OnthemorningofthenextdayFomaandSashastoodsidebysideonthegangwayofasteamerwhichwasapproachingaharbourontheUstye。Sasha\'sbigblackhatattractedeverybody\'sattentionbyitsdeftlybentbrim，anditswhitefeathers，andFomawasillateaseashestoodbesideher，andfeltasthoughinquisitiveglancescrawledoverhisperplexedface。Thesteamerhissedandquiveredasitnearedthelanding-bridge，whichwassprinkledbyawaitingcrowdofpeopleattiredinbrightsummerclothes，anditseemedtoFomathathenoticedamongthecrowdofvariousfacesandfiguresapersonheknew，whonowseemedtobehidingbehindotherpeople\'sbacks，andyetliftednothiseyefromhim。
\"Let\'sgointothecabin！\"saidhetohiscompanionuneasily。
\"Don\'tacquirethehabitofhidingyoursinsfrompeople，\"
repliedSasha，withasmile。\"Haveyouperhapsnoticedanacquaintancethere？\"
\"Mm。Yes。Somebodyiswatchingme。\"
\"Anursewithamilkbottle？Ha，ha，ha！\"
\"Well，thereyou\'reneighing！\"saidFoma，enraged，lookingatheraskance。\"DoyouthinkIamafraid？\"
\"Icanseehowbraveyouare。\"
\"You\'llsee。I\'llfaceanybody，\"saidFoma，angrily，butafteracloselookatthecrowdintheharbourhisfacesuddenlyassumedanotherexpression，andheaddedsoftly：
\"Oh，it\'smygodfather。\"
Attheveryedgeofthelanding-stagestoodYakovTarasovich，squeezedbetweentwostoutwomen，withhisiron-likefaceliftedupward，andhewavedhiscapintheairwithmaliciouspoliteness。Hisbeardshook，hisbaldcrownflashed，andhissmalleyepiercedFomalikeborers。
\"Whatavulture！\"mutteredFoma，raisinghiscapandnoddinghisheadtohisgodfather。
HisbowevidentlyaffordedgreatpleasuretoMayakin。Theoldmansomehowcoiledhimselfup，stampedhisfeet，andhisfaceseemedbeamingwithamalicioussmile。
\"Thelittleboywillgetmoneyfornuts，itseems！\"SashateasedFoma。Herwordstogetherwithhisgodfather\'ssmileseemedtohavekindledafireinFoma\'sbreast。
\"Weshallseewhatisgoingtohappen，\"hissedFoma，andsuddenlyhebecameaspetrifiedinmaliciouscalm。Thesteamermadefast，andthepeoplerushedinawavetothelanding-place。Pressedbythecrowd，Mayakindisappearedforawhilefromthesightofhisgodsonandappearedagainwithamaliciouslytriumphantsmile。
Fomastaredathimfixedly，withknittedbrow，andcametowardhimslowlypacingthegangplanks。Theyjostledhimintheback，theyleanedonhim，theysqueezedhim，andthisprovokedFomastillmore。Nowhecamefacetofacewiththeoldman，andthelattergreetedhimwithapolitebow，andasked：
\"Whitherareyoutravelling，FomaIgnatyich？\"
\"Aboutmyaffairs，\"repliedFoma，firmly，withoutgreetinghisgodfather。
\"That\'spraiseworthy，mydearsir！\"saidYakovTarasovich，allbeamingwithasmile。\"Theladywiththefeathers——whatisshetoyou，mayIask？\"
\"She\'smymistress，\"saidFoma，loud，withoutloweringhiseyesatthekeenlookofhisgodfather。
Sashastoodbehindhimcalmlyexaminingoverhisshoulderthelittleoldman，whoseheadhardlyreachedFoma\'schin。AttractedbyFoma\'sloudwords，thepubliclookedatthem，scentingascandal。AndMayakin，too，perceivedimmediatelythepossibilityofascandalandinstantlyestimatedcorrectlythequarrelsomemoodofhisgodson。Hecontractedhiswrinkles，bithislips，andsaidtoFoma，peaceably：
\"Ihavesomethingtospeaktoyouabout。Willyoucomewithmetothehotel？\"
\"Yes；foralittlewhile。\"
\"Youhavenotime，then？It\'saplainthing，youmustbemakinghastetowreckanotherbarge，eh？\"saidtheoldman，unabletocontainhimselfanylonger。
\"Andwhynotwreckthem，sincetheycanbewrecked？\"retortedFoma，passionatelyandfirmly。
\"Ofcourse，youdidnotearnthemyourself；whyshouldyousparethem？Well，come。Andcouldn\'twedrownthatladyinthewaterforawhile？\"saidMayakin，softly。
\"Drivetothetown，Sasha，andengagearoomattheSiberianInn。
I\'llbethereshortly！\"saidFomaandturningtoMayakin，heannouncedboldly：
\"Iamready！Letusgo！\"
Neitherofthemspokeontheirwaytothehotel。Foma，seeingthathisgodfatherhadtoskipashewentinordertokeepupwithhim，purposelytooklongerstrides，andthefactthattheoldmancouldnotkeepstepwithhimsupportedandstrengthenedinhimtheturbulentfeelingofprotestwhichhewasbythistimescarcelyabletomaster。
\"Waiter！\"saidMayakin，gently，onenteringthehallofthehotel，andturningtowardaremotecorner，\"letushaveabottleofmoorberrykvass。\"
\"AndIwantsomecognac，\"orderedFoma。
\"So-o！Whenyouhavepoorcardsyouhadbetteralwaysplaythelowesttrumpfirst！\"Mayakinadvisedhimsarcastically。
\"Youdon\'tknowmygame！\"saidFoma，seatinghimselfbythetable。
\"Really？Come，come！Manyplaylikethat。\"
\"How？\"
\"Imeanasyoudo——boldly，butfoolishly。\"
\"Iplaysothateithertheheadissmashedtopieces，orthewallbrokeninhalf，\"saidFoma，hotly，andstruckthetablewithhisfist。
\"Haven\'tyourecoveredfromyourdrunkennessyet？\"askedMayakinwithasmile。
Fomaseatedhimselfmorefirmlyinhischair，and，hisfacedistortedwithwrathfulagitation，hesaid：
\"Godfather，youareasensibleman。Irespectyouforyourcommonsense。\"
\"Thankyou，myson！\"andMayakinbowed，risingslightly，andleaninghishandsagainstthetable。
\"Don\'tmentionit。IwanttotellyouthatIamnolongertwenty。
Iamnotachildanylonger。\"
\"Ofcoursenot！\"assentedMayakin。\"You\'velivedagoodwhile，thatgoeswithoutsaying！Ifamosquitohadlivedaslongitmighthavegrownasbigasahen。\"
\"Stopyourjoking！\"Fomawarnedhim，andhediditsocalmlythatMayakinstartedback，andthewrinklesonhisfacequiveredwithalarm。
\"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？\"askedFoma。
\"Ah！you\'vedonesomenastyworkhere。SoIwanttofindoutwhetherthere\'smuchdamageinit！Yousee，Iamarelativeofyours。Andthen，Iamtheonlyoneyouhave。\"
\"Youaretroublingyourselfinvain。Doyouknow，papa，whatI\'lltellyou？Eithergivemefullfreedom，ortakeallmybusinessintoyourownhands。Takeeverything！Everything——tothelastrouble！\"
ThispropositionburstforthfromFomaaltogetherunexpectedlytohimself；hehadneverbeforethoughtofanythinglikeit。Butnowthatheutteredsuchwordstohisgodfatheritsuddenlybecamecleartohimthatifhisgodfatherweretotakefromhimallhispropertyhewouldbecomeaperfectlyfreeman，hecouldgowhereverhepleased，dowhateverhepleased。Untilthismomenthehadbeenboundandenmeshedwithsomething，butheknewnothisfettersandwasunabletobreakthem，whilenowtheywerefallingoffofthemselvessosimply，soeasily。Bothanalarmingandajoyoushopeblazedupwithinhisbreast，asthoughhenoticedthatsuddenlylighthadbeguntoflashuponhisturbidlife，thatawide，spaciousroadlayopennowbeforehim。Certainimagessprangupinhismind，and，watchingtheirshiftings，hemutteredincoherently：
\"Here，thisisbetterthananything！Takeeverything，andbedonewithit！And——asforme——Ishallbefreetogoanywhereinthewideworld！Icannotlivelikethis。Ifeelasthoughweightswerehangingonme，asthoughIwereallbound。There——Imustnotgo，thisImustnotdo。Iwanttoliveinfreedom，thatImayknoweverythingmyself。Ishallsearchlifeformyself。For，otherwise，whatamI？Aprisoner！Bekind，takeeverything。Thedeviltakeitall！Givemefreedom，pray！WhatkindofamerchantamI？Idonotlikeanything。Andso——Iwouldforsakemen——
everything。Iwouldfindaplaceformyself，Iwouldfindsomekindofwork，andwouldwork。ByGod！Father！setmeatliberty！
Fornow，yousee，Iamdrinking。I\'mentangledwiththatwoman。\"
Mayakinlookedathim，listenedattentivelytohiswords，andhisfacewasstern，immobileasthoughpetrified。Adull，tavernnoisesmotetheair，somepeoplewentpastthem，theygreetedMayakin，buthesawnothing，staringfixedlyattheagitatedfaceofhisgodson，whosmileddistractedly，bothjoyouslyandpitifully。
\"Eh，mysourblackberry！\"saidMayakin，withasigh，interruptingFoma\'sspeech。\"Iseeyou\'velostyourway。Andyou\'repratingnonsense。Iwouldliketoknowwhetherthecognacistoblameforit，orisityourfoolishness？\"
