\"Oh，no！\"exclaimedSmolin，wardingofftheoldman\'swordswithaneasywaveofthehand。\"Whywrongothers？WhatrighthaveItodoso？MyaimistoraisetheimportanceandpriceofRussianleatherabroad，andsoequippedwiththeknowledgeastothemanufacture，Iambuildingamodelfactory，andfillthemarketswithmodelgoods。Thecommercialhonourofthecountry！\"
\"Doesitrequiremuchcapital，didyousay？\"askedMayakin，thoughtfully。
\"Aboutthreehundredthousand。\"
\"Fatherwon\'tgivemesuchadowry，\"thoughtLubov。
\"Myfactorywillalsoturnoutleathergoods，suchastrunks，foot-wear，harnesses，strapsandsoforth。\"
\"Andofwhatpercent，areyoudreaming？\"
\"Iamnotdreaming，IamcalculatingwithalltheexactnesspossibleunderconditionsinRussia，\"saidSmolin，impressively。
\"Themanufacturershouldbeasstrictlypracticalasthemechanicwhoiscreatingamachine。Thefrictionofthetiniestscrewmustbetakenintoconsideration，ifyouwishtodoaseriousthingseriously。IcanletyoureadalittlenotewhichIhavedrawnup，baseduponmypersonalstudyofcattle-breedingandoftheconsumptionofmeatinRussia。\"
\"How\'sthat！\"laughedMayakin。\"Bringmethatnote，it\'sinteresting！ItseemsyoudidnotspendyourtimefornothinginWesternEurope。Andnow，let\'seatsomething，aftertheRussianfashion。\"
\"Howareyoupassingthetime，LubovYakovlevna？\"askedSmolin，arminghimselfwithknifeandfork。
\"Sheisratherlonesomeherewithme，\"repliedMayakinforhisdaughter。\"Myhousekeeper，allthehouseholdisonhershoulders，soshehasnotimetoamuseherself。\"
\"Andnoplace，Imustadd，\"saidLubov。\"Iamnotfondoftheballsandentertainmentsgivenbythemerchants。\"
\"Andthetheatre？\"askedSmolin。
\"Iseldomgothere。Ihavenoonetogowith。\"
\"Thetheatre！\"exclaimedtheoldman。\"Tellme，pray，whyhasitbecomethefashionthentorepresentthemerchantasasavageidiot？Itisveryamusing，butitisincomprehensible，becauseitisfalse！AmIafool，ifIammasterintheCityCouncil，masterincommerce，andalsoownerofthatsametheatre？Youlookatthemerchantonthestageandyousee——heisn\'tlife-life！Ofcourse，whentheypresentsomethinghistorical，suchas：\'LifefortheCzar，\'withsonganddance，or\'Hamlet，\'\'TheSorceress，\'or\'Vasilisa，\'truthfulreproductionisnotrequired，becausethey\'remattersofthepastanddon\'tconcernus。Whethertrueornot，itmatterslittlesolongasthey\'regood，butwhenyourepresentmoderntimes，thendon\'tlie！Andshowthemanashereallyis。\"
Smolinlistenedtotheoldman\'swordswithacovetoussmileonhislips，andcastatLubovglanceswhichseemedtoinvitehertorefuteherfather。Somewhatembarrassed，shesaid：
\"Andyet，papa，themajorityofthemerchantclassisuneducatedandsavage。\"
\"Yes，\"remarkedSmolinwithregret，noddinghisheadaffirmatively，\"thatisthesadtruth。\"
\"TakeFoma，forinstance，\"wentonthegirl。
\"0h！\"exclaimedMayakin。\"Well，youareyoungfolks，youcanhavebooksinyourhands。\"
\"Anddoyounottakeinterestinanyofthesocieties？\"SmolinaskedLubov。\"Youhavesomanydifferentsocietieshere。\"
\"Yes，\"saidLubovwithasigh，\"butIliveratherapartfromeverything。\"
\"Housekeeping！\"interposedthefather。\"Wehaveheresuchastoreofdifferentthings，everythinghastobekeptclean，inorder，andcompleteastonumber。\"
Withaself-satisfiedairhenoddedfirstatthetable，whichwassetwithbrilliantcrystalandsilverware，andthenatthesideboard，whoseshelveswerefairlybreakingundertheweightofthearticles，andwhichremindedoneofthedisplayinastorewindow。Smolinnotedalltheseandanironicalsmilebegantoplayuponhislips。ThenheglancedatLubov\'sface：inhislookshecaughtsomethingfriendly，sympathetictoher。Afaintflushcoveredhercheeks，andshesaidtoherselfwithtimidjoy：
\"ThankGod！\"
Thelightoftheheavybronzelampnowseemedtoflashmorebrilliantlyonthesidesofthecrystalvases，anditbecamebrighterintheroom。
\"Ilikeourdearoldtown！\"saidSmolin，lookingatthegirlwithakindlysmile，\"itissobeautiful，sovigorous；thereischeerfulnessaboutitthatinspiresonetowork。Itsverypicturesquenessissomewhatstimulating。Initonefeelslikeleadingadashinglife。Onefeelslikeworkingmuchandseriously。Andthen，itisanintelligenttown。Justseewhatapracticalnewspaperispublishedhere。Bytheway，weintendtopurchaseit。\"
\"WhomdoyoumeanbyYou？\"askedMayakin。
\"I，Urvantzov，Shchukin——\"
\"That\'spraiseworthy！\"saidtheoldman，rappingthetablewithhishand。\"That\'sverypractical！Itistimetostoptheirmouths，itwashightimelongago！ParticularlythatYozhov；he\'slikeasharp-toothedsaw。Justputthethumb-screwonhim！Anddoitwell！\"
SmolinagaincastatLubovasmilingglance，andherhearttrembledwithjoyoncemore。Withflushingfaceshesaidtoherfather，inwardlyaddressingherselftothebridegroom：
\"AsfarasIcanunderstand，AfricanDmitreivich，hewishestobuythenewspapernotatallforthesakeofstoppingitsmouthasyousay。\"
\"Whatthencanbedonewithit？\"askedtheoldman，shrugginghisshoulders。\"There\'snothinginitbutemptytalkandagitation。
Ofcourse，ifthepracticalpeople，themerchantsthemselves，taketowritingforit——\"
\"Thepublicationofanewspaper，\"beganSmolin，instructively，interruptingtheoldman，\"lookedatmerelyfromthecommercialpointofview，maybeaveryprofitableenterprise。Butasidefromthis，anewspaperhasanothermoreimportantaim——thatis，toprotecttherightoftheindividualandtheinterestsofindustryandcommerce。\"
\"That\'sjustwhatIsay，ifthemerchanthimselfwillmanagethenewspaper，thenitwillbeuseful。\"
\"Excuseme，papa，\"saidLubov。
ShebegantofeeltheneedofexpressingherselfbeforeSmolin；
shewantedtoassurehimthatsheunderstoodthemeaningofhiswords，thatshewasnotanordinarymerchant-daughter，interestedindressesandballsonly。Smolinpleasedher。Thiswasthefirsttimeshehadseenamerchantwhohadlivedabroadforalongtime，whoreasonedsoimpressively，whoborehimselfsoproperly，whowassowelldressed，andwhospoketoherfather，thecleverestmanintown，withthecondescendingtoneofanadulttowardsaminor。
\"AftertheweddingI\'llpersuadehimtotakemeabroad，\"thoughtLubov，suddenly，and，confusedatthisthoughtsheforgotwhatshewasabouttosaytoherfather。Blushingdeeply，shewassilentforafewseconds，seizedwithfearlestSmolinmightinterpretthissilenceinawayunflatteringtoher。
