\"Andeverythingaboutherissopeculiar，\"Fomarelatedsoftly。
\"Shespeaksinawayallherown。And，God！Howbeautifulsheis！
Andthensheissosmall，likeachild。\"
\"Andwhattookplacebetweenyou？\"askedLubov。
Fomamovedhischairclosertoher，andstooping，heloweredhisvoiceforsomereasonorother，andbegantorelatetoherallthathadtakenplacebetweenhimandMedinskaya。Hespoke，andasherecalledthewordshesaidtoMedinskaya，thesentimentsthatcalledforththewordswerealsoawakenedinhim。
\"Itoldher，\'Oh，you！whydidyoumakesportofme？\'\"hesaidangrilyandwithreproach。
AndLuba，hercheeksaflamewithanimation，spurredhimon，noddingherheadapprovingly：
\"That\'sit！That\'sgood！Well，andshe？\"
\"Shewassilent！\"saidFoma，sadly，withashrugoftheshoulders。
\"Thatis，shesaiddifferentthings；butwhat\'stheuse？\"
Hewavedhishandandbecamesilent。Luba，playingwithherbraid，wasalsosilent。Thesamovarhadalreadybecomecold。Andthedimnessintheroomwasgrowingthickerandthicker，outsidethewindowitwasheavywithdarkness，andtheblackbranchesofthelinden-treeswereshakingpensively。
\"Youmightlightthelamp，\"Fomawenton。
\"Howunhappywebothare，\"saidLuba，withasigh。
Fomadidnotlikethis。
\"Iamnotunhappy，\"heobjectedinafirmvoice。\"Iamsimply——notyetaccustomedtolife。\"
\"Hewhoknowsnotwhatheisgoingtodotomorrow，isunhappy，\"
saidLuba，sadly。\"Idonotknowit，neitherdoyou。Whithergo？
Yetgowemust，Whyisitthatmyheartisneveratease？Somekindofalongingisalwaysquiveringwithinit。\"
\"Itisthesamewithme，\"saidFoma。\"Istarttoreflect，butonwhat？Icannotmakeitcleartomyself。Thereisalsoapainfulgnawinginmyheart。Eh！ButImustgouptotheclub。\"
\"Don\'tgoaway，\"Lubaentreated。
\"Imust。Somebodyiswaitingthereforme。Iamgoing。Goodbye！\"
\"Tillwemeetagain！\"Sheheldoutherhandtohimandsadlylookedintohiseyes。
\"Willyougotosleepnow？\"askedFoma，firmlyshakingherhand。
\"I\'llreadalittle。\"
\"You\'retoyourbooksasthedrunkardtohiswhisky，\"saidtheyouth，withpity。
\"Whatistherethatisbetter？\"
WalkingalongthestreethelookedatthewindowsofthehouseandinoneofthemhenoticedLuba\'sface。Itwasjustasvagueaseverythingthatthegirltoldhim，evenasvagueasherlongings。
Fomanoddedhisheadtowardherandwithaconsciousnessofhissuperiorityoverher，thought：
\"Shehasalsolostherway，liketheotherone。\"
Atthisrecollectionheshookhishead，asthoughhewantedtofrightenawaythethoughtofMedinskaya，andquickenedhissteps。
Nightwascomingon，andtheairwasfresh。Acold，invigoratingwindwasviolentlyraginginthestreet，drivingthedustalongthesidewalksandthrowingitintothefacesofthepassers-by。Itwasdark，andpeoplewerehastilystridingalonginthedarkness。Fomawrinkledhisface，forthedustfilledhiseyes，andthought：
\"IfitisawomanImeetnow——thenitwillmeanthatSophyaPavlovnawillreceivemeinafriendlyway，asbefore。Iamgoingtoseehertomorrow。Andifitisaman——Iwon\'tgotomorrow，I\'llwait。\"
Butitwasadogthatcametomeethim，andthisirritatedFomatosuchanextentthathefeltlikestrikinghimwithhiscane。
Intherefreshment-roomoftheclub，FomawasmetbythejovialOokhtishchev。Hestoodatthedoor，andchattedwithacertainstout，whiskeredman；but，noticingGordyeeff，hecameforwardtomeethim，saying，withasmile：
\"Howdoyoudo，modestmillionaire！\"Fomaratherlikedhimforhisjollymood，andwasalwayspleasedtomeethim。
Firmlyandkind-heartedlyshakingOokhtishchev\'shand，Fomaaskedhim：
\"AndwhatmakesyouthinkthatIammodest？\"
\"Whataquestion！Aman，wholiveslikeahermit，whoneitherdrinks，norplays，norlikesanywomen。Bytheway，doyouknow，FomaIgnatyevich，thatpeerlesspatronessofoursisgoingabroadtomorrowforthewholesummer？\"
\"SophyaPavlovna？\"askedFoma，slowly。\"Ofcourse！Thesunofmylifeissetting。And，perhaps，ofyoursaswell？\"
Ookhtishchevmadeacomical，slygrimaceandlookedintoFoma\'sface。
AndFomastoodbeforehim，feelingthathisheadwasloweringonhisbreast，andthathewasunabletohinderit。
\"Yes，theradiantAurora。\"
\"IsMedinskayagoingaway？\"adeepbassvoiceasked。\"That\'sfine！
Iamglad。\"
\"MayIknowwhy？\"exclaimedOokhtishchev。Fomasmiledsheepishlyandstaredinconfusionatthewhiskeredman，Ookhtishchev\'sinterlocutor。
Thatmanwasstrokinghismoustachewithanairofimportance，anddeep，heavy，repulsivewordsfellfromhislipsonFoma\'sears。
\"Because，yousee，therewillbeoneco-cot-telessintown。\"
\"Shame，MartinNikitich！\"saidOokhtishchev，reproachfully，knittinghisbrow。
\"Howdoyouknowthatsheisacoquette？\"askedFoma，sternly，comingclosertothewhiskeredman。Themanmeasuredhimwithascornfullook，turnedasideandmovinghisthigh，drawledout：
\"Ididn\'tsay——coquette。\"
\"MartinNikitich，youmustn\'tspeakthatwayaboutawomanwho——\"
beganOokhtishchevinaconvincingtone，butFomainterruptedhim：
\"Excuseme，justamoment！Iwishtoaskthegentleman，whatisthemeaningofthewordhesaid？\"
Andashearticulatedthisfirmlyandcalmly，Fomathrusthishandsdeepintohistrousers-pockets，threwhischestforward，whichatoncegavehisfigureanattitudeofdefiance。ThewhiskeredgentlemanagaineyedFomawithasarcasticsmile。
\"Gentlemen！\"exclaimedOokhtishchev，softly。
\"Isaid，co-cot-te，\"pronouncedthewhiskeredman，movinghislipsasifhetastedtheword。\"Andifyoudon\'tunderstandit，Icanexplainittoyou。\"
\"Youhadbetterexplainit，\"saidFoma，withadeepsigh，notliftinghiseyesofftheman。
Ookhtishchevclaspedhishandsandrushedaside。
\"Acocotte，ifyouwanttoknowit，isaprostitute，\"saidthewhiskeredmaninalowvoice，movinghisbig，fatfaceclosertoFoma。
Fomagaveasoftgrowland，beforethewhiskeredmanhadtimetomoveaway，heclutchedwithhisrighthandhiscurly，grayishhair。
Withaconvulsivemovementofthehand，Fomabegantoshaketheman\'sheadandhisbig，solidbody；liftinguphislefthand，hespokeinadullvoice，keepingtimetothepunishment：
\"Don\'tabuseaperson——inhisabsence。Abusehim——rightinhisface——straightinhiseyes。\"
