Thereiswaterontheroadseverywhere。\"
Helookedatherandsmiled。EvidentlyMedinskayanoticedtheeaseofhisbehaviourandsomethingnewinhissmile，forsheadjustedherdressanddrewfartherawayfromhim。Theireyesmet——andMedinskayaloweredherhead。
\"Melting！\"saidshe，thoughtfully，examiningtheringonherlittlefinger。
\"Ye-es，streamseverywhere。\"Fomainformedher，admiringhisboots。
\"That\'sgood。Springiscoming。\"
Nowitwon\'tbedelayedlong。\"
\"Springiscoming，\"repeatedMedinskaya，softly，asiflisteningtothesoundsofherwords。
\"Peoplewillstarttofallinlove，\"saidFoma，withasmile，andforsomereasonorotherfirmlyrubbedhishands。
\"Areyoupreparingyourself？\"askedMedinskaya，drily。
\"Ihavenoneedforit。Ihavebeenreadylongago。Iamalreadyinloveforallmylife。\"
Shecastaglanceathim，andstartedtoplayagain，lookingatthestringsandsayingpensively：
\"Spring。Howgooditisthatyouarebutbeginningtolive。Theheartisfullofpower，andthereisnothingdarkinit。\"
\"SophyaPavlovna！\"exclaimedFoma，softly。Sheinterruptedhimwithacaressinggesture。
\"Wait，dearest！TodayIcantellyousomethinggood。Doyouknow，apersonwhohaslivedlonghassuchmomentsthatwhenhelooksintohisheartheunexpectedlyfindstheresomethinglongforgotten。Foryearsitlaysomewhereinthedepthofhisheart，butlostnoneofthefragranceofyouth，andwhenmemorytouchesit，thenspringcomesoverthatperson，breathinguponhimthevivifyingfreshnessofthemorningofhislife。Thisisgood，thoughitisverysad。\"
Thestringstrembledandweptunderthetouchofherfingers，anditseemedtoFomathattheirsoundsandthesoftvoiceofthewomanweretouchinghisheartgentlyandcaressingly。But，stillfirminhisdecision，helistenedtoherwordsand，notknowingtheirmeaning，thought：
\"Youmayspeak！AndIwon\'tbelieveanythingyoumaysay。\"
Thisthoughtirritatedhim。Andhefeltsorrythathecouldnotlistentoherwordsasattentivelyandtrustfullyasbefore。
\"Areyouthinkingofhowitisnecessarytolive？\"askedthewoman。
\"SometimesIthinkofit，andthenIforgetagain。Ihavenotimeforit！\"saidFomaandsmiled。\"Andthen，whatistheretothinkof？Itissimple。Youseehowotherslive。Well，consequently，youmustimitatethem。\"
\"Ah，don\'tdothis！Spareyourself。Youaresogood！Thereissomethingpeculiarinyou；what——Idonotknow。Butitcanbefelt。
Anditseemstome，itwillbeveryhardforyoutogetalonginlife。Iamsure，youwillnotgoalongtheusualwayofthepeopleofyourcircle。No！Youcannotbepleasedwithalifewhichiswhollydevotedtogain，tohuntsaftertherouble，tothisbusinessofyours。Oh，no！Iknow，youwillhaveadesireforsomethingelse，willyounot？\"
Shespokequickly，withalookofalarminhereyes。Lookingather，Fomathought：
\"Whatisshedrivingat？\"
Andheansweredherslowly：
\"PerhapsIwillhaveadesireforsomethingelse。PerhapsIhaveitalready。\"
Drawingupclosertohim，shelookedintohisfaceandspokeconvincingly：
\"Listen！Donotlivelikeallotherpeople！Arrangeyourlifesomehowdifferently。Youarestrong，young。Youaregood！\"
\"AndifIamgoodthentheremustbegoodforme！\"exclaimedFoma，feelingthathewasseizedwithagitation，andthathisheartwasbeginningtobeatwithanxiety。
\"Ah，butthatisnotthecase！Hereonearthitisworseforthegoodpeoplethanforthebadones！\"saidMedinskaya，sadly。
Andagainthetremblingnotesofmusicbegantodanceatthetouchofherfingers。Fomafeltthatifhedidnotstarttosayatoncewhatwasnecessary，hewouldtellhernothinglater。
\"Godblessme！\"hesaidtohimself，andinaloweredvoice，strengtheninghisheart，began：
\"SophyaPavlovna！Enough！Ihavesomethingtosay。Ihavecometotellyou：\'Enough！\'Wemustdealfairly，openly。Atfirstyouhaveattractedmetoyourself，andnowyouarefencingawayfromme。I
cannotunderstandwhatyousay。Mymindisdull，butIcanfeelthatyouwishtohideyourself。Icanseeit——doyouunderstandnowwhatbroughtmehere？\"
Hiseyesbegantoflashandwitheachwordhisvoicebecamewarmerandlouder。Shemovedherbodyforwardandsaidwithalarm：
\"Oh，cease。\"
\"No，Iwon\'t，Iwillspeak！\"
\"Iknowwhatyouwanttosay。\"
\"Youdon\'tknowitall！\"saidFoma，threateningly，risingtohisfeet。\"ButIknoweverythingaboutyou——everything。\"
\"Yes？Thenthebetteritisforme，\"saidMedinskaya，calmly。
Shealsoarosefromthecouch，asthoughabouttogoawaysomewhere，butafterafewsecondssheagainseatedherselfonthecouch。Herfacewasserious，herlipsweretightlycompressed，buthereyeswerelowered，andFomacouldnotseetheirexpression。Hethoughtthatwhenhetoldher，\"Iknoweverythingaboutyou！\"shewouldbefrightened，shewouldfeelashamedandconfused，wouldaskhisforgivenessforhavingmadesportofhim。Thenhewouldembraceherandforgiveher。Butthatwasnotthecase；itwashewhowasconfusedbyhercalmness。Helookedather，searchingforwordstoresumehisspeech，butfoundthemnot。
\"Itisbetter，\"sherepeatedfirmlyanddrily。\"Soyouhavelearnedeverything，haveyou？And，ofcourse，you\'vecensuredme，asI
deserve。Iunderstand。Iamguiltybeforeyou。Butno，Icannotjustifymyself。\"
Shebecamesilentandsuddenly，liftingherhandswithanervousgesture，claspedherhead，andbegantoadjustherhair。
Fomaheavedadeepsigh。Herwordshadkilledinhimacertainhope——ahope，whosepresenceinhisheartheonlyfeltnowthatitwasdead。Andshakinghishead，hesaid，withbitterreproach：
\"TherewasatimewhenIlookedatyouandthought，\'Howbeautifulsheis，howgood，thedove！\'Andnowyousayyourself，\'Iamguilty。\'Ah！\"
Thevoiceoftheyouthbrokedown。Andthewomanbegantolaughsoftly。
\"Howfineandhowridiculousyouare，andwhatapitythatyoucannotunderstandallthis！\"
Theyouthlookedather，feelinghimselfdisarmedbyhercaressingwordsandmelancholysmile。Thatcold，harshsomething，whichhehadinhisheartagainsther，wasnowmeltingbeforethewarmlightofhereyes。Thewomannowseemedtohimsmall，defenseless，likeachild。Shewassayingsomethinginagentlevoiceasthoughimploring，andforeversmiling，buthepaidnoattentiontoherwords。