\"Papa！\"exclaimedFoma，\"thiscansurelybedone。Therewerecaseswherepeoplehavecastawayalltheirpossessionsandthussavedthemselves。\"
\"Thatwasn\'tinmytime。Notpeoplethatareneartome！\"saidMayakin，sternly，\"orelseIwouldhaveshownthemhowtogoaway！\"
\"Manyhavebecomesaintswhentheywentaway。\"
\"Mm！Theycouldn\'thavegoneawayfromme！Thematterissimple——
youknowhowtoplayatdraughts，don\'tyou？Movefromoneplacetoanotheruntilyouarebeaten，andifyou\'renotbeatenthenyouhavethequeen。Thenallwaysareopentoyou。Doyouunderstand？AndwhyamItalkingtoyouseriously？Psha！\"
\"Papa！whydon\'tyouwantit？\"exclaimedFoma，angrily。
\"Listentome！Ifyouareachimney-sweep，go，carrion，ontheroof！Ifyouareafireman，standonthewatch-tower！Andeachandeverysortofmenmusthaveitsownmodeoflife。Calvescannotroarlikebears！Ifyouliveyourownlife；goon，liveit！Anddon\'ttalknonsense，anddon\'tcreepwhereyoudon\'tbelong。Arrangeyourlifeafteryourpattern。\"Andfromthedarklipsoftheoldmangushedforthinatrembling，glitteringstreamthejarring，butconfidentandboldwordssofamiliartoFoma。Seizedwiththethoughtoffreedom，whichseemedtohimsoeasilypossible，Fomadidnotlistentohiswords。Thisideahadeatenintohisbrains，andinhisheartthedesiregrewstrongerandstrongertoseverallhisconnectionswiththisemptyandwearisomelife，withhisgodfather，withthesteamers，thebargesandthecarouses，witheverythingamidstwhichitwasnarrowandstiflingforhimtolive。
Theoldman\'swordsseemedtofallonhimfromafar；theywereblendedwiththeclatterofthedishes，withthescrapingofthelackey\'sfeetalongthefloor，withsomeone\'sdrunkenshouting。
Notfarfromthemsatfourmerchantsatatableandarguedloudly：
\"Twoandaquarter——andthankGod！\"
\"LukaMitrich！HowcanI？\"
\"Givehimtwoandahalf！\"
\"That\'sright！Yououghttogiveit，it\'sagoodsteamer，ittowsbriskly。\"
\"Mydearfellows，Ican\'t。Twoandaquarter！\"
\"Andallthisnonsensecametoyourheadfromyouryouthfulpassion！\"saidMayakin，importantly，accompanyinghiswordswitharaponthetable。\"Yourboldnessisstupidity；allthesewordsofyoursarenonsense。Wouldyouperhapsgotothecloister？orhaveyouperhapsalongingtogoonthehighways？\"
Fomalistenedinsilence。Thebuzzingnoiseabouthimnowseemedtomovefartherawayfromhim。Hepicturedhimselfamidavastrestlesscrowdofpeople；withoutknowingwhytheybustledabouthitherandthither，jumpedononeanother；theireyesweregreedilyopenedwide；theywereshouting，cursing，falling，crushingoneanother，andtheywerealljostlingaboutononeplace。Hefeltbadamongthembecausehedidnotunderstandwhattheywanted，becausehehadnofaithintheirwords，andhefeltthattheyhadnofaithinthemselves，thattheyunderstoodnothing。Andifoneweretotearhimselfawayfromtheirmidsttofreedom，totheedgeoflife，andthencebeholdthem——thenallwouldbecomecleartohim。Thenhewouldalsounderstandwhattheywanted，andwouldfindhisownplaceamongthem。
\"Don\'tIunderstand，\"saidMayakin，moregently，seeingFomalostinthought，andassumingthathewasreflectingonhiswords——\"I
understandthatyouwanthappinessforyourself。Well，myfriend，itisnottobeeasilyseized。Youmustseekhappinessevenastheysearchformushroomsinthewood，youmustbendyourbackinsearchofit，andfindingit，seewhetheritisn\'tatoad-stool。\"
\"Soyouwillsetmefree？\"askedFoma，suddenlyliftinghishead，andMayakinturnedhiseyesawayfromhisfierylook。
\"Father！atleastforashorttime！Letmebreathe，letmestepasidefromeverything！\"entreatedFoma。\"Iwillwatchhoweverythinggoeson。Andthen——ifnot——Ishallbecomeadrunkard。\"
\"Don\'ttalknonsense。Whydoyouplaythefool？\"criedMayakin，angrily。
\"Verywell，then！\"repliedFoma，calmly。\"Verywell！Youdonotwantit？Thentherewillbenothing！I\'llsquanderitall！Andthereisnothingmoreforustospeakof。Goodbye！I\'llsetouttowork，you\'llsee！Itwillaffordyoujoy。Everythingwillgoupinsmoke！\"Fomawascalm，hespokewithconfidence；itseemedtohimthatsincehehadthusdecided，hisgodfathercouldnothinderhim。ButMayakinstraightenedhimselfinhischairandsaid，alsoplainlyandcalmly：
\"AnddoyouknowhowIcandealwithyou？\"
\"Asyoulike！\"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。\"Wellthen。
NowIlikethefollowing：I\'llreturntotownandwillseetoitthatyouaredeclaredinsane，andputintoalunaticasylum。\"
\"Canthisbedone？\"askedFoma，distrustfully，butwithatoneoffrightinhisvoice。
\"Wecandoeverything，mydear。\"
Fomaloweredhishead，andcastingafurtiveglanceathisgodfather\'sface，shuddered，thinking：
\"He\'lldoit；hewon\'tspareme。\"
\"IfyouplaythefoolseriouslyImustalsodealwithyouseriously。Ipromisedyourfathertomakeamanofyou，andI
willdoit；ifyoucannotstandonyourfeet，I\'llputyouinirons。Thenyouwillstand。ThoughIknowalltheseholywordsofyoursarebutuglycapricesthatcomefromexcessivedrinking。
Butifyoudonotgivethatup，ifyoukeeponbehavingindecently，ifyouruin，outofwantonness，thepropertyaccumulatedbyyourfather，I\'llcoveryouallup。I\'llhaveabellforgedoveryou。Itisveryinconvenienttofoolwithme。\"
Mayakinspokegently。Thewrinklesofhischeeksallroseupward，andhissmalleyesintheirdarksocketsweresmilingsarcastically，coldly。Andthewrinklesonhisforeheadformedanoddpattern，risinguptohisbaldcrown。Hisfacewassternandmerciless，andbreathedmelancholyandcoldnessuponFoma\'ssoul。
\"Sothere\'snowayoutforme？\"askedFoma，gloomily。\"Youareblockingallmyways？\"
\"Thereisaway。Gothere！Ishallguideyou。Don\'tworry，itwillberight！Youwillcomejusttoyourproperplace。\"
Thisself-confidence，thisunshakableboastfulnessarousedFoma\'sindignation。Thrustinghishandsintohispocketsinordernottostriketheoldman，hestraightenedhimselfinhischairandclinchinghisteeth，said，facingMayakinclosely：
\"Whyareyouboasting？Whatareyouboastingof？Yourownson，whereishe？Yourdaughter，whatisshe？Eh，you——youlife-
builder！Well，youareclever。Youknoweverything。Tellme，whatfordoyoulive？Whatforareyouaccumulatingmoney？Doyouthinkyouarenotgoingtodie？Well，whatthen？You\'vecapturedme。You\'vetakenholdofme，you\'veconqueredme。Butwait，Imayyettearmyselfawayfromyou！Itisn\'ttheendyet！Eh，you！
Whathaveyoudoneforlife？Bywhatwillyouberemembered？Myfather，forinstance，donatedalodging-house，andyou——whathaveyoudone？\"
Mayakin\'swrinklesquiveredandsankdownward，whereforehisfaceassumedasickly，weepingexpression。
\"Howwillyoujustifyyourself？\"askedFoma，softly，withoutliftinghiseyesfromhim。
\"Holdyourtongue，youpuppy！\"saidtheoldmaninalowvoice，castingaglanceofalarmabouttheroom。
\"I\'vesaideverything！AndnowI\'mgoing！Holdmeback！\"
Fomarosefromhischair，thrusthiscaponhishead，andmeasuredtheoldmanwithabhorrence。
\"Youmaygo；butI\'ll——I\'llcatchyou！ItwillcomeoutasI
say！\"saidYakovTarasovichinabrokenvoice。
\"AndI\'llgoonaspree！I\'llsquanderall！\"
\"Verywell，we\'llsee！\"
\"Goodbye！youhero，\"Fomalaughed。
\"Goodbye，forashortwhile！I\'llnotgobackonmyown。Iloveit。Iloveyou，too。Nevermind，you\'reagoodfellow！\"saidMayakin，softly，andasthoughoutofbreath。
\"Donotloveme，butteachme。Butthen，youcannotteachmetherightthing！\"saidFoma，asheturnedhisbackontheoldmanandleftthehall。
YakovTarasovichMayakinremainedinthetavernalone。Hesatbythetable，and，bendingoverit，madedrawingsofpatternsonthetray，dippinghistremblingfingerinthespiltkvass，andhissharp-pointedheadwassinkinglowerandloweroverthetable，asthoughhedidnotdecipher，andcouldnotmakeoutwhathisbonyfingerwasdrawingonthetray。
Beadsofperspirationglistenedonhisbaldcrown，andasusualthewrinklesonhischeeksquiveredwithfrequent，irritablestarts。
