\"Youwillsurelybepresentatthedinner，won\'tyou？\"askedMedinskaya。
\"Yes。\"
\"Andtomorrowatthemeetinginmyhouse？\"
\"Withoutfail！\"
\"Andperhapssometimeyouwilldropin，simplyonavisit，wouldn\'tyou？\"
\"I——Ithankyou！I\'llcome！\"
\"Imustthankyouforthepromise。\"
Theybecamesilent。Intheairsoaredthereverentlysoftvoiceofthebishop，whorecitedtheprayerexpressively，outstretchinghishandovertheplacewherethecorner-stoneofthehousewaslaid：
\"Mayneitherthewind，norwater，noranythingelsebringharmuntoit；mayitbecompletedinthybenevolence，andfreeallthosethataretoliveinitfromallkindsofcalumny。\"
\"Howrichandbeautifulourprayersare，aretheynot？\"askedMedinskaya。
\"Yes，\"saidFoma，shortly，withoutunderstandingherwordsandfeelingthathewasblushingagain。
\"Theywillalwaysbeopponentsofourcommercialinterests，\"
Mayakinwhisperedloudlyandconvincingly，standingbesidethecitymayor，notfarfromFoma。\"Whatisittothem？Alltheywantissomehowtodeservetheapprovalofthenewspaper。Buttheycannotreachthemainpoint。Theyliveformeredisplay，notfortheorganisationoflife；thesearetheironlymeasures：thenewspapersandSweden！[MayakinspeaksofSweden，meaningSwitzerland——
Translator\'snote。]ThedoctorscoffedatmealldayyesterdaywiththisSweden。Thepubliceducation，sayshe，inSweden，andeverythingelsethereisfirst-class！ButwhatisSweden，anyway？ItmaybethatSwedenisbutafib，isbutusedasanexample，andthatthereisnoeducationwhateveroranyoftheotherthingsthere。Andthen，wedon\'tliveforthesakeofSweden，andSwedencannotputustotest。
Wehavetomakeourlipaccordingtoourownlast。Isn\'titso？
Andthearchdeacondroned，hisheadthrownback：
\"Eternalme-emo-orytothefounderofthisho-ouse！\"
Fomashuddered，butMayakinwasalreadybyhisside，andpullinghimbythesleeve，asked：
\"Areyougoingtothedinner？\"
AndMedinskaya\'svelvet-like，warmlittlehandglidedoncemoreoverFoma\'shand。
ThedinnerwastoFomaarealtorture。Forthefirsttimeinhislifeamongtheseuniformedpeople，hesawthattheywereeatingandspeaking——doingeverythingbetterthanhe，andhefeltthatbetweenhimandMedinskaya，whowasseatedjustoppositehim，wasahighmountain，notatable。BesidehimsatthesecretaryofthesocietyofwhichFomahadbeenmadeanhonorarymember；hewasayoungcourtofficer，bearingtheoddnameofOokhtishchev。Asiftomakehisnameappearmoreabsurdthanitreallywas，hespokeinaloud，ringingtenor，andaltogether——plump，short，round-
facedandalivelytalker——helookedlikeabrandnewbell。
\"Theverybestthinginoursocietyisthepatroness；themostreasonableiswhatwearedoing——courtingthepatroness；themostdifficultistotellthepatronesssuchacomplimentaswouldsatisfyher；andthemostsensiblethingistoadmirethepatronesssilentlyandhopelessly。Sothatinreality，youareamembernotof\'theSocietyofSolicitude，\'andsoon，butoftheSocietyofTantaluses，whichiscomposedofpersonsbentonpleasingSophyaMedinskaya。\"
Fomalistenedtohischatter，nowandthenlookingatthepatroness，whowasabsorbedinaconversationwiththechiefofthepolice；Fomaroaredinreplytohisinterlocutor，pretendingtobebusyeating，andhewishedthatallthiswouldendthesooner。Hefeltthathewaswretched，stupid，ridiculousandhewascertainthateverybodywaswatchingandcensuringhim。Thistiedhimwithinvisibleshackles，thuscheckinghiswordsandhisthoughts。Atlasthewentsofar，thatthelineofvariousphysiognomies，stretchedoutbythetableoppositehim，seemedtohimalongandwavywhitestripbesprinkledwithlaughingeyes，andalltheseeyeswereprickinghimunpleasantlyandpainfully。
Mayakinsatnearthecitymayor，wavedhisforkintheairquickly，andkeptontalkingallthetime，nowcontracting，nowexpandingthewrinklesofhisface。Themayor，agray-headed，red-faced，short-
neckedman，staredathimlikeabull，withobstinateattentionandattimesherappedontheedgeofthetablewithhisbigfingeraffirmatively。
Theanimatedtalkandlaughterdrownedhisgodfather\'sboldspeech，andFomawasunabletohearasinglewordofit，muchmoresothatthetenorofthesecretarywasunceasinglyringinginhisears：
\"Look，there，thearchdeaconarose；heisfillinghislungswithair；
hewillsoonproclaimaneternalmemoryforIgnatMatveyich。\"
\"MayInotgoaway？\"askedFomainalowvoice。
\"Whynot？Everybodywillunderstandthis。\"
Thedeacon\'sresoundingvoicedrownedandseemedtohavecrushedthenoiseinthehail；theeminentmerchantsfixedtheireyesonthebig，wide-openmouth，fromwhichadeepsoundwasstreamingforth，andavailinghimselfofthismoment，Fomaarosefromhisseatandleftthehall。
Afterawhilehebreathedfreelyand，sittinginhiscab，thoughtsadlythattherewasnoplaceforhimamidthesepeople。Inwardly，hecalledthempolished。Hedidnotliketheirbrilliancy，theirfaces，theirsmilesortheirwords，butthefreedomandtheclevernessoftheirmovements，theirabilitytospeakmuchandonanysubject，theirprettycostumes——allthisarousedinhimamixtureofenvyandrespectforthem。Hefeltsadandoppressedattheconsciousnessofbeingunabletotalksomuchandsofluentlyasallthesepeople，andhereherecalledthatLubaMayakinahadmorethanoncescoffedathimonthisaccount。
FomadidnotlikeMayakin\'sdaughter，andsincehehadlearnedfromhisfatherofMayakin\'sintentiontomarryhimtoLuba，theyoungGordyeeffbegantoshunher。Butafterhisfather\'sdeathhewasalmosteverydayattheMayakins，andsomehowLubasaidtohimoneday：
\"Iamlookingatyou，and，doyouknow？——youdonotresembleamerchantatall。\"
\"Nordoyoulooklikeamerchant\'sdaughter，\"saidFoma，andlookedathersuspiciously。Hedidnotunderstandthemeaningofherwords；
didshemeantooffendhim，ordidshesaythesewordswithoutanykindthoughts？
\"ThankGodforthis！\"saidsheandsmiledtohimakind，friendlysmile。
\"Whatmakesyousoglad？\"heasked。
\"Thefactthatwedon\'tresembleourfathers。\"
Fomaglancedatherinastonishmentandkeptsilent。
\"Tellmefrankly，\"saidshe，loweringhervoice，\"youdonotlovemyfather，doyou？Youdon\'tlikehim？\"
