CONTENTS
THESCHOOLMISTRESS
ANERVOUSBREAKDOWN
MISERY
CHAMPAGNE
AFTERTHETHEATRE
ALADY’SSTORY
INEXILE
THECATTLE-DEALERS
SORROW
ONOFFICIALDUTY
THEFIRST-CLASSPASSENGER
ATRAGICACTOR
ATRANSGRESSION
SMALLFRY
THEREQUIEM
INTHECOACH-HOUSE
PANICFEARS
THEBET
THEHEAD-GARDENER’SSTORY
THEBEAUTIES
THESHOEMAKERANDTHEDEVIL
THESCHOOLMISTRESS
AThalf-pasteighttheydroveoutofthetown。
Thehighroadwasdry，alovelyAprilsunwasshiningwarmly，butthesnowwasstilllyingintheditchesandinthewoods。Winter，dark，long，andspiteful，washardlyover；springhadcomeallofasudden。Butneitherthewarmthnorthelanguidtransparentwoods，warmedbythebreathofspring，northeblackflocksofbirdsflyingoverthehugepuddlesthatwerelikelakes，northemarvelousfathomlesssky，intowhichitseemedonewouldhavegoneawaysojoyfully，presentedanythingneworinterestingtoMaryaVassilyevnawhowassittinginthecart。Forthirteenyearsshehadbeenschoolmistress，andtherewasnoreckoninghowmanytimesduringallthoseyearsshehadbeentothetownforhersalary；andwhetheritwerespringasnow，orarainyautumnevening，orwinter，itwasallthesametoher，andshealways——
invariably——longedforonethingonly，togettotheendofherjourneyasquicklyascouldbe。
Shefeltasthoughshehadbeenlivinginthatpartofthecountryforagesandages，forahundredyears，anditseemedtoherthatshekneweverystone，everytreeontheroadfromthetowntoherschool。Herpastwashere，herpresentwashere，andshecouldimaginenootherfuturethantheschool，theroadtothetownandbackagain，andagaintheschoolandagaintheroad……
Shehadgotoutofthehabitofthinkingofherpastbeforeshebecameaschoolmistress，andhadalmostforgottenit。Shehadoncehadafatherandmother；theyhadlivedinMoscowinabigflatneartheRedGate，butofallthatlifetherewasleftinhermemoryonlysomethingvagueandfluidlikeadream。Herfatherhaddiedwhenshewastenyearsold，andhermotherhaddiedsoonafter……Shehadabrother，anofficer；atfirsttheyusedtowritetoeachother，thenherbrotherhadgivenupansweringherletters，hehadgotoutofthewayofwriting。Ofheroldbelongings，allthatwasleftwasaphotographofhermother，butithadgrowndimfromthedampnessoftheschool，andnownothingcouldbeseenbutthehairandtheeyebrows。
Whentheyhaddrivenacoupleofmiles，oldSemyon，whowasdriving，turnedroundandsaid：
\"Theyhavecaughtagovernmentclerkinthetown。Theyhavetakenhimaway。ThestoryisthatwithsomeGermanshekilledAlexeyev，theMayor，inMoscow。\"
\"Whotoldyouthat？\"
\"Theywerereadingitinthepaper，inIvanIonov’stavern。\"
Andagaintheyweresilentforalongtime。MaryaVassilyevnathoughtofherschool，oftheexaminationthatwascomingsoon，andofthegirlandfourboysshewassendingupforit。Andjustasshewasthinkingabouttheexamination，shewasovertakenbyaneighboringlandownercalledHanovinacarriagewithfourhorses，theverymanwhohadbeenexaminerinherschooltheyearbefore。Whenhecameuptoherherecognizedherandbowed。
\"Good-morning，\"hesaidtoher。\"Youaredrivinghome，I
suppose。\"
ThisHanov，amanoffortywithalistlessexpressionandafacethatshowedsignsofwear，wasbeginningtolookold，butwasstillhandsomeandadmiredbywomen。Helivedinhisbighomesteadalone，andwasnotintheservice；andpeopleusedtosayofhimthathedidnothingathomebutwalkupanddowntheroomwhistling，orplaychesswithhisoldfootman。Peoplesaid，too，thathedrankheavily。Andindeedattheexaminationtheyearbeforetheverypapershebroughtwithhimsmeltofwineandscent。Hehadbeendressedallinnewclothesonthatoccasion，andMaryaVassilyevnathoughthimveryattractive，andallthewhileshesatbesidehimshehadfeltembarrassed。Shewasaccustomedtoseefrigidandsensibleexaminersattheschool，whilethisonedidnotrememberasingleprayer，orknowwhattoaskquestionsabout，andwasexceedinglycourteousanddelicate，givingnothingbutthehighestmarks。
\"IamgoingtovisitBakvist，\"hewenton，addressingMaryaVassilyevna，\"butIamtoldheisnotathome。\"
Theyturnedoffthehighroadintoaby-roadtothevillage，HanovleadingthewayandSemyonfollowing。Thefourhorsesmovedatawalkingpace，witheffortdraggingtheheavycarriagethroughthemud。Semyontackedfromsidetoside，keepingtotheedgeoftheroad，atonetimethroughasnowdrift，atanotherthroughapool，oftenjumpingoutofthecartandhelpingthehorse。MaryaVassilyevnawasstillthinkingabouttheschool，wonderingwhetherthearithmeticquestionsattheexaminationwouldbedifficultoreasy。AndshefeltannoyedwiththeZemstvoboardatwhichshehadfoundnoonethedaybefore。Howunbusiness-like！
