WhenIvanheardthesentencereadhelookedtriumphantlyatGavryltoseewhateffectitwouldproduceonhim。Gavrylturnedverywhiteonhearingthathewastobetreatedwithsuchindignity，andturninghisbackontheassemblylefttheroomwithoututteringaword。
Ivanfollowedhimout，andashereachedhishorseheheardGavrylsaying：\"Verywell；myspinewillburnfromthelashes，butsomethingwillburnwithgreaterfiercenessinIvan’shouseholdbeforelong。\"
Ivan，onhearingthesewords，instantlyreturnedtothecourt，andgoinguptothejudgessaid：\"Oh！justjudges，hethreatenstoburnmyhouseandallitcontains。\"
AmessengerwasimmediatelysentinsearchofGavryl，whowassoonfoundandagainbroughtintothepresenceofthejudges。
\"Isittrue，\"theyasked，\"thatyousaidyouwouldburnIvan’shouseandallitcontained？\"
Gavrylreplied：\"Ididnotsayanythingofthekind。Youmaygivemeasmanylashesasyouplease——thatis，ifyouhavethepowertodoso。ItseemstomethatIalonehavetosufferforthetruth，whilehe，\"pointingtoIvan，\"isallowedtodoandsaywhathepleases。\"Gavrylwishedtosaysomethingmore，buthislipstrembled，andthewordsrefusedtocome；soinsilenceheturnedhisfacetowardthewall。
Thesightofsomuchsufferingmovedeventhejudgestopity，and，becomingalarmedatGavryl’scontinuedsilence，theysaid，\"Hemaydobothhisneighborandhimselfsomefrightfulinjury。\"
\"Seehere，mybrothers，\"saidonefeebleoldjudge，lookingatIvanandGavrylashespoke，\"Ithinkyouhadbettertrytoarrangethismatterpeaceably。You，brotherGavryl，didwrongtostrikeawomanwhowasindelicatehealth。ItwasaluckythingforyouthatGodhadmercyonyouandthatthewomandidnotdie，forifshehadIknownotwhatdiremisfortunemighthaveovertakenyou！Itwillnotdoeitherofyouanygoodtogoonlivingasyouareatpresent。Go，Gavryl，andmakefriendswithIvan；Iamsurehewillforgiveyou，andwewillsetasidetheverdictjustgiven。\"
Thesecretaryonhearingthissaid：\"Itisimpossibletodothisonthepresentcase。AccordingtoArticle117thismatterhasgonetoofartobesettledpeaceablynow，astheverdicthasbeenrenderedandmustbeenforced。\"
Butthejudgeswouldnotlistentothesecretary，sayingtohim：
\"Youtalkaltogethertoomuch。YoumustrememberthatthefirstthingistofulfillGod’scommandto’Lovethyneighborasthyself，’andallwillbewellwithyou。\"
Thuswithkindwordsthejudgestriedtoreconcilethetwopeasants。Theirwordsfellonstonyground，however，forGavrylwouldnotlistentothem。
\"Iamfiftyyearsold，\"saidGavryl，\"andhaveasonmarried，andneverfrommybirthhasthelashbeenappliedtomyback；butnowthisbearIvanhassecuredaverdictagainstmewhichcondemnsmetoreceivetwentylashes，andIamforcedtobowtothisdecisionandsuffertheshameofapublicbeating。Well，hewillhavecausetorememberthis。\"
AtthisGavryl’svoicetrembledandhestoppedspeaking，andturninghisbackonthejudgestookhisdeparture。
Itwasabouttenversts’distancefromthecourttothehomesoftheneighbors，andthisIvantravelledlate。Thewomenhadalreadygoneoutforthecattle。Heunharnessedhishorseandputeverythinginitsplace，andthenwentintotheizba（room），butfoundnoonethere。
Themenhadnotyetreturnedfromtheirworkinthefieldandthewomenhadgonetolookforthecattle，sothatallabouttheplacewasquiet。Goingintotheroom，Ivanseatedhimselfonawoodenbenchandsoonbecamelostinthought。Herememberedhow，whenGavrylfirstheardthesentencewhichhadbeenpasseduponhim，hegrewverypale，andturnedhisfacetothewall，allthewhileremainingsilent。
Ivan’sheartachedwhenhethoughtofthedisgracewhichhehadbeenthemeansofbring-inguponGavryl，andhewonderedhowhewouldfeelifthesamesentencehadbeenpasseduponhim。Histhoughtswereinterruptedbythecoughingofhisfather，whowaslyingontheoven。
Theoldman，onseeingIvan，camedownofftheoven，andslowlyapproachinghissonseatedhimselfonthebenchbesidehim，lookingathimasthoughashamed。Hecontinuedtocoughasheleanedonthetableandsaid，\"Well，didtheysentencehim？\"
\"Yes，theysentencedhimtoreceivetwentylashes，\"repliedIvan。
Onhearingthistheoldmansorrowfullyshookhishead，andsaid：
\"Thisisverybad，Ivan，andwhatisthemeaningofitall？Itisindeedverybad，butnotsobadforGavrylasforyourself。
Well，supposehissentenceIScarriedout，andhegetsthetwentylashes，whatwillitbenefityou？\"
\"Hewillnotagainstrikeawoman，\"Ivanreplied。
\"Whatisithewillnotdo？Hedoesnotdoanythingworsethanwhatyouareconstantlydoing！\"
ThisconversationenragedIvan，andheshouted：\"Well，whatdidhedo？Hebeatawomannearlytodeath，andevennowhethreatenstoburnmyhouse！MustIbowtohimforallthis？\"