\"Onaccountofyourconversation，youhaveforgottentooffersomewinetoourguest，\"shesaidatlast，afterafewsecondsofpainfulsilence。
\"That\'syourbusiness。Youarehostess，\"retortedtheoldman。
\"0h，don\'tdisturbyourself！\"exclaimedSmolin，withanimation。
\"Ihardlydrinkatall。\"
\"Really？\"askedMayakin。
\"Iassureyou！SometimesIdrinkawineglassortwoincaseoffatigueorillness。Buttodrinkwineforpleasure\'ssakeisincomprehensibletome。Thereareotherpleasuresmoreworthyofamanofculture。\"
\"Youmeanladies，Isuppose？\"askedtheoldmanwithawink。
Smolin\'scheeksandneckbecameredwiththecolourwhichleapedtohisface。WithapologeticeyesheglancedatLubov，andsaidtoherfatherdrily：
\"Imeanthetheatre，books，music。\"
Lubovbecameradiantwithjoyathiswords。
Theoldmanlookedaskanceattheworthyyoungman，smiledkeenlyandsuddenlyblurtedout：
\"Eh，lifeisgoingonward！Formerlythedogusedtorelishacrust，nowthepugdogfindsthecreamtoothin；pardonmeformysourremark，butitisverymuchtothepoint。Itdoesnotexactlyrefertoyourself，butingeneral。\"
LubovturnedpaleandlookedatSmolinwithfright。Hewascalm，scrutinisinganancientsaltbox，decoratedwithenamel；hetwistedhismoustacheandlookedasthoughhehadnotheardtheoldman\'swords。Buthiseyesgrewdarker，andhislipswerecompressedverytightly，andhisclean-shavenchinobstinatelyprojectedforward。
\"Andso，myfutureleadingmanufacturer，\"saidMayakin，asthoughnothinghadhappened，\"threehundredthousandroubles，andyourbusinesswillflashuplikeafire？\"
\"AndwithinayearandahalfIshallsendoutthefirstlotofgoods，whichwillbeeagerlysoughtfor，\"saidSmolin，simply，withunshakableconfidence，andheeyedtheoldmanwithacoldandfirmlook。
\"Sobeit；thefirmofSmolinandMayakin，andthat\'sall？So。
Onlyitseemsratherlateformetostartanewbusiness，doesn\'tit？Ipresumethegravehaslongbeenpreparedforme；whatdoyouthinkofit？\"
InsteadofananswerSmolinburstintoarich，butindifferentandcoldlaughter，andthensaid：
\"Oh，don\'tsaythat。\"
Theoldmanshudderedathislaughter，andstartedbackwithfright，withascarcelyperceptiblemovementofhisbody。AfterSmolin\'swordsallthreemaintainedsilenceforaboutaminute。
\"Yes，\"saidMayakin，withoutliftinghishead，whichwasbentlow。\"Itisnecessarytothinkofthat。Imustthinkofit。\"
Then，raisinghishead，hecloselyscrutinisedhisdaughterandthebridegroom，and，risingfromhischair，hesaidsternlyandbrusquely：\"Iamgoingawayforawhiletomylittlecabinet。Yousurelywon\'tfeellonesomewithoutme。\"
Andhewentoutwithbentbackanddroopinghead，heavilyscrapingwithhisfeet。
Theyoungpeople，thusleftalone，exchangedafewemptyphrases，and，evidentlyconsciousthattheseonlyhelpedtoremovethemfurtherfromeachother，theymaintainedapainful，awkwardandexpectantsilence。Takinganorange，Lubovbegantopeelitwithexaggeratedattention，whileSmolin，loweringhiseyes，examinedhismoustaches，whichhecarefullystrokedwithhislefthand，toyedwithaknifeandsuddenlyaskedthegirlinaloweredvoice：
\"Pardonmeformyindiscretion。Itisevidentlyreallydifficultforyou，LubovYakovlevna，tolivewithyourfather。He\'samanwithold-fashionedviewsand，pardonme，he\'sratherhard-
hearted！\"
Lubovshuddered，and，castingatthered-headedmanagratefullook，said：
\"Itisn\'teasy，butIhavegrownaccustomedtoit。Healsohashisgoodqualities。\"
\"Oh，undoubtedly！Buttoyouwhoaresoyoung，beautifulandeducated，toyouwithyourviews……Yousee，Ihaveheardsomethingaboutyou。\"
Hesmiledsokindlyandsympathetically，andhisvoicewassosoft，abreathofsoul-cheeringwarmthfilledtheroom。Andintheheartofthegirlthereblazedupmoreandmorebrightlythetimidhopeoffindinghappiness，ofbeingfreedfromtheclosecaptivityofsolitude。
CHAPTERXII
ADENSE，grayishfoglayovertheriver，andasteamer，nowandthenutteringadullwhistle，wasslowlyforgingupagainstthecurrent。Dampandcoldclouds，ofamonotonepallor，envelopedthesteamerfromallsidesanddrownedallsounds，dissolvingthemintheirtroubleddampness。Thebrazenroaringofthesignalscameoutinamuffled，melancholydrone，andwasoddlybriefasitburstforthfromthewhistle。Thesoundseemedtofindnoplaceforitselfintheair，whichwassoakedwithheavydampness，andfelldownward，wetandchoked。Andthesplashingofthesteamer\'swheelssoundedsofantasticallydullthatitseemedasthoughitwerenotbegottennearby，atthesidesofthevessel，butsomewhereinthedepth，onthedarkbottomoftheriver。Fromthesteameronecouldseeneitherthewater，northeshore，northesky；aleaden-graygloominessenwrappeditonallsides；devoidofshadings，painfullymonotonous，thegloominesswasmotionless，itoppressedthesteamerwithimmeasurableweight，slackeneditsmovementsandseemedasthoughpreparingitselftoswallowitevenasitwasswallowingthesounds。Inspiteofthedullblowsofthepaddlesuponthewaterandthemeasuredshakingofthebodyofthevessel，itseemedthatthesteamerwaspainfullystrugglingononespot，suffocatinginagony，hissinglikeafairytalemonsterbreathinghislast，howlinginthepangsofdeath，howlingwithpain，andinthefearofdeath。
Lifelesswerethesteamerlights。Aboutthelanternonthemastayellowmotionlessspothadformed；devoidoflustre，ithunginthefogoverthesteamer，illuminatingnothingsavethegraymist。Theredstarboardlightlookedlikeahugeeyecrushedoutbysomeone\'scruelfist，blinded，overflowingwithblood。Paleraysoflightfellfromthesteamer\'swindowsintothefog，andonlytinteditscold，cheerlessdominionoverthevessel，whichwaspressedonallsidesbythemotionlessmassofstiflingdampness。
Thesmokefromthefunnelfelldownwards，and，togetherwithfragmentsofthefog，penetratedintoallthecracksofthedeck，wherethethird-classpassengersweresilentlymufflingthemselvesintheirrags，andforminggroups，likesheep。Fromnearthemachinerywerewafteddeep，strainedgroans，thejinglingofbells，thedullsoundsofordersandtheabruptwordsofthemachinist：
\"Yes——slow！Yes——halfspeed！\"