Inthetavernaresoundingtumultsmotetheairsothatthewindow-paneswererattling。FromtheVolgawerewaftedthewhistlingsofsteamers，thedullbeatingofthewheelsuponthewater，theshoutingoftheloaders——lifewasmovingonwardunceasinglyandunquestionably。
SummoningthewaiterwithanodYakovTarasovichaskedhimwithpeculiarintensityandimpressiveness\"HowmuchdoIoweforallthis？\"
CHAPTERX
PREVIOUStohisquarrelwithMayakin，Fomahadcarousedbecauseofthewearinessoflife，outofcuriosity，andhalfindifferently；nowheledadissipatedlifeoutofspite，almostindespair；nowhewasfilledwithafeelingofvengeanceandwithacertaininsolencetowardmen，aninsolencewhichastonishedevenhimselfattimes。Hesawthatthepeopleabouthim，likehimself，lackedsupportandreason，onlytheydidnotunderstandthis，orpurposelywouldnotunderstandit，soasnottohinderthemselvesfromlivingblindly，andfromgivingthemselvescompletely，withoutathought，totheirdissolutelife。Hefoundnothingfirminthem，nothingsteadfast；whensober，theyseemedtohimmiserableandstupid；whenintoxicated，theywererepulsivetohim，andstillmorestupid。Noneoftheminspiredhimwithrespect，withdeep，heartyinterest；hedidnotevenaskthemwhattheirnameswere；heforgotwhereandwhenhemadetheiracquaintance，andregardingthemwithcontemptuouscuriosity，alwayslongedtosayanddosomethingthatwouldoffendthem。Hepasseddaysandnightswiththemindifferentplacesofamusement，andhisacquaintancesalwaysdependedjustuponthecategoryofeachoftheseplaces。Intheexpensiveandelegantrestaurantscertainsharpersofthebetterclassofsocietysurroundedhim——gamblers，coupletsingers，jugglers，actors，andproperty-holderswhowereruinedbyleadingdepravedlives。Atfirstthesepeopletreatedhimwithapatronizingair，andboastedbeforehimoftheirrefinedtastes，oftheirknowledgeofthemeritsofwineandfood，andthentheycourtedfavoursofhim，fawneduponhim，borrowedofhimmoneywhichhescatteredaboutwithoutcounting，drawingitfromthebanks，andalreadyborrowingitonpromissorynotes。Inthecheaptavernshair-dressers，markers，clerks，functionariesandchoristerssurroundedhimlikevultures；andamongthesepeoplehealwaysfeltbetter——freer。Inthesehesawplainpeople，notsomonstrouslydeformedanddistortedasthat\"cleansociety\"oftheelegantrestaurants；thesewerelessdepraved，cleverer，betterunderstoodbyhim。Attimestheyevincedwholesome，strongemotions，andtherewasalwayssomethingmorehumaninthem。But，likethe\"cleansociety，\"thesewerealsoeagerformoney，andshamelesslyfleecedhim，andhesawitandrudelymockedthem。
Tobesure，therewerewomen。Physicallyhealthy，butnotsensual，Fomaboughtthem，thedearonesandthecheapones，thebeautifulandtheugly，gavethemlargesumsofmoney，changedthemalmosteveryweek，andingeneral，hetreatedthewomenbetterthanthemen。Helaughedatthem，saidtothemdisgracefulandoffensivewords，buthecouldnever，evenwhenhalf-drunk，ridhimselfofacertainbashfulnessintheirpresence。Theyall，eventhemostbrazen-faced，thestrongestandthemostshameless，seemedtohimweakanddefenseless，likesmallchildren。Alwaysreadytothrashanyman，heneverlaidahandonwomen，althoughwhenirritatedbysomethinghesometimesabusedthemindecently。
Hefeltthathewasimmeasurablystrongerthananywoman，andeverywomanseemedtohimimmeasurablymoremiserablethanhewas。Thoseofthewomenwholedtheirdissolutelivesaudaciously，boastingoftheirdepravity，calledforthinFomaafeelingofbashfulness，whichmadehimtimidandawkward。Oneevening，duringsupperhour，oneofthesewomen，intoxicatedandimpudent，struckFomaonthecheekwithamelon-rind。Fomawashalf-drunk。Heturnedpalewithrage，rosefromhischair，andthrustinghishandsintohispockets，saidinafiercevoicewhichtrembledwithindignation：
\"Youcarrion，getout。Begone！Someoneelsewouldhavebrokenyourheadforthis。AndyouknowthatIamforbearingwithyou，andthatmyarmisneverraisedagainstanyofyourkind。Driveherawaytothedevil！\"
AfewdaysafterherarrivalinKazan，Sashabecamethemistressofacertainvodka-distiller\'sson，whowascarousingtogetherwithFoma。GoingawaywithhernewmastertosomeplaceontheKama，shesaidtoFoma：
\"Goodbye，dearman！Perhapswemaymeetagain。We\'rebothgoingthesameway！ButIadviseyounottogiveyourheartfreerein。
Enjoyyourselfwithoutlookingbackatanything。Andthen，whenthegrueliseatenup，smashthebowlontheground。Goodbye！\"
Andsheimpressedahotkissuponhislips，atwhichhereyeslookedstilldarker。
Fomawasgladthatshewasleavinghim，hehadgrowntiredofherandhercoldindifferencefrightenedhim。Butnowsomethingtrembledwithinhim，heturnedasidefromherandsaidinalowvoice：
\"Perhapsyouwillnotlivewelltogether，thencomebacktome。\"
\"Thankyou！\"shereplied，andforsomereasonorotherburstintohoarselaughter，whichwasuncommonwithher。
ThuslivedFoma，dayinanddayout，alwaysturningaroundononeandthesameplace，amidpeoplewhowerealwaysalike，andwhoneverinspiredhimwithanynoblefeelings。Andthenheconsideredhimselfsuperiortothem，becausethethoughtsofthepossibilityoffreeinghimselffromthislifewastakingdeeperanddeeperrootinhismind，becausetheyearningforfreedomheldhiminaneverfirmerembrace，becauseeverbrighterwerethepicturesasheimaginedhimselfdriftingawaytotheborderoflife，awayfromthistumultandconfusion。Morethanonce，bynight，remainingallbyhimself，hewouldfirmlyclosehiseyesandpicturetohimselfadarkthrongofpeople，innumerablygreatandeventerribleinitsimmenseness。Crowdedtogethersomewhereinadeepvalley，whichwassurroundedbyhillocks，andfilledwithadustymist，thisthrongjostledoneanotheronthesameplaceinnoisyconfusion，andlookedlikegraininahopper。Itwasasthoughaninvisiblemillstone，hiddenbeneaththefeetofthecrowd，weregrindingit，andpeoplemovedaboutitlikewaves——nowrushingdownwardtobegroundthesooneranddisappear，nowburstingupwardintheefforttoescapethemercilessmillstone。Therewerealsopeoplewhoresembledcrabsjustcaughtandthrownintoahugebasket——clutchingatoneanother，theytwinedaboutheavily，crawledsomewhereandinterferedwithoneanother，andcoulddonothingtofreethemselvesfromcaptivity。
Fomasawfamiliarfacesamidthecrowd：therehisfatheriswalkingboldly，sturdilypushingasideandoverthrowingeverybodyonhisway；heisworkingwithhislongpaws，massingeverythingwithhischest，andlaughinginthunderingtones。Andthenhedisappears，sinkingsomewhereinthedepth，beneaththefeetofthepeople。There，wrigglinglikeasnake，nowjumpingonpeople\'sshoulders，nowglidingbetweentheirfeet，hisgodfatherisworkingwithhislean，butsuppleandsinewybody。HereLuboviscryingandstruggling，followingherfather，withabruptbutfaintmovements，nowremainingbehindhim，nownearinghimagain。
Stridingsoftlywithakindsmileonherface，steppingasidefromeverybody，andmakingwayforeveryone，AuntAnfisaisslowlymovingalong。HerimagequiversinthedarknessbeforeFoma，likethemodestflameofawaxcandle。Anditdiesoutanddisappearsinthedarkness。Pelagayaisquicklygoingsomewherealongastraightroad。ThereSophyaPavlovnaMedinskayaisstanding，herhandshangingimpotently，justasshestoodinherdrawing-roomwhenhesawherlast。Hereyeswerelarge，butsomegreatfrightgleamsinthem。Sasha，too，ishere。Indifferent，payingnoattentiontothejostling，sheisstoutlygoingstraightintotheverydregsoflife，singinghersongsatthetopofhervoice，herdarkeyesfixedinthedistancebeforeher。
Fomahearstumult，howls，laughter，drunkenshouts，irritabledisputesaboutcopecks——songsandsobshoveroverthisenormousrestlessheapoflivinghumanbodiescrowdedintoapit。Theyjump，fall，crawl，crushoneanother，leapononeanother\'sshoulders，gropeeverywherelikeblindpeople，stumblingeverywhereoverotherslikethemselves，struggle，and，falling，disappearfromsight。Moneyrustles，soaringlikebatsovertheheadsofthepeople，andthepeoplegreedilystretchouttheirhandstowardit，thegoldandsilverjingles，bottlesrattle，corkspop，someonesobs，andamelancholyfemalevoicesings：