Heexperiencedaburningdelight，seeinghowcomicallythestoutarmswereswingingintheair，andhowthelegsoftheman，whomhewasshaking，werebendingunderhim，scrapingagainstthefloor。
Hisgoldwatchfelloutofthepocketanddangledonthechain，overhisroundpaunch。Intoxicatedwithhisownstrengthandwiththedegradationofthesedateman，filledwiththeburningfeelingofmalignancy，tremblingwiththehappinessofrevenge，Fomadraggedhimalongthefloorandinadullvoice，growledwickedly，inwildjoy。Inthesemomentsheexperiencedagreatfeeling——thefeelingofemancipationfromthewearisomeburdenwhichhadlongoppressedhisheartwithgriefandmorbidness。Hefeltthathewasseizedbythewaistandshouldersfrombehind，thatsomeoneseizedhishandandbentit，tryingtobreakit；thatsomeonewascrushinghistoes；buthesawnothing，followingwithhisbloodshoteyesthedark，heavymassmoaningandwrigglinginhishand。Finally，theytorehimawayanddownedhim，and，asthroughareddishmist，henoticedbeforehimonthefloor，athisfeet，themanhehadthrashed。Dishevelled，hewasmovinghislegsoverthefloor，attemptingtorise；twodarkmenwereholdinghimbythearms，hishandsweredanglingintheairlikebrokenwings，and，inavoicethatwaschokingwithsobs，hecriedtoFoma：
\"Youmustn\'tbeatme！Youmustn\'t！Ihavean……
Order。Yourascal！Oh，rascal！Ihavechildren。
Everybodyknowsme！Scoundrel！Savage，0——0——0！Youmayexpectaduel！\"
AndOokhtishchevspokeloudlyinFoma\'sear：
\"Come，mydearboy，forGod\'ssake！\"
\"Wait，I\'llgivehimakickintheface，\"beggedFoma。Buthewasdraggedoff。Therewasabuzzinginhisears，hisheartbeatfast，buthefeltrelievedandwell。AttheentranceoftheclubheheavedadeepsighofreliefandsaidtoOokhtishchev，withagood-
naturedsmile：
\"Igavehimasounddrubbing，didn\'tI？\"
\"Listen！\"exclaimedthegaysecretary，indignantly。\"Youmustpardonmebutthatwastheactofasavage！Thedeviltakeit。I
neverwitnessedsuchathingbefore！\"
\"Mydearman！\"saidFoma，friendly，\"didhenotdeservethedrubbing？Ishenotascoundrel？Howcanhespeaklikethatbehindaperson\'sback？No！Lethimgotoherandtellitplainlytoheralone。\"
\"Excuseme。Thedeviltakeyou！Butitwasn\'tforheralonethatyougavehimthedrubbing？\"
\"Thatis，whatdoyoumea，——notforheralone？Forwhomthen？\"
askedFoma，amazed。
\"Forwhom？Idon\'tknow。Evidentlyyouhadoldaccountstosettle！
0hLord！Thatwasascene！Ishallnotforgetitinallmylife！\"
\"He——thatman——whoishe？\"askedFoma，andsuddenlyburstoutlaughing。\"Howheroared，thefool！\"
Ookhtishchevlookedfixedlyintohisfaceandasked：
\"Tellme，isittrue，thatyoudon\'tknowwhomyou\'vethrashed？AndisitreallyonlyforSophyaPavlovna？\"
\"Itis，byGod！\"avowedFoma。
\"So，thedevilknowswhattheresultmaybe！\"Hestoppedshort，shruggedhisshouldersperplexedly，wavedhishand，andagainbegantopacethesidewalk，lookingatFomaaskance。\"You\'llpayforthis，FomaIgnatyevich。\"
\"Willhetakemetocourt？\"
\"WouldtoGodhedoes。HeistheVice-Governor\'sson-in-law，\"
\"Isthatso？\"saidFoma，slowly，andmadealongface。
\"Yes。Totellthetruth，heisascoundrelandarascal。AccordingtothisfactImustadmit，thathedeservesadrubbing。Buttakingintoconsiderationthefactthattheladyyoudefendedisalso——\"
\"Sir！\"saidFoma，firmly，placinghishandonOokhtishchev\'sshoulder，\"Ihavealwayslikedyou，andyouarenowwalkingwithme。Iunderstanditandcanappreciateit。Butdonotspeakillofherinmypresence。Whatevershemaybeinyouropinion，inmyopinion，sheisdeartome。Tomesheisthebestwoman。SoIamtellingyoufrankly。Sinceyouaregoingwithme，donottouchher。
Iconsiderhergood，thereforesheisgood。\"
TherewasgreatemotioninFoma\'svoice。Ookhtishchevlookedathimandsaidthoughtfully：
\"Youareaqueerman，Imustconfess。\"
\"Iamasimpleman——asavage。IhavegivenhimathrashingandnowIfeeljolly，andastotheresult，letcomewhatwill。\'
\"Iamafraidthatitwillresultinsomethingbad。Doyouknow——tobefrank，inreturnforyourfrankness——Ialsolikeyou，although——
Mm！Itisratherdangeroustobewithyou。Suchaknightlytempermaycomeoveryouandonemaygetathrashingatyourhands。\"
\"Howso？Thiswasbutthefirsttime。Iamnotgoingtobeatpeopleeveryday，amI？\"saidFoma，confused。Hiscompanionbegantolaugh。
\"Whatamonsteryouare！Listentome——itissavagetofight——youmustexcuseme，butitisabominable。Yet，Imusttellyou，inthiscaseyoumadeahappyselection。Youhavethrashedarake，acynic，aparasite——amanwhorobbedhisnephewswithimpunity。\"
\"Well，thankGodforthat！\"saidFomawithsatisfaction。\"NowI
havepunishedhimalittle。\"
\"Alittle？Verywell，letussupposeitwasalittle。Butlistentome，mychild，permitmetogiveyouadvice。Iamamanofthelaw。
He，thatKayazev，isarascal！True！Butyoumustnotthrashevenarascal，forheisasocialbeing，underthepaternalcustodyofthelaw。Youcannottouchhimuntilhetransgressesthelimitsofthepenalcode。Buteventhen，notyou，butwe，thejudges，willgivehimhisdue。Whileyoumusthavepatience。\"
\"Andwillhesoonfallintoyourhands？\"inquiredFoma，naively。
\"Itishardtotell。Beingfarfromstupid，hewillprobablyneverbecaught，andtotheendofhisdayshewilllivewithyouandmeinthesamedegreeofequalitybeforethelaw。0hGod，whatIamtellingyou！\"saidOokhtishchev，withacomicalsigh。
\"Betrayingsecrets？\"grinnedFoma。
\"Itisn\'tsecrets；butIoughtnottobefrivolous。De-e-evil！Butthen，thisaffairenlivenedme。Indeed，Nemesisiseventhentruetoherselfwhenshesimplykickslikeahorse。\"
Fomastoppedsuddenly，asthoughhehadmetanobstacleonhisway。
\"Nemesis——thegoddessofJustice，\"babbledOokhtishchev。\"What\'sthematterwithyou？\"
\"Anditallcameabout，\"saidFoma，slowly，inadullvoice，\"becauseyousaidthatshewasgoingaway。\"
\"Who？
\"SophyaPavlovna。\"
\"Yes，sheisgoingaway。Well？\"
HestoodoppositeFomaandstaredathim，withasmileinhiseyes。
Gordyeeffwassilent，withloweredhead，tappingthestoneofthesidewalkwithhiscane。
\"Come，\"saidOokhtishchev。