\"I\'vecometoyou，\"saidhe，interruptingherwords，\"withoutpity。
Imeanttotellyoueverything。AndyetIsaidnothing。Idon\'tfeellikedoingit。Myheartsank。Youarebreathinguponmesostrangely。Eh，Ishouldnothaveseenyou！Whatareyoutome？Itwouldbebetterformetogoaway，itseems。\"
\"Wait，dearest，don\'tgoaway！\"saidthewoman，hastily，holdingoutherhandtohim。\"Whysosevere？Donotbeangryatme！WhatamItoyou？Youneedadifferentfriend，awomanjustassimple-
mindedandsound-souledasyouare。Shemustbegay，healthy。I——I
amalreadyanoldwoman。Iamforeverworrying。Mylifeissoemptyandsoweary，soempty！Doyouknow，whenapersonhasgrownaccustomedtolivemerrily，andthencannotbemerry，hefeelsbad！
Hedesirestolivecheerfully，hedesirestolaugh，yethedoesnotlaugh——itislifethatislaughingathim。Andastomen。Listen！
Likeamother，Iadviseyou，Ibegandimploreyou——obeynooneexceptyourownheart！Liveinaccordancewithitspromptings。Menknownothing，theycannottellyouanythingthatistrue。Donotheedthem。\"
Tryingtospeakasplainlyandintelligiblyaspossible，shewasagitated，andherwordscameincoherentlyhurriedlyoneafteranother。Apitifulsmileplayedonherlipsallthetime，andherfacewasnotbeautiful。
\"Lifeisverystrict。Itwantsallpeopletosubmittoitsrequests，andonlytheverystrongonescanresistitwithimpunity。Itisyetquestionablewhethertheycandoit！Oh，ifyouknewhowharditistolive。Mangoessofarthathebeginstofearhisownself。Heissplitintojudgeandcriminal——hejudgeshisownselfandseeksjustificationbeforehimself。Andheiswillingtopassdaysandnightswiththosethatdespisehim，andthatarerepulsivetohim——justtoavoidbeingalonewithhimself。\"
Fomaliftedhisheadandsaiddistrustfully，withsurprise：
\"Icannotunderstandwhatitis！Lubovalsosaysthesame。\"
\"WhichLubov？Whatdoesshesay？\"
\"Myfoster-sister。Shesaysthesame，——sheisforevercomplainingoflife。Itisimpossibletolive，shesays。\"
\"Oh，sheisyetyoung！Anditisagreathappinessthatshealreadyspeaksofthis。\"
\"Happiness！\"Fomadrawledoutmockingly。\"Itmustbeafinehappinessthatmakespeoplesighandcomplain。\"
\"You\'dbetterlistentocomplaints。Thereisalwaysmuchwisdominthesecomplaintsofmen。Oh！Thereismorewisdominthesecomplaintsthananywhereelse。Youlistentothese，——theywillteachyoutofindyourway。\"
Fomaheardthewoman\'svoice，whichsoundedconvincing；andperplexed，lookedabouthim。Everythinghadlongbeenfamiliartohim，buttodayitlookedsomewhatnewtohim。Amassoftriflesfilledtheroom，allthewallswerecoveredwithpicturesandshelves，brightandbeautifulobjectswerestaringfromeverycorner。Thereddishlightofthelampfilledonewithmelancholy。
Twilightwrappedeverythingintheroom，andonlyhereandtherethegoldoftheframes，orthewhitespotsofmarbleflasheddimly。
Heavyfabricsweremotionlesslyhangingbeforethedoors。AllthisembarrassedandalmostchokedFoma；hefeltasthoughhehadlosthisway。Hewassorryforthewoman。Butshealsoirritatedhim。
\"DoyouhearhowIspeaktoyou？IwishIwereyourmother，oryoursister。Neverbeforedidanybodyawakeninmesowarmandkindredafeelingasyouhavedone。Andyou，youlookatmeinsuchanunfriendlyway。Doyoubelieveme？Yes？No？\"
Helookedatherandsaidwithasigh：
\"Idon\'tknow。Iusedtobelieveyou。\"
\"Andnow？\"sheaskedhastily。
\"Andnow——itisbestformetogo！Idon\'tunderstandanything，andyetIlongtounderstand。Idonotevenunderstandmyself。OnmywaytoyouIknewwhattosay，andhereallisconfused。Youhaveputmeupontherack，youhavesetmeonedge。Andthenyoutellme——\'Iamasamothertoyou\'——whichmeans——begone！\"
\"Understandme，Ifeelsorryforyou！\"thewomanexclaimedsoftly。
Foma\'sirritationagainstherwasgrowingstrongerandstronger，andashewentonspeakingtoher，hiswordsbecameabsurd。Whilehespoke，hekeptonmovinghisshouldersasthoughtearingsomethingthatentangledhim。
\"Sorry？Whatfor？Idonotneedit。Eh，Icannotspeakwell！Itisbadtobedumb。But——Iwouldhavetoldyou！Youdidnottreatmeproperly——indeed，whyhaveyousoenticedaman？AmIaplaythingforyou？\"
\"Ionlywantedtoseeyoubymyside，\"saidthewomansimply，inaguiltyvoice。
Hedidnothearthesewords。
\"Andwhenitcametothepoint，youwerefrightenedandyoushutyourselfofffromme。Youbegantorepent。Ha，ha！Lifeisbad！Andwhyareyoualwayscomplainingofsomelife？Whatlife？Manislife，andexceptmanthereisnolife。Youhaveinventedsomeothermonster。Youhavedonethistodeceivetheeye，tojustifyyourself。Youdosomemischief，youloseyourselfindifferentinventionsandfoolishnessesandthenyousigh！Ah，life！Oh，life！
Andhaveyounotdoneityourself？Andcoveringyourselfwithcomplaints，youconfuseothers。Youhavelostyourway，verywell，butwhydoyouwanttoleadmeastray？Isitwickednessthatspeaksinyou：\'Ifeelbad，\'yousay，\'lethimalsofeelbad——there，I\'llbesprinklehisheartwithmypoisonoustears！\'Isn\'tthatso？Eh！
Godhasgivenyouthebeautyofanangel，butyourheart——whereisit？\"
Standingbeforeher，hetrembledineverylimb，andexaminedherfromheadtofootwithreproachfullooks。Nowhiswordscamefreelyfromhisheart，hespokenotloud，butwithpowerandpleasure。Herheadraised，thewomanstaredintohisface，withwide-openeyes。
Herlipsweretremblinganddeepwrinklesappearedatthecornersofhermouth。
\"Abeautifulpersonshouldleadagoodlife。Whileofyoutheysaythings。\"Foma\'svoicebrokedown；heraisedhishandandconcludedinadullvoice：
\"Goodbye！\"
\"Goodbye！\"saidMedinskaya，softly。
Hedidnotgiveherhishand，but，turningabruptly，hewalkedawayfromher。Butalreadyatthedoorhefeltthathewassorryforher，andheglancedatheracrosshisshoulder。There，inthecorner，shestoodalone，herheadbent，herhandshangingmotionless。
Understandingthathecouldnotleaveherthus，hebecameconfused，andsaidsoftly，butwithoutrepenting：
\"PerhapsIsaidsomethingoffensive——forgiveme！ForafterallI
loveyou，\"andheheavedadeepsigh。
Thewomanburstintosoft，nervouslaughter。
\"No，youhavenotoffendedme。Godspeedyou。\"