\"Andsoletuslivewhilewecan，Andthen——e\'engrassmayceasetogrow！\"
ThiswildpicturefasteneditselffirmlyinFoma\'smind，andgrowingclearer，largerandmorevividwitheachtimeitarosebeforehim，rousinginhisbreastsomethingchaotic，onegreatindefinitefeelingintowhichfell，likestreamsintoariver，fearandrevoltandcompassionandwrathandmanyanotherthing。
Allthisboiledupwithinhisbreastintostraineddesire，whichwasthrustingitasunderintoadesirewhosepowerwaschokinghim，andhiseyeswerefilledwithtears；helongedtoshout，tohowllikeabeast，tofrightenallthepeople，tochecktheirsenselessbustle，topourintothetumultandvanityoftheirlifesomethingnew，hisown——totellthemcertainloudfirmwords，toguidethemallintoonedirection，andnotoneagainstanother。Hedesiredtoseizethembytheirheads，totearthemapartonefromanother，tothrashsome，tofondleothers，toreproachthemall，toilluminethemwithacertainfire。
Therewasnothinginhim，neitherthenecessarywords，northefire；allhehadwasthelongingwhichwascleartohim，butimpossibleoffulfillment。Hepicturedhimselfabovelifeoutsideofthedeepvalley，whereinpeoplewerebustlingabout；hesawhimselfstandingfirmlyonhisfeetand——speechless。Hemighthavecriedtothepeople：
\"Seehowyoulive！Aren\'tyouashamed？\"
Andhemighthaveabusedthem。Butiftheyweretoaskonhearinghisvoice：
\"Andhowoughtwetolive？\"
Itwasperfectlycleartohimthataftersuchaquestionhewouldhavetoflydownheadforemostfromtheheightsthere，beneaththefeetofthethrong，uponthemillstone。Andlaughterwouldaccompanyhimtohisdestruction。
Sometimeshewasdeliriousunderthepressureofthisnightmare。
Certainmeaninglessandunconnectedwordsburstfromhislips；heevenperspiredfromthispainfulstrugglewithinhim。Attimesitoccurredtohimthathewasgoingmadfromintoxication，andthatthatwasthereasonwhythisterribleandgloomypicturewasforcingitselfintohismind。Withagreateffortofwillhebrushedasidethesepicturesandexcitements；butassoonashewasaloneandnotverydrunk，hewasagainseizedbyhisdeliriumandagaingrewfaintunderitsweight。Andhisthirstforfreedomwasgrowingmoreandmoreintense，torturinghimbyitsforce。
Buttearhimselfawayfromtheshacklesofhiswealthhecouldnot。Mayakin，whohadFoma\'sfullpowerofattorneytomanagehisaffairs，actednowinsuchawaythatFomawasboundtofeelalmosteverydaytheburdenoftheobligationswhichresteduponhim。Peoplewereconstantlyapplyingtohimforpayments，proposingtohimtermsforthetransportationoffreight。Hisemployeesoverwhelmedhiminpersonandbyletterwithtrifleswithwhichhehadneverbeforeconcernedhimself，astheyusedtosettlethesetriflesattheirownrisk。Theylookedforhimandfoundhiminthetaverns，questionedhimastowhatandhowitshouldbedone；hewouldtellthemsometimeswithoutatallunderstandinginwhatwaythisorthatshouldbedone。Henoticedtheirconcealedcontemptforhim，andalmostalwayssawthattheydidnotdotheworkashehadordered，butdiditinadifferentandbetterway。Inthishefeltthecleverhandofhisgodfather，andunderstoodthattheoldmanwasthuspressinghiminordertoturnhimtohisway。Andatthesametimehenoticedthathewasnotthemasterofhisbusiness，butonlyacomponentpartofit，andaninsignificantpartatthat。Thisirritatedhimandmovedhimfartherawayfromtheoldman，itaugumentedhislongingtotearhimselfawayfromhisbusiness，evenatthecostofhisownruin。Infuriated，heflungmoneyaboutthetavernsanddives，butthisdidnotlastlong。YakovTarasovichclosedhisaccountsinthebanks，withdrawingalldeposits。SoonFomabegantofeelthatevenonpromissorynotes，theynowgavehimthemoneynotquiteaswillinglyasbefore。Thisstunghisvanity；andhisindignationwasroused，andhewasfrightenedwhenhelearnedthathisgodfatherhadcirculatedarumourinthebusinessworldthathe，Foma，wasoutofhismind，andthat，perhaps，itmightbecomenecessarytoappointaguardianforhim。Fomadidnotknowthelimitsofhisgodfather\'spower，anddidnotventuretotakeanyone\'scounselinthismatter。Hewasconvincedthatinthebusinessworldtheoldmanwasapower，andthathecoulddoanythinghepleased。AtfirstitwaspainfulforhimtofeelMayakin\'shandoverhim，butlaterhebecamereconciledtothis，renouncedeverything，andresumedhisrestless，drunkenlife，whereintherewasonlyoneconsolation——thepeople。Witheachsucceedingdayhebecamemoreandmoreconvincedthattheyweremoreirrationalandaltogetherworsethanhe——thattheywerenotthemastersoflife，butitsslaves，andthatitwasturningthemaround，bendingandbreakingthematitswill，whiletheysuccumbedtoitunfeelinglyandresignedly，andnoneofthembuthedesiredfreedom。Buthewantedit，andthereforeproudlyelevatedhimselfabovehisdrinkingcompanions，notdesiringtoseeinthemanythingbutwrong。
Onedayinatavernacertainhalf-intoxicatedmancomplainedtohimofhislife。Thiswasasmall-sized，meagreman，withdim，frightenedeyes，unshaven，inashortfrockcoat，andwithabrightnecktie。Heblinkedpitifully，hisearsquiveredspasmodically，andhissoftlittlevoicealsotrembled。
\"I\'vestruggledhardtomakemywayamongmen；I\'vetriedeverything，I\'veworkedlikeabull。Butlifejostledmeaside，crushedmeunderfoot，gavemenochance。Allmypatiencegaveway。Eh！andsoI\'vetakentodrink。IfeelthatI\'llberuined。
Well，that\'stheonlywayopentome！\"
\"Fool！\"saidFomawithcontempt。\"Whydidyouwanttomakeyourwayamongmen？Youshouldhavekeptawayfromthem，totheright。
Standingaside，youmighthaveseenwhereyourplacewasamongthem，andthengonerighttothepoint！\"
\"Idon\'tunderstandyourwords。\"Thelittlemanshookhisclose-
cropped，angularhead。
Fomalaughed，self-satisfied。
\"Isitforyoutounderstandit？\"\"No；doyouknow，IthinkthathewhomGoddecreed——\"
\"NotGod，butmanarrangeslife！\"Fomablurtedout，andwasevenhimselfastonishedattheaudacityofhiswords。Andthelittlemanglancingathimaskancealsoshranktimidly。
\"HasGodgivenyoureason？\"askedFoma，recoveringfromhisembarrassment。
\"Ofcourse；thatistosay，asmuchasistheshareofasmallman，\"saidFoma\'sinterlocutorirresolutely。
\"Well，andyouhavenorighttoaskofHimasinglegrainmore！
Makeyourownlifebyyourownreason。AndGodwilljudgeyou。WeareallinHisservice。AndinHiseyesweareallofequalvalue。Understand？\"
IthappenedveryoftenthatFomawouldsuddenlysaysomethingwhichseemedaudaciouseventohimself，andwhich，atthesametime，elevatedhiminhisowneyes。Therewerecertainunexpected，daringthoughtsandwords，whichsuddenlyflashedlikesparks，asthoughanimpressionproducedthemfromFoma\'sbrains。Andhenoticedmorethanoncethatwhateverhehadcarefullythoughtoutbeforehandwasexpressedbyhimnotquitesowell，andmoreobscure，thanthatwhichsuddenlyflashedupinhisheart。
Fomalivedasthoughwalkinginaswamp，indangerofsinkingateachstepinthemireandslime，whilehisgodfather，likeariverloach，wriggledhimselfonadry，firmlittlespot，vigilantlywatchingthelifeofhisgodsonfromafar。
AfterhisquarrelwithFoma，YakovTarasovichreturnedhome，gloomyandpensive。Hiseyesflasheddrily，andhestraightenedhimselflikeatightly-stretchedstring。Hiswrinklesshrankpainfully，hisfaceseemedtohavebecomesmalleranddarker，andwhenLubovsawhiminthisstateitappearedtoherthathewasseriouslyill，butthathewasforcingandrestraininghimself。
Mutelyandnervouslytheoldmanflunghimselfabouttheroom，castinginreplytohisdaughter\'squestions，drycurtwords，andfinallyshoutedtoher：
\"Leavemealone！Youseeithasnothingtodowithyou。\"
Shefeltsorryforhimwhenshenoticedthegloomyandmelancholyexpressionofhiskeen，greeneyes；shemadeitherdutytoquestionhimastowhathadhappenedtohim，andwhenheseatedhimselfatthedinner-tableshesuddenlyapproachedhim，placedherhandsonhisshoulders，andlookingdownintohisface，askedhimtenderlyandanxiously：