Hereshehadbeenaskingthemforthelasttwoyearstodismissthewatchman，whodidnothing，wasrudetoher，andhittheschoolboys；butnoonepaidanyattention。Itwashardtofindthepresidentattheoffice，andwhenonedidfindhimhewouldsaywithtearsinhiseyesthathehadn’tamomenttospare；theinspectorvisitedtheschoolatmostonceinthreeyears，andknewnothingwhateverabouthiswork，ashehadbeenintheExciseDutiesDepartment，andhadreceivedthepostofschoolinspectorthroughinfluence。TheSchoolCouncilmetveryrarely，andtherewasnoknowingwhereitmet；theschoolguardianwasanalmostilliteratepeasant，theheadofatanningbusiness，unintelligent，rude，andagreatfriendofthewatchman’s——andgoodnessknowstowhomshecouldappealwithcomplaintsorinquiries……
\"Hereallyishandsome，\"shethought，glancingatHanov。
Theroadgrewworseandworse……Theydroveintothewood。
Heretherewasnoroomtoturnround，thewheelssankdeeplyin，watersplashedandgurgledthroughthem，andsharptwigsstruckthemintheface。
\"Whataroad！\"saidHanov，andhelaughed。
Theschoolmistresslookedathimandcouldnotunderstandwhythisqueermanlivedhere。Whatcouldhismoney，hisinterestingappearance，hisrefinedbearingdoforhimhere，inthismud，inthisGod-forsaken，drearyplace？Hegotnospecialadvantagesoutoflife，andhere，likeSemyon，wasdrivingatajog-trotonanappallingroadandenduringthesamediscomforts。WhylivehereifonecouldliveinPetersburgorabroad？Andonewouldhavethoughtitwouldbenothingforarichmanlikehimtomakeagoodroadinsteadofthisbadone，toavoidenduringthismiseryandseeingthedespaironthefacesofhiscoachmanandSemyon；butheonlylaughed，andapparentlydidnotmind，andwantednobetterlife。Hewaskind，soft，naive，andhedidnotunderstandthiscoarselife，justasattheexaminationhedidnotknowtheprayers。Hesubscribednothingtotheschoolsbutglobes，andgenuinelyregardedhimselfasausefulpersonandaprominentworkerinthecauseofpopulareducation。Andwhatusewerehisglobeshere？
\"Holdon，Vassilyevna！\"saidSemyon。
Thecartlurchedviolentlyandwasonthepointofupsetting；
somethingheavyrolledontoMaryaVassilyevna’sfeet——itwasherparcelofpurchases。Therewasasteepascentuphillthroughtheclay；hereinthewindingditchesrivuletsweregurgling。
Thewaterseemedtohavegnawedawaytheroad；andhowcouldonegetalonghere！Thehorsesbreathedhard。Hanovgotoutofhiscarriageandwalkedatthesideoftheroadinhislongovercoat。
Hewashot。
\"Whataroad！\"hesaid，andlaughedagain。\"Itwouldsoonsmashupone’scarriage。\"
\"Nobodyobligesyoutodriveaboutinsuchweather，\"saidSemyonsurlily。\"Youshouldstayathome。\"
\"Iamdullathome，grandfather。Idon’tlikestayingathome。\"
BesideoldSemyonhelookedgracefulandvigorous，butyetinhiswalktherewassomethingjustperceptiblewhichbetrayedinhimabeingalreadytouchedbydecay，weak，andontheroadtoruin。
Andallatoncetherewasawhiffofspiritsinthewood。MaryaVassilyevnawasfilledwithdreadandpityforthismangoingtohisruinfornovisiblecauseorreason，anditcameintohermindthatifshehadbeenhiswifeorsistershewouldhavedevotedherwholelifetosavinghimfromruin。Hiswife！Lifewassoorderedthatherehewaslivinginhisgreathousealone，andshewaslivinginaGod-forsakenvillagealone，andyetforsomereasonthemerethoughtthatheandshemightbeclosetooneanotherandequalsseemedimpossibleandabsurd。Inreality，lifewasarrangedandhumanrelationswerecomplicatedsoutterlybeyondallunderstandingthatwhenonethoughtaboutitonefeltuncannyandone’sheartsank。
\"Anditisbeyondallunderstanding，\"shethought，\"whyGodgivesbeauty，thisgraciousness，andsad，sweeteyestoweak，unlucky，uselesspeople——whytheyaresocharming。\"
\"Herewemustturnofftotheright，\"saidHanov，gettingintohiscarriage。\"Good-by！Iwishyouallthingsgood！\"
Andagainshethoughtofherpupils，oftheexamination，ofthewatchman，oftheSchoolCouncil；andwhenthewindbroughtthesoundoftheretreatingcarriagethesethoughtsweremingledwithothers。Shelongedtothinkofbeautifuleyes，oflove，ofthehappinesswhichwouldneverbe……
