WhileFoma，knowingthathumansouls，soaringheavenward，oftentimesassumetheformofpigeons，feltinhisbreasttherisingofaburning，powerfuldesire。
　　Unifiedbytheirjoy，attentivelyandmutelyawaitingthereturnoftheirbirdsfromthedepthsofthesky，theboys，pressingclosetooneanother，driftedfarawayfromthebreathoflife，evenastheirpigeonswerefarfromearth；atthismomenttheyaremerelychildren，knowingneitherenvynoranger；freefromeverything，theyareneartooneanother，theyaremute，judgingtheirfeelingsbythelightintheireyes——andtheyfeelashappyasthebirdsinthesky。
　　Butnowthepigeonscomedownontheroofagain，and，tiredoutbytheirflight，areeasilydrivenintothepigeon-house。
　　"Friends，let'sgoforapples？"suggestsYozhov，theinstigatorofallgamesandadventures。
　　Hiscalldrivesoutofthechildren'ssoulsthepeacefulnessbroughtintothembythepigeons，andthen，likeplunderers，carefullylisteningforeachandeverysound，theystealquietlyacrossthebackyardstowardtheneighbouringgarden。Thefearofbeingcaughtisbalancedbythehopeofstealingwithimpunity。
　　Butstealingisworkanddangerousworkatthat，andeverythingthatisearnedbyyourownlabourissosweet！Andthemoreeffortrequiredtogainit，thesweeteritis。Carefullytheboysclimboverthefenceofthegarden，and，bendingdown，crawltowardtheappletreesand，fulloffright，lookaroundvigilantly。
　　Theirheartstrembleandtheirthrobbingslackensatthefaintestrustle。Theyarealikeafraidofbeingcaught，and，ifnoticed，ofbeingrecognised，butincasetheyshouldonlyseethemandyellatthem，theywouldbesatisfied。Theywouldseparate，eachgoinginadifferentdirection，andthen，meetingagain，theireyesaglowwithjoyandboldness，wouldlaughinglytelloneanotherhowtheyfeltwhentheyheardsomeonegivingchasetothem，andwhathappenedtothemwhentheyransoquicklythroughthegarden，asthoughthegroundwereburningundertheirfeet。
　　SuchinvasionsweremoretoFoma'slikingthanallotheradventuresandgames，andhisbehaviourduringtheseinvasionswasmarkedwithaboldnessthatatonceastoundedandangeredhiscompanions。Hewasintentionallycarelessinotherpeople'sgardens：hespokeloud，noisilybrokethebranchesofappletrees，and，tearingoffaworm-
　　eatenapple，threwitinthedirectionoftheproprietor'shouse。
　　Thedangerofbeingcaughtintheactdidnotfrightenhim；itratherencouragedhim——hiseyeswouldturndarker，histeethwouldclench，andhisfacewouldassumeanexpressionofangerandpride。
　　Smolin，distortinghisbigmouthcontemptibly，wouldsaytohim：
　　"Youaremakingentirelytoomuchfussaboutyourself。"
　　"Iamnotacowardanyway！"repliedFoma。
　　"Iknowthatyouarenotacoward，butwhydoyouboastofit？
　　Onemaydoathingaswellwithoutboasting。"
　　Yozhovblamedhimfromadifferentpointofview：
　　"Ifyouthrustyourselfintotheirhandswillinglyyoucangotothedevil！Iamnotyourfriend。They'llcatchyouandbringyoutoyourfather——hewouldn'tdoanythingtoyou，whileIwouldgetsuchaspankingthatallmyboneswouldbeskinned。"
　　"Coward！"Fomapersisted，stubbornly。
　　AnditcametopassonedaythatFomawascaughtbythesecondcaptain，Chumakov，athinlittleoldman。Noiselesslyapproachingtheboy，whowashidingawayinhisbosomthestolenapples，theoldmanseizedhimbytheshouldersandcriedinathreateningvoice：
　　"NowIhaveyou，littlerogue！Aha！"
　　Fomawasthenaboutfifteenyearsold，andhecleverlyslippedoutoftheoldman'shands。Yethedidnotrunfromhim，but，knittinghisbrowandclenchinghisfist，hesaidthreateningly：