\"Papa，areyouill？tellme！\"
Hercaresseswereextremelyrare；theyalwayssoftenedthelonelyoldman，andthoughhedidnotrespondtothemforsomereasonorotherheneverthelesscouldnothelpappreciatingthem。Andnowheshruggedhisshoulders，thusthrowingoffherhandsandsaid：
\"Go，gotoyourplace。HowtheitchingcuriosityofEvegivesyounorest。\"
ButLubovdidnotgoaway；persistinglylookingintohiseyes，sheasked，withanoffendedtoneinhervoice：
\"Papa，whydoyoualwaysspeaktomeinsuchawayasthoughI
wereasmallchild，orverystupid？\"
\"Becauseyouaregrownupandyetnotveryclever。Yes！That\'sthewholestory！Go，sitdownandeat！\"
Shewalkedawayandsilentlyseatedherselfoppositeherfather，compressingherlipsforaffront。ContrarytohishabitsMayakinateslowly，stirringhisspooninhisplateofcabbage-soupforalongtime，andexaminingthesoupclosely。
\"Ifyourobstructedmindcouldbutcomprehendyourfather\'sthoughts！\"saidhe，suddenly，ashesighedwithasortofwhistlingsound。
Lubovthrewherspoonasideandalmostwithtearsinhervoice，said：
\"Whydoyouinsultme，papa？YouseethatIamalone，alwaysalone！Youunderstandhowdifficultmylifeis，andyouneversayasinglekindwordtome。Youneversayanythingtome！Andyouarealsolonely；lifeisdifficultforyoutoo，Icanseeit。Youfinditveryhardtolive，butyoualonearetoblameforit！Youalone！
\"NowBalaam\'sshe-asshasalsostartedtotalk！\"saidtheoldman，laughing。\"Well！whatwillbenext？\"
\"Youareveryproudofyourwisdom，papa。\"
\"Andwhatelse？\"
\"Thatisn\'tgood；anditpainsmegreatly。Whydoyourepulseme？
Youknowthat，saveyou，Ihavenoone。\"
Tearsleapedtohereyes；herfathernoticedthem，andhisfacequivered。
\"Ifyouwerenotagirl！\"heexclaimed。\"IfyouhadasmuchbrainsasMarfaPoosadnitza，forinstance。Eh，Lubov？ThenI\'dlaughateverybody，andatFoma。Comenow，don\'tcry！\"
Shewipedhereyesandasked：
\"WhataboutFoma？\"
\"He\'srebellious。Ha！ha！hesays：\'Takeawaymyproperty，givemefreedom！\'Hewantstosavehissoulinthekabak。That\'swhatenteredFoma\'shead。\"
\"Well，whatisthis？\"askedLubov，irresolutely。ShewantedtosaythatFoma\'sdesirewasgood，thatitwasanobledesireifitwereearnest，butshefearedtoirritateherfatherwithherwords，andsheonlygazedathimquestioningly。
\"Whatisit？\"saidMayakin，excitedly，trembling。\"Thateithercomestohimfromexcessivedrinking，orelse——Heavenforbid——
fromhismother，theorthodoxspirit。AndifthisheathenishleavenisgoingtoriseinhimI\'llhavetostrugglehardwithhim！Therewillbeagreatconflictbetweenus。Hehascomeout，breastforemost，againstme；hehasatoncedisplayedgreataudacity。He\'syoung——there\'snotmuchcunninginhimasyet。Hesays：\'I\'lldrinkawayeverything，everythingwillgoupinsmoke！I\'llshowyouhowtodrink！
Mayakinliftedhishandoverhishead，and，clenchinghisfist，threatenedfuriously。
\"Howdareyou？Whoestablishedthebusiness？Whobuiltitup？
You？Yourfather。Fortyyearsoflabourwereputintoit，andyouwishtodestroyit？Wemustallgotoourplacesherealltogetherasoneman，therecautiously，onebyone。Wemerchants，tradesmen，haveforcenturiescarriedRussiaonourshoulders，andwearestillcarryingit。PetertheGreatwasaCzarofdivinewisdom，heknewourvalue。Howhesupportedus！Hehadprintedbooksfortheexpresspurposeofteachingusbusiness。
ThereIhaveabookwhichwasprintedathisorderbyPolidorVirgilyOorbansky，aboutinventory，printedin1720。Yes，onemustunderstandthis。Heunderstoodit，andclearedthewayforus。Andnowwestandonourownfeet，andwefeelourplace。
Clearthewayforus！Wehavelaidthefoundationoflife，insteadofbrickswehavelaidourselvesintheearth。Nowwemustbuildthestories。Giveusfreedomofaction！That\'swherewemustholdourcourse。That\'swheretheproblemlies；butFomadoesnotcomprehendthis。Buthemustunderstandit，mustresumethework。Hehashisfather\'smeans。WhenIdieminewillbeaddedtohis。Work，youpuppy！Andheisraving。No，wait！I\'llliftyouuptotheproperpoint！\"
TheoldmanwaschokingwithagitationandwithflashingeyeslookedathisdaughtersofuriouslyasthoughFomaweresittinginherplace。HisagitationfrightenedLubov，butshelackedthecouragetointerruptherfather，andshelookedathissternandgloomyfaceinsilence。
\"Theroadhasbeenpavedbyourfathers，andyoumustwalkonit。
Ihaveworkedforfiftyyearstowhatpurpose？ThatmychildrenmayresumeitafterIamgone。Mychildren！Wherearemychildren？\"
Theoldmandroopedhisheadmournfully，hisvoicebrokedown，andhesaidsadly，asifhewerespeakinguntohimself：
\"Oneisaconvict，utterlyruined；theother，adrunkard。Ihavelittlehopeinhim。Mydaughter，towhom，then，shallIleavemylabourbeforemydeath？IfIhadbutason-in-law。IthoughtFomawouldbecomeamanandwouldbesharpenedup，thenIwouldgiveyouuntohim，andwithyouallIhave——there！ButFomaisgoodfornothing，andIseenooneelseinhisstead。Whatsortofpeoplewehavenow！Informerdaysthepeoplewereasofiron，whilenowtheyareofindia-rubber。Theyareallbendingnow。Andnothing——theyhavenofirmnessinthem。Whatisit？Whyisitso？\"
Mayakinlookedathisdaughterwithalarm。Shewassilent。
\"Tellme，\"heaskedher，\"whatdoyouneed？How，inyouropinion，isitpropertolive？Whatdoyouwant？Youhavestudied，read，tellmewhatisitthatyouneed？\"
ThequestionsfellonLubov\'sheadquiteunexpectedlytoher，andshewasembarrassed。Shewaspleasedthatherfatheraskedheraboutthismatter，andwasatthesametimeafraidtoreply，lestsheshouldbeloweredinhisestimation。Andthen，gatheringcourage，asthoughpreparingtojumpacrossthetable，shesaidirresolutelyandinatremblingvoice：
\"Thatallthepeopleshouldbehappyandcontented；thatallthepeopleshouldbeequal，allthepeoplehaveanequalrighttolife，totheblissoflife，allmusthavefreedom，evenastheyhaveair。Andequalityineverything！\"
Atthebeginningofheragitatedspeechherfatherlookedatherfacewithanxiouscuriosityinhiseyes，butasshewentonhastilyhurlingherwordsathimhiseyesassumedanaltogetherdifferentexpression，andfinallyhesaidtoherwithcalmcontempt：
\"Iknewitbefore——youareagildedfool！\"
Sheloweredherhead，butimmediatelyraiseditandexclaimedsadly：
\"Youhavesaidsoyourself——freedom。\"
\"Youhadbetterholdyourtongue！\"theoldmanshoutedatherrudely。\"Youcannotseeeventhatwhichisvisiblyforcedoutsideofeachman。Howcanallthepeoplebehappyandequal，sinceeachonewantstobeabovetheother？Eventhebeggarhashisprideandalwaysboastsofsomethingorotherbeforeotherpeople。Asmallchild，evenhewantstobefirstamonghisplaymates。Andonemanwillneveryieldtoanother；onlyfoolsbelieveinit。Eachmanhashisownsoul，andhisownface；onlythosewholovenottheirsoulsandcarenotfortheirfacescanbeplaneddowntothesamesize。Eh，you！You\'vereadmuchtrash，andyou\'vedevouredit！\"
Bitterreproachandbitingcontemptwereexpressedontheoldman\'sface。Henoisilypushedhischairawayfromthetable，jumpedup，andfoldinghishandsbehindhisback，begantodartaboutintheroomwithshortsteps，shakinghisheadandsayingsomethingtohimselfinanangry，hissingwhisper。Lubov，palewithemotionandanger，feelingherselfstupidandpowerlessbeforehim，listeningtohiswhisper，andherheartpalpitatedwildly。
\"Iamleftalone，alone，likeJob。0hLord！WhatshallIdo？Oh，alone！AmInotwise？AmInotclever？Butlifehasoutwittedmealso。Whatdoesitlove？Whomdoesitfondle？Itbeatsthegood，andsuffersnotthebadtogounpunished，andnooneunderstandslife\'sjustice。\"
Thegirlbegantofeelpainfullysorryfortheoldman；shewasseizedwithanintenseyearningtohelphim；shelongedtobeofusetohim。
Followinghimwithburningeyes，shesuddenlysaidinalowvoice：
\"Papa，dear！donotgrieve。Tarasisstillalive。Perhapshe——\"
Mayakinstoppedsuddenlyasthoughnailedtothespot，andheslowlyliftedhishead。