Onthestern，inacorner，blockedupbybarrelsofsaltedfish，agroupofpeoplewasassembled，illuminatedbyasmallelectriclamp。Thoseweresedate，neatlyandwarmlycladpeasants。Oneofthemlayonabench，facedown；anothersatathisfeet，stillanotherstood，leaninghisbackagainstabarrel，whiletwoothersseatedthemselvesflatonthedeck。Theirfaces，pensiveandattentive，wereturnedtowardaround-shoulderedmaninashortcassock，turnedyellow，andatornfurcap。Thatmansatonsomeboxeswithhisbackbent，andstaringathisfeet，spokeinalow，confidentvoice：
\"TherewillcomeanendtothelongforbearanceoftheLord，andthenHiswrathwillburstforthuponmen。WearelikewormsbeforeHim，andhowarewethentowardoffHiswrath，withwhatwailingshallweappealtoHismercy？\"
Oppressedbyhisgloominess，Fomahadcomedownonthedeckfromhiscabin，and，forsometime，hadbeenstandingintheshadowofsomewarescoveredwithtarpaulin，andlistenedtotheadmonitiveandgentlevoiceofthepreacher。Pacingthedeckhehadchanceduponthisgroup，andattractedbythefigureofthepilgrim，hadpausednearit。Therewassomethingfamiliartohiminthatlarge，strongbody，inthatstern，darkface，inthoselarge，calmeyes。Thecurly，grayishhair，fallingfromundertheskull-
cap，theunkemptbushybeard，whichfellapartinthicklocks，thelong，hookednose，thesharp-pointedears，thethicklips——
Fomahadseenallthesebefore，butcouldnotrecallwhenandwhere。
\"Yes，weareverymuchinarrearsbeforetheLord！\"remarkedoneofthepeasants，heavingadeepsigh。
\"Wemustpray，\"whisperedthepeasantwholayonthebench，inascarcelyaudiblevoice。
\"Canyouscrapeyoursinfulwretchednessoffyoursoulwithwordsofprayer？\"exclaimedsomeoneloudly，almostwithdespairinhisvoice。
Nooneofthosethatformedthegrouparoundthepilgrimturnedatthisvoice，onlytheirheadssanklowerontheirbreasts，andforalongtimethesepeoplesatmotionlessandspeechless：
Thepilgrimmeasuredhisaudiencewithaseriousandmeditativeglanceofhisblueeyes，andsaidsoftly：
\"EphraimtheSyriansaid：\'Makethysoulthecentralpointofthythoughtsandstrengthenthyselfwiththydesiretobefreefromsin。
Andagainheloweredhishead，slowlyfingeringthebeadsoftherosary。
\"Thatmeanswemustthink，\"saidoneofthepeasants；\"butwhenhasamantimetothinkduringhislifeonearth？\"
\"Confusionisallaroundus。\"
\"Wemustfleetothedesert，\"saidthepeasantwholayonthebench。
\"Noteverybodycanaffordit。\"
Thepeasantsspoke，andbecamesilentagain。Ashrillwhistleresounded，alittlebellbegantojingleatthemachine。
Someone\'sloudexclamationrangout：
\"Eh，there！Tothewater-measuringpoles。\"
\"0hLord！0hQueenofHeaven！\"——adeepsighwasheard。
Andadull，half-chokedvoiceshouted：
\"Nine！nine！\"
Fragmentsofthefogburstforthuponthedeckandfloatedoveritlikecold，graysmoke。
\"Here，kindpeople，giveearuntothewordsofKingDavid，\"saidthepilgrim，andshakinghishead，begantoreaddistinctly：
\"\'Leadme，OhLord，inthyrighteousnessbecauseofmineenemies；
makethywaystraightbeforemyface。Forthereisnofaithfulnessintheirmouths；theirinwardpartisverywickedness；theirthroatisanopensepulchre；theyflatterwiththeirtongue。Destroythouthem，0hGod；letthemfallbytheirowncounsels。\'\"
\"Eight！seven！\"Likemoanstheseexclamationsresoundedinthedistance。
Thesteamerbegantohissangrily，andslackeneditsspeed。Thenoiseofthehissingofthesteamdeafenedthepilgrim\'swords，andFomasawonlythemovementofhislips。
\"Getoff！\"aloud，angryshoutwasheard。\"It\'smyplace！\"
\"Yours？\"
\"Hereyouhaveyours！\"
\"I\'llrapyouonthejaw；thenyou\'llfindyourplace。Whatalord！\"
\"Getaway！\"
Anuproarensued。Thepeasantswhowerelisteningtothepilgrimturnedtheirheadstowardthedirectionwheretherowwasgoingon，andthepilgrimheavedasighandbecamesilent。Nearthemachinealoudandlivelydisputeblazedupasthoughdrybranches，thrownuponadyingbonfire，hadcaughttheflame。
\"I\'llgiveittoyou，devils！Getaway，bothofyou。\"
\"Takethemawaytothecaptain。\"
\"Ha！ha！ha！That\'safinesettlementforyou！\"
\"Thatwasagoodraphegavehimontheneck！\"
\"Thesailorsareacleverlot。\"
\"Eight！nine！\"shoutedthemanwiththemeasuringpole。
\"Yes，increasespeed！\"cametheloudexclamationoftheengineer。
Swayingbecauseofthemotionofthesteamer，Fomastoodleaningagainstthetarpaulin，andattentivelylistenedtoeachandeverysoundabouthim。Andeverythingwasblendedintoonepicture，whichwasfamiliartohim。Throughfoganduncertainty，surroundedonallsidesbygloomimpenetrabletotheeye，lifeofmanismovingsomewhereslowlyandheavily。Andmenaregrievedovertheirsins，theysighheavily，andthenfightforawarmplace，andaskingeachotherforthesakeofpossessingtheplace，theyalsoreceiveblowsfromthosewhostrivefororderinlife。Theytimidlysearchforafreeroadtowardthegoal。
\"Nine！eight！\"
Thewailingcryissoftlywaftedoverthevessel。\"Andtheholyprayerofthepilgrimisdeafenedbythetumultoflife。Andthereisnorelieffromsorrow，thereisnojoyforhimwhoreflectsonhisfate。\"
Fomafeltlikespeakingtothispilgrim，inwhosesoftlyutteredwordsthererangsincerefearofGod，andallmanneroffearformenbeforeHiscountenance。Thekind，admonitivevoiceofthepilgrimpossessedapeculiarpower，whichcompelledFomatolistentoitsdeeptones。
\"I\'dliketoaskhimwherehelives，\"thoughtFoma，fixedlyscrutinizingthehugestoopingfigure。\"AndwherehaveIseenhimbefore？Ordoesheresemblesomeacquaintanceofmine？\"
SuddenlyitsomehowstruckFomawithparticularvividnessthatthehumblepreacherbeforehimwasnootherthanthesonofoldAnanyShchurov。Stunnedbythisconjecture，hewalkeduptothepilgrimandseatinghimselfbyhisside，inquiredfreely：
\"AreyoufromIrgiz，father？\"
Thepilgrimraisedhishead，turnedhisfacetowardFomaslowlyandheavily，scrutinizedhimandsaidinacalmandgentlevoice：
\"IwasontheIrgiz，too。\"
\"Areyouanativeofthatplace？\"
\"Areyounowcomingfromthere？\"
\"No，IamcomingfromSaintStephen。\"
Theconversationbrokeoff。FomalackedthecouragetoaskthepilgrimwhetherhewasnotShchurov。
\"We\'llbelateonaccountofthefog，\"saidsomeone。
\"Howcanwehelpbeinglate！\"
