Thoughtfully，hedrummedwithhisfingersagainstthetableandexaminedhisface，whichwasreflectedinthebrightlypolishedbrassofthesamovar。Thenheraisedhishead，winkedhiseyesandsaidimpressivelyandirritably：
\"Theyarenotmen，theyaresores！ThebloodoftheRussianpeoplehasbecomemixed，ithasbecomemixedandspoiled，andfromthebadbloodhavecomeallthesebookandnewspaper-
writers，theseterriblePharisees。Theyhavebrokenouteverywhere，andtheyarestillbreakingout，moreandmore。
Whencecomesthisspoilingoftheblood？Fromslownessofmotion。
Whencethemosquitoes，forinstance？Fromtheswamp。Allsortsofuncleanlinessmultiplyinstagnantwaters。Thesameistrueofadisorderedlife。\"
\"Thatisn\'tright，papa！\"saidLubov，softly。
\"Whatdoyoumeanby——notright？\"
\"Writersarethemostunselfishpeople，theyarenoblepersonalities！Theydon\'twantanything——alltheystriveforisjustice——truth！They\'renotmosquitoes。\"
Lubovgrewexcitedasshelaudedherbelovedpeople；herfacewasflushed，andhereyeslookedatherfatherwithsomuchfeeling，asthoughimploringhimtobelieveher，beingunabletoconvincehim。
\"Eh，you！\"saidtheoldman，withasigh，interruptingher。
\"You\'vereadtoomuch！You\'vebeenpoisoned！Tellme——whoarethey？Nooneknows！ThatYozhov——whatishe？OnlyGodknows。Alltheywantisthetruth，yousay？Whatmodestpeopletheyare！Andsupposetruthistheverydearestthingthereis？Perhapseverybodyisseekingitinsilence？Believeme——mancannotbeunselfish。Manwillnotfightforwhatbelongsnottohim，andifhedoesfight——hisnameis\'fool，\'andheisofnousetoanybody。Amanmustbeabletostandupforhimself，forhisown，thenwillheattainsomething！Hereyouhaveit！Truth！HereI
havebeenreadingthesamenewspaperforalmostfortyyears，andIcanseewell——hereismyfacebeforeyou，andbeforeme，thereonthesamovarisagainmyface，butitisanotherface。Yousee，thesenewspapersgiveasamovarfacetoeverything，anddonotseetherealone。Andyetyoubelievethem。ButIknowthatmyfaceonthesamovarisdistorted。Noonecantelltherealtruth；
man\'sthroatistoodelicateforthis。Andthen，therealtruthisknowntonobody。\"
\"Papa！\"exclaimedLubov，sadly，\"Butinbooksandinnewspaperstheydefendthegeneralinterestsofallthepeople。\"
\"Andinwhatpaperisitwrittenthatyouarewearyoflife，andthatitwastimeforyoutogetmarried？So，thereyourinterestisnotdefended！Eh！You！Neitherisminedefended。WhoknowswhatIneed？Who，butmyself，understandsmyinterests？\"
\"No，papa，thatisn\'tright，thatisn\'tright！Icannotrefuteyou，butIfeelthatthisisn\'tright！\"saidLubovalmostwithdespair。
\"Itisright！\"saidtheoldman，firmly。\"Russiaisconfused，andthereisnothingsteadfastinit；everythingisstaggering！
Everybodylivesawry，everybodywalksononeside，there\'snoharmonyinlife。Allareyellingoutoftune，indifferentvoices。Andnotoneunderstandswhattheotherisinneedof！
Thereisamistovereverything——everybodyinhalesthatmist，andthat\'swhythebloodofthepeoplehasbecomespoiled——hencethesores。Manisgivengreatlibertytoreason，butisnotpermittedtodoanything——that\'swhymandoesnotlive；butrotsandstinks。\"
\"Whatoughtonetodo，then？\"askedLubov，restingherelbowsonthetableandbendingtowardherfather。
\"Everything！\"criedtheoldman，passionately。\"Doeverything。Goahead！Leteachmandowhateverheknowsbest！Butforthatlibertymustbegiventoman——completefreedom！Sincetherehascomeatime，wheneveryrawyouthbelievesthatheknowseverythingandwascreatedforthecompletearrangementoflife——
givehim，givetheroguefreedom！Here，Carrion，live！Come，come，live！Ah！Thensuchacomedywillfollow；feelingthathisbridleisoff，manwillthenrushuphigherthanhisears，andlikeafeatherwillflyhitherandthither。He\'llbelievehimselftobeamiracleworker，andthenhe\'llstarttoshowhisspirit。\"
Theoldmanpausedawhileand，loweringhisvoice，wenton，withamalicioussmile：
\"Butthereisverylittleofthatcreativespiritinhim！He\'llbristleupforadayortwo，stretchhimselfonallsides——andthepoorfellowwillsoongrowweak。Forhisheartisrotten——he，he，he！Here，he，he，he！Thedearfellowwillbecaughtbythereal，worthypeople，bythoserealpeoplewhoarecompetenttobetheactualcivilmasters，whowillmanagelifenotwitharodnorwithapen，butwithafingerandwithbrains。
\"What，theywillsay。Haveyougrowntired，gentlemen？What，theywillsay，yourspleenscannotstandarealfire，canthey？So——
\"and，raisinghisvoice，theoldmanconcludedhisspeechinanauthoritativetone：
\"Well，then，now，yourabble，holdyourtongues，anddon\'tsqueak！Orwe\'llshakeyouofftheearth，likewormsfromatree！
Silence，dearfellows！Ha，ha，ha！That\'showit\'sgoingtohappen，Lubavka！He，he，he！\"
Theoldmanwasinamerrymood。Hiswrinklesquivered，andcarriedawaybyhiswords，hetrembled，closedhiseyesnowandthen，andsmackedhislipsasthoughtastinghisownwisdom。
\"Andthenthosewhowilltaketheupperhandintheconfusionwillarrangelifewisely，aftertheirownfashion。Thenthingswon\'tgoatrandom，butasifbyrote。It\'sapitythatweshallnotlivetoseeit！\"
Theoldman\'swordsfelloneafteranotheruponLubovlikemeshesofabigstrongnet——theyfellandenmeshedher，andthegirl，unabletofreeherselffromthem，maintainedsilence，dizziedbyherfather\'swords。Staringintohisfacewithanintenselook，shesoughtsupportforherselfinhiswordsandheardinthemsomethingsimilartowhatshehadreadinbooks，andwhichseemedtohertherealtruth。Butthemalignant，triumphantlaughterofherfatherstungherheart，andthewrinkles，whichseemedtocreepaboutonhisfacelikesomanydarklittlesnakes，inspiredherwithacertainfearforherselfinhispresence。Shefeltthathewasturningherasidefromwhathadseemedsosimpleandsoeasyinherdreams。
\"Papa！\"shesuddenlyaskedtheoldman，inobediencetoathoughtandadesirethatunexpectedlyflashedthroughhermind。\"Papa！
andwhatsortofaman——whatinyouropinionisTaras？\"
Mayakinshuddered。Hiseyebrowsbegantomoveangrily，hefixedhiskeen，smalleyesonhisdaughter\'sfaceandaskedherdrily：