　　"Youdaretotouchme！"
　　"Iwouldn'ttouchyou。I'lljustturnyouovertothepolice！
　　Whosesonareyou？"
　　Fomadidnotexpectthis，andallhisboldnessandspitefulnesssuddenlylefthim。
　　Thetriptothepolicestationseemedtohimsomethingwhichhisfatherwouldneverforgivehim。Heshudderedandsaidconfusedly：
　　"Gordyeeff。"
　　"IgnatGordyeeff's？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Nowthesecondcaptainwastakenaback。Hestraightenedhimself，expandedhischestandforsomereasonorotherclearedhisthroatimpressively。Thenhisshoulderssankandhesaidtotheboyinafatherlytone：
　　"It'sashame！Thesonofsuchawell-knownandrespectedman！Itisunbecomingyourposition。Youmaygo。Butshouldthishappenagain！Hm！Ishouldbecompelledtonotifyyourfather，towhom，bytheway，Ihavethehonourofpresentingmyrespects。"
　　Fomawatchedtheplayoftheoldman'sphysiognomyandunderstoodthathewasafraidofhisfather。Likeayoungwolf，helookedaskanceatChumakov；whiletheoldman，withcomicalseriousness，twistedhisgraymoustache，hesitatingbeforetheboy，whodidnotgoaway，notwithstandingthegivenpermission。
　　"Youmaygo，"repeatedtheoldman，pointingattheroadleadingtohishouse。
　　"Andhowaboutthepolice？"askedFoma，sternly，andwasimmediatelyfrightenedatthepossibleanswer。
　　"Iwasbutjesting，"smiledtheoldman。"Ijustwantedtofrightenyou。"
　　"Youareafraidofmyfatheryourself，"saidFoma，and，turninghisbacktotheoldman，walkedoffintothedepthofthegarden。
　　"Iamafraid？Ah！Verywell！"exclaimedChumakovafterhim，andFomaknewbythesoundofhisvoicethathehadoffendedtheoldman。Hefeltsadandashamed；hepassedtheafternooninwalking，and，cominghome，hewasmetbyhisfather'ssternquestion：
　　"Foma！DidyougotoChumakov'sgarden？"
　　"Yes，Idid，"saidtheboy，calmly，lookingintohisfather'seyes。
　　EvidentlyIgnatdidnotexpectsuchananswerandhewassilentforawhile，strokinghisbeard。
　　"Fool！Whydidyoudoit？Haveyounotenoughofyourownapples？"
　　Fomacastdownhiseyesandwassilent，standingbeforehisfather。
　　"See，youareshamed！Yozhishkamusthaveincitedyoutothis！I'llgiveittohimwhenhecomes，orI'llmakeanendofyourfriendshipaltogether。"
　　"Ididitmyself，"saidFoma，firmly。
　　"Frombadtoworse！"exclaimedIgnat。"Butwhydidyoudoit？"
　　"Because。"
　　"Because！"mockedthefather。"Well，ifyoudidityououghttobeabletoexplaintoyourselfandtoothersthereasonforsodoing。
　　Comehere！"
　　Fomawalkeduptohisfather，whowassittingonachair，andplacedhimselfbetweenhisknees。Ignatputhishandontheboy'sshoulders，and，smiling，lookedintohiseyes。
　　"Areyouashamed？"
　　"Iamashamed，"sighedFoma。
　　"Thereyouhaveit，fool！Youhavedisgracedmeandyourself。"
　　Pressinghisson'sheadtohisbreast，hestrokedhishairandaskedagain：
　　"Whyshouldyoudosuchathing——stealingotherpeople'sapples？"
　　"I——Idon'tknow，"saidFoma，confusedly。"Perhapsbecauseitissolonesome。Iplayandplaythesamethingdayafterday。Iamgrowingtiredofit！Whilethisisdangerous。"
　　"Exciting？"askedthefather，smiling。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Mm，perhapsitisso。But，nevertheless，Foma，lookout——dropthis，orIshalldealwithyouseverely。"
　　"I'llneverclimbanywhereagain，"saidtheboywithconfidence。
　　"Andthatyoutakealltheblameonyourself——thatisgood。Whatwillbecomeofyouinthefuture，onlyGodknows，butmeanwhile——
