorryforhim？
Ihaveknownhisrealvalue，whileyouwerebuthisson。Andyet，Idonotcry。Formorethanthirtyyearswelivedtogetherinperfectharmony——howmuchhadbeenspoken，howmuchthought——howmuchsorrowdrunk。Youareyoung；itisnotforyoutogrieve！Yourlifeisbeforeyou，andyouwillberichinallsortsoffriendship；whileIamold，andnowthatIburiedmyonlyfriend，Iamlikeapauper。Icannolongermakeabosomfriend！\"
Theoldman\'svoicebegantojarandsqueakqueerly。Hisfacewasdistorted，hislipswerestretchedintoabiggrimaceandwerequivering，andfromhissmalleyesfrequenttearswererunningoverthenowcontractedwrinklesofhisface。Helookedsopitifulandsounlikehimself，thatFomastoppedshort，pressedhimclosetohisbodywiththetendernessofastrongmanandcriedwithalarm：
\"Don\'tcry，father——darling！Don\'tcry。\"
\"Thereyouhaveit！\"saidMayakin，faintly，and，heavingadeepsigh，hesuddenlyturnedagainintoafirmandcleveroldman。
\"Youmustnotcry，\"saidhe，mysteriously，seatinghimselfinthecarriagebesidehisgodson。\"Youarenowthecommander-in-chiefinthewarandyoumustcommandyoursoldiersbravely。Yoursoldiersaretheroubles，andyouhaveagreatarmyofthese。
Makewarincessantly！\"
Surprisedatthequicknessofhistransformation，Fomalistenedtohiswordsandforsomereasonorothertheyremindedhimofthoseclodsofearth，whichthepeoplethrewintoIgnat\'sgraveuponhiscoffin。
\"OnwhomamItomakewar？\"saidFomawithasigh。
\"I\'llteachyouthat！DidyourfathertellyouthatIwasacleveroldmanandthatyoushouldmindme？\"
\"Hedid。\"
\"Thendomindme！Ifmymindshouldbeaddedtoyouryouthfulstrength，agoodvictorymightbewon。Yourfatherwasagreatman，buthedidnotlookfarbeforehimandhecouldnottakemyadvice。Hegainedsuccessinlifenotwithhismind，butmorewithhishead。Oh，whatwillbecomeofyou？Youhadbettermoveintomyhouse，foryouwillfeellonesomeinyours。\"
\"Auntisthere。\"
\"Aunt？Sheissick。Shewillnotlivelong。\"
\"Donotspeakofit，\"beggedFomainalowvoice。
\"AndIwillspeakofit。Youneednotfeardeath——youarenotanoldwomanontheoven。Livefearlesslyanddowhatyouwereappointedtodo。Manisappointedfortheorganisationoflifeonearth。Maniscapital——likearouble，heismadeupoftrashycoppergroshesandcopecks。Fromthedustoftheearth，asitissaid；andevenashehasintercoursewiththeworld，heabsorbsgreaseandoil，sweatandtears——asoulandamindformthemselvesinhim。Andfromthishestartstogrowupwardanddownward。Now，youseehispriceisagrosh，nowafifteencopecksilverpiece，nowahundredroubles，andsometimesheisaboveanyprice。Heisputintocirculationandhemustbringintereststolife。Lifeknowsthevalueofeachofusandwillnotcheckourcoursebeforetime。Nobody，dear，workstohisowndetriment，ifheiswise。Andlifehassavedupmuchwisdom。Areyoulistening？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Andwhatdoyouunderstand？\"
\"Everything。\"
\"Youareprobablylying？\"Mayakindoubted。
\"But，whymustwedie？\"askedFomainalowvoice。
Mayakinlookedintohisfacewithregret，smackedhislipsandsaid：
\"Awisemanwouldneverasksuchaquestion。Awisemanknowsforhimselfthatifitisariver，itmustbeflowingsomewhere，andifitwerestandinginoneplace，itwouldbeaswamp。\"
\"You\'resimplymockingmeatrandom，\"saidFoma，sternly。\"Theseaisnotflowinganywhere。\"