Theoldmansigheddeeplyashesaid：\"You，Ivan，arestrongandfreetogowhereveryouplease，whileIhavebeenlyingforyearsontheoven。YouthinkthatyouknoweverythingandthatIdonotknowanything。No！youarestillachild，andassuchyoucannotseethatakindofmadnesscontrolsyouractionsandblindsyoursight。Thesinsofothersareeverbeforeyou，whileyouresolutelykeepyourownbehindyourback。IknowthatwhatGavryldidwaswrong，butifhealoneshoulddowrongtherewouldbenoevilintheworld。Doyouthinkthatalltheevilintheworldistheworkofonemanalone？No！itrequirestwopersonstoworkmuchevilintheworld。YouseeonlythebadinGavryl’scharacter，butyouareblindtotheevilthatisinyourownnature。Ifhealonewerebadandyougood，thentherewouldbenowrong。\"
Theoldman，afterapause，continued：\"WhotoreGavryl’sbeard？
Whodestroyedhisheapsofrye？Whodraggedhimintocourt？——andyetyoutrytoputalltheblameonhisshoulders。Youarebehavingverybadlyyourself，andforthatreasonyouarewrong。
Ididnotactinsuchamanner，andcertainlyInevertaughtyoutodoso。IlivedinpeacewithGavryl’sfatherallthetimewewereneighbors。Wewerealwaysthebestoffriends。Ifhewaswithoutflourhiswifewouldcometomeandsay，’DiadiaFrol[Grandfather]，weneedflour。’Iwouldthensay：’Mygoodwoman，gotothewarehouseandtakeasmuchasyouwant。’IfhehadnoonetocareforhishorsesIwouldsay，’Go，Ivanushka[diminutiveofIvan]，andhelphimtocareforthem。’IfI
requiredanythingIwouldgotohimandsay，’GrandfatherGordey，Ineedthisorthat，’andhewouldalwaysreply，’Takejustwhateveryouwant。’Bythismeanswepassedaneasyandpeacefullife。Butwhatisyourlifecomparedwithit？AsthesoldiersfoughtatPlevna，soareyouandGavrylfightingallthetime，onlythatyourbattlesarefarmoredisgracefulthanthatfoughtatPlevna。\"
Theoldmanwenton：\"Andyoucallthisliving！andwhatasinitallis！Youareapeasant，andtheheadofthehouse；therefore，theresponsibilityofthetroublerestswithyou。Whatanexampleyousetyourwifeandchildrenbyconstantlyquarrellingwithyourneighbor！Onlyashorttimesinceyourlittleboy，Taraska，wascursinghisauntArina，andhismotheronlylaughedatit，saying，’Whatabrightchildheis！’Isthatright？Youaretoblameforallthis。Youshouldthinkofthesalvationofyoursoul。Isthatthewaytodoit？YousayoneunkindwordtomeandIwillreplywithtwo。Youwillgivemeoneslapintheface，andIwillretaliatewithtwoslaps。No，myson；Christdidnotteachusfoolishpeopletoactinsuchaway。Ifanyoneshouldsayanunkindwordtoyouitisbetternottoansweratall；butifyoudoreplydoitkindly，andhisconsciencewillaccusehim，andhewillregrethisunkindnesstoyou。ThisisthewayChristtaughtustolive。Hetellsusthatifapersonsmiteusontheonecheekweshouldofferuntohimtheother。
ThatisChrist’scommandtous，andweshouldfollowit。Youshouldthereforesubdueyourpride。AmInotright？\"
Ivanremainedsilent，buthisfather’swordshadsunkdeepintohisheart。
Theoldmancoughedandcontinued：\"DoyouthinkChristthoughtuswicked？Didhenotdiethatwemightbesaved？Nowyouthinkonlyofthisearthlylife。Areyoubetterorworseforthinkingaloneofit？AreyoubetterorworseforhavingbegunthatPlevnabattle？Thinkofyourexpenseatcourtandthetimelostingoingbackandforth，andwhathaveyougained？Yoursonshavereachedmanhood，andareablenowtoworkforyou。Youarethereforeatlibertytoenjoylifeandbehappy。Withtheassistanceofyourchildrenyoucouldreachahighstateofprosperity。Butnowyourpropertyinsteadofincreasingisgraduallygrowingless，andwhy？Itistheresultofyourpride。
Whenitbecomesnecessaryforyouandyourboystogotothefieldtowork，yourenemyinsteadsummonsyoutoappearatcourtorbeforesomekindofjudicialperson。Ifyoudonotplowatthepropertimeandsowatthepropertimemotherearthwillnotyieldupherproducts，andyouandyourchildrenwillbeleftdestitute。Whydidyouroatsfailthisyear？Whendidyousowthem？Wereyounotquarrellingwithyourneighborinsteadofattendingtoyourwork？Youhavejustnowreturnedfromthetown，whereyouhavebeenthemeansofhavingyourneighborhumiliated。Youhavesucceededingettinghimsentenced，butintheendthepunishmentwillfallonyourownshoulders。Oh！mychild，itwouldbebetterforyoutoattendtoyourworkonthefarmandtrainyourboystobecomegoodfarmersandhonestmen。
IfanyoneoffendyouforgivehimforChrist’ssake，andthenprosperitywillsmileonyourworkandalightandhappyfeelingwillfillyourheart。\"
Ivanstillremainedsilent。
Theoldfatherinapleadingvoicecontinued：\"Takeanoldman’sadvice。Goandharnessyourhorse，drivebacktothecourt，andwithdrawallthesecomplaintsagainstyourneighbor。To-morrowgotohim，offertomakepeaceinChrist’sname，andinvitehimtoyourhouse。Itwillbeaholyday（thebirthoftheVirginMary）。Getoutthesamovarandhavesomevodki，andoverbothforgiveandforgeteachother’ssins，promisingnottotransgressinthefuture，andadviseyourwomenandchildrentodothesame。\"
Ivanheavedadeepsighbutfelteasierinhisheart，ashethought：\"Theoldmanspeaksthetruth；\"yethewasindoubtastohowhewouldputhisfather’sadviceintopractice。