　　itisprettygood。Itisnotatrifleifamaniswillingtopayforhisdeedswithhisownskin。Someoneelseinyourplacewouldhaveblamedhisfriends，whileyousay：'Ididitmyself。'That'stheproperway，Foma。Youcommitthesin，butyoualsoaccountforit。Didn'tChumakovstrikeyou？"askedIgnat，pausingashespoke。
　　"Iwouldhavestruckhimback，"declaredFoma，calmly。
　　"Mm，"roaredhisfather，significantly。
　　"Itoldhimthathewasafraidofyou。Thatiswhyhecomplained。
　　Otherwisehewasnotgoingtosayanythingtoyouaboutit。"
　　"Isthatso？"
　　"'ByGod！Presentmyrespectstoyourfather，'hesaid。"
　　"Didhe？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ah！thedog！Seewhatkindofpeoplethereare；heisrobbedandyethemakesabowandpresentshisrespects！Ha，ha！Itistrueitmighthavebeenworthnomorethanakopeck，butakopeckistohimwhataroubleistome。Anditisn'tthekopeck，butsinceitismine，noonedarestouchitunlessIthrowitawaymyself。
　　Eh！Thedeviltakethem！Well，tellme——wherehaveyoubeen，whathaveyouseen？"
　　Theboysatdownbesidehisfatherandtoldhimindetailalltheimpressionsofthatday。Ignatlistened，fixedlywatchingtheanimatedfaceofhisson，andtheeyebrowsofthebigmancontractedpensively。
　　"Youarestillbutfloatingonthesurface，dear。Youarestillbutachild。Eh！Eh！"
　　"Wescaredanowlintheravine，"relatedtheboy。"Thatwasfun！
　　Itbegantoflyaboutandstruckagainstatree——bang！Itevenbegantosqueaksopitifully。Andwescareditagain；againitroseandflewabouthereandthere，andagainitstruckagainstsomething，sothatitsfeatherswerecomingout。Itflewaboutintheravineandatlasthiditselfsomewherewithdifficulty。Wedidnottrytolookforit，wefeltsorryitwasallbruised。
　　Papa，isanowlentirelyblindindaytime？"
　　"Blind！"saidIgnat；"somemenwilltossaboutinlifeevenasthisowlindaytime。Eversearchingforhisplace，hestrivesandstrives——onlyfeathersflyfromhim，butalltonopurpose。Heisbruised，sickened，strippedofeverything，andthenwithallhismighthethrustshimselfanywhere，justtofindreposefromhisrestlessness。Woetosuchpeople。Woetothem，dear！"
　　"Howpainfulisittothem？"saidFomainalowvoice。
　　"Justaspainfulastothatowl。"
　　"Andwhyisitso？"
　　"Why？Itishardtotell。Someonesuffersbecauseheisdarkenedbyhispride——hedesiresmuch，buthasbutlittlestrength。Anotherbecauseofhisfoolishness。Butthenthereareathousandandoneotherreasons，whichyoucannotunderstand。"
　　"Comeinandhavesometea，"Anfisacalledtothem。Shehadbeenstandinginthedoorwayforquitealongwhile，and，foldingherhands，lovinglyadmiredtheenormousfigureofherbrother，whobentoverFomawithsuchfriendliness，andthepensiveposeoftheboy，whoclungtohisfather'sshoulder。
　　ThusdaybydayFoma'slifedevelopedslowly——aquiet，peacefullife，notatallbrimfulofemotions。Powerfulimpressions，rousingtheboy'ssoulforanhourorforaday，sometimesstoodoutstrikinglyagainstthegeneralbackgroundofthismonotonouslife，buttheseweresoonobliterated。Theboy'ssoulwasasyetbutacalmlake——alakehiddenfromthestormywindsoflife，andallthattouchedthesurfaceofthelakeeithersanktothebottom，stirringtheplacidwaterforamoment，orglidingoverthesmoothsurface，swamapartinbigcirclesanddisappeared。
　　Havingstayedatthedistrictschoolforfiveyears，Fomapassedfourclassestolerablywellandcameoutabrave，dark-hairedfellow，withaswarthyface，heavyeyebrowsanddarkdownontheupperlip。Hisbigdarkeyeshadanaiveandpensivelook，andhislipswerelikeachild's，half-open；butwhenmeetingwithoppositiontohisdesiresorwhenirritatedbysomethingelse，thepupilsofhiseyeswouldgrowwide，hislipspresstight，andhiswholefaceassumeastubbornandresoluteexpression。Hisgodfather，smilingsceptically，wouldoftensaytohim：