\"Whatsortoftalkisthis？\"
\"Musthenotevenbementioned？\"saidLubov，softlyandconfusedly。
Idon\'twanttospeakofhim——andIalsoadviseyounottospeakofhim！\"——theoldmanthreatenedherwithhisfingerandloweredhisheadwithagloomyfrown。Butwhenhesaidthathedidnotwanttospeakofhisson，heevidentlydidnotunderstandhimselfcorrectly，forafteraminute\'ssilencehesaidsternlyandangrily：
\"Taraska，too，isasore。Lifeisbreathinguponyou，milksops，andyoucannotdiscriminateitsgenuinescents，andyouswallowallsortsoffilth，whereforethereistroubleinyourheads。
That\'swhyyouarenotcompetenttodoanything，andyouareunhappybecauseofthisincompetence。Taraska。Yes。Hemustbeaboutfortynow。Heislosttome！Agalley-slave——isthatmyson？Ablunt-snoutedyoungpig。Hewouldnotspeaktohisfather，and——hestumbled。\"
\"Whatdidhedo？\"askedLubov，eagerlylisteningtotheoldman\'swords。
\"Whoknows？Itmaybethatnowhecannotunderstandhimself，ifhebecamesensible，andhemusthavebecomeasensibleman；he\'sthesonofafatherwho\'snotstupid，andthenhemusthavesufferednotalittle。Theycoddlethem，thenihilists！Theyshouldhaveturnedthemovertome。I\'dshowthemwhattodo。
Intothedesert！Intotheisolatedplaces——march！Come，now，mywisefellows，arrangelifethereaccordingtoyourownwill！Goahead！AndasauthoritiesoverthemI\'dstationtherobustpeasants。Well，now，honourablegentlemen，youweregiventoeatandtodrink，youweregivenaneducation——whathaveyoulearned？
Payyourdebts，pray。Yes，Iwouldnotspendabrokengroshonthem。Iwouldsqueezeallthepriceoutofthem——giveitup！Youmustnotsetamanatnaught。Itisnotenoughtoimprisonhim！
Youtransgressedthelaw，andareagentleman？Nevermind，youmustwork。Outofasingleseedcomesanearofcorn，andamanoughtnotbepermittedtoperishwithoutbeingofuse！Aneconomicalcarpenterfindsaplaceforeachandeverychipofwood——justsomusteverymanbeprofitablyusedup，andusedupentire，totheverylastvein。Allsortsoftrashhaveaplaceinlife，andmanisnevertrash。Eh！itisbadwhenpowerliveswithoutreason，norisitgoodwhenreasonliveswithoutpower。
TakeFomanow。Whoiscomingthere——givealook。\"
Turningaround，Lubovnoticedthecaptainofthe\"Yermak，\"Yefim，comingalongthegardenpath。Hehadrespectfullyremovedhiscapandbowedtoher。Therewasahopelesslyguiltyexpressiononhisfaceandheseemedabashed。YakovTarasovichrecognizedhimand，instantlygrownalarmed，hecried：
\"Whereareyoucomingfrom？Whathashappened？\"
\"I——Ihavecometoyou！\"saidYefim，stoppingshortatthetable，withalowbow。
\"Well，Isee，you\'vecometome。What\'sthematter？Where\'sthesteamer？\"
\"Thesteameristhere！\"Yefimthrusthishandsomewhereintotheairandheavilyshiftedfromonefoottotheother。
\"Whereisit，devil？Speakcoherently——whathashappened？\"criedtheoldman，enraged。
\"So——amisfortune，Yakov。\"
\"Haveyoubeenwrecked？\"
\"No，Godsavedus。\"
\"Burnedup？Well，speakmorequickly。\"
Yefimdrewairintohischestandsaidslowly：
\"BargeNo。9wassunk——smashedup。Oneman\'sbackwasbroken，andoneisaltogethermissing，sothathemusthavedrowned。Aboutfivemorewereinjured，butnotsoverybadly，thoughsomeweredisabled。\"
\"So-o！\"drawledoutMayakin，measuringthecaptainwithanill-
omenedlook。
\"Well，Yefimushka，I\'llstripyourskinoff\"
\"Itwasn\'tIwhodidit！\"saidYefim，quickly。
\"Notyou？\"criedtheoldman，shakingwithrage。\"Whothen？\"
\"Themasterhimself。\"
\"Foma？Andyou。Wherewereyou？\"
\"Iwaslyinginthehatchway。\"
\"Ah！Youwerelying。\"
\"Iwasboundthere。\"
\"Wha-at？\"screamedtheoldmaninashrillvoice。
\"Allowmetotellyoueverythingasithappened。Hewasdrunkandheshouted：\"\'Getaway！I\'lltakecommandmyself！\'Isaid\'I
can\'t！Iamthecaptain。\'\'Bindhim！\'saidhe。Andwhentheyhadboundme，theyloweredmeintothehatchway，withthesailors。
Andasthemasterwasdrunk，hewantedtohavesomefun。Afleetofboatswascomingtowardus。Sixemptybargestowedby\'Cheruigorez。\'SoFomaIgnatyichblockedtheirway。Theywhistled。Morethanonce。Imusttellthetruth——theywhistled！\"
\"Well？\"
\"Well，andtheycouldn\'tmanageit——thetwobargesinfrontcrashedintous。Andastheystruckthesideofourninth，weweresmashedtopieces。Andthetwobargeswerealsosmashed。Butwefaredmuchworse。\"
Mayakinrosefromthechairandburstintojarring，angrylaughter。AndYefimsighed，and，outstretchinghishands，said：xxx\"Hehasaveryviolentcharacter。Whenheissoberheissilentmostofthetime，andwalksaroundthoughtfully，butwhenhewetshisspringswithwine——thenhebreaksloose。Thenheisnotmasterofhimselfandofhisbusiness——buttheirwildenemy——
youmustexcuseme！AndIwanttoleave，YakovTarasovich！Iamnotusedtobeingwithoutamaster，Icannotlivewithoutamaster！\"
\"Keepquiet！\"saidMayakin，sternly。\"Where\'sFoma？\"
\"There；atthesameplace。Immediatelyaftertheaccident，hecametohimselfandatoncesentforworkmen。They\'llliftthebarge。Theymayhavestartedbythistime。\"
\"Ishetherealone？\"askedMayakin，loweringhishead。
\"Notquite，\"repliedYefim，softly，glancingstealthilyatLubov。
\"Really？\"
\"There\'saladywithhim。Adarkone。\"
\"So。\"
\"Itlooksasthoughthewomanisoutofherwits，\"saidYefim，withasigh。\"She\'sforeversinging。Shesingsverywell。It\'sverycaptivating。\"
\"Iamnotaskingyouabouther！\"criedMayakin，angrily。Thewrinklesofhisfacewerepainfullyquivering，anditseemedtoLubovthatherfatherwasabouttoweep。
\"Calmyourself，papa！\"sheentreatedcaressingly。\"Maybethelossisn\'tsogreat。\"
\"Notgreat？\"criedYakovTarasovichinaringingvoice。\"Whatdoyouunderstand，youfool？Isitonlythatthebargewassmashed？
Eh，you！Amanislost！That\'swhatitis！Andheisessentialtome！Ineedhim，dulldevilsthatyouare！\"Theoldmanshookhisheadangrilyandwithbriskstepswalkedoffalongthegardenpathleadingtowardthehouse。
AndFomawasatthistimeaboutfourhundredverstsawayfromhisgodfather，inavillagehut，ontheshoreoftheVolga。Hehadjustawakenedfromsleep，andlyingonthefloor，onabedoffreshhay，inthemiddleofthehut，hegazedgloomilyoutofthewindowatthesky，whichwascoveredwithgray，scatteredclouds。