Hiswife？Itwascoldinthemorning，therewasnoonetoheatthestove，thewatchmandisappeared；thechildrencameinassoonasitwaslight，bringinginsnowandmudandmakinganoise：itwasallsoinconvenient，socomfortless。Herabodeconsistedofonelittleroomandthekitchencloseby。Herheadachedeverydayafterherwork，andafterdinnershehadheart-burn。Shehadtocollectmoneyfromtheschool-childrenforwoodandforthewatchman，andtogiveittotheschoolguardian，andthentoentreathim——thatoverfed，insolentpeasant——forGod’ssaketosendherwood。Andatnightshedreamedofexaminations，peasants，snowdrifts。Andthislifewasmakinghergrowoldandcoarse，makingherugly，angular，andawkward，asthoughsheweremadeoflead。Shewasalwaysafraid，andshewouldgetupfromherseatandnotventuretositdowninthepresenceofamemberoftheZemstvoortheschoolguardian。Andsheusedformal，deferentialexpressionswhenshespokeofanyoneofthem。Andnoonethoughtherattractive，andlifewaspassingdrearily，withoutaffection，withoutfriendlysympathy，withoutinterestingacquaintances。Howawfulitwouldhavebeeninherpositionifshehadfalleninlove！
\"Holdon，Vassilyevna！\"
Againasharpascentuphill……
Shehadbecomeaschoolmistressfromnecessity，withoutfeelinganyvocationforit；andshehadneverthoughtofavocation，ofservingthecauseofenlightenment；anditalwaysseemedtoherthatwhatwasmostimportantinherworkwasnotthechildren，norenlightenment，buttheexaminations。Andwhattimehadsheforthinkingofvocation，ofservingthecauseofenlightenment？
Teachers，badlypaiddoctors，andtheirassistants，withtheirterriblyhardwork，havenoteventhecomfortofthinkingthattheyareservinganideaorthepeople，astheirheadsarealwaysstuffedwiththoughtsoftheirdailybread，ofwoodforthefire，ofbadroads，ofillnesses。Itisahard-working，anuninterestinglife，andonlysilent，patientcart-horseslikeMaryVassilyevnacouldputupwithitforlong；
thelively，nervous，impressionablepeoplewhotalkedaboutvocationandservingtheideaweresoonwearyofitandgaveupthework。
Semyonkeptpickingoutthedriestandshortestway，firstbyameadow，thenbythebacksofthevillagehuts；butinoneplacethepeasantswouldnotletthempass，inanotheritwasthepriest’slandandtheycouldnotcrossit，inanotherIvanIonovhadboughtaplotfromthelandownerandhaddugaditchroundit。Theykepthavingtoturnback。
TheyreachedNizhneyeGorodistche。Nearthetavernonthedung-strewnearth，wherethesnowwasstilllying，therestoodwagonsthathadbroughtgreatbottlesofcrudesulphuricacid。
Therewereagreatmanypeopleinthetavern，alldrivers，andtherewasasmellofvodka，tobacco，andsheepskins。Therewasaloudnoiseofconversationandthebangingoftheswing-door。
Throughthewall，withoutceasingforamoment，camethesoundofaconcertinabeingplayedintheshop。MaryaVassilyevnasatdownanddranksometea，whileatthenexttablepeasantsweredrinkingvodkaandbeer，perspiringfromtheteatheyhadjustswallowedandthestiflingfumesofthetavern。
\"Isay，Kuzma！\"voiceskeptshoutinginconfusion。\"Whatthere！\"
\"TheLordblessus！\"\"IvanDementyitch，Icantellyouthat！\"
\"Lookout，oldman！\"
Alittlepock-markedmanwithablackbeard，whowasquitedrunk，wassuddenlysurprisedbysomethingandbeganusingbadlanguage。
\"Whatareyouswearingat，youthere？\"Semyon，whowassittingsomewayoff，respondedangrily。\"Don’tyouseetheyounglady？\"
\"Theyounglady！\"someonemimickedinanothercorner。
\"Swinishcrow！\"
\"Wemeantnothing……\"saidthelittlemaninconfusion。\"Ibegyourpardon。Wepaywithourmoneyandtheyoungladywithhers。
Good-morning！\"
\"Good-morning，\"answeredtheschoolmistress。
\"Andwethankyoumostfeelingly。\"
MaryaVassilyevnadrankherteawithsatisfaction，andshe，too，beganturningredlikethepeasants，andfelltothinkingagainaboutfirewood，aboutthewatchman……
\"Stay，oldman，\"sheheardfromthenexttable，\"it’stheschoolmistressfromVyazovye……Weknowher；she’sagoodyounglady。\"
\"She’sallright！\"
Theswing-doorwascontinuallybanging，somecomingin，othersgoingout。MaryaVassilyevnasaton，thinkingallthetimeofthesamethings，whiletheconcertinawentonplayingandplaying。
Thepatchesofsunshinehadbeenonthefloor，thentheypassedtothecounter，tothewall，anddisappearedaltogether；
sobythesunitwaspastmidday。Thepeasantsatthenexttableweregettingreadytogo。Thelittleman，somewhatunsteadily，wentuptoMaryaVassilyevnaandheldouthishandtoher；
followinghisexample，theothersshookhands，too，atparting，andwentoutoneafteranother，andtheswing-doorsqueakedandslammedninetimes。
\"Vassilyevna，getready，\"Semyoncalledtoher。
Theysetoff。Andagaintheywentatawalkingpace。
\"AlittlewhilebacktheywerebuildingaschoolhereintheirNizhneyeGorodistche，\"saidSemyon，turninground。\"Itwasawickedthingthatwasdone！\"
\"Why，what？\"
\"Theysaythepresidentputathousandinhispocket，andtheschoolguardiananotherthousandinhis，andtheteacherfivehundred。\"
\"Thewholeschoolonlycostathousand。It’swrongtoslanderpeople，grandfather。That’sallnonsense。\"