Theoldman，surmisinghisuncertainty，saidtoIvan：\"Go，Ivanushka；donotdelay。Extinguishthefireinthebeginning，beforeitgrowslarge，forthenitmaybeimpossible。\"
Ivan’sfatherwishedtosaymoretohim，butwaspreventedbythearrivalofthewomen，whocameintotheroomchatteringlikesomanymagpies。TheyhadalreadyheardofGavryl’ssentence，andofhowhethreatenedtosetfiretoIvan’shouse。Theyfoundoutallaboutit，andintellingittotheirneighborsaddedtheirownversionsofthestory，withtheusualexaggeration。Meetinginthepasture-ground，theyproceededtoquarrelwithGavryl’swomen。Theyrelatedhowthelatter’sdaughter-in-lawhadthreatenedtosecuretheinfluenceofthemanagerofacertainnoble’sestateinbehalfofhisfriendGavryl；alsothattheschool-teacherwaswritingapetitiontotheCzarhimselfagainstIvan，explainingindetailhistheftoftheperchboltandpartialdestructionofGavryl’sgarden——declaringthathalfofIvan’slandwastobegiventothem。
Ivanlistenedcalmlytotheirstories，buthisangerwassoonarousedoncemore，whenheabandonedhisintentionofmakingpeacewithGavryl。
AsIvanwasalwaysbusyaboutthehousehold，hedidnotstoptospeaktothewranglingwomen，butimmediatelylefttheroom，directinghisstepstowardthebarn。Beforegettingthroughwithhisworkthesunhadsetandtheboyshadreturnedfromtheirplowing。Ivanmetthemandaskedabouttheirwork，helpingthemtoputthingsinorderandleavingthebrokenhorse-collarasidetoberepaired。Heintendedtoperformsomeotherduties，butitbecametoodarkandhewasobligedtoleavethemtillthenextday。Hefedthecattle，however，andopenedthegatethatTaraskamighttakehishorsestopastureforthenight，afterwhichhecloseditagainandwentintothehouseforhissupper。
BythistimehehadforgottenallaboutGavrylandwhathisfatherhadsaidtohim。Yet，justashetouchedthedoor-knob，heheardsoundsofquarrellingproceedingfromhisneighbor’shouse。
\"WhatdoIwantwiththatdevil？\"shoutedGavryltosomeone。
\"Hedeservestobekilled！\"
Ivanstoppedandlistenedforamoment，whenheshookhisheadthreateninglyandenteredtheroom。Whenhecamein，theapartmentwasalreadylighted。Hisdaughter-in-lawwasworkingwithherloom，whiletheoldwomanwaspreparingthesupper。Theeldestsonwastwiningstringsforhislapti（peasant’sshoesmadeofstripsofbarkfromthelinden-tree）。Theothersonwassittingbythetablereadingabook。Theroompresentedapleasantappearance，everythingbeinginorderandtheinmatesapparentlygayandhappy——theonlydarkshadowbeingthatcastoverthehouseholdbyIvan’stroublewithhisneighbor。
Ivancameinverycross，and，angrilythrowingasideacatwhichlaysleepingonthebench，cursedthewomenforhavingmisplacedapail。Helookedverysadandserious，and，seatinghimselfinacorneroftheroom，proceededtorepairthehorse-collar。HecouldnotforgetGavryl，however——thethreateningwordshehadusedinthecourt-roomandthosewhichIvanhadjustheard。
PresentlyTaraskacamein，andafterhavinghissupper，putonhissheepskincoat，and，takingsomebreadwithhim，returnedtowatchoverhishorsesforthenight。Hiseldestbrotherwishedtoaccompanyhim，butIvanhimselfaroseandwentwithhimasfarastheporch。Thenightwasdarkandcloudyandastrongwindwasblowing，whichproducedapeculiarwhistlingsoundthatwasmostunpleasanttotheear。Ivanhelpedhissontomounthishorse，which，followedbyacolt，startedoffonagallop。
Ivanstoodforafewmomentslookingaroundhimandlisteningtotheclatterofthehorse’shoofsasTaraskarodedownthevillagestreet。Heheardhimmeetotherboysonhorseback，whorodequiteaswellasTaraska，andsoonallwerelostinthedarkness。
Ivanremainedstandingbythegateinagloomymood，ashewasunabletobanishfromhismindtheharassingthoughtsofGavryl，whichthelatter’smenacingwordshadinspired：\"SomethingwillburnwithgreaterfiercenessinIvan’shouseholdbeforelong。\"
\"Heissodesperate，\"thoughtIvan，\"thathemaysetfiretomyhouseregardlessofthedangertohisown。Atpresenteverythingisdry，andasthewindissohighhemaysneakfromthebackofhisownbuilding，startafire，andgetawayunseenbyanyofus。
Hemayburnandstealwithoutbeingfoundout，andthusgounpunished。IwishIcouldcatchhim。\"
ThisthoughtsoworriedIvanthathedecidednottoreturntohishouse，butwentoutandstoodonthestreet-corner。
\"Iguess，\"thoughtIvantohimself，\"Iwilltakeawalkaroundthepremisesandexamineeverythingcarefully，forwhoknowswhathemaybetemptedtodo？\"
Ivanmovedverycautiouslyroundtothebackofhisbuildings，notmakingtheslightestnoise，andscarcelydaringtobreathe。
Justashereachedacornerofthehousehelookedtowardthefence，anditseemedtohimthathesawsomethingmoving，andthatitwasslowlycreepingtowardthecornerofthehouseoppositetowherehewasstanding。Hesteppedbackquicklyandhidhimselfintheshadowofthebuilding。Ivanstoodandlistened，butallwasquiet。Notasoundcouldbeheardbutthemoaningofthewindthroughthebranchesofthetrees，andtherustlingoftheleavesasitcaughtthemupandwhirledtheminalldirections。SodensewasthedarknessthatitwasatfirstimpossibleforIvantoseemorethanafewfeetbeyondwherehestood。