Allweresilent，lookingatFoma。Young，handsome，neatlyandrichlydressed，hearousedthecuriosityofthebystandersbyhissuddenappearanceamongthem；hewasconsciousofthiscuriosity，heunderstoodthattheywereallwaitingforhiswords，thattheywantedtounderstandwhyhehadcometothem，andallthisconfusedandangeredhim。
\"ItseemstomethatI\'vemetyoubeforesomewhere，father，\"saidheatlength。
Thepilgrimreplied，withoutlookingathim：
\"Perhaps。\"
\"Iwouldliketospeaktoyou，\"announcedFoma，timidly，inalowvoice。
\"Well，then，speak。\"
\"Comewithme。\"
\"Whither？\"
\"Tomycabin。\"
ThepilgrimlookedintoFoma\'sface，and，afteramoment\'ssilence，assented：
\"Come。\"
Onleaving，Fomafeltthelooksofthepeasantsonhisback，andnowhewaspleasedtoknowthattheywereinterestedinhim。
Inthecabinheaskedgently：
\"Wouldyouperhapseatsomething？Tellme。Iwillorderit。\"
\"Godforbid。Whatdoyouwish？\"
Thisman，dirtyandragged，inacassockturnedredwithage，andcoveredwithpatches，surveyedthecabinwithasqueamishlook，andwhenheseatedhimselfontheplush-coveredlounge，heturnedtheskirtofthecassockasthoughafraidtosoilitbytheplush。
\"Whatisyourname，father？\"askedFoma，noticingtheexpressionofsqueamishnessonthepilgrim\'sface。
\"Miron。\"
\"NotMikhail？\"
\"WhyMikhail？\"askedthepilgrim。
\"TherewasinourtownthesonofacertainmerchantShchurov，healsowentofftotheIrgiz。AndhisnamewasMikhail。\"
FomaspokeandfixedlylookedatFatherMiron；butthelatterwasascalmasadeaf-mute——
\"Inevermetsuchaman。Idon\'tremember，Inevermethim，\"saidhe，thoughtfully。\"Soyouwishedtoinquireabouthim？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"No，InevermetMikhailShchurov。Well，pardonmeforChrist\'ssake！\"andrisingfromthelounge，thepilgrimbowedtoFomaandwenttowardthedoor。
\"Butwaitawhile，sitdown，let\'stalkalittle！\"exclaimedFoma，rushingathimuneasily。Thepilgrimlookedathimsearchinglyandsankdownonthelounge。Fromthedistancecameadullsound，likeadeepgroan，andimmediatelyafteritthesignalwhistleofthesteamerdrawledoutasinafrightenedmanneroverFoma\'sandhisguest\'sheads。Fromthedistancecameamoredistantreply，andthewhistleoverheadagaingaveoutabrupt，timoroussounds。
Fomaopenedthewindow。Throughthefog，notfarfromtheirsteamer，somethingwasmovingalongwithdeepnoise；specksoffantasticlightsfloatedby，thefogwasagitatedandagainsankintodeadimmobility。
\"Howterrible！\"exclaimedFoma，shuttingthewindow。
\"Whatistheretobeafraidof？\"askedthepilgrim。\"Yousee！Itisneitherdaynornight，neitherdarknessnorlight！Wecanseenothing，wearesailingweknownotwhither，wearestrayingontheriver。\"
\"Haveinwardfirewithinyou，havelightwithinyoursoul，andyoushallseeeverything，\"saidthepilgrim，sternlyandinstructively。
Fomawasdispleasedwiththesecoldwordsandlookedatthepilgrimaskance。Thelattersatwithdroopinghead，motionless，asthoughpetrifiedinthoughtandprayer。Thebeadsofhisrosaryweresoftlyrustlinginhishands。
Thepilgrim\'sattitudegavebirthtoeasycourageinFoma\'sbreast，andhesaid：
\"Tellme，FatherMiron，isitgoodtolive，havingfullfreedom，withoutwork，withoutrelatives，awanderer，likeyourself？\"
FatherMironraisedhisheadandsoftlyburstintothecaressinglaughterofachild。Allhisface，tannedfromwindandsunburn，brightenedupwithinwardjoy，wasradiantwithtranquiljoy；hetouchedFoma\'skneewithhishandandsaidinasinceretone：
\"Castasidefromyouallthatisworldly，forthereisnosweetnessinit。Iamtellingyoutherightword——turnawayfromevil。Doyourememberitissaid：
\'Blessedisthemanthatwalkethnotinthecounseloftheungodly，norstandethinthewayofsinners。\'Turnaway，refreshyoursoulwithsolitudeandfillyourselfwiththethoughtofGod。ForonlybythethoughtofHimcanmansavehissoulfromprofanation。\"
\"Thatisn\'tthething！\"saidFoma。\"Ihavenoneedofworkingoutmysalvation。HaveIsinnedsomuch？Lookatothers。WhatIwouldlikeistocomprehendthings。\"
\"Andyouwillcomprehendifyouturnawayfromtheworld。Goforthuponthefreeroad，onthefields，onthesteppes，ontheplains，onthemountains。Goforthandlookattheworldfromafar，fromyourfreedom。\"
\"That\'sright！\"criedFoma。\"That\'sjustwhatIthink。Onecanseebetterfromtheside！\"
AndMiron，payingnoattentiontohiswords，spokesoftly，asthoughofsomegreatmystery，knownonlytohim，thepilgrim：
\"ThethickslumberingforestsaroundyouwillstarttorustleinsweetvoicesaboutthewisdomoftheLord；God\'slittlebirdswillsingbeforeyouofHisholyglory，andthegrassesofthesteppewillburnincensetotheHolyVirgin。\"
Thepilgrim\'svoicenowroseandquiveredfromexcessofemotion，nowsanktoamysteriouswhisper。Heseemedasthoughgrownyounger；hiseyesbeamedsoconfidentlyandclearly，andallhisfacewasradiantwiththehappysmileofamanwhohasfoundexpressionforhisjoyandwasdelightedwhilehepoureditforth。
\"TheheartofGodthrobsineachandeverybladeofgrass；eachandeveryinsectoftheairandoftheearth，breathesHisholyspirit。God，theLord，JesusChrist，liveseverywhere！Whatbeautythereisonearth，inthefieldsandintheforests！HaveyoueverbeenontheKerzhenz？Anincomparablesilencereignstheresupreme，thetrees，thegrasstherearelikethoseofparadise。\"
Fomalistened，andhisimagination，captivatedbythequiet，charmingnarrative，picturedtohimthosewidefieldsanddenseforests，fullofbeautyandsoul-pacifyingsilence。
\"Youlookatthesky，asyourestsomewhereunderalittlebush，andtheskyseemstodescenduponyouasthoughlongingtoembraceyou。Yoursouliswarm，filledwithtranquiljoy，youdesirenothing，youenvynothing。AnditactuallyseemstoyouthatthereisnooneonearthsaveyouandGod。\"
Thepilgrimspoke，andhisvoiceandsing-songspeechremindedFomaofthewonderfulfairy-talesofAuntAnfisa。Hefeltasthough，afteralongjourneyonahotday，hedranktheclear，coldwaterofaforestbrook，waterthathadthefragranceofthegrassesandtheflowersithasbathed。Evenwiderandwidergrewthepicturesastheyunfoldeduponhim；hereisapaththroughthethick，slumberingforest；thefinesunbeamspenetratethroughthebranchesofthetrees，andquiverintheairandunderthefeetofthewanderer。Thereisasavouryodouroffungianddecayingfoliage；thehoneyedfragranceoftheflowers，theintenseodourofthepine-treeinvisiblyriseintheairandpenetratethebreastinawarm，richstream。Allissilence：onlythebirdsaresinging，andthesilenceissowonderfulthatitseemsasthougheventhebirdsweresinginginyourbreast。Yougo，withouthaste，andyourlifegoesonlikeadream。Whilehereeverythingisenvelopedinagray，deadfog，andwearefoolishlystrugglingaboutinit，yearningforfreedomandlight。Therebelowtheyhavestartedtosingsomethinginscarcelyaudiblevoices；itwashalfsong，halfprayer。Againsomeoneisshouting，scolding。Andstilltheyseektheway：