\"Theseareceivesallriversintoitself，andthen，powerfulstormsrageinitattimes。Thentheseaoflifealsosubmitsonagitation，stirredupbymen，anddeathrenovatesthewatersoftheseaoflife，thattheymightnotbecomespoiled。Nomatterhowmanypeoplearedying，theyareneverthelessforevergrowinginnumber。\"
\"Whatofit？Butmyfatherisdead。\"
\"Youwilldieaswell。\"
\"ThenwhathaveItodowiththefactthatpeoplearegrowinginnumber？\"Fomasmiledsadly。
\"Eh，he，he！\"sighedMayakin。\"That，indeed，concernsnoneofus。
There，yourtrousersprobablyreasoninthesameway：whathavewetodowiththefactthatthereareallsortsofstuffintheworld？Butyoudonotmindthem——youwearthemoutandthrowthemaway。\"
Fomaglancedathisgodfatherreproachfully，andnoticingthattheoldmanwassmiling，hewasastonishedandheaskedrespectfully：
\"Canitbetrue，father，thatyoudonotfeardeath？\"
\"MostofallIfearfoolishness，mychild，\"repliedMayakinwithhumblebitterness。\"Myopinionisthis：ifafoolgiveyouhoney，spituponit；ifawisemangiveyoupoison，drinkit！AndIwilltellyouthattheperchhasaweaksoulsincehisfinsdonotstandonend。\"
Theoldman\'smockingwordsoffendedandangeredFoma。Heturnedasideandsaid：
\"Youcanneverspeakwithoutthesesubterfuges。\"
\"Icannot！\"exclaimedMayakin，andhiseyesbegantosparklewithalarm。\"Eachmanusestheverysametonguehehas。DoIseemtobestern？DoI？\"
Fomawassilent。
\"Eh，you。Knowthis——heloveswhoteaches。Rememberthiswell。
Andastodeath，donotthinkofit。Itisfoolish，dear，foralivemantothinkofdeath。\'Ecclesiastes\'reflectedondeathbetterthananybodyelsereflectedonit，andsaidthatalivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion。\"
Theycamehome。Thestreetnearthehousewascrowdedwithcarriages，andfromtheopenwindowscameloudsoundsoftalk。AssoonasFomaappearedinthehall，hewasseizedbythearmsandledawaytothetableandtherewasurgedtodrinkandeatsomething。Amarketplacenoisesmotetheair；thehallwascrowdedandsuffocating。Silently，Fomadrankaglassofvodka，thenanother，andathird。Aroundhimtheyweremunchingandsmackingtheirlips；thevodkapouredoutfromthebottleswasgurgling，thewine-glassesweretinkling。Theywerespeakingofdriedsturgeonandofthebassofthesoloistofthebishop\'schoir，andthenagainofthedriedsturgeon，andthentheysaidthatthemayoralsowishedtomakeaspeech，butdidnotventuretodosoafterthebishophadspoken，fearinglestheshouldnotspeaksowellasthebishop。Someonewastellingwithfeeling：
\"Thedeceasedoneusedtodothus：hewouldcutoffasliceofsalmon，pepperitthickly，coveritwithanothersliceofsalmon，andthensenditdownimmediatelyafteradrink。\"
\"Letusfollowhisexample，\"roaredathickbasso。Offendedtothequick，Fomalookedwithafrownatthefatlipsandatthejawschewingthetastyfood，andhefeltlikecryingoutanddrivingawayallthesepeople，whosesedatenesshadbutlatelyinspiredhimwithrespectforthem。
\"Youhadbetterbemorekind，moresociable，\"saidMayakininalowvoice，cominguptohim。
\"Whyaretheygobblinghere？Isthisatavern？\"criedFoma，angrily。
\"Hush，\"Mayakinremarkedwithfrightandhastilyturnedtolookaroundwithakindsmileonhisface。