Thewindwastearingthemasunderanddrivingthemsomewhere；
heavyandweary，oneovertakinganother，theywerepassingacrosstheskyinanenormousflock。Nowformingasolidmass，nowbreakingintofragments，nowfallinglowovertheearth，insilentconfusion，nowagainrisingupward，oneswallowedbyanother。
Withoutmovinghishead，whichwasheavyfromintoxication，Fomalookedlongatthecloudsandfinallybegantofeelasthoughsilentcloudswerealsopassingthroughhisbreast，——passing，breathingadampcoldnessuponhisheartandoppressinghim。
Therewassomethingimpotentinthemotionofthecloudsacrossthesky。Andhefeltthesamewithinhim。Withoutthinking，hepicturedtohimselfallhehadgonethroughduringthepastmonths。Itseemedtohimasthoughhehadfallenintoaturbid，boilingstream，andnowhehadbeenseizedbydarkwaves，thatresembledthesecloudsinthesky；hadbeenseizedandcarriedawaysomewhere，evenasthecloudswerecarriedbythewind。Inthedarknessandthetumultwhichsurroundedhim，hesawasthoughthroughamistthatcertainotherpeoplewerehasteningtogetherwithhim——to-daynotthoseofyesterday，newoneseachday，yetalllookingalike——equallypitifulandrepulsive。
Intoxicated，noisy，greedy，theyflewabouthimasinawhirlwind，carousedathisexpense，abusedhim，fought，screamed，andevenweptmorethanonce。Andhebeatthem。Herememberedthatonedayhehadstrucksomebodyontheface，tornsomeone\'scoatoffandthrownitintothewaterandthatsomeonehadkissedhishandswithwet，coldlipsasdisgustingasfrogs。Hadkissedandwept，imploringhimnottokill。Certainfacesflashedthroughhismemory，certainsoundsandwordsranginit。Awomaninayellowsilkwaist，unfastenedatthebreast，hadsunginaloud，sobbingvoice：
\"AndsoletuslivewhilewecanAndthen——e\'engrassmayceasetogrow。\"
Allthesepeople，likehimself，grownwildandbeastlike，wereseizedbythesamedarkwaveandcarriedawaylikerubbish。Allthesepeople，likehimself，musthavebeenafraidtolookforwardtoseewhitherthispowerful，wildwavewascarryingthem。Anddrowningtheirfearinwine，theywererushingforwarddownthecurrentstruggling，shouting，doingsomethingabsurd，playingthefool，clamouring，clamouring，withouteverbeingcheerful。Hewasdoingthesame，whirlingintheirmidst。Andnowitseemedtohim，thathewasdoingallthisforfearofhimself，inordertopassthesoonerthisstripoflife，orinordernottothinkofwhatwouldbeafterward。
Amidtheburningturmoilofcarouses，inthecrowdofpeople，seizedbydebauchery，perplexedbyviolentpassions，half-crazyintheirlongingtoforgetthemselves——onlySashawascalmandcontained。Sheneverdranktointoxication，alwaysaddressedpeopleinafirm，authoritativevoice，andallhermovementswereequallyconfident，asthoughthisstreamhadnottakenpossessionofher，butshewasherselfmasteringitsviolentcourse。SheseemedtoFomathecleverestpersonofallthosethatsurroundedhim，andthemosteagerfornoiseandcarouse；sheheldthemallinhersway，foreverinventingsomethingnewandspeakinginoneandthesamemannertoeverybody；forthedriver，thelackeyandthesailorshehadthesametoneandthesamewordsasforherfriendsandforFoma。ShewasyoungerandprettierthanPelageya，buthercaressesweresilent，cold。Fomaimaginedthatdeepinherheartshewasconcealingfromeverybodysomethingterrible，thatshewouldneverloveanyone，neverrevealherselfentire。
Thissecrecyinthewomanattractedhimtowardherwithafeelingoftimorouscuriosity，ofagreat，strainedinterestinhercalm，coldsoul，whichseemedevenasdarkashereyes。
SomehowFomasaidtoheroneday：
\"ButwhatpilesofmoneyyouandIhavesquandered！\"
Sheglancedathim，andasked：
\"Andwhyshouldwesaveit？\"
\"Indeed，why？\"thoughtFoma，astonishedbythefactthatshereasonedsosimply。
\"Whoareyou？\"heaskedheratanotheroccasion。
\"Why，haveyouforgottenmyname？\"
\"Well，theidea！\"
\"Whatdoyouwishtoknowthen？\"
\"Iamaskingyouaboutyourorigin。\"
\"Ah！IamanativeoftheprovinceofYaroslavl。I\'mfromOoglich。Iwasaharpist。Well，shallItastesweetertoyou，nowthatyouknowwhoIam？\"
\"DoIknowit？\"askedFoma，laughing。
\"Isn\'tthatenoughforyou？Ishalltellyounothingmoreaboutit。Whatfor？Weallcomefromthesameplace，bothpeopleandbeasts。AndwhatistherethatIcantellyouaboutmyself？Andwhatfor？Allthistalkisnonsense。Let\'sratherthinkalittleastohowweshallpasstheday。\"
Onthatdaytheytookatriponasteamer，withanorchestraofmusic，drankchampagne，andeveryoneofthemgotterriblydrunk。
Sashasangapeculiar，wonderfullysadsong，andFoma，movedbyhersinging，weptlikeachild。Thenhedancedwithherthe\"Russiandance，\"andfinally，perspiringandfatigued，threwhimselfoverboardinhisclothesandwasnearlydrowned。
Now，recallingallthisandagreatdealmore，hefeltashamedofhimselfanddissatisfiedwithSasha。Helookedatherwell-shapedfigure，heardherevenbreathingandfeltthathedidnotlovethiswoman，andthatshewasunnecessarytohim。Certaingray，oppressivethoughtswereslowlyspringingupinhisheavy，achinghead。Itseemedtohimasthougheverythinghehadlivedthroughduringthistimewastwistedwithinhimintoaheavyandmoistball，andthatnowthisballwasrollingaboutinhisbreast，unwindingitselfslowly，andthethingraycordswerebindinghim。
\"Whatisgoingoninme？\"hethought。\"I\'vebeguntocarouse。
Why？Idon\'tknowhowtolive。Idon\'tunderstandmyself。WhoamI？\"
Hewasastonishedbythisquestion，andhepausedoverit，attemptingtomakeitcleartohimself——whyhewasunabletoliveasfirmlyandconfidentlyasotherpeopledo。Hewasnowstillmoretortured。byconscience。Moreuneasyatthisthought，hetossedaboutonthehayandirritated，pushedSashawithhiselbow。
\"Becareful！\"saidshe，althoughnearlyasleep。
\"It\'sallright。You\'renotsuchaladyofquality！\"mutteredFoma。
\"What\'sthematterwithyou？\"
\"Nothing。\"
Sheturnedherbacktohim，andsaidlazily，withalazyyawn：
\"IdreamedthatIbecameaharpistagain。ItseemedtomethatI