Fomastarted，sayingindifferently：
\"Well，lethergo。AndIamalone。\"Ookhtishchev，wavinghiscane，begantowhistle，lookingathiscompanion。
\"Sha\'n\'tIbeabletogetalongwithouther？\"askedFoma，lookingsomewhereinfrontofhimandthen，afterapause，heansweredhimselfsoftlyandirresolutely：
\"Ofcourse，Ishall。\"
\"Listentome！\"exclaimedOokhtishchev。\"I\'llgiveyousomegoodadvice。Amanmustbehimself。Whileyou，youareanepicman，sotosay，andthelyricalisnotbecomingtoyou。Itisn\'tyourgenre。\"
\"Speaktomemoresimply，sir，\"saidFoma，havinglistenedattentivelytohiswords。
\"Moresimply？Verywell。Iwanttosay，giveupthinkingofthislittlelady。Sheispoisonousfoodforyou。\"
\"Shetoldmethesame，\"putinFoma，gloomily。
\"Shetoldyou？\"Ookhtishchevaskedandbecamethoughtful。\"Now，I\'lltellyou，shouldn\'tweperhapsgoandhavesupper？\"
\"Let\'sgo，\"Fomaassented。Andhesuddenlyroaredobdurately，clinchinghisfistsandwavingthemintheair：\"Well，letusgo，andI\'llgetwoundup；I\'llbreakloose，afterallthis，soyoucan\'tholdmeback！\"
\"Whatfor？We\'lldoitmodestly。\"
\"No！wait！\"saidFoma，anxiously，seizinghimbytheshoulder。
\"What\'sthat？AmIworsethanotherpeople？Everybodylives，whirls，hustlesabout，hashisownpoint。WhileIamweary。
Everybodyissatisfiedwithhimself。Andastotheircomplaining，theylie，therascals！Theyaresimplypretendingforbeauty\'ssake。Ihavenoreasontopretend。Iamafool。Idon\'tunderstandanything，mydearfellow。Isimplywishtolive！Iamunabletothink。Ifeeldisgusted；onesaysthis，anotherthat！Pshaw！Butshe，eh！Ifyouknew。Myhopewasinher。Iexpectedofher——justwhatIexpected，Icannottell；butsheisthebestofwomen！AndI
hadsomuchfaithinher——whensometimesshespokesuchpeculiarwords，allherown。Hereyes，mydearboy，aresobeautiful！0hLord！Iwasashamedtolookuponthem，andasIamtellingyou，shewouldsayafewwords，andeverythingwouldbecomecleartome。ForIdidnotcometoherwithlovealone——Icametoherwithallmysoul！Isought——Ithoughtthatsinceshewassobeautiful，consequently，Imightbecomeamanbyherside！\"
Ookhtishchevlistenedtothepainful，unconnectedwordsthatburstfromhiscompanion\'slips。Hesawhowthemusclesofhisfacecontractedwiththeefforttoexpresshisthoughts，andhefeltthatbehindthisbombasttherewasagreat，seriousgrief。Therewassomethingintenselypatheticinthepowerlessnessofthisstrongandsavageyouth，whosuddenlystartedtopacethesidewalkwithbig，unevensteps。Skippingalongafterhimwithhisshortlegs，OokhtishchevfeltithisdutysomehowtocalmFoma。
EverythingFomahadsaidanddonethateveningawakenedinthejollysecretaryafeelingoflivelycuriositytowardFoma，andthenhefeltflatteredbythefranknessoftheyoungmillionaire。Thisfranknessconfusedhimwithitsdarkpower；hewasdisconcertedbyitspressure，andthough，inspiteofhisyouth，hehadastockofwordsreadyforalloccasionsinlife，ittookhimquiteawhiletorecallthem。
\"Ifeelthateverythingisdarkandnarrowaboutme，\"saidGordyeeff。\"Ifeelthataburdenisfallingonmyshoulders，butwhatitisIcannotunderstand！Itputsarestraintonme，anditchecksthefreedomofmymovementsalongtheroadoflife。
Listeningtopeople，youhearthateachsaysadifferentthing。Butshecouldhavesaid——\"
\"Eh，mydearboy！\"OokhtishchevinterruptedFoma，gentlytakinghisarm。\"Thatisn\'tright！Youhavejuststartedtoliveandalreadyyouarephilosophizing！No，thatisnotright！Lifeisgivenustolive！Whichmeans——liveandletotherslive。That\'sthephilosophy！
Andthatwoman。Bah！Isshethentheonlyoneintheworld？Theworldislargeenough。Ifyouwish，I\'llintroduceyoutosuchavirilewoman，thateventheslightesttraceofyourphilosophywouldatoncevanishfromyoursoul！Oh，aremarkablewoman！Andhowwellsheknowshowtoavailherselfoflife！Doyouknow，there\'salsosomethingepicabouther？Sheisbeautiful；aPhryne，Imaysay，andwhatamatchshewouldbetoyou！Ah，devil！Itisreallyasplendididea。I\'llmakeyouacquaintedwithher！Wemustdriveonenailoutwithanother。\"
\"Myconsciencedoesnotallowit，\"saidFoma，sadlyandsternly。
\"Solongassheisalive，Icannotevenlookatwomen。\"
\"Sucharobustandhealthyyoungman。Ho，ho！\"exclaimedOokhtishchev，andinthetoneofateacherbegantoarguewithFomathatitwasessentialforhimtogivehispassionanoutletinagoodspree，inthecompanyofwomen。
\"Thiswillbemagnificent，anditisindispensabletoyou。Youmaybelieveme。Andastoconscience，youmustexcuseme。Youdon\'tdefineitquiteproperly。Itisnotconsciencethatinterfereswithyou，buttimidity，Ibelieve。Youliveoutsideofsociety。Youarebashful，andawkward。Youaredimlyconsciousofallthis，anditisthisconsciousnessthatyoumistakeforconscience。Inthiscasetherecanbenoquestionaboutconscience。Whathasconsciencetodohere，sinceitisnaturalformantoenjoyhimself，sinceitishisnecessityandhisright？\"
Fomawalkedon，regulatinghisstepstothoseofhiscompanion，andstaringalongtheroad，whichlaybetweentworowsofbuildings，resembledanenormousditch，andwasfilledwithdarkness。Itseemedthattherewasnoendtotheroadandthatsomethingdark，inexhaustibleandsuffocatingwasslowlyflowingalongitinthedistance。Ookhtishchev\'skind，suasivevoicerangmonotonouslyinFoma\'sears，andthoughhewasnotlisteningtohiswords，hefeltthattheyweretenaciousintheirway；thattheyadheredtohim，andthathewasinvoluntarilymemorizingthem。Notwithstandingthatamanwalkedbesidehim，hefeltasthoughhewerealone，strayinginthedark。Andthedarknessseizedhimandslowlydrewhimalong，andhefeltthathewasdrawnsomewhere，andyethadnodesiretostop。Somesortoffatiguehinderedhisthinking；therewasnodesireinhimtoresisttheadmonitionsofhiscompanion——andwhyshouldheresistthem？
\"Itisn\'tforeveryonetophilosophize，\"saidOokhtishchev，swinginghiscaneintheair，andsomewhatcarriedawaybyhiswisdom。\"Forifeverybodyweretophilosophize，whowouldlive？Andwelivebutonce！Andthereforeitwerebesttomakehastetolive。