Butitwastoolate；hissmilewasofnoavail。Foma\'swordshadbeenoverheard，thenoiseandthetalkwassubsiding，someoftheguestsbegantobustleabouthurriedly，others，offended，frowned，putdowntheirforksandknivesandwalkedawayfromthetable，alllookingatFomaaskance。
Silentandangry，hemettheseglanceswithoutloweringhiseyes。
\"Iaskyoutocomeuptothetable！\"criedMayakin，gleamingamidthecrowdofpeoplelikeanemberamidashes。\"Beseated，pray！They\'resoonservingpancakes。\"
Fomashruggedhisshouldersandwalkedofftowardthedoor，sayingaloud：
\"Ishallnoteat。\"
Heheardahostilerumblingbehindhimandhisgodfather\'swheedlingvoicesayingtosomebody：
\"It\'sforgrief。Ignatwasatoncefatherandmothertohim。\"
Fomacameoutinthegardenandsatdownonthesameplacewherehisfatherhaddied。Thefeelingoflonelinessandgriefoppressedhisheart。Heunbuttonedthecollarofhisshirttomakehisbreathingeasier，restedhiselbowsonthetable，andwithhisheadtightlypressedbetweenhishands，hesatmotionless。Itwasdrizzlingandtheleavesoftheapple-treewererustlingmournfullyunderthedropsoftherain。Hesatthereforalongtimealone，motionless，watchinghowthesmalldropswerefallingfromtheapple-tree。Hisheadwasheavyfromthevodka，andinhishearttherewasagrowinggrudgeagainstmen。Someindefinite，impersonalfeelingsandthoughtswerespringingupandvanishingwithinhim；beforehimflashedthebaldskullofhisgodfatherwithalittlecrownofsilverhairandwithadarkface，whichresembledthefacesoftheancientikons。
Thisfacewiththetoothlessmouthandthemalicioussmile，rousinginFomahatredandfear，augmentedinhimtheconsciousnessofsolitude。ThenherecalledthekindeyesofMedinskayaandhersmall，gracefulfigure；andbesideherarosethetall，robust，androsy-
cheekedLubovMayakinawithsmilingeyesandwithabiglightgolden-
colouredbraid。\"Donotrelyuponmen，expectbutlittleattheirhands\"——hisfather\'swordsbegantoringinhismemory。Hesighedsadlyandcastaglancearoundhim。Thetreeleaveswereflutteringfromtherain，andtheairwasfullofmournfulsounds。Thegrayskyseemedasthoughweeping，andonthetreescoldtearsweretrembling。
AndFoma\'ssoulwasdry，dark；itwasfilledwithapainfulfeelingoforphanhood。Butthisfeelinggavebirthtothequestion：
\"HowshallIlivenowthatIamalone？\"
Theraindrenchedhisclothes，andwhenhefeltthathewasshiveringwithcoldhearoseandwentintothehouse。
Lifewastugginghimfromallsides，givinghimnochancetobeconcentratedinthinkingofandgrievingforhisfather，andonthefortiethdayafterIgnat\'sdeathFoma，attiredinholidayclothes，withapleasantfeelinginhisheart，wenttotheceremonyofthecorner-stonelayingofthelodging-asylum。Medinskayanotifiedhiminaletterthedaybefore，thathehadbeenelectedasamemberofthebuildingcommitteeandalsoashonorarymemberofthesocietyofwhichshewaspresident。Thispleasedhimandhewasgreatlyagitatedbytheparthewastoplaytodayatthelayingofthecorner-stone。Onhiswayhethoughtofhoweverythingwouldbeandhowheshouldbehaveinordernottobeconfusedbeforethepeople。
\"Eh，eh！Holdon！\"
Heturnedaround。Mayakincamehasteningtohimfromthesidewalk。
Hewasinafrock-coatthatreachedhisheels，inahighcap，andhecarriedahugeumbrellainhishand。
\"Comeon，takemeupthere，\"saidtheoldman，cleverlyjumpingintothecarriagelikeamonkey。\"Totellthetruth，Iwaswaitingforyou。Iwaslookingaround，thinkingitwastimeforyoutogo。\"