wassingingasolo，andoppositemestoodabig，dirtydog，snarlingandwaitingformetofinishthesong。AndIwasafraidofthedog。AndIknewthatitwoulddevourme，assoonasI
stoppedsinging。SoIkeptsinging，singing。Andsuddenlyitseemedmyvoicefailedme。Horrible！Andthedogisgnashinghisteeth。0hLord，havemercyonme！Whatdoesitmean？\"
\"Stopyouridletalk！\"Fomainterruptedhersternly。\"Youbettertellmewhatyouknowaboutme。\"
\"Iknow，forinstance，thatyouareawakenow，\"sheanswered，withoutturningtohim。
\"Awake？That\'strue。I\'veawakened，\"saidFoma，thoughtfullyand，throwinghisarmbehindhishead，wenton：\"That\'swhyIamaskingyou。WhatsortofmandoyouthinkIam？\"
\"Amanwithadrunkenheadache，\"answeredSasha，yawning。
\"Aleksandra！\"exclaimedFoma，beseechingly，\"don\'ttalknonsense！
Tellmeconscientiously，whatdoyouthinkofme？\"
\"Idon\'tthinkanything！\"shesaiddrily。\"Whyareyoubotheringmewithnonsense？\"
\"Isthisnonsense？\"saidFoma，sadly。\"Eh，youdevils！Thisistheprincipalthing。Themostessentialthingtome。\"
Heheavedadeepsighandbecamesilent。Afteraminute\'ssilence，Sashabegantospeakinherusual，indifferentvoice：
\"Tellhimwhoheis，andwhyheissuchasheis？Didyoueversee！Isitpropertoasksuchquestionsofourkindofwomen？AndonwhatgroundshouldIthinkabouteachandeveryman？Ihavenoteventimetothinkaboutmyself，and，perhaps，Idon\'tfeellikedoingitatall。\"
Fomalaugheddrilyandsaid：
\"IwishIwerelikethis——andhadnodesiresforanything。\"
Thenthewomanraisedherheadfromthepillow，lookedintoFoma\'sfaceandlaydownagain，saying：
\"Youaremusingtoomuch。Lookout——nogoodwillcomeofittoyou。Icannottellyouanythingaboutyourself。Itisimpossibletosayanythingtrueaboutaman。Whocanunderstandhim？Mandoesnotknowhimself。Well，here，I\'lltellyou——youarebetterthanothers。Butwhatofit？\"
\"AndinwhatwayamIbetter？\"askedFoma，thoughtfully。
\"So！Whenonesingsagoodsong——youweep。Whenonedoessomemeanthing——youbeathim。Withwomenyouaresimple，youarenotimpudenttothem。Youarepeaceable。Andyoucanalsobedaring，sometimes。\"
YetallthisdidnotsatisfyFoma。
\"You\'renottellingmetherightthing！\"saidhe，softly。
\"Well，Idon\'tknowwhatyouwant。Butseehere，whatarewegoingtodoaftertheyhaveraisedthebarge？\"
\"Whatcanwedo？\"askedFoma。
\"ShallwegotoNizhniortoKazan？\"
\"Whatfor？\"
Tocarouse。\"
\"1don\'twanttocarouseanymore。\"
\"Whatelseareyougoingtodo？\"
\"What？Nothing。\"
Andbothweresilentforalongtime，withoutlookingateachother。
\"Youhaveadisagreeablecharacter，\"saidSasha，\"awearisomecharacter。\"
\"ButneverthelessIwon\'tgetdrunkanymore！\"saidFoma，firmlyandconfidently。
\"Youarelying！\"retortedSasha，calmly。
\"You\'llsee！Whatdoyouthink——isitgoodtoleadsuchalifeasthis？\"
\"I\'llsee。\"
\"No，justtellme——isitgood？\"
\"Butwhatisbetter？\"
Fomalookedatheraskanceand，irritated，said：
\"Whatrepulsivewordsyouspeak。\"
\"Well，hereagainIhaven\'tpleasedhim！\"saidSasha，laughing。
\"Whatafinecrowd！\"saidFoma，painfullywrinklinghisface。
\"They\'reliketrees。Theyalsolive，buthow？Nooneunderstands。
Theyarecrawlingsomewhere。Andcangivenoaccounteithertothemselvesortoothers。Whenthecockroachcrawls，heknowswhitherandwhereforehewantstogo？Andyou？Whitherareyougoing？\"
\"Holdon！\"Sashainterruptedhim，andaskedhimcalmly：\"Whathaveyoutodowithme？Youmaytakefrommeallthatyouwant，butdon\'tyoucreepintomysoul！\"
\"Intoyourso-o-ul！\"Fomadrawledout，withcontempt。\"Intowhatsoul？He，he！\"
Shebegantopacetheroom，gatheringtogethertheclothesthatwerescatteredeverywhere。Fomawatchedherandwasdispleasedbecauseshedidnotgetangryathimforhiswordsabouthersoul。Herfacelookedcalmandindifferent，asusual，buthewishedtoseeherangryoroffended；hewishedforsomethinghumanfromthewoman。
\"Thesoul！\"heexclaimed，persistinginhisaim。\"Canonewhohasasoulliveasyoulive？Asoulhasfireburninginit，thereisasenseofshameinit。\"
Bythistimeshewassittingonabench，puttingonherstockings，butathiswordssheraisedherheadandsternlyfixedhereyesuponhisface。
\"Whatareyoustaringat？\"askedFoma。
\"Whydoyouspeakthatway？\"saidshe，withoutliftinghereyesfromhim。
\"BecauseImust。\"
\"Lookout——mustyoureally？\"
Therewassomethingthreateninginherquestion。Fomafeltintimidatedandsaid，thistimewithoutprovocationinhisvoice：
\"HowcouldIhelpspeaking？\"
\"Oh，you！\"sighedSashaandresumeddressingherself\"Andwhataboutme？\"
\"Merelyso。Youseemasthoughyouwerebornoftwofathers。DoyouknowwhatIhaveobservedamongpeople？\"
\"Well？\"
\"Ifamancannotanswerforhimself，itmeansthatheisafraidofhimself，thathispriceisagrosh！\"
\"Doyourefertome？\"askedFoma，afterapause。
\"Toyou，too。\"
Shethrewapinkmorninggownoverhershouldersand，standinginthecentreoftheroom，stretchedoutherhandtowardFoma，wholayatherfeet，andsaidtohiminalow，dullvoice：
\"Youhavenorighttospeakaboutmysoul。Youhavenothingtodowithit！Andthereforeholdyourtongue！Imayspeak！IfI
please，Icouldtellsomethingtoallofyou。Eh，howIcouldtellit！Only，——whowilldaretolistentome，ifIshouldspeakatthetopofmyvoice？AndIhavesomewordsaboutyou，——they\'relikehammers！AndIcouldknockyouallonyourheadssothatyouwouldloseyourwits。Andalthoughyouareallrascals——youcannotbecuredbywords。Youshouldbeburnedinthefire——justasfrying-pansareburnedoutonthefirstMondayofLent。\"
Raisingherhandssheabruptlyloosenedherhair，andwhenitfelloverhershouldersinheavy，blacklocks——thewomanshookherheadhaughtilyandsaid，withcontempt：
\"NevermindthatIamleadingalooselife！Itoftenhappens，thatthemanwholivesinfilthispurerthanhewhogoesaboutinsilks。IfyouonlyknewwhatIthinkofyou，youdogs，whatwrathIbearagainstyou！Andbecauseofthiswrath——Iamsilent！
ForIfearthatifIshouldsingittoyou——mysoulwouldbecomeempty。Iwouldhavenothingtoliveon。\"Fomalookedather，andnowhewaspleasedwithher。Inherwordstherewassomethingakintohisframeofmind。Laughing，hesaidtoher，withsatisfactiononhisfaceandinhisvoice：