Afteratime，however，hissightbecomingaccustomedtothegloom，hewasenabledtoseeforaconsiderabledistance。Theplowandhisotherfarmingimplementsstoodjustwherehehadplacedthem。Hecouldseealsotheoppositecornerofthehouse。
Helookedineverydirection，butnoonewasinsight，andhethoughttohimselfthathisimaginationmusthaveplayedhimsometrick，leadinghimtobelievethatsomeonewasmovingwhentherereallywasnoonethere。
Still，Ivanwasnotsatisfied，anddecidedtomakeafurtherexaminationofthepremises。Asonthepreviousoccasion，hemovedsoverycautiouslythathecouldnotheareventhesoundofhisownfootsteps。Hehadtakentheprecautiontoremovehisshoes，thathemightstepthemorenoiselessly。Whenhereachedthecornerofthebarnitagainseemedtohimthathesawsomethingmoving，thistimeneartheplow；butitquicklydisappeared。BythistimeIvan’sheartwasbeatingveryfast，andhewasstandinginalisteningattitudewhenasuddenflashoflightilluminedthespot，andhecoulddistinctlyseethefigureofamanseatedonhishauncheswithhisbackturnedtowardhim，andintheactoflightingabunchofstrawwhichheheldinhishand！Ivan’sheartbegantobeatyetfaster，andhebecameterriblyexcited，walkingupanddownwithrapidstrides，butwithoutmakinganoise。
Ivansaid：\"Well，now，hecannotgetaway，forhewillbecaughtintheveryact。\"
Ivanhadtakenafewmorestepswhensuddenlyabrightlightflamedup，butnotinthesamespotinwhichhehadseenthefigureofthemansitting。Gavrylhadlightedthestraw，andrunningtothebarnhelditundertheedgeoftheroof，whichbegantoburnfiercely；andbythelightofthefirehecoulddistinctlyseehisneighborstanding。
Asaneaglespringsataskylark，sosprangIvanatGavryl，saying：\"Iwilltearyouintopieces！Youshallnotgetawayfrommethistime！\"
But\"GavryltheLame，\"hearingfootsteps，wrenchedhimselffreefromIvan’sgraspandranlikeaharepastthebuildings。
Ivan，nowterriblyexcited，shouted，\"Youshallnotescapeme！\"
andstartedinpursuit；butjustashereachedhimandwasabouttograspthecollarofhiscoat，Gavrylsucceededinjumpingtooneside，andIvan’scoatbecameentangledinsomethingandhewasthrownviolentlytotheground。Jumpingquicklytohisfeetheshouted，\"Karaool！derji！\"（watch！catch！）
WhileIvanwasregaininghisfeetGavrylsucceededinreachinghishouse，butIvanfollowedsoquicklythathecaughtupwithhimbeforehecouldenter。Justashewasabouttograsphimhewasstruckontheheadwithsomehardsubstance。Hehadbeenhitonthetempleaswithastone。TheblowwasstruckbyGavryl，whohadpickedupanoakenstave，andwithitgaveIvanaterribleblowonthehead。
Ivanwasstunned，andbrightsparksdancedbeforehiseyes，whileheswayedfromsidetosidelikeadrunkenman，untilfinallyallbecamedarkandhesanktothegroundunconscious。
Whenherecoveredhissenses，Gavrylwasnowheretobeseen，butallaroundhimwasaslightasday。Strangesoundsproceededfromthedirectionofhishouse，andturninghisfacethatwayhesawthathisbarnswereonfire。Therearpartsofbothwerealreadydestroyed，andtheflameswereleapingtowardthefront。
Fire，smoke，andbitsofburningstrawwerebeingrapidlywhirledbythehighwindovertowherehishousestood，andheexpectedeverymomenttoseeitburstintoflames。
\"Whatisthis，brother？\"Ivancriedout，ashebeathisthighswithhishands。\"Ishouldhavestoppedtosnatchthebunchofburningstraw，and，throwingitontheground，shouldhaveextinguisheditwithmyfeet！\"
Ivantriedtocryoutandarousehispeople，buthislipsrefusedtoutteraword。Henexttriedtorun，buthecouldnotmovehisfeet，andhislegsseemedtotwistthemselvesaroundeachother。
Afterseveralattemptshesucceededintakingoneortwosteps，whenheagainbegantostaggerandgaspforbreath。Itwassomemomentsbeforehemadeanotherattempttomove，butafterconsiderableexertionhefinallyreachedthebarn，therearofwhichwasbythistimeentirelyconsumed；andthecornerofhishousehadalreadycaughtfire。Densevolumesofsmokebegantopouroutoftheroom，whichmadeitdifficulttoapproach。
Acrowdofpeasantshadbythistimegathered，buttheyfounditimpossibletosavetheirhomes，sotheycarriedeverythingwhichtheycouldtoaplaceofsafety。Thecattletheydroveintoneighboringpasturesandleftsomeonetocareforthem。
ThewindcarriedthesparksfromIvan’shousetoGavryl’s，andit，too，tookfireandwasconsumed。Thewindcontinuedtoincreasewithgreatfury，andtheflamesspreadtobothsidesofthestreet，untilinaveryshorttimemorethanhalfthevillagewasburned。