\"Thetreethatgrewcrookedinitsyouthandcouldnotholdoutwillcertainlybreakwhenit\'sold。Butnevertheless，evenTarasisastrawtomenow。ThoughIdoubtwhetherheisbetterthanFoma。Gordyeeffhasacharacter，hehashisfather\'sdaring。Hecantakeagreatdealonhimself。ButTaraska，yourecalledhimjustintime。Yes！\"
Andtheoldman，whoamomentagohadlosthiscouragetothepointofcomplaining，and，grief-strickenhadrunabouttheroomlikeamouseinatrap，nowcalmlyandfirmlywalkedupwithacarewornfacetothetable，carefullyadjustedhischair，andseatedhimself，saying：
\"We\'llhavetosoundTaraska。HelivesinUsolyeatsomefactory。
Iwastoldbysomemerchants——they\'remakingsodathere，I
believe。I\'llfindouttheparticulars。I\'llwritetohim。\"
\"Allowmetowritetohim，papa！\"beggedLubov，softly，flushing，tremblingwithjoy。
\"You？\"askedMayakin，castingabriefglanceather；hethenbecamesilent，thoughtawhileandsaid：
\"That\'sallright。That\'sevenbetter！Writetohim。Askhimwhetherheisn\'tmarried，howhelives，whathethinks。ButthenI\'lltellyouwhattowritewhenthetimehascome。\"
\"Doitatonce，papa，\"saidthegirl。
\"Itisnecessarytomarryyouoffthesooner。Iamkeepinganeyeonacertainred-hairedfellow。Hedoesn\'tseemtobestupid。
He\'sbeenpolishedabroad，bytheway。
\"IsitSmolin，papa？\"askedLubov，inquisitivelyandanxiously。
\"Andsupposingitishe，whatofit？\"inquiredYakovTarasovichinabusiness-liketone。
\"Nothing，Idon\'tknowhim，\"repliedLubov，indefinitely。
\"We\'llmakeyouacquainted。It\'stime，Lubov，it\'stime。OurhopesforFomaarepoor，althoughIdonotgivehimup。\"
\"IdidnotreckononFoma——whatishetome？\"
\"That\'swrong。Ifyouhadbeenclevererperhapshewouldn\'thavegoneastray！WheneverIusedtoseeyoutogether，Ithought：\'Mygirlwillattractthefellowtoherself！Thatwillbeafineaffair！\'ButIwaswrong。Ithoughtthatyouwouldknowwhatistoyouradvantagewithoutbeingtoldofit。That\'stheway，mygirl！\"saidthefather，instructively。
Shebecamethoughtfulasshelistenedtohisimpressivespeech。
Robustandstrong，Lubovwasthinkingofmarriagemoreandmorefrequentlyoflate，forshesawnootherwayoutofherloneliness。Thedesiretoforsakeherfatherandgoawaysomewhereinordertostudysomething，todosomething。Thisdesireshehadlongsinceovercome，evenassheconqueredinherselfmanyanotherlongingjustaskeen，butshallowandindefinite。Fromthevariousbooksshehadreadathicksedimentremainedwithinher，andthoughitwassomethingliveithadthelifeofaprotoplasm。Thissedimentdevelopedinthegirlafeelingofdis-satisfactionwithherlife，ayearningtowardpersonalindependence，alongingtobefreedfromtheheavyguardianshipofherfather，butshehadneitherthepowertorealizethesedesires，northeclearconceptionoftheirrealization。Butnaturehaditsinfluenceonher，andatthesightofyoungmotherswithchildrenintheirarmsLubovoftenfeltasadandmournfullanguorwithinher。Attimesstoppingbeforethemirrorshesadlyscrutinizedinitherplump，freshfacewithdarkcirclesaroundhereyes，andshefeltsorryforherself。Shefeltthatlifewasgoingpasther，forgettinghersomewhereontheside。Nowlisteningtoherfather\'swordsshepicturedtoherselfwhatsortofmanSmolinmightbe。ShehadmethimwhenhewasyetaGymnasiumstudent，hisfacewascoveredwithfreckles，hewassnub-nosed，alwaysclean，sedateandtiresome。Hedancedheavily，awkwardly，hetalkeduninterestingly。Alongtimehadpassedsincethen，hehadbeenabroad，hadstudiedsomethingthere，howwashenow？FromSmolinherthoughtsdartedtoherbrother，andwithasinkingheartshethought：whatwouldhesayinreplytoherletter？Whatsortofamanwashe？TheimageofherbrotherasshehadpicturedittoherselfpreventedherfromseeingbothherfatherandSmolin，andshehadalreadymadeuphermindnottoconsenttomarrybeforemeetingTaras，whensuddenlyherfathershoutedtoher：
\"Eh，Lubovka！Whyareyouthoughtful？Whatareyouthinkingofmostly？\"
\"So，everythinggoessoswiftly，\"repliedLuba，withasmile。
\"Whatgoesswiftly？\"
\"Everything。AweekagoitwasimpossibletospeakwithyouaboutTaras，whilenow——\"
\"\'Tisneed，mygirl！Needisapower，itbendsasteelrodintoaspring。Andsteelisstubborn。Taras，we\'llseewhatheis！Manistobeappreciatedbyhisresistancetothepoweroflife；ifitisn\'tlifethatwringshim，buthethatwringslifetosuithimself，myrespectstothatman！Allowmetoshakeyourhand，let\'srunourbusinesstogether。Eh，Iamold。Andhowverybrisklifehasbecomenow！Witheachsucceedingyearthereismoreandmoreinterestinit，moreandmorerelishtoit！IwishIcouldliveforever，IwishIcouldactallthetime！\"Theoldmansmackedhislips，rubbedhishands，andhissmalleyesgleamedgreedily。
\"Butyouareathin-bloodedlot！Ereyouhavegrownupyouarealreadyovergrownandwithered。Youlivelikeanoldradish。Andthefactthatlifeisgrowingfairerandfairerisincomprehensibletoyou。Ihavelivedsixty-sevenyearsonthisearth，andthoughIamnowstandingclosetomygraveIcanseethatinformeryears，whenIwasyoung，therewerefewerflowersonearth，andtheflowerswerenotquiteasbeautifulastheyarenow。Everythingisgrowingmorebeautiful！Whatbuildingswehavenow！Whatdifferenttradeimplements。Whathugesteamers！Aworldofbrainshasbeenputintoeverything！Youlookandthink；whatcleverfellowsyouare——0hpeople！Youmeritrewardandrespect！
You\'vearrangedlifecleverly。Everythingisgood，everythingispleasant。Onlyyou，oursuccessors，youaredevoidofalllivefeelings！Anylittlecharlatanfromamongthecommonersisclevererthanyou！TakethatYozhov，forinstance，whatishe？
Andyetherepresentshimselfasjudgeoverus，andevenoverlifeitself——hehascourage。Butyou，pshaw！Youlivelikebeggars！Inyourjoyyouarebeasts，inyourmisfortunevermin！
Youarerotten！Theyoughttoinjectfireintoyourveins，theyoughttotakeyourskinoffandstrewsaltuponyourrawflesh，thenyouwouldhavejumped！\"
YakovTarasovich，small-sized，wrinkledandbony，withblack，brokenteethinhismouth，bald-headedanddark，asthoughburnedbytheheatoflifeandsmokedinit，trembledinvehementagitation，showeringjarringwordsofcontemptuponhisdaughter，whowasyoung，well-grownandplump。Shelookedathimwithaguiltyexpressioninhereyes，smiledconfusedly，andinherheartgrewagreaterandgreaterrespectfortheliveoldmanwhowassosteadfastinhisdesires……
AndFomawentonstrayingandraving，passinghisdaysandnightsintavernsanddens，andmasteringmoreandmorefirmlyhiscontemptuously-hatefulbearingtowardthepeoplethatsurroundedhim。Attimestheyawakenedinhimasadyearningtofindamongthemsomesortofresistancetohiswickedfeeling，tomeetaworthyandcourageousmanwhowouldcausehimtoblushwithshamebyhisburningreproach。Thisyearningbecameclearer——eachtimeitsprangupinhimitwasalongingforassistanceonthepartofamanwhofeltthathehadlosthiswayandwasperishing。
\"Brethren！\"hecriedoneday，sittingbythetableinatavern，half-intoxicated，andsurroundedbycertainobscureandgreedypeople，whoateanddrankasthoughtheyhadnothadapieceofbreadintheirmouthsformanyalongdaybefore。
\"Brethren！Ifeeldisgusted。Iamtiredofyou！Beatmeunmercifully，drivemeaway！Youarerascals，butyouarenearertooneanotherthantome。Why？AmInotadrunkardandarascalaswell？AndyetIamastrangertoyou！IcanseeIamastranger。Youdrinkoutofmeandsecretlyyouspituponme。I
canfeelit！Whydoyoudoit？\"
Tobesure，theycouldtreathiminadifferentway。InthedepthofhissoulperhapsnotoneofthemconsideredhimselflowerthanFoma，buthewasrich，andthishinderedthemfromtreatinghimmoreasacompanion，andthenhealwaysspokecertaincomicallywrathful，conscience-rendingwords，andthisembarrassedthem。
Moreover，hewasstrongandreadytofight，andtheydarednotsayawordagainsthim。Andthatwasjustwhathewanted。Hewishedmoreandmoreintenselythatoneofthesepeoplehedespisedwouldstandupagainsthim，facetoface，andwouldtellhimsomethingstrong，which，likealever，wouldturnhimasidefromtheslopingroad，whosedangerhefelt，andwhosefilthhesaw，beingfilledwithhelplessaversionforit。
