Inthesecondyearthepianowassilentinthelodge,andtheprisoneraskedonlyfortheclassics。Inthefifthyearmusicwasaudibleagain,andtheprisoneraskedforwine。Thosewhowatchedhimthroughthewindowsaidthatallthatyearhespentdoingnothingbuteatinganddrinkingandlyingonhisbed,frequentlyyawningandangrilytalkingtohimself。Hedidnotreadbooks。
Sometimesatnighthewouldsitdowntowrite;hewouldspendhourswriting,andinthemorningtearupallthathehadwritten。Morethanoncehecouldbeheardcrying。
Inthesecondhalfofthesixthyeartheprisonerbeganzealouslystudyinglanguages,philosophy,andhistory。Hethrewhimselfeagerlyintothesestudies——somuchsothatthebankerhadenoughtodotogethimthebooksheordered。Inthecourseoffouryearssomesixhundredvolumeswereprocuredathisrequest。Itwasduringthisperiodthatthebankerreceivedthefollowingletterfromhisprisoner:
\"MydearJailer,Iwriteyoutheselinesinsixlanguages。Showthemtopeoplewhoknowthelanguages。Letthemreadthem。IftheyfindnotonemistakeIimploreyoutofireashotinthegarden。Thatshotwillshowmethatmyeffortshavenotbeenthrownaway。Thegeniusesofallagesandofalllandsspeakdifferentlanguages,butthesameflameburnsinthemall。Oh,ifyouonlyknewwhatunearthlyhappinessmysoulfeelsnowfrombeingabletounderstandthem!\"Theprisoner’sdesirewasfulfilled。Thebankerorderedtwoshotstobefiredinthegarden。
Thenafterthetenthyear,theprisonersatimmovablyatthetableandreadnothingbuttheGospel。Itseemedstrangetothebankerthatamanwhoinfouryearshadmasteredsixhundredlearnedvolumesshouldwastenearlyayearoveronethinbookeasyofcomprehension。TheologyandhistoriesofreligionfollowedtheGospels。
Inthelasttwoyearsofhisconfinementtheprisonerreadanimmensequantityofbooksquiteindiscriminately。Atonetimehewasbusywiththenaturalsciences,thenhewouldaskforByronorShakespeare。Therewerenotesinwhichhedemandedatthesametimebooksonchemistry,andamanualofmedicine,andanovel,andsometreatiseonphilosophyortheology。Hisreadingsuggestedamanswimmingintheseaamongthewreckageofhisship,andtryingtosavehislifebygreedilyclutchingfirstatonesparandthenatanother。
II
Theoldbankerrememberedallthis,andthought:
\"To-morrowattwelveo’clockhewillregainhisfreedom。ByouragreementIoughttopayhimtwomillions。IfIdopayhim,itisalloverwithme:Ishallbeutterlyruined。\"
Fifteenyearsbefore,hismillionshadbeenbeyondhisreckoning;
nowhewasafraidtoaskhimselfwhichweregreater,hisdebtsorhisassets。DesperategamblingontheStockExchange,wildspeculationandtheexcitabilitywhichhecouldnotgetovereveninadvancingyears,hadbydegreesledtothedeclineofhisfortuneandtheproud,fearless,self-confidentmillionairehadbecomeabankerofmiddlingrank,tremblingateveryriseandfallinhisinvestments。\"Cursedbet!\"mutteredtheoldman,clutchinghisheadindespair\"Whydidn’tthemandie?Heisonlyfortynow。Hewilltakemylastpennyfromme,hewillmarry,willenjoylife,willgambleontheExchange;whileIshalllookathimwithenvylikeabeggar,andhearfromhimeverydaythesamesentence:’Iamindebtedtoyouforthehappinessofmylife,letmehelpyou!’No,itistoomuch!Theonemeansofbeingsavedfrombankruptcyanddisgraceisthedeathofthatman!\"
Itstruckthreeo’clock,thebankerlistened;everyonewasasleepinthehouseandnothingcouldbeheardoutsidebuttherustlingofthechilledtrees。Tryingtomakenonoise,hetookfromafireproofsafethekeyofthedoorwhichhadnotbeenopenedforfifteenyears,putonhisovercoat,andwentoutofthehouse。
Itwasdarkandcoldinthegarden。Rainwasfalling。Adampcuttingwindwasracingaboutthegarden,howlingandgivingthetreesnorest。Thebankerstrainedhiseyes,butcouldseeneithertheearthnorthewhitestatues,northelodge,northetrees。Goingtothespotwherethelodgestood,hetwicecalledthewatchman。Noanswerfollowed。Evidentlythewatchmanhadsoughtshelterfromtheweather,andwasnowasleepsomewhereeitherinthekitchenorinthegreenhouse。
\"IfIhadtheplucktocarryoutmyintention,\"thoughttheoldman,\"Suspicionwouldfallfirstuponthewatchman。\"
Hefeltinthedarknessforthestepsandthedoor,andwentintotheentryofthelodge。Thenhegropedhiswayintoalittlepassageandlightedamatch。Therewasnotasoulthere。Therewasabedsteadwithnobeddingonit,andinthecornertherewasadarkcast-ironstove。Thesealsonthedoorleadingtotheprisoner’sroomswereintact。
Whenthematchwentouttheoldman,tremblingwithemotion,peepedthroughthelittlewindow。Acandlewasburningdimlyintheprisoner’sroom。Hewassittingatthetable。Nothingcouldbeseenbuthisback,thehaironhishead,andhishands。Openbookswerelyingonthetable,onthetwoeasy-chairs,andonthecarpetnearthetable。
Fiveminutespassedandtheprisonerdidnotoncestir。Fifteenyears’imprisonmenthadtaughthimtositstill。Thebankertappedatthewindowwithhisfinger,andtheprisonermadenomovementwhateverinresponse。Thenthebankercautiouslybrokethesealsoffthedoorandputthekeyinthekeyhole。Therustylockgaveagratingsoundandthedoorcreaked。Thebankerexpectedtohearatoncefootstepsandacryofastonishment,butthreeminutespassedanditwasasquietaseverintheroom。Hemadeuphismindtogoin。
Atthetableamanunlikeordinarypeoplewassittingmotionless。
Hewasaskeletonwiththeskindrawntightoverhisbones,withlongcurlslikeawoman’sandashaggybeard。Hisfacewasyellowwithanearthytintinit,hischeekswerehollow,hisbacklongandnarrow,andthehandonwhichhisshaggyheadwasproppedwassothinanddelicatethatitwasdreadfultolookatit。Hishairwasalreadystreakedwithsilver,andseeinghisemaciated,aged-lookingface,noonewouldhavebelievedthathewasonlyforty。Hewasasleep……Infrontofhisbowedheadtherelayonthetableasheetofpaperonwhichtherewassomethingwritteninfinehandwriting。
\"Poorcreature!\"thoughtthebanker,\"heisasleepandmostlikelydreamingofthemillions。AndIhaveonlytotakethishalf-deadman,throwhimonthebed,stiflehimalittlewiththepillow,andthemostconscientiousexpertwouldfindnosignofaviolentdeath。Butletusfirstreadwhathehaswrittenhere……\"
Thebankertookthepagefromthetableandreadasfollows:
\"To-morrowattwelveo’clockIregainmyfreedomandtherighttoassociatewithothermen,butbeforeIleavethisroomandseethesunshine,Ithinkitnecessarytosayafewwordstoyou。
WithaclearconscienceItellyou,asbeforeGod,whobeholdsme,thatIdespisefreedomandlifeandhealth,andallthatinyourbooksiscalledthegoodthingsoftheworld。
\"ForfifteenyearsIhavebeenintentlystudyingearthlylife。ItistrueIhavenotseentheearthnormen,butinyourbooksI
havedrunkfragrantwine,Ihavesungsongs,Ihavehuntedstagsandwildboarsintheforests,havelovedwomen……
Beautiesasetherealasclouds,createdbythemagicofyourpoetsandgeniuses,havevisitedmeatnight,andhavewhisperedinmyearswonderfultalesthathavesetmybraininawhirl。InyourbooksIhaveclimbedtothepeaksofElburzandMontBlanc,andfromthereIhaveseenthesunriseandhavewatcheditateveningfloodthesky,theocean,andthemountain-topswithgoldandcrimson。Ihavewatchedfromtherethelightningflashingovermyheadandcleavingthestorm-clouds。Ihaveseengreenforests,fields,rivers,lakes,towns。Ihaveheardthesingingofthesirens,andthestrainsoftheshepherds’
pipes;IhavetouchedthewingsofcomelydevilswhoflewdowntoconversewithmeofGod……InyourbooksIhaveflungmyselfintothebottomlesspit,performedmiracles,slain,burnedtowns,preachednewreligions,conqueredwholekingdoms……
\"Yourbookshavegivenmewisdom。Allthattheunrestingthoughtofmanhascreatedintheagesiscompressedintoasmallcompassinmybrain。IknowthatIamwiserthanallofyou。
\"AndIdespiseyourbooks,Idespisewisdomandtheblessingsofthisworld。Itisallworthless,fleeting,illusory,anddeceptive,likeamirage。Youmaybeproud,wise,andfine,butdeathwillwipeyouoffthefaceoftheearthasthoughyouwerenomorethanmiceburrowingunderthefloor,andyourposterity,yourhistory,yourimmortalgeniuseswillburnorfreezetogetherwiththeearthlyglobe。
\"Youhavelostyourreasonandtakenthewrongpath。Youhavetakenliesfortruth,andhideousnessforbeauty。Youwouldmarvelif,owingtostrangeeventsofsomesorts,frogsandlizardssuddenlygrewonappleandorangetreesinsteadoffruit,orifrosesbegantosmelllikeasweatinghorse;soImarvelatyouwhoexchangeheavenforearth。Idon’twanttounderstandyou。
\"ToprovetoyouinactionhowIdespiseallthatyouliveby,I
renouncethetwomillionsofwhichIoncedreamedasofparadiseandwhichnowIdespise。TodeprivemyselfoftherighttothemoneyIshallgooutfromherefivehoursbeforethetimefixed,andsobreakthecompact……\"
Whenthebankerhadreadthishelaidthepageonthetable,kissedthestrangemanonthehead,andwentoutofthelodge,weeping。Atnoothertime,evenwhenhehadlostheavilyontheStockExchange,hadhefeltsogreatacontemptforhimself。
Whenhegothomehelayonhisbed,buthistearsandemotionkepthimforhoursfromsleeping。
Nextmorningthewatchmenraninwithpalefaces,andtoldhimtheyhadseenthemanwholivedinthelodgeclimboutofthewindowintothegarden,gotothegate,anddisappear。Thebankerwentatoncewiththeservantstothelodgeandmadesureoftheflightofhisprisoner。Toavoidarousingunnecessarytalk,hetookfromthetablethewritinginwhichthemillionswererenounced,andwhenhegothomelockeditupinthefireproofsafe。
THEHEAD-GARDENER’SSTORY
ASALEofflowerswastakingplaceinCountN。’sgreenhouses。Thepurchaserswerefewinnumber——alandownerwhowasaneighborofmine,ayoungtimber-merchant,andmyself。Whiletheworkmenwerecarryingoutourmagnificentpurchasesandpackingthemintothecarts,wesatattheentryofthegreenhouseandchattedaboutonethingandanother。ItisextremelypleasanttositinagardenonastillAprilmorning,listeningtothebirds,andwatchingtheflowersbroughtoutintotheopenairandbaskinginthesunshine。
Thehead-gardener,MihailKarlovitch,avenerableoldmanwithafullshavenface,wearingafurwaistcoatandnocoat,superintendedthepackingoftheplantshimself,butatthesametimehelistenedtoourconversationinthehopeofhearingsomethingnew。Hewasanintelligent,verygood-heartedman,respectedbyeveryone。HewasforsomereasonlookeduponbyeveryoneasaGerman,thoughhewasinrealityonhisfather’ssideSwedish,onhismother’ssideRussian,andattendedtheOrthodoxchurch。HeknewRussian,Swedish,andGerman。Hehadreadagooddealinthoselanguages,andnothingonecoulddogavehimgreaterpleasurethanlendinghimsomenewbookortalkingtohim,forinstance,aboutIbsen。
Hehadhisweaknesses,buttheywereinnocentones:hecalledhimselftheheadgardener,thoughtherewerenounder-gardeners;
theexpressionofhisfacewasunusuallydignifiedandhaughty;
hecouldnotenduretobecontradicted,andlikedtobelistenedtowithrespectandattention。
\"ThatyoungfellowthereIcanrecommendtoyouasanawfulrascal,\"saidmyneighbor,pointingtoalaborerwithaswarthy,gipsyface,whodrovebywiththewater-barrel。\"Lastweekhewastriedinthetownforburglaryandwasacquitted;theypronouncedhimmentallyderanged,andyetlookathim,heisthepictureofhealth。ScoundrelsareveryoftenacquittednowadaysinRussiaongroundsofabnormalityandaberration,yettheseacquittals,theseunmistakableproofsofanindulgentattitudetocrime,leadtonogood。Theydemoralizethemasses,thesenseofjusticeisbluntedinallastheybecomeaccustomedtoseeingviceunpunished,andyouknowinourageonemayboldlysayinthewordsofShakespearethatinourevilandcorruptagevirtuemustaskforgivenessofvice。\"
\"That’sverytrue,\"themerchantassented。\"Owingtothesefrequentacquittals,murderandarsonhavebecomemuchmorecommon。Askthepeasants。\"
MihailKarlovitchturnedtowardsusandsaid:
\"AsfarasIamconcerned,gentlemen,Iamalwaysdelightedtomeetwiththeseverdictsofnotguilty。Iamnotafraidformoralityandjusticewhentheysay’Notguilty,’butonthecontraryIfeelpleased。Evenwhenmyconsciencetellsmethejuryhavemadeamistakeinacquittingthecriminal,eventhenI
amtriumphant。Judgeforyourselves,gentlemen;ifthejudgesandthejuryhavemorefaithin_man_thaninevidence,materialproofs,andspeechesfortheprosecution,isnotthatfaith_inman_initselfhigherthananyordinaryconsiderations?SuchfaithisonlyattainablebythosefewwhounderstandandfeelChrist。\"
\"Afinethought,\"Isaid。
\"Butit’snotanewone。IrememberaverylongtimeagoIheardalegendonthatsubject。Averycharminglegend,\"saidthegardener,andhesmiled。\"Iwastolditbymygrandmother,myfather’smother,anexcellentoldlady。ShetoldmeitinSwedish,anditdoesnotsoundsofine,soclassical,inRussian。\"
ButwebeggedhimtotellitandnottobeputoffbythecoarsenessoftheRussianlanguage。Muchgratified,hedeliberatelylightedhispipe,lookedangrilyatthelaborers,andbegan:
\"Theresettledinacertainlittletownasolitary,plain,elderlygentlemancalledThomsonorWilson——butthatdoesnotmatter;thesurnameisnotthepoint。Hefollowedanhonorableprofession:hewasadoctor。Hewasalwaysmoroseandunsociable,andonlyspokewhenrequiredbyhisprofession。Henevervisitedanyone,neverextendedhisacquaintancebeyondasilentbow,andlivedashumblyasahermit。Thefactwas,hewasalearnedman,andinthosedayslearnedmenwerenotlikeotherpeople。Theyspenttheirdaysandnightsincontemplation,inreadingandinhealingdisease,lookeduponeverythingelseastrivial,andhadnotimetowasteaword。Theinhabitantsofthetownunderstoodthis,andtriednottoworryhimwiththeirvisitsandemptychatter。TheywereverygladthatGodhadsentthematlastamanwhocouldhealdiseases,andwereproudthatsucharemarkablemanwaslivingintheirtown。’Heknowseverything,’
theysaidabouthim。
\"Butthatwasnotenough。Theyoughttohavealsosaid,’Heloveseveryone。’Inthebreastofthatlearnedmantherebeatawonderfulangelicheart。Thoughthepeopleofthattownwerestrangersandnothisownpeople,yethelovedthemlikechildren,anddidnotsparehimselfforthem。Hewashimselfillwithconsumption,hehadacough,butwhenhewassummonedtothesickheforgothisownillnesshedidnotsparehimselfand,gaspingforbreath,climbedupthehillshoweverhightheymightbe。Hedisregardedthesultryheatandthecold,despisedthirstandhunger。Hewouldacceptnomoneyandstrangetosay,whenoneofhispatientsdied,hewouldfollowthecoffinwiththerelations,weeping。
\"Andsoonhebecamesonecessarytothetownthattheinhabitantswonderedhowtheycouldhavegotonbeforewithouttheman。Theirgratitudeknewnobounds。Grown-uppeopleandchildren,goodandbadalike,honestmenandcheats——allinfact,respectedhimandknewhisvalue。Inthelittletownandallthesurroundingneighborhoodtherewasnomanwhowouldallowhimselftodoanythingdisagreeabletohim;indeed,theywouldneverhavedreamedofit。Whenhecameoutofhislodging,heneverfastenedthedoorsorwindows,incompleteconfidencethattherewasnothiefwhocouldbringhimselftodohimwrong。Heoftenhadinthecourseofhismedicaldutiestowalkalongthehighroads,throughtheforestsandmountainshauntedbynumbersofhungryvagrants;buthefeltthathewasinperfectsecurity。
\"Onenighthewasreturningfromapatientwhenrobbersfelluponhimintheforest,butwhentheyrecognizedhim,theytookofftheirhatsrespectfullyandofferedhimsomethingtoeat。Whenheansweredthathewasnothungry,theygavehimawarmwrapandaccompaniedhimasfarasthetown,happythatfatehadgiventhemthechanceinsomesmallwaytoshowtheirgratitudetothebenevolentman。Well,tobesure,mygrandmothertoldmethateventhehorsesandthecowsandthedogsknewhimandexpressedtheirjoywhentheymethim。
\"Andthismanwhoseemedbyhissanctitytohaveguardedhimselffromeveryevil,towhomevenbrigandsandfrenziedmenwishednothingbutgood,wasonefinemorningfoundmurdered。Coveredwithblood,withhisskullbroken,hewaslyinginaravine,andhispalefaceworeanexpressionofamazement。Yes,nothorrorbutamazementwastheemotionthathadbeenfixeduponhisfacewhenhesawthemurdererbeforehim。Youcanimaginethegriefthatoverwhelmedtheinhabitantsofthetownandthesurroundingdistricts。Allwereindespair,unabletobelievetheireyes,wonderingwhocouldhavekilledtheman。Thejudgeswhoconductedtheinquiryandexaminedthedoctor’sbodysaid:’Herewehaveallthesignsofamurder,butasthereisnotamanintheworldcapableofmurderingourdoctor,obviouslyitwasnotacaseofmurder,andthecombinationofevidenceisduetosimplechance。Wemustsupposethatinthedarknesshefellintotheravineofhimselfandwasmortallyinjured。’
\"Thewholetownagreedwiththisopinion。Thedoctorwasburied,andnothingmorewassaidaboutaviolentdeath。Theexistenceofamanwhocouldhavethebasenessandwickednesstokillthedoctorseemedincredible。Thereisalimiteventowickedness,isn’tthere?
\"Allatonce,wouldyoubelieveit,chanceledthemtodiscoveringthemurderer。Avagrantwhohadbeenmanytimesconvicted,notoriousforhisviciouslife,wasseensellingfordrinkasnuff-boxandwatchthathadbelongedtothedoctor。Whenhewasquestionedhewasconfused,andansweredwithanobviouslie。Asearchwasmade,andinhisbedwasfoundashirtwithstainsofbloodonthesleeves,andadoctor’slancetsetingold。Whatmoreevidencewaswanted?Theyputthecriminalinprison。Theinhabitantswereindignant,andatthesametimesaid:
\"’It’sincredible!Itcan’tbeso!Takecarethatamistakeisnotmade;itdoeshappen,youknow,thatevidencetellsafalsetale。’
\"Athistrialthemurdererobstinatelydeniedhisguilt。
Everythingwasagainsthim,andtobeconvincedofhisguiltwasaseasyastobelievethatthisearthisblack;butthejudgesseemtohavegonemad:theyweighedeveryprooftentimes,lookeddistrustfullyatthewitnesses,flushedcrimsonandsippedwater……Thetrialbeganearlyinthemorningandwasonlyfinishedintheevening。
\"’Accused!’thechiefjudgesaid,addressingthemurderer,’thecourthasfoundyouguiltyofmurderingDr。So-and-so,andhassentencedyouto……’
\"Thechiefjudgemeanttosay’tothedeathpenalty,’buthedroppedfromhishandsthepaperonwhichthesentencewaswritten,wipedthecoldsweatfromhisface,andcriedout:
\"’No!MayGodpunishmeifIjudgewrongly,butIswearheisnotguilty。Icannotadmitthethoughtthatthereexistsamanwhowoulddaretomurderourfriendthedoctor!Amancouldnotsinksolow!’
\"’Therecannotbesuchaman!’theotherjudgesassented。
\"’No,’thecrowdcried。’Lethimgo!’
\"Themurdererwassetfreetogowherehechose,andnotonesoulblamedthecourtforanunjustverdict。AndmygrandmotherusedtosaythatforsuchfaithinhumanityGodforgavethesinsofalltheinhabitantsofthattown。HerejoiceswhenpeoplebelievethatmanisHisimageandsemblance,andgrievesif,forgetfulofhumandignity,theyjudgeworseofmenthanofdogs。
Thesentenceofacquittalmaybringharmtotheinhabitantsofthetown,butontheotherhand,thinkofthebeneficialinfluenceuponthemofthatfaithinman——afaithwhichdoesnotremaindead,youknow;itraisesupgenerousfeelingsinus,andalwaysimpelsustoloveandrespecteveryman。Everyman!
Andthatisimportant。\"
MihailKarlovitchhadfinished。Myneighborwouldhaveurgedsomeobjection,butthehead-gardenermadeagesturethatsignifiedthathedidnotlikeobjections;thenhewalkedawaytothecarts,and,withanexpressionofdignity,wentonlookingafterthepacking。
THEBEAUTIES
I
IREMEMBER,whenIwasahighschoolboyinthefifthorsixthclass,IwasdrivingwithmygrandfatherfromthevillageofBolshoeKryepkoeintheDonregiontoRostov-on-the-Don。Itwasasultry,languidlydrearydayofAugust。Oureyesweregluedtogether,andourmouthswereparchedfromtheheatandthedryburningwindwhichdrovecloudsofdusttomeetus;onedidnotwanttolookorspeakorthink,andwhenourdrowsydriver,aLittleRussiancalledKarpo,swunghiswhipatthehorsesandlashedmeonmycap,Ididnotprotestorutterasound,butonly,rousingmyselffromhalf-slumber,gazedmildlyanddejectedlyintothedistancetoseewhethertherewasavillagevisiblethroughthedust。WestoppedtofeedthehorsesinabigArmenianvillageatarichArmenian’swhommygrandfatherknew。
NeverinmylifehaveIseenagreatercaricaturethanthatArmenian。Imaginealittleshavenheadwiththickoverhangingeyebrows,abeakofanose,longgraymustaches,andawidemouthwithalongcherry-woodchiboukstickingoutofit。Thislittleheadwasclumsilyattachedtoaleanhunch-backcarcassattiredinafantasticgarb,ashortredjacket,andfullbrightbluetrousers。Thisfigurewalkedstraddlingitslegsandshufflingwithitsslippers,spokewithouttakingthechiboukoutofitsmouth,andbehavedwithtrulyArmeniandignity,notsmiling,butstaringwithwide-openeyesandtryingtotakeaslittlenoticeaspossibleofitsguests。
TherewasneitherwindnordustintheArmenian’srooms,butitwasjustasunpleasant,stifling,anddrearyasinthesteppeandontheroad。Iremember,dustyandexhaustedbytheheat,Isatinthecorneronagreenbox。Theunpaintedwoodenwalls,thefurniture,andthefloorscoloredwithyellowochersmeltofdrywoodbakedbythesun。WhereverIlookedtherewerefliesandfliesandflies……GrandfatherandtheArmenianweretalkingaboutgrazing,aboutmanure,andaboutoats……Iknewthattheywouldbeagoodhourgettingthesamovar;
thatgrandfatherwouldbenotlessthananhourdrinkinghistea,andthenwouldliedowntosleepfortwoorthreehours;thatI
shouldwasteaquarterofthedaywaiting,afterwhichtherewouldbeagaintheheat,thedust,thejoltingcart。Iheardthemutteringofthetwovoices,anditbegantoseemtomethatI
hadbeenseeingtheArmenian,thecupboardwiththecrockery,theflies,thewindowswiththeburningsunbeatingonthem,foragesandages,andshouldonlyceasetoseetheminthefar-offfuture,andIwasseizedwithhatredforthesteppe,thesun,theflies……
ALittleRussianpeasantwomaninakerchiefbroughtinatrayoftea-things,thenthesamovar。TheArmenianwentslowlyoutintothepassageandshouted:\"Mashya,comeandpourouttea!Whereareyou,Mashya?\"
Hurriedfootstepswereheard,andtherecameintotheroomagirlofsixteeninasimplecottondressandawhitekerchief。Asshewashedthecrockeryandpouredoutthetea,shewasstandingwithherbacktome,andallIcouldseewasthatshewasofaslenderfigure,barefooted,andthatherlittlebareheelswerecoveredbylongtrousers。
TheArmenianinvitedmetohavetea。Sittingdowntothetable,I
glancedatthegirl,whowashandingmeaglassoftea,andfeltallatonceasthoughawindwereblowingovermysoulandblowingawayalltheimpressionsofthedaywiththeirdustanddreariness。IsawthebewitchingfeaturesofthemostbeautifulfaceIhaveevermetinreallifeorinmydreams。Beforemestoodabeauty,andIrecognizedthatatthefirstglanceasI
shouldhaverecognizedlightning。
IamreadytoswearthatMasha——or,asherfathercalledher,Mashya——wasarealbeauty,butIdon’tknowhowtoproveit。Itsometimeshappensthatcloudsarehuddledtogetherindisorderonthehorizon,andthesunhidingbehindthemcolorsthemandtheskywithtintsofeverypossibleshade——crimson,orange,gold,lilac,muddypink;onecloudislikeamonk,anotherlikeafish,athirdlikeaTurkinaturban。Theglowofsunsetenvelopingathirdoftheskygleamsonthecrossonthechurch,flashesonthewindowsofthemanorhouse,isreflectedintheriverandthepuddles,quiversonthetrees;far,farawayagainstthebackgroundofthesunset,aflockofwildducksisflyinghomewards……Andtheboyherdingthecows,andthesurveyordrivinginhischaiseoverthedam,andthegentlemanoutforawalk,allgazeatthesunset,andeveryoneofthemthinksitterriblybeautiful,butnooneknowsorcansayinwhatitsbeautylies。
IwasnottheonlyonetothinktheArmeniangirlbeautiful。Mygrandfather,anoldmanofseventy,gruffandindifferenttowomenandthebeautiesofnature,lookedcaressinglyatMashaforafullminute,andasked:
\"Isthatyourdaughter,AvertNazaritch?\"
\"Yes,sheismydaughter,\"answeredtheArmenian。
\"Afineyounglady,\"saidmygrandfatherapprovingly。
AnartistwouldhavecalledtheArmeniangirl’sbeautyclassicalandsevere,itwasjustthatbeauty,thecontemplationofwhich——Godknowswhy!——inspiresinonetheconvictionthatoneisseeingcorrectfeatures;thathair,eyes,nose,mouth,neck,bosom,andeverymovementoftheyoungbodyallgotogetherinonecompleteharmoniousaccordinwhichnaturehasnotblunderedoverthesmallestline。YoufancyforsomereasonthattheideallybeautifulwomanmusthavesuchanoseasMasha’s,straightandslightlyaquiline,justsuchgreatdarkeyes,suchlonglashes,suchalanguidglance;youfancythatherblackcurlyhairandeyebrowsgowiththesoftwhitetintofherbrowandcheeksasthegreenreedsgowiththequietstream。Masha’swhiteneckandheryouthfulbosomwerenotfullydeveloped,butyoufancythesculptorwouldneedagreatcreativegeniustomoldthem。Yougaze,andlittlebylittlethedesirecomesoveryoutosaytoMashasomethingextraordinarilypleasant,sincere,beautiful,asbeautifulassheherselfwas。
AtfirstIfelthurtandabashedthatMashatooknonoticeofme,butwasallthetimelookingdown;itseemedtomeasthoughapeculiaratmosphere,proudandhappy,separatedherfrommeandjealouslyscreenedherfrommyeyes。
\"That’sbecauseIamcoveredwithdust,\"Ithought,\"amsunburnt,andamstillaboy。\"
ButlittlebylittleIforgotmyself,andgavemyselfupentirelytotheconsciousnessofbeauty。Ithoughtnomorenowofthedrearysteppe,ofthedust,nolongerheardthebuzzingoftheflies,nolongertastedthetea,andfeltnothingexceptthatabeautifulgirlwasstandingonlytheothersideofthetable。
Ifeltthisbeautyratherstrangely。Itwasnotdesire,norecstacy,norenjoymentthatMashaexcitedinme,butapainfulthoughpleasantsadness。Itwasasadnessvagueandundefinedasadream。ForsomereasonIfeltsorryformyself,formygrandfatherandfortheArmenian,evenforthegirlherself,andIhadafeelingasthoughweallfourhadlostsomethingimportantandessentialtolifewhichweshouldneverfindagain。
Mygrandfather,too,grewmelancholy;hetalkednomoreaboutmanureoraboutoats,butsatsilent,lookingpensivelyatMasha。
AfterteamygrandfatherlaydownforanapwhileIwentoutofthehouseintotheporch。Thehouse,likeallthehousesintheArmenianvillagestoodinthefullsun;therewasnotatree,notanawning,noshade。TheArmenian’sgreatcourtyard,overgrownwithgoosefootandwildmallows,waslivelyandfullofgaietyinspiteofthegreatheat。Threshingwasgoingonbehindoneofthelowhurdleswhichintersectedthebigyardhereandthere。Roundapoststuckintothemiddleofthethreshing-floorranadozenhorsesharnessedsidebyside,sothattheyformedonelongradius。ALittleRussianinalongwaistcoatandfulltrouserswaswalkingbesidethem,crackingawhipandshoutinginatonethatsoundedasthoughhewerejeeringatthehorsesandshowingoffhispoweroverthem。
\"A——a——a,youdamnedbrutes!……A——a——a,plaguetakeyou!Areyoufrightened?\"
Thehorses,sorrel,white,andpiebald,notunderstandingwhytheyweremadetorunroundinoneplaceandtocrushthewheatstraw,ranunwillinglyasthoughwitheffort,swingingtheirtailswithanoffendedair。Thewindraisedupperfectcloudsofgoldenchafffromundertheirhoofsandcarrieditawayfarbeyondthehurdle。Nearthetallfreshstackspeasantwomenwereswarmingwithrakes,andcartsweremoving,andbeyondthestacksinanotheryardanotherdozensimilarhorseswererunningroundapost,andasimilarLittleRussianwascrackinghiswhipandjeeringatthehorses。
ThestepsonwhichIwassittingwerehot;onthethinrailsandhereandthereonthewindow-framessapwasoozingoutofthewoodfromtheheat;redladybirdswerehuddlingtogetherinthestreaksofshadowunderthestepsandundertheshutters。
Thesunwasbakingmeonmyhead,onmychest,andonmyback,butIdidnotnoticeit,andwasconsciousonlyofthethudofbarefeetontheunevenfloorinthepassageandintheroomsbehindme。Afterclearingawaythetea-things,Masharandownthesteps,flutteringtheairasshepassed,andlikeabirdflewintoalittlegrimyouthouse——Isupposethekitchen——fromwhichcamethesmellofroastmuttonandthesoundofangrytalkinArmenian。Shevanishedintothedarkdoorway,andinherplacethereappearedonthethresholdanoldbent,red-facedArmenianwomanwearinggreentrousers。Theoldwomanwasangryandwasscoldingsomeone。SoonafterwardsMashaappearedinthedoorway,flushedwiththeheatofthekitchenandcarryingabigblackloafonhershoulder;swayinggracefullyundertheweightofthebread,sheranacrosstheyardtothethreshing-floor,dartedoverthehurdle,and,wraptinacloudofgoldenchaff,vanishedbehindthecarts。TheLittleRussianwhowasdrivingthehorsesloweredhiswhip,sankintosilence,andgazedforaminuteinthedirectionofthecarts。ThenwhentheArmeniangirldartedagainbythehorsesandleapedoverthehurdle,hefollowedherwithhiseyes,andshoutedtothehorsesinatoneasthoughheweregreatlydisappointed:
\"Plaguetakeyou,uncleandevils!\"
AndallthewhileIwasunceasinglyhearingherbarefeet,andseeinghowshewalkedacrosstheyardwithagrave,preoccupiedface。Sherannowdownthesteps,swishingtheairaboutme,nowintothekitchen,nowtothethreshing-floor,nowthroughthegate,andIcouldhardlyturnmyheadquicklyenoughtowatchher。
Andtheoftenersheflutteredbymewithherbeauty,themoreacutebecamemysadness。IfeltsorrybothforherandformyselfandfortheLittleRussian,whomournfullywatchedhereverytimesheranthroughthecloudofchafftothecarts。Whetheritwasenvyofherbeauty,orthatIwasregrettingthatthegirlwasnotmine,andneverwouldbe,orthatIwasastrangertoher;orwhetherIvaguelyfeltthatherrarebeautywasaccidental,unnecessary,and,likeeverythingonearth,ofshortduration;
orwhether,perhaps,mysadnesswasthatpeculiarfeelingwhichisexcitedinmanbythecontemplationofrealbeauty,Godonlyknows。
Thethreehoursofwaitingpassedunnoticed。ItseemedtomethatIhadnothadtimetolookproperlyatMashawhenKarpodroveuptotheriver,bathedthehorse,andbegantoputitintheshafts。Thewethorsesnortedwithpleasureandkickedhishoofsagainsttheshafts。Karposhoutedtoit:\"Ba——ack!\"Mygrandfatherwokeup。Mashaopenedthecreakinggatesforus,wegotintothechaiseanddroveoutoftheyard。Wedroveinsilenceasthoughwewereangrywithoneanother。
When,twoorthreehourslater,RostovandNahitchevanappearedinthedistance,Karpo,whohadbeensilentthewholetime,lookedroundquickly,andsaid:
\"Afinewench,thatattheArmenian’s。\"
Andhelashedhishorses。
II
Anothertime,afterIhadbecomeastudent,Iwastravelingbyrailtothesouth。ItwasMay。Atoneofthestations,IbelieveitwasbetweenByelgorodandHarkov,Igotoutofthetramtowalkabouttheplatform。
Theshadesofeveningwerealreadylyingonthestationgarden,ontheplatform,andonthefields;thestationscreenedoffthesunset,butonthetopmostcloudsofsmokefromtheengine,whichweretingedwithrosylight,onecouldseethesunhadnotyetquitevanished。
AsIwalkedupanddowntheplatformInoticedthatthegreaternumberofthepassengerswerestandingorwalkingnearasecond-classcompartment,andthattheylookedasthoughsomecelebratedpersonwereinthatcompartment。AmongthecuriouswhomImetnearthiscompartmentIsaw,however,anartilleryofficerwhohadbeenmyfellow-traveler,anintelligent,cordial,andsympatheticfellow——aspeoplemostlyarewhomwemeetonourtravelsbychanceandwithwhomwearenotlongacquainted。
\"Whatareyoulookingatthere?\"Iasked。
Hemadenoanswer,butonlyindicatedwithhiseyesafemininefigure。Itwasayounggirlofseventeenoreighteen,wearingaRussiandress,withherheadbareandalittleshawlflungcarelesslyononeshoulder;notapassenger,butIsupposeasisterordaughterofthestation-master。Shewasstandingnearthecarriagewindow,talkingtoanelderlywomanwhowasinthetrain。BeforeIhadtimetorealizewhatIwasseeing,IwassuddenlyoverwhelmedbythefeelingIhadonceexperiencedintheArmenianvillage。
Thegirlwasremarkablybeautiful,andthatwasunmistakabletomeandtothosewhowerelookingatherasIwas。
Ifoneistodescribeherappearancefeaturebyfeature,asthepracticeis,theonlyreallylovelythingwasherthickwavyfairhair,whichhungloosewithablackribbontiedroundherhead;
alltheotherfeatureswereeitherirregularorveryordinary。
Eitherfromapeculiarformofcoquettishness,orfromshort-sightedness,hereyeswerescrewedup,hernosehadanundecidedtilt,hermouthwassmall,herprofilewasfeeblyandinsipidlydrawn,hershoulderswerenarrowandundevelopedforherage——andyetthegirlmadetheimpressionofbeingreallybeautiful,andlookingather,IwasabletofeelconvincedthattheRussianfacedoesnotneedstrictregularityinordertobelovely;whatismore,thatifinsteadofherturn-upnosethegirlhadbeengivenadifferentone,correctandplasticallyirreproachableliketheArmeniangirl’s,Ifancyherfacewouldhavelostallitscharmfromthechange。
Standingatthewindowtalking,thegirl,shruggingattheeveningdamp,continuallylookingroundatus,atonemomentputherarmsakimbo,atthenextraisedherhandstoherheadtostraightenherhair,talked,laughed,whileherfaceatonemomentworeanexpressionofwonder,thenextofhorror,andI
don’trememberamomentwhenherfaceandbodywereatrest。Thewholesecretandmagicofherbeautylayjustinthesetiny,infinitelyelegantmovements,inhersmile,intheplayofherface,inherrapidglancesatus,inthecombinationofthesubtlegraceofhermovementswithheryouth,herfreshness,thepurityofhersoulthatsoundedinherlaughandvoice,andwiththeweaknesswelovesomuchinchildren,inbirds,infawns,andinyoungtrees。
Itwasthatbutterfly’sbeautysoinkeepingwithwaltzing,dartingaboutthegarden,laughterandgaiety,andincongruouswithseriousthought,grief,andrepose;anditseemedasthoughagustofwindblowingovertheplatform,orafallofrain,wouldbeenoughtowitherthefragilebodyandscatterthecapriciousbeautylikethepollenofaflower。
\"So——o!……\"theofficermutteredwithasighwhen,afterthesecondbell,wewentbacktoourcompartment。
Andwhatthat\"So——o\"meantIwillnotundertaketodecide。
Perhapshewassad,anddidnotwanttogoawayfromthebeautyandthespringeveningintothestuffytrain;orperhapshe,likeme,wasunaccountablysorryforthebeauty,forhimself,andforme,andforallthepassengers,whowerelistlesslyandreluctantlysaunteringbacktotheircompartments。Aswepassedthestationwindow,atwhichapale,red-hairedtelegraphistwithupstandingcurlsandafaded,broad-cheekedfacewassittingbesidehisapparatus,theofficerheavedasighandsaid:
\"Ibetthattelegraphistisinlovewiththatprettygirl。Toliveoutinthewildsunderoneroofwiththatetherealcreatureandnotfallinloveisbeyondthepowerofman。Andwhatacalamity,myfriend!whatanironicalfate,tobestooping,unkempt,gray,adecentfellowandnotafool,andtobeinlovewiththatpretty,stupidlittlegirlwhowouldnevertakeascrapofnoticeofyou!Orworsestill:imaginethattelegraphistisinlove,andatthesametimemarried,andthathiswifeisasstooping,asunkempt,andasdecentapersonashimself。\"
Ontheplatformbetweenourcarriageandthenexttheguardwasstandingwithhiselbowsontherailing,lookinginthedirectionofthebeautifulgirl,andhisbattered,wrinkled,unpleasantlybeefyface,exhaustedbysleeplessnightsandthejoltingofthetrain,worealookoftendernessandofthedeepestsadness,asthoughinthatgirlhesawhappiness,hisownyouth,soberness,purity,wife,children;asthoughhewererepentingandfeelinginhiswholebeingthatthatgirlwasnothis,andthatforhim,withhisprematureoldage,hisuncouthness,andhisbeefyface,theordinaryhappinessofamanandapassengerwasasfarawayasheaven……
Thethirdbellrang,thewhistlessounded,andthetrainslowlymovedoff。Firsttheguard,thestation-master,thenthegarden,thebeautifulgirlwithherexquisitelyslysmile,passedbeforeourwindows……
Puttingmyheadoutandlookingback,Isawhow,lookingafterthetrain,shewalkedalongtheplatformbythewindowwherethetelegraphclerkwassitting,smoothedherhair,andranintothegarden。Thestationnolongerscreenedoffthesunset,theplainlayopenbeforeus,butthesunhadalreadysetandthesmokelayinblackcloudsoverthegreen,velvetyyoungcorn。Itwasmelancholyinthespringair,andinthedarkeningsky,andintherailwaycarriage。
Thefamiliarfigureoftheguardcameintothecarriage,andhebeganlightingthecandles。
THESHOEMAKERANDTHEDEVIL
ITwasChristmasEve。Maryahadlongbeensnoringonthestove;
alltheparaffininthelittlelamphadburntout,butFyodorNilovstillsatatwork。Hewouldlongagohaveflungasidehisworkandgoneoutintothestreet,butacustomerfromKolokolnyLane,whohadafortnightbeforeorderedsomeboots,hadbeeninthepreviousday,hadabusedhimroundly,andhadorderedhimtofinishthebootsatoncebeforethemorningservice。
\"It’saconvict’slife!\"Fyodorgrumbledasheworked。\"Somepeoplehavebeenasleeplongago,othersareenjoyingthemselves,whileyousitherelikesomeCainandsewforthedevilknowswhom……\"
Tosavehimselffromaccidentallyfallingasleep,hekepttakingabottlefromunderthetableanddrinkingoutofit,andaftereverypullatithetwistedhisheadandsaidaloud:
\"Whatisthereason,kindlytellme,thatcustomersenjoythemselveswhileIamforcedtositandworkforthem?BecausetheyhavemoneyandIamabeggar?\"
Hehatedallhiscustomers,especiallytheonewholivedinKolokolnyLane。Hewasagentlemanofgloomyappearance,withlonghair,ayellowface,bluespectacles,andahuskyvoice。HehadaGermannamewhichonecouldnotpronounce。Itwasimpossibletotellwhatwashiscallingandwhathedid。When,afortnightbefore,Fyodorhadgonetotakehismeasure,he,thecustomer,wassittingonthefloorpoundingsomethinginamortar。BeforeFyodorhadtimetosaygood-morningthecontentsofthemortarsuddenlyflaredupandburnedwithabrightredflame;therewasastinkofsulphurandburntfeathers,andtheroomwasfilledwithathickpinksmoke,sothatFyodorsneezedfivetimes;andashereturnedhomeafterwards,hethought:\"AnyonewhofearedGodwouldnothaveanythingtodowiththingslikethat。\"
WhentherewasnothingleftinthebottleFyodorputthebootsonthetableandsankintothought。Heleanedhisheavyheadonhisfistandbeganthinkingofhispoverty,ofhishardlifewithnoglimmeroflightinit。Thenhethoughtoftherich,oftheirbighousesandtheircarriages,oftheirhundred-roublenotes……Howniceitwouldbeifthehousesoftheserichmen——thedevilflaythem!——weresmashed,iftheirhorsesdied,iftheirfurcoatsandsablecapsgotshabby!Howsplendiditwouldbeiftherich,littlebylittle,changedintobeggarshavingnothing,andhe,apoorshoemaker,weretobecomerich,andweretolorditoversomeotherpoorshoemakeronChristmasEve。
Dreaminglikethis,Fyodorsuddenlythoughtofhiswork,andopenedhiseyes。
\"Here’sago,\"hethought,lookingattheboots。\"Thejobhasbeenfinishedeversolongago,andIgoonsittinghere。Imusttakethebootstothegentleman。\"
Hewrappeduptheworkinaredhandkerchief,putonhisthings,andwentoutintothestreet。Afinehardsnowwasfalling,prickingthefaceasthoughwithneedles。Itwascold,slippery,dark,thegas-lampsburneddimly,andforsomereasontherewasasmellofparaffininthestreet,sothatFyodorcoughedandclearedhisthroat。Richmenweredrivingtoandfroontheroad,andeveryrichmanhadahamandabottleofvodkainhishands。
RichyoungladiespeepedatFyodoroutofthecarriagesandsledges,putouttheirtonguesandshouted,laughing:
\"Beggar!Beggar!\"
Students,officers,andmerchantswalkedbehindFyodor,jeeringathimandcrying:
\"Drunkard!Drunkard!Infidelcobbler!Soulofaboot-leg!
Beggar!\"
Allthiswasinsulting,butFyodorheldhistongueandonlyspatindisgust。ButwhenKuzmaLebyodkinfromWarsaw,amaster-bootmaker,methimandsaid:\"I’vemarriedarichwomanandIhavemenworkingunderme,whileyouareabeggarandhavenothingtoeat,\"Fyodorcouldnotrefrainfromrunningafterhim。
HepursuedhimtillhefoundhimselfinKolokolnyLane。Hiscustomerlivedinthefourthhousefromthecornerontheverytopfloor。Toreachhimonehadtogothroughalong,darkcourtyard,andthentoclimbupaveryhighslipperystair-casewhichtotteredunderone’sfeet。WhenFyodorwentintohimhewassittingonthefloorpoundingsomethinginamortar,justashehadbeenthefortnightbefore。
\"Yourhonor,Ihavebroughtyourboots,\"saidFyodorsullenly。
Thecustomergotupandbegantryingonthebootsinsilence。
Desiringtohelphim,Fyodorwentdownononekneeandpulledoffhisold,boot,butatoncejumpedupandstaggeredtowardsthedoorinhorror。Thecustomerhadnotafoot,butahooflikeahorse’s。
\"Aha!\"thoughtFyodor;\"here’sago!\"
Thefirstthingshouldhavebeentocrosshimself,thentoleaveeverythingandrundownstairs;butheimmediatelyreflectedthathewasmeetingadevilforthefirstandprobablythelasttime,andnottotakeadvantageofhisserviceswouldbefoolish。Hecontrolledhimselfanddeterminedtotryhisluck。Claspinghishandsbehindhimtoavoidmakingthesignofthecross,hecoughedrespectfullyandbegan:
\"Theysaythatthereisnothingonearthmoreevilandimpurethanthedevil,butIamoftheopinion,yourhonor,thatthedevilishighlyeducated。Hehas——excusemysayingit——hoofsandatailbehind,buthehasmorebrainsthanmanyastudent。\"
\"Ilikeyouforwhatyousay,\"saidthedevil,flattered。\"Thankyou,shoemaker!Whatdoyouwant?\"
Andwithoutlossoftimetheshoemakerbegancomplainingofhislot。Hebeganbysayingthatfromhischildhooduphehadenviedtherich。Hehadalwaysresenteditthatallpeopledidnotlivealikeinbighousesanddrivewithgoodhorses。Why,heasked,washepoor?HowwasheworsethanKuzmaLebyodkinfromWarsaw,whohadhisownhouse,andwhosewifeworeahat?Hehadthesamesortofnose,thesamehands,feet,head,andback,astherich,andsowhywasheforcedtoworkwhenotherswereenjoyingthemselves?WhywashemarriedtoMaryaandnottoaladysmellingofscent?Hehadoftenseenbeautifulyoungladiesinthehousesofrichcustomers,buttheyeithertooknonoticeofhimwhatever,orelsesometimeslaughedandwhisperedtoeachother:\"Whatarednosethatshoemakerhas!\"ItwastruethatMaryawasagood,kind,hard-workingwoman,butshewasnoteducated;herhandwasheavyandhithard,andifonehadoccasiontospeakofpoliticsoranythingintellectualbeforeher,shewouldputherspokeinandtalkthemostawfulnonsense。
\"Whatdoyouwant,then?\"hiscustomerinterruptedhim。
\"Ibegyou,yourhonorSatanIvanitch,tobegraciouslypleasedtomakemearichman。\"
\"Certainly。Onlyforthatyoumustgivemeupyoursoul!Beforethecockscrow,goandsignonthispaperherethatyougivemeupyoursoul。\"
\"Yourhonor,\"saidFyodorpolitely,\"whenyouorderedapairofbootsfrommeIdidnotaskforthemoneyinadvance。Onehasfirsttocarryouttheorderandthenaskforpayment。\"
\"Oh,verywell!\"thecustomerassented。
Abrightflamesuddenlyflaredupinthemortar,apinkthicksmokecamepuffingout,andtherewasasmellofburntfeathersandsulphur。Whenthesmokehadsubsided,FyodorrubbedhiseyesandsawthathewasnolongerFyodor,nolongerashoemaker,butquiteadifferentman,wearingawaistcoatandawatch-chain,inanewpairoftrousers,andthathewassittinginanarmchairatabigtable。Twofootmenwerehandinghimdishes,bowinglowandsaying:
\"Kindlyeat,yourhonor,andmayitdoyougood!\"
Whatwealth!Thefootmenhandedhimabigpieceofroastmuttonandadishofcucumbers,andthenbroughtinafrying-panaroastgoose,andalittleafterwardsboiledporkwithhorse-radishcream。Andhowdignified,howgenteelitallwas!Fyodorate,andbeforeeachdishdrankabigglassofexcellentvodka,likesomegeneralorsomecount。Aftertheporkhewashandedsomeboiledgrainmoistenedwithgoosefat,thenanomelettewithbaconfat,thenfriedliver,andhewentoneatingandwasdelighted。Whatmore?Theyserved,too,apiewithonionandsteamedturnipwithkvass。
\"Howisitthegentrydon’tburstwithsuchmeals?\"hethought。
Inconclusiontheyhandedhimabigpotofhoney。Afterdinnerthedevilappearedinbluespectaclesandaskedwithalowbow:
\"Areyousatisfiedwithyourdinner,FyodorPantelyeitch?\"
ButFyodorcouldnotansweroneword,hewassostuffedafterhisdinner。Thefeelingofrepletionwasunpleasant,oppressive,andtodistracthisthoughtshelookedatthebootonhisleftfoot。
\"ForabootlikethatIusednottotakelessthansevenandahalfroubles。Whatshoemakermadeit?\"heasked。
\"KuzmaLebyodkin,\"answeredthefootman。
\"Sendforhim,thefool!\"
KuzmaLebyodkinfromWarsawsoonmadehisappearance。Hestoppedinarespectfulattitudeatthedoorandasked:
\"Whatareyourorders,yourhonor?\"
\"Holdyourtongue!\"criedFyodor,andstampedhisfoot。\"Don’tdaretoargue;rememberyourplaceasacobbler!Blockhead!Youdon’tknowhowtomakeboots!I’llbeatyouruglyphiztoajelly!Whyhaveyoucome?\"
\"Formoney。\"
\"Whatmoney?Beoff!ComeonSaturday!Boy,givehimacuff!\"
Butheatoncerecalledwhatalifethecustomersusedtoleadhim,too,andhefeltheavyatheart,andtodistracthisattentionhetookafatpocketbookoutofhispocketandbegancountinghismoney。Therewasagreatdealofmoney,butFyodorwantedmorestill。Thedevilinthebluespectaclesbroughthimanothernotebookfatterstill,buthewantedevenmore;andthemorehecountedit,themorediscontentedhebecame。
Intheeveningtheevilonebroughthimafull-bosomedladyinareddress,andsaidthatthiswashisnewwife。Hespentthewholeeveningkissingherandeatinggingerbreads,andatnighthewenttobedonasoft,downyfeather-bed,turnedfromsidetoside,andcouldnotgotosleep。Hefeltuncanny。
\"Wehaveagreatdealofmoney,\"hesaidtohiswife;\"wemustlookoutorthieveswillbebreakingin。Youhadbettergoandlookwithacandle。\"
Hedidnotsleepallnight,andkeptgettinguptoseeifhisboxwasallright。Inthemorninghehadtogotochurchtomatins。
Inchurchthesamehonorisdonetorichandpooralike。WhenFyodorwaspoorheusedtoprayinchurchlikethis:\"God,forgiveme,asinner!\"Hesaidthesamethingnowthoughhehadbecomerich。Whatdifferencewasthere?AndafterdeathFyodorrichwouldnotbeburiedingold,notindiamonds,butinthesameblackearthasthepoorestbeggar。Fyodorwouldburninthesamefireascobblers。Fyodorresentedallthis,and,too,hefeltweigheddownalloverbyhisdinner,andinsteadofprayerhehadallsortsofthoughtsinhisheadabouthisboxofmoney,aboutthieves,abouthisbartered,ruinedsoul。
Hecameoutofchurchinabadtemper。Todriveawayhisunpleasantthoughtsashehadoftendonebefore,hestruckupasongatthetopofhisvoice。Butassoonashebeganapolicemanranupandsaid,withhisfingerstothepeakofhiscap:
\"Yourhonor,gentlefolkmustnotsinginthestreet!Youarenotashoemaker!\"
Fyodorleanedhisbackagainstafenceandfelltothinking:whatcouldhedotoamusehimself?
\"Yourhonor,\"aportershoutedtohim,\"don’tleanagainstthefence,youwillspoilyourfurcoat!\"
Fyodorwentintoashopandboughthimselftheverybestconcertina,thenwentoutintothestreetplayingit。Everybodypointedathimandlaughed。
\"Andagentleman,too,\"thecabmenjeeredathim;\"likesomecobbler……\"
\"Isittheproperthingforgentlefolktobedisorderlyinthestreet?\"apolicemansaidtohim。\"Youhadbettergointoatavern!\"
\"Yourhonor,giveusatrifle,forChrist’ssake,\"thebeggarswailed,surroundingFyodoronallsides。
Inearlierdayswhenhewasashoemakerthebeggarstooknonoticeofhim,nowtheywouldn’tlethimpass。
Andathomehisnewwife,thelady,waswaitingforhim,dressedinagreenblouseandaredskirt。Hemeanttobeattentivetoher,andhadjustliftedhisarmtogiveheragoodcloutontheback,butshesaidangrily:
\"Peasant!Ignorantlout!Youdon’tknowhowtobehavewithladies!Ifyoulovemeyouwillkissmyhand;Idon’tallowyoutobeatme。\"
\"Thisisablastedexistence!\"thoughtFyodor。\"Peopledoleadalife!Youmustn’tsing,youmustn’tplaytheconcertina,youmustn’thavealarkwithalady……Pfoo!\"
Hehadnosoonersatdowntoteawiththeladywhentheevilspiritinthebluespectaclesappearedandsaid:
\"Come,FyodorPantelyeitch,Ihaveperformedmypartofthebargain。Nowsignyourpaperandcomealongwithme!\"
AndhedraggedFyodortohell,straighttothefurnace,anddevilsflewupfromalldirectionsandshouted:
\"Fool!Blockhead!Ass!\"
Therewasafearfulsmellofparaffininhell,enoughtosuffocateone。Andsuddenlyitallvanished。Fyodoropenedhiseyesandsawhistable,theboots,andthetinlamp。Thelamp-glasswasblack,andfromthefaintlightonthewickcamecloudsofstinkingsmokeasfromachimney。Nearthetablestoodthecustomerinthebluespectacles,shoutingangrily:
\"Fool!Blockhead!Ass!I’llgiveyoualesson,youscoundrel!Youtooktheorderafortnightagoandthebootsaren’treadyyet!DoyousupposeIwanttocometrapesingroundherehalfadozentimesadayformyboots?Youwretch!youbrute!\"
Fyodorshookhisheadandsettoworkontheboots。Thecustomerwentonswearingandthreateninghimforalongtime。Atlastwhenhesubsided,Fyodoraskedsullenly:
\"Andwhatisyouroccupation,sir?\"
\"ImakeBengallightsandfireworks。Iamapyrotechnician。\"
Theybeganringingformatins。Fyodorgavethecustomertheboots,tookthemoneyforthem,andwenttochurch。
Carriagesandsledgeswithbearskinrugsweredashingtoandfrointhestreet;merchants,ladies,officerswerewalkingalongthepavementtogetherwiththehumblerfolk……ButFyodordidnotenvythemnorrepineathislot。Itseemedtohimnowthatrichandpoorwereequallybadlyoff。Somewereabletodriveinacarriage,andotherstosingsongsatthetopoftheirvoiceandtoplaytheconcertina,butoneandthesamething,thesamegrave,wasawaitingallalike,andtherewasnothinginlifeforwhichonewouldgivethedevilevenatinyscrapofone’ssoul。