\"Youdon’tunderstand？\"whisperedFatherGrigory，steppingbackinastonishmentandclaspinghishands。\"Whathaveyougotonyourshoulders，aheadorsomeotherobject？Yousendanoteuptothealtar，andwriteawordinitwhichitwouldbeunseemlyeventoutterinthestreet！Whyareyourollingyoureyes？
Surelyyouknowthemeaningoftheword？\"
\"Areyoureferringtothewordharlot？\"mutteredtheshopkeeper，flushingcrimsonandblinking。\"Butyouknow，theLordinHismercy……forgavethisverything，……forgaveaharlot……Hehaspreparedaplaceforher，andindeedfromthelifeoftheholysaint，MariyaofEgypt，onemayseeinwhatsensethewordisused——excuseme……\"
Theshopkeeperwantedtobringforwardsomeotherargumentinhisjustification，buttookfrightandwipedhislipswithhissleeve\"Sothat’swhatyoumakeofit！\"criedFatherGrigory，claspinghishands。\"ButyouseeGodhasforgivenher——doyouunderstand？Hehasforgiven，butyoujudgeher，youslanderher，callherbyanunseemlyname，andwhom！Yourowndeceaseddaughter！NotonlyinHolyScripture，buteveninworldlyliteratureyouwon’treadofsuchasin！Itellyouagain，Andrey，youmustn’tbeover-subtle！No，no，youmustn’tbeover-subtle，brother！IfGodhasgivenyouaninquiringmind，andifyoucannotdirectit，betternotgointothings……Don’tgointothings，andholdyourpeace！\"
\"Butyouknow，she，……excusemymentioningit，wasanactress！\"articulatedAndreyAndreyitch，overwhelmed。
\"Anactress！Butwhatevershewas，yououghttoforgetitallnowsheisdead，insteadofwritingitonthenote。\"
\"Justso，……\"theshopkeeperassented。
\"Yououghttodopenance，\"boomedthedeaconfromthedepthsofthealtar，lookingcontemptuouslyatAndreyAndreyitch’sembarrassedface，\"thatwouldteachyoutoleaveoffbeingsoclever！Yourdaughterwasawell-knownactress。Therewereevennoticesofherdeathinthenewspapers……Philosopher！\"
\"Tobesure，……certainly，\"mutteredtheshopkeeper，\"thewordisnotaseemlyone；butIdidnotsayittojudgeher，FatherGrigory，Ionlymeanttospeakspiritually，……thatitmightbeclearertoyouforwhomyouwerepraying。Theywriteinthememorialnotesthevariouscallings，suchastheinfantJohn，thedrownedwomanPelagea，thewarriorYegor，themurderedPavel，andsoon……Imeanttodothesame。\"
\"Itwasfoolish，Andrey！Godwillforgiveyou，butbewareanothertime。Aboveall，don’tbesubtle，butthinklikeotherpeople。
Maketenbowsandgoyourway。\"
\"Iobey，\"saidtheshopkeeper，relievedthatthelecturewasover，andallowinghisfacetoresumeitsexpressionofimportanceanddignity。\"Tenbows？Verygood，Iunderstand。Butnow，Father，allowmetoaskyouafavor……SeeingthatIam，anyway，herfather，……youknowyourself，whatevershewas，shewasstillmydaughter，soIwas，……excuseme，meaningtoaskyoutosingtherequiemtoday。Andallowmetoaskyou，FatherDeacon！\"
\"Well，that’sgood，\"saidFatherGrigory，takingoffhisvestments。\"ThatIcommend。Icanapproveofthat！Well，goyourway。Wewillcomeoutimmediately。\"
AndreyAndreyitchwalkedwithdignityfromthealtar，andwithasolemn，requiem-likeexpressiononhisredfacetookhisstandinthemiddleofthechurch。ThevergerMatveysetbeforehimalittletablewiththememorialfooduponit，andalittlelatertherequiemservicebegan。
Therewasperfectstillnessinthechurch。Nothingcouldbeheardbutthemetallicclickofthecenserandslowsinging……NearAndreyAndreyitchstoodthevergerMatvey，themidwifeMakaryevna，andherone-armedsonMitka。Therewasnooneelse。
Thesacristansangbadlyinanunpleasant，hollowbass，butthetuneandthewordsweresomournfulthattheshopkeeperlittlebylittlelosttheexpressionofdignityandwasplungedinsadness。
HethoughtofhisMashutka，……herememberedshehadbeenbornwhenhewasstillalackeyintheserviceoftheownerofVerhnyZaprudy。Inhisbusylifeasalackeyhehadnotnoticedhowhisgirlhadgrownup。Thatlongperiodduringwhichshewasbeingshapedintoagracefulcreature，withalittleflaxenheadanddreamyeyesasbigaskopeck-piecespassedunnoticedbyhim。Shehadbeenbroughtuplikeallthechildrenoffavoritelackeys，ineaseandcomfortinthecompanyoftheyoungladies。Thegentry，tofilluptheiridletime，hadtaughthertoread，towrite，todance；hehadhadnohandinherbringingup。Onlyfromtimetotimecasuallymeetingheratthegateoronthelandingofthestairs，hewouldrememberthatshewashisdaughter，andwould，sofarashehadleisureforit，beginteachinghertheprayersandthescripture。Oh，eventhenhehadthereputationofanauthorityonthechurchrulesandtheholyscriptures！Forbiddingandstolidasherfather’sfacewas，yetthegirllistenedreadily。Sherepeatedtheprayersafterhimyawning，butontheotherhand，whenhe，hesitatingandtryingtoexpresshimselfelaborately，begantellingherstories，shewasallattention。Esau’spottage，thepunishmentofSodom，andthetroublesoftheboyJosephmadeherturnpaleandopenherblueeyeswide。