ThemembersofIvan’shouseholdhadgreatdifficultyingettingoutoftheburningbuilding，buttheneighborsrescuedtheoldmanandcarriedhimtoaplaceofsafety，whilethewomenescapedinonlytheirnight-clothes。Everythingwasburned，includingthecattleandallthefarmimplements。Thewomenlosttheirtrunks，whichwerefilledwithquantitiesofclothing，theaccumulationofyears。Thestorehouseandalltheprovisionsperishedintheflames，noteventhechickensbeingsaved。
Gavryl，however，morefortunatethanIvan，savedhiscattleandafewotherthings。
Thevillagewasburningallnight。
Ivanstoodnearhishome，gazingsadlyattheburningbuilding，andhekeptconstantlyrepeatingtohimself：\"Ishouldhavetakenawaythebunchofburningstraw，andhavestampedoutthefirewithmyfeet。\"
Butwhenhesawhishomefallinasmoulderingheap，inspiteoftheterribleheathesprangintothemidstofitandcarriedoutacharredlog。Thewomenseeinghim，andfearingthathewouldlosehislife，calledtohimtocomeback，buthewouldnotpayanyattentiontothemandwentasecondtimetogetalog。StillweakfromtheterribleblowwhichGavrylhadgivenhim，hewasovercomebytheheat，andfellintothemidstoftheburningmass。Fortunately，hiseldestsonsawhimfall，andrushingintothefiresucceededingettingholdofhimandcarryinghimoutofit。Ivan’shair，beard，andclothingwereburnedentirelyoff。
Hishandswerealsofrightfullyinjured，butheseemedindifferenttopain。
\"Griefdrovehimcrazy，\"thepeoplesaid。
Thefirewasgrowingless，butIvanstillstoodwherehecouldseeit，andkeptrepeatingtohimself，\"Ishouldhavetaken，\"
etc。
Themorningafterthefirethestarosta（villageelder）senthissontoIvantotellhimthattheoldman，hisfather，wasdying，andwantedtoseehimtobidhimgood-bye。
InhisgriefIvanhadforgottenallabouthisfather，andcouldnotunderstandwhatwasbeingsaidtohim。Inadazedwayheasked：\"Whatfather？Whomdoeshewant？\"
Theelder’ssonagainrepeatedhisfather’smessagetoIvan。
\"Youragedparentisatourhousedying，andhewantstoseeyouandbidyougood-bye。Won’tyougonow，uncleIvan？\"theboysaid。
FinallyIvanunderstood，andfollowedtheelder’sson。
WhenIvan’sfatherwascarriedfromtheoven，hewasslightlyinjuredbyabigbunchofburningstrawfallingonhimjustashereachedthestreet。Toinsurehissafetyhewasremovedtotheelder’shouse，whichstoodaconsiderabledistancefromhislatehome，andwhereitwasnotlikelythatthefirewouldreachit。
WhenIvanarrivedattheelder’shomehefoundonlythelatter’swifeandchildren，whowereallseatedonthebrickoven。Theoldmanwaslyingonabenchholdingalightedcandleinhishand（aRussiancustomwhenapersonisdying）。Hearinganoise，heturnedhisfacetowardthedoor，andwhenhesawitwashissonhetriedtomove。HemotionedforIvantocomenearer，andwhenhedidsohewhisperedinatremblingvoice：\"Well，Ivanushka，didInottellyoubeforewhatwouldbetheresultofthissadaffair？Whosetthevillageonfire？\"
\"He，he，batiushka[littlefather]；hedidit。Icaughthim。Heplacedthebunchofburningstrawtothebarninmypresence。
Insteadofrunningafterhim，Ishouldhavesnatchedthebunchofburningstrawandthrowingitonthegroundhavestampeditoutwithmyfeet；andthentherewouldhavebeennofire。\"
\"Ivan，\"saidtheoldman，\"deathisfastapproachingme，andrememberthatyoualsowillhavetodie。Whodidthisdreadfulthing？Whoseisthesin？\"
Ivangazedatthenoblefaceofhisdyingfatherandwassilent。
Hisheartwastoofullforutterance。
\"InthepresenceofGod，\"theoldmancontinued，\"whoseisthesin？\"
ItwasonlynowthatthetruthbegantodawnuponIvan’smind，andthatherealizedhowfoolishhehadacted。Hesobbedbitterly，andfellonhiskneesbeforehisfather，and，cryinglikeachild，said：
\"Mydearfather，forgiveme，forChrist’ssake，forIamguiltybeforeGodandbeforeyou！\"
Theoldmantransferredthelightedcandlefromhisrighthandtotheleft，and，raisingtheformertohisforehead，triedtomakethesignofthecross，butowingtoweaknesswasunabletodoso。
\"GlorytoThee，OLord！GlorytoThee！\"heexclaimed；andturninghisdimeyestowardhisson，hesaid：\"Seehere，Ivanushka！Ivanushka，mydearson！\"
\"What，mydearfather？\"Ivanasked。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo，\"repliedtheoldman，\"nowthatyouhavenohome？\"
Ivancriedandsaid：\"Idonotknowhowweshalllivenow。\"
Theoldmanclosedhiseyesandmadeamovementwithhislips，asifgatheringhisfeeblestrengthforafinaleffort。Slowlyopeninghiseyes，hewhispered：
\"ShouldyouliveaccordingtoGod’scommandsyouwillbehappyandprosperousagain。\"
Theoldmanwasnowsilentforawhileandthen，smilingsadly，hecontinued：
\"Seehere，Ivanushka，keepsilentconcerningthistrouble，anddonottellwhosetthevillageonfire。Forgiveonesinofyourneighbor’s，andGodwillforgivetwoofyours。\"
Graspingthecandlewithbothhands，Ivan’sfatherheavedadeepsigh，and，stretchinghimselfoutonhisback，yieldeduptheghost。
*******
Ivanforonceacceptedhisfather’sadvice。HedidnotbetrayGavryl，andnooneeverlearnedtheoriginofthefire。