　　"Towomen，Foma，you'llbesweeterthanhoney，butasyetnotmuchcommonsensecanbeseeninyou。"
　　Ignatwouldheaveasighatthesewords。
　　"Youhadbetterstartoutyoursonassoonaspossible。"
　　"There'stimeyet，wait。"
　　"Whywait？He'llgoabouttheVolgafortwoorthreeyearsandthenwe'llhavehimmarried。There'smyLubov。"
　　LubovMayakinawasnowstudyinginthefifthclassofsomeboardingschool。Fomaoftenmetheronthestreetatwhichmeetingshealwaysbowedcondescendingly，herfairheadinafashionablecap。Fomalikedher，butherrosycheeks，hercheerfulbrowneyesandcrimsonlipscouldnotsmooththeimpressionofoffencegiventohimbyhercondescendingbows。ShewasacquaintedwithsomeGymnasiumstudents，andalthoughYozhov，hisoldfriend，wasamongthem，Fomafeltnoinclinationtobewiththem，andtheircompanyembarrassedhim。Itseemedtohimthattheywereallboastingoftheirlearningbeforehimandthattheyweremockinghisignorance。GatheredtogetherinLubov'shousetheywouldreadsomebooks，andwheneverhefoundthemreadingorloudlyarguing，theybecamesilentathissight。Allthisremovedthemfurtherfromhim。OnedaywhenhewasatMayakin's，Lubacalledhimtogoforawalkinthegarden，andthere，walkingbyhisside，askedhimwithagrimaceonherface：
　　"Whyareyousounsociable？Younevertalkaboutanything。"
　　"WhatshallItalkabout，sinceIknownothing！"saidFoma，plainly。
　　"Study——readbooks。"
　　"Idon'tfeellikedoingit。"
　　"Yousee，theGymnasiumstudentsknoweverything，andknowhowtotalkabouteverything。TakeYozhov，forinstance。"
　　"IknowYozhov——achatterbox。"
　　"Yousimplyenvyhim。Heisveryclever——yes。HewillsoongraduatefromtheGymnasium——andthenhe'llgotoMoscowtostudyintheUniversity。"
　　"Well，whatofit？"saidFoma，indifferently。
　　"Andyou'llremainjustanignorantman。"
　　"Well，beitso。"
　　"Thatwillbenice！"exclaimedLuba，ironically。
　　"Ishallholdmygroundwithoutscience，"saidFoma，sarcastically。
　　"AndI'llhavealaughatallthelearnedpeople。Letthehungrystudy。
　　Idon'tneedit。"
　　"Pshaw，howstupidyouare，bad，disgusting！"saidthegirlwithcontemptandwentaway，leavinghimaloneinthegarden。Offendedandgloomy，helookedafterher，movedhiseyebrowsandloweringhishead，slowlywalkedoffintothedepthofthegarden。
　　Healreadybegantorecognisethebeautyofsolitudeandthesweetpoisonofcontemplation。Oftentimes，duringsummerevenings，wheneverythingwascolouredbythefierytintsofsunset，kindlingtheimagination，anuneasylongingforsomethingincomprehensiblepenetratedhisbreast。Sittingsomewhereinadarkcornerofthegardenorlyinginbed，heconjuredupbeforehimtheimagesofthefairy-taleprincesses——theyappearedwiththefaceofLubaandofotheryoungladiesofhisacquaintance，noiselesslyfloatingbeforehiminthetwilightandstaringintohiseyeswithenigmaticlooks。
　　Attimesthesevisionsawakenedinhimamightyenergy，asthoughintoxicatinghim——hewouldriseand，straighteninghisshoulders，inhaletheperfumedairwithafullchest；butsometimesthesesamevisionsbroughttohimafeelingofsadness——hefeltlikecrying，butashamedofsheddingtears，herestrainedhimselfandneverweptinsilence。OrsuddenlyhisheartbegantotremblewiththedesiretoexpresshisgratitudetoGod，tobowbeforeHim；thewordsoftheprayerflashedthroughhismemory，andbeholdingthesky，hewhisperedthemforalongtime，onebyone，andhisheartgrewlighter，breathingintoprayertheexcessofhispower。