\"Notverymuch，\"saidFoma，slowly。
\"AndIdislikehimverymuch。\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Foreverything。Whenyougrowwiser，youwillknowityourself。
Yourfatherwasabetterman。\"
\"Ofcourse！\"saidFoma，proudly。
Afterthisconversationanattachmentsprangupbetweenthemalmostimmediately，andgrowingstrongerfromdaytoday，itsoondevelopedintofriendship，thoughasomewhatoddfriendshipitwas。
ThoughLubawasnotolderthanhergod-brother，sheneverthelesstreatedhimasanolderpersonwouldtreatalittleboy。Shespoketohimcondescendingly，oftenjestingathisexpense；hertalkwasalwaysfullofwordswhichwereunfamiliartoFoma；andshepronouncedthesewordswithparticularemphasisandwithevidentsatisfaction。
ShewasespeciallyfondofspeakingaboutherbrotherTaras，whomshehadneverseen，butofwhomshewastellingsuchstoriesaswouldmakehimlooklikeAuntAnfisa\'sbraveandnoblerobbers。Often，whencomplainingofherfather，shesaidtoFoma：
\"Youwillalsobejustsuchaskinflint。\"
Allthiswasunpleasanttotheyouthandstunghisvanity。Butattimesshewasstraightforward，simple-minded，andparticularlykindandfriendlytohim；thenhewouldunburdenhisheartbeforeher，andforalongtimetheywouldshareeachother\'sthoughtsandfeelings。
Bothspokeagreatdealandspokesincerely，butneitheroneunderstoodtheother；itseemedtoFomathatwhateverLubahadtosaywasforeigntohimandunnecessarytoher，andatthesametimeheclearlysawthathisawkwardwordsdidnotatallinteresther，andthatshedidnotcaretounderstandthem。Nomatterhowlongtheseconversationslasted，theygavebothofthemthesensationofdiscomfortanddissatisfaction。Asifaninvisiblewallofperplexityhadsuddenlyarisenandstoodbetweenthem。Theydidnotventuretotouchthiswall，ortotelleachotherthattheyfeltitwasthere——
theyresumedtheirconversations，dimlyconsciousthattherewassomethingineachofthemthatmightbindandunitethem。
WhenFomaarrivedathisgodfather\'shouse，hefoundLubaalone。
Shecameouttomeethim，anditwasevidentthatshewaseitherilloroutofhumour；hereyeswereflashingfeverishlyandweresurroundedwithblackcircles。Feelingcold，shemuffledherselfinawarmshawlandsaidwithasmile：
\"Itisgoodthatyou\'vecome！ForIwassittingherealone；itislonesome——Idon\'tfeellikegoinganywhere。Willyoudrinktea？\"
\"Iwill。Whatisthematterwithyou，areyouill？\"
\"Gotothedining-room，andI\'lltellthemtobringthesamovar，\"
shesaid，notansweringhisquestion。
Hewentintooneofthesmallroomsofthehouse，whosetwowindowsoverlookedthegarden。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodanovaltable，surroundedwithold-fashioned，leather-coveredchairs；ononepartitionhungaclockinalongcasewithaglassdoor，inthecornerwasacupboardfordishes，andoppositethewindows，bythewalls，wasanoakensideboardasbigasafair-sizedroom。
\"Areyoucomingfromthebanquet？\"askedLuba，entering。
Fomanoddedhisheadmutely。
\"Well，howwasit？Grand？\"
\"Itwasterrible！\"Fomasmiled。\"Isatthereasifonhotcoals。Theyalllookedtherelikepeacocks，whileIlookedlikeabarn-owl。\"
LubawastakingoutdishesfromthecupboardandsaidnothingtoFoma。
\"Really，whyareyousosad？\"askedFomaagain，glancingathergloomyface。
Sheturnedtohimandsaidwithenthusiasmandanxiety：
\"Ah，Foma！WhatabookI\'veread！Ifyoucouldonlyunderstandit！\"
\"Itmustbeagoodbook，sinceitworkedyouupinthisway，\"
saidFoma，smiling。
\"Ididnotsleep。Ireadallnightlong。Justthinkofit：youread——
anditseemstoyouthatthegatesofanotherkingdomarethrownopenbeforeyou。Andthepeopletherearedifferent，andtheirlanguageisdifferent，everythingdifferent！Lifeitselfisdifferentthere。\"
\"Idon\'tlikethis，\"saidFoma，dissatisfied。\"That\'sallfiction，deceit；soisthetheatre。Themerchantsareridiculedthere。Aretheyreallysostupid？Ofcourse！Takeyourfather，forexample。\"
\"Thetheatreandtheschoolareoneandthesame，Foma，\"saidLuba，instructively。\"Themerchantsusedtobelikethis。Andwhatdeceitcantherebeinbooks？\"
\"Justasinfairy——tales，nothingisreal。\"
\"Youarewrong！Youhavereadnobooks；howcanyoujudge？Booksarepreciselyreal。Theyteachyouhowtolive。\"
\"Come，come！\"Fomawavedhishand。\"Dropit；nogoodwillcomeoutofyourbooks！There，takeyourfather，forexample，doeshereadbooks？Andyetheisclever！Ilookedathimtodayandenviedhim。Hisrelationswitheverybodyaresofree，soclever，hehasawordforeachandeveryone。Youcanseeatoncethatwhateverheshoulddesireheissuretoattain。\"
\"Whatishestrivingfor？\"exclaimedLuba。\"Nothingbutmoney。
Buttherearepeoplethatwanthappinessforallonearth，andtogainthisendtheyworkwithoutsparingthemselves；theysufferandperish！Howcanmyfatherbecomparedwiththese？\"
\"Youneednotcomparethem。Theyevidentlylikeonething，whileyourfatherlikesanother。\"
\"Theydonotlikeanything！\"
How\'sthat？
\"Theywanttochangeeverything。\"
\"Sotheydostriveforsomething？\"saidFoma，thoughtfully。\"Theydowishforsomething？\"
\"Theywishforhappinessforall！\"criedLuba，hotly。\"Ican\'tunderstandthis，\"saidFoma，noddinghishead。\"Whocaresthereformyhappiness？Andthenagain，whathappinesscantheygiveme，sinceI，myself，donotknowasyetwhatIwant？No，youshouldhaveratherlookedatthosethatwereatthebanquet。\"
\"Thosearenotmen！\"announcedLuba，categorically。
\"Idonotknowwhattheyareinyoureyes，butyoucanseeatoncethattheyknowtheirplace。Aclever，easy-goinglot。\"
\"Ah，Foma！\"exclaimedLuba，vexed。\"Youunderstandnothing！
Nothingagitatesyou！Youareanidler。\"
\"Now，that\'sgoingtoofar！I\'vesimplynothadtimeenoughtoseewhereIam。\"
\"Youaresimplyanemptyman，\"saidLuba，resolutelyandfirmly。
\"Youwerenotwithinmysoul，\"repliedFoma，calmly。\"Youcannotknowmythoughts。\"
\"Whatistherethatyoushouldthinkof？\"saidLuba，shrugginghershoulders。
\"So？Firstofall，Iamalone。Secondly，Imustlive。Don\'tI
understandthatitisaltogetherimpossibleformetoliveasI