\"Well，thengoodbye！\"repeatedFomainastilllowervoice。
\"Yes，\"repliedthewoman，alsoinalowvoice。
Fomapushedasidethestringsofbeadswithhishand；theyswungbacknoisilyandtouchedhischeeks。Heshudderedatthiscoldtouchandwentout，carryingawayaheavy，perplexedfeelinginhisbreast，withhisheartbeatingasthoughasoftbutstrongnetwerecastoverit。
Itwasnightbythistime；themoonwasshiningandthefrostcoveredthepuddleswithcoatingsofdullsilver。Fomawalkedalongthesidewalk，hebrokethesewithhiscane，andtheycrackedmournfully。Theshadowsofthehousesfellontheroadinblacksquares，andtheshadowsofthetrees——inwonderfulpatterns。Andsomeofthemlookedlikethinhands，helplesslyclutchingtheground。
\"Whatisshedoingnow？\"thoughtFoma，picturingtohimselfthewoman，alone，inthecornerofanarrowroom，inthereddishhalf-
light。
\"Itisbestformetoforgether，\"hedecided。Buthecouldnotforgether；shestoodbeforehim，provokinginhimnowintensepity，nowirritationandevenanger。Andherimagewassoclear，andthethoughtsofherweresopainful，asthoughhewascarryingthiswomaninhisbreast。Acabwascomingfromtheoppositeside，fillingthesilenceofthenightwiththejarringofthewheelsonthecobble-stonesandwiththeircreakingontheice。Whenthecabwaspassingacrossamoonlitstrip，thenoisewaslouderandmorebrisk，andintheshadowsitwasheavierandduller。Thedriverandthepassengerinitwereshakingandhoppingabout；forsomereasonorothertheybothbentforwardandtogetherwiththehorseformedonebig，blackmass。Thestreetwasspeckledwithspotsoflightandshade，butinthedistancethedarknessseemedthickasthoughthestreetwerefencedoffbyawall，risingfromearthtotheskies。SomehowitoccurredtoFomathatthesepeopledidnotknowwhithertheyweregoing。Andhe，too，didnotknowwhitherhewasgoing。Hishouserosebeforehisimagination——sixbigrooms，wherehelivedalone。AuntAnfisahadgonetothecloister，perhapsnevertoreturn——shemightdiethere。AthomewereIvan，theolddeafdvornik，theoldmaid，Sekleteya，hiscookandservant，andablack，shaggydog，withasnoutasbluntasthatofasheat-fish。
Andthedog，too，wasold。
\"PerhapsIreallyoughttogetmarried，\"thoughtFoma，withasigh。
Buttheverythoughtofhoweasyitwasforhimtogetmarriedmadehimillatease，andevenridiculousinhisowneyes。Itwerebutnecessarytoaskhisgodfathertomorrowforabride，——andbeforeamonthwouldpass，awomanwouldlivewithhiminhishouse。Andshewouldbenearhimdayandnight。Hewouldsaytoher：\"Let\'sgoforawalk！\"andshewouldgo。Hewouldtellher：\"Let\'sgotosleep！\"
andagainshewouldgo。Shouldshedesiretokisshim，shewouldkisshim，eventhoughhedidnotlikeit。Andifheshouldtellher：\"Goaway，Idon\'twantit，\"shewouldfeeloffended。Whatwouldhespeaktoherabout？Whatwouldshetellhim？Hethoughtandpicturedtohimselfyoungladiesofhisacquaintance，daughtersofmerchants。Someofthemwereverypretty，andheknewthatanyoneofthemwouldmarryhimwillingly。Buthedidnotcaretohaveanyofthemashiswife。Howawkwardandshamefulitmustbewhenagirlbecomesawife。Andwhatdoesthenewly-marriedcouplesaytoeachotherafterthewedding，inthebedroom？Fomatriedtothinkwhathewouldsayinsuchacase，andconfused，hebegantolaugh，findingnoappropriatewords。ThenherecalledLubaMayakin。Shewouldsurelybefirsttosaysomething，utteringsomeunintelligiblewords，whichwereforeigntoherself。Somehowitseemedtohimthatallherwordswereforeign，andshedidnotspeakaswasproperforagirlofherage，appearanceanddescent。
AndherehisthoughtsrestedonLubov\'scomplaints。Hisgaitbecameslower；hewasnowastoundedbythefactthatallthepeoplethatwereneartohimandwithwhomhetalkedagreatdeal，alwaysspoketohimoflife。Hisfather，hisaunt，hisgodfather，Lubov，SophyaPavlovna，alltheseeithertaughthimtounderstandlife，orcomplainedofit。HerecalledthewordssaidbytheoldmanonthesteameraboutFate，andmanyotherremarksonlife，reproachesandbittercomplaintsagainstit，whichhehappenedtohearfromallsortsofpeople。
\"Whatdoesitmean？\"hethought，\"whatislife，ifitisnotman？
Andmanalwaysspeaksasiflifeweresomethingelse，somethingoutsideofman，andthatsomethinghindershimfromliving。Perhapsitisthedevil？\"
Apainfulfeelingoffearfellontheyouth；heshudderedandhastilylookedaround。Thestreetwasdesertedandquiet；thedarkwindowsofthehousesstareddimlyintothedarkofnight，andalongthewallsandfencesFoma\'sshadowfollowedhim。
\"Driver！\"hecriedoutaloud，quickeninghissteps。Theshadowstartedandcrawledafterhim，frightened，black，silent。ItseemedtoFomathattherewasacoldbreathbehindhim，andthatsomethinghuge，invisible，andterriblewasovertakinghim。Frightened，healmostrantomeetthecab，whichappearednoisilyfromthedarkness，andwhenheseatedhimselfinthecab，hedarednotlookback，thoughhewishedtodoso。
CHAPTERVII
ABOUTaweekpassedsinceFomaspoketoMedinskaya。AndherimagestoodfixedlybeforeFomabynightandbyday，awakeninginhisheartagnawingfeelingofanxiety。Helongedtogotoher，andwassomuchafflictedoverherthatevenhisboneswereachingfromthedesireofhishearttobenearheragain。Buthewassternlysilent；hefrownedanddidnotcaretoyieldtothisdesire，industriouslyoccupyinghimselfwithhisaffairsandprovokinginhimselfafeelingofangeragainstthewoman。Hefeltthatifhewentuptoher，hewouldnolongerfindhertobethesameashehadlefther；somethingmusthavechangedwithinherafterthatconversation，andshewouldnolongerreceivehimascordiallyasbefore，wouldnotsmileathimtheclearsmilethatusedtoawakeninhimstrangethoughtsandhopes。Fearingthatallthiswaslostandthatsomethingelsemusthavetakenitsplace，herestrainedhimselfandsuffered。