\"Sevenandahalf。Seven！\"
\"Andyouhavenocare，\"spokethepilgrim，andhisvoicemurmuredlikeabrook。\"Anybodywillgiveyouacrustofbread；andwhatelsedoyouneedinyourfreedom？Intheworld，caresfalluponthesoullikefetters。\"
\"Youspeakwell，\"saidFomawithasigh。
\"Mydearbrother！\"exclaimedthepilgrim，softly，movingstillclosertowardhim。\"Sincethesoulhasawakened，sinceityearnstowardfreedom，donotlullittosleepbyforce；hearkentoitsvoice。Theworldwithitscharmshasnobeautyandholinesswhatever，wherefore，then，obeyitslaws？InJohnChrysostomitissaid：\'Therealshechinahisman！\'ShechinahisaHebrewwordanditmeanstheholyofholies。Consequently——\"
Aprolongedshrillsoundofthewhistledrownedhisvoice。Helistened，rosequicklyfromtheloungeandsaid：
\"Wearenearingtheharbour。That\'swhatthewhistlemeant。I
mustbeoff！Well，goodbye，brother！MayGodgiveyoustrengthandfirmnesstoactaccordingtothewillofyoursoul！Goodbye，mydearboy！\"
HemadealowbowtoFoma。Therewassomethingfeminine，caressingandsoftinhisfarewellwordsandbow。Fomaalsobowedlowtohim，bowedandremainedasthoughpetrified，standingwithdroopinghead，hishandleaningagainstthetable。
\"Cometoseemewhenyouareintown，\"heaskedthepilgrim，whowashastilyturningthehandleofthecabindoor。
\"Iwill！Iwillcome！Goodbye！Christsaveyou！\"
Whenthesteamer\'ssidetouchedthewharfFomacameoutonthedeckandbegantolookdownwardintothefog。Fromthesteamerpeoplewerewalkingdownthegang-planks，butFomacouldnotdiscernthepilgrimamongthosedarkfiguresenvelopedinthedensegloom。Allthosethatleftthesteamerlookedequallyindistinct，andtheyallquicklydisappearedfromsight，asthoughtheyhadmeltedinthegraydampness。Onecouldseeneithertheshorenoranythingelsesolid；thelandingbridgerockedfromthecommotioncausedbythesteamer；aboveittheyellowspotofthelanternwasswaying；thenoiseofthefootstepsandthebustleofthepeopleweredull。
Thesteamerputoffandslowlymovedalongintotheclouds。Thepilgrim，theharbour，theturmoilofpeople\'svoices——allsuddenlydisappearedlikeadream，andagainthereremainedonlythedensegloomandthesteamerheavilyturningaboutinit。Fomastaredbeforehimintothedeadseaoffogandthoughtoftheblue，cloudlessandcaressinglywarmsky——wherewasit？
Onthenextday，aboutnoon，hesatInYozhov\'ssmallroomandlistenedtothelocalnewsfromthemouthofhisfriend。Yozhovhadclimbedonthetable，whichwaspiledwithnewspapers，and，swinginghisfeet，narrated：
\"Theelectioncampaignhasbegun。Themerchantsareputtingyourgodfatherupasmayor——thatolddevil！Likethedevil，heisimmortal，althoughhemustbeupwardsofahundredandfiftyyearsoldalready。HemarrieshisdaughtertoSmolin。Yourememberthatred-headedfellow。Theysaythatheisadecentman，butnowadaystheyevencallcleverscoundrelsdecentmen，becausetherearenomen。NowAfricashkaplaystheenlightenedman；hehasalreadymanagedtogetintointelligentsociety，donatedsomethingtosomeenterpriseoranotherandthusatoncecametothefront。Judgingfromhisface，heisasharperofthehighestdegree，buthewillplayaprominentpart，forheknowshowtoadapthimself。Yes，friend，Africashkaisaliberal。Andaliberalmerchantisamixtureofawolfandapigwithatoadandasnake。\"
\"Thedeviltakethemall！\"saidFoma，wavinghishandindifferently。\"WhathaveItodowiththem？Howaboutyourself——
doyoustillkeepondrinking？\"
\"Ido！Whyshouldn\'tIdrink？\"
Half-cladanddishevelled，Yozhovlookedlikeapluckedbird，whichhadjusthadafightandhadnotyetrecoveredfromtheexcitementoftheconflict。
\"Idrinkbecause，fromtimetotime，Imustquenchthefireofmywoundedheart。Andyou，youdampstump，youaresmoulderinglittlebylittle？\"
\"Ihavetogototheoldman，\"saidFoma，wrinklinghisface。
\"Chanceit！\"
\"Idon\'tfeellikegoing。He\'llstarttolectureme。\"
\"Thendon\'tgo！\"
\"ButImust。\"
\"Thengo！\"
\"Whydoyoualwaysplaythebuffoon？\"saidFoma，withdispleasure，\"asthoughyouwereindeedmerry。\"
\"ByGod，Ifeelmerry！\"exclaimedYozhov，jumpingdownfromthetable。\"WhatafineroastingIgaveacertaingentlemaninthepaperyesterday！Andthen——I\'veheardacleveranecdote：A
companywassittingonthesea-shorephilosophizingatlengthuponlife。AndaJewsaidtothem：\'Gentlemen，whydoyouemploysomanydifferentwords？I\'lltellittoyouallatonce：Ourlifeisnotworthasinglecopeck，evenasthisstormysea！\'\"
\"Eh，thedeviltakeyou！\"saidFoma。\"Good-bye。Iamgoing。\"
\"Goahead！Iaminafineframeofmindto-dayandIwillnotmoanwithyou。Allthemoresoconsideringyoudon\'tmoan，butgrunt。\"
Fomawentaway，leavingYozhovsingingatthetopofhisvoice：
\"Beatthedrumandfearnot。\"
\"Drum？Youareadrumyourself；\"thoughtFoma，withirritation，asheslowlycameoutonthestreet。
AttheMayakinshewasmetbyLuba。Agitatedandanimated，shesuddenlyappearedbeforehim，speakingquickly：
\"You？MyGod！Howpaleyouare！Howthinyou\'vegrown！Itseemsyouhavebeenleadingafinelife。\"
Thenherfacebecamedistortedwithalarmandsheexclaimedalmostinawhisper：
\"Ah，Foma。Youdon\'tknow。Doyouhear？Someoneisringingthebell。Perhapsitishe。\"
Andsherushedoutoftheroom，leavingbehindherintheairtherustleofhersilkgown，andtheastonishedFoma，whohadnotevenhadachancetoaskherwhereherfatherwas。YakovTarasovichwasathome。Attiredinhisholidayclothes，inalongfrockcoatwithmedalsonhisbreast，hestoodonthethresholdwithhishandsoutstretched，clutchingatthedoorposts。HisgreenlittleeyesexaminedFoma，and，feelingtheirlookuponhim，Fomaraisedhisheadandmetthem。
\"Howdoyoudo，myfinegentleman？\"saidtheoldman，shakinghisheadreproachfully。\"Wherehasitpleasedyoutocomefrom，mayI