Ivan’sheartbecamemorekindlydisposedtowardhisoldenemy，feelingthatmuchofthefaultinconnectionwiththissadaffairrestedwithhimself。
GavrylwasgreatlysurprisedthatIvandidnotdenouncehimbeforeallthevillagers，andatfirsthestoodinmuchfearofhim，buthesoonafterwardovercamethisfeeling。
Thetwopeasantsceasedtoquarrel，andtheirfamiliesfollowedtheirexample。Whiletheywerebuildingnewhouses，bothfamilieslivedbeneaththesameroof，andwhentheymovedintotheirrespectivehomes，IvanandGavryllivedonasgoodtermsastheirfathershaddonebeforethem。
Ivanrememberedhisdyingfather’scommand，andtookdeeplytohearttheevidentwarningofGodthatAFIRESHOULDBE
EXTINGUISHEDINTHEBEGINNING。Ifanyonewrongedhimhedidnotseekrevenge，butinsteadmadeeveryefforttosettlethematterpeaceably。Ifanyonespoketohimunkindly，hedidnotanswerinthesameway，butrepliedsoftly，andtriedtopersuadethepersonnottospeakevil。Hetaughtthewomenandchildrenofhishouseholdtodothesame。
IvanScherbakoffwasnowareformedman。
Helivedwellandpeacefully，andagainbecameprosperous。
Letus，therefore，havepeace，liveinbrotherlyloveandkindness，andwewillbehappy。
\"POLIKUSHKA；\"
OR，TheLotofaWickedCourtServant。
CHAPTERI。
Polikeywasacourtman——oneofthestaffofservantsbelongingtothecourthouseholdofaboyarinia（ladyofthenobility）。
Heheldaveryinsignificantpositionontheestate，andlivedinaratherpoor，smallhousewithhiswifeandchildren。
Thehousewasbuiltbythedeceasednoblemanwhosewidowhestillcontinuedtoserve，andmaybedescribedasfollows：Thefourwallssurroundingtheoneizba（room）werebuiltofstone，andtheinteriorwastenyardssquare。ARussianstovestoodinthecentre，aroundwhichwasafreepassage。Eachcornerwasfencedoffasaseparateinclosuretotheextentofseveralfeet，andtheonenearesttothedoor（thesmallestofall）wasknownas\"Polikey’scorner。\"Elsewhereintheroomstoodthebed（withquilt，sheet，andcottonpillows），thecradle（withababylyingtherein），andthethree-leggedtable，onwhichthemealswerepreparedandthefamilywashingwasdone。AtthelatteralsoPolikeywasatworkonthepreparationofsomematerialsforuseinhisprofession——thatofanamateurveterinarysurgeon。A
calf，somehens，thefamilyclothesandhouseholdutensils，togetherwithsevenpersons，filledthelittlehometotheutmostofitscapacity。Itwouldindeedhavebeenalmostimpossibleforthemtomovearoundhaditnotbeenfortheconvenienceofthestove，onwhichsomeofthemsleptatnight，andwhichservedasatableintheday-time。
Itseemedhardtorealizehowsomanypersonsmanagedtoliveinsuchclosequarters。
Polikey’swife，Akulina，didthewashing，spunandwove，bleachedherlinen，cookedandbaked，andfoundtimealsotoquarrelandgossipwithherneighbors。
Themonthlyallowanceoffoodwhichtheyreceivedfromthenoblewoman’shousewasamplysufficientforthewholefamily，andtherewasalwaysenoughmeallefttomakemashforthecow。
Theirfueltheygotfree，andlikewisethefoodforthecattle。
Inadditiontheyweregivenasmallpieceoflandonwhichtoraisevegetables。Theyhadacow，acalf，andanumberofchickenstocarefor。
Polikeywasemployedinthestablestotakecareoftwostallions，and，whennecessary，tobleedthehorsesandcattleandcleantheirhoofs。
Inhistreatmentoftheanimalsheusedsyringes，plasters，andvariousotherremediesandappliancesofhisowninvention。Fortheseserviceshereceivedwhateverprovisionswererequiredbyhisfamily，andacertainsumofmoney——allofwhichwouldhavebeensufficienttoenablethemtolivecomfortablyandevenhappily，iftheirheartshadnotbeenfilledwiththeshadowofagreatsorrow。
Thisshadowdarkenedthelivesoftheentirefamily。
Polikey，whileyoung，wasemployedinahorse-breedingestablishmentinaneighboringvillage。Theheadstablemanwasanotorioushorse-thief，knownfarandwideasagreatrogue，who，forhismanymisdeeds，wasfinallyexiledtoSiberia。UnderhisinstructionPolikeyunderwentacourseoftraining，and，beingbutaboy，waseasilyinducedtoperformmanyevildeeds。Hebecamesoexpertinthevariouskindsofwickednesspracticedbyhisteacherthat，thoughhemanytimeswouldgladlyhaveabandonedhisevilways，hecouldnot，owingtothegreatholdtheseearly-formedhabitshaduponhim。Hisfatherandmotherdiedwhenhewasbutachild，andhehadnoonetopointouttohimthepathsofvirtue。
Inadditiontohisothernumerousshortcomings，Polikeywasfondofstrongdrink。Healsohadahabitofappropriatingotherpeople’sproperty，whentheopportunityofferedofhisdoingsowithoutbeingseen。Collar-straps，padlocks，perch-bolts，andthingsevenofgreatervaluebelongingtoothersfoundtheirwaywithremarkablerapidityandingreatquantitiestoPolikey’shome。Hedidnot，however，keepsuchthingsforhisownuse，butsoldthemwheneverhecouldfindapurchaser。Hispaymentconsistedchieflyofwhiskey，thoughsometimeshereceivedcash。