amnow？Idonotcaretobemadethelaughing-stockofothers。I
cannotevenspeaktopeople。No，norcanIthink。\"Fomaconcludedhiswordsandsmiledconfusedly。
\"Itisnecessarytoread，tostudy，\"Lubaadvisedhimconvincingly，pacingupanddowntheroom。
\"Somethingisstirringwithinmysoul，\"Fomawenton，notlookingather，asthoughspeakingtohimself；\"butIcannottellwhatitis。I
see，forinstance，thatwhatevermygodfathersaysiscleverandreasonable。Butthatdoesnotattractme。Theotherpeoplearebyfarmoreinterestingtome。\"
\"Youmeanthearistocrats？\"askedLuba。
\"Yes。\"
\"That\'sjusttheplaceforyou！\"saidLuba，withasmileofcontempt。
\"Eh，you！Aretheymen？Dotheyhavesouls？\"
\"Howdoyouknowthem？Youarenotacquaintedwiththem。\"
\"Andthebooks？HaveInotreadbooksaboutthem？\"
Themaidbroughtinthesamovar，andtheconversationwasinterrupted。
LubamadeteainsilencewhileFomalookedatherandthoughtofMedinskaya。Hewaswishingtohaveatalkwithher。
\"Yes，\"saidthegirl，thoughtfully，\"Iamgrowingmoreandmoreconvincedeverydaythatitishardtolive。WhatshallIdo？Marry？
Whom？ShallImarryamerchantwhowilldonothingbutrobpeopleallhislife，nothingbutdrinkandplaycards？Asavage？Idonotwantit！Iwanttobeanindividual。Iamsuch，forIknowhowwrongtheconstructionoflifeis。ShallIstudy？Myfatherwillnotallowthis。
0hLord！ShallIrunaway？Ihavenotenoughcourage。WhatamItodo？\"
Sheclaspedherhandsandbowedherheadoverthetable。
\"Ifyouknewbuthowrepulsiveeverythingis。Thereisnotalivingsoularoundhere。Sincemymotherdied，myfatherdroveeveryoneaway。Somewentofftostudy。Lipa，too，leftus。Shewritesme：
\'Read。\'Ah，Iamreading！Iamreading！\"sheexclaimed，withdespairinhervoice，andafteramoment\'ssilenceshewentonsadly：
\"Booksdonotcontainwhattheheartneedsmost，andthere\'smuchI
cannotunderstandinthem。Andthen，Ifeelwearytobereadingallthetimealone，alone！Iwanttospeaktoaman，butthereisnonetospeakto！Ifeeldisgusted。Welivebutonce，anditishightimeformetolive，andyetthereisnotasoul！WhereforeshallIlive？
Lipatellsme：\'Readandyouwillunderstandit。\'Iwantbreadandshegivesmeastone。Iunderstandwhatonemustdo——onemuststandupforwhathelovesandbelieves。Hemustfightforit。\"
Andsheconcluded，utteringsomethinglikeamoan：
\"ButIamalone！WhomshallIfight？Therearenoenemieshere。
Therearenomen！Ilivehereinaprison！
Fomalistenedtoherwords，fixedlyexaminingthefingersofhishand；
hefeltthatinherwordswassomegreatdistress，buthecouldnotunderstandher。Andwhenshebecamesilent，depressedandsad，hefoundnothingtotellhersaveafewwordsthatwerelikeareproach：
\"There，youyourselfsaythatbooksareworthlesstoyou，andyetyouinstructmetoread。\"
Shelookedintohisface，andangerflashedinhereyes。
\"Oh，howIwishthatallthesetormentswouldawakenwithinyou，thetormentsthatconstantlyoppressme。Thatyourthoughts，likemine，wouldrobyouofyoursleep，thatyou，too，wouldbedisgustedwitheverything，andwithyourselfaswell！Idespiseeveryoneofyou。
Ihateyou！\"
Allaflush，shelookedathimsoangrilyandspokewithsomuchspitefulness，thatinhisastonishmenthedidnotevenfeeloffendedbyher。Shehadneverbeforespokentohiminsuchmanner。
\"What\'sthematterwithyou？\"heaskedher。
\"Ihateyou，too！You，whatareyou？Dead，empty；howwillyoulive？
Whatwillyougivetomankind？\"shesaidwithmalice，inalowvoice。
\"I\'llgivenothing；letthemstriveforitthemselves，\"answeredFoma，knowingthatthesewordswouldaugmentheranger。
\"Unfortunatecreature！\"exclaimedthegirlwithcontempt。
TheassuranceandthepowerofherreproachesinvoluntarilycompelledFomatolistenattentivelytoherspitefulwords；hefelttherewascommonsenseinthem。Heevencamenearertoher，butshe，enragedandexasperated，turnedawayfromhimandbecamesilent。
Itwasstilllightoutside，andthereflectionofthesettingsunlaystillonthebranchesofthelinden-treesbeforethewindows，buttheroomwasalreadyfilledwithtwilight，andthesideboard，theclockandthecupboardseemedtohavegrowninsize。Thehugependulumpeepedouteverymomentfrombeneaththeglassoftheclock-case，andflashingdimly，washidingwithawearysoundnowontherightside，nowontheleft。Fomalookedatthependulumandhebegantofeelawkwardandlonesome。Lubaaroseandlightedthelampwhichwashangingoverthetable。Thegirl\'sfacewaspaleandstern。
\"Youwentforme，\"saidFoma，reservedly。\"Whatfor？Ican\'tunderstand。\"
\"Idon\'twanttospeaktoyou！\"repliedLuba，angrily。
\"That\'syouraffair。Butnevertheless，whatwronghaveIdonetoyou？\"
\"You？
\"I。\"
\"Understandme，Iamsuffocating！Itisclosehere。Isthislife？
Isthisthewayhowtolive？WhatamI？Iamahanger-oninmyfather\'shouse。Theykeepmehereasahousekeeper。Thenthey\'llmarryme！Againhousekeeping。It\'saswamp。Iamdrowning，suffocating。\"
\"AndwhathaveItodowithit？\"askedFoma。
\"Youarenobetterthantheothers。\"
\"AndthereforeIamguiltybeforeyou？\"
\"Yes，guilty！Youmustdesiretobebetter。\"
\"ButdoInotwishit？\"exclaimedFoma。
Thegirlwasabouttotellhimsomething，butatthistimethebellbegantoringsomewhere，andshesaidinalowvoice，leaningbackinherchair：
\"It\'sfather。\"
\"Iwouldnotfeelsorryifhestayedawayalittlelonger，\"saidFoma。
\"IwishIcouldlistentoyousomemore。Youspeaksoveryoddly。\"
\"Ah！mychildren，mydoves！\"exclaimedYakovTarasovich，appearinginthedoorway。\"You\'redrinkingtea？Pouroutsometeaforme，Lugava！\"
Sweetlysmiling，andrubbinghishands，hesatdownnearFomaandasked，playfullyjostlinghimintheside：
\"Whathaveyoubeencooingabout？\"
\"So——aboutdifferenttrifles，\"answeredLuba。
\"Ihaven\'taskedyou，haveI？\"saidherfathertoher，withagrimace。
\"Youjustsitthere，holdyourtongue，andmindyourwoman\'saffairs。\"
\"I\'vebeentellingheraboutthedinner，\"Fomainterruptedhisgodfather\'swords。
\"Aha！So-o-o。Well，then，I\'llalsospeakaboutthedinner。Ihavebeenwatchingyouoflate。Youdon\'tbehaveyourselfsensibly！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedFoma，knittinghisbrow，illpleased。