Afterwardswhenhegaveupbeingalackey，andwiththemoneyhehadsavedopenedashopinthevillage，MashutkahadgoneawaytoMoscowwithhismaster’sfamily……
Threeyearsbeforeherdeathshehadcometoseeherfather。Hehadscarcelyrecognizedher。Shewasagracefulyoungwomanwiththemannersofayounglady，anddressedlikeone。Shetalkedcleverly，asthoughfromabook，smoked，andslepttillmidday。
WhenAndreyAndreyitchaskedherwhatshewasdoing，shehadannounced，lookinghimboldlystraightintheface：\"Iamanactress。\"Suchfranknessstrucktheformerflunkeyastheacmeofcynicism。Mashutkahadbegunboastingofhersuccessesandherstagelife；butseeingthatherfatheronlyturnedcrimsonandthrewuphishands，sheceased。Andtheyspentafortnighttogetherwithoutspeakingorlookingatoneanothertillthedayshewentaway。Beforeshewentawaysheaskedherfathertocomeforawalkonthebankoftheriver。Painfulasitwasforhimtowalkinthelightofday，inthesightofallhonestpeople，withadaughterwhowasanactress，heyieldedtoherrequest。
\"Whatalovelyplaceyoulivein！\"shesaidenthusiastically。
\"Whatravinesandmarshes！Goodheavens，howlovelymynativeplaceis！\"
Andshehadburstintotears。
\"Theplaceissimplytakinguproom，……\"AndreyAndreyvitchhadthought，lookingblanklyattheravines，notunderstandinghisdaughter’senthusiasm。\"Thereisnomoreprofitfromthemthanmilkfromabilly-goat。\"
Andshehadcriedandcried，drawingherbreathgreedilywithherwholechest，asthoughshefeltshehadnotalongtimelefttobreathe。
AndreyAndreyitchshookhisheadlikeahorsethathasbeenbitten，andtostiflepainfulmemoriesbeganrapidlycrossinghimself……
\"Bemindful，OLord，\"hemuttered，\"ofThydepartedservant，theharlotMariya，andforgivehersins，voluntaryorinvoluntary……\"
Theunseemlyworddroppedfromhislipsagain，buthedidnotnoticeit：whatisfirmlyimbeddedintheconsciousnesscannotbedrivenoutbyFatherGrigory’sexhortationsorevenknockedoutbyanail。Makaryevnasighedandwhisperedsomething，drawinginadeepbreath，whileone-armedMitkawasbroodingoversomething……
\"Wherethereisnosickness，norgrief，norsighing，\"dronedthesacristan，coveringhisrightcheekwithhishand。
Bluishsmokecoiledupfromthecenserandbathedinthebroad，slantingpatchofsunshinewhichcutacrossthegloomy，lifelessemptinessofthechurch。Anditseemedasthoughthesoulofthedeadwomanweresoaringintothesunlighttogetherwiththesmoke。Thecoilsofsmokelikeachild’scurlseddiedroundandround，floatingupwardstothewindowand，asitwere，holdingalooffromthewoesandtribulationsofwhichthatpoorsoulwasfull。
INTHECOACH-HOUSE
ITwasbetweennineandteno’clockintheevening。Stepanthecoachman，Mihailothehouse-porter，Alyoshkathecoachman’sgrandson，whohadcomeupfromthevillagetostaywithhisgrandfather，andNikandr，anoldmanofseventy，whousedtocomeintotheyardeveryeveningtosellsaltherrings，weresittingroundalanterninthebigcoach-house，playing\"kings。\"Throughthewide-opendoorcouldbeseenthewholeyard，thebighouse，wherethemaster’sfamilylived，thegates，thecellars，andtheporter’slodge。Itwasallshroudedinthedarknessofnight，andonlythefourwindowsofoneofthelodgeswhichwasletwerebrightlylitup。Theshadowsofthecoachesandsledgeswiththeirshaftstippedupwardsstretchedfromthewallstothedoors，quiveringandcuttingacrosstheshadowscastbythelanternandtheplayers……Ontheothersideofthethinpartitionthatdividedthecoach-housefromthestablewerethehorses。Therewasascentofhay，andadisagreeablesmellofsaltherringscomingfromoldNikandr。
Theporterwonandwasking；heassumedanattitudesuchaswasinhisopinionbefittingaking，andblewhisnoseloudlyonared-checkedhandkerchief。
\"NowifIlikeIcanchopoffanybody’shead，\"hesaid。Alyoshka，aboyofeightwithaheadofflaxenhair，leftlonguncut，whohadonlymissedbeingkingbytwotricks，lookedangrilyandwithenvyattheporter。Hepoutedandfrowned。