AndFomafoundwhatheneeded。
Oneday，irritatedbythelackofattentionforhim，hecriedtohisdrinking-companions：
\"Youboys，keepquiet，everyoneofyou！Whogivesyoutodrinkandtoeat？Haveyouforgottenit？I\'llbringyouinorder！I\'llshowyouhowtorespectme！Convicts！WhenIspeakyoumustallkeepquiet！\"
And，indeed，allbecamesilent；eitherforfearlesttheymightlosehisgoodwill，or，perhaps，afraidthathe，thathealthyandstrongbeast，mightbeatthem。Theysatinsilenceaboutaminute，concealingtheirangerathim，bendingovertheplatesandattemptingtohidefromhimtheirfrightandembarrassment。
Fomameasuredthemwithaself-satisfiedlook，andgratifiedbytheirslavishsubmissiveness，saidboastfully：
\"Ah！You\'vegrowndumbnow，that\'stheway！Iamstrict！I——\"
\"Yousluggard！\"camesomeone\'scalm，loudexclamation。
\"Wha-at？\"roaredFoma，jumpingupfromhischair。\"Whosaidthat？\"
Thenacertain，strange，shabby-lookingmanaroseattheendofthetable；hewastall，inalongfrock-coat，withaheapofgrayishhaironhislargehead。Hishairwasstiff，standingoutinalldirectionsinthicklocks，hisfacewasyellow，unshaven，withalong，crookednose。ToFomaitseemedthatheresembledaswabwithwhichthesteamerdecksarewashed，andthisamusedthehalf-intoxicatedfellow。
\"Howfine！\"saidhe，sarcastically。\"Whatareyousnarlingat，eh？DoyouknowwhoIam？\"
WiththegestureofatragicactorthemanstretchedouttoFomahishand，withitslong，pliantfingerslikethoseofajuggler，andhesaidinadeephoarsebasso：
\"Youaretherottendiseaseofyourfather，who，thoughhewasaplunderer，wasneverthelessaworthymanincomparisonwithyou。\"
Becauseoftheunexpectednessofthis，andbecauseofhiswrath，Foma\'sheartshrank。Hefiercelyopenedhiseyeswideandkeptsilent，findingnowordstoreplytothisinsolence。Andtheman，standingbeforehim，wentonhoarsely，withanimation，beastlikerollinghislarge，butdimandswollen，eyes：
\"Youdemandofusrespectforyou，youfool！Howhaveyoumeritedit？Whoareyou？Adrunkard，drinkingawaythefortuneofyourfather。Yousavage！YououghttobeproudthatI，arenownedartist，adisinterestedandfaithfulworshipperattheshrineofart，drinkfromthesamebottlewithyou！Thisbottlecontainssandalandmolasses，infusedwithsnuff-tobacco，whileyouthinkitisportwine。Itisyourlicenseforthenameofsavageandass。\"
\"Eh，youjailbird！\"roaredFoma，rushingtowardtheartist。Buthewasseizedandheldback。Strugglinginthearmsofthosethatseizedhim，hewascompelledtolistenwithoutreplying，tothethundering，deepandheavybassofthemanwhoresembledaswab。
\"Youhavethrowntomenafewcopecksoutofthestolenroubles，andyouconsideryourselfahero！Youaretwiceathief。Youhavestolentheroublesandnowyouarestealinggratitudeforyourfewcopecks！ButIshallnotgiveittoyou！I，whohavedevotedallmylifetothecondemnationofvice，Istandbeforeyouandsayopenly：\'Youareafoolandabeggarbecauseyouaretoorich！Hereliesthewisdom：allthericharebeggars。\'That\'showthefamouscoupletist，Rimsky-Kannibalsky，servesTruth！\"
Fomawasnowstandingmeeklyamongthepeoplethathadcloselysurroundedhim，andheeagerlylistenedtothecoupletist\'sthunderingwords，whichnowarousedinhimasensationasthoughsomebodywasscratchingasorespot，andthussoothingtheacuteitchingofthepain。Thepeoplewereexcited；someattemptedtocheckthecoupletist\'sflowofeloquence，otherswantedtoleadFomaawaysomewhere。Withoutsayingawordhepushedthemasideandlistened，moreandmoreabsorbedbytheintensepleasureofhumiliationwhichhefeltinthepresenceofthesepeople。Thepainirritatedbythewordsofthecoupletist，caressedFoma\'ssoulmoreandmorepassionately，andthecoupletistwentonthundering，intoxicatedwiththeimpurityofhisaccusation：
\"Youthinkthatyouarethemasteroflife？Youarethelowslaveoftherouble。\"
Someoneinthecrowdhiccoughed，and，evidentlydispleasedwithhimselfforthis，cursedeachtimehehiccoughed：
\"0hdevil。\"
Andacertain，unshaven，fat-facedmantookpityonFoma，or，perhaps，becametiredofwitnessingthatscene，and，wavinghishands，hedrawledoutplaintively：
\"Gentlemen，dropthat！Itisn\'tgood！Forweareallsinners！
Decidedlyall，believeme！\"
\"Well，speakon！\"mutteredFoma。\"Sayeverything！Iwon\'ttouchyou。\"
Themirrorsonthewallsreflectedthisdrunkenconfusion，andthepeople，asreflectedinthemirrors，seemedmoredisgustingandhideousthantheywereinreality。
\"Idonotwanttospeak！\"exclaimedthecoupletist，\"Idonotwanttocastthepearlsoftruthandofmywrathbeforeyou。\"
Herushedforward，andraisinghisheadmajestically，turnedtowardthedoorwithtragicfootsteps。
\"Youlie！\"saidFoma，attemptingtofollowhim。\"Holdon！youhavemademeagitated，nowcalmme。\"
Theyseizedhim，surroundedhimandshoutedsomethingtohimwhilehewasrushingforward，overturningeverybody。Whenhemettactileobstaclesonhiswaythestrugglewiththemgavehimease，unitingallhisriotousfeelingsintooneyearningtooverthrowthatwhichhinderedhim。Andnow，afterhehadjostledthemallasideandrushedoutintothestreet，hewasalreadylessagitated。Standingonthesidewalkhelookedaboutthestreetandthoughtwithshame：
\"HowcouldIpermitthatswabtomockmeandabusemyfatherasathief？\"
Itwasdarkandquietabouthim，themoonwasshiningbrightly，andalightrefreshingbreezewasblowing。Fomaheldhisfacetothecoolbreezeashewalkedagainstthewindwithrapidstrides，timidlylookingaboutonallsides，andwishingthatnoneofthecompanyfromthetavernwouldfollowhim。Heunderstoodthathehadloweredhimselfintheeyesofallthesepeople。Ashewalkedhethoughtofwhathehadcometo：asharperhadpubliclyabusedhimindisgracefulterms，whilehe，thesonofawell-knownmerchant，hadnotbeenabletorepayhimforhismocking。
\"Itservesmeright！\"thoughtFoma，sadlyandbitterly。\"Thatservesmeright！Don\'tloseyourhead，understand。Andthenagain，Iwanteditmyself。Iinterferedwitheverybody，sonow，takeyourshare！\"Thesethoughtsmadehimfeelpainfullysorryforhimself。Seizedandsoberedbythemhekeptonstrollingalongthestreets，andsearchingforsomethingstrongandfirminhimself。Buteverythingwithinhimwasconfused；itmerelyoppressedhisheart，withoutassuminganydefiniteforms。Asinapainfuldreamhereachedtheriver，seatedhimselfonthebeamsbytheshore，andbegantolookatthecalmdarkwater，whichwascoveredwithtinyripples。Calmlyandalmostnoiselesslyflowedonthebroad，mightyriver，carryingenormousweightsuponitsbosom。Theriverwasallcoveredwithblackvessels，thesignallightsandthestarswerereflectedinitswater；thetinyripples，murmuringsoftly，weregentlybreakingagainsttheshoreattheveryfeetofFoma。Sadnesswasbreatheddownfromthesky，thefeelingoflonelinessoppressedFoma。
\"0hLordJesusChrist！\"thoughthe，sadlygazingatthesky。
\"WhatafailureIam。Thereisnothinginme。Godhasputnothingintome。OfwhatuseamI？OhLordJesus！\"
AttherecollectionofChristFomafeltsomewhatbetter——hislonelinessseemedalleviated，andheavingadeepsigh，hebegantoaddressGodinsilence：
\"0hLordJesusChrist！Otherpeopledonotunderstandanythingeither，buttheythinkthatallisknowntothem，andthereforeitiseasierforthemtolive。WhileI——Ihavenojustification。
Hereitisnight，andIamalone，Ihavenoplacetogo，Iamunabletosayanythingtoanybody。Ilovenoone——onlymygodfather，andheissoulless。IfThouhadstbutpunishedhimsomehow！Hethinksthereisnoneclevererandbetteronearththanhimself。WhileThousufferestit。Andthesamewithme。Ifsomemisfortunewerebutsenttome。Ifsomeillnessweretoovertakeme。ButhereIamasstrongasiron。Iamdrinking，leadingagaylife。Iliveinfilth，butthebodydoesnotevenrust，andonlymysoulaches。OhLord！Towhatpurposeissuchalife？\"