\"Ijustmeanthatyourbehaviourispreposterous，andthat\'sall。
Whenthegovernor，forinstance，speakstoyou，youkeepquiet。\"
\"WhatshouldItellhim？Hesaysthatitisamisfortunetoloseafather。Well，Iknowit。WhatcouldItellhim？\"
\"ButastheLordwilleditso，Idonotgrumble，yourExcellency。
That\'swhatyoushouldhavesaid，orsomethinginthisspirit。
Governors，mydear，areveryfondofmeeknessinaman。\"
\"WasItolookathimlikealamb？\"saidFoma，withasmile。
\"Youdidlooklikealamb，andthatwasunnecessary。Youmustlookneitherlikealamb，norlikeawolf，butjustplayoffbeforehimasthoughsaying：\'Youareourfather，weareyourchildren，\'andhewillimmediatelysoften。\"
\"Andwhatisthisfor？\"
\"Foranyevent。Agovernor，mydear，canalwaysbeofusesomewhere。\"
\"Whatdoyouteachhim，papa？\"saidLuba，indignantly，inalowvoice。
\"Well，what？\"
\"Todanceattendance。\"
\"Youlie，youlearnedfool！Iteachhimpolitics，notdancingattendance；Iteachhimthepoliticsoflife。Youhadbetterleaveusalone！Departfromevil，andpreparesomelunchforus。Goahead！\"
Lubarosequicklyandthrowingthetowelacrossthebackofthechair，lefttheroom。Mayakin，winkinghiseyes，lookedafterher，tappedthetablewithhisfingersandsaid：
\"Ishallinstructyou，Foma。Ishallteachyouthemostgenuine，trueknowledgeandphilosophy，andifyouunderstandthem，yourlifewillbefaultless。\"
Fomasawhowthewrinklesontheoldman\'sforeheadweretwitching，andtheyseemedtohimlikelinesofSlavonicletters。
\"Firstofall，Foma，sinceyouliveonthisearth，itisyourdutytothinkovereverythingthattakesplaceaboutyou。Why？Thatyoumaynotsufferforyourownsenselessness，andmaynotharmothersbyyourfolly。Now，everyactofmanisdouble-faced，Foma。Oneisvisibletoall——thisisthewrongside；theotherisconcealed——andthatistherealone。Itisthatonethatyoumustbeabletofindinordertounderstandthesenseofthething。Takeforexamplethelodging-asylums，thework-houses，thepoor-housesandothersimilarinstitutions。Justconsider，whataretheyfor？\"
\"Whatistheretoconsiderhere？\"saidFoma，wearily\"Everybodyknowswhattheyarefor——forthepoorandfeeble。\"
\"Eh，dear！Sometimeseverybodyknowsthatacertainmanisarascalandascoundrel，andyetallcallhimIvanorPeter，andinsteadofabusinghimtheyrespectfullyaddhisfather\'snametohisown。\"
\"Whathasthistodowithit？\"
\"It\'salltothepoint。Soyousaythatthesehousesareforthepoor，forbeggars，consequently，inaccordancewithChrist\'scommandment。Verywell！Butwhoisthebeggar？Thebeggarisaman，forcedbyfatetoremindusofChrist；heisabrotherofChrist；heisthebelloftheLordandheringsinlifetorouseourconscience，toarousethesatietyofthefleshofman。Hestandsbythewindowandsingsout：\'ForthesakeofChrist！\'andbyhissingingheremindsusofChrist，ofHisholycommandmenttohelptheneighbour。ButmenhavesoarrangedtheirlifethatitisimpossibleforthemtoactaccordingtotheteachingsofChrist，andJesusChristhasbecomealtogetherunnecessarytous。
Notonetime，butperhapsahundredthousandtimeshaveweturnedHimovertothecross，andyetwecannotdriveHimaltogetheroutoflife，becauseHispoorbrethrensingHisHolynameonthestreetsandthusremindusofHim。Andnowwehavearrangedtolockupthesebeggarsinseparatehousesthattheyshouldnotwalkaroundonthestreetsandshouldnotrouseourconscience。
\"Cle-ver！\"whisperedFoma，amazed，staringfixedlyathisgodfather。
\"Aha！\"exclaimedMayakin，hiseyesbeamingwithtriumph。
\"Howisitthatmyfatherdidnotthinkofthis？\"askedFoma，uneasily。
\"Justwait！Listenfurther，itisstillworse。Soyousee，wehavearrangedtolockthemupinallsortsofhousesandthattheymightbekepttherecheaply，wehavecompelledthoseoldandfeeblebeggarstoworkandweneedgivenoalmsnow，andsinceourstreetshavebeenclearedofthevariousraggedbeggars，wedonotseetheirterribledistressandpoverty，andwemay，therefore，thinkthatallmenoneartharewell-fed，shodandclothed。That\'swhatallthesedifferenthousesarefor，fortheconcealmentofthetruth，forthebanishmentofChristfromourlife！Isthiscleartoyou？\"
\"Yes！\"saidFoma，confusedbytheoldman\'scleverwords。
\"Andthisisnotall。Thepoolisnotyetbaledouttothebottom！\"
exclaimedMayakin，swinginghishandintheairwithanimation。
Thewrinklesofhisfacewereinmotion；hislong，ravenousnosewasstirring，andinhisvoicerangnotesofirritabilityandemotion。
\"Now，letuslookatthisthingfromtheotherside。Whocontributesmostinfavourofthepoor，forthesupportofthesehouses，asylums，poor-houses？Therichpeople，themerchants，ourbodyofmerchants。Verywell！Andwhocommandsourlifeandregulatesit？Thenobles，thefunctionariesandallsortsofotherpeople，notbelongingtoourclass。Fromthemcomethelaws，thenewspapers，science——everythingfromthem。Before，theywereland-owners，nowtheirlandwassnatchedawayfromthem——andtheystartedoutinservice。Verywell！Butwhoarethemostpowerfulpeopletoday？Themerchantisthesupremepowerinanempire，becausehehasthemillionsonhisside！Isn\'tthatso？\"
\"True！\"assentedFoma，eagertohearthesoonerthatwhichwastofollow，andwhichwasalreadysparklingintheeyesofhisgodfather。
\"Justmarkthis，\"theoldmanwentondistinctlyandimpressively。
\"Wemerchantshadnohandinthearrangementoflife，nordowehaveavoiceorahandinittoday。Lifewasarrangedbyothers，anditistheythatmultipliedallsortsofscabsinlife——idlersandpoorunfortunates；andsincebymultiplyingthemtheyobstructedlifeandspoiltit——itis，justlyjudging，nowtheirdutytopurifyit。Butwearepurifyingit，wecontributemoneyforthepoor，welookafterthem——we，judgeitforyourself，whyshouldwemendanother\'srags，sincewedidnottearthem？Whyshouldwerepairahouse，sinceothershavelivedinitandsinceitbelongstoothers？Wereitnotwiserforustostepasideandwatchuntilacertaintimehowrottennessismultiplyingandchokingthosethatarestrangerstous？Theycannotconquerit，theyhavenotthemeanstodoit。Thentheywillturntousandsay：\'Pray，helpus，gentlemen！\'andwe\'lltellthem：\'Letushaveroomforourwork！Rankusamongthebuildersofthissamelife！\'Andassoonastheydothiswe，too，willhavetoclearlifeatonesweepofallsortsoffilthandchaff。ThentheEmperorwillseewithhiscleareyeswhoarereallyhisfaithfulservants，andhowmuchwisdomtheyhavesavedupwhiletheirhandswereidle。Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Ofcourse，Ido！\"exclaimedFoma。