\"Idon’tknow，……Ionlytellyouwhatfolkssay。\"
ButitwasclearthatSemyondidnotbelievetheschoolmistress。
Thepeasantsdidnotbelieveher。Theyalwaysthoughtshereceivedtoolargeasalary，twenty-oneroublesamonth（fivewouldhavebeenenough），andthatofthemoneythatshecollectedfromthechildrenforthefirewoodandthewatchmanthegreaterpartshekeptforherself。Theguardianthoughtthesameasthepeasants，andhehimselfmadeaprofitoffthefirewoodandreceivedpaymentsfromthepeasantsforbeingaguardian——
withouttheknowledgeoftheauthorities。
Theforest，thankGod！wasbehindthem，andnowitwouldbeflat，opengroundallthewaytoVyazovye，andtherewasnotfartogonow。Theyhadtocrosstheriverandthentherailwayline，andthenVyazovyewasinsight。
\"Whereareyoudriving？\"MaryaVassilyevnaaskedSemyon。\"Taketheroadtotherighttothebridge。\"
\"Why，wecangothiswayaswell。It’snotdeepenoughtomatter。\"
\"Mindyoudon’tdrownthehorse。\"
\"What？\"
\"Look，Hanovisdrivingtothebridge，\"saidMaryaVassilyevna，seeingthefourhorsesfarawaytotheright。\"Itishe，I
think。\"
\"Itis。Sohedidn’tfindBakvistathome。Whatapig-headedfellowheis。Lordhavemercyuponus！He’sdrivenoverthere，andwhatfor？It’sfullytwomilesnearerthisway。\"
Theyreachedtheriver。Inthesummeritwasalittlestreameasilycrossedbywading。ItusuallydriedupinAugust，butnow，afterthespringfloods，itwasariverfortyfeetinbreadth，rapid，muddy，andcold；onthebankandrightuptothewatertherewerefreshtracksofwheels，soithadbeencrossedhere。
\"Goon！\"shoutedSemyonangrilyandanxiously，tuggingviolentlyatthereinsandjerkinghiselbowsasabirddoesitswings。\"Goon！\"
Thehorsewentonintothewateruptohisbellyandstopped，butatoncewentonagainwithaneffort，andMaryaVassilyevnawasawareofakeenchillinessinherfeet。
\"Goon！\"she，too，shouted，gettingup。\"Goon！\"
Theygotoutonthebank。
\"Nicemessitis，Lordhavemercyuponus！\"mutteredSemyon，settingstraighttheharness。\"It’saperfectplaguewiththisZemstvo……\"
Hershoesandgolosheswerefullofwater，thelowerpartofherdressandofhercoatandonesleevewerewetanddripping：thesugarandflourhadgotwet，andthatwasworstofall，andMaryaVassilyevnacouldonlyclaspherhandsindespairandsay：
Oh，Semyon，Semyon！Howtiresomeyouarereally！……\"
Thebarrierwasdownattherailwaycrossing。Atrainwascomingoutofthestation。MaryaVassilyevnastoodatthecrossingwaitingtillitshouldpass，andshiveringalloverwithcold。
Vyazovyewasinsightnow，andtheschoolwiththegreenroof，andthechurchwithitscrossesflashingintheeveningsun：andthestationwindowsflashedtoo，andapinksmokerosefromtheengine……anditseemedtoherthateverythingwastremblingwithcold。
Herewasthetrain；thewindowsreflectedthegleaminglightlikethecrossesonthechurch：itmadehereyesachetolookatthem。
Onthelittleplatformbetweentwofirst-classcarriagesaladywasstanding，andMaryaVassilyevnaglancedatherasshepassed。Hermother！Whataresemblance！Hermotherhadhadjustsuchluxurianthair，justsuchabrowandbendofthehead。Andwithamazingdistinctness，forthefirsttimeinthosethirteenyears，thererosebeforehermindavividpictureofhermother，herfather，herbrother，theirflatinMoscow，theaquariumwithlittlefish，everythingtothetiniestdetail；sheheardthesoundofthepiano，herfather’svoice；shefeltasshehadbeenthen，young，good-looking，well-dressed，inabrightwarmroomamongherownpeople。Afeelingofjoyandhappinesssuddenlycameoverher，shepressedherhandstohertemplesinanecstacy，andcalledsoftly，beseechingly：
\"Mother！\"
Andshebegancrying，shedidnotknowwhy。JustatthatinstantHanovdroveupwithhisteamoffourhorses，andseeinghimsheimaginedhappinesssuchasshehadneverhad，andsmiledandnoddedtohimasanequalandafriend，anditseemedtoherthatherhappiness，hertriumph，wasglowingintheskyandonallsides，inthewindowsandonthetrees。Herfatherandmotherhadneverdied，shehadneverbeenaschoolmistress，itwasalong，tedious，strangedream，andnowshehadawakened……
\"Vassilyevna，getin！\"
Andatonceitallvanished。Thebarrierwasslowlyraised。MaryaVassilyevna，shiveringandnumbwithcold，gotintothecart。Thecarriagewiththefourhorsescrossedtherailwayline；Semyonfollowedit。Thesignalmantookoffhiscap。
\"AndhereisVyazovye。Hereweare。\"
ANERVOUSBREAKDOWN
AMEDICALstudentcalledMayer，andapupiloftheMoscowSchoolofPainting，Sculpture，andArchitecturecalledRybnikov，wentoneeveningtoseetheirfriendVassilyev，alawstudent，andsuggestedthatheshouldgowiththemtoS。Street。ForalongtimeVassilyevwouldnotconsenttogo，butintheendheputonhisgreatcoatandwentwiththem。