\"AndIalsofeelthatsomethingisgrowingwithinmysoul。Eh，I
tooshallhavemysay，whenthetimecomes。\"
\"Againstwhom？\"askedSasha，carelessly。
\"I——againsteverybody！\"exclaimedFoma，jumpingtohisfeet。
\"Againstfalsehood。Ishallask——\"
\"Askwhetherthesamovarisready，\"Sashaorderedindifferently。
Fomaglancedatherandcried，enraged：
\"Gotothedevil！Askyourself。\"
\"Well，allright，Ishall。Whatareyousnarlingabout？\"
Andshesteppedoutofthehut。
Inpiercingguststhewindblewacrosstheriver，strikingagainstitsbosom，andcoveredwithtroubleddarkwaves，theriverwasspasmodicallyrushingtowardthewindwithanoisysplash，andallinthefrothofwrath。Thewillowbushesontheshorebentlowtotheground——trembling，theynowwereabouttoliedownontheground，now，frightened，theythrustthemselvesawayfromit，drivenbytheblowsofthewind。Intheairrangawhistling，ahowling，andadeepgroaningsound，thatburstfromdozensofhumanbreasts：
\"Itgoes——itgoes——itgoes！\"
Thisexclamation，abruptasablow，andheavyasthebreathfromanenormousbreast，whichissuffocatingfromexertion，wassoaringovertheriver，fallinguponthewaves，asifencouragingtheirmadplaywiththewind，andtheystrucktheshoreswithmight。
Twoemptybargeslayanchoredbythemountainousshore，andtheirtallmasts，risingskyward，rockedincommotionfromsidetoside，asthoughdescribingsomeinvisiblepatternintheair。Thedecksofbothbargeswereencumberedwithscaffolds，builtofthickbrownbeams；hugesheaveswerehangingeverywhere；chainsandropeswerefastenedtothem，androckingintheair；thelinksofthechainswerefaintlyclanging。Athrongofpeasantsinblueandinredblousespulledalargebeamacrossthedockand，heavilystampingtheirfeet，groanedwithfullchest：
\"Itgoes——itgoes——itgoes！\"
Hereandtherehumanfiguresclungtothescaffoldings，likebiglumpsofblueandred；thewind，blowingtheirblousesandtheirtrousers，gavethemenoddforms，makingthemappearnowhump-
backed，nowroundandpuffeduplikebladders。Thepeopleonthescaffoldsandonthedecksofthebargesweremakingfast，hewing，sawing，drivinginnails；andbigarms，withshirtsleevesrolleduptotheelbowswereseeneverywhere。Thewindscatteredsplintersofwood，andavaried，lively，brisknoiseintheair；thesawgnawedthewood，chokingwithwickedjoy；thebeams，woundedbytheaxes，moanedandgroaneddrily；theboardscrackedsicklyastheysplitfromtheblowstheyreceived；thejointersqueakedmaliciously。Theironclinkingofthechainsandthegroaningcreakingofthesheavesjoinedthewrathfulroaringofthewaves，andthewindhowledloudly，scatteringovertheriverthenoiseoftoilanddrovethecloudsacrossthesky。
\"Mishka-a！Thedeucetakeyou！\"criedsomeonefromthetopofthescaffolding。Andfromthedeck，alarge-formedpeasant，withhisheadthrownupward，answered：
\"Wh-a-at？\"Andthewind，playingwithhislong，flaxenbeard，flungitintohisface。
\"Handustheend。\"
Aresoundingbassoshoutedasthroughaspeaking-trumpet：
\"Seehowyou\'vefastenedthisboard，youblinddevil？Can\'tyousee？I\'llrubyoureyesforyou！\"
\"Pull，myboys，comeon！\"
\"Oncemore——brave——boys！\"criedoutsomeoneinaloud，beseechingvoice。
Handsomeandstately，inashortclothjacketandhighboots，Fomastood，leaninghisbackagainstamast，andstrokinghisbeardwithhistremblinghand，admiredthedaringworkofthepeasants。Thenoiseabouthimcalledforthinhimapersistentdesiretoshout，toworktogetherwiththepeasants，tohewwood，tocarryburdens，tocommand——tocompeleverybodytopayattentiontohim，andtoshowthemhisstrength，hisskill，andthelivesoulwithinhim。Butherestrainedhimself。Andstandingspeechless，motionless，hefeltashamedandafraidofsomething。
Hewasembarrassedbythefactthathewasmasterovereverybodythere，andthatifheweretostarttoworkhimself，noonewouldbelievethathewasworkingmerelytosatisfyhisdesire，andnottospurthemonintheirwork；tosetthemanexample。Andthen，thepeasantsmightlaughathim，inallprobability。
Afairandcurly-headedfellow，withhisshirtcollarunbuttoned，wasnowandagainrunningpasthim，nowcarryingalogonhisshoulder，nowanaxeinhishands；hewasskippingalong，likeafrolicsomegoat，scatteringabouthimcheerful，ringinglaughter，jests，violentoaths，andworkingunceasingly，nowassistingone，nowanother，ashewascleverlyandquicklyrunningacrossthedeck，whichwasobstructedwithtimberandshavings。Fomawatchedhimclosely，andenviedthismerryfellow，whowasradiantwithsomethinghealthyandinspiring。
\"Evidentlyheishappy，\"thoughtFoma，andthisthoughtprovokedinhimakeen，piercingdesiretoinsulthimsomehow，toembarrasshim。Allthoseabouthimwereseizedwiththezestofpressingwork，allwereunanimouslyandhastilyfasteningthescaffoldings，arrangingthepulleys，preparingtoraisethesunkenbargefromthebottomoftheriver；allweresoundandmerry——theyalllived。Whilehestoodalone，asidefromthem，notknowingwhattodo，notknowinghowtodoanything，feelinghimselfsuperfluoustothisgreattoil。Itvexedhimtofeelthathewassuperfluousamongmen，andthemorecloselyhewatchedthem，themoreintensewasthisvexation。Andhewasstungmostbythethoughtthatallthiswasbeingdoneforhim。Andyethewasoutofplacethere。
\"Whereismyplace，then？\"hethoughtgloomily。\"Whereismywork？AmI，then，somedeformedbeing？Ihavejustasmuchstrengthasanyofthem。Butofwhatuseisittome？\"Thechainsclanged，thepulleysgroaned，theblowsoftheaxesresoundedloudovertheriver，andthebargesrockedfromtheshocksofthewaves，buttoFomaitseemedthathewasrockingnotbecausethebargewasrockingunderhisfeet，butratherbecausehewasnotabletostandfirmlyanywhere，hewasnotdestinedtodoso。
Thecontractor，asmall-sizedpeasantwithasmallpointedgraybeard，andwithnarrowlittleeyesonhisgraywrinkledface，cameuptohimandsaid，notloud，butpronouncinghiswordswithacertainmthebottomoftheriver。Hewishedthattheymightnotsucceed，thattheymightfeelembarrassedinhispresence，andawickedthoughtflashedthroughhismind：