Whenhisgodfatherspokeofthefunctionaries，Fomaremindedhimselfofthepeoplethatwerepresentatthedinner；herecalledthebrisksecretary，andathoughtflashedthroughhismindthatthisstoutlittlemanhasinallprobabilityanincomeofnomorethanathousandroublesayear，whilehe，Foma，hasamillion。Butthatmanlivessoeasilyandfreely，whilehe，Foma，doesnotknowhowtolive，isindeedabashedtolive。Thiscomparisonandhisgodfather\'sspeechrousedinhimawhirlofthoughts，buthehadtimetograspandexpressonlyoneofthem：
\"Indeed，doweworkforthesakeofmoneyonly？What\'stheuseofmoneyifitcangiveusnopower？\"
\"Aha！\"saidMayakin，winkinghiseyes。
\"Eh！\"exclaimedFoma，offended。\"Howaboutmyfather？Haveyouspokentohim？\"
\"Ispoketohimfortwentyyears。\"
\"Well，howabouthim？\"
\"Mywordsdidnotreachhim。Thecrownofyourfather\'sheadwasratherthick。Hissoulwasopentoall，whilehismindwashiddenawayfarwithinhim。Yes，hemadeablunder，andIamverysorryaboutthemoney。\"
\"Iamnotsorryforthemoney。\"
\"Youshouldhavetriedtoearnevenatenthpartofit，thenspeak。\"
\"MayIcomein？\"cameLuba\'svoicefrombehindthedoor。
\"Yes，steprightin，\"saidthefather。
\"Willyouhavelunchnow？\"sheasked，entering。
\"Letushaveit。\"
Shewalkeduptothesideboardandsoonthedisheswererattling。
YakovTarasovichlookedather，movedhislips，andsuddenlystrikingFoma\'skneewithhishand，hesaidtohim：
\"That\'stheway，mygodson！Think。\"
Fomarespondedwithasmileandthought：\"Buthe\'sclever——
clevererthanmyfather。\"
Butanothervoicewithinhimimmediatelyreplied：
\"Cleverer，butworse。\"
CHAPTERV
FOMA\'SdualrelationtowardMayakingrewstrongerandstrongerastimewenton；listeningtohiswordsattentivelyandwitheagercuriosity，hefeltthateachmeetingwithhisgodfatherwasstrengtheninginhimthefeelingofhostilitytowardtheoldman。
SometimesYakovTarasovichrousedinhisgodsonafeelingakintofear，sometimesevenphysicalaversion。ThelatterusuallycametoFomawhenevertheoldmanwaspleasedwithsomethingandlaughed。
Fromlaughtertheoldman\'swrinkleswouldtremble，thuschangingtheexpressionofhisfaceeverynowandthen；hisdry，thinlipswouldstretchoutandmovenervously，displayingblackbrokenteeth，andhisredlittlebeardwasasthoughaflame。Hislaughtersoundedlikethesqueakingofrustyhinges，andaltogethertheoldmanlookedlikealizardatplay。Unabletoconcealhisfeelings，FomaoftenexpressedthemtoMayakinratherrudely，bothinwordsandingesture，buttheoldman，pretendingnottonoticeit，keptavigilanteyeonhim，directinghiseachandeverystep。WhollyabsorbedbythesteamshipaffairsoftheyoungGordyeeff，heevenneglectedhisownlittleshop，andallowedFomaconsiderableleisuretime。ThankstoMayakin\'simportantpositionintownandtohisextensiveacquaintanceontheVolga，businesswassplendid，butMayakin\'szealousinterestinhisaffairsstrengthenedFoma\'ssuspicionsthathisgodfatherwasfirmlyresolvedtomarryhimtoLuba，andthismadetheoldmanmorerepulsivetohim。
HelikedLuba，butatthesametimesheseemedsuspiciousanddangerousforhim。Shedidnotmarry，andMayakinneversaidawordaboutit；hegavenoeveningparties，invitednoneoftheyouthstohishouseanddidnotallowLubatoleavethehouse。Andallhergirlfriendsweremarriedalready。Fomaadmiredherwordsandlistenedtoherjustaseagerlyastoherfather；butwhenevershestartedtospeakofTaraswithloveandanguish，itseemedtohimthatshewashidinganothermanunderthatname，perhapsthatsameYozhov，whoaccordingtoherwords，hadtoleavetheuniversityforsomereasonorother，andgotoMoscow。Therewasagreatdealofsimplemindednessandkindnessinher，whichpleasedFoma，andofttimesherwordsawakenedinhimafeelingofpityforher；itseemedtohimthatshewasnotalive，thatshewasdreamingthoughawake。
Hisconductatthefuneralfeastforhisfatherbecameknowntoallthemerchantsandgavehimabadreputation。OntheExchange，henoticed，everybodylookedathimsneeringly，malevolently，andspoketohiminsomepeculiarway。Onedayheheardbehindhimalowexclamation，fullofcontempt：
\"Gordyeeff！Milksop！\"
Hefeltthatthiswassaidofhim，buthedidnotturnaroundtoseewhoitwasthatflungthosewordsathim。Therichpeople，whohadinspiredhimwithtimiditybefore，werenowlosinginhiseyesthewitcheryoftheirwealthandwisdom。Theyhadmorethanoncesnatchedoutofhishandsthisorthatprofitablecontract；heclearlysawthattheywoulddoitagain，andtheyallseemedtohimalike——greedyformoney，alwaysreadytocheatoneanother。Whenheimpartedtohisgodfatherhisobservation，theoldmansaid：
\"Howthen？Businessisjustthesameaswar——ahazardousaffair。
Theretheyfightforthepurse，andinthepurseisthesoul。\"
\"Idon\'tlikethis，\"announcedFoma。
\"NeitherdoIlikeeverything——there\'stoomuchfraud。
Buttobefairinbusinessmattersisutterlyimpossible；youmustbeshrewd！Inbusiness，dear，onapproachingamanyoumustholdhoneyinyourlefthand，andclutchaknifeinyourright。Everybodywouldliketobuyfivecopecks\'worthforahalfacopeck。\"
\"Well，thisisn\'ttoogood，\"saidFoma，thoughtfully。\"Butitwillbegoodlater。Whenyouhavetakentheupperhand，thenitwillbegood。
Life，dearFoma，isverysimple：eitherbiteeverybody，orlieinthegutter。
Theoldmansmiled，andthebrokenteethinhismouthrousedinFomathekeenthought：
\"Youhavebittenmany，itseems。\"
\"There\'sbutoneword——battle！\"repeatedtheoldman。
\"Isthistherealone？\"askedFoma，lookingatMayakinsearchingly。
\"Thatis，whatdoyoumean——thereal？\"
\"Istherenothingbetterthanthis？Doesthiscontaineverything？\"