Heknewnothingoffallenwomenexceptbyhearsayandfrombooks，andhehadneverinhislifebeeninthehousesinwhichtheylive。Heknewthatthereareimmoralwomenwho，underthepressureoffatalcircumstances——environment，badeducation，poverty，andsoon——areforcedtoselltheirhonorformoney。
Theyknownothingofpurelove，havenochildren，havenocivilrights；theirmothersandsistersweepoverthemasthoughtheyweredead，sciencetreatsofthemasanevil，menaddressthemwithcontemptuousfamiliarity。Butinspiteofallthat，theydonotlosethesemblanceandimageofGod。Theyallacknowledgetheirsinandhopeforsalvation。Ofthemeansthatleadtosalvationtheycanavailthemselvestothefullestextent。
Society，itistrue，willnotforgivepeopletheirpast，butinthesightofGodSt。MaryofEgyptisnolowerthantheothersaints。WhenithadhappenedtoVassilyevinthestreettorecognizeafallenwomanassuch，byherdressorhermanners，ortoseeapictureofoneinacomicpaper，healwaysrememberedastoryhehadonceread：ayoungman，pureandself-sacrificing，lovesafallenwomanandurgeshertobecomehiswife；she，consideringherselfunworthyofsuchhappiness，takespoison。
VassilyevlivedinoneofthesidestreetsturningoutofTverskoyBoulevard。Whenhecameoutofthehousewithhistwofriendsitwasabouteleveno’clock。Thefirstsnowhadnotlongfallen，andallnaturewasunderthespellofthefreshsnow。
Therewasthesmellofsnowintheair，thesnowcrunchedsoftlyunderthefeet；theearth，theroofs，thetrees，theseatsontheboulevard，everythingwassoft，white，young，andthismadethehouseslookquitedifferentfromthedaybefore；thestreetlampsburnedmorebrightly，theairwasmoretransparent，thecarriagesrumbledwithadeepernote，andwiththefresh，light，frostyairafeelingstirredinthesoulakintothewhite，youthful，featherysnow。\"Againstmywillanunknownforce，\"
hummedthemedicalstudentinhisagreeabletenor，\"hasledmetothesemournfulshores。\"
\"Beholdthemill……\"theartistsecondedhim，\"inruinsnow……\"
\"Beholdthemill……inruinsnow，\"themedicalstudentrepeated，raisinghiseyebrowsandshakinghisheadmournfully。
Hepaused，rubbedhisforehead，tryingtorememberthewords，andthensangaloud，sowellthatpassers-bylookedround：
\"HereinolddayswhenIwasfree，Love，free，unfettered，greetedme。\"
Thethreeofthemwentintoarestaurantand，withouttakingofftheirgreatcoats，drankacoupleofglassesofvodkaeach。Beforedrinkingthesecondglass，Vassilyevnoticedabitofcorkinhisvodka，raisedtheglasstohiseyes，andgazedintoitforalongtime，screwinguphisshortsightedeyes。Themedicalstudentdidnotunderstandhisexpression，andsaid：
\"Come，whylookatit？Nophilosophizing，please。Vodkaisgivenustobedrunk，sturgeontobeeaten，womentobevisited，snowtobewalkedupon。Foroneeveninganywaylivelikeahumanbeing！\"
\"ButIhaven’tsaidanything……\"saidVassilyev，laughing。\"AmIrefusingto？\"
Therewasawarmthinsidehimfromthevodka。Helookedwithsoftenedfeelingsathisfriends，admiredthemandenviedthem。
Inthesestrong，healthy，cheerfulpeoplehowwonderfullybalancedeverythingis，howfinishedandsmoothiseverythingintheirmindsandsouls！Theysing，andhaveapassionforthetheatre，anddraw，andtalkagreatdeal，anddrink，andtheydon’thaveheadachesthedayafter；theyarebothpoeticalanddebauched，bothsoftandhard；theycanwork，too，andbeindignant，andlaughwithoutreason，andtalknonsense；theyarewarm，honest，self-sacrificing，andasmenareinnowayinferiortohimself，Vassilyev，whowatchedovereverystephetookandeverywordheuttered，whowasfastidiousandcautious，andreadytoraiseeverytrifletothelevelofaproblem。Andhelongedforoneeveningtoliveashisfriendsdid，toopenout，tolethimselfloosefromhisowncontrol。Ifvodkahadtobedrunk，hewoulddrinkit，thoughhisheadwouldbesplittingnextmorning。Ifheweretakentothewomenhewouldgo。Hewouldlaugh，playthefool，gailyrespondtothepassingadvancesofstrangersinthestreet……
Hewentoutoftherestaurantlaughing。Helikedhisfriends——
oneinacrushedbroad-brimmedhat，withanaffectationofartisticuntidiness；theotherinasealskincap，amannotpoor，thoughheaffectedtobelongtotheBohemiaoflearning。Helikedthesnow，thepalestreetlamps，thesharpblacktracksleftinthefirstsnowbythefeetofthepassers-by。Helikedtheair，andespeciallythatlimpid，tender，naive，asitwerevirginaltone，whichcanbeseeninnatureonlytwiceintheyear——wheneverythingiscoveredwithsnow，andinspringonbrightdaysandmoonlighteveningswhentheicebreaksontheriver。