ByGod！That\'strue！Butwhat\'stheuseoftalking？Wouldyoupermitmetogiveyouashakingup？Let\'sgoimmediatelytoapleasure-houseIknow。Twosisterslivethere。Ah，howtheylive！
Youwillcome？\"
\"Well，I\'llgo，\"saidFoma，calmly，andyawned。\"Isn\'titratherlate？\"heasked，lookingupattheskywhichwascoveredwithclouds。
\"It\'snevertoolatetogotoseethem！\"exclaimedOokhtishchev，merrily。
CHAPTERVIII
ONthethirddayafterthesceneintheclub，Fomafoundhimselfaboutsevenverstsfromthetown，onthetimber-wharfofthemerchantZvantzev，inthecompanyofthemerchant\'ssonofOokhtishchev——asedate，bald-headedandred-nosedgentlemanwithsidewhiskers——andfourladies。TheyoungZvantzevworeeyeglasses，wasthinandpale，andwhenhestood，thecalvesofhislegswereforevertremblingasthoughtheyweredisgustedatsupportingthefeeblebody，cladinalong，checkedtop-coatwithacape，inwhosefoldsasmallheadinajockeycapwascomicallyshaking。ThegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerscalledhimJeanandpronouncedthisnameasthoughhewassufferingfromaninveteratecold。Jean\'sladywasatall，stoutwomanwithashowybust。Herheadwascompressedonthesides，herlowforeheadreceded，herlong，sharp-pointednosegaveherfaceanexpressionsomewhatbird-like。Andthisuglyfacewasperfectlymotionless，andtheeyesalone，small，roundandcold，wereforeversmilingapenetratingandcunningsmile。Ookhtishchev\'slady\'snamewasVera；shewasatall，palewomanwithredhair。Shehadsomuchhair，thatitseemedasthoughthewomanhadputonherheadanenormouscapwhichwascomingdownoverherears，hercheeksandherhighforehead，fromunderwhichherlargeblueeyeslookedforthcalmlyandlazily。
Thegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerssatbesideayoung，plump，buxomgirl，whoconstantlygiggledinaringingvoiceatsomethingwhichhewhisperedinherearasheleanedoverhershoulder。
AndFoma\'sladywasastatelybrunette，cladallinblack。Dark-
complexioned，withwavylocks，shekeptherheadsoerectandhighandlookedateverythingaboutherwithsuchcondescendinghaughtiness，thatitwasatonceevidentthatsheconsideredherselfthemostimportantpersonthere。
Thecompanywereseatedontheextremelinkoftheraft，extendingfarintothesmoothexpanseoftheriver。Boardswerespreadoutontheraftandinthecentrestoodacrudelyconstructedtable；emptybottles，provisionbaskets，candy-
wrappersandorangepeelswerescatteredabouteverywhere。Inthecorneroftheraftwasapileofearth，uponwhichabonfirewasburning，andapeasantinashortfurcoat，squatting，warmedhishandsoverthefire，andcastfurtiveglancesatthepeopleseatedaroundthetable。Theyhadjustfinishedeatingtheirsturgeonsoup，andnowwinesandfruitswerebeforethemonthetable。
Fatiguedwithatwo-days\'spreeandwiththedinnerthathadjustbeenfinished，thecompanywasinawearyframeofmind。Theyallgazedattheriver，chatting，buttheirconversationwasnowandagaininterruptedbylongpauses。
Thedaywasclearandbrightandyoung，asinspring。Thecold，clearskystretcheditselfmajesticallyovertheturbidwaterofthegigantically-wide，overflowingriver，whichwasascalmastheskyandasvastasthesea。Thedistant，mountainousshorewastenderlybathedinbluishmist。Throughit，there，onthemountaintops，thecrossesofchurcheswereflashinglikebigstars。Theriverwasanimatedatthemountainousshore；steamersweregoinghitherandthither，andtheirnoisecameindeepmoanstowardtheraftsandintothemeadows，wherethecalmflowofthewavesfilledtheairwithsoftandfaintsounds。Giganticbargesstretchedthemselvesoneafteranotheragainstthecurrent，likehugepigs，tearingasunderthesmoothexpanseoftheriver。Blacksmokecameinponderouspuffsfromthechimneysofthesteamers，slowlymeltinginthefreshair，whichwasfullofbrightsunshine。Attimesawhistleresounded——itwasliketheroarofsomehuge，enragedanimal，embitteredbytoil。Andonthemeadowsneartherafts，allwascalmandsilent。Solitarytreesthathadbeendrownedbytheflood，werenowalreadycoveredwithlight-
greenspanglesoffoliage。Coveringtheirrootsandreflectingtheirtops，thewatergavethemtheappearanceofglobes，anditseemedasthoughtheslightestbreezewouldsendthemfloating，fantasticallybeautiful，downthemirror-likebosomoftheriver。
Thered-hairedwoman，pensivelygazingintothedistance，begantosingsoftlyandsadly：
\"AlongtheVolgariverAlittleboatisflo-o-oating。\"
Thebrunette，snappingherlarge，sterneyeswithcontempt，said，withoutlookingather：\"Wefeelgloomyenoughwithoutthis。\"
\"Don\'ttouchher。Lethersing！\"entreatedFoma，kindly，lookingintohislady\'sface。Hewaspalesomesparkseemedtoflashupinhiseyesnowandthen，andanindefinite，indolentsmileplayedabouthislips。
\"Letussinginchorus！\"suggestedthemanwiththesidewhiskers。
\"No，letthesetwosing！\"exclaimedOokhtishchevwithenthusiasm。
\"Vera，singthatsong！Youknow，\'Iwillgoatdawn。\'Howisit？
Sing，Pavlinka！\"
Thegigglinggirlglancedatthebrunetteandaskedherrespectfully：
\"ShallIsing，Sasha？\"
\"Ishallsingmyself，\"announcedFoma\'scompanion，andturningtowardtheladywiththebirdlikeface，sheordered：
\"Vassa，singwithme！\"
VassaimmediatelybrokeoffherconversationwithZvantzev，strokedherthroatalittlewithherhandandfixedherroundeyesonthefaceofhersister。Sasharosetoherfeet，leanedherhandagainstthetable，andherheadliftedhaughtily，begantodeclaiminapowerful，almostmasculinevoice：
\"Lifeonearthisbrighttohim，Whoknowsnocaresorwoe，AndwhoseheartisnotconsumedBypassion\'sardentglow！\"
Hersisternoddedherheadandslowly，plaintivelybegantomoaninadeepcontralto：
\"Ahme！Ofmethemaidenfair。\"
Flashinghereyesathersister，Sashaexclaimedinherlow-
pitchednotes：
\"Likeabladeofgrassmyhearthaswithered。\"