\"Whereelseshoulditbe？Everybodylivesforhimself。Eachofuswishesthebestforhimself。Andwhatisthebest？Togoinfrontofothers，tostandabovethem。Sothateverybodyistryingtoattainthefirstplaceinlife——onebythismeans，anotherbythatmeans。Buteveryoneispositivelyanxioustobeseenfromafar，likeatower。
Andmanwasindeedappointedtogoupward。EventheBookofJobsays：
\'Manisbornuntotrouble，asthesparks，toflyupward。\'Justsee：
evenchildrenatplayalwayswishtosurpassoneanother。Andeachandeverygamehasitsclimax，whichmakesitinteresting。Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Iunderstandthis！\"saidFoma，firmlyandconfidently。
\"Butyoumustalsofeelthis。Withunderstandingaloneyoucannotgofar，andyoumustdesire，anddesiresothatabigmountainshouldseemtoyoubutahillock，andtheseabutapuddle。Eh！
WhenIwasofyourageIhadaneasylife，whileyouareonlytakingaim。Butthen，goodfruitdoesnotripenearly。\"
Theoldman\'smonotonousspeechessoonaccomplishedwhattheywereintendedtodo。Fomalistenedtothemandmadecleartohimselftheaimoflife。Hemustbebetterthanothers，heresolved，andtheambition，kindledbytheoldman，tookdeeprootinhisheart。Ittookrootwithinhisheart，butdidnotfillitup，forFoma\'srelationstowardMedinskayaassumedthatcharacter，whichtheywereboundtoassume。Helongedforher，healwaysyearnedtoseeher；whileinherpresencehebecametimid，awkwardandstupid；heknewitandsufferedonthisaccount。Hefrequentlyvisitedher，butitwashardtofindherathomealone；
perfumeddandieslikefliesoverapieceofsugar——werealwaysflittingabouther。TheyspoketoherinFrench，sangandlaughed，whilehelookedattheminsilence，torturedbyangerandjealousy。
Hislegscrossed，hesatsomewhereinacornerofherrichlyfurnisheddrawing-room，whereitwasextremelydifficulttowalkwithoutoverturningoratleaststrikingagainstsomething——Fomasatandwatchedthemsternly。
Overthesoftrugsshewasnoiselesslypassinghitherandthither，castingtohimkindglancesandsmiles，whileheradmirerswerefawninguponher，andtheyall，likeserpents，werecleverlyglidingbythevariouslittletables，chairs，screens，flower-stands——astorehousefullofbeautifulandfrailthings，scatteredabouttheroomwithacarelessnessequallydangeroustothemandtoFoma。Butwhenhewalkedthere，therugsdidnotdrownhisfootsteps，andallthesethingscaughtathiscoat，trembledandfell。Besidethepianostoodasailormadeofbronze，whosehandwaslifted，readytothrowthelife-savingring；onthisringwereropesofwire，andthesealwayspulledFomabythehair。AllthisprovokedlaughteramongSophyaPavlovnaandheradmirers，andFomasufferedgreatly，changingfromheattocold。
Buthefeltnolessuncomfortableevenwhenalonewithher。
Greetinghimwithakindlysmile，shewouldtakeaseatbesidehiminoneofthecosycornersofherdrawing-roomandwouldusuallystartherconversationbycomplainingtohimofeverybody：
\"Youwouldn\'tbelievehowgladIamtoseeyou！\"Bendinglikeacat，shewouldgazeintohiseyeswithherdarkglance，inwhichsomethingavidiouswouldnowflashup。
\"Ilovetospeaktoyou，\"shesaid，musicallydrawlingherwords。
\"I\'vegrowntiredofalltherestofthem。They\'reallsoboring，ordinaryandworn-out，whileyouarefresh，sincere。Youdon\'tlikethosepeopleeither，doyou？\"
\"Ican\'tbearthem！\"repliedFoma，firmly。
\"Andme？\"sheaskedsoftly。
Fomaturnedhiseyesawayfromherandsaid，withasigh：
\"Howmanytimeshaveyouaskedmethat？\"
\"Isithardforyoutotellme？\"
\"Itisn\'thard，butwhatfor？\"
\"Imustknowit。\"
\"Youaremakingsportofme，\"saidFoma，sternly。Andsheopenedhereyeswideandinquiredinatoneofgreatastonishment：
\"HowdoImakesportofyou？Whatdoesitmeantomakesport？\"
Andherfacelookedsoangelicthathecouldnothelpbelievingher。
\"Iloveyou！Iloveyou！Itisimpossiblenottoloveyou！\"saidhehotly，andimmediatelyaddedsadly，loweringhisvoice：\"Butyoudon\'tneedit！\"
\"Thereyouhaveit！\"sighedMedinskaya，satisfied，drawingbackfromhim。\"Iamalwaysextremelypleasedtohearyousaythis，withsomuchyouthfulnessandoriginality。Wouldyouliketokissmyhand？\"
Withoutsayingawordheseizedherthin，whitelittlehandandcarefullybendingdowntoit，hepassionatelykisseditforalongtime。Smilingandgraceful，notintheleastmovedbyhispassion，shefreedherhandfromhis。Pensively，shelookedathimwiththatstrangeglitterinhereyes，whichalwaysconfusedFoma；sheexaminedhimassomethingrareandextremelycurious，andsaid：
\"Howmuchstrengthandpowerandfreshnessofsoulyoupossess！Doyouknow？Youmerchantsareanaltogethernewrace，anentireracewithoriginaltraditions，withanenormousenergyofbodyandsoul。
Takeyou，forinstance——youareapreciousstone，andyoushouldbepolished。Oh！\"
Whenevershetoldhim：\"You，\"or\"accordingtoyourmerchantfashion，\"itseemedtoFomathatshewaspushinghimawayfromherwiththesewords。Thisatoncesaddenedandoffendedhim。Hewassilent，lookingathersmallmaidenlyfigure，whichwasalwayssomehowparticularlywelldressed，alwayssweet-scentedlikeaflower。
Sometimeshewasseizedwithawild，coarsedesiretoembraceandkissher。Butherbeautyandthefragilityofherthin，supplebodyawakenedinhimafearofbreakinganddisfiguringher，andhercalm，caressingvoiceandtheclear，butsomewhatcautiouslookofhereyeschilledhispassion；itseemedtohimasthoughshewerelookingstraightintohissoul，diviningallhisthoughts。Buttheseburstsofemotionwererare。GenerallytheyouthregardedMedinskayawithadoration，admiringeverythinginher——herbeauty，herwords，herdresses。Andbesidethisadorationtherewasinhimapainfullykeenconsciousnessofhisremotenessfromher，ofhersupremacyoverhim。
Theserelationswereestablishedbetweenthemwithinashorttime；
aftertwoorthreemeetingsMedinskayawasinfullpossessionoftheyouthandsheslowlybegantotorturehim。Evidentlyshelikedtohaveahealthy，strongyouthathermercy；shelikedtorouseandtametheanimalinhimmerelywithhervoiceandglance，andconfidentofthepowerofhersuperiority，shefoundpleasureinthusplayingwithhim。Onleavingher，hewasusuallyhalf-sickfromexcitement，bearingheragrudge，angrywithhimself，filledwithmanypainfulandintoxicatingsensations。Andabouttwodayslaterhewouldcometoundergothesametortureagain。