\"Againstmywillanunknownforce，Hasledmetothesemournfulshores，\"
hehummedinanundertone。
Andthetuneforsomereasonhauntedhimandhisfriendsalltheway，andallthreeofthemhummeditmechanically，notintimewithoneanother。
Vassilyev’simaginationwaspicturinghow，inanothertenminutes，heandhisfriendswouldknockatadoor；howbylittledarkpassagesanddarkroomstheywouldstealintothewomen；
how，takingadvantageofthedarkness，hewouldstrikeamatch，wouldlightupandseethefaceofamartyrandaguiltysmile。
Theunknown，fairordark，wouldcertainlyhaveherhairdownandbewearingawhitedressing-jacket；shewouldbepanic-strickenbythelight，wouldbefearfullyconfused，andwouldsay：\"ForGod’ssake，whatareyoudoing！Putitout！\"Itwouldallbedreadful，butinterestingandnew。
II
ThefriendsturnedoutofTrubnoySquareintoGratchevka，andsoonreachedthesidestreetwhichVassilyevonlyknewbyreputation。Seeingtworowsofhouseswithbrightlylightedwindowsandwide-opendoors，andhearinggaystrainsofpianosandviolins，soundswhichfloatedoutfromeverydoorandmingledinastrangechaos，asthoughanunseenorchestraweretuningupinthedarknessabovetheroofs，Vassilyevwassurprisedandsaid：
\"Whatalotofhouses！\"
\"That’snothing，\"saidthemedicalstudent。\"InLondontherearetentimesasmany。Thereareaboutahundredthousandsuchwomenthere。\"
Thecabmenweresittingontheirboxesascalmlyandindifferentlyasinanyothersidestreet；thesamepassers-bywerewalkingalongthepavementasinotherstreets。Noonewashurrying，noonewashidinghisfaceinhiscoat-collar，nooneshookhisheadreproachfully……Andinthisindifferencetothenoisychaosofpianosandviolins，tothebrightwindowsandwide-opendoors，therewasafeelingofsomethingveryopen，insolent，reckless，anddevil-may-care。Probablyitwasasgayandnoisyattheslave-marketsintheirday，andpeople’sfacesandmovementsshowedthesameindifference。
\"Letusbeginfromthebeginning，\"saidtheartist。
Thefriendswentintoanarrowpassagelightedbyalampwithareflector。Whentheyopenedthedooramaninablackcoat，withanunshavenfacelikeaflunkey’s，andsleepy-lookingeyes，gotuplazilyfromayellowsofainthehall。Theplacesmeltlikealaundrywithanodorofvinegarinaddition。Adoorfromthehallledintoabrightlylightedroom。Themedicalstudentandtheartiststoppedatthisdoorand，craningtheirnecks，peepedintotheroom。
\"Buonasera，signori，rigolleto——hugenotti——traviata！\"begantheartist，withatheatricalbow。
\"Havanna——tarakano——pistoleto！\"saidthemedicalstudent，pressinghiscaptohisbreastandbowinglow。
Vassilyevwasstandingbehindthem。Hewouldhavelikedtomakeatheatricalbowandsaysomethingsilly，too，butheonlysmiled，feltanawkwardnessthatwaslikeshame，andwaitedimpatientlyforwhatwouldhappennext。
Alittlefairgirlofseventeenoreighteen，withshorthair，inashortlight-bluefrockwithabunchofwhiteribbononherbosom，appearedinthedoorway。
\"Whydoyoustandatthedoor？\"shesaid。\"Takeoffyourcoatsandcomeintothedrawing-room。\"
Themedicalstudentandtheartist，stilltalkingItalian，wentintothedrawing-room。Vassilyevfollowedthemirresolutely。
\"Gentlemen，takeoffyourcoats！\"theflunkeysaidsternly；\"youcan’tgoinlikethat。\"
Inthedrawing-roomtherewas，besidesthegirl，anotherwoman，verystoutandtall，withaforeignfaceandbarearms。Shewassittingnearthepiano，layingoutagameofpatienceonherlap。
Shetooknonoticewhateverofthevisitors。
\"Wherearetheotheryoungladies？\"askedthemedicalstudent。
\"Theyarehavingtheirtea，\"saidthefairgirl。\"Stepan，\"shecalled，\"goandtelltheyoungladiessomestudentshavecome！\"
Alittlelaterathirdyoungladycameintotheroom。Shewaswearingabrightreddresswithbluestripes。Herfacewaspaintedthicklyandunskillfully，herbrowwashiddenunderherhair，andtherewasanunblinking，frightenedstareinhereyes。
Asshecamein，shebeganatoncesingingsomesonginacoarse，powerfulcontralto。Afterherafourthappeared，andafterherafifth……
InallthisVassilyevsawnothingneworinteresting。Itseemedtohimthatthatroom，thepiano，thelooking-glassinitscheapgiltframe，thebunchofwhiteribbon，thedresswiththebluestripes，andtheblankindifferentfaces，hehadseenbeforeandmorethanonce。Ofthedarkness，thesilence，thesecrecy，theguiltysmile，ofallthathehadexpectedtomeethereandhaddreaded，hesawnotrace。