Thetwovoicesmingledandfloatedoverthewaterinmelodious，fullsounds，whichquiveredfromexcessofpower。Oneofthemwascomplainingoftheunbearablepainintheheart，andintoxicatedbythepoisonofitsplaint，itsobbedwithmelancholyandimpotentgrief；sobbed，quenchingwithtearsthefireofthesuffering。Theother——thelower，moremasculinevoice——rolledpowerfullythroughtheair，fullofthefeelingofbloodymortificationandofreadinesstoavenge。Pronouncingthewordsdistinctly，thevoicecamefromherbreastinadeepstream，andeachwordreekedwithboilingblood，stirredupbyoutrage，poisonedbyoffenceandmightilydemandingvengeance。
\"Iwillrequitehim，\"
sangVassa，plaintively，closinghereyes。
\"Iwillinflamehim，I\'lldryhimup，\"
Sashapromisedsternlyandconfidently，waftingintotheairstrong，powerfultones，whichsoundedlikeblows。Andsuddenly，changingthetempoofthesongandstrikingahigherpitch，shebegantosing，asslowlyashersister，voluptuousandexultantthreats：
\"Drierthantheragingwind，Drierthanthemown-downgrass，Oi，themownanddried-upgrass。\"
Restinghiselbowsonthetable，Fomabenthishead，andwithknittedbrow，gazedintothefaceofthewoman，intoherblack，half-shuteyesStaringfixedlyintothedistance，hereyesflashedsobrightlyandmalignantlythat，becauseoftheirlight，thevelvetyvoice，thatburstfromthewoman\'schest，seemedtohimalsoblackandflashing，likehereyes。Herecalledhercaressesandthought：
\"Howdoesshecometobesuchassheis？Itisevenfearfultobewithher。\"
Ookhtishchev，sittingclosetohislady，anexpressionofhappinessonhisface，listenedtothesongandwasradiantwithsatisfaction。ThegentlemanwiththesidewhiskersandZvantzevweredrinkingwine，softlywhisperingsomethingastheyleanedtowardeachother。Thered-headedwomanwasthoughtfullyexaminingthepalmofOokhtishchev\'shand，holdingitinherown，andthejollygirlbecamesad。Shedroopedherheadlowandlistenedtothesong，motionless，asthoughbewitchedbyit。Fromthefirecamethepeasant。Hesteppedcarefullyovertheboards，ontiptoe；hishandswereclaspedbehindhisback，andhisbroad，beardedfacewasnowtransformedintoasmileofastonishmentandofanaivedelight。
\"Eh！butfeel，mykind，braveman！\"
entreatedVassa，plaintively，noddingherhead。Andhersister，herchestbentforward，herhandstillhigher，woundupthesonginpowerfultriumphantnotes：
\"Theyearningandthepangsoflove！\"
Whenshefinishedsinging，shelookedhaughtilyabouther，andseatingherselfbyFoma\'sside，claspedhisneckwithafirmandpowerfulhand。
\"Well，wasitanicesong？\"
\"It\'scapital！\"saidFomawithasigh，ashesmiledather。
Thesongfilledhisheartwiththirstfortendernessand，stillfullofcharmingsounds，itquivered，butatthetouchofherarmhefeltawkwardandashamedbeforetheotherpeople。
\"Bravo-o！Bravo，AleksandraSarelyevna！\"shoutedOokhtishchev，andtheotherswereclappingtheirhands。Butshepaidnoattentiontothem，andembracingFomaauthoritatively，said：
\"Well，makemeapresentofsomethingforthesong。\"
\"Verywell，Iwill，\"Fomaassented。
\"What？\"
\"Youtellme。\"
\"I\'lltellyouwhenwecometotown。Andifyou\'llgivemewhatI
like——Oh，howIwillloveyou！\"
\"Forthepresent？\"askedFoma，smilingsuspiciously。\"Yououghttolovemeanyway。\"
Shelookedathimcalmlyand，afteramoment\'sthought，saidresolutely：
\"It\'stoosoontoloveyouanyway。Iwillnotlie。WhyshouldI
lietoyou？Iamtellingyoufrankly。Iloveyouformoney，forpresents。Becauseasidefrommoney，menhavenothing。Theycannotgiveanythingmorethanmoney。Nothingofworth。Iknowitwellalready。Onecanlovemerelyso。Yes，waitalittle——I\'llknowyoubetterandthen，perhaps，Imayloveyoufreeofcharge。Andmeanwhile，youmustn\'ttakemeamiss。Ineedmuchmoneyinmymodeoflife。\"
Fomalistenedtoher，smiledandnowandthenquiveredfromthenearnessofhersound，well-shapedbody。Zvantzev\'ssour，crackedandboringvoicewasfallingonhisears。\"Idon\'tlikeit。I
cannotunderstandthebeautyofthisrenownedRussiansong。Whatisitthatsoundsinit？Eh？Thehowlofawolf。Somethinghungry，wild。Eh！it\'sthegroanofasickdog——altogethersomethingbeastly。There\'snothingcheerful，there\'snochictoit；therearenoliveandvivifyingsoundsinit。No，yououghttohearwhatandhowtheFrenchpeasantsings。Ah！ortheItalian。\"
\"Excuseme，IvanNikolayevich，\"criedOokhtishchev，agitated。
\"Imustagreewithyou，theRussiansongismonotonousandgloomy。Ithasnot，youknow，thatbrilliancyofculture，\"saidthemanwiththesidewhiskerswearily，ashesippedsomewineoutofhisglass。
\"Butnevertheless，thereisalwaysawarmheartinit，\"putinthered-hairedlady，asshepeeledanorange。
Thesunwassetting。Sinkingsomewherefarbeyondtheforest，onthemeadowshore，itpaintedtheentireforestwithpurpletintsandcastrosyandgoldenspotsoverthedarkcoldwater。Fomagazedinthatdirectionatthisplayofthesunbeams，watchedhowtheyquiveredastheyweretransposedovertheplacidandvastexpanseofwaters，andcatchingfragmentsofconversation，hepicturedtohimselfthewordsasaswarmofdarkbutterflies，busilyflutteringintheair。Sasha，herheadrestingonhisshoulder，wassoftlywhisperingintohisearsomethingatwhichheblushedandwasconfused，forhefeltthatshewaskindlinginhimthedesiretoembracethiswomanandkissherunceasingly。
Asidefromher，noneofthoseassembledthereinterestedhim——whileZvantzevandthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerswereactuallyrepulsivetohim。
\"Whatareyoustaringat？Eh？\"heheardOokhtishchev\'sjestingly-
sternvoice。
Thepeasant，atwhomOokhtishchevshouted，drewthecapfromhishead，clappeditagainsthiskneeandanswered，withasmile：
\"Icameovertolistentothelady\'ssong。\"
\"Well，doesshesingwell？\"
\"Whataquestion！Ofcourse，\"saidthepeasant，lookingatSasha，withadmirationinhiseyes。
\"That\'sright！\"exclaimedOokhtishchev。
\"Thereisagreatpowerofvoiceinthatlady\'sbreast，\"saidthepeasant，noddinghishead。
Athiswords，theladiesburstoutlaughingandthemenmadesomedouble-meaningremarksaboutSasha。
Aftershehadcalmlylistenedtotheseandsaidnothinginreply，Sashaaskedthepeasant：
\"Doyousing？\"