Onedayheaskedhertimidly：
\"SophyaPavlovna！Haveyoueverhadanychildren？\"
\"No。\"
\"Ithoughtnot！\"exclaimedFomawithdelight。
Shecastathimthelookofaverynaivelittlegirl，andsaid：
\"Whatmadeyouthinkso？AndwhydoyouwanttoknowwhetherI
hadanychildrenornot？\"
Fomablushed，and，bendinghishead，begantospeaktoherinaheavyvoice，asthoughhewasliftingeverywordfromthegroundandasthougheachwordweighedafewpuds。
\"Yousee——awomanwho——hasgivenbirthtochildren——suchawomanhasaltogetherdifferenteyes。\"
\"So？Whatkindaretheythen？\"
\"Shameless！\"Fomablurtedout。
Medinskayabrokeintohersilverlaughter，andFoma，lookingather，alsobegantolaugh。
\"Excuseme！\"saidhe，atlength。\"PerhapsI\'vesaidsomethingwrong，improper。\"
\"Oh，no，no！Youcannotsayanythingimproper。Youareapure，amiableboy。Andso，myeyesarenotshameless？\"
\"Yoursarelikeanangel\'s！\"announcedFomawithenthusiasm，lookingatherwithbeamingeyes。Andsheglancedathim，asshehadneverdonebefore；herlookwasthatofamother，asadlookoflovemingledwithfearforthebeloved。
\"Go，dearone。Iamtired；Ineedarest，\"shesaidtohim，assherosewithoutlookingathim。Hewentawaysubmissively。
Forsometimeafterthisincidentherattitudetowardhimwasstricterandmoresincere，asthoughshepitiedhim，butlatertheirrelationsassumedtheoldformofthecat-and-mouseplay。
Foma\'srelationtowardMedinskayacouldnotescapehisgodfather\'snotice，andonedaytheoldmanaskedhim，withamaliciousgrimace：
\"Foma！Youhadbetterfeelyourheadmoreoftensothatyoumaynotloseitbyaccident。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedFoma。
\"IspeakofSonka。Youaregoingtoseehertoooften。\"
\"Whathasthattodowithyou？\"saidFoma，ratherrudely。\"AndwhydoyoucallherSonka？\"
\"It\'snothingtome。Iwouldlosenothingifyoushouldbefleeced。AndastocallingherSonka——everybodyknowsthatishername。Sodoeseverybodyknowthatshelikestorakeupthefirewithotherpeople\'shands。\"
\"Sheisclever！\"announcedFoma，firmly，frowningandhidinghishandsinhispockets。\"Sheisintelligent。\"
\"Clever，that\'strue！Howcleverlyshearrangedthatentertainment；
therewasanincomeoftwothousandfourhundredroubles，theexpenses——onethousandninehundred；theexpensesreallydidnotevenamounttoathousandroubles，foreverybodydoeseverythingforherfornothing。Intelligent！Shewilleducateyou，andespeciallywillthoseidlersthatrunaroundher。\"
\"They\'renotidlers，theyarecleverpeople！\"repliedFoma，angrily，contradictinghimselfnow。\"AndIlearnfromthem。WhatamI？Iknownothing。WhatwasItaught？Whiletheretheyspeakofeverything——andeachonehashiswordtosay。Donothindermefrombeinglikeaman。\"
\"Pooh！Howyou\'velearnedtospeak！Withsomuchanger，likethehailstrikingagainsttheroof！Verywell，belikeaman，butinordertobelikeamanitmightbelessdangerousforyoutogotothetavern；thepeoplethereareafterallbetterthanSophya\'speople。Andyou，youngman，youshouldhavelearnedtodiscriminateonepersonfromanother。
TakeSophya，forinstance：Whatdoessherepresent？Aninsectfortheadornmentofnatureandnothingmore！\"
Intenselyagitated，FomasethisteethtogetherandwalkedawayfromMayakin，thrustinghishandsstilldeeperintohispockets。ButtheoldmansoonstartedagainaconversationaboutMedinskaya。
Theywereontheirwaybackfromthebayafteraninspectionofthesteamers，andseatedinabigandcommodioussledge，theywereenthusiasticallydiscussingbusinessmattersinafriendlyway。ItwasinMarch。Thewaterunderthesledge-runnerswasbubbling，thesnowwasalreadycoveredwitharatherdirtyfleece，andthesunshonewarmlyandmerrilyintheclearsky。
\"Willyougotoyourladyassoonaswearrive？\"askedMayakin，unexpectedly，interruptingtheirbusinesstalk。
\"Iwill，\"saidFoma，shortly，andwithdispleasure，\"Mm。Tellme，howoftendoyougiveherpresents？\"askedMayakin，plainlyandsomewhatintimately。
\"Whatpresents？Whatfor？\"Fomawondered。
\"Youmakehernopresents？Youdon\'tsay。Doesshelivewithyouthenmerelyso，forlove\'ssake？\"
Fomaboiledupwithangerandshame，turnedabruptlytowardtheoldmanandsaidreproachfully：
\"Eh！Youareanoldman，andyetyouspeaksothatitisashametolistentoyou！Tosaysuchathing！Doyouthinkshewouldcomedowntothis？\"
Mayakinsmackedhislipsandsangoutinamournfulvoice：
\"Whatablockheadyouare！Whatafool！\"andsuddenlygrownangry，hespatout：\"Shameuponyou！Allsortsofbrutesdrankoutofthepot，nothingbutthedregsremained，andnowafoolhasmadeagoduntohimselfofthisdirtypot。Devil！Youjustgouptoherandtellherplainly：\'Iwanttobeyourlover。Iamayoungman，don\'tchargememuchforit。\'\"
\"Godfather！\"saidFoma，sternly，inathreateningvoice，\"I
cannotbeartohearsuchwords。Ifitweresomeoneelse。\"
\"Butwhoexceptmyselfwouldcautionyou？GoodGod！\"Mayakincriedout，claspinghishands。\"Soshehasledyoubythenoseallwinterlong！Whatanose！Whatabeastsheis！\"
Theoldmanwasagitated；inhisvoicerangvexation，anger，eventearsFomahadneverbeforeseenhiminsuchastate，andlookingathim，hewasinvoluntarilysilent。
\"Shewillruinyou！0hLord！TheBabylonianprostitute！\"
Mayakin\'seyeswereblinking，hislipsweretrembling，andinrude，cynicalwordshebegantospeakofMedinskaya，irritated，withawrathfuljarinhisvoice。
Fomafeltthattheoldmanspokethetruth。Henowbegantobreathewithdifficultyandhefeltthathismouthhadadry，bittertaste。
\"Verywell，father，enough，\"hebeggedsoftlyandsadly，turningasidefromMayakin。
\"Eh，yououghttogetmarriedassoonaspossible！\"exclaimedtheoldmanwithalarm。
\"ForChrist\'ssake，donotspeak，\"utteredFomainadullvoice。