　　Thefatherpatientlyandcarefullyintroducedhimintocommercialcircles，tookhimontheExchange，toldhimabouthiscontractsandenterprises，abouthisco-associates，describedtohimhowtheyhadmadetheirway，whatfortunestheynowpossessed，whatnaturesweretheirs。Fomasoonmasteredit，regardingeverythingseriouslyandthoughtfully。
　　"Ourbudisbloomingintoablood-redcup-rose！"Mayakinsmiled，winkingtoIgnat。
　　Andyet，evenwhenFomawasnineteenyearsold，therewassomethingchildishinhim，somethingnaivewhichdistinguishedhimfromtheboysofhisage。Theywerelaughingathim，consideringhimstupid；hekeptawayfromthem，offendedbytheirrelationstowardhim。AsforhisfatherandMayakin，whowerewatchinghimvigilantly，thisuncertaintyofFoma'scharacterinspiredthemwithseriousapprehensions。
　　"Icannotunderstandhim！"Ignatwouldsaywithcontriteheart。"Hedoesnotleadadissipatedlife，hedoesnotseemtorunafterthewomen，treatsmeandyouwithrespect，listenstoeverything——heismorelikeaprettygirlthanafellow！Andyethedoesnotseemtobestupid！"
　　"No，there'snothingparticularlystupidabouthim，"saidMayakin。
　　"Itlooksasthoughhewerewaitingforsomething——asthoughsomekindofshroudwerecoveringhiseyes。Hislatemothergropedonearthinthesameway。
　　"Justlook，there'sAfrikankaSmolin，buttwoyearsolderthanmyboy——whatamanhehasbecome！Thatis，itisdifficulttotellwhetherheishisfather'sheadorhisfatherhis。Hewantstogotosomefactorytostudy。Heswears：
　　"'Eh，'sayshe，'papa，youhavenottaughtmeenough。'Yes。Whileminedoesnotexpresshimselfatall。0hLord！"
　　"Lookhere，"Mayakinadvisedhim，"youhadbetterpushhimheadforemostintosomeactivebusiness！Iassureyou！Goldistestedinfire。We'llseewhathisinclinationsarewhenatliberty。
　　SendhimoutontheKama——alone。"
　　"Togivehimatrial？"
　　"Well，he'lldosomemischief——you'lllosesomething——butthenwe'llknowwhatstuffheismadeof。"
　　"Indeed——I'llsendhimoff，"Ignatdecided。
　　Andthusinthespring，IgnatsenthissonoffontheKamawithtwobargesladenwithcorn。ThebargeswereledbyGordyeeff'ssteamer"Philezhny，"underthecommandofFoma'soldacquaintance，theformersailorYefim——now，YefimIlyich，asquarelybuiltmanofaboutthirtywithlynx-likeeyes——asober-minded，steadyandverystrictcaptain。
　　Theysailedfastandcheerfully，becauseallwerecontented。AtfirstFomawasproudoftheresponsiblecommissionwithwhichhehadbeencharged。Yefimwaspleasedwiththepresenceoftheyoungmaster，whodidnotrebukeorabusehimforeachandeveryoversight；
　　andthehappyframeofmindofthetwomostimportantpersonsonthesteamerreflectedinstraightraysontheentirecrew。HavinglefttheplacewheretheyhadtakenintheircargoofcorninApril，thesteamerreachedtheplaceofitsdestinationinthebeginningofMay，andthebargeswereanchoredneartheshorewiththesteamerattheirside。
　　Foma'sdutywastodeliverthecornassoonaspossible，andreceivingthepayments，startoffforPerm，whereacargoofironwasawaitinghim，whichIgnathadundertakentodeliveratthemarket。
　　Thebargesstoodoppositealargevillage，nearapineforest，abouttwoverstsdistantfromtheshore。Ontheverynextdayaftertheirarrival，abigandnoisycrowdofwomenandpeasants，onfootandonhorses，cameuptotheshoreearlyinthemorning。