\"Perhapsthechainswillbreak。\"
\"Boys！Attention！\"shoutedthecontractor。\"Startalltogether。
Godblessus！\"Andsuddenly，claspinghishandsintheair，hecriedinashrillvoice：
\"Let——her——go-o-o！\"
Thelabourerstookuphisshout，andallcriedoutinonevoice，withexcitementandexertion：
\"Lethergo！Shemoves。\"
Thepulleyssqueakedandcreaked，thechainsclanked，strainedundertheheavyweightthatsuddenlyfelluponthem；andthelabourers，bracingtheirchestsagainstthehandleofthewindlasses，roaredandtrampedheavily。Thewavessplashednoisilybetweenthebargesasthoughunwillingtogiveuptheirprizetothemen。EverywhereaboutFoma，chainsandropeswerestretchedandtheyquiveredfromthestrain——theywerecreepingsomewhereacrossthedeck，pasthisfeet，likehugegrayworms；
theywereliftedupward，linkafterlink，fallingbackwitharattlingnoise，andallthesesoundsweredrownedbythedeafeningroaringofthelabourers。
\"Itgoes，itgoes，itgoes，\"theyallsanginunison，triumphantly。Buttheringingvoiceofthecontractorpiercedthedeepwaveoftheirvoices，andcutitevenasaknifecutsbread。
\"Myboys！Goahead，allatonce，allatonce。\"
Fomawasseizedwithastrangeemotion；passionatelyhenowlongedtominglewiththisexcitedroaringofthelabourers，whichwasasbroadandaspowerfulastheriver——toblendwiththisirritating，creaking，squeaking，clangingofironandturbulentsplashingofwaves。Perspirationcameoutonhisfacefromtheintensityofhisdesire，andsuddenlypalefromagitation，hetorehimselfawayfromthemast，andrushedtowardthewindlasseswithbigstrides。
\"Allatonce！Atonce！\"hecriedinafiercevoice。Whenhereachedtheleverofthewindlass，hedashedhischestagainstitwithallhismight，andnotfeelingthepain，hebegantogoaroundthewindlass，roaring，andfirmlystampinghisfeetagainstthedeck。Somethingpowerfulandburningrushedintohisbreast，replacingtheeffortswhichhespentwhileturningthewindlass-lever！Inexpressiblejoyragedwithinhimandforceditselfoutsideinanagitatedcry。Itseemedtohimthathealone，thatonlyhisstrengthwasturningthelever，thusraisingtheweight，andthathisstrengthwasgrowingandgrowing。
Stooping，andloweringhishead，likeabullhemassedthepoweroftheweight，whichthrewhimback，butyieldedtohim，nevertheless。Eachstepforwardexcitedhimthemore，eachexpendedeffortwasimmediatelyreplacedinhimbyafloodofburningandvehementpride。Hisheadreeled，hiseyeswereblood-
shot，hesawnothing，heonlyfeltthattheywereyieldingtohim，thathewouldsoonconquer，thathewouldoverthrowwithhisstrengthsomethinghugewhichobstructedhisway——wouldoverthrow，conquerandthenbreatheeasilyandfreely，fullofprouddelight。Forthefirsttimeinhislifeheexperiencedsuchapowerful，spiritualizingsensation，andhedrankitwithallthestrengthofahungry，thirstysoul；hewasintoxicatedbyitandhegaveventtohisjoyinloud，exultingcriesinunisonwiththeworkers：
\"Itgoes——itgoes——itgoes。\"
\"Holdon！Fasten！Holdon，boys！\"
SomethingdashedagainstFoma\'schest，andhewashurledbackward。
\"Icongratulateyouonasuccessfulresult，FomaIgnatyich！\"thecontractorcongratulatedhimandthewrinklesquiveredonhisfaceincheerfulbeams。
\"ThankGod！Youmustbequitetirednow？\"
ColdwindblewinFoma\'sface。Acontented，boastfulbustlewasintheairabouthim；swearingatoneanotherinafriendlyway，merry，withsmilesontheirperspiringbrows，thepeasantsapproachedhimandsurroundedhimclosely。Hesmiledinembarrassment：theexcitementwithinhimhadnotyetcalmeddownandthishinderedhimfromunderstandingwhathadhappenedandwhyallthosewhosurroundedhimweresomerryandcontented。
\"We\'veraisedahundredandseventythousandpudsasifwepluckedaradishfromagarden-bed！\"saidsomeone。
\"Weoughttogetavedroofwhiskyfromourmaster。\"
Foma，standingonaheapofcable，lookedovertheheadsoftheworkersandsaw；betweenthebarges，sidebysidewiththem，stoodathirdbarge，black，slippery，damaged，wrappedinchains。
Itwaswarpedallover，itseemedasthoughitswelledfromsometerriblediseaseand，impotent，clumsy，itwassuspendedbetweenitscompanions，leaningagainstthem。Itsbrokenmaststoodoutmournfullyinthecentre；reddishstreamsofwater，likeblood，wererunningacrossthedeck，whichwascoveredwithstainsofrust。Everywhereonthedecklayheapsofiron，ofblack，wetstumpsofwood，andofropes。
\"Raised？\"askedFoma，notknowingwhattosayatthesightofthisugly，heavymass，andagainfeelingoffendedatthethoughtthatmerelyforthesakeofraisingthisdirty，bruisedmonsterfromthewater，hissoulhadfoamedupwithsuchjoy。
\"How\'sthebarge？\"askedFoma，indefinitely，addressingthecontractor。
\"It\'sprettygood！Wemustunloadrightaway，andputacompanyofabouttwentycarpenterstoworkonit——they\'llbringitquicklyintoshapeI\"saidthecontractorinaconsolingtone。
Andthelight-hairedfellow，gailyandbroadlysmilingintoFoma\'sface，asked：
\"Arewegoingtohaveanyvodka？\"
\"Can\'tyouwait？Youhavetime！\"saidthecontractor，sternly。
\"Don\'tyousee——themanistired。\"
Thenthepeasantsbegantospeak：
\"Ofcourse，heistired！
\"Thatwasn\'teasywork！\"
\"Ofcourse，onegetstiredifheisn\'tusedtowork。\"
\"Itisevenhardtoeatgruelifyouarenotusedtoit。\"
\"Iamnottired，\"saidFoma，gloomily，andagainwereheardtherespectfulexclamationsofthepeasants，astheysurroundedhimmoreclosely。
\"Work，ifonelikesit，isapleasantthing。\"
\"It\'sjustlikeplay。\"
\"It\'slikeplayingwithawoman。\"
Butthelight-hairedfellowpersistedinhisrequest：
\"YourHonour！Yououghttotreatustoavedroofvodka，eh？\"hesaid，smilingandsighing。
Fomalookedatthebeardedfacesbeforehimandfeltlikesayingsomethingoffensivetothem。Butsomehoweverythingbecameconfusedinhisbrain，hefoundnothoughtsinitand，finally，withoutgivinghimselfanaccountofhiswords，saidangrily：
\"Allyouwantistodrinkallthetime！Itmakesnodifferencetoyouwhatyoudo！Youshouldhavethought——why？towhatpurpose？
Eh，you！\"