\"Wesingalittle！\"andhewavedhishand，\"Whatsongsdoyouknow？\"
\"Allkinds。Ilovesinging。\"Andhesmiledapologetically。
\"Come，let\'ssingsomethingtogether，youandI。\"
\"Howcanwe？AmIamatchforyou？\"
\"Well，strikeup！\"
\"MayIsitdown？\"
\"Comeoverhere，tothetable。\"
\"Howlivelythisis！\"exclaimedZvantzev，wrinklinghisface。
\"Ifyoufindittedious，goanddrownyourself，\"saidSasha，angrilyflashinghereyesathim。
\"No，thewateriscold，\"repliedZvantzev，shrinkingatherglance。
\"Asyouplease！\"Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。\"Butitisabouttimeyoudidit，andthen，there\'salsoplentyofwaternow，sothatyouwouldn\'tspoilitallwithyourrottenbody。\"
\"Fie，howwitty！\"hissedtheyouth，turningawayfromher，andaddedwithcontempt：\"InRussiaeventheprostitutesarerude。\"
Headdressedhimselftohisneighbour，butthelattergavehimonlyanintoxicatedsmileinreturn。Ookhtishchevwasalsodrunk。
Staringintothefaceofhiscompanion，withhiseyesgrowndim，hemutteredsomethingandheardnothing。Theladywiththebird-
likefacewaspeckingcandy，holdingtheboxunderherverynose。
Pavlinkawentawaytotheedgeoftheraftand，standingthere，threworangepeelsintothewater。
\"Ineverbeforeparticipatedinsuchanabsurdoutingand——
company，\"saidZvantzev，tohisneighbour，plaintively。
AndFomawatchedhimwithasmile，delightedthatthisfeebleandugly-lookingmanfeltbored，andthatSashahadinsultedhim。Nowandthenhecastatherakindglanceofapproval。Hewaspleasedwiththefactthatshewassofrankwitheverybodyandthatsheboreherselfproudly，likearealgentlewoman。
Thepeasantseatedhimselfontheboardsatherfeet，claspedhiskneesinhishands，liftedhisfacetoherandseriouslylistenedtoherwords。
\"Youmustraiseyourvoice，whenIlowermine，understand？\"
\"Iunderstand；but，Madam，yououghttohandmesomejusttogivemecourage！\"
\"Foma，givehimaglassofbrandy！\"
Andwhenthepeasantemptiedit，clearedhisthroatwithpleasure，lickedhislipsandsaid：\"Now，Icandoit，\"sheordered，knittingherbrow：
\"Begin！\"
Thepeasantmadeawrymouth，liftedhiseyestoherface，andstartedinahigh-pitchedtenor：
\"Icannotdrink，Icannoteat。\"
Tremblingineverylimb，thewomansobbedouttremulously，withstrangesadness：
\"Winecannotgladdenmysoul。\"
Thepeasantsmiledsweetly，tossedhisheadtoandfro，andclosinghiseyes，pouredoutintotheairatremulouswaveofhigh-pitchednotes：
\"Oh，timehascomeformetobidgoodbye！\"
Andthewoman，shudderingandwrithing，moanedandwailed：
\"Oi，frommykindredImustpart。\"
Loweringhisvoiceandswayingtoandfro，thepeasantdeclaimedinasing-songwitharemarkablyintenseexpressionofanguish：
\"Alas，toforeignlandsImustdepart。\"
Whenthetwovoices，yearningandsobbing，pouredforthintothesilenceandfreshnessoftheevening，everythingaboutthemseemedwarmerandbetter；everythingseemedtosmilethesorrowfulsmileofsympathyontheanguishofthemanwhomanobscurepoweristearingawayfromhisnativesoilintosomeforeignplace，wherehardlabouranddegradationareinstoreforhim。Itseemedasthoughnotthesounds，northesong，buttheburningtearsofthehumanheartinwhichtheplainthadsurgedup——itseemedasthoughthesetearsmoistenedtheair。
Wildgriefandpainfromthesoresofbodyandsoul，whichwereweariedinthestrugglewithsternlife；intensesufferingsfromthewoundsdealttomanbytheironhandofwant——allthiswasinvestedinthesimple，crudewordsandwastossedinineffablymelancholysoundstowardthedistant，emptysky，whichhasnoechoforanybodyoranything。
Fomahadsteppedasidefromthesingers，andstaredatthemwithafeelingakintofright，andthesong，inahugewave，pouredforthintohisbreast，andthewildpowerofgrief，withwhichithadbeeninvested，clutchedhisheartpainfully。Hefeltthattearswouldsoongushfromhisbreast，somethingwasclogginghisthroatandhisfacewasquivering。HedimlysawSasha\'sblackeyes；immobileandflashinggloomily，theyseemedtohimenormousandstillgrowinglargerandlarger。Anditseemedtohimthatitwasnottwopersonswhoweresinging——thateverythingabouthimwassingingandsobbing，quiveringandpalpitatingintorrentsofsorrow，madlystrivingsomewhere，sheddingburningtears，andall——andallthingslivingseemedclaspedinonepowerfulembraceofdespair。Anditseemedtohimthathe，too，wassinginginunisonwithallofthem——withthepeople，theriverandthedistantshore，whencecameplaintivemoansthatmingledwiththesong。
Nowthepeasantwentdownonhisknees，andgazingatSasha，wavedhishands，andshebentdowntowardhimandshookherhead，keepingtimetothemotionsofhishands。Bothwerenowsingingwithoutwords，withsoundsonly，andFomastillcouldnotbelievethatonlytwovoiceswerepouringintotheairthesemoansandsobswithsuchmightypower。
Whentheyhadfinishedsinging，Foma，tremblingwithexcitement，withatear-stainedface，gazedatthemandsmiledsadly。
\"Well，diditmoveyou？\"askedSasha。Palewithfatigue，shebreathedquicklyandheavily。
Fomaglancedatthepeasant。Thelatterwaswipingthesweatoffhisbrowandlookingaroundhimwithsuchawanderinglookasthoughhecouldnotmakeoutwhathadtakenplace。
Allwassilence。Allweremotionlessandspeechless。
\"0hLord！\"sighedFoma，risingtohisfeet。\"Eh，Sasha！Peasant！
Whoareyou？\"healmostshouted。
\"Iam——Stepan，\"saidthepeasant，smilingconfusedly，andalsorosetohisfeet。\"I\'mStepan。Ofcourse！\"
\"Howyousing！Ah！\"Fomaexclaimedinastonishment，uneasilyshiftingfromfoottofoot。
\"Eh，yourHonour！\"sighedthepeasantandaddedsoftlyandconvincingly：\"Sorrowcancompelanoxtosinglikeanightingale。Andwhatmakestheladysinglikethis，onlyGodknows。Andshesings，withallherveins——thatistosay，soyoumightjustliedownanddiewithsorrow！Well，that\'salady。\"
\"Thatwassungverywell！\"saidOokhtishchevinadrunkenvoice。
No，thedevilknowswhatthisis！\"Zvantzevsuddenlyshouted，almostcrying，irritatedashejumpedupfromthetable。\"I\'vecomeouthereforagoodtime。Iwanttoenjoymyself，andheretheyperformafuneralserviceforme！Whatanoutrage！Ican\'tstandthisanylonger。I\'mgoingaway！\"