Hisworkandhislongingforthewomandidnothinderhimfromthinkingoflife。Hedidnotphilosophizeaboutthisenigma，whichwasalreadystirringafeelingofalarminhisheart；hewasnotabletoargue，buthebegantolistenattentivelytoeverythingthatmensaidoflife，andhetriedtoremembertheirwords。Theydidnotmakeanythingcleartohim；nay，theyincreasedhisperplexityandpromptedhimtoregardthemsuspiciously。Theywereclever，cunningandsensible——hesawit；indealingswiththemitwasalwaysnecessarytobeonone\'sguard；heknewalreadythatinimportantmattersnoneofthemspokeastheythought。Andwatchingthemcarefully，hefeltthattheirsighsandtheircomplaintsoflifeawakenedinhimdistrust。Silentlyhelookedateverybodywithsuspicion，andathinwrinklemaskedhisforehead。
OnemorninghisgodfathersaidtohimontheExchange：
\"Ananyhasarrived。Hewouldliketoseeyou。Gouptohimtowardevening，andseethatyouholdyourtongue。Ananywilltrytoloosenitinordertomakeyoutalkonbusinessmatters。Heiscunning，theolddevil；heisaholyfox；he\'lllifthiseyestowardheaven，andmeanwhilewillputhispawintoyourpocketandgrabyourpurse。Beonyourguard。\"
\"Doweowehimanything？\"askedFoma。
\"Ofcourse！Wehaven\'tpaidyetforthebarge，andthenfiftyfive-
fathombeamsweretakenfromhimnotlongago。Ifhewantseverythingatonce——don\'tgive。Aroubleisastickything；thelongeritturnsaboutinyourhand，themorecopeckswillsticktoit。Aroubleislikeagoodpigeon——itgoesupintheair，youturnaroundandsee——ithasbroughtawholeflockwithitintothepigeon-house。\"
\"Buthowcanwehelppayingitnow，ifhedemandsit？\"
\"Lethimcryandaskforit——andyouroar——butdon\'tgiveittohim。\"
I\'llgouptheresoon。\"
AnanySavvichShchurovwasarichlumber-dealer，hadabigsaw-
mill，builtbargesandranrafts。HehadhaddealingswithIgnat，andFomahadmorethanonceseenthistall，heavily-bearded，long-
armed，white-hairedoldman，whokepthimselfaserectasapine-
tree。Hisbig，handsomefigure，hisopenfaceandhiscleareyescalledforthinFomaafeelingofrespectforShchurov，althoughhehearditrumouredthatthislumber-dealerhadgainedhiswealthnotbyhonesttoilandthathewasleadinganevillifeathome，inanobscurevillageoftheforestdistrict；andIgnathadtoldFomathatwhenShchurovwasyoungandwasbutapoorpeasant，heshelteredaconvictinthebath-house，inhisgarden，andthattheretheconvictmadecounterfeitmoneyforhim。SincethattimeAnanybegantogrowrich。Onedayhisbathhouseburneddown，andintheashestheydiscoveredthecorpseofamanwithafracturedskull。TherewasarumourinthevillagethatShchurovhimselfhadkilledhisworkman——killedandthenburnedhim。Suchthingshadhappenedmorethanoncewiththegood-lookingoldman；butsimilarrumourswereonfootwithreferencetomanyarichmanintown——
theyhadall，itwassaid，hoardeduptheirmillionsbywayofrobberies，murdersand，mainly，bypassingcounterfeitmoney。Fomahadheardsuchstoriesinhischildhoodandheneverbeforeconsideredwhethertheyweretrueornot。
HealsoknewthatShchurovhadgotridoftwowives——oneofthemdiedduringthefirstnightofthewedding，inAnany\'sembraces。
Thenhetookhisson\'swifeawayfromhim，andhissontooktodrinkforgriefandwouldhaveperishedindrunkennesshadhenotcometohimselfintimeandgoneofftosavehimselfinahermitage，inIrgiz。Andwhenhismistress-daughter-in-lawhadpassedaway，Shchurovtookintohishouseadumbbeggar-girl，whowaslivingwithhimtothisday，andwhohadrecentlybornehimadeadchild。Onhiswaytothehotel，whereAnanystayed，Fomainvoluntarilyrecalledallthis，andfeltthatShchurovhadbecomestrangelyinterestingtohim。
WhenFomaopenedthedoorandstoppedrespectfullyonthethresholdofthesmallroom，whoseonlywindowoverlookedtherustyroofoftheneighbouringhouse，henoticedthattheoldShchurovhadjustrisenfromsleep，andsittingonhisbed，leaninghishandsagainstit，hestaredattheground；andhewassobentthathislong，whitebeardfelloverhisknees。Butevenbent，hewaslarge。
\"Whoentered？\"askedAnanyinahoarseandangryvoice，withoutliftinghishead。
\"I。Howdoyoudo，AnanySavvich？\"
Theoldmanraisedhisheadslowlyand，winkinghislargeeyes，lookedatFoma。
\"Ignat\'sson，isthatright？\"
\"Thesame。\"
\"Well，comeoverhere，sitdownbythewindow。Letmeseehowyou\'vegrownup。Willyounothaveaglassofteawithme？\"
\"Iwouldn\'tmind。\"
\"Waiter！\"criedtheoldman，expandinghischest，and，takinghisbeardinhishand，hebegantoexamineFomainsilence。Fomaalsolookedathimstealthily。
Theoldman\'sloftyforeheadwasallcoveredwithwrinkles，anditsskinwasdark。Gray，curlylockscoveredhistemplesandhissharp-
pointedears；hiscalmblueeyeslenttheupperpartofhisfaceawiseandgoodexpression。Buthischeeksandhislipswerethickandred，andseemedoutofplaceonhisface。Histhin，longnosewasturneddownwardasthoughitwishedtohideitselfinhiswhitemoustache；theoldmanmovedhislips，andfrombeneaththemsmall，yellowteethweregleaming。Hehadonapinkcalicoshirt，asilkbeltaroundhiswaist，andblack，loosetrousers，whichweretuckedintohisboots。Fomastaredathislipsandthoughtthattheoldmanwassurelysuchashewassaidtobe。
\"Asaboyyoulookedmorelikeyourfather，\"saidShchurovsuddenly，andsighed。Then，afteramoment\'ssilence，heasked：\"Doyourememberyourfather？Doyoueverprayforhim？Youmust，youmustpray！\"hewenton，afterheheardFoma\'sbriefanswer。\"Ignatwasaterriblesinner，andhediedwithoutrepentance，takenunawares。Hewasagreatsinner！\"
\"Hewasnotmoresinfulthanothers，\"repliedFoma，angrily，offendedinhisfather\'sbehalf。
\"Thanwho，forinstance？\"demandedShchurov，strictly。
\"Aretherenotplentyofsinners？\"
\"ThereisbutonemanonearthmoresinfulthanwasthelateIgnat——
andthatisthatcursedheathen，yourgodfatherYashka，\"
ejaculatedtheoldman。
\"Areyousureofit？\"inquiredFoma，smiling。
\"I？Ofcourse，Iam！\"saidShchurov，confidently，noddinghishead，andhiseyesbecamesomewhatdarker。\"IwillalsoappearbeforetheLord，andthatnotsinless。IshallbringwithmeaheavyburdenbeforeHisholycountenance。Ihavebeenpleasingthedevilmyself，onlyItrusttoGodforHismercy，whileYashkabelievesinnothing，neitherindreams，norinthesingingofbirds。YashkadoesnotbelieveinGod，thisIknow！Andforhisnon-beliefhewillyetreceivehispunishmentonearth。\"
\"Areyousureofthis，too？\"