　　Shoutingandsinging，theyscatteredonthedecksandinaninstantworkstartedexpeditiously。Havingdescendedintotheholds，thewomenwerefillingthesackswithrye，thepeasants，throwingthesacksupontheirshoulders，ranoverthegang-plankstotheshore，andfromtheshore，carts，heavilyladenwiththelong-expectedcorn，wentoffslowlytothevillage。Thewomensangsongs；thepeasantsjestedandgailyabusedoneanother；thesailorsrepresentingtheguardiansofpeace，scoldedtheworkingpeoplenowandthen；thegang-planks，bendingunderthefeetofthecarriers，splashedagainstthewaterheavily；whileontheshorethehorsesneighed，andthecartsandthesandunderthewheelswerecreaking。
　　Thesunhadjustrisen，theairwasfreshandinvigoratinganddenselyfilledwiththeodourofpines；thecalmwateroftheriver，reflectingtheclearsky，wasgentlymurmuring，breakingagainstthesidesofthevesselsandthechainsoftheanchors。
　　Theloudandcheerfulnoiseoftoil，theyouthfulbeautyofnature，gailyilluminedbythesunbeams——allwasfullofakind-hearted，somewhatcrude，soundpower，whichpleasantlystirredFoma'ssoul，awakeninginhimnewandperplexedsensationsanddesires。Hewassittingbythetableundertheawningofthesteameranddrinkingtea，togetherwithYefimandthereceiverofthecorn，aprovincialclerk——aredheaded，short-sightedgentlemaninglasses。Nervouslyshrugginghisshouldersthereceiverwastellinginahoarsevoicehowthepeasantswerestarving，butFomapaidlittleattentiontohiswords，lookingnowattheworkbelow，nowattheothersideoftheriver——atall，yellow，sandysteepshore，whoseedgeswerecoveredwithpinetrees。Itwasunpeopledandquiet。
　　"I'llhavetogooverthere，"thoughtFoma。Andasthoughfromadistancethereceiver'stiresome，unpleasant，harshvoicefellonhisears：
　　"Youwouldn'tbelieveit——atlastitbecamehorrible！Suchanincidenttookplace！ApeasantcameuptoacertainintelligentmaninOsaandbroughtalongwithhimagirlaboutsixteenyearsold。
　　"'Whatdoyouwish？"
　　"'Here，'hesays，'I'vebroughtmydaughtertoyourHonour。'
　　"'Whatfor？'
　　"'Perhaps，'hesays，'you'lltakeher——youareabachelor。'
　　"'Thatis，how？Whatdoyoumean？'
　　"'Itookheraroundtown，'hesays。'Iwantedtohireheroutasaservant——butnobodywouldhaveher——takeheratleastasyourmistress！'
　　"Doyouunderstand？Heofferedhisowndaughter——justthinkofit！
　　Adaughter——asamistress！Thedevilknowswhatthatis！Eh？Theman，ofcourse，becameindignantandbeganabusingthepeasant。Butthepeasantspoketohimreasonably：
　　"'YourHonour！Ofwhatuseisshetomeatthistime？Utterlyuseless。
　　Ihave，'sayshe，'threeboys——theywillbeworkingmen；itisnecessarytokeepthemup。Giveme，'sayshe，'tenroublesforthegirl，andthatwillimprovemylotandthatofmyboys。'
　　"Howisthat？Eh？Itissimplyterrible，Itellyou。"
　　"Nogood！"sighedYefim。"Astheysay——hungerwillbreakthroughstonewalls。Thestomach，yousee，hasitsownlaws。"
　　ThisstorycalledforthinFomaagreatincomprehensibleinterestinthefateofthegirl，andtheyouthhastenedtoenquireofthereceiver：
　　"Well，didthemanbuyher？"
　　"Ofcoursenot！"exclaimedthereceiver，reproachfully。
　　"Well，andwhatbecameofher？"
　　"Somegoodpeopletookpityonher——andprovidedforher。"
　　"A-h！"drawledFoma，andsuddenlyhesaidfirmlyandangrily："I
　　wouldhavegiventhatpeasantsuchathrashing！Iwouldhavebrokenhishead！"Andheshowedthereceiverhisbigtightly-clenchedfist。
　　"Eh！Whatfor？"criedthereceiverinasickly，loudvoice，tearinghisspectaclesfromhiseyes。"Youdonotunderstandthemotive。"
　　"Idounderstandit！"saidFoma，withanobstinateshakeofhishead。
　　"Butwhatcouldhedo？Itcametohismind。"
　　"Howcanoneallowhimselftosellahumanbeing？"
　　