Thissortofemployment，ashisneighborssaid，wasbothlightandprofitable；itrequiredneithereducationnorlabor。Ithadonedrawback，however，whichwascalculatedtoreconcilehisvictimstotheirlosses：Thoughhecouldforatimehaveallhisneedssuppliedwithoutexpendingeitherlaborormoney，therewasalwaysthepossibilityofhismethodsbeingdiscovered；andthisresultwassuretobefollowedbyalongtermofimprisonment。
ThisimpendingdangermadelifeaburdenforPolikeyandhisfamily。
SuchasetbackindeedverynearlyhappenedtoPolikeyearlyinhiscareer。Hemarriedwhilestillyoung，andGodgavehimmuchhappiness。Hiswife，whowasashepherd’sdaughter，wasastrong，intelligent，hard-workingwoman。Sheborehimmanychildren，eachofwhomwassaidtobebetterthantheprecedingone。
Polikeystillcontinuedtosteal，butoncewascaughtwithsomesmallarticlesbelongingtoothersinhispossession。Amongthemwasapairofleatherreins，thepropertyofanotherpeasant，whobeathimseverelyandreportedhimtohismistress。
FromthattimeonPolikeywasanobjectofsuspicion，andhewastwiceagaindetectedinsimilarescapades。Bythistimethepeoplebegantoabusehim，andtheclerkofthecourtthreatenedtorecruithimintothearmyasasoldier（whichisregardedbythepeasantsasagreatpunishmentanddisgrace）。Hisnoblemistressseverelyreprimandedhim；hiswifeweptfromgriefforhisdownfall，andeverythingwentfrombadtoworse。
Polikey，notwithstandinghisweakness，wasagood-naturedsortofman，buthisloveofstrongdrinkhadsoovercomeeverymoralinstinctthatattimeshewasscarcelyresponsibleforhisactions。Thishabithevainlyendeavoredtoovercome。Itoftenhappenedthatwhenhereturnedhomeintoxicated，hiswife，losingallpatience，roundlycursedhimandcruellybeathim。Attimeshewouldcrylikeachild，andbemoanhisfate，saying：
\"UnfortunatemanthatIam，whatshallIdo？LETMYEYESBURST
INTOPIECESifIdonotforevergiveupthevilehabit！Iwillnotagaintouchvodki。\"
Inspiteofallhispromisesofreform，butashortperiod（perhapsamonth）wouldelapsewhenPolikeywouldagainmysteriouslydisappearfromhishomeandbelostforseveraldaysonaspree。
\"Fromwhatsourcedoeshegetthemoneyhespendssofreely？\"theneighborsinquiredofeachother，astheysadlyshooktheirheads。
Oneofhismostunfortunateexploitsinthematterofstealingwasinconnectionwithaclockwhichbelongedtotheestateofhismistress。Theclockstoodintheprivateofficeofthenoblewoman，andwassooldastohaveoutliveditsusefulness，andwassimplykeptasanheirloom。ItsohappenedthatPolikeywentintotheofficeonedaywhennoonewaspresentbuthimself，and，seeingtheoldclock，itseemedtopossessapeculiarfascinationforhim，andhespeedilytransferredittohisperson。Hecarriedittoatownnotfarfromthevillage，whereheveryreadilyfoundapurchaser。
Asifpurposelytosecurehispunishment，ithappenedthatthestorekeepertowhomhesolditprovedtobearelativeofoneofthecourtservants，andwho，whenhevisitedhisfriendonthenextholiday，relatedallabouthispurchaseoftheclock。
Aninvestigationwasimmediatelyinstituted，andallthedetailsofPolikey’stransactionwerebroughttolightandreportedtohisnoblemistress。Hewascalledintoherpresence，and，whenconfrontedwiththestoryofthetheft，brokedownandconfessedall。Hefellonhiskneesbeforethenoblewomanandpleadwithherformercy。Thekind-heartedladylecturedhimaboutGod，thesalvationofhissoul，andhisfuturelife。Shetalkedtohimalsoaboutthemiseryanddisgracehebroughtuponhisfamily，andaltogethersoworkeduponhisfeelingsthathecriedlikeachild。Inconclusionhiskindmistresssaid：\"Iwillforgiveyouthistimeontheconditionthatyoupromisefaithfullytoreform，andneveragaintotakewhatdoesnotbelongtoyou。\"
Polikey，stillweeping，replied：\"Iwillneverstealagaininallmylife，andifIbreakmypromisemaytheearthopenandswallowmeup，andletmybodybeburnedwithred-hotirons！\"
Polikeyreturnedtohishome，andthrowinghimselfontheovenspenttheentiredayweepingandrepeatingthepromisemadetohismistress。
Fromthattimeonhewasnotagaincaughtstealing，buthislifebecameextremelysad，forhewasregardedwithsuspicionbyeveryoneandpointedtoasathief。
Whenthetimecameroundforsecuringrecruitsforthearmy，allthepeasantssingledoutPolikeyasthefirsttobetaken。Thesuperintendentwasespeciallyanxioustogetridofhim，andwenttohismistresstoinducehertohavehimsentaway。Thekind-heartedandmercifulwoman，rememberingthepeasant’srepentance，refusedtograntthesuperintendent’srequest，andtoldhimhemusttakesomeothermaninhisstead。
CHAPTERII。
OneeveningPolikeywassittingonhisbedbesidethetable，preparingsomemedicineforthecattle，whensuddenlythedoorwasthrownwideopen，andAksiutka，ayounggirlfromthecourt，rushedin。Almostoutofbreath，shesaid：\"Mymistresshasorderedyou，PolikeyIllitch[sonofIlia]，tocomeuptothecourtatonce！\"