\"Yes，Iam。Anddon\'tyouthinkIalsoknowthatyouconsideritludicroustolistentome。Whatasagaciousfellow，indeed！Buthewhohascommittedmanysinsisalwayswise。Sinisateacher。
That\'swhyYashkaMayakinisextraordinarilyclever。\"
Listeningtotheoldman\'shoarseandconfidentvoice，Fomathought：
\"Heisscentingdeath，itseems。\"
Thewaiter，asmallman，withafacewhichwaspaleandcharacterless，broughtinthesamovarandquicklyhastenedoutoftheroom，withshortsteps。Theoldmanwasundoingsomebundlesonthewindow-sillandsaid，withoutlookingatFoma：
\"Youarebold，andthelookofyoureyesisdark。Before，thereusedtobemorelight-eyedpeople，becausethenthesoulsusedtobebrighter。Before，everythingwassimpler——boththepeopleandthesins，andnoweverythinghasbecomecomplicated。Eh，eh！\"
Hemadetea，seatedhimselfoppositeFomaandwentonagain：
\"Yourfatheratyouragewasawater-pumperandstayedwiththefleetnearourvillage。AtyourageIgnatwasascleartomeasglass。Atasingleglanceyoucouldtellwhatsortofamanhewas。
Whileyou——hereIamlookingatyou，butcannotseewhatyouare。
Whoareyou？Youdon\'tknowityourself，mylad，andthat\'swhyyou\'llsuffer。Everybodynowadaysmustsuffer，becausetheydonotknowthemselves。Lifeisamassofwind-fallentrees，andyoumustknowhowtofindyourwaythroughit。Whereisit？Allaregoingastray，andthedevilisdelighted。Areyoumarried？\"
\"Notyet，\"saidFoma。
\"Thereagain，youarenotmarried，andyet，I\'mquitesure，youarenotpureanylonger。Well，areyouworkinghardinyourbusiness？\"
\"Sometimes。MeanwhileIamwithmygodfather。\"
\"Whatsortofworkisityouhavenowadays？\"saidtheoldman，shakinghishead，andhiseyeswereconstantlytwinkling，nowturningdark，nowbrighteningupagain。\"Youhavenolabournow！Informeryearsthemerchanttravelledwithhorsesonbusiness。Evenatnight，insnowstorms，heusedtogo！Murderersusedtowaitforhimontheroadandkillhim。Andhediedamartyr，washinghissinsawaywithblood。Nowtheytravelbyrail；theyaresendingtelegrams，orthey\'veeveninventedsomethingthatamanmayspeakinhisofficeandyoucanhearhimfivemilesaway。Therethedevilsurelyhasahandinit！Amansits，withoutmotion，andcommitssinsmerelybecausehefeelslonesome，becausehehasnothingtodo：themachinedoesallhiswork。Hehasnowork，andwithouttoilmanisruined！Hehasprovidedhimselfwithmachinesandthinksitisgood！Whilethemachineisthedevil\'strapforyou。Hethuscatchesyouinit。Whiletoiling，youfindnotimeforsin，buthavingamachine——youhavefreedom。Freedomkillsaman，evenasthesunbeamskilltheworm，thedwellerofthedepthofearth。
Freedomkillsman！\"
Andpronouncinghiswordsdistinctlyandpositively，theoldAnanystruckthetablefourtimeswithhisfinger。Hisfacebeamedtriumphantly，hischestrosehigh，andoveritthesilverhairofhisbeardshooknoiselessly。DreadfellonFomaashelookedathimandlistenedtohiswords，fortherewasaringoffirmfaithinthem，anditwasthepowerofthisfaiththatconfusedFoma。Hehadalreadyforgottenallheknewabouttheoldman，allofwhichhehadbutawhileagobelievedtobetrue。
\"Whoevergivesfreedomtohisbody，killshissoul！\"saidAnany，lookingatFomasostrangelyasifhesawbehindhimsomebody，whowasgrievedandfrightenedbyhiswords；andwhosefearandpaindelightedhim。\"Allyoupeopleoftodaywillperishthroughfreedom。Thedevilhascapturedyou——hehastakentoilawayfromyou，andslippedmachinesandtelegramsintoyourhands。Howfreedomeatsintothesoulsofmen！Justtellme，whyarethechildrenworsethantheirfathers？Becauseoftheirfreedom，yes。
That\'swhytheydrinkandleaddepravedliveswithwomen。Theyhavelessstrengthbecausetheyhavelesswork，andtheyhavenotthespiritofcheerfulnessbecausetheyhavenoworries。Cheerfulnesscomesintimeofrest，whilenowadaysnooneisgettingtired。\"
\"Well，\"saidFoma，softly，\"theywereleadingdepravedlivesanddrinkingjustasmuchinformerdaysasnow，Isuppose。\"
\"Doyouknowit？Youshouldkeepsilence！\"criedAnany，flashinghiseyessternly。\"Informerdaysmanhadmorestrength，andthesinswereaccordingtohisstrength。Whileyou，oftoday，havelessstrength，andmoresins，andyoursinsaremoredisgusting。Thenmenwerelikeoak-trees。AndGod\'sjudgmentwillalsobeinaccordancewiththeirstrength。Theirbodieswillbeweighed，andangelswillmeasuretheirblood，andtheangelsofGodwillseethattheweightofthesinsdoesnotexceedtheweightofthebodyandtheblood。Doyouunderstand？Godwillnotcondemnthewolffordevouringasheep，butifamiserableratshouldbeguiltyofthesheep\'sdeath，Godwillcondemntherat！\"
\"HowcanamantellhowGodwilljudgeman？\"askedFoma，thoughtfully。\"Avisibletrialisnecessary。\"
\"Whyavisibletrial？\"
\"Thatpeoplemightunderstand。\"
\"Who，buttheLord，ismyjudge？\"
Fomaglancedattheoldmanandloweringhishead，becamesilent。
Heagainrecalledthefugitiveconvict，whowaskilledandburntbyShchurov，andagainhebelievedthatitreallywasso。Andthewomen——hiswivesandhismistresses——hadsurelybeenhastenedtowardtheirgravesbythisoldman\'scaresses；hehadcrushedthemwithhisbonychest，drunkthesapoftheirlifewiththesethicklipsofhiswhichwerescarletyetfromtheclottedbloodofthewomen，whodiedintheembracesofhislongsinewyarms。Andnow，awaitingdeath，whichwasalreadysomewherebesidehim，hecountshissins，judgesothers，andperhapsjudgeshimself，andsays：
\"Who，buttheLord，ismyjudge？\"
\"Isheafraidornot？\"Fomaaskedhimselfandbecamepensive，stealthilyscrutinisingtheoldman。
\"Yes，mylad！Think，\"spokeShchurov，shakinghishead，\"think，howyouaretolive。Thecapitalinyourheartissmall，andyourhabitsaregreat，seethatyouarenotreducedtobankruptcybeforeyourownself！Ho-ho-ho！\"
\"HowcanyoutellwhatandhowmuchIhavewithinmyheart？\"saidFoma，gloomily，offendedbyhislaughter。
\"Icanseeit！Iknoweverything，becauseIhavelivedlong！Oh-ho-
ho！HowlongIhavelived！Treeshavegrownupandbeencutdown，andhousesbuiltoutofthem，andeventhehouseshavegrownold。