Mayakinglancedathisgodsonandbecamesilent。Foma\'sfacelookeddrawn；hegrewpale，andtherewasagreatdealofpainful，bitterstuporinhishalf-openlipsandinhissadlook。Ontherightandontheleftoftheroadafieldstretcheditself，coveredhereandtherewithpatchesofwinter-raiment。Rookswerehoppingbusilyaboutovertheblackspots，wherethesnowhadmelted。Thewaterunderthesledge-runnerswassplashing，themuddysnowwaskickedupbythehoofsofthehorses。
\"Howfoolishmanisinhisyouth！\"exclaimedMayakin，inalowvoice。
Fomadidnotlookathim。
\"Beforehimstandsthestumpofatree，andyetheseesthesnoutofabeast——that\'showhefrightenshimself。Oh，oh！\"
\"Speakmoreplainly，\"saidFoma，sternly。
\"Whatistheretosay？Thethingisclear：girlsarecream；womenaremilk；womenarenear，girlsarefar。Consequently，gotoSonka，ifyoucannotdowithoutit，andtellherplainly。That\'showthematterstands。Fool！Ifsheisasinner，youcangethermoreeasily。
Whyareyousoangry，then？Whysobristledup？\"
\"Youdon\'tunderstand，\"saidFoma，inalowvoice。
\"WhatisitIdonotunderstand？Iunderstandeverything！\"
\"Theheart。Manhasaheart，\"sighedtheyouth。
Mayakinwinkedhiseyesandsaid：
\"Thenhehasnomind。\"
CHAPTERVI
WHENFomaarrivedinthecityhewasseizedwithsad，revengefulanger。HewasburningwithapassionatedesiretoinsultMedinskaya，toabuseher。Histeethfirmlysettogether，hishandsthrustdeepintohispockets，hewalkedforafewhoursinsuccessionaboutthedesertedroomsofhishouse，hesternlyknittedhisbrow，andconstantlythrewhischestforward。Hisbreastwastoonarrowtoholdhisheart，whichwasfilledwithwrath。Hestampedthefloorwithheavyandmeasuredsteps，asthoughhewereforginghisanger。
\"Thevilewretch——disguisedherselfasanangel！\"Pelageyavividlyaroseinhismemory，andhewhisperedmalignantlyandbitterly：
\"Thoughafallenwoman，sheisbetter。Shedidnotplaythehypocrite。Sheatonceunfoldedhersoulandherbody，andherheartissurelyjustasherbreast——whiteandsound。\"
SometimesHopewouldwhispertimidlyinhisear：
\"Perhapsallthatwassaidofherwasalie。\"
Butherecalledtheeagercertaintyofhisgodfather，andthepowerofhiswords，andthisthoughtperished。Hesethisteethmorefirmlytogetherandthrewhischeststillmoreforward。Evilthoughtslikesplintersofwoodstuckintohisheart，andhisheartwasshatteredbytheacutepaintheycaused。
BydisparagingMedinskaya，Mayakinmadehermoreaccessibletohisgodson，andFomasoonunderstoodthis。Afewdayspassed，andFoma\'sagitatedfeelingsbecamecalm，absorbedbythespringbusinesscares。Thesorrowforthelossoftheindividualdeadenedthespiteheowedthewoman，andthethoughtofthewoman\'saccessibilityincreasedhispassionforher。Andsomehow，withoutperceivingithimself，hesuddenlyunderstoodandresolvedthatheoughttogouptoSophyaPavlovnaandtellherplainly，openly，justwhathewantedofher——that\'sall！Heevenfeltacertainjoyatthisresolution，andheboldlystartedofftoMedinskaya，thinkingonthewayonlyhowtotellherbestallthatwasnecessary。
TheservantsofMedinskayawereaccustomedtohisvisits，andtohisquestionwhethertheladywasathomethemaidreplied：
\"Pleasegointothedrawing-room。Sheistherealone。\"
Hebecamesomewhatfrightened，butnoticinginthemirrorhisstatelyfigureneatlycladwithafrock-coat，andhisswarthy，seriousfaceinaframeofadownyblackbeard，setwithlargedarkeyes——heraisedhisshouldersandconfidentlysteppedforwardthroughtheparlour。Strangesoundsofastringinstrumentwerecalmlyfloatingtomeethim；theyseemedtoburstintoquiet，cheerlesslaughter，complainingofsomething，tenderlystirringtheheart，asthoughimploringitforattentionandhavingnohopesofgettingit。Fomadidnotliketohearmusic——italwaysfilledhimwithsadness。Evenwhenthe\"machine\"inthetavernplayedsomesadtune，hisheartfilledwithmelancholyanguish，andhewouldeitheraskthemtostopthe\"machine\"orwouldgoawaysomelittledistancefeelingthathecouldnotlistencalmlytothesetuneswithoutwords，butfulloflamentationandtears。Andnowheinvoluntarilystoppedshortatthedoorofthedrawing-room。
Acurtainoflongstringsofparti-colouredglassbeadshungoverthedoor。Thebeadshadbeenstrungsoastoformafantasticfigureofsomekindofplants；thestringswerequietlyshakinganditseemedthatpaleshadowsofflowersweresoaringintheair。
Thistransparentcurtaindidnothidetheinsideofthedrawing-
roomfromFoma\'seyes。Seatedonacouchinherfavouritecorner，Medinskayaplayedthemandolin。AlargeJapaneseumbrella，fasteneduptothewall，shadedthelittlewomaninblackbyitsmixtureofcolours；thehighbronzelampunderaredlamp-shadecastonherthelightofsunset。Themildsoundsoftheslenderstringsweretremblingsadlyinthenarrowroom，whichwasfilledwithsoftandfragranttwilight。Nowthewomanloweredthemandolinonherkneesandbeganrunningherfingersoverthestrings，alsotoexaminefixedlysomethingbeforeher。Fomaheavedasigh。
AsoftsoundofmusicsoaredaboutMedinskaya，andherfacewasforeverchangingasthoughshadowswerefallingonit，fallingandmeltingawayundertheflashofhereyes。
Fomalookedatherandsawthatwhenaloneshewasnotquitesogood-lookingasinthepresenceofpeople——nowherfacelookedolder，moreserious——hereyeshadnottheexpressionofkindnessandgentleness，theyhadarathertiredandwearylook。Andherpose，too，wasweary，asifthewomanwereabouttostirbutcouldnot。Fomanoticedthatthefeelingwhichpromptedhimtocometoherwasnowchanginginhisheartintosomeotherfeeling。Hescrapedwithhisfootalongthefloorandcoughed。
\"Whoisthat？\"askedthewoman，startingwithalarm。Andthestringstrembled，issuinganalarmedsound。
\"ItisI，\"saidFoma，pushingasidethestringsofthebeads。
\"Ah！Buthowquietlyyou\'veentered。Iamgladtoseeyou。Beseated！Whydidn\'tyoucomeforsuchalongtime？\"
Holdingoutherhandtohim，shepointedwiththeotheratasmallarmchairbesideher，andhereyesweregailysmiling。
\"Iwasoutonthebayinspectingmysteamers，\"saidFoma，withexaggeratedease，movinghisarmchairnearertothecouch。
\"Istheremuchsnowyetonthefields？\"
\"Asmuchasonemaywant。Butitisalreadymeltingconsiderably。