ask？Whohassuckedoffthatfatofyours？Orisittruethatapiglooksforapuddle，andFomaforaplacewhichisworse？\"
\"Haveyounootherwordsforme？\"askedFoma，sternly，lookingstraightintotheoldman\'sface。Andsuddenlyhenoticedthathisgodfathershuddered，hislegstrembled，hiseyesbegantoblinkrepeatedly，andhishandsclutchedthedoorpostswithaneffort。Fomaadvancedtowardhim，presumingthattheoldmanwasfeelingill，butYakovTarasovichsaidinadullandangryvoice：
\"Standaside。Getoutoftheway。\"
Andhisfaceassumeditsusualexpression。
Fomasteppedbackandfoundhimselfsidebysidewitharathershort，stoutman，whobowedtoMayakin，andsaidinahoarsevoice：
\"Howdoyoudo，papa？\"
\"Howareyou，TarasYakovlich，howareyou？\"saidtheoldman，bowing，smilingdistractedly，andstillclingingtothedoorposts。
Fomasteppedasideinconfusion，seatedhimselfinanarmchair，and，petrifiedwithcuriosity，wide-eyed，begantowatchthemeetingoffatherandson。
Thefather，standinginthedoorway，swayedhisfeeblebody，leaninghishandsagainstthedoorposts，and，withhisheadbentononesideandeyeshalfshut，staredathissoninsilence。Thesonstoodaboutthreestepsawayfromhim；hisheadalreadygray，wasliftedhigh；heknittedhisbrowandgazedathisfatherwithlargedarkeyes。Hissmall，black，pointedbeardandhissmallmoustachequiveredonhismeagreface，withitsgristlynose，likethatofhisfather。Andthehat，also，quiveredinhishand。
FrombehindhisshoulderFomasawthepale，frightenedandjoyousfaceofLuba——shelookedatherfatherwithbeseechingeyesanditseemedshewasonthepointofcryingout。Forafewmomentsallweresilentandmotionless，crushedastheywerebytheimmensityoftheiremotions。Thesilencewasbrokenbythelow，butdullandquiveringvoiceofYakovTarasovich：
\"Youhavegrownold，Taras。\"
Thesonlaughedinhisfather\'sfacesilently，and，withaswiftglance，surveyedhimfromheadtofoot。
Thefathertearinghishandsfromthedoorposts，madeasteptowardhissonandsuddenlystoppedshortwithafrown。ThenTarasMayakin，withonehugestep，cameuptohisfatherandgavehimhishand。
\"Well，letuskisseachother，\"suggestedthefather，softly。
Thetwooldmenconvulsivelyclaspedeachotherintheirarms，exchangedwarmkissesandthensteppedapart。Thewrinklesoftheoldermanquivered，theleanfaceoftheyoungerwasimmobile，almoststern。Thekisseshadchangednothingintheexternalsideofthisscene，onlyLubovburstintoasobofjoy，andFomaawkwardlymovedaboutinhisseat，feelingasthoughhisbreathwerefailinghim。
\"Eh，children，youarewoundstotheheart——youarenotitsjoy，\"
complainedYakovTarasovichinaringingvoice，andheevidentlyinvestedagreatdealinthesewords，forimmediatelyafterhehadpronouncedthemhebecameradiant，morecourageous，andhesaidbriskly，addressinghimselftohisdaughter：
\"Well，haveyoumeltedwithjoy？Youhadbettergoandpreparesomethingforus——teaandsoforth。We\'llentertaintheprodigalson。Youmusthaveforgotten，mylittleoldman，whatsortofamanyourfatheris？\"
TarasMayakinscrutinizedhisparentwithameditativelookofhislargeeyesandhesmiled，speechless，cladinblack，whereforethegrayhaironhisheadandinhisbeardtoldmorestrikingly。
\"Well，beseated。Tellme——howhaveyoulived，whathaveyoudone？Whatareyoulookingat？Ah！That\'smygodson。IgnatGordyeeff\'sson，Foma。DoyourememberIgnat？\"
\"Iremembereverything，\"saidTaras。
\"Oh！That\'sgood，ifyouarenotbragging。Well，areyoumarried？\"
\"Iamawidower。\"
\"Haveyouanychildren？\"
\"Theydied。Ihadtwo。\"
\"That\'sapity。Iwouldhavehadgrandchildren。\"
\"MayIsmoke？\"askedTaras。
\"Goahead。Justlookathim，you\'resmokingcigars。\"
\"Don\'tyoulikethem？\"
\"I？Comeon，it\'sallthesametome。Isaythatitlooksratheraristocratictosmokecigars。\"
\"Andwhyshouldweconsiderourselveslowerthanthearistocrats？\"saidTaras，laughing。
\"Do，Iconsiderourselveslower？\"exclaimedtheoldman。\"I
merelysaiditbecauseitlookedridiculoustome，suchasedateoldfellow，withbeardtrimmedinforeignfashion，cigarinhismouth。Whoishe？Myson——he-he-he！\"theoldmantappedTarasontheshoulderandsprangawayfromhim，asthoughfrightenedlesthewererejoicingtoosoon，lestthatmightnotbetheproperwaytotreatthathalfgrayman。Andhelookedsearchinglyandsuspiciouslyintohisson\'slargeeyes，whichweresurroundedbyyellowishswellings。
Tarassmiledinhisfather\'sfaceanaffableandwarmsmile，andsaidtohimthoughtfully：
\"That\'sthewayIrememberyou——cheerfulandlively。Itlooksasthoughyouhadnotchangedabitduringalltheseyears。\"
Theoldmanstraightenedhimselfproudly，and，strikinghisbreastwithhisfist，said：
\"Ishallneverchange，becauselifehasnopoweroverhimwhoknowshisownvalue。Isn\'tthatso？\"
\"Oh！Howproudyouare！\"
\"Imusthavetakenaftermyson，\"saidtheoldmanwithacunninggrimace。\"Doyouknow，dear，mysonwassilentforseventeenyearsoutofpride。\"
\"That\'sbecausehisfatherwouldnotlistentohim，\"Tarasremindedhim。
\"It\'sallrightnow。Nevermindthepast。OnlyGodknowswhichofusistoblame。He，theuprightone，He\'lltellittoyou——wait！
Ishallkeepsilence。Thisisnotthetimeforustodiscussthatmatter。Youbettertellme——whathaveyoubeendoingalltheseyears？Howdidyoucometothatsodafactory？Howhaveyoumadeyourway？\"
\"That\'salongstory，\"saidTaraswithasigh；andemittingfromhismouthagreatpuffofsmoke，hebeganslowly：\"WhenI
acquiredthepossibilitytoliveatliberty，IenteredtheofficeofthesuperintendentofthegoldminesoftheRemezovs。\"
\"Iknow；they\'reveryrich。Threebrothers。Iknowthemall。Oneisacripple，theotherafool，andthethirdamiser。Goon！\"
\"Iservedunderhimfortwoyears。AndthenImarriedhisdaughter，\"narratedMayakininahoarsevoice。
\"Thesuperintendent\'s？Thatwasn\'tfoolishatall。\"Tarasbecamethoughtfulandwassilentawhile。Theoldmanlookedathissadfaceandunderstoodhisson。
\"Andsoyoulivedwithyourwifehappily，\"hesaid。\"Well，whatcanyoudo？Tothedeadbelongsparadise，andthelivingmustliveon。Youarenotsoveryoldasyet。Haveyoubeenawidowerlong？\"
\"Thisisthethirdyear。\"
\"So？Andhowdidyouchanceuponthesodafactory？\"
\"Thatbelongstomyfather-in-law。\"
\"Aha！Whatisyoursalary？\"
\"Aboutfivethousand。\"