WhileIhaveseenallthisandamstillalive，andwhen，attimes，Irecallmylife，Ithink，\'Isitpossiblethatonemancouldaccomplishsomuch？IsitpossiblethatIhavewitnessedallthis？\'\"TheoldmanglancedatFomasternly，shookhisheadandbecamesilent。
Itbecamequiet。Outsidethewindowsomethingwassoftlyrustlingontheroofofthehouse；therattleofwheelsandthemuffledsoundsofconversationwereheardfrombelow，fromthestreet。Thesamovaronthetablesangasadtune。Shchurovwasfixedlystaringintohisglassoftea，strokinghisbeard，andonecouldhearthatsomethingrattledinhisbreast，asifsomeburdenwasturningaboutinit。
\"It\'shardforyoutolivewithoutyourfather，isn\'tit？\"saidhe。
\"Iamgettingusedtoit，\"repliedFoma。
\"Youarerich，andwhenYakovdies，youwillbericherstill。He\'llleaveeverythingtoyou。\"
\"Idon\'tneedit。\"
\"Towhomelseshouldheleaveit？Hehasbutonedaughter，andyououghttomarrythatdaughter，andthatsheisyourgodsisterandfoster-sister——nomatter！Thatcanbearranged——andthenyouwouldbemarried。Whatgoodisthereinthelifeyouarenowleading？I
supposeyouareforeverrunningaboutwiththegirls？\"
\"No。\"
\"Youdon\'tsay！Eh，eh，eh！themerchantispassingaway。Acertainforestertoldme——Idon\'tknowwhetherheliedornot——thatinformerdaysthedogswerewolves，andthendegeneratedintodogs。
Itisthesamewithourcalling；wewillsoonalsobedogs。Wewilltakeupscience，putstylishhatsonourheads，we\'lldoeverythingthatisnecessaryinordertoloseourfeatures，andtherewillbenothingbywhichtodistinguishusfromotherpeople。IthasbecomeacustomtomakeGymnasiumstudentsofallchildren。Themerchants，thenobles，thecommoners——allareadjustedtomatchthesamecolour。Theydressthemingrayandteachthemallthesamesubjects。Theygrowmanevenastheygrowatree。Whydotheydoit？Nooneknows。Evenalogcouldbetoldfromanotherbyitsknotatleast，whileheretheywanttoplanethepeopleoversothatallofthemshouldlookalike。Thecoffinisalreadywaitingforusoldpeople。Ye-es！Itmaybethataboutfiftyyearshence，noonewillbelievethatIlivedinthisworld。I，Anany，thesonofSavva，bythesurnameofShchurov。So！AndthatI，Anany，fearednoone，saveGod。AndthatinmyyouthIwasapeasant，thatallthelandI
possessedthenwastwodesyatinsandaquarter；whiletowardmyoldageIhavehoardedupeleventhousanddesyatins，allforests，andperhapstwomillionsincash。\"
\"There，theyalwaysspeakofmoney！\"saidFoma，withdissatisfaction。\"Whatjoydoesmanderivefrommoney？\"\"Mm，\"
bellowedShchurov。\"Youwillmakeapoormerchant，ifyoudonotunderstandthepowerofmoney。\"
\"Whodoesunderstandit？\"askedFoma。
\"I！\"saidShchurov，withconfidence。\"Andeverycleverman。Yashkaunderstandsit。Money？Thatisagreatdeal，mylad！Justspreaditoutbeforeyouandthink，\'Whatdoesitcontain？\'Thenwillyouknowthatallthisishumanstrength，humanmind。Thousandsofpeoplehaveputtheirlifeintoyourmoneyandthousandsmorewilldoit。Andyoucanthrowitallintothefireandseehowthemoneyisburning，andatthatmomentyouwillconsideryourselfmaster。\"
\"Butnobodydoesthis。\"
\"Becausefoolshavenomoney。Moneyisinvestedinbusiness。
Businessgivesbreadtothemasses。Andyouaremasteroverallthosemasses。WhereforedidGodcreateman？ThatmanshouldpraytoHim。HewasaloneandHefeltlonesome，soHebegantodesirepower，andasmanwascreatedintheimageoftheLord，manalsodesirespower。Andwhat，savemoney，cangivepower？That\'stheway。Well，andyou——haveyoubroughtmemoney？\"
\"No，\"answeredFoma。FromthewordsoftheoldmanFoma\'sheadwasheavyandtroubled，andhewasgladthattheconversationhad，atlast，turnedtobusinessmatters。
\"Thatisn\'tright，\"saidShchurov，sternlyknittinghisbrow。\"Itisoverdue——youmustpay。
\"You\'llgetahalfofittomorrow。\"
\"Whyahalf？Whynotall？\"
\"Wearebadlyinneedofmoneynow。\"
\"Andhaven\'tyouany？ButIalsoneedit。\"
\"Waitalittle。\"
\"Eh，mylad，Iwillnotwait！Youarenotyourfather。Youngsterslikeyou，milksops，areanunreliablelot。Inamonthyoumaybreakupthewholebusiness。AndIwouldbetheloserforit。Yougivemeallthemoneytomorrow，orI\'llprotestthenotes。Itwouldn\'ttakemelongtodoit！\"
FomalookedatShchurov，withastonishment。Itwasnotatallthatsameoldman，whobutamomentagospokesosagaciouslyaboutthedevil。Thenhisfaceandhiseyesseemeddifferent，andnowhelookedfierce，hislipssmiledpitilessly，andtheveinsonhischeeks，nearhisnostrils，wereeagerlytrembling。Fomasawthatifhedidnotpayhimatonce，Shchurovwouldindeednotsparehimandwoulddishonourthefirmbyprotestingthenotes。
\"Evidentlybusinessispoor？\"grinnedShchurov。\"Well，tellthetruth——wherehaveyousquanderedyourfather\'smoney？\"
Fomawantedtotesttheoldman：
\"Businessisnonetoobrisk，\"saidhe，withafrown。\"Wehavenocontracts。Wehavereceivednoearnestmoney，andsoitisratherhard。\"
\"So-o！ShallIhelpyouout？\"
\"Besokind。Postponethedayofpayment，\"beggedFoma，modestlyloweringhiseyes。
\"Mm。ShallIassistyououtofmyfriendshipforyourfather？Well，beitso，I\'lldoit。\"
\"Andforhowlongwillyoupostponeit？\"inquiredFoma。
\"Forsixmonths。\"
\"Ithankyouhumbly。\"
\"Don\'tmentionit。Youowemeeleventhousandsixhundredroubles。
Nowlisten：rewritethenotesfortheamountoffifteenthousand，paymetheinterestonthissuminadvance。AndassecurityI\'lltakeamortgageonyourtwobarges。\"
Fomarosefromthechairandsaid，withasmile：
\"Sendmethenotestomorrow。I\'llpayyouinfull。\"
Shchurovalsorosefromhischairand，withoutloweringhiseyesatFoma\'ssarcasticlook，said，calmlyscratchinghischest：
\"That\'sallright。\"
\"Thankyouforyourkindness。\"
\"That\'snothing！Youdon\'tgivemeachance，orIwouldhaveshownyoumykindness！\"saidtheoldmanlazily，showinghisteeth。
\"Yes！Ifoneshouldfallintoyourhands——\"
\"He\'dfinditwarm——\"
\"Iamsureyou\'dmakeitwarmforhim。\"
\"Well，mylad，thatwilldo！\"saidShchurov，sternly。\"Thoughyouconsideryourselfquiteclever，itisrathertoosoon。You\'vegainednothing，andalreadyyoubegantoboast！Butyoujustwinfromme——thenyoumayshoutforjoy。Goodbye。Haveallthemoneyfortomorrow。\"