\"Ishallgiveyouthetrick，grandfather，\"hesaid，ponderingoverhiscards；\"Iknowyouhavegotthequeenofdiamonds。\"
\"Well，well，littlesilly，youhavethoughtenough！\"
Alyoshkatimidlyplayedtheknaveofdiamonds。Atthatmomentaringwasheardfromtheyard。
\"Oh，hangyou！\"mutteredtheporter，gettingup。\"Goandopenthegate，Oking！\"
Whenhecamebackalittlelater，Alyoshkawasalreadyaprince，thefish-hawkerasoldier，andthecoachmanapeasant。
\"It’sanastybusiness，\"saidtheporter，sittingdowntothecardsagain。\"Ihavejustletthedoctorsout。Theyhavenotextractedit。\"
\"Howcouldthey？Justthink，theywouldhavetopickopenthebrains。Ifthereisabulletinthehead，ofwhatusearedoctors？\"
\"Heislyingunconscious，\"theporterwenton。\"Heisboundtodie。Alyoshka，don’tlookatthecards，youlittlepuppy，orI
willpullyourears！Yes，Iletthedoctorsout，andthefatherandmotherin……Theyhaveonlyjustarrived。Suchcryingandwailing，Lordpreserveus！Theysayheistheonlyson……
It’sagrief！\"
AllexceptAlyoshka，whowasabsorbedinthegame，lookedroundatthebrightlylightedwindowsofthelodge。
\"Ihaveorderstogotothepolicestationtomorrow，\"saidtheporter。\"Therewillbeaninquiry……ButwhatdoIknowaboutit？Isawnothingofit。Hecalledmethismorning，gavemealetter，andsaid：’Putitintheletter-boxforme。’Andhiseyeswereredwithcrying。Hiswifeandchildrenwerenotathome。Theyhadgoneoutforawalk。SowhenIhadgonewiththeletter，heputabulletintohisforeheadfromarevolver。WhenI
camebackhiscookwaswailingforthewholeyardtohear。\"
\"It’sagreatsin，\"saidthefish-hawkerinahuskyvoice，andheshookhishead，\"agreatsin！\"
\"Fromtoomuchlearning，\"saidtheporter，takingatrick；\"hiswitsoutstrippedhiswisdom。Sometimeshewouldsitwritingpapersallnight……Play，peasant！……Buthewasanicegentleman。Andsowhiteskinned，black-hairedandtall！……
Hewasagoodlodger。\"
\"Itseemsthefairsexisatthebottomofit，\"saidthecoachman，slappingthenineoftrumpsonthekingofdiamonds。
\"Itseemshewasfondofanotherman’swifeanddislikedhisown；
itdoeshappen。\"
\"Thekingrebels，\"saidtheporter。
Atthatmomenttherewasagainaringfromtheyard。Therebelliouskingspatwithvexationandwentout。Shadowslikedancingcouplesflittedacrossthewindowsofthelodge。Therewasthesoundofvoicesandhurriedfootstepsintheyard。
\"Isupposethedoctorshavecomeagain，\"saidthecoachman。\"OurMihailoisrunoffhislegs……\"
Astrangewailingvoicerangoutforamomentintheair。
Alyoshkalookedinalarmathisgrandfather，thecoachman；thenatthewindows，andsaid：
\"Hestrokedmeontheheadatthegateyesterday，andsaid，’Whatdistrictdoyoucomefrom，boy？’Grandfather，whowasthathowledjustnow？\"
Hisgrandfathertrimmedthelightinthelanternandmadenoanswer。
\"Themanislost，\"hesaidalittlelater，withayawn。\"Heislost，andhischildrenareruined，too。It’sadisgraceforhischildrenfortherestoftheirlivesnow。\"
Theportercamebackandsatdownbythelantern。
\"Heisdead，\"hesaid。\"Theyhavesenttothealmshousefortheoldwomentolayhimout。\"
\"Thekingdomofheavenandeternalpeacetohim！\"whisperedthecoachman，andhecrossedhimself。
Lookingathim，Alyoshkacrossedhimselftoo。
\"Youcan’tprayforsuchashim，\"saidthefish-hawker。
\"Whynot？\"
\"It’sasin。\"
\"That’strue，\"theporterassented。\"Nowhissoulhasgonestraighttohell，tothedevil……\"
\"It’sasin，\"repeatedthefish-hawker；\"suchashehavenofuneral，norequiem，butareburiedlikecarrionwithnorespect。\"
Theoldmanputonhiscapandgotup。
\"Itwasthesamethingatourlady’s，\"hesaid，pullinghiscaponfurther。\"Wewereserfsinthosedays；theyoungersonofourmistress，theGeneral’slady，shothimselfthroughthemouthwithapistol，fromtoomuchlearning，too。Itseemsthatbylawsuchhavetobeburiedoutsidethecemetery，withoutpriests，withoutarequiemservice；buttosavedisgraceourlady，youknow，bribedthepoliceandthedoctors，andtheygaveherapapertosayhersonhaddoneitwhendelirious，notknowingwhathewasdoing。Youcandoanythingwithmoney。Sohehadafuneralwithpriestsandeveryhonor，themusicplayed，andhewasburiedinthechurch；forthedeceasedGeneralhadbuiltthatchurchwithhisownmoney，andallhisfamilywereburiedthere。Onlythisiswhathappened，friends。Onemonthpassed，andthenanother，anditwasallright。InthethirdmonththeyinformedtheGeneral’sladythatthewatchmenhadcomefromthatsamechurch。
Whatdidtheywant？Theywerebroughttoher，theyfellatherfeet。’Wecan’tgoonserving，yourexcellency，’theysaid。’Lookoutforotherwatchmenandgraciouslydismissus。’’Whatfor？’
’No，’theysaid，’wecan’tpossibly；yoursonhowlsunderthechurchallnight。’\"
Alyoshkashuddered，andpressedhisfacetothecoachman’sbacksoasnottoseethewindows。
\"AtfirsttheGeneral’sladywouldnotlisten，\"continuedtheoldman。\"’Allthisisyourfancy，yousimplefolkhavesuchnotions，’shesaid。’Adeadmancannothowl。’Sometimeafterwardsthewatchmencametoheragain，andwiththemthesacristan。Sothesacristan，too，hadheardhimhowling。TheGeneral’sladysawthatitwasabadjob；shelockedherselfinherbedroomwiththewatchmen。’Here，myfriends，herearetwenty-fiveroublesforyou，andforthatgobynightinsecret，sothatnooneshouldhearorseeyou，digupmyunhappyson，andburyhim，’shesaid，’outsidethecemetery。’AndIsupposeshestoodthemaglass……Andthewatchmendidso。Thestonewiththeinscriptiononitistheretothisday，buthehimself，theGeneral’sson，isoutsidethecemetery……OLord，forgiveusourtransgressions！\"sighedthefish-hawker。\"Thereisonlyonedayintheyearwhenonemayprayforsuchpeople：theSaturdaybeforeTrinity……Youmustn’tgivealmstobeggarsfortheirsake，itisasin，butyoumayfeedthebirdsfortherestoftheirsouls。TheGeneral’sladyusedtogoouttothecrossroadseverythreedaystofeedthebirds。Onceatthecross-roadsablackdogsuddenlyappeared；itranuptothebread，andwassucha……weallknowwhatthatdogwas。TheGeneral’sladywaslikeahalf-crazycreatureforfivedaysafterwards，sheneitheratenordrank……Allatonceshefellonherkneesinthegarden，andprayedandprayed……Well，good-by，friends，theblessingofGodandtheHeavenlyMotherbewithyou。Letusgo，Mihailo，you’llopenthegateforme。\"
Thefish-hawkerandtheporterwentout。ThecoachmanandAlyoshkawentouttoo，soasnottobeleftinthecoach-house。
\"Themanwaslivingandisdead！\"saidthecoachman，lookingtowardsthewindowswhereshadowswerestillflittingtoandfro。
\"Onlythismorninghewaswalkingabouttheyard，andnowheislyingdead。\"
\"Thetimewillcomeandweshalldietoo，\"saidtheporter，walkingawaywiththefish-hawker，andatoncetheybothvanishedfromsightinthedarkness。
Thecoachman，andAlyoshkaafterhim，somewhattimidlywentuptothelightedwindows。Averypaleladywithlargetearstainedeyes，andafine-lookinggrayheadedmanweremovingtwocard-tablesintothemiddleoftheroom，probablywiththeintentionoflayingthedeadmanuponthem，andonthegreenclothofthetablenumberscouldstillbeseenwritteninchalk。
Thecookwhohadrunabouttheyardwailinginthemorningwasnowstandingonachair，stretchinguptotryandcoverthelookingglasswithatowel。
\"Grandfatherwhataretheydoing？\"askedAlyoshkainawhisper。
\"Theyarejustgoingtolayhimonthetables，\"answeredhisgrandfather。\"Letusgo，child，itisbedtime。\"
ThecoachmanandAlyoshkawentbacktothecoach-house。Theysaidtheirprayers，andtookofftheirboots。Stepanlaydowninacorneronthefloor，Alyoshkainasledge。Thedoorsofthecoachhousewereshut，therewasahorriblestenchfromtheextinguishedlantern。AlittlelaterAlyoshkasatupandlookedabouthim；throughthecrackofthedoorhecouldstillseealightfromthoselightedwindows。
\"Grandfather，Iamfrightened！\"hesaid。
\"Come，gotosleep，gotosleep！……\"
\"ItellyouIamfrightened！\"
\"Whatareyoufrightenedof？Whatababy！\"
Theyweresilent。
Alyoshkasuddenlyjumpedoutofthesledgeand，loudlyweeping，rantohisgrandfather。
\"Whatisit？What’sthematter？\"criedthecoachmaninafright，gettingupalso。
\"He’showling！\"
\"Whoishowling？\"
\"Iamfrightened，grandfather，doyouhear？\"
Thecoachmanlistened。
\"It’stheircrying，\"hesaid。\"Come！there，littlesilly！Theyaresad，sotheyarecrying。\"
\"Iwanttogohome，……\"hisgrandsonwentonsobbingandtremblingallover。\"Grandfather，letusgobacktothevillage，tomammy；come，grandfatherdear，Godwillgiveyoutheheavenlykingdomforit……\"
\"Whatasilly，ah！Come，bequiet，bequiet！Bequiet，Iwilllightthelantern，……silly！\"
Thecoachmanfumbledforthematchesandlightedthelantern。ButthelightdidnotcomfortAlyoshka。
\"GrandfatherStepan，let’sgotothevillage！\"hebesoughthim，weeping。\"Iamfrightenedhere；oh，oh，howfrightenedIam！Andwhydidyoubringmefromthevillage，accursedman？\"
\"Who’sanaccursedman？Youmustn’tusesuchdisrespectablewordstoyourlawfulgrandfather。Ishallwhipyou。\"
\"Dowhipme，grandfather，do；beatmelikeSidor’sgoat，butonlytakemetomammy，forGod’smercy！……\"
\"Come，come，grandson，come！\"thecoachmansaidkindly。\"It’sallright，don’tbefrightened……Iamfrightenedmyself……
Sayyourprayers！\"
Thedoorcreakedandtheporter’sheadappeared。\"Aren’tyouasleep，Stepan？\"heasked。\"Ishan’tgetanysleepallnight，\"hesaid，comingin。\"Ishallbeopeningandshuttingthegatesallnight……Whatareyoucryingfor，Alyoshka？\"
\"Heisfrightened，\"thecoachmanansweredforhisgrandson。
Againtherewasthesoundofawailingvoiceintheair。Theportersaid：
\"Theyarecrying。Themothercan’tbelievehereyes……It’sdreadfulhowupsetsheis。\"
\"Andisthefatherthere？\"
\"Yes……Thefatherisallright。Hesitsinthecornerandsaysnothing。Theyhavetakenthechildrentorelations……
Well，Stepan，shallwehaveagameoftrumps？\"
\"Yes，\"thecoachmanagreed，scratchinghimself，\"andyou，Alyoshka，gotosleep。Almostbigenoughtobemarried，andblubbering，yourascal。Come，goalong，grandson，goalong……
ThepresenceoftheporterreassuredAlyoshka。Hewent，notveryresolutely，towardsthesledgeandlaydown。Andwhilehewasfallingasleepheheardahalf-whisper。
\"Ibeatandcover，\"saidhisgrandfather。
\"Ibeatandcover，\"repeatedtheporter。
Thebellrangintheyard，thedoorcreakedandseemedalsosaying：\"Ibeatandcover。\"WhenAlyoshkadreamedofthegentlemanand，frightenedbyhiseyes，jumpedupandburstoutcrying，itwasmorning，hisgrandfatherwassnoring，andthecoach-housenolongerseemedterrible。
PANICFEARS
DURINGalltheyearsIhavebeenlivinginthisworldIhaveonlythreetimesbeenterrified。
Thefirstrealterror，whichmademyhairstandonendandmadeshiversrunalloverme，wascausedbyatrivialbutstrangephenomenon。Ithappenedthat，havingnothingtodooneJulyevening，Idrovetothestationforthenewspapers。Itwasastill，warm，almostsultryevening，likeallthosemonotonouseveningsinJulywhich，whenoncetheyhavesetin，goonforaweek，afortnight，orsometimeslonger，inregularunbrokensuccession，andaresuddenlycutshortbyaviolentthunderstormandalavishdownpourofrainthatrefresheseverythingforalongtime。
Thesunhadsetsometimebefore，andanunbrokengraydusklayallovertheland。Themawkishlysweetscentsofthegrassandflowerswereheavyinthemotionless，stagnantair。
Iwasdrivinginaroughtrolley。Behindmybackthegardener’ssonPashka，aboyofeightyearsold，whomIhadtakenwithmetolookafterthehorseincaseofnecessity，wasgentlysnoring，withhisheadonasackofoats。Ourwaylayalonganarrowby-road，straightasaruler，whichlayhidlikeagreatsnakeinthetallthickrye。Therewasapalelightfromtheafterglowofsunset；astreakoflightcutitswaythroughanarrow，uncouth-lookingcloud，whichseemedsometimeslikeaboatandsometimeslikeamanwrappedinaquilt……
Ihaddrivenamileandahalf，ortwomiles，whenagainstthepalebackgroundoftheeveningglowtherecameintosightoneafteranothersomegracefultallpoplars；ariverglimmeredbeyondthem，andagorgeouspicturesuddenly，asthoughbymagic，laystretchedbeforeme。Ihadtostopthehorse，forourstraightroadbrokeoffabruptlyandrandownasteepinclineovergrownwithbushes。Wewerestandingonthehillsideandbeneathusatthebottomlayahugeholefulloftwilight，offantasticshapes，andofspace。Atthebottomofthishole，inawideplainguardedbythepoplarsandcaressedbythegleamingriver，nestledavillage。Itwasnowsleeping……Itshuts，itschurchwiththebelfry，itstrees，stoodoutagainstthegraytwilightandwerereflecteddarklyinthesmoothsurfaceoftheriver。
IwakedPashkaforfearheshouldfalloutandbegancautiouslygoingdown。
\"HavewegottoLukovo？\"askedPashka，liftinghisheadlazily。
\"Yes。Holdthereins！……\"
Iledthehorsedownthehillandlookedatthevillage。Atthefirstglanceonestrangecircumstancecaughtmyattention：attheverytopofthebelfry，inthetinywindowbetweenthecupolaandthebells，alightwastwinkling。Thislightwaslikethatofasmolderinglamp，atonemomentdyingdown，atanotherflickeringup。Whatcoulditcomefrom？
Itssourcewasbeyondmycomprehension。Itcouldnotbeburningatthewindow，fortherewereneitherikonsnorlampsinthetopturretofthebelfry；therewasnothingthere，asIknew，butbeams，dust，andspiders’webs。Itwashardtoclimbupintothatturret，forthepassagetoitfromthebelfrywascloselyblockedup。
Itwasmorelikelythananythingelsetobethereflectionofsomeoutsidelight，butthoughIstrainedmyeyestotheutmost，Icouldnotseeoneotherspeckoflightinthevastexpansethatlaybeforeme。Therewasnomoon。Thepaleand，bynow，quitedimstreakoftheafterglowcouldnothavebeenreflected，forthewindowlookednottothewest，buttotheeast。TheseandothersimilarconsiderationswerestrayingthroughmymindallthewhilethatIwasgoingdowntheslopewiththehorse。AtthebottomIsatdownbytheroadsideandlookedagainatthelight。
Asbeforeitwasglimmeringandflaringup。
\"Strange，\"Ithought，lostinconjecture。\"Verystrange。\"
AndlittlebylittleIwasovercomebyanunpleasantfeeling。AtfirstIthoughtthatthiswasvexationatnotbeingabletoexplainasimplephenomenon；butafterwards，whenIsuddenlyturnedawayfromthelightinhorrorandcaughtholdofPashkawithonehand，itbecameclearthatIwasovercomewithterror……
Iwasseizedwithafeelingofloneliness，misery，andhorror，asthoughIhadbeenflungdownagainstmywillintothisgreatholefullofshadows，whereIwasstandingallalonewiththebelfrylookingatmewithitsredeye。
\"Pashka！\"Icried，closingmyeyesinhorror。
\"Well？\"
\"Pashka，what’sthatgleamingonthebelfry？\"
Pashkalookedovermyshoulderatthebelfryandgaveayawn。
\"Whocantell？\"
Thisbriefconversationwiththeboyreassuredmeforalittle，butnotforlong。Pashka，seeingmyuneasiness，fastenedhisbigeyesuponthelight，lookedatmeagain，thenagainatthelight……
\"Iamfrightened，\"hewhispered。
Atthispoint，besidemyselfwithterror，Iclutchedtheboywithonehand，huddleduptohim，andgavethehorseaviolentlash。
\"It’sstupid！\"Isaidtomyself。\"ThatphenomenonisonlyterriblebecauseIdon’tunderstandit；everythingwedon’tunderstandismysterious。\"
Itriedtopersuademyself，butatthesametimeIdidnotleaveofflashingthehorse。WhenwereachedthepostingstationI
purposelystayedforafullhourchattingwiththeoverseer，andreadthroughtwoorthreenewspapers，butthefeelingofuneasinessdidnotleaveme。Onthewaybackthelightwasnottobeseen，butontheotherhandthesilhouettesofthehuts，ofthepoplars，andofthehillupwhichIhadtodrive，seemedtomeasthoughanimated。AndwhythelightwasthereIdon’tknowtothisday。
ThesecondterrorIexperiencedwasexcitedbyacircumstancenolesstrivial……Iwasreturningfromaromanticinterview。Itwasoneo’clockatnight，thetimewhennatureisburiedinthesoundest，sweetestsleepbeforethedawn。Thattimenaturewasnotsleeping，andonecouldnotcallthenightastillone。
Corncrakes，quails，nightingales，andwoodcockswerecalling，cricketsandgrasshopperswerechirruping。Therewasalightmistoverthegrass，andcloudswerescurryingstraightaheadacrosstheskynearthemoon。Naturewasawake，asthoughafraidofmissingthebestmomentsofherlife。
Iwalkedalonganarrowpathattheveryedgeofarailwayembankment。Themoonlightglidedoverthelineswhichwerealreadycoveredwithdew。Greatshadowsfromthecloudskeptflittingovertheembankment。Farahead，adimgreenlightwasglimmeringpeacefully。
\"Soeverythingiswell，\"Ithought，lookingatthem。
Ihadaquiet，peaceful，comfortablefeelinginmyheart。Iwasreturningfromatryst，Ihadnoneedtohurry；Iwasnotsleepy，andIwasconsciousofyouthandhealthineverysigh，everystepItook，rousingadullechointhemonotonoushumofthenight。Idon’tknowwhatIwasfeelingthen，butIrememberIwashappy，veryhappy。
Ihadgonenotmorethanthree-quartersofamilewhenIsuddenlyheardbehindmeamonotonoussound，arumbling，ratherliketheroarofagreatstream。Itgrewlouderandloudereverysecond，andsoundednearerandnearer。Ilookedround；ahundredpacesfrommewasthedarkcopsefromwhichIhadonlyjustcome；theretheembankmentturnedtotherightinagracefulcurveandvanishedamongthetrees。Istoodstillinperplexityandwaited。
Ahugeblackbodyappearedatonceattheturn，noisilydartedtowardsme，andwiththeswiftnessofabirdflewpastmealongtherails。Lessthanhalfaminutepassedandtheblurhadvanished，therumblemeltedawayintothenoiseofthenight。
Itwasanordinarygoodstruck。Therewasnothingpeculiaraboutitinitself，butitsappearancewithoutanengineandinthenightpuzzledme。Wherecouldithavecomefromandwhatforcesentitflyingsorapidlyalongtherails？Wherediditcomefromandwherewasitflyingto？
IfIhadbeensuperstitiousIshouldhavemadeupmyminditwasapartyofdemonsandwitchesjourneyingtoadevils’sabbath，andshouldhavegoneonmyway；butasitwas，thephenomenonwasabsolutelyinexplicabletome。Ididnotbelievemyeyes，andwasentangledinconjectureslikeaflyinaspider’sweb……
IsuddenlyrealizedthatIwasutterlyaloneonthewholevastplain；thatthenight，whichbynowseemedinhospitable，waspeepingintomyfaceanddoggingmyfootsteps；allthesounds，thecriesofthebirds，thewhisperingsofthetrees，seemedsinister，andexistingsimplytoalarmmyimagination。Idashedonlikeamadman，andwithoutrealizingwhatIwasdoingIran，tryingtorunfasterandfaster。AndatonceIheardsomethingtowhichIhadpaidnoattentionbefore：thatis，theplaintivewhiningofthetelegraphwires。
\"Thisisbeyondeverything，\"Isaid，tryingtoshamemyself。
\"It’scowardice！it’ssilly！\"
Butcowardicewasstrongerthancommonsense。IonlyslackenedmypacewhenIreachedthegreenlight，whereIsawadarksignal-box，andnearitontheembankmentthefigureofaman，probablythesignalman。
\"Didyouseeit？\"Iaskedbreathlessly。
\"Seewhom？What？\"
\"Why，atruckranby。\"
\"Isawit，……\"thepeasantsaidreluctantly。\"Itbrokeawayfromthegoodstrain。Thereisaninclineattheninetiethmile……；thetrainisdraggeduphill。Thecouplingonthelasttruckgaveway，soitbrokeoffandranback……Thereisnocatchingitnow！……\"
Thestrangephenomenonwasexplainedanditsfantasticcharactervanished。MypanicwasoverandIwasabletogoonmyway。
MythirdfrightcameuponmeasIwasgoinghomefromstandshootinginearlyspring。Itwasintheduskofevening。Theforestroadwascoveredwithpoolsfromarecentshowerofrain，andtheearthsquelchedunderone’sfeet。Thecrimsonglowofsunsetfloodedthewholeforest，coloringthewhitestemsofthebirchesandtheyoungleaves。Iwasexhaustedandcouldhardlymove。
Fourorfivemilesfromhome，walkingalongtheforestroad，I
suddenlymetabigblackdogofthewaterspanielbreed。Asheranby，thedoglookedintentlyatme，straightinmyface，andranon。
\"Anicedog！\"Ithought。\"Whoseisit？\"
Ilookedround。Thedogwasstandingtenpacesoffwithhiseyesfixedonme。Foraminutewescannedeachotherinsilence，thenthedog，probablyflatteredbymyattention，cameslowlyuptomeandwaggedhistail。
Iwalkedon，thedogfollowingme。
\"Whosedogcanitbe？\"Ikeptaskingmyself。\"Wheredoeshecomefrom？\"
Iknewallthecountrygentryfortwentyorthirtymilesround，andknewalltheirdogs。Notoneofthemhadaspaniellikethat。
Howdidhecometobeinthedepthsoftheforest，onatrackusedfornothingbutcartingtimber？Hecouldhardlyhavedroppedbehindsomeonepassingthrough，fortherewasnowhereforthegentrytodrivetoalongthatroad。
Isatdownonastumptorest，andbeganscrutinizingmycompanion。He，too，satdown，raisedhishead，andfasteneduponmeanintentstare。Hegazedatmewithoutblinking。Idon’tknowwhetheritwastheinfluenceofthestillness，theshadowsandsoundsoftheforest，orperhapsaresultofexhaustion，butI
suddenlyfeltuneasyunderthesteadygazeofhisordinarydoggyeyes。IthoughtofFaustandhisbulldog，andofthefactthatnervouspeoplesometimeswhenexhaustedhavehallucinations。
Thatwasenoughtomakemegetuphurriedlyandhurriedlywalkon。Thedogfollowedme。
\"Goaway！\"Ishouted。
Thedogprobablylikedmyvoice，forhegaveagleefuljumpandranaboutinfrontofme。
\"Goaway！\"Ishoutedagain。
Thedoglookedround，staredatmeintently，andwaggedhistailgood-humoredly。Evidentlymythreateningtoneamusedhim。Ioughttohavepattedhim，butIcouldnotgetFaust’sdogoutofmyhead，andthefeelingofpanicgrewmoreandmoreacute……
Darknesswascomingon，whichcompletedmyconfusion，andeverytimethedogranuptomeandhitmewithhistail，likeacowardIshutmyeyes。Thesamethinghappenedaswiththelightinthebelfryandthetruckontherailway：Icouldnotstanditandrushedaway。
AthomeIfoundavisitor，anoldfriend，who，aftergreetingme，begantocomplainthatashewasdrivingtomehehadlosthiswayintheforest，andasplendidvaluabledogofhishaddroppedbehind。
THEBET
ITWASadarkautumnnight。Theoldbankerwaswalkingupanddownhisstudyandrememberinghow，fifteenyearsbefore，hehadgivenapartyoneautumnevening。Therehadbeenmanyclevermenthere，andtherehadbeeninterestingconversations。Amongotherthingstheyhadtalkedofcapitalpunishment。Themajorityoftheguests，amongwhomweremanyjournalistsandintellectualmen，disapprovedofthedeathpenalty。Theyconsideredthatformofpunishmentoutofdate，immoral，andunsuitableforChristianStates。Intheopinionofsomeofthemthedeathpenaltyoughttobereplacedeverywherebyimprisonmentforlife。
\"Idon’tagreewithyou，\"saidtheirhostthebanker。\"Ihavenottriedeitherthedeathpenaltyorimprisonmentforlife，butifonemayjudge_apriori_，thedeathpenaltyismoremoralandmorehumanethanimprisonmentforlife。Capitalpunishmentkillsamanatonce，butlifelongimprisonmentkillshimslowly。Whichexecutioneristhemorehumane，hewhokillsyouinafewminutesorhewhodragsthelifeoutofyouinthecourseofmanyyears？\"
\"Bothareequallyimmoral，\"observedoneoftheguests，\"fortheybothhavethesameobject——totakeawaylife。TheStateisnotGod。Ithasnottherighttotakeawaywhatitcannotrestorewhenitwantsto。\"
Amongtheguestswasayounglawyer，ayoungmanoffive-and-twenty。Whenhewasaskedhisopinion，hesaid：
\"Thedeathsentenceandthelifesentenceareequallyimmoral，butifIhadtochoosebetweenthedeathpenaltyandimprisonmentforlife，Iwouldcertainlychoosethesecond。Toliveanyhowisbetterthannotatall。\"
Alivelydiscussionarose。Thebanker，whowasyoungerandmorenervousinthosedays，wassuddenlycarriedawaybyexcitement；
hestruckthetablewithhisfistandshoutedattheyoungman：
\"It’snottrue！I’llbetyoutwomillionsyouwouldn’tstayinsolitaryconfinementforfiveyears。\"
\"Ifyoumeanthatinearnest，\"saidtheyoungman，\"I’lltakethebet，butIwouldstaynotfivebutfifteenyears。\"
\"Fifteen？Done！\"criedthebanker。\"Gentlemen，Istaketwomillions！\"
\"Agreed！YoustakeyourmillionsandIstakemyfreedom！\"saidtheyoungman。
Andthiswild，senselessbetwascarriedout！Thebanker，spoiltandfrivolous，withmillionsbeyondhisreckoning，wasdelightedatthebet。Atsupperhemadefunoftheyoungman，andsaid：
\"Thinkbetterofit，youngman，whilethereisstilltime。Tometwomillionsareatrifle，butyouarelosingthreeorfourofthebestyearsofyourlife。Isaythreeorfour，becauseyouwon’tstaylonger。Don’tforgeteither，youunhappyman，thatvoluntaryconfinementisagreatdealhardertobearthancompulsory。Thethoughtthatyouhavetherighttostepoutinlibertyatanymomentwillpoisonyourwholeexistenceinprison。
Iamsorryforyou。\"
Andnowthebanker，walkingtoandfro，rememberedallthis，andaskedhimself：\"Whatwastheobjectofthatbet？Whatisthegoodofthatman’slosingfifteenyearsofhislifeandmythrowingawaytwomillions？Canitprovethatthedeathpenaltyisbetterorworsethanimprisonmentforlife？No，no。Itwasallnonsensicalandmeaningless。Onmypartitwasthecapriceofapamperedman，andonhispartsimplegreedformoney……\"
Thenherememberedwhatfollowedthatevening。Itwasdecidedthattheyoungmanshouldspendtheyearsofhiscaptivityunderthestrictestsupervisioninoneofthelodgesinthebanker’sgarden。Itwasagreedthatforfifteenyearsheshouldnotbefreetocrossthethresholdofthelodge，toseehumanbeings，tohearthehumanvoice，ortoreceivelettersandnewspapers。Hewasallowedtohaveamusicalinstrumentandbooks，andwasallowedtowriteletters，todrinkwine，andtosmoke。Bythetermsoftheagreement，theonlyrelationshecouldhavewiththeouterworldwerebyalittlewindowmadepurposelyforthatobject。Hemighthaveanythinghewanted——
books，music，wine，andsoon——inanyquantityhedesiredbywritinganorder，butcouldonlyreceivethemthroughthewindow。Theagreementprovidedforeverydetailandeverytriflethatwouldmakehisimprisonmentstrictlysolitary，andboundtheyoungmantostaythere_exactly_fifteenyears，beginningfromtwelveo’clockofNovember14，1870，andendingattwelveo’clockofNovember14，1885。Theslightestattemptonhisparttobreaktheconditions，ifonlytwominutesbeforetheend，releasedthebankerfromtheobligationtopayhimtwomillions。
Forthefirstyearofhisconfinement，asfarasonecouldjudgefromhisbriefnotes，theprisonersufferedseverelyfromlonelinessanddepression。Thesoundsofthepianocouldbeheardcontinuallydayandnightfromhislodge。Herefusedwineandtobacco。Wine，hewrote，excitesthedesires，anddesiresaretheworstfoesoftheprisoner；andbesides，nothingcouldbemoredrearythandrinkinggoodwineandseeingnoone。Andtobaccospoilttheairofhisroom。Inthefirstyearthebookshesentforwereprincipallyofalightcharacter；novelswithacomplicatedloveplot，sensationalandfantasticstories，andsoon。