Therewasanexpressionofperplexityonthefacesofthosethatsurroundedhim，blueandred，beardedfiguresbegantosigh，scratchthemselves，shiftthemselvesfromonefoottoanother。
OtherscastahopelessglanceatFomaandturnedaway。
\"Yes，yes！\"saidthecontractor，withasigh。\"Thatwouldn\'tharm！Thatis——tothink——whyandhow。Thesearewordsofwisdom。\"
Thelight-hairedfellowhadadifferentopiniononthematter；
smilingkind-heartedly，hewavedhishandandsaid：
\"Wedon\'thavetothinkoverourwork！Ifwehaveit——wedoit！
Ourbusinessissimple！Whenaroubleisearned——thankGod！wecandoeverything。\"
\"Anddoyouknowwhat\'snecessarytodo？\"questionedFoma，irritatedbythecontradiction。
\"Everythingisnecessary——thisandthat。\"
\"Butwhere\'sthesense？\"
\"There\'sbutoneandthesamesenseineverythingforourclass——
whenyouhaveearnedforbreadandtaxes——live！Andwhenthere\'ssomethingtodrink，intothebargain。\"
\"Eh，you！\"exclaimedFoma，withcontempt。\"You\'realsotalking！
Whatdoyouunderstand？\"
\"Isitourbusinesstounderstand？\"saidthelight-hairedfellow，withanodofthehead。ItnowboredhimtospeaktoFoma。Hesuspectedthathewasunwillingtotreatthemtovodkaandhewassomewhatangry。
\"That\'sit！\"saidFoma，instructively，pleasedthatthefellowyieldedtohim，andnotnoticingthecross，sarcasticglances。
\"Andhewhounderstandsfeelsthatitisnecessarytodoeverlastingwork！\"
\"Thatis，forGod！\"explainedthecontractor，eyeingthepeasants，andadded，withadevoutsigh：
\"That\'strue。Oh，howtruethatis！\"
AndFomawasinspiredwiththedesiretosaysomethingcorrectandimportant，afterwhichthesepeoplemightregardhiminadifferentlight，forhewasdispleasedwiththefactthatall，savethelight-hairedfellow，keptsilentandlookedathimaskance，surlily，withsuchweary，gloomyeyes。
\"Itisnecessarytodosuchwork，\"hesaid，movinghiseyebrows。
\"Suchworkthatpeoplemaysayathousandyearshence：\'ThiswasdonebythepeasantsofBogorodsk——yes！
Thelight-hairedfellowglancedatFomawithastonishmentandasked：
\"Arewe，perhaps，todrinktheVolgadry？\"Thenhesniffedand，noddinghishead，announced：\"Wecan\'tdothat——weshouldallburst。\"
Fomabecameconfusedathiswordsandlookedabouthim；thepeasantsweresmilingmorosely，disdainfully，sarcastically。Andthesesmilesstunghimlikeneedles。Aserious-lookingpeasant，withabiggraybeard，whohadnotyetopenedhismouthuptothattime，suddenlyopeneditnow，cameclosertoFomaandsaidslowly：
\"AndevenifweweretodrinktheVolgadry，andeatupthatmountain，intothebargain——thattoowouldbeforgotten，yourHonour。Everythingwillbeforgotten。Lifeislong。Itisnotforustodosuchdeedsaswouldstandoutaboveeverythingelse。Butwecanputupscaffoldings——thatwecan！\"
Hespokeandscepticallyspittingathisfeet，indifferentlywalkedofffromFoma，andslippedintothecrowd，asawedgeintoatree。HiswordscrushedFomacompletely；hefelt，thatthepeasantsconsideredhimstupidandridiculous。Andinordertosavehisimportanceasmasterintheireyes，toattractagainthenowexhaustedattentionofthepeasantstohimself，hebristledup，comicallypuffeduphischeeksandblurtedoutinanimpressivevoice：
\"Imakeyouapresentofthreebucketsofvodka。\"
Briefspeecheshavealwaysthemostmeaningandarealwaysapttoproduceastrongimpression。ThepeasantsrespectfullymadewayforFoma，makinglowbowstohim，and，smilingmerrilyandgratefully，thankedhimforhisgenerosityinaunanimousroarofapproval。
\"Takemeovertotheshore，\"saidFoma，feelingthattheexcitementthathadjustbeenarousedinhimwouldnotlastlong。
Awormwasgnawinghisheart，andhewasweary。
\"Ifeeldisgusted！\"hesaid，enteringthehutwhereSasha，inasmart，pinkgown，wasbustlingaboutthetable，arrangingwinesandrefreshments。\"Ifeeldisgusted，Aleksandra！Ifyoucouldonlydosomethingwithme，eh？\"
Shelookedathimattentivelyand，seatingherselfonthebench，shouldertoshoulderwithhim，said：
\"Sinceyoufeeldisgusted——itmeansthatyouwantsomething。Whatisityouwant？\"
\"Idon\'tknow！\"repliedFoma，noddinghisheadmournfully。
\"Thinkofit——search。\"
\"Iamunabletothink。Nothingcomesoutofmythinking。\"
\"Eh，you，mychild！\"saidSasha，softlyanddisdainfully，movingawayfromhim。\"Yourheadissuperfluoustoyou。\"
Fomaneithercaughthertonenornoticedhermovement。Leaninghishandsagainstthebench，hebentforward，lookedatthefloor，and，swayinghisbodytoandfro，said：
\"SometimesIthinkandthink——andthewholesoulisstuckroundwiththoughtsaswithtar。Andsuddenlyeverythingdisappears，withoutleavinganytrace。Thenitisdarkinthesoulasinacellar——dark，dampandempty——thereisnothingatallinit！Itiseventerrible——IfeelthenasthoughIwerenotaman，butabottomlessravine。YouaskmewhatIwant？\"
Sashalookedathimaskanceandpensivelybegantosingsoftly：
\"Eh，whenthewindblows——mistcomesfromthesea。\"
\"Idon\'twanttocarouse——itisrepulsive！Alwaysthesame——thepeople，theamusements，thewine。WhenIgrowmalicious——I\'dthrasheverybody。Iamnotpleasedwithmen——whatarethey？Itisimpossibletounderstandthem——whydotheykeeponliving？Andwhentheyspeakthetruth——towhomarewetolisten？Onesaysthis，anotherthat。WhileI——Icannotsayanything。\"
\"Eh，withoutthee，dear，mylifeisweary，\"
sangSasha，staringatthewallbeforeher。AndFomakeptonrockingandsaid：
\"TherearetimeswhenIfeelguiltybeforemen。Everybodylives，makesnoise，whileIamfrightened，staggered——asifIdidnotfeeltheearthunderme。Wasit，perhaps，mymotherthatendowedmewithapathy？Mygodfathersaysthatshewasascoldasice——
thatshewasforeveryearningtowardssomething。Iamalsoyearning。TowardmenIamyearning。I\'dliketogotothemandsay：\'Brethren，helpme！Teachme！Iknownothowtolive！。AndifIamguilty——forgiveme！\'Butlookingabout，Iseethere\'snoonetospeakto。Noonewantsit——theyareallrascals！AnditseemstheyareevenworsethanIam。ForIam，atleast，ashamedoflivingasIam，whiletheyarenot！Theygoon。\"