\"Mm。That\'snotastalecrust。Yes，that\'sagalleyslaveforyou！\"
Tarasglancedathisfatherwithafirmlookandaskedhimdrily：
\"Bytheway，whatmakesyouthinkthatIwasaconvict？\"
Theoldmanglancedathissonwithastonishment，whichwasquicklychangedintojoy：
\"Ah！Whatthen？Youwerenot？Thedeviltakethem！Then——howwasit？Don\'ttakeoffence！HowcouldIknow？TheysaidyouwereinSiberia！Well，andtherearethegalleys！\"
\"Tomakeanendofthisonceforall，\"saidTaras，seriouslyandimpressively，clappinghishandonhisknee，\"I\'lltellyourightnowhowitallhappened。IwasbanishedtoSiberiatosettlethereforsixyears，and，duringallthetimeofmyexile，I
livedintheminingregionoftheLena。InMoscowIwasimprisonedforaboutninemonths。That\'sall！\"
\"So-o！Butwhatdoesitmean？\"mutteredYakovTarasovich，withconfusionandjoy。
\"Andheretheycirculatedthatabsurdrumour。\"
\"That\'sright——itisabsurdindeed！\"saidtheoldman，distressed。
\"Anditdidaprettygreatdealofharmonacertainoccasion。\"
\"Really？Isthatpossible？\"
\"Yes。Iwasabouttogointobusinessformyself，andmycreditwasruinedonaccountof——\"
\"Pshaw！\"saidYakovTarasovich，ashespatangrily。\"Oh，devil！
Come，come，isthatpossible？\"
Fomasatallthistimeinhiscorner，listeningtotheconversationbetweentheMayakins，and，blinkingperplexedly，hefixedlyexaminedthenewcomer。RecallingLubov\'sbearingtowardherbrother，andinfluenced，toacertaindegree，byherstoriesaboutTaras，heexpectedtoseeinhimsomethingunusual，somethingunliketheordinarypeople。HehadthoughtthatTaraswouldspeakinsomepeculiarway，woulddressinamannerpeculiartohimself；andingeneralhewouldbeunlikeotherpeople。Whilebeforehimsatasedate，stoutman，faultlesslydressed，withsterneyes，verymuchlikehisfatherinface，andtheonlydifferencebetweenthemwasthatthesonhadacigarinhismouthandablackbeard。Hespokebrieflyinabusiness-likewayofeverydaythings——wherewas，then，thatpeculiarsomethingabouthim？Nowhebegantotellhisfatheroftheprofitsinthemanufactureofsoda。Hehadnotbeenagalleyslave——Lubovhadlied！AndFomawasverymuchpleasedwhenhepicturedtohimselfhowhewouldspeaktoLubovaboutherbrother。
Nowandthensheappearedinthedoorwayduringtheconversationbetweenherfatherandherbrother。Herfacewasradiantwithhappiness，andhereyesbeamedwithjoyasshelookedattheblackfigureofTaras，cladinsuchapeculiarlythickfrockcoat，withpocketsonthesidesandwithbigbuttons。Shewalkedontiptoe，andsomehowalwaysstretchedhernecktowardherbrother。Fomalookedatherquestioningly，butshedidnotnoticehim，constantlyrunningbackandforthpastthedoor，withplatesandbottlesinherhands。
Itsohappenedthatsheglancedintotheroomjustwhenherbrotherwastellingherfatheraboutthegalleys。Shestoppedasthoughpetrified，holdingatrayinheroutstretchedhandsandlistenedtoeverythingherbrothersaidaboutthepunishmentinflicteduponhim。Shelistened，andslowlywalkedaway，withoutcatchingFoma\'sastonishedandsarcasticglance。AbsorbedinhisreflectionsonTaras，slightlyoffendedbythelackofattentionshownhim，andbythefactthatsincethehandshakeattheintroductionTarashadnotgivenhimasingleglance，FomaceasedforawhiletofollowtheconversationoftheMayakins，andsuddenlyhefeltthatsomeoneseizedhimbytheshoulder。Hetrembledandsprangtohisfeet，almostfellinghisgodfather，whostoodbeforehimwithexcitedface：
\"There——look！Thatisaman！That\'swhataMayakinis！Theyhaveseventimesboiledhiminlye；theyhavesqueezedoiloutofhim，andyethelives！Understand？Withoutanyaid——alone——hemadehiswayandfoundhisplaceand——heisproud！ThatmeansMayakin！A
Mayakinmeansamanwhoholdshisfateinhisownhands。Doyouunderstand？Takealessonfromhim！Lookathim！Youcannotfindanotherlikehiminahundred；you\'dhavetolookforoneinathousand。What？Justbearthisinmind：YoucannotforgeaMayakinfrommanintoeitherdevilorangel。\"
Stupefiedbythistempestuousshock，Fomabecameconfusedanddidnotknowwhattosayinreplytotheoldman\'snoisysongofpraise。HesawthatTaras，calmlysmokinghiscigar，waslookingathisfather，andthatthecornersofhislipswerequiveringwithasmile。Hisfacelookedcondescendinglycontented，andallhisfiguresomewhataristocraticandhaughty。Heseemedtobeamusedbytheoldman\'sjoy。
AndYakovTarasovichtappedFomaonthechestwithhisfingerandsaid：
\"Idonotknowhim，myownson。Hehasnotopenedhissoultome。
Itmaybethatsuchadifferencehadgrownupbetweenusthatnotonlyaneagle，butthedevilhimselfcannotcrossit。Perhapshisbloodhasoverboiled；thatthereisnoteventhescentofthefather\'sbloodinit。ButheisaMayakin！AndIcanfeelitatonce！Ifeelitandsay：\'TodaythouforgivestThyservant，0hLord！\'\"
Theoldmanwastremblingwiththefeverofhisexultation，andfairlyhoppedashestoodbeforeFoma。
\"Calmyourself，father！\"saidTaras，slowlyrisingfromhischairandwalkinguptohisfather。\"Whyconfusetheyoungman？Come，letussitdown。\"
HegaveFomaafleetingsmile，and，takinghisfatherbythearm，ledhimtowardthetable。
\"Ibelieveinblood，\"saidYakovTarasovich；\"inhereditaryblood。Thereinliesallpower！Myfather，Iremember，toldme：
\'Yashka，youaremygenuineblood！\'There。ThebloodoftheMayakinsisthick——itistransferredfromfathertofatherandnowomancaneverweakenit。Letusdrinksomechampagne！Shallwe？
Verywell，then！Tellmemore——tellmeaboutyourself。HowisitthereinSiberia？\"
Andagain，asthoughfrightenedandsoberedbysomethought，theoldmanfixedhissearchingeyesuponthefaceofhisson。Andafewminuteslaterthecircumstantialbutbriefrepliesofhissonagainarousedinhimanoisyjoy。Fomakeptonlisteningandwatching，ashesatquietlyinhiscorner。
\"Goldmining，ofcourse，isasolidbusiness，\"saidTaras，calmly，withimportance，\"butitisaratherriskyoperationandonerequiringalargecapital。Theearthsaysnotawordaboutwhatitcontainswithinit。Itisveryprofitabletodealwithforeigners。Dealingswiththem，underanycircumstances，yieldanenormouspercentage。Thatisaperfectlyinfallibleenterprise。
Butawearyone，itmustbeadmitted。Itdoesnotrequiremuchbrains；thereisnoroominitforanextraordinaryman；amanwithgreatenterprisingpowercannotdevelopinit。\"