Vaguethoughtsofprotestflashedoneafteranotherthroughthemindofthelonely，strayingman，whilethesilenceabouthimwasgrowingdeeper，andnighteverdarkeranddarker。Notfarfromtheshorelayaboatatanchor；itrockedfromsidetoside，andsomethingwascreakinginitasthoughmoaning。
\"HowamItofreemyselffromsuchalifeasthis？\"reflectedFoma，staringattheboat。\"Andwhatoccupationisdestinedtobemine？Everybodyisworking。\"
Andsuddenlyhewasstruckbyathoughtwhichappearedgreattohim：
\"Andhardworkischeaperthaneasywork！Somemanwillgivehimselfupentiretohisworkforarouble，whileanothertakesathousandwithonefinger。\"
Hewaspleasantlyrousedbythisthought。Itseemedtohimthathediscoveredanotherfalsehoodinthelifeofman，anotherfraudwhichtheyconceal。Herecalledoneofhisstokers，theoldmanIlya，who，fortencopecks，usedtobeonwatchatthefireplaceoutofhisturn，workingforacomradeeighthoursinsuccession，amidsuffocatingheat。Oneday，whenhehadfallensickonaccountofoverwork，hewaslyingonthebowofthesteamer，andwhenFomaaskedhimwhyhewasthusruininghimself，Ilyarepliedroughlyandsternly：
\"Becauseeverycopeckismorenecessarytomethanahundredroublestoyou。That\'swhy！\"
And，sayingthis，theoldmanturnedhisbody，whichwasburningwithpain，withitsbacktoFoma。
Reflectingonthestokerhisthoughtssuddenlyandwithoutanyeffort，embracedallthosepettypeoplethatweredoinghardwork。Hewondered，Whydotheylive？Whatpleasureisitforthemtoliveonearth？Theyconstantlydobuttheirdirty，hardwork，theyeatpoorly，arepoorlyclad，theydrink。Onemanissixtyyearsold，andyethekeepsontoilingsidebysidewiththeyoungfellows。AndtheyallappearedtoFomaasahugepileofworms，whichbattledaboutonearthjusttogetsomethingtoeat。
Inhismemoryspranguphismeetingswiththesepeople，oneafteranother——theirremarksaboutlife——nowsarcasticandmournful，nowhopelesslygloomyremarks——theirwailingsongs。AndnowhealsorecalledhowonedayintheofficeYefimhadsaidtotheclerkwhohiredthesailors：
\"SomeLopukhinpeasantshavecomeheretohirethemselvesout，sodon\'tgivethemmorethantenroublesamonth。Theirplacewasburneddowntoasheslastsummer，andtheyarenowindireneed——
they\'llworkfortenroubles。\"
Sittingonthebeams，Fomarockedhiswholebodytoandfro，andoutofthedarkness，fromtheriver，varioushumanfiguresappearedsilentlybeforehim——sailors，stokers，clerks，waiters，half-intoxicatedpaintedwomen，andtavern-loungers。Theyfloatedintheairlikeshadows；somethingdampandbrackishcamefromthem，andthedark，densethrongmovedonslowly，noiselesslyandswiftly，likecloudsinanautumnsky。Thesoftsplashingofthewavespouredintohissoullikesadlysighingmusic。Faraway，somewhereontheotherbankoftheriver，burnedawood-pile；
embracedbythedarknessonallsides，itwasattimesalmostabsorbedbyit，andinthedarknessittrembled，areddishspotscarcelyvisibletotheeye。Butnowthefireflamedupagain，thedarknessreceded，anditwasevidentthattheflamewasstrivingupward。Andthenitsankagain。
\"0hLord，0hLord！\"thoughtFoma，painfullyandbitterly，feelingthatgriefwasoppressinghisheartwithevergreaterpower。
\"HereIam，alone，evenasthatfire。Onlynolightcomesfromme，nothingbutfumesandsmoke。IfIcouldonlymeetawiseman！
Someonetospeakto。Itisutterlyimpossibleformetolivealone。Icannotdoanything。IwishImightmeetaman。\"
Faraway，ontheriver，twolargepurplefiresappeared，andhighabovethemwasathird。Adullnoiseresoundedinthedistance，somethingblackwasmovingtowardFoma。
\"Asteamergoingupstream，\"hethought。\"Theremaybemorethanahundredpeopleaboard，andnoneofthemgiveasinglethoughttome。Theyallknowwhithertheyaresailing。Everyoneofthemhassomethingthatishisown。Everyone，Ibelieve，understandswhathewants。ButwhatdoIwant？Andwhowilltellittome？
Whereissuchaman？\"
Thelightsofthesteamerwerereflectedintheriver，quiveringinit；theilluminedwaterrushedawayfromitwithadullmurmur，andthesteamerlookedlikeahugeblackfishwithfinsoffire。
Afewdayselapsedafterthispainfulnight，andFomacarousedagain。Itcameaboutbyaccidentandagainsthiswill。Hehadmadeuphismindtorestrainhimselffromdrinking，andsowenttodinnerinoneofthemostexpensivehotelsintown，hopingtofindtherenoneofhisfamiliardrinking-companions，whoalwaysselectedthecheaperandlessrespectableplacesfortheirdrinkingbouts。Buthiscalculationprovedtobewrong；heatoncecameintothefriendlyjoyousembraceofthebrandy-
distiller\'sson，whohadtakenSashaasmistress。
HeranuptoFoma，embracedhimandburstintomerrylaughter。
\"Here\'sameeting！ThisisthethirddayIhaveeatenhere，andI
amweariedbythisterriblelonesomeness。Thereisnotadecentmaninthewholetown，soIhavehadtostrikeupanacquaintancewithnewspapermen。They\'reagaylot，althoughatfirsttheyplayedthearistocratandkeptsneeringatme。Afterawhileweallgotdeaddrunk。They\'llbehereagaintoday——Iswearbythefortuneofmyfather！I\'llintroduceyoutothem。Thereisonewriteroffeuilletonshere；youknow，thatsomeonewhoalwayslaudedyou，what\'shisname？Anamusingfellow，thedeviltakehim！Doyouknowitwouldbeagoodthingtohireonelikethatforpersonaluse！Givehimacertainsumofmoneyandorderhimtoamuse！How\'sthat？Ihadacertaincoupletistinmyemploy，——
itwasratherentertainingtobewithhim。Iusedtosaytohimsometimes：\'Rimsky！giveussomecouplets！\'Hewouldstart，I
tellyou，andhe\'dmakeyousplityoursideswithlaughter。It\'sapity，heranoffsomewhere。Haveyouhaddinner？\"
\"Notyet。Andhow\'sAleksandra？\"askedFoma，somewhatdeafenedbytheloudspeechofthistall，frank，red-facedfellowcladinamotleycostume。
\"Well，doyouknow，\"saidthelatterwithafrown，\"thatAleksandraofyoursisanastywoman！She\'ssoobscure，it\'stiresometobewithher，thedeviltakeher！She\'sascoldasafrog，——brrr！IguessI\'llsendheraway。\"
\"Cold——that\'strue，\"saidFomaandbecamepensive。\"Everypersonmustdohisworkinafirstclassmanner，\"saidthedistiller\'sson，instructively。\"Andifyoubecomesomeone\'ssmistressyoumustperformyourdutyinthebestwaypossible，ifyouareadecentwoman。Well，shallwehaveadrink？\"
Theyhadadrink。Andnaturallytheygotdrunk。Alargeandnoisycompanygatheredinthehoteltowardevening。AndFoma，intoxicated，butsadandcalm，spoketothemwithheavyvoice：
\"That\'sthewayIunderstandit：somepeopleareworms，otherssparrows。Thesparrowsarethemerchants。Theypecktheworms。
Suchistheirdestinedlot。TheyarenecessaryButIandyou——allofyou——aretonopurpose。Welivesothatwecannotbecomparedtoanything——withoutjustification，merelyatrandom。Andweareutterlyunnecessary。Buteventhesehere，andeverybodyelse，towhatpurposearethey？Youmustunderstandthat。Brethren！Weshallallburst！ByGod！Andwhyshallweburst？Becausethereisalwayssomethingsuperfluousinus，thereissomethingsuperfluousinoursouls。Andallourlifeissuperfluous！
Comrades！Iweep。TowhatpurposeamI？Iamunnecessary！Killme，thatImaydie；Iwanttodie。\"
Andhewept，sheddingmanydrunkentears。Adrunken，small-sized，swarthymansatdownclosetohim，begantoremindhimofsomething，triedtokisshim，andstrikingaknifeagainstthetable，shouted：
\"True！Silence！Thesearepowerfulwords！Lettheelephantsandthemammothsofthedisorderoflifespeak！TherawRussianconsciencespeaksholywords！Roaron，Gordyeeff！Roarateverything！\"AndagainheclutchedatFoma\'sshoulders，flunghimselfonhisbreast，raisingtoFoma\'sfacehisround，black，closely-croppedhead，whichwasceaselesslyturningaboutonhisshouldersonallsides，sothatFomawasunabletoseehisface，andhewasangryathimforthis，andkeptonpushinghimaside，cryingexcitedly：
\"Getaway！Whereisyourface？Goon！\"
Adeafening，drunkenlaughtersmotetheairaboutthem，andchokingwithlaughter，thesonofthebrandy-distillerroaredtosomeonehoarsely：
\"Cometome！Ahundredroublesamonthwithboardandlodging！