\"Don\'tletthattroubleyou。Goodbye！\"
\"Godbewithyou！\"
WhenFomacameoutoftheroomheheardthattheoldmangaveaslow，loudyawn，andthenbegantohuminaratherhoarsebass：
\"Openforusthedoorsofmercy。OhblessedVirginMary！\"
Fomacarriedawaywithhimfromtheoldmanadoublefeeling。
Shchurovpleasedhimandatthesametimewasrepulsivetohim。
Herecalledtheoldman\'swordsaboutsin，thoughtofthepowerofhisfaithinthemercyoftheLord，andtheoldmanarousedinFomaafeelingakintorespect。
\"He，too，speaksoflife；heknowshissins；butdoesnotweepoverthem，doesnotcomplainofthem。Hehassinned——andheiswillingtostandtheconsequences。Yes。Andshe？\"HerecalledMedinskaya，andhisheartcontractedwithpain。
\"Andsheisrepenting。Itishardtotellwhethershedoesitpurposely，inordertohidefromjustice，orwhetherherheartisreallyaching。\'Who，buttheLord，\'sayshe，\'istojudgeme？\'
That\'showitis。\"
ItseemedtoFomathatheenviedAnany，andtheyouthhastenedtorecallShchurov\'sattemptstoswindlehim。ThiscalledforthinhimanaversionfortheoldmanHecouldnotreconcilehisfeelingsand，perplexed，hesmiled。
\"Well，IhavejustbeenatShchurov\'s，\"hesaid，comingtoMayakinandseatinghimselfbythetable。
Mayakin，inagreasymorning-gown，acounting-boardinhishand，begantomoveaboutinhisleather-coveredarm-chairimpatiently，andsaidwithanimation：
\"Pouroutsometeaforhim，Lubava！Tellme，Foma，ImustbeintheCityCouncilatnineo\'clock；tellmeallaboutit，makehaste！\"
Smiling，FomarelatedtohimhowShchurovsuggestedtorewritethenotes。
\"Eh！\"exclaimedYakovTarasovichregretfully，withashakeofthehead。\"You\'vespoiltthewholemassforme，dear！Howcouldyoubesostraightforwardinyourdealingswiththeman？Psha！Thedevildrovemetosendyouthere！Ishouldhavegonemyself。Iwouldhaveturnedhimaroundmyfinger！\"
\"Hardly！Hesays，\'Iamanoak。\'\"
\"Anoak？AndIamasaw。Anoak！Anoakisagoodtree，butitsfruitsaregoodforswineonly。Soitcomesoutthatanoakissimplyablockhead。\"
\"Butit\'sallthesame，wehavetopay，anyway。\"
\"Cleverpeopleareinnohurryaboutthis；whileyouarereadytorunasfastasyoucantopaythemoney。Whatamerchantyouare！\"
YakovTarasovichwaspositivelydissatisfiedwithhisgodson。Hefrownedandinanangrymannerorderedhisdaughter，whowassilentlypouringouttea：
\"Pushthesugarnearertome。Don\'tyouseethatIcan\'treachit？\"
Lubov\'sfacewaspale，hereyesseemedtroubled，andherhandsmovedlazilyandawkwardly。Fomalookedatherandthought：
\"Howmeeksheisinthepresenceofherfather。\"
\"Whatdidhespeaktoyouabout？\"askedMayakin。
\"Aboutsins。\"
\"Well，ofcourse！Hisownaffairisdearesttoeachandeveryman。
Andheisamanufacturerofsins。Bothinthegalleysandinhelltheyhavelongbeenweepingandlongingforhim，waitingforhimimpatiently。\"
\"Hespeakswithweight，\"saidFoma，thoughtfully，stirringhistea。
\"Didheabuseme？\"inquiredMayakin，withamaliciousgrimace。
\"Somewhat。\"
\"Andwhatdidyoudo？\"
\"Ilistened。\"
\"Mm！Andwhatdidyouhear？\"
\"\'Thestrong，\'hesays，\'willbeforgiven；butthereisnoforgivenessfortheweak。\'\"
\"Justthinkofit！Whatwisdom！Eventhefleasknowthat。\"
Forsomereasonoranother，thecontemptwithwhichMayakinregardedShchurov，irritatedFoma，and，lookingintotheoldman\'sface，hesaidwithagrin：
\"Buthedoesn\'tlikeyou。\"
\"Nobodylikesme，mydear，\"saidMayakin，proudly。\"Thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldlikeme。Iamnogirl。Buttheyrespectme。
Andtheyrespectonlythosetheyfear。\"Andtheoldmanwinkedathisgodsonboastfully。
\"Hespeakswithweight，\"repeatedFoma。\"Heiscomplaining。\'Therealmerchant，\'sayshe，\'ispassingaway。Allpeoplearetaughtthesamething，\'hesays：\'sothatallmaybeequal，lookingalike。\"\'
\"Doesheconsideritwrong？\"
\"Evidentlyso。\"
\"Fo-o-o-l！\"Mayakindrawledout，withcontempt。
\"Why？Isitgood？\"askedFoma，lookingathisgodfathersuspiciously。
\"Wedonotknowwhatisgood；butwecanseewhatiswise。Whenweseethatallsortsofpeoplearedriventogetherinoneplaceandareallinspiredtherewithoneandthesameidea——thenmustweacknowledgethatitiswise。Because——whatisamanintheempire？
Nothingmorethanasimplebrick，andallbricksmustbeofthesamesize。Doyouunderstand？Andthosepeoplethatareofequalheightandweight——IcanplaceinanypositionIlike。\"
\"Andwhomdoesitpleasetobeabrick？\"saidFoma，morosely。
\"Itisnotaquestionofpleasing，itisamatteroffact。Ifyouaremadeofhardmaterial，theycannotplaneyou。Itisnoteverybody\'sphizthatyoucanruboff。Butsomepeople，whenbeatenwithahammer，turnintogold。Andiftheheadhappenstocrack——
whatcanyoudo？Itmerelyshowsitwasweak。\"
\"Healsospokeabouttoil。\'Everything，\'hesays，\'isdonebymachinery，andthusaremenspoiled。\"\'
\"Heisoutofhiswits！\"Mayakinwavedhishanddisdainfully。\"Iamsurprised，whatanappetiteyouhaveforallsortsofnonsense！
Whatdoesitcomefrom？\"
\"Isn\'tthattrue，either？\"askedFoma，breakingintosternlaughter。
\"Whattruethingcanheknow？Amachine！Theoldblockheadshouldhavethought——\'whatisthemachinemadeof？\'Ofiron！Consequently，itneednotbepitied；itiswoundup——anditforgesroublesforyou。Withoutanywords，withouttrouble，yousetitintomotionanditrevolves。Whileaman，heisuneasyandwretched；heisoftenverywretched。Hewails，grieves，weeps，begs。Sometimeshegetsdrunk。Ah，howmuchthereisinhimthatissuperfluoustome！
Whileamachineislikeanarshinyardstick，itcontainsexactlysomuchastheworkrequired。Well，Iamgoingtodress。Itistime。\"
Heroseandwentaway，loudlyscrapingwithhisslippersalongthefloor。Fomaglancedafterhimandsaidsoftly，withafrown：
\"Thedevilhimselfcouldnotseethroughallthis。Onesaysthis，theother，that。\"
\"Itispreciselythesamewithbooks，\"saidLubovinalowvoice。
Fomalookedather，smilinggood-naturedly。Andsheansweredhimwithavaguesmile。
Hereyeslookedfatiguedandsad。
\"Youstillkeeponreading？\"askedFoma。