\"Jean，Iamalsogoing。I\'mweary，too，\"announcedthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskers。
\"Vassa，\"criedZvantzevtohislady，\"dressyourself！\"
\"Yes，it\'stimetogo，\"saidthered-hairedladytoOokhtishchev。
\"Itiscold，anditwillsoonbedark。\"
\"Stepan！Cleareverythingaway！\"commandedVassa。
Allbegantobustleabout，allbegantospeakofsomething。Fomastaredattheminsuspenseandshuddered。Staggering，thecrowdwalkedalongtherafts。Paleandfatigued，theysaidtooneanotherstupid，disconnectedthings。Sashajostledthemunceremoniously，asshewasgettingherthingstogether。
\"Stepan！Callforthehorses！\"
\"AndI\'lldrinksomemorecognac。Whowantssomemorecognacwithme？\"drawledthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskersinabeatificvoice，holdingabottleinhishands。
VassawasmufflingZvantzev\'sneckwithascarf。Hestoodinfrontofher，frowning，dissatisfied，hislipscurledcapriciously，thecalvesofhislegsshivering。Fomabecamedisgustedashelookedatthem，andhewentofftotheotherraft。Hewasastonishedthatallthesepeoplebehavedasthoughtheyhadnotheardthesongatall。Inhisbreastthesongwasaliveandthereitcalledtolifearestlessdesiretodosomething，tosaysomething。Buthehadnoonetheretospeakto。
Thesunhadsetandthedistancewasenvelopedinbluemist。Fomaglancedthitherandturnedaway。Hedidnotfeellikegoingtotownwiththesepeople，neitherdidhecaretostayherewiththem。Andtheywerestillpacingtheraftwithunevensteps，shakingfromsidetosideandmutteringdisconnectedwords。Thewomenwerenotquiteasdrunkasthemen，andonlythered-hairedonecouldnotliftherselffromthebenchforalongtime，andfinally，whensherose，shedeclared：
\"Well，I\'mdrunk。\"
Fomasatdownonalogofwood，andliftingtheaxe，withwhichthepeasanthadchoppedwoodforthefire，hebegantoplaywithit，tossingitupintheairandcatchingit。
\"Oh，myGod！Howmeanthisis！\"Zvantzev\'scapriciousvoicewasheard。
Fomabegantofeelthathehatedit，andhim，andeverybody，exceptSasha，whoawakenedinhimacertainuneasyfeeling，whichcontainedatonceadmirationforherandafearlestshemightdosomethingunexpectedandterrible。
\"Brute！\"shoutedZvantzevinashrillvoice，andFomanoticedthathestruckthepeasantonthechest，afterwhichthepeasantremovedhiscaphumblyandsteppedaside。
\"Fo-o-ol！\"criedZvantzev，walkingafterhimandliftinghishand。
Fomajumpedtohisfeetandsaidthreateningly，inaloudvoice：
\"Eh，you！Don\'ttouchhim！\"
\"Wha-a-at？\"Zvantzevturnedaroundtowardhim。
\"Stepan，comeoverhere，\"calledFoma。
\"Peasant！\"Zvantzevhurledwithcontempt，lookingatFoma。
Fomashruggedhisshouldersandmadeasteptowardhim；butsuddenlyathoughtflashedvividlythroughhismind！HesmiledmaliciouslyandinquiredofStepan，softly：
\"Thestringofraftsismooredinthreeplaces，isn\'tit？
\"Inthree，ofcourse！\"
\"Cuttheconnections！\"
\"Andthey？\"
\"Keepquiet！Cut！\"
\"But——\"
\"Cut！Quietly，sotheydon\'tnoticeit！\"
Thepeasanttooktheaxeinhishands，slowlywalkeduptotheplacewhereonelinkwaswellfastenedtoanotherlink，struckafewtimeswithhisaxe，andreturnedtoFoma。
\"I\'mnotresponsible，yourHonour，\"hesaid。
\"Don\'tbeafraid。\"
\"They\'vestartedoff，\"whisperedthepeasantwithfright，andhastilymadethesignofthecross。AndFomagazed，laughingsoftly，andexperiencedapainfulsensationthatkeenlyandsharplystunghisheartwithacertainstrange，pleasantandsweetfear。
Thepeopleontheraftwerestillpacingtoandfro，movingaboutslowly，jostlingoneanother，assistingtheladieswiththeirwraps，laughingandtalking，andtheraftwasmeanwhileturningslowlyandirresolutelyinthewater。
\"Ifthecurrentcarriesthemagainstthefleet，\"whisperedthepeasant，\"they\'llstrikeagainstthebows——andthey\'llbesmashedintosplinters。\"
\"Keepquiet！\"
\"They\'lldrown！\"
\"You\'llgetaboat，andovertakethem。\"
\"That\'sit！Thankyou。Whatthen？They\'reafterallhumanbeings。
Andwe\'llbeheldresponsibleforthem。\"Satisfiednow，laughingwithdelight，thepeasantdashedinboundsacrosstheraftstotheshore。AndFomastoodbythewaterandfeltapassionatedesiretoshoutsomething，buthecontrolledhimself，inordertogivetimefortherafttofloatofffarther，sothatthosedrunkenpeoplewouldnotbeabletojumpacrosstothemooredlinks。Heexperiencedapleasantcaressingsensationashesawtheraftsoftlyrockinguponthewaterandfloatingofffartherandfartherfromhimeverymoment。Theheavyanddarkfeeling，withwhichhishearthadbeenfilledduringthistime，nowseemedtofloatawaytogetherwiththepeopleontheraft。Calmlyheinhaledthefreshairandwithitsomethingsoundthatclearedhisbrain。AttheveryedgeofthefloatingraftstoodSasha，withherbacktowardFoma；helookedatherbeautifulfigureandinvoluntarilyrecalledMedinskaya。Thelatterwassmallerinsize。Therecollectionofherstunghim，andhecriedoutinaloud，mockingvoice：
\"Eh，there！Good-bye！Ha！ha！ha！\"
Suddenlythedarkfiguresofthepeoplemovedtowardhimandcrowdedtogetherinonegroup，inthecentreoftheraft。Butbythistimeaclearstripofwater，aboutthreeyardswide，wasflashingbetweenthemandFoma。
Therewasasilencelastingforafewseconds。
Thensuddenlyahurricaneofshrill，repulsivelypitifulsounds，whichwerefullofanimalfright，washurledatFoma，andlouderthanallandmorerepulsivethanall，Zvantzev\'sshrill，jarringcrypiercedtheear：
\"He-e-elp！\"
Someone——inallprobability，thesedategentlemanwiththesidewhiskers——roaredinhisbasso：
\"Drowning！They\'redrowningpeople！\"
\"Areyoupeople？\"criedFoma，angrily，irritatedbytheirscreamswhichseemedtobitehim。Andthepeopleranaboutontheraftinthemadnessoffright；theraftrockedundertheirfeet，floatedfasteronaccountofthis，andtheagitatedwaterwasloudlysplashingagainstandunderit。Thescreamsrenttheair，thepeoplejumpedabout，wavingtheirhands，andthestatelyfigureofSashaalonestoodmotionlessandspeechlessontheedgeoftheraft。