Luboventeredandinvitedthemallintothedining-room。WhentheMayakinssteppedoutFomaimperceptiblytuggedLubovbythesleeve，andsheremainedwithhimalone，inquiringhastily：
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidFoma，withasmile。\"Iwanttoaskyouwhetheryouareglad？\"
\"OfcourseIam！\"exclaimedLubov。
\"Andwhatabout？\"
\"Thatis，whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Justso。Whatabout？\"
\"You\'requeer！\"saidLubov，lookingathimwithastonishment。
\"Can\'tyousee？\"
\"What？\"askedFoma，sarcastically。
\"What\'sthetroublewithyou？\"saidLubov，lookingathimuneasily。
\"Eh，you！\"drawledoutFoma，withcontemptuouspity。\"Canyourfather，canthemerchantclassbegetanythinggood？Canyouexpectaradishtobringforthraspberries？Andyouliedtome。
Tarasisthis，Tarasisthat。Whatisinhim？Amerchant，liketheothermerchants，andhispaunchisalsothatoftherealmerchant。He-he！\"Hewassatisfied，seeingthatthegirl，confusedbyhiswords，wasbitingherlips，nowflushing，nowturningpale。
\"You——you，Foma，\"shebegan，inachokingvoice，andsuddenlystampingherfoot，shecried：
\"Don\'tyoudaretospeaktome！\"
Onreachingthethresholdoftheroom，sheturnedherangryfacetohim，andejaculatedinalowvoice，emphatically：
\"Oh，youmaliciousman！\"
Fomaburstintolaughter。Hedidnotfeellikegoingtothetable，wherethreehappypeoplewereengagedinalivelyconversation。Heheardtheirmerryvoices，theircontentedlaughter，therattleofthedishes，andheunderstoodthat，withthatburdenonhisheart，therewasnoplaceforhimbesidethem。
Norwasthereaplaceforhimanywhere。Ifallpeopleonlyhatedhim，evenasLubovhatedhimnow，hewouldfeelmoreateaseintheirmidst，hethought。Thenhewouldknowhowtobehavewiththem，wouldfindsomethingtosaytothem。Whilenowhecouldnotunderstandwhethertheywerepityinghimorwhethertheywerelaughingathim，becausehehadlosthiswayandcouldnotconformhimselftoanything。Ashestoodawhilealoneinthemiddleoftheroom，heunconsciouslyresolvedtoleavethishousewherepeoplewererejoicingandwherehewassuperfluous。Onreachingthestreet，hefelthimselfoffendedbytheMayakins。
Afterall，theyweretheonlypeopleneartohimintheworld。
Beforehimarosehisgodfather\'sface，onwhichthewrinklesquiveredwithagitation，andilluminatedbythemerryglitterofhisgreeneyes，seemedtobeamwithphosphoriclight。
\"Evenarottentrunkofatreestandsoutinthedark！\"reflectedFoma，savagely。ThenherecalledthecalmandseriousfaceofTarasandbesideitthefigureofLubovbowingherselfhastilytowardhim。Thatarousedinhimfeelingsofenvyandsorrow。
\"Whowilllookatmelikethat？Thereisnotasoultodoit。\"
Hecametohimselffromhisbroodingsontheshore，atthelanding-places，arousedbythebustleoftoil。Allsortsofarticlesandwareswerecarriedandcartedineverydirection；
peoplemovedabouthastily，care-worn，spurringontheirhorsesexcitedly，shoutingatoneanother，fillingthestreetwithunintelligiblebustleanddeafeningnoiseofhurriedwork。Theybusiedthemselvesonanarrowstripofground，pavedwithstone，builtupononesidewithtallhouses，andtheothersidecutoffbyasteepravineattheriver，andtheirseethingbustlemadeuponFomaanimpressionasthoughtheyhadallpreparedthemselvestofleefromthistoilamidfilthandnarrownessandtumult——preparedthemselvestofleeandwerenowhasteningtocompletethesoonertheunfinishedworkwhichwouldnotreleasethem。Hugesteamers，standingbytheshoreandemittingcolumnsofsmokefromtheirfunnels，werealreadyawaitingthem。Thetroubledwateroftheriver，closelyobstructedwithvessels，wassoftlyandplaintivelysplashingagainsttheshore，asthoughimploringforaminuteofrestandrepose。
\"YourHonour！\"ahoarsecryrangoutnearFoma\'sears，\"contributesomebrandyinhonourofthebuilding！\"
Fomaglancedatthepetitionerindifferently；hewasahuge，beardedfellow，barefooted，withatornshirtandabruised，swollenface。
\"Getaway！\"mutteredFoma，andturnedawayfromhim。
\"Merchant！Whenyoudieyoucan\'ttakeyourmoneywithyou。Givemeforoneglassofbrandy，orareyoutoolazytoputyourhandintoyourpocket？\"
Fomaagainlookedatthepetitioner；thelatterstoodbeforehim，coveredmorewithmudthanwithclothes，and，tremblingwithintoxication，waitedobstinately，staringatFomawithblood-
shot，swolleneyes。
\"Isthatthewaytoask？\"inquiredFoma。
\"Howelse？Wouldyouwantmetogodownonmykneesbeforeyouforaten-copeckpiece？\"askedthebare-footedman，boldly。
\"There！\"andFomagavehimacoin。
\"Thanks！Fifteencopecks。Thanks！AndifyougivemefifteenmoreI\'llcrawlonallfoursrightuptothattavern。Doyouwantmeto？\"proposedthebarefootedman。
\"Go，leavemealone！\"saidFoma，wavinghimoffwithhishand。
\"Hewhogivesnotwhenhemay，whenhefainwould，shallhavenay，\"saidthebarefootedman，andsteppedaside。
Fomalookedathimashedeparted，andsaidtohimself：
\"Thereisaruinedmanandyethowboldheis。Heasksalmsasthoughdemandingadebt。Wheredosuchpeoplegetsomuchboldness？\"
Andheavingadeepsigh，heansweredhimself：
\"Fromfreedom。Themanisnotfettered。Whatistherethatheshouldregret？Whatdoeshefear？AndwhatdoIfear？WhatistherethatIshouldregret？\"
ThesetwoquestionsseemedtostrikeFoma\'sheartandcalledforthinhimadullperplexity。Helookedatthemovementoftheworkingpeopleandkeptonthinking：Whatdidheregret？Whatdidhefear？
\"Alone，withmyownstrength，Ishallevidentlynevercomeoutanywhere。LikeafoolIshallkeepontrampingaboutamongpeople，mockedandoffendedbyall。Iftheywouldonlyjostlemeaside；iftheywouldonlyhateme，then——then——Iwouldgooutintothewideworld！WhetherIlikedornot，Iwouldhavetogo！\"
Fromoneofthelandingwharvesthemerry\"dubinushka\"
[\"Dubinushka，\"orthe\"OakenCudgel，\"isasongpopularwiththeRussianworkmen。]hadalreadybeensmitingtheairforalongtime。Thecarriersweredoingacertainwork，whichrequiredbriskmovements，andwereadaptingthesongandtherefraintothem。
\"InthetavernsitgreatmerchantsDrinkingliquorsstrong，\"
narratedtheleader，inaboldrecitative。Thecompanyjoinedinunison：
\"Oh，dubinushka，heave-ho！\"
Andthenthebassossmotetheairwithdeepsounds：
\"Itgoes，itgoes。\"
Andthetenorsrepeated：
\"Itgoes，itgoes。\"