\"Areyougoingthere？\"askedFoma。
\"Ofcourse！Imustseehowtheywillburymyfriend\'smoneyintheground。\"
Fomalookedathimaskanceandwassilent。\"Whydoyoufrownuponme？Don\'tfear，youwillalsostartoutasabenefactoramongmen。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedFoma，reservedly。\"I\'vereadinthenewspaperthismorningthatyouwereelectedasamemberofthebuildingcommitteeandalsoasanhonorarymemberofSophya\'ssociety。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thismembershipwilleatintoyourpocket！\"sighedMayakin。
\"Thatwouldn\'truinme。\"
\"Idon\'tknowit，\"observedtheoldman，maliciously。
\"Ispeakofthismorebecausethereisaltogetherverylittlewisdominthischaritybusiness，andImayevensaythatitisn\'tabusinessatall，butsimplyharmfulnonsense。\"
\"Isitharmfultoaidpeople？\"askedFoma，hotly。
\"Eh，youcabbagehead！\"saidMayakinwithasmile。\"Youhadbettercomeuptomyhouse，I\'llopenyoureyesinregardtothis。Imustteachyou！Willyoucome？\"
\"Verywell，Iwillcome！\"repliedFoma。
\"So。Andinthemeantime，holdyourselfproudatthelayingofthecorner-stone。Standinviewofeverybody。IfIdon\'ttellthistoyou，youmighthideyourselfbehindsomebody\'sback。\"
\"WhyshouldIhidemyself？\"saidFoma，displeased。
\"That\'sjustwhatIsay：thereisnoreasonwhy。Forthemoneywasdonatedbyyourfatherandyouareentitledtothehonourashisheir。Honourisjustthesameasmoney。Withhonourabusinessmanwillgetcrediteverywhere，andeverywherethereisawayopentohim。Thencomeforward，sothateverybodymayseeyouandthatifyoudofivecopecks\'worthofwork，youshouldgetaroubleinreturnforit。Andifyouwillhideyourself——nothingbutfoolishnesswillbetheresult。\"
Theyarrivedattheirdestination，wherealltheimportantpeoplehadgatheredalready，andanenormouscrowdofpeoplesurroundedthepilesofwood，bricksandearth。Thebishop，thegovernor，therepresentativesofthecity\'saristocracyandtheadministrationformed，togetherwiththesplendidlydressedladies，abigbrightgroupandlookedattheeffortsofthetwostonemasons，whowerepreparingthebricksandthelime。Mayakinandhisgodsonwendedtheirwaytowardthisgroup。HewhisperedtoFoma：
\"Losenocourage，thesepeoplehaverobbedtheirbelliestocoverthemselveswithsilk。\"
Andhegreetedthegovernorbeforethebishop，inarespectfullycheerfulvoice。
\"Howdoyoudo，yourExcellency？Givemeyourblessing，yourHoliness！\"
\"Ah，YakovTarasovich！\"exclaimedthegovernorwithafriendlysmile，shakingandsqueezingMayakin\'shand，whiletheoldmanwasatthesametimekissingthebishop\'shand。\"Howareyou，deathlessoldman？\"
\"Ithankyouhumbly，yourExcellency！MyrespectstoSophyaPavlovna！\"
Mayakinspokefast，whirlinglikeapeg-topamidthecrowdofpeople。
Inaminutehemanagedtoshakehandswiththepresidingjusticeofthecourt，withtheprosecutor，withthemayor——inaword，withallthosepeoplewhomheconsidereditnecessarytogreetfirst；suchasthese，however，werefew。Hejested，smiledandatonceattractedeverybody\'sattentiontohislittlefigure，andFomawithdowncastheadstoodbehindhim，lookingaskanceatthesepeoplewrappedincostlystuffs，embroideredwithgold；heenviedtheoldman\'sadroitnessandlosthiscourage，andfeelingthathewaslosinghiscourage——hegrewstillmoretimid。ButnowMayakinseizedhimbythehandanddrewhimuptohimself。