\"Givemyregardstothecrabs！\"criedFoma。Fomafeltmoreandmorecheerfulandrelievedinproportionastheraftwasfloatingawayfromhim。
\"FomaIgnatyevich！\"saidOokhtishchevinafaint，butsobervoice，\"lookout，thisisadangerousjoke。I\'llmakeacomplaint。\"
\"Whenyouaredrowned？Youmaycomplain！\"answeredFoma，cheerfully。
\"Youareamurderer！\"exclaimedZvantzev，sobbing。Butatthistimearingingsplashofwaterwasheardasthoughitgroanedwithfrightorwithastonishment。Fomashudderedandbecameasthoughpetrified。Thenrangoutthewild，deafeningshrieksofthewomen，andtheterror-strickenscreamsofmen，andallthefiguresontheraftremainedpetrifiedintheirplaces。AndFoma，staringatthewater，feltasthoughhereallywerepetrified。Inthewatersomethingblack，surroundedwithsplashes，wasfloatingtowardhim。
Ratherinstinctivelythanconsciously，Fomathrewhimselfwithhischestonthebeamsoftheraft，andstretchedouthishands，hisheadhangingdownoverthewater。Severalincrediblylongsecondspassed。Cold，wetarmsclaspedhisneckanddarkeyesflashedbeforehim。ThenheunderstoodthatitwasSasha。
Thedullhorror，whichhadsuddenlyseizedhim，vanished，replacednowbywild，rebelliousjoy。Havingdraggedthewomanoutofthewater，hegraspedherbythewaist，claspedhertohisbreast，and，notknowingwhattosaytoher，hestaredintohereyeswithastonishment。Shesmiledathimcaressingly。
\"Iamcold，\"saidSasha，softly，andquiveredineverylimb。
Fomalaughedgailyatthesoundofhervoice，liftedherintohisarmsandquickly，almostrunning，dashedacrosstheraftstotheshore。Shewaswetandcold，butherbreathingwashot，itburnedFoma\'scheekandfilledhisbreastwithwildjoy。
\"Youwantedtodrownme？\"saidshe，firmly，pressingclosetohim。\"Itwasrathertooearly。Wait！\"
\"Howwellyouhavedoneit，\"mutteredFoma，asheran。
\"You\'reafine，bravefellow！Andyourdevicewasn\'tbad，either，thoughyouseemtobesopeaceable。\"
\"Andtheyarestillroaringthere，ha！ha！\"
\"Thedeviltakethem！Iftheyaredrowned，we\'llbesenttoSiberia，\"saidthewoman，asthoughshewantedtoconsoleandencouragehimbythis。Shebegantoshiver，andtheshudderofherbody，feltbyFoma，madehimhastenhispace。
Sobsandcriesforhelpfollowedthemfromtheriver。There，ontheplacidwater，floatedinthetwilightasmallisland，withdrawingfromtheshoretowardthestreamofthemaincurrentoftheriver，andonthatlittleislanddarkhumanfigureswererunningabout。
Nightwasclosingdownuponthem。
CHAPTERIX
ONESundayafternoon，YakovTarasovichMayakinwasdrinkingteainhisgardenandtalkingtohisdaughter。Thecollarofhisshirtunbuttoned，atowelwoundroundhisneck，hesatonabenchunderacanopyofverdantcherry-trees，wavedhishandsintheair，wipedtheperspirationoffhisface，andincessantlypouredforthintotheairhisbriskspeech。
\"Themanwhopermitshisbellytohavetheupperhandoverhimisafoolandarogue！Istherenothingbetterintheworldthaneatinganddrinking？Uponwhatwillyouprideyourselfbeforepeople，ifyouarelikeahog？\"
Theoldman\'seyessparkledirritablyandangrily，hislipstwistedwithcontempt，andthewrinklesofhisgloomyfacequivered。
\"IfFomaweremyownson，Iwouldhavemadeamanofhim！\"
Playingwithanacaciabranch，Lubovmutelylistenedtoherfather\'swords，nowandthencastingacloseandsearchinglookinhisagitated，quiveringface。Growingolder，shechanged，withoutnoticingit，hersuspiciousandcoldrelationtowardtheoldman。Inhiswordsshenowbegantofindthesameideasthatwereinherbooks，andthiswonheroveronherfather\'sside，involuntarilycausingthegirltopreferhislivewordstothecoldlettersofthebook。Alwaysoverwhelmedwithbusinessaffairs，alwaysalertandclever，hewenthisownwayalone，andsheperceivedhissolitude，knewhowpainfulitwas，andherrelationstowardherfathergrewinwarmth。Attimessheevenenteredintoargumentswiththeoldman；healwaysregardedherremarkscontemptuouslyandsarcastically；butmoretenderlyandattentivelyfromtimetotime。
\"IfthedeceasedIgnatcouldreadinthenewspapersoftheindecentlifehissonisleading，hewouldhavekilledFoma！\"
saidMayakin，strikingthetablewithhisfists。\"Howtheyhavewrittenitup！It\'sadisgrace！\"
\"Hedeservesit，\"saidLubov。
\"Idon\'tsayitwasdoneatrandom！They\'vebarkedathim，aswasnecessary。Andwhowasitthatgotintosuchafitofanger？\"
\"Whatdifferencedoesitmaketoyou？\"askedthegirl。
\"It\'sinterestingtoknow。HowcleverlytherascaldescribedFoma\'sbehaviour。Evidentlyhemusthavebeenwithhimandwitnessedalltheindecencyhimself。\"
\"Oh，no，hewouldn\'tgowithFomaonaspree！\'saidLubov，confidently，andblusheddeeplyatherfather\'ssearchinglook。
\"So！Youhavefineacquaintances，Lubka！\"saidMayakinwithhumorousbitterness。\"Well，whowroteit？\"
\"Whatdoyouwishtoknowitfor，papa？\"
\"Come，tellme！\"
Shehadnodesiretotell，buttheoldmanpersisted，andhisvoicewasgrowingmoreandmoredryandangry。Thensheaskedhimuneasily：
\"Andyouwillnotdohimanyillforit？\"
\"I？Iwill——bitehisheadoff！Fool！WhatcanIdotohim？They，thesewriters，arenotafoolishlotandarethereforeapower——apower，thedevils！AndIamnotthegovernor，andevenhecannotputone\'shandoutofjointortieone\'stongue。Likemice，theygnawuslittlebylittle。Andwehavetopoisonthemnotwithmatches，butwithroubles。Yes！Well，whoisit？\"
\"Doyouremember，whenIwasgoingtoschool，aGymnasiumstudentusedtocomeuptous。Yozhov？Suchadarklittlefellow！\"
\"Mm！Ofcourse，Isawhim。Iknowhim。Soit\'she？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thelittlemouse！Evenatthattimeonecouldseealreadythatsomethingwrongwouldcomeoutofhim。Eventhenhestoodinthewayofotherpeople。Aboldboyhewas。Ishouldhavelookedafterhimthen。Perhaps，Imighthavemadeamanofhim。\"
Lubovlookedatherfather，smiledinimically，andaskedhotly：
\"Andisn\'thewhowritesfornewspapersaman？\"
Foralongwhile，theoldmandidnotanswerhisdaughter。