Fomautteredsomeviolent，unbecominginvectivesandbecamesilent。Sashabrokeoffhersongandmovedstillfartherawayfromhim。Thewindwasragingoutsidethewindow，hurlingdustagainstthewindow-panes。Cockroacheswererustlingontheovenastheycrawledoverabunchofpinewoodsplinters。Somewhereintheyardacalfwaslowingpitifully。
SashaglancedatFoma，withasarcasticsmile，andsaid：
\"There\'sanotherunfortunatecreaturelowing。Yououghttogotohim；perhapsyoucouldsinginunison。Andplacingherhandonhiscurlyheadshejestinglypusheditontheside。
\"Whatarepeoplelikeyourselfgoodfor？That\'swhatyououghttothinkof。Whatareyougroaningabout？Youaredisgustedwithbeingidle——occupyyourself，then，withbusiness。\"
\"0hLord！\"Fomanoddedhishead。\"Itishardforonetomakehimselfunderstood。Yes，itishard！\"Andirritated，healmostcriedout：\"Whatbusiness？Ihavenoyearningtowardbusiness！
Whatisbusiness？Businessismerelyaname——andifyoushouldlookintothedepth，intotherootofit——you\'llfinditisnothingbutabsurdity！DoInotunderstandit？Iunderstandeverything，Iseeeverything，Ifeeleverything！Onlymytongueisdumb。Whataimisthereinbusiness？Money？Ihaveplentyofit！Icouldchokeyoutodeathwithit，coveryouwithit。Allthisbusinessisnothingbutfraud。Imeetbusinesspeople——well，andwhataboutthem？Theirgreedinessisimmense，andyettheypurposelywhirlaboutinbusinessthattheymightnotseethemselves。Theyhidethemselves，thedevils。Trytofreethemfromthisbustle——whatwillhappen？Likeblindmentheywillgropeabouthitherandthither；they\'lllosetheirmind——they\'llgomad！Iknowit！Doyouthinkthatbusinessbringshappinessintoman？No，that\'snotso——somethingelseismissinghere。Thisisnoteverythingyet！Theriverflowsthatmenmaysailonit；
thetreegrows——tobeuseful；thedog——toguardthehouse。Thereisjustificationforeverythingintheworld！Andmen，likecockroaches，arealtogethersuperfluousonearth。Everythingisforthem，andthey——whataretheyfor？Aha！Whereinistheirjustification？Ha，ha，ha！\"
Fomawastriumphant。Itseemedtohimthathehadfoundsomethinggoodforhimself，somethingsevereagainstmen。Andfeelingthat，becauseofthis，therewasgreatjoyinhim，helaughedloudly。
\"Doesnotyourheadache？\"inquiredSasha，anxiously，scrutinizinghisface。
\"Mysoulaches！\"exclaimedFoma，passionately。\"Anditachesbecauseitisupright——becauseitisnottobesatisfiedwithtrifles。Answerit，howtolive？Towhatpurpose？There——takemygodfather——heiswise！Hesays——createlife！Buthe\'stheonlyonelikethis。Well，I\'llaskhim，wait！Andeverybodysays——lifehasusurpedus！Lifehaschokedus。Ishallaskthese，too。Andhowcanwecreatelife？Youmustkeepitinyourhandstodothis，youmustbemasteroverit。Youcannotmakeevenapot，withouttakingtheclayintoyourhands。\"
\"Listen！\"saidSasha，seriously。\"Ithinkyououghttogetmarried，that\'sall！\"
\"Whatfor？\"askedFoma，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"Youneedabridle。\"
\"Allright！Iamlivingwithyou——youareallofakind，areyounot？Oneisnotsweeterthantheother。Ihadonebeforeyou，ofthesamekindasyou。No，butthatonediditforlove\'ssake。
Shehadtakenalikingtome——andconsented；shewasgood——but，otherwise，shewasineverywaythesameasyou——thoughyouareprettierthanshe。ButItookalikingtoacertainlady——aladyofnoblebirth！Theysaidsheledalooselife，butIdidnotgether。Yes，shewasclever，intelligent；shelivedinluxury。I
usedtothink——that\'swhereI\'lltastetherealthing！Ididnotgether——and，itmaybe，ifIhadsucceeded，allwouldhavetakenadifferentturn。Iyearnedtowardher。Ithought——Icouldnottearmyselfaway。WhilenowthatIhavegivenmyselftodrink，I\'vedrownedherinwine——Iamforgettingher——andthatalsoiswrong。0man！Youarearascal，tobefrank。\"
Fomabecamesilentandsankintomeditation。AndSasharosefromthebenchandpacedthehuttoandfro，bitingherlips。Thenshestoppedshortbeforehim，and，claspingherhandstoherhead，said：
\"Doyouknowwhat？I\'llleaveyou。\"
\"Wherewillyougo？\"askedFoma，withoutliftinghishead。
\"Idon\'tknow——it\'sallthesame！\"
\"Butwhy？\"
\"You\'realwayssayingunnecessarythings。Itislonesomewithyou。Youmakemesad。\"
Fomaliftedhishead，lookedatherandburstintomournfullaughter。
\"Really？Isitpossible？\"
\"Youdomakemesad！Doyouknow？IfIshouldreflectonit，I
wouldunderstandwhatyousayandwhyyousayit——forIamalsoofthatsort——whenthetimecomes，Ishallalsothinkofallthis。AndthenIshallbelost。Butnowitistooearlyforme。
No，Iwanttoliveyet，andthen，later，comewhatwill！\"
\"AndI——willI，too，belost？\"askedFoma，indifferently，alreadyfatiguedbyhiswords。
\"Ofcourse！\"repliedSasha，calmlyandconfidently。\"Allsuchpeoplearelost。He，whosecharacterisinflexible，andwhohasnobrains——whatsortofalifeishis？Wearelikethis。\"
\"Ihavenocharacteratall，\"saidFoma，stretchinghimself。Thenafteramoment\'ssilenceheadded：
\"AndIhavenobrains，either。\"
Theyweresilentforaminute，eyeingeachother。
\"Whatarewegoingtodo？\"askedFoma。
\"Wemusthavedinner。\"
\"No，Imean，ingeneral？Afterward？\"
\"Afterward？Idon\'tknow？\"
\"Soyouareleavingme？\"
\"Iam。Come，let\'scarousesomemorebeforewepart。Let\'sgotoKazan，andtherewe\'llhaveaspree——smokeandflame！I\'llsingyourfarewellsong。\"
\"Verywell，\"assentedFoma。\"It\'squiteproperatleavetaking。
Eh，youdevil！That\'samerrylife！Listen，Sasha。Theysaythatwomenofyourkindaregreedyformoney；areeventhieves。\"
\"Letthemsay，\"saidSasha，calmly。
\"Don\'tyoufeeloffended？\"askedFoma，withcuriosity。\"Butyouarenotgreedy。It\'sadvantageoustoyoutobewithme。Iamrich，andyetyouaregoingaway；thatshowsyou\'renotgreedy。\"
\"I？\"Sashathoughtawhileandsaidwithawaveofthehand：
\"PerhapsIamnotgreedy——whatofit？Iamnotoftheverylowestofthestreetwomen。AndagainstwhomshallIfeelagrudge？Letthemsaywhatevertheyplease。Itwillbeonlyhumantalk，notthebellowingofbulls。Andhumanholinessandhonestyarequitefamiliartome！Eh，howwellIknowthem！IfIwerechosenasajudge，Iwouldacquitthedeadonlyl\"andburstingintomaliciouslaughter，Sashasaid：\"Well，thatwilldo，we\'vespokenenoughnonsense。Sitdownatthetable！\"