\"There，yourExcellency，thisismygodson，Foma，thelateIgnat\'sonlyson。\"
\"Ah！\"saidthegovernorinhisbasso，\"I\'mverypleased。Isympathisewithyouinyourmisfortune，youngman！\"hesaid，shakingFoma\'shand，andbecamesilent；thenheaddedresolutelyandconfidently：\"Toloseafather，thatisaverypainfulmisfortune。\"
And，havingwaitedabouttwosecondsforFoma\'sanswer，heturnedawayfromhim，addressingMayakinapprovingly：
\"Iamdelightedwiththespeechyoumadeyesterdayinthecityhall！
Beautiful，clever，YakovTarasovich。Proposingtousethemoneyforthispublicclub，theydonotunderstandtherealneedsofthepopulation。\"
\"Andthen，yourExcellency，asmallcapitalmeansthatthecitywillhavetoadditsownmoney。\"
\"Perfectlytrue！Perfectlytrue！\"
\"Temperance，Isay，isgood！WouldtoGodthatallweresober！I
don\'tdrink，either，butwhatistheuseoftheseperformances，librariesandallthat，sincethepeoplecannotevenread？\"
Thegovernorrepliedapprovingly。
\"Here，Isay，youbetterusethismoneyforatechnicalinstitution。
Ifitshouldbeestablishedonasmallplan，thismoneyalonewillsuffice，andincaseitshouldn\'t，wecanaskformoreinSt。
Petersburg——they\'llgiveittous。Thenthecitywouldn\'thavetoaddofitsownmoney，andthewholeaffairwouldbemoresensible。\"
\"Precisely！Ifullyagreewithyou！Buthowtheliberalsbegantocryatyou！Eh？Ha，ha！\"
\"Thathasalwaysbeentheirbusiness，tocry。\"
Thedeepcoughofthearchdeaconofthecathedralannouncedthebeginningofthedivineservice。
SophyaPavlovnacameuptoFoma，greetedhimandsaidinasad，lowvoice：
\"Ilookedatyourfaceonthedayofthefuneral，andmyheartsaddened。MyGod，Ithought，howhemustsuffer！\"
AndFomalistenedtoherandfeltasthoughhewasdrinkinghoney。
\"Thesecriesofyours，theyshookmysoul，mypoorchild！Imayspeaktoyouthisway，forIamanoldwomanalready。\"
\"You！\"exclaimedFoma，softly。
\"Isn\'tthatso？\"sheasked，naivelylookingintohisface。
Fomawassilent，hisheadbentonhisbreast。
\"Don\'tyoubelievethatIamanoldwoman？\"
\"Ibelieveyou；thatis，Ibelieveeverythingyoumaysay；onlythisisnottrue！\"saidFoma，feelingly，inalowvoice。
\"Whatisnottrue？Whatdoyoubelieveme？\"
\"No！notthis，butthat。I——excuseme！Icannotspeak！\"saidFoma，sadly，allaflushwithconfusion。\"Iamnotcultured。\"
\"Youneednottroubleyourselfonthisaccount，\"saidMedinskaya，patronisingly。\"Youaresoyoung，andeducationisaccessibletoeverybody。Buttherearepeopletowhomeducationisnotonlyunnecessary，butwhocanalsobeharmedbyit。Thosethatarepureofheart，sanguine，sincere，likechildren，andyouareofthosepeople。Youare，areyounot？\"
WhatcouldFomasayinanswertothisquestion？Hesaidsincerely：
\"Ithankyouhumbly！\"
AndnoticingthathiswordscalledforthagaygleaminMedinskaya\'seyes，Fomaappearedridiculousandstupidinhisowneyes；heimmediatelybecameangryathimselfandsaidinamuffledvoice：
\"Yes，Iamsuch。Ialwaysspeakmymind。Icannotdeceive。IfI
seesomethingtolaughat，Ilaughopenly。Iamstupid！\"
\"Whatmakesyouspeakthatway？\"saidthewoman，reproachfully，andadjustingherdress，sheaccidentallystrokedFoma\'shand，inwhichheheldhishat。Thismadehimlookathiswristandsmilejoyouslyandconfusedly。