Thegirlwasstandingandstillbreathingheavilyfromherlateexertionasshecontinued：\"EgorMikhailovitch，thesuperintendent，hasbeentoseeourladyabouthavingyoudraftedintothearmy，and，PolikeyIllitch，yournamewasmentionedamongothers。Ourladyhassentmetotellyoutocomeuptothecourtimmediately。\"
AssoonasAksiutkahaddeliveredhermessageshelefttheroominthesameabruptmannerinwhichshehadentered。
Akulina，withoutsayingaword，gotupandbroughtherhusband’sbootstohim。Theywerepoor，worn-outthingswhichsomesoldierhadgivenhim，andhiswifedidnotglanceathimasshehandedthemtohim。
\"Areyougoingtochangeyourshirt，Illitch？\"sheasked，atlast。
\"No，\"repliedPolikey。
Akulinadidnotoncelookathimallthetimehewasputtingonhisbootsandpreparingtogotothecourt。Perhaps，afterall，itwasbetterthatshedidnotdoso。Hisfacewasverypaleandhislipstrembled。Heslowlycombedhishairandwasabouttodepartwithoutsayingaword，whenhiswifestoppedhimtoarrangetheribbononhisshirt，and，aftertoyingalittlewithhiscoat，sheputhishatonforhimandheleftthelittlehome。
Polikey’snext-doorneighborswereajoinerandhiswife。Athinpartitiononlyseparatedthetwofamilies，andeachcouldhearwhattheothersaidanddid。SoonafterPolikey’sdepartureawomanwasheardtosay：\"Well，PolikeyIllitch，soyourmistresshassentforyou！\"
Thevoicewasthatofthejoiner’swifeontheothersideofthepartition。AkulinaandthewomanhadquarrelledthatmorningaboutsometriflingthingdonebyoneofPolikey’schildren，anditaffordedherthegreatestpleasuretolearnthatherneighborhadbeensummonedintothepresenceofhisnoblemistress。Shelookeduponsuchacircumstanceasabadomen。Shecontinuedtalkingtoherselfandsaid：\"Perhapsshewantstosendhimtothetowntomakesomepurchasesforherhousehold。Ididnotsupposeshewouldselectsuchafaithfulmanasyouaretoperformsuchaserviceforher。IfitshouldprovethatsheDOES
wanttosendyoutothenexttown，justbuymeaquarter-poundoftea。Willyou，PolikeyIllitch？\"
PoorAkulina，onhearingthejoiner’swifetalkingsounkindlyofherhusband，couldhardlysuppressthetears，and，thetiradecontinuing，sheatlastbecameangry，andwishedshecouldinsomewaypunishher。
Forgettingherneighbor’sunkindness，herthoughtssoonturnedinanotherdirection，andglancingathersleepingchildrenshesaidtoherselfthattheymightsoonbeorphansandsheherselfasoldier’swidow。Thisthoughtgreatlydistressedher，andburyingherfaceinherhandssheseatedherselfonthebed，whereseveralofherprogenywerefastasleep。Presentlyalittlevoiceinterruptedhermeditationsbycryingout，\"Mamushka[littlemother]，youarecrushingme，\"andthechildpulledhernightdressfromunderhermother’sarms。
Akulina，withherheadstillrestingonherhands，said：\"Perhapsitwouldbebetterifweallshoulddie。Ionlyseemtohavebroughtyouintotheworldtosuffersorrowandmisery。\"
Unablelongertocontrolhergrief，sheburstintoviolentweeping，whichservedtoincreasetheamusementofthejoiner’swife，whohadnotforgottenthemorning’ssquabble，andshelaughedloudlyatherneighbor’swoe。
CHAPTERIII。
AbouthalfanhourhadpassedwhentheyoungestchildbegantocryandAkulinaarosetofeedit。Shehadbythistimeceasedtoweep，andafterfeedingtheinfantsheagainfellintoheroldposition，withherfaceburiedinherhands。Shewasverypale，butthisonlyincreasedherbeauty。Afteratimesheraisedherhead，andstaringattheburningcandleshebegantoquestionherselfastowhyshehadmarried，andastothereasonthattheCzarrequiredsomanysoldiers。
Presentlysheheardstepsoutside，andknewthatherhusbandwasreturning。Shehurriedlywipedawaythelasttracesofhertearsasshearosetolethimpassintothecentreoftheroom。
Polikeymadehisappearancewithalookoftriumphonhisface，threwhishatonthebed，andhastilyremovedhiscoat；butnotaworddidheutter。
Akulina，unabletorestrainherimpatience，asked，\"Well，whatdidshewantwithyou？\"
\"Pshaw！\"hereplied，\"itisverywellknownthatPolikushkaisconsideredtheworstmaninthevillage；butwhenitcomestobusinessofimportance，whoisselectedthen？Why，Polikushka，ofcourse。\"
\"Whatkindofbusiness？\"Akulinatimidlyinquired。
ButPolikeywasinnohurrytoanswerherquestion。Helightedhispipewithaveryimposingair，andspitseveraltimesonthefloorbeforehereplied。
Stillretaininghispompousmanner，hesaid，\"Shehasorderedmetogotoacertainmerchantinthetownandcollectaconsiderablesumofmoney。\"
\"Youtocollectmoney？\"questionedAkulina。
Polikeyonlyshookhisheadandsmiledsignificantly，saying：
\"’You，’themistresssaidtome，’areamanrestingunderagravesuspicion——amanwhoisconsideredunsafetotrustinanycapacity；butIhavefaithinyou，andwillintrustyouwiththisimportantbusinessofmineinpreferencetoanyoneelse。’\"
Polikeyrelatedallthisinaloudvoice，sothathisneighbormighthearwhathehadtosay。