\"Yes，\"thegirlansweredsadly。
\"Andareyoustilllonesome？\"
\"Ifeeldisgusted，becauseIamalone。There\'snooneheretosayawordto。\"
\"That\'sbad。\"
Shesaidnothingtothis，but，loweringherhead，sheslowlybegantofingerthefringesofthetowel。
\"Yououghttogetmarried，\"saidFoma，feelingthathepitiedher。
\"Leavemealone，please，\"answeredLubov，wrinklingherforehead。
\"Whyleaveyoualone？Youwillgetmarried，Iamsure。\"
\"There！\"exclaimedthegirlsoftly，withasigh。\"That\'sjustwhatIamthinkingof——itisnecessary。Thatis，I\'llhavetogetmarried。Buthow？Doyouknow，Ifeelnowasthoughamiststoodbetweenotherpeopleandmyself——athick，thickmist！\"
\"That\'sfromyourbooks，\"Fomainterposedconfidently。
\"Wait！AndIceasetounderstandwhatisgoingonaboutme。Nothingpleasesme。Everythinghasbecomestrangetome。Nothingisasitshouldbe。Everythingiswrong。Iseeit。Iunderstandit，yetI
cannotsaythatitiswrong，andwhyitisso。\"
\"Itisnotso，notso，\"mutteredFoma。\"That\'sfromyourbooks。
Yes。AlthoughIalsofeelthatit\'swrong。Perhapsthatisbecausewearesoyoungandfoolish。\"
\"Atfirstitseemedtome，\"saidLubov，notlisteningtohim，\"thateverythinginthebookswascleartome。Butnow——\"
\"Dropyourbooks，\"suggestedFoma，withcontempt。
\"Ah，don\'tsaythat！HowcanIdropthem？Youknowhowmanydifferentideasthereareintheworld！OLord！They\'resuchideasthatsetyourheadafire。Accordingtoacertainbookeverythingthatexistsonearthisrational。\"
\"Everything？\"askedFoma。
\"Everything！Whileanotherbooksaysthecontraryistrue。\"
\"Wait！Nowisn\'tthisnonsense？\"
\"Whatwereyoudiscussing？\"askedMayakin，appearingatthedoor，inalongfrock-coatandwithseveralmedalsonhiscollarandhisbreast。
\"Justso，\"saidLubov，morosely。
\"Wespokeaboutbooks，\"addedFoma。
\"Whatkindofbooks？\"
\"Thebookssheisreading。Shereadthateverythingonearthisrational。\"
\"Really！\"
\"Well，andIsayitisalie！\"
\"Yes。\"YakovTarasovichbecamethoughtful，hepinchedhisbeardandwinkedhiseyesalittle。
\"Whatkindofabookisit？\"heaskedhisdaughter，afterapause。
\"Alittleyellow-coveredbook，\"saidLubov，unwillingly。
\"Justputthatbookonmytable。Thatissaidnotwithoutreflection——everythingonearthisrational！Seesomeonethoughtofit。Yes。Itisevenverycleverlyexpressed。Andwereitnotforthefools，itmighthavebeenperfectlycorrect。Butasfoolsarealwaysinthewrongplace，itcannotbesaidthateverythingonearthisrational。Andyet，I\'lllookatthebook。Maybethereiscommonsenseinit。Goodbye，Foma！Willyoustayhere，ordoyouwanttodrivewithme？\"
\"I\'llstayherealittlelonger。\"
\"Verywell。\"
LubovandFomaagainremainedalone。
\"Whatamanyourfatheris，\"saidFoma，noddinghisheadtowardthedirectionofhisgodfather。
\"Well，whatkindofamandoyouthinkheis？\"
\"Heretortseverycall，andwantstocovereverythingwithhiswords。\"
\"Yes，heisclever。Andyethedoesnotunderstandhowpainfulmylifeis，\"saidLubov，sadly。
\"NeitherdoIunderstandit。Youimaginetoomuch。\"
\"WhatdoIimagine？\"criedthegirl，irritated。
\"Why，allthesearenotyourownideas。Theyaresomeoneelse\'s。\"
\"Someoneelse\'s。Someoneelse\'s。\"
Shefeltlikesayingsomethingharsh；butbrokedownandbecamesilent。Fomalookedatherand，settingMedinskayabyherside，thoughtsadly：
\"Howdifferenteverythingis——bothmenandwomen——andyouneverfeelalike。\"
Theysatoppositeeachother；bothwerelostinthought，andneitheronelookedattheother。Itwasgettingdarkoutside，andintheroomitwasquitedarkalready。Thewindwasshakingthelinden-trees，andtheirbranchesseemedtoclutchatthewallsofthehouse，asthoughtheyfeltcoldandimploredforshelterintherooms。
\"Luba！\"saidFoma，softly。
Sheraisedherheadandlookedathim。
\"Doyouknow，IhavequarrelledwithMedinskaya。\"
\"Why？\"askedLuba，brighteningup。
\"So。Itcameaboutthatsheoffendedme。Yes，sheoffendedme。\"
\"Well，it\'sgoodthatyou\'vequarrelledwithher，\"saidthegirl，approvingly，\"forshewouldhaveturnedyourhead。Sheisavilecreature；sheisacoquette，evenworsethanthat。Oh，whatthingsIknowabouther！\"
\"She\'snotatallavilecreature，\"saidFoma，morosely。\"Andyoudon\'tknowanythingabouther。Youarealllying！\"
\"Oh，Ibegyourpardon！\"
\"No。Seehere，Luba，\"saidFoma，softly，inabeseechingtone，\"don\'tspeakillofherinmypresence。Itisn\'tnecessary。Iknoweverything。ByGod！Shetoldmeeverythingherself。\"
\"Herself！\"exclaimedLuba，inastonishment。\"Whatastrangewomansheis！Whatdidshetellyou？\"
\"Thatsheisguilty，\"Fomaejaculatedwithdifficulty，withawrysmile。
\"Isthatall？\"Therewasaringofdisappointmentinthegirl\'squestion；Fomahearditandaskedhopefully：
\"Isn\'tthatenough？\"
\"Whatwillyoudonow？\"
\"That\'sjustwhatIamthinkingabout。\"
\"Doyouloveherverymuch？\"
Fomawassilent。Helookedintothewindowandansweredconfusedly：
\"Idon\'tknow。ButitseemstomethatnowIlovehermorethanbefore。\"
\"Thanbeforethequarrel？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Iwonderhowonecanlovesuchawoman！\"saidthegirl，shrugginghershoulders。
\"Lovesuchawoman？Ofcourse！Whynot？\"exclaimedFoma。
\"Ican\'tunderstandit。Ithink，youhavebecomeattachedtoherjustbecauseyouhavenotmetabetterwoman。\"
\"No，Ihavenotmetabetterone！\"Fomaassented，andafteramoment\'ssilencesaidshyly，\"Perhapsthereisnonebetter。\"
\"Amongourpeople，\"Lubovinterposed。
\"Ineedherverybadly！Because，yousee，Ifeelashamedbeforeher。\"
\"Whyso？\"
\"Oh，ingeneral，Ifearher；thatis，Iwouldnotwanthertothinkillofme，asofothers。SometimesIfeeldisgusted。Ithink——
wouldn\'titbeagreatideatogooutonsuchaspreethatallmyveinswouldstarttingling。AndthenIrecallherandIdonotventure。Andsoeverythingelse，Ithinkofher，\'Whatifshefindsitout？\'andIamafraidtodoit。\"
\"Yes，\"thegirldrawledoutthoughtfully，\"thatshowsthatyouloveher。Iwouldalsobelikethis。IfIloved，Iwouldthinkofhim——
ofwhathemightsay……\"