Everythingwasordinary，prosaic，anduninteresting。Onlyonethingfaintlystirredhiscuriosity——theterrible，asitwereintentionallydesigned，badtastewhichwasvisibleinthecornices，intheabsurdpictures，inthedresses，inthebunchofribbons。Therewassomethingcharacteristicandpeculiarinthisbadtaste。
\"Howpoorandstupiditallis！\"thoughtVassilyev。\"WhatisthereinallthistrumperyIseenowthatcantemptanormalmanandexcitehimtocommitthehorriblesinofbuyingahumanbeingforarouble？Iunderstandanysinforthesakeofsplendor，beauty，grace，passion，taste；butwhatistherehere？Whatistherehereworthsinningfor？But……onemustn’tthink！\"
\"Beardy，treatmetosomeporter！\"saidthefairgirl，addressinghim。
Vassilyevwasatonceovercomewithconfusion。
\"Withpleasure，\"hesaid，bowingpolitely。\"Onlyexcuseme，madam，I……Iwon’tdrinkwithyou。Idon’tdrink。
Fiveminuteslaterthefriendswentoffintoanotherhouse。
\"Whydidyouaskforporter？\"saidthemedicalstudentangrily。
\"Whatamillionaire！Youhavethrownawaysixroublesfornoreasonwhatever——simplywaste！\"
\"Ifshewantsit，whynotletherhavethepleasure？\"saidVassilyev，justifyinghimself。
\"Youdidnotgivepleasuretoher，buttothe’Madam。’Theyaretoldtoaskthevisitorstostandthemtreatbecauseitisaprofittothekeeper。\"
\"Beholdthemill……\"hummedtheartist，\"inruinsnow……\"
Goingintothenexthouse，thefriendsstoppedinthehallanddidnotgointothedrawing-room。Here，asinthefirsthouse，afigureinablackcoat，withasleepyfacelikeaflunkey’s，gotupfromasofainthehall。Lookingatthisflunkey，athisfaceandhisshabbyblackcoat，Vassilyevthought：\"WhatmustanordinarysimpleRussianhavegonethroughbeforefateflunghimdownasaflunkeyhere？Wherehadhebeenbeforeandwhathadhedone？Whatwasawaitinghim？Washemarried？Wherewashismother，anddidsheknowthathewasaservanthere？\"
AndVassilyevcouldnothelpparticularlynoticingtheflunkeyineachhouse。Inoneofthehouses——hethoughtitwasthefourth——therewasalittlespare，frail-lookingflunkeywithawatch-chainonhiswaistcoat。Hewasreadinganewspaper，andtooknonoticeofthemwhentheywentin。LookingathisfaceVassilyev，forsomereason，thoughtthatamanwithsuchafacemightsteal，mightmurder，mightbearfalsewitness。Butthefacewasreallyinteresting：abigforehead，grayeyes，alittleflattenednose，thincompressedlips，andablanklystupidandatthesametimeinsolentexpressionlikethatofayoungharrierovertakingahare。Vassilyevthoughtitwouldbenicetotouchthisman’shair，toseewhetheritwassoftorcoarse。Itmustbecoarselikeadog’s。
III
Havingdrunktwoglassesofporter，theartistbecamesuddenlytipsyandgrewunnaturallylively。
\"Let’sgotoanother！\"hesaidperemptorily，wavinghishands。\"I
willtakeyoutothebestone。\"
Whenhehadbroughthisfriendstothehousewhichinhisopinionwasthebest，hedeclaredhisfirmintentionofdancingaquadrille。Themedicalstudentgrumbledsomethingabouttheirhavingtopaythemusiciansarouble，butagreedtobehis_vis-a-vis_。Theybegandancing。
Itwasjustasnastyinthebesthouseasintheworst。Heretherewerejustthesamelooking-glassesandpictures，thesamestylesofcoiffureanddress。Lookingroundatthefurnishingoftheroomsandthecostumes，Vassilyevrealizedthatthiswasnotlackoftaste，butsomethingthatmightbecalledthetaste，andeventhestyle，ofS。Street，whichcouldnotbefoundelsewhere——somethingintentionalinitsugliness，notaccidental，butelaboratedinthecourseofyears。Afterhehadbeenineighthouseshewasnolongersurprisedatthecolorofthedresses，atthelongtrains，thegaudyribbons，thesailordresses，andthethickpurplishrougeonthecheeks；hesawthatitallhadtobelikethis，thatifasingleoneofthewomenhadbeendressedlikeahumanbeing，oriftherehadbeenonedecentengravingonthewall，thegeneraltoneofthewholestreetwouldhavesuffered。
\"Howunskillfullytheysellthemselves！\"hethought。\"Howcantheyfailtounderstandthatviceisonlyalluringwhenitisbeautifulandhidden，whenitwearsthemaskofvirtue？Modestblackdresses，palefaces，mournfulsmiles，anddarknesswouldbefarmoreeffectivethanthisclumsytawdriness。Stupidthings！
Iftheydon’tunderstanditofthemselves，theirvisitorsmightsurelyhavetaughtthem……\"
AyoungladyinaPolishdressedgedwithwhitefurcameuptohimandsatdownbesidehim。
\"Younicedarkman，whyaren’tyoudancing？\"sheasked。\"Whyareyousodull？\"
\"Becauseitisdull。\"
\"TreatmetosomeLafitte。Thenitwon’tbedull。\"
Vassilyevmadenoanswer。Hewassilentforalittle，andthenasked：
\"Whattimedoyougettosleep？\"
\"Atsixo’clock。\"
\"Andwhattimedoyougetup？\"
\"Sometimesattwoandsometimesatthree。\"
\"Andwhatdoyoudowhenyougetup？\"
\"Wehavecoffee，andatsixo’clockwehavedinner。\"
\"Andwhatdoyouhavefordinner？\"
\"Usuallysoup，beefsteak，anddessert。Ourmadamkeepsthegirlswell。Butwhydoyouaskallthis？\"
\"Oh，justtotalk……\"
Vassilyevlongedtotalktotheyoungladyaboutmanythings。Hefeltanintensedesiretofindoutwhereshecamefrom，whetherherparentswereliving，andwhethertheyknewthatshewashere；
howshehadcomeintothishouse；whethershewerecheerfulandsatisfied，orsadandoppressedbygloomythoughts；whethershehopedsomedaytogetoutofherpresentposition……Buthecouldnotthinkhowtobeginorinwhatshapetoputhisquestionssoasnottoseemimpertinent。Hethoughtforalongtime，andasked：
\"Howoldareyou？\"
\"Eighty，\"theyoungladyjested，lookingwithalaughattheanticsoftheartistashedanced。
Allatoncesheburstoutlaughingatsomething，andutteredalongcynicalsentenceloudenoughtobeheardbyeveryone。
Vassilyevwasaghast，andnotknowinghowtolook，gaveaconstrainedsmile。Hewastheonlyonewhosmiled；alltheothers，hisfriends，themusicians，thewomen，didnotevenglancetowardshisneighbor，butseemednottohaveheardher。
\"StandmesomeLafitte，\"hisneighborsaidagain。
Vassilyevfeltarepulsionforherwhitefurandforhervoice，andwalkedawayfromher。Itseemedtohimhotandstifling，andhisheartbeganthrobbingslowlybutviolently，likeahammer——
one！two！three！
\"Letusgoaway！\"hesaid，pullingtheartistbyhissleeve。
\"Waitalittle；letmefinish。\"
Whiletheartistandthemedicalstudentwerefinishingthequadrille，toavoidlookingatthewomen，Vassilyevscrutinizedthemusicians。Arespectable-lookingoldmaninspectacles，ratherlikeMarshalBazaine，wasplayingthepiano；ayoungmanwithafairbeard，dressedinthelatestfashion，wasplayingtheviolin。Theyoungmanhadafacethatdidnotlookstupidnorexhausted，butintelligent，youthful，andfresh。Hewasdressedfancifullyandwithtaste；heplayedwithfeeling。Itwasamysteryhowheandtherespectable-lookingoldmanhadcomehere。Howwasittheywerenotashamedtosithere？Whatweretheythinkingaboutwhentheylookedatthewomen？
Iftheviolinandthepianohadbeenplayedbymeninrags，lookinghungry，gloomy，drunken，withdissipatedorstupidfaces，thenonecouldhaveunderstoodtheirpresence，perhaps。Asitwas，Vassilyevcouldnotunderstanditatall。Herecalledthestoryofthefallenwomanhehadonceread，andhethoughtnowthatthathumanfigurewiththeguiltysmilehadnothingincommonwithwhathewasseeingnow。Itseemedtohimthathewasseeingnotfallenwomen，butsomedifferentworldquiteapart，alientohimandincomprehensible；ifhehadseenthisworldbeforeonthestage，orreadofitinabook，hewouldnothavebelievedinit……
Thewomanwiththewhitefurburstoutlaughingagainandutteredaloathsomesentenceinaloudvoice。Afeelingofdisgusttookpossessionofhim。Heflushedcrimsonandwentoutoftheroom。
\"Waitaminute，wearecomingtoo！\"theartistshoutedtohim。
IV
\"Whileweweredancing，\"saidthemedicalstudent，astheyallthreewentoutintothestreet，\"Ihadaconversationwithmypartner。Wetalkedaboutherfirstromance。He，thehero，wasanaccountantatSmolenskwithawifeandfivechildren。Shewasseventeen，andshelivedwithherpapaandmamma，whosoldsoapandcandles。\"
\"Howdidhewinherheart？\"askedVassilyev。
\"Byspendingfiftyroublesonunderclothesforher。Whatnext！\"
\"Soheknewhowtogethispartner’sstoryoutofher，\"thoughtVassilyevaboutthemedicalstudent。\"ButIdon’tknowhowto。\"
\"Isay，Iamgoinghome！\"hesaid。
\"Whatfor？\"
\"BecauseIdon’tknowhowtobehavehere。Besides，Iambored，disgusted。Whatisthereamusinginit？Iftheywerehumanbeings——buttheyaresavagesandanimals。Iamgoing；doasyoulike。\"
\"Come，Grisha，Grigory，darling……\"saidtheartistinatearfulvoice，huggingVassilyev，\"comealong！Let’sgotoonemoretogetheranddamnationtakethem！……Pleasedo，Grisha！\"
TheypersuadedVassilyevandledhimupastaircase。Inthecarpetandthegiltbanisters，intheporterwhoopenedthedoor，andinthepanelsthatdecoratedthehall，thesameS。Streetstylewasapparent，butcarriedtoagreaterperfection，moreimposing。
\"Ireallywillgohome！\"saidVassilyevashewastakingoffhiscoat。
\"Come，come，dearboy，\"saidtheartist，andhekissedhimontheneck。\"Don’tbetiresome……Gri-gri，beagoodcomrade！Wecametogether，wewillgobacktogether。Whatabeastyouare，really！\"
\"Icanwaitforyouinthestreet。Ithinkit’sloathsome，really！\"
\"Come，come，Grisha……Ifitisloathsome，youcanobserveit！Doyouunderstand？Youcanobserve！\"
\"Onemusttakeanobjectiveviewofthings，\"saidthemedicalstudentgravely。