Thepuffingoftheengineandtheclatterofthesteamer'swheels，minglingwiththesoundsofthemusic，producedintheairsomethingwhichsoundedlikethewildsongofasnow-storm。
　　Thewhistleoftheflute，theshrillsingingoftheclarionets，theheavyroaringofthebasses，therufflingofthelittledrumandthedronesoftheblowsonthebigone，allthisfellonthemonotonousanddullsoundsofthewheels，astheycutthewaterapart，smotetheairrebelliously，drownedthenoiseofthehumanvoicesandhoveredafterthesteamer，likeahurricane，causingthepeopletoshoutatthetopoftheirvoices。Attimesanangryhissingofsteamrangoutwithintheengine，andtherewassomethingirritableandcontemptuousinthissoundasitburstunexpectedlyuponthechaosofthedronesandroarsandshouts。
　　"Ishallneverforget，evenuntomygrave，thatyourefusedtodiscountthenoteforme，"criedsomeoneinafiercevoice。
　　"Thatwilldo！Isthisaplaceforaccounts？"rangoutBobrov'sbass。
　　"Brethren！Letushavesomespeeches！"
　　"Musicians，bush！"
　　"ComeuptothebankandI'llexplaintoyouwhyIdidn'tdiscountit。"
　　"Aspeech！Silence！"
　　"Musicians，ceaseplaying！"
　　"Strikeup'IntheMeadows。'"
　　"MadameAngot！"
　　"No！YakovTarasovich，webegofyou！"
　　"That'scalledStrassburgpastry。"
　　"Webegofyou！Webegofyou！"
　　"Pastry？Itdoesn'tlooklikeit，butI'lltasteitallthesame。"
　　"Tarasovich！Start。"
　　"Brethren！Itisjolly！ByGod。"
　　"Andin'LaBelleHelene'sheusedtocomeoutalmostnaked，mydear，"suddenlyRobustov'sshrillandemotionalvoicebrokethroughthenoise。
　　"Lookout！JacobcheatedEsau？Aha！"
　　"Ican't！Mytongueisnotahammer，andIamnolongeryoung。
　　"Yasha！Weallimploreyou！"
　　"Dousthehonour！"
　　"We'llelectyoumayor！"
　　"Tarasovich！don'tbecapricious！"
　　"Sh！Silence！Gentlemen！YakovTarasovichwillsayafewwords！"
　　"Sh！"
　　Andjustatthemomentthenoisesubsidedsomeone'sloud，indignantwhisperwasheard：
　　"Howshepinchedme，thecarrion。"
　　AndBobrovinquiredinhisdeepbasso：
　　"Wheredidshepinchyou？"
　　Allburstintoringinglaughter，butsoonfellsilent，forYakovTarasovichMayakin，risingtohisfeet，clearedhisthroat，and，strokinghisbaldcrown，surveyedthemerchantswithaseriouslookexpectingattention。
　　"Well，brethren，openyourears！"shoutedKononov，withsatisfaction。
　　"Gentlemenofthemerchantclass！"beganMayakinwithasmile。
　　"Thereisacertainforeignwordinthelanguageofintelligentandlearnedpeople，andthatwordis'culture。'SonowIamgoingtotalktoyouaboutthatwordinallthesimplicityofmysoul。"
　　"So，that'swhereheisaimingto！"someonessatisfiedexclamationwasheard。
　　"Sh！Silence！"
　　"Deargentlemen！"saidMayakin，raisinghisvoice，"inthenewspaperstheykeepwritingaboutusmerchants，thatwearenotacquaintedwiththis'culture，'thatwedonotwantit，anddonotunderstandit。Andtheycallussavage，unculturedpeople。
　　Whatisculture？Itpainsme，oldmanasIam，tohearsuchwords，andonedayImadeitmybusinesstolookupthatword，toseewhatitreallycontains。"Mayakinbecamesilent，surveyedtheaudiencewithhiseyes，andwentondistinctly，withatriumphantsmile：
　　"Itproved，uponmyresearches，thatthiswordmeansworship，thatis，love，greatloveforbusinessandorderinlife。'That'sright！'Ithought，'that'sright！'Thatmeansthatheisaculturedmanwholovesbusinessandorder，who，ingeneral，lovestoarrangelife，lovestolive，knowsthevalueofhimselfandoflife。Good！"YakovTarasovichtrembled，hiswrinklesspreadoverhisfacelikebeams，fromhissmilingeyestohislips，andhisbaldheadlookedlikesomedarkstar。
　　Themerchantsstaredsilentlyandattentivelyathismouth，andallfacesbespokeintenseattention。ThepeopleseemedpetrifiedintheattitudesinwhichMayakin'sspeechhadovertakenthem。
　　"Butifthatwordistobeinterpretedpreciselythus，andnototherwise，ifsuchisthecase——thenthepeoplewhocallusunculturedandsavage，slanderandblasphemeus！Fortheyloveonlytheword，butnotitsmeaning；whilewelovetheveryrootoftheword，weloveitsrealessence，weloveactivity。Wehavewithinustherealculttowardlife，thatis，theworshipoflife；we，notthey！Theylovereasoning'weloveaction。Andhere，gentlemenofthemerchantclass，hereisanexampleofourculture，ofourloveforaction。TaketheVolga！Heresheis，ourdearownmother！Witheachandeverydropofherwatershecancorroborateourhonourandrefutetheemptyblasphemyspatteredonus。Onlyonehundredyearshaveelapsed，mydearsirs，sinceEmperorPetertheGreatlauncheddeckedbarksonthisriver，andnowthousandsofsteamshipssailupanddowntheriver。Whohasbuiltthem？TheRussianpeasant，anutterlyunletteredman！Alltheseenormoussteamers，barges——whosearethey？Ours！Whohasinventedthem？We！Everythinghereisours，everythinghereisthefruitofourminds，ofourRussianshrewdness，andourgreatloveforaction！Nobodyhasassistedusinanything！WeourselvesexterminatedpiracyontheVolga；atourownexpensewehiredtroops；weexterminatedpiracyandsentoutontheVolgathousandsofsteamersandvariousvesselsoverallthethousandsofmilesofhercourse。WhichisthebesttownontheVolga？Theonethathasthemostmerchants。Whosearethebesthousesintown？Themerchants！Whotakesthemostcareofthepoor？Themerchant！Hecollectsgroshesandcopecks，anddonateshundredsofthousandsofroubles。Whohaserectedthechurches？
　　We！Whocontributesthemostmoneytothegovernment？Themerchants！Gentlemen！tousaloneistheworkdearforitsownsake，forthesakeofourloveforthearrangementoflife，andwealoneloveorderandlife！Andhewhotalksaboutusmerelytalks，andthat'sall！Lethimtalk！Whenthewindblowsthewillowrustles；whenthewindsubsidesthewillowissilent；andneitheracart-shaft，norabroomcanbemadeoutofthewillow；
　　itisauselesstree！Andfromthisuselessnesscomesthenoise。
　　Whathavethey，ourjudges，accomplished；howhavetheyadornedlife？Wedonotknowit。Whileourworkisclearlyevident！
　　Gentlemenofthemerchantclass！Seeinginyoutheforemostmeninlife，mostindustriousandlovingyourlabours，seeinginyouthemenwhocanaccomplishandhaveaccomplishedeverything，I
　　nowheartily，withrespectandloveforyou，liftmybrimminggoblet，totheglorious，strong-souled，industriousRussianmerchantclass。Longmayyoulive！MayyousucceedforthegloryofMotherRussia！Hurrah！"
　　Theshrill，jarringshoutofMayakincalledforthadeafening，triumphantroarfromthemerchants。Allthesebig，fleshybodies，arousedbywineandbytheoldman'swords，stirredandutteredfromtheirchestssuchaunanimous，massiveshoutthateverythingaroundthemseemedtotrembleandtoquake。
　　"Yakov！youarethetrumpetoftheLord！"criedZubov，holdingouthisgoblettowardMayakin。
　　Overturningthechairs，jostlingthetables，thuscausingthedishesandthebottlestorattleandfall，themerchants，agitated，delighted，somewithtearsintheireyes，rushedtowardMayakinwithgobletsintheirhands。
　　"Ah！Doyouunderstandwhathasbeensaidhere？"askedKononov，graspingRobustovbytheshoulderandshakinghim。"Understandit！Thatwasagreatspeech！"
　　"YakovTarasovich！Come，letmeembraceyou！"
　　"Let'stoss，Mayakin！
　　"Strikeuptheband。"
　　"Soundaflourish！Amarch。'ThePersianMarch。"'
　　"Wedon'twantanymusic！Thedeviltakeit！"
　　"Hereisthemusic！Eh，YakovTarasovich！Whatamind！"
　　"Iwassmallamongmybrethren，butIwasfavouredwithunderstanding。"
　　"Youlie，Trofim！"
　　"Yakov！you'lldiesoon。Oh，whatapity！Wordscan'texpresshowsorryweare！"
　　"Butwhatafuneralthatisgoingtobe！"
　　"Gentlemen！LetusestablishaMayakinfund！Iputupathousand！"
　　"Silence！Holdon！"
　　"Gentlemen！"YakovTarasovichbegantospeakagain，quiveringineverylimb。"And，furthermore，wearetheforemostmeninlifeandtherealmastersinourfatherlandbecauseweare——peasants！'
　　"Corr-rect！"
　　"That'sright！Dearmother！That'sanoldmanforyou！"
　　"Holdon！Lethimfinish。"
　　"WeareprimitiveRussianpeople，andeverythingthatcomesfromusistrulyRussian！Consequentlyitisthemostgenuine，themostusefulandobligatory。"
　　"Astrueastwoandtwomakefour！"
　　"It'ssosimple。"
　　"Heisaswiseasaserpent！"
　　"Andasmeekasa——"
　　"Asahawk。Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Themerchantsencircledtheiroratorinaclosering，theylookedathimwiththeiroilyeyes，andweresoagitatedthattheycouldnolongerlistentohiswordscalmly。Aroundhimatumultofvoicessmotetheair，andminglingwiththenoiseoftheengine，andthebeatingofthewheelsuponthewater，itformedawhirlwindofsoundswhichdrownedthejarringvoiceoftheoldman。Theexcitementofthemerchantswasgrowingmoreandmoreintense；allfaceswereradiantwithtriumph；handsholdingoutgobletswereoutstretchedtowardMayakin；themerchantsclappedhimontheshoulder，jostledhim，kissedhim，gazedwithemotionintohisface。Andsomescreamedecstatically：
　　"Thekamarinsky。Thenationaldance！"
　　"Wehaveaccomplishedallthat！"criedYakovTarasovich，pointingattheriver。"Itisallours！Wehavebuiltuplife！"
　　Suddenlyrangoutaloudexclamationwhichdrownedallsounds：
　　"Ah！Soyouhavedoneit？Ah，you。"
　　Andimmediatelyafterthis，avulgaroathresoundedthroughtheair，pronounceddistinctlywithgreatrancour，inadullbutpowerfulvoice。Everyonehearditandbecamesilentforamoment，searchingwiththeireyesthemanwhohadabusedthem。Atthismomentnothingwasheardsavethedeepsighsoftheenginesandtheclankingoftherudderchains。
　　"Who'ssnarlingthere？"askedKononovwithafrown。
　　"Wecan'tgetalongwithoutscandals！"saidReznikov，withacontritesigh。
　　"Whowasswearinghereatrandom？"
　　Thefacesofthemerchantsmirroredalarm，curiosity，astonishment，reproach，andallthepeoplebegantobustleaboutstupidly。OnlyYakovTarasovichalonewascalmandseemedevensatisfiedwithwhathadoccurred。Risingontiptoe，withhisneckoutstretched，hestaredsomewheretowardtheendofthetable，andhiseyesflashedstrangely，asthoughhesawtheresomethingwhichwaspleasingtohim。
　　"Gordyeeff"saidYonaYushkov，softly。
　　AndallheadswereturnedtowardthedirectioninwhichYakovTarasovichwasstaring。
　　There，withhishandsrestingonthetable，stoodFoma。Hisfacedistortedwithwrath，histeethfirmlysettogether，hesilentlysurveyedthemerchantswithhisburning，wide-openeyes。Hislowerjawwastrembling，hisshoulderswerequivering，andthefingersofhishands，firmlyclutchingtheedgeofthetable，werenervouslyscratchingthetablecloth。Atthesightofhiswolf-
　　like，angryfaceandhiswrathfulpose，themerchantsagainbecamesilentforamoment。
　　"Whatareyougapingat？"askedFoma，andagainaccompaniedhisquestionwithaviolentoath。
　　"He'sdrunk！"saidBobrov，withashakeofthehead。
　　"Andwhywasheinvited？"whisperedReznikov，softly。
　　"FomaIgnatyevich！"saidKononov，sedately，"youmustn'tcreateanyscandals。Ifyourheadisreeling——go，mydearboy，quietlyandpeacefullyintothecabinandliedown！Liedown，and——"
　　"Silence，you！"roaredFoma，andturnedhiseyeathim。"Donotdaretospeaktome！Iamnotdrunk。Iamsobererthananyoneofyouhere！Doyouunderstand？"
　　"Butwaitawhile，myboy。Whoinvitedyouhere？"askedKononov，reddeningwithoffence。
　　"Ibroughthim！"rangoutMayakin'svoice。
　　"Ah！Well，then，ofcourse。Excuseme，FomaIgnatyevich。Butasyoubroughthim，Yakov，yououghttosubduehim。Otherwiseit'snogood。"
　　Fomamaintainedsilenceandsmiled。Andthemerchants，too，weresilent，astheylookedathim。
　　"Eh，Fomka！"beganMayakin。"Againyoudisgracemyoldage。"
　　"Godfather！"saidFoma，showinghisteeth，"Ihavenotdoneanythingasyet，soitisratherearlytoreadmealecture。Iamnotdrunk，Ihavedrunknothing，butIhaveheardeverything。
　　Gentlemenmerchants！Permitmetomakeaspeech！Mygodfather，whomyourespectsomuch，hasspoken。Nowlistentohisgodson。"
　　"What——speeches？"saidReznikov。"Whyhaveanydiscourses？Wehavecometogethertoenjoyourselves。"
　　"Come，youhadbetterdropthat，FomaIgnatyevich。"
　　"Betterdrinksomething。"
　　"Let'shaveadrink！Ah，Foma，you'rethesonofafinefather！"
　　Fomarecoiledfromthetable，straightenedhimselfandcontinuouslysmiling，listenedtothekind，admonitorywords。
　　Amongallthosesedatepeoplehewastheyoungestandthehandsomest。Hiswell-shapedfigure，inatight-fittingfrockcoat，stoodout，tohisadvantage，amongthemassofstoutbodieswithprominentpaunches。Hisswarthyfacewithlargeeyeswasmoreregularlyfeatured，morefulloflifethantheshrivelledorredfacesofthosewhostoodbeforehimwithastonishmentandexpectancy。Hethrewhischestforward，sethisteethtogether，andflingingtheskirtsofhisfrockcoatapart，thrusthishandsintohispockets。
　　"Youcan'tstopupmymouthnowwithflatteryandcaresses！"saidhe，firmlyandthreateningly，"Whetheryouwilllistenornot，I
　　amgoingtospeakallthesame。Youcannotdrivemeawayfromhere。"
　　Heshookhishead，and，raisinghisshoulders，announcedcalmly：
　　"Butifanyoneofyoudaretotouchme，evenwithafinger，I'llkillhim！IswearitbytheLord。I'llkillasmanyasIcan！"
　　Thecrowdofpeoplethatstoodoppositehimswayedback，evenasbushesrockedbythewind。Theybegantotalkinagitatedwhispers。Foma'sfacegrewdarker，hiseyesbecameround。
　　"Well，ithasbeensaidherethatyouhavebuiltuplife，andthatyouhavedonethemostgenuineandproperthings。"
　　Fomaheavedadeepsigh，andwithinexpressibleaversionscrutinizedhislisteners'faces，whichsuddenlybecamestrangelypuffedup，asthoughtheywereswollen。Themerchantsweresilent，pressingcloserandclosertooneanother。Someoneinthebackrowsmuttered：
　　"Whatishetalkingabout？Ah！Fromapaper，orbyheart？"
　　"Oh，yourascals！"exclaimedGordyeeff，shakinghishead。"Whathaveyoumade？Itisnotlifethatyouhavemade，butaprison。
　　Itisnotorderthatyouhaveestablished，youhaveforgedfettersonman。Itissuffocating，itisnarrow，thereisnoroomforalivingsoultoturn。Manisperishing！Youaremurderers！
　　Doyouunderstandthatyouexisttodayonlythroughthepatienceofmankind？"
　　"Whatdoesthismean？"exclaimedReznikov，claspinghishandsinrageandindignation。"IlyaYefimov，what'sthis？Ican'tbeartohearsuchwords。"
　　"Gordyeeff！"criedBobrov。"Lookout，youspeakimproperwords。"
　　"Forsuchwordsyou'llget——oi，oi，oi！"saidZubov，insinuatingly。
　　"Silence！"roaredFoma，withblood-shoteyes。"Nowthey'regrunting。"
　　"Gentlemen！"rangoutMayakin'scalm，maliciousvoice，likethescreechofasmooth-fileoniron。"Don'ttouchhim！Ientreatyouearnestly，donothinderhim。Lethimsnarl。Lethimamusehimself。Hiswordscannotharmyou。"
　　"Well，no，Ihumblythankyou！"criedYushkov。AndcloseatFoma'ssidestoodSmolinandwhisperedinhisear：
　　"Stop，mydearboy！What'sthematterwithyou？Areyououtofyourwits？They'lldoyou——！"
　　"Getaway！"saidFoma，firmly，flashinghisangryeyesathim。
　　"YougotoMayakinandflatterhim，perhapssomethingwillcomeyourway！"
　　Smolinwhistledthroughhisteethandsteppedaside。Andthemerchantsbegantodisperseonthesteamer，onebyone。ThisirritatedFomastillmorehewishedhecouldchainthemtothespotbyhiswords，buthecouldnotfindsuchpowerfulwords。
　　"Youhavebuiltuplife！"heshouted。"Whoareyou？
　　Swindlers，robbers。"
　　AfewmenturnedtowardFoma，asifhehadcalledthem。
　　"Kononov！aretheysoongoingtotryyouforthatlittlegirl？
　　They'llconvictyoutothegalleys。Goodbye，Ilya！Youarebuildingyoursteamersinvain。They'lltransportyoutoSiberiaonagovernmentvessel。"
　　Kononovsankintoachair；hisbloodleapedtohisface，andheshookhisfistinsilence。Fomasaidhoarsely：
　　"Verywell。Good。Ishallnotforgetit。"
　　Fomasawhisdistortedfacewithitstremblinglips，andunderstoodwithwhatweaponshecoulddealthesementhemostforcibleblows。
　　"Ha，ha，ha！Buildersoflife！Gushchin，doyougivealmstoyourlittlenephewsandnieces？Givethematleastacopeckaday。Youhavestolensixty-seventhousandroublesfromthem。Bobrov！whydidyoulieaboutthatmistressofyours，sayingthatshehadrobbedyou，andthensendhertoprison？Ifyouhadgrowntiredofher，youmighthavegivenherovertoyourson。Anywayhehasstartedanintriguewiththatothermistressofyours。Didn'tyouknowit？Eh，youfatpig，ha，ha！Andyou，Lup，openagainabrothel，andfleeceyourgueststhereasbefore。Andthenthedevilwillfleeceyou，ha，ha！Itisgoodtobearascalwithapiousfacelikeyours！Whomdidyoukillthen，Lup？"
　　Fomaspoke，interruptinghisspeechwithloud，malevolentlaughter，andsawthathiswordswereproducinganimpressiononthesepeople。Before，whenhehadspokentoallofthemtheyturnedawayfromhim，steppingaside，forminggroups，andlookingattheiraccuserfromafarwithangerandcontempt。Hesawsmilesontheirfaces，hefeltintheireverymovementsomethingscornful，andunderstoodthatwhilehiswordsangeredthemtheydidnotstingasdeepashewishedthemto。Allthishadchilledhiswrath，andwithinhimtherewasalreadyarisingthebitterconsciousnessofthefailureofhisattackonthem。Butassoonashebegantospeakofeachoneseparately，therewasaswiftandstrikingchangeintherelationofhishearerstowardhim。
　　WhenKononovsankheavilyinthechair，asthoughhewereunabletowithstandtheweightofFoma'sharshwords，Fomanoticedthatbitterandmalicioussmilescrossedthefacesofsomeofthemerchants。Heheardsomeone'swhisperofastonishmentandapproval：
　　"That'swellaimed！"
　　ThiswhispergavestrengthtoFoma，andheconfidentlyandpassionatelybegantohurlreproaches，jeersandabusesatthosewhomethiseyes。Hegrowledjoyously，seeingthathiswordsweretakingeffect。Hewaslistenedtosilently，attentively；severalmenmovedclosertowardhim。
　　Exclamationsofprotestwereheard，butthesewerebrief，notloud，andeachtimeFomashoutedsomeone'sname，allbecamesilent，listening，castingfurtive，maliciousglancesinthedirectionoftheiraccusedcomrade。
　　Bobrovlaughedperplexedly，buthissmalleyesboredintoFomaasgimlets。AndLupReznikov，wavinghishands，hoppedaboutawkwardlyand，shortofbreath，said：
　　"Bemywitnesses。What'sthis！No-o！Iwillnotforgivethis！
　　I'llgotocourt。What'sthat？"andsuddenlyhescreamedinashrillvoice，out-stretchinghishandtowardFoma：
　　"Bindhim！"
　　Fomawaslaughing。
　　"Youcannotbindthetruth，youcan'tdoit！Evenbound，truthwillnotgrowdumb！"
　　"Go-o-od！"drawledoutKononovinadull，brokenvoice。
　　"Seehere，gentlemenofthemerchantclass！"rangoutMayakin'svoice。"Iask！youtoadmirehim，that'sthekindofafellowheis！"
　　OneafteranotherthemerchantsmovedtowardFoma，andontheirfaceshesawwrath，curiosity，amaliciousfeelingofsatisfaction，fear。SomeoneofthosemodestpeopleamongwhomFomawassitting，whisperedtohim：
　　"Giveittothem。Godblessyou。Goahead！Thatwillbetoyourcredit。"
　　"Robustov！"criedFoma。"Whatareyoulaughingat？Whatmakesyouglad？Youwillalsogotothegalleys。"
　　"Puthimashore！"suddenlyroaredRobustov，springingtohisfeet。
　　AndKononovshoutedtothecaptain：
　　"Back！Tothetown！TotheGovernor。"
　　Andsomeoneinsinuatingly，inavoicetremblingwithfeeling：
　　"That'sacollusiveagreement。Thatwasdoneonpurpose。Hewasinstigated，andmadedrunktogivehimcourage。"
　　"No，it'sarevolt！"
　　"Bindhim！Justbindhim！"
　　Fomagraspedachampagnebottleandswungitintheair。
　　"Comeonnow！No，itseemsthatyouwillhavetolistentome。"
　　Withrenewedfury，franticwithjoyatseeingthesepeopleshrinkingandquailingundertheblowsofhiswords，Fomaagainstartedtoshoutnamesandvulgaroaths，andtheexasperatedtumultwashushedoncemore。Themen，whomFomadidnotknow，gazedathimwitheagercuriosity，withapproval，whilesomelookedathimevenwithjoyoussurprise。Oneofthem，agray-
　　hairedlittleoldmanwithrosycheeksandsmallmouseeyes，suddenlyturnedtowardthemerchants，whohadbeenabusedbyFoma，andsaidinasweetvoice：
　　"Thesearewordsfromtheconscience！That'snothing！Youmustendureit。That'sapropheticaccusation。Wearesinful。Totellthetruthwearevery——"
　　Hewashissed，andZubovevenjostledhimontheshoulder。Hemadealowbowanddisappearedinthecrowd。
　　"Zubov！"criedFoma。"Howmanypeoplehaveyoufleecedandturnedtobeggars？DoyoueverdreamofIvanPetrovMyakinnikov，whostrangledhimselfbecauseofyou？Isittruethatyoustealateverymasstenroublesoutofthechurchbox？"
　　Zubovhadnotexpectedtheattack，andheremainedaspetrified，withhishanduplifted。Butheimmediatelybegantoscreaminashrillvoice，ashejumpedupquickly：
　　"Ah！Youturnagainstmealso？Againstme，too？
　　AndsuddenlyhepuffeduphischeeksandfuriouslybegantoshakehisfistatFoma，ashescreamedinashrillvoice：
　　"ThefoolsaysinhisheartthereisnoGod！I'llgotothebishop！Infidel！You'llgetthegalleys！"
　　Thetumultonthesteamergrew，andatthesightoftheseenraged，perplexedandinsultedpeople，Fomafelthimselfafairy-talegiant，slayingmonsters。Theybustledabout，wavingtheirarms，talkingtooneanother——someredwithanger，otherspale，yetallequallypowerlesstochecktheflowofhisjeersatthem。
　　"Sendthesailorsoverhere！"criedReznikov，tuggingKononovbytheshoulder。"What'sthematterwithyou，Ilya？Ah？Haveyouinvitedustoberidiculed？"
　　"Againstonepuppy，"screamedZubov。
　　AcrowdhadgatheredaroundYakovTarasovitchMayakin，andlistenedtohisquietspeechwithanger，andnoddedtheirheadsaffirmatively。
　　"Act，Yakov！"saidRobustov，loudly。"Weareallwitnesses。Goahead！"
　　AndabovethegeneraltumultofvoicesrangoutFoma'sloud，accusingvoice：
　　"Itwasnotlifethatyouhavebuilt——youhavemadeacesspool！
　　Youhavebredfilthandputrefactionbyyourdeeds！Haveyouaconscience？DoyourememberGod？Money——that'syourGod！Andyourconscienceyouhavedrivenaway。Whitherhaveyoudrivenitaway？
　　Blood-suckers！Youliveonthestrengthofothers。Youworkwithotherpeople'shands！Youshallpayforallthis！Whenyouperish，youwillbecalledtoaccountforeverything！Foreverything，eventoateardrop。Howmanypeoplehaveweptbloodatthosegreatdeedsofyours？Andaccordingtoyourdeserts，evenhellistoogoodaplaceforyou，rascals。Notinfire，butinboilingmudyoushallbescorched。Yoursufferingsshalllastforcenturies。Thedevilswillhurlyouintoaboilerandwillpourintoit——ha，ha，ha！they'llpourintoit——ha，ha，ha！
　　Honourablemerchantclass！BuildersofLife。Oh，youdevils！"
　　Fomaburstintoringinglaughter，and，holdinghissides，staggered，tossinghisheaduphigh。
　　Atthatmomentseveralmenquicklyexchangedglances，simultaneouslyrushedonFomaanddownedhimwiththeirweight。A
　　racketensued。
　　"Nowyou'recaught！"ejaculatedsomeoneinasuffocatingvoice。
　　"Ah！Isthatthewayyou'redoingit？"criedFoma，hoarsely。
　　Foraboutahalfaminuteawholeheapofblackbodiesbustledaboutononespot，heavilystampingtheirfeet，anddullexclamationswereheard：
　　"Throwhimtotheground！"
　　"Holdhishand，hishand！Oh！"
　　"Bythebeard？"
　　"Getnapkins，bindhimwithnapkins。"
　　"You'llbite，willyou？"
　　"So！Well，how'sit？Aha！"
　　"Don'tstrike！Don'tdaretostrike。"
　　"Ready！"
　　"Howstrongheis！"
　　"Let'scarryhimovertheretowardtheside。"
　　"Outinthefreshair，ha，ha！"
　　TheydraggedFomaawaytooneside，andhavingplacedhimagainstthewallofthecaptain'scabin，walkedawayfromhim，adjustingtheircostumes，andmoppingtheirsweat-coveredbrows。Fatiguedbythestruggle，andexhaustedbythedisgraceofhisdefeat，Fomalaythereinsilence，tattered，soiledwithsomething，firmlybound，handandfoot，withnapkinsandtowels。Withround，blood-shoteyeshegazedatthesky；theyweredullandlustreless，asthoseofanidiot，andhischestheavedunevenlyandwithdifficulty。
　　Nowcametheirturntomockhim。Zubovbegan。Hewalkeduptohim，kickedhiminthesideandaskedinasoftvoice，alltremblingwiththepleasureofrevenge：
　　"Well，thunder-likeprophet，howisit？NowyoucantastethesweetnessofBabyloniancaptivity，he，he，he！"
　　"Wait，"saidFoma，hoarsely，withoutlookingathim。"WaituntilI'mrested。Youhavenottiedupmytongue。"
　　Butsayingthis，Fomaunderstoodthathecouldnolongerdoanything，norsayanything。Andthatnotbecausetheyhadboundhim，butbecausesomethinghadburnedoutwithinhim，andhissoulhadbecomedarkandempty。
　　ZubovwassoonjoinedbyReznikov。Thenoneafteranothertheothersbegantodrawnear。Bobrov，KononovandseveralothersprecededbyYakovMayakinwenttothecabin，anxiouslydiscussingsomethinginlowtones。
　　Thesteamerwassailingtowardthetownatfullspeed。Thebottlesonthetablestrembledandrattledfromthevibrationofthesteamer，andFomaheardthisjarring，plaintivesoundaboveeverythingelse。Nearhimstoodathrongofpeople，sayingmalicious，offensivethings。
　　ButFomasawthemasthoughthroughafog，andtheirwordsdidnottouchhimtothequick。Avast，bitterfeelingwasnowspringingupwithinhim，fromthedepthofhissoul；hefolloweditsgrowthandthoughhedidnotyetunderstandit，healreadyexperiencedsomethingmelancholyanddegrading。
　　"Justthink，youcharlatan！Whathaveyoudonetoyourself？"saidReznikov。"Whatsortofalifeisnowpossibletoyou？Doyouknowthatnownooneofuswouldcareevenasmuchastospitonyou？"
　　"WhathaveIdone？"Fomatriedtounderstand。Themerchantsstoodaroundhiminadense，darkmass。
　　"Well，"saidYashchurov，"now，Fomka，yourworkisdone。"
　　"Wait，we'llsee，"bellowedZubovinalowvoice。
　　"Letmefree！"saidFoma。
　　"Well，no！wethankyouhumbly！"
　　"Untieme。"
　　"It'sallright！Youcanliethatwayaswell。"
　　"Callupmygodfather。"
　　ButYakovTarasovichcameupatthismoment。Hecameup，stoppednearFoma，sternlysurveyedwithhiseyestheoutstretchedfigureofhisgodson，andheavedadeepsigh。
　　"Well，Foma，"hebegan。
　　"Orderthemtounbindme，"entreatedFoma，softly，inamournfulvoice。
　　"Soyoucanbeturbulentagain？No，no，you'dbetterliethisway，"hisgodfatherreplied。
　　"Iwon'tsayanotherword。IswearitbyGod！Unbindme。Iamashamed！ForChrist'ssake。YouseeIamnotdrunk。Well，youneedn'tuntiemyhands。"
　　"Youswearthatyou'llnotbetroublesome？"askedMayakin。
　　"0hLord！Iwillnot，Iwillnot，"moanedFoma。
　　Theyuntiedhisfeet，butlefthishandsbound。Whenherose，helookedatthemall，andsaidsoftlywithapitifulsmile：
　　"Youwon。"
　　"Wealwaysshall！"repliedhisgodfather，smilingsternly。
　　Fomabent，withhishandstiedbehindhisback，advancedtowardthetablesilently，withoutliftinghiseyestoanyone。Heseemedshorterinstatureandthinner。Hisdishevelledhairfellonhisforeheadandtemples；thetornandcrumpledbosomofhisshirtprotrudingfromunderhisvest，andthecollarcoveredhislips。
　　Heturnedhisheadtopushthecollardownunderhischin，andwasunabletodoit。Thenthegray-headedlittleoldmanwalkeduptohim，adjustedwhatwasnecessary，lookedintohiseyeswithasmileandsaid：
　　"Youmustendureit。"
　　Now，inMayakin'spresence，thosewhohadmockedFomaweresilent，lookingattheoldmanquestioningly，withcuriosityandexpectancy。Hewascalmbuthiseyesgleamedinawaynotatallbecomingtotheoccasion，contentedlyandbrightly。
　　"Givemesomevodka，"beggedFoma，seatinghimselfatthetable，andleaninghischestagainstitsedge。Hisbentfigurelookpiteousandhelpless。Aroundtheyweretalkinginwhispers，passingthiswayandthatcautiously。Andeveryonelookednowathim，nowatMayakin，whohadseatedhimselfoppositehim。TheoldmandidnotgiveFomathevodkaatonce。Firsthesurveyedhimfixedly，thenheslowlypouredoutawineglassful，andfinally，withoutsayingaword，raisedittoFoma'slips。Fomadrankthevodka，andasked：
　　"Somemore！"
　　"That'senough！"repliedMayakin。
　　Andimmediatelyafterthistherefellaminuteofperfect，painfulsilence。Peoplewerecominguptothetablenoiselessly，ontiptoe，andwhentheywereneartheystretchedtheirneckstoseeFoma。
　　"Well，Fomka，doyouunderstandnowwhatyouhavedone？"askedMayakin。Hespokesoftly，butallheardhisquestion。
　　Fomanoddedhisheadandmaintainedsilence。
　　"There'snoforgivenessforyou！"Mayakinwentonfirmly，andraisinghisvoice。"ThoughweareallChristians，yetyouwillreceivenoforgivenessatourhands。Justknowthis。"
　　Fomaliftedhisheadandsaidpensively：
　　"Ihavequiteforgottenaboutyou，godfather。Youhavenotheardanythingfromme。"
　　"Thereyouhaveit！"exclaimedMayakin，bitterly，pointingathisgodson。"Yousee？"
　　Adullgrumbleofprotestburstforth。
　　"Well，it'sallthesame！"resumedFomawithasigh。"It'sallthesame！Nothing——nogoodcameoutofitanyway。"
　　Andagainhebentoverthetable。
　　"Whatdidyouwant？"askedMayakin，sternly。
　　"WhatIwanted？"Fomaraisedhishead，lookedatthemerchantsandsmiled。"Iwanted——"
　　"Drunkard！Nastyscamp！"
　　"Iamnotdrunk！"retortedFoma，morosely。"Ihavedrankonlytwoglasses。Iwasperfectlysober。"
　　"Consequently，"saidBobrov，"youareright，YakovTarasovich，heisinsane。"
　　"I？"exclaimedFoma。
　　Buttheypaidnoattentiontohim。Reznikov，ZubovandBobrovleanedovertoMayakinandbegantotalkinlowtones。
　　"Guardianship！"Foma'searscaughtthisoneword。"Iaminmyrightmind！"hesaid，leaningbackinhischairandstaringatthemerchantswithtroubledeyes。"IunderstandwhatIwanted。I
　　wantedtospeakthetruth。Iwantedtoaccuseyou。"
　　Hewasagainseizedwithemotion，andhesuddenlyjerkedhishandsinanefforttofreethem。
　　"Eh！Holdon！"exclaimedBobrov，seizinghimbytheshoulders。
　　"Holdhim。"
　　"Well，holdme！"saidFomawithsadnessandbitterness。"Holdme——
　　whatdoyouneedmefor？"
　　"Sitstill！"criedhisgodfather，sternly。
　　Fomabecamesilent。Henowunderstoodthatwhathehaddonewasofnoavail，thathiswordshadnotstaggeredthemerchants。Heretheystood，surroundinghiminadensethrong，andhecouldnotseeanythingforthem。Theywerecalm，firm，treatinghimasadrunkardandaturbulentfellow，andwereplottingsomethingagainsthim。Hefelthimselfpitiful，insignificant，crushedbythatdarkmassofstrong-souled，cleverandsedatepeople。Itseemedtohimthatalongtimehadpassedsincehehadabusedthem，solongatimethathehimselfseemedasastranger，incapableofcomprehendingwhathehaddonetothesepeople，andwhyhehaddoneit。Heevenexperiencedinhimselfacertainfeelingofoffence，whichresembledshameathimselfinhisowneyes。Therewasaticklingsensationinhisthroat，andhefelttherewassomethingforeigninhisbreast，asthoughsomedustorasheswerestrewnuponhisheart，anditthrobbedunevenlyandwithdifficulty。Wishingtoexplaintohimselfhisact，hesaidslowlyandthoughtfully，withoutlookingatanyone：
　　"Iwantedtospeakthetruth。Isthislife？"
　　"Fool！"saidMayakin，contemptuously。"Whattruthcanyouspeak？
　　Whatdoyouunderstand？"
　　"Myheartiswounded，thatIunderstand！WhatjustificationhaveyouallintheeyesofGod？Towhatpurposedoyoulive？Yes，I
　　feel——Ifeltthetruth！"
　　"Heisrepenting！"saidReznikov，withasarcasticsmile。
　　"Lethim！"repliedBobrov，withcontempt。
　　Someoneadded：
　　"Itisevident，fromhiswords，thatheisoutofhiswits。"
　　"Tospeakthetruth，that'snotgiventoeveryone！"saidYakovTarasovich，sternlyandinstructively，liftinghishandupward。
　　"Itisnottheheartthatgraspstruth；itisthemind；doyouunderstandthat？Andastoyourfeeling，that'snonsense！Acowalsofeelswhentheytwisthertail。Butyoumustunderstand，understandeverything！Understandalsoyourenemy。Guesswhathethinkseveninhisdreams，andthengoahead！"
　　Accordingtohiswont，Mayakinwascarriedawaybytheexpositionofhispracticalphilosophy，butherealisedintimethataconqueredmanisnottobetaughthowtofight，andhestoppedshort。Fomacastathimadullglance，andshookhisheadstrangely。
　　"Lamb！"saidMayakin。
　　"Leavemealone！"entreatedFoma，plaintively。"It'sallyours！
　　Well，whatelsedoyouwant？Well，youcrushedme，bruisedme，thatservesmeright！WhoamI？0Lord！"
　　Alllistenedattentivelytohiswords，andinthatattentiontherewassomethingprejudiced，somethingmalicious。
　　"Ihavelived，"saidFomainaheavyvoice。"Ihaveobserved。I
　　havethought；myhearthasbecomewoundedwiththoughts！Andhere——theabscessburst。NowIamutterlypowerless！Asthoughallmybloodhadgushedout。Ihaveliveduntilthisday，andstillthoughtthatnowIwillspeakthetruth。Well，Ihavespokenit。"
　　Hetalkedmonotonously，colourlessly，andhisspeechresembledthatofoneindelirium。
　　"Ihavespokenit，andIhaveonlyemptiedmyself，that'sall。
　　Notatracehavemywordsleftbehindthem。Everythingisuninjured。Andwithinmesomethingblazedup；ithasburnedout，andthere'snothingmorethere。WhathaveItohopefornow？Andeverythingremainsasitwas。"
　　YakovTarasovichburstintobitterlaughter。
　　"Whatthen，didyouthinktolickawayamountainwithyourtongue？Youarmedyourselfwithmaliceenoughtofightabedbug，andyoustartedoutafterabear，isthatit？Madman！Ifyourfatherweretoseeyounow。Eh！"
　　"Andyet，"saidFoma，suddenly，loudly，withassurance，andhiseyesagainflaredup，"andyetitisallyourfault！Youhavespoiledlife！Youhavemadeeverythingnarrow。Wearesuffocatingbecauseofyou！Andthoughmytruthagainstyouisweak，itistruth，nevertheless！Youaregodlesswretches！Mayyouallbecursed！"
　　Hemovedaboutinhischair，attemptingtofreehishands，andcriedout，flashinghiseyeswithfury：
　　"Unbindmyhands！"
　　Theycameclosertohim；thefacesofthemerchantsbecamemoresevere，andReznikovsaidtohimimpressively：
　　"Don'tmakeanoise，don'tbebothersome！We'llsoonbeintown。
　　Don'tdisgraceyourself，anddon'tdisgraceuseither。Wearenotgoingtotakeyoudirectfromthewharftotheinsaneasylum。"
　　"So！"exclaimedFoma。"Soyouaregoingtoputmeintoaninsaneasylum？"
　　Noonereplied。Helookedattheirfacesandhunghishead。
　　"Behavepeacefully！We'llunbindyou！"saidsomeone。
　　"It'snotnecessary！"saidFomainalowvoice。"It'sallthesame。Ispitonit！Nothingwillhappen。"
　　Andhisspeechagainassumedthenatureofadelirium。
　　"Iamlost，Iknowit！Onlynotbecauseofyourpower，butratherbecauseofmyweakness。Yes！You，too，areonlywormsintheeyesofGod。And，wait！Youshallchoke。Iamlostthroughblindness。
　　IsawmuchandIbecameblind，likeanowl。Asaboy，Iremember，Ichasedanowlinaravine；itflewaboutandstruckagainstsomething。Thesunblindedit。Itwasallbruisedanditdisappeared，andmyfathersaidtomethen：'Itisthesamewithman；somemanbustlesabouttoandfro，bruiseshimself，exhaustshimself，andthenthrowshimselfanywhere，justtorest。'HeyI
　　unbindmyhands。"
　　Hisfaceturnedpale，hiseyesclosed，hisshouldersquivered。
　　Tatteredandcrumpledherockedaboutinthechair，strikinghischestagainsttheedgeofthetable，andbegantowhispersomething。
　　Themerchantsexchangedsignificantglances。Some，nudgingoneanotherinthesides，shooktheirheadsatFomainsilence。YakovMayakin'sfacewasdarkandimmobileasthoughhewnoutofstone。
　　"Shallweperhapsunbindhim？"whisperedBobrov。
　　"Whenwegetalittlenearer。"
　　"No，it'snotnecessary，"saidMayakininanundertone-"We'llleavehimhere。Letsomeonesendforacarriage。We'lltakehimstraighttotheasylum。"
　　"AndwhereamItorest？"Fomamutteredagain。"WhithershallI
　　flingmyself？"Andheremainedasthoughpetrifiedinabroken，uncomfortableattitude，alldistorted，withanexpressionofpainonhisface。
　　Mayakinrosefromhisseatandwenttothecabin，sayingsoftly：
　　"Keepaneyeonhim，hemightflinghimselfoverboard。"
　　"Iamsorryforthefellow，"saidBobrov，lookingatYakovTarasovichashedeparted。
　　"Nooneistoblameforhismadness，"repliedReznikov，morosely。
　　"AndYakov，"whisperedZubov，noddinghisheadinthedirectionofMayakin。
　　"WhataboutYakov？Helosesnothingthroughit。"
　　"Yes，nowhe'll，ha，ha！"
　　"He'llbehisguardian，ha，ha，ha！"
　　TheirquietlaughterandwhispermingledwiththegroaningoftheenginedidnotseemtoreachFoma'sear。Motionlesslyhestaredintothedistancebeforehimwithadimlook，andonlyhislipswereslightlyquivering。
　　"Hissonhasreturned，"whisperedBobrov。
　　"Iknowhisson，"saidYashchurov。"ImethiminPerm。"
　　"Whatsortofamanishe？"
　　"Abusiness-like，cleverfellow。"
　　"Isthatso？"
　　"HemanagesabigbusinessinOosolye。"
　　"ConsequentlyYakovdoesnotneedthisone。Yes。Sothat'sit。"
　　"Look，he'sweeping！"
　　"Oh？"
　　Fomawassittingleaningagainstthebackofthechair，anddroopinghisheadontheshoulder。Hiseyeswereshut，andfromunderhiseyelidstearsweretricklingoneafteranother。Theycourseddownhischeeksintohismoustache。Foma'slipsquiveredconvulsively，andthetearsfellfromhismoustacheuponhisbreast。Hewassilentandmotionless，onlyhischestheavedunevenly，andwithdifficulty。Themerchantslookedathispale，tear-stainedface，grownleanwithsuffering，withthecornersofhislipslowereddownward，andwalkedawayfromhimquietlyandmutely。
　　AndthenFomaremainedalone，withhishandstiedbehindhisback，sittingatthetablewhichwascoveredwithdirtydishesanddifferentremainsofthefeast。Attimesheslowlyopenedhisheavy，swolleneyelids，andhiseyes，throughtears，lookeddimlyandmournfullyatthetablewhereeverythingwasdirty，upset，ruined……
　　Threeyearshavepassed。
　　AboutayearagoYakovTarasovichMayakindied。Hediedinfullconsciousness，andremainedtruetohimself；afewhoursbeforehisdeathhesaidtohisson，daughterandson-in-law：
　　"Well，children，liveinrichness！Yakovhastastedeverything，sonowitistimeforYakovtogo。Yousee，Iamdying，yetIamnotdespondent；andtheLordwillsetthatdowntomycredit。I
　　havebotheredHim，theMostGraciousOne，withjestsonly，butneverwithmoansandcomplaints！0hLord！IamgladthatIhavelivedwithunderstandingthroughThymercy！Farewell，mychildren。Liveinharmony，anddon'tphilosophizetoomuch。Knowthis，notheisholywhohideshimselffromsinandliescalm。
　　Withcowardiceyoucannotdefendyourselfagainstsin，thusalsosaystheparableofthetalents。Buthewhowantstoattainhisgoalinlifefearsnotsin。Godwillpardonhimanerror。Godhasappointedmanasthebuilderoflife，buthasnotendowedhimwithtoomuchwisdom。Consequently，Hewillnotcallinhisoutstandingdebtsseverely。ForHeisholyandmostmerciful。"
　　Hediedafterashortbutverypainfulagony。
　　Yozhovwasforsomereasonorotherbanishedfromthetownsoonaftertheoccurrenceonthesteamer。
　　Agreatcommercialhousesprangupinthetownunderthefirm-
　　nameof"TarasMayakin&AfricanSmolin。"
　　NothinghadbeenheardofFomaduringthesethreeyears。ItwasrumouredthatuponhisdischargefromtheasylumMayakinhadsenthimawaytosomerelativesofhismotherintheUral。
　　NotlongagoFomaappearedinthestreetsofthetown。Heiswornout，shabbyandhalf-witted。Almostalwaysintoxicated，heappearsnowgloomy，withknittedbrow，andwithheadbentdownonhisbreast，nowsmilingthepitifulandmelancholysmileofasillyfanatic。Sometimesheisturbulent，butthathappensrarely。Heliveswithhisfoster-sisterinalittlewingintheyard。Hisacquaintancesamongthemerchantsandcitizensoftenridiculehim。AsFomawalksalongthestreet，suddenlysomeoneshoutstohim：
　　"Eh，youprophet，comehere！"
　　Yetherarelygoestothosewhocallhim；heshunspeopleanddoesnotcaretospeakwiththem。Butwhenhedoesapproachthemtheysaytohim：
　　"Well，tellussomethingaboutdoomsday，won'tyou？Ha，ha，ha！
　　Prophet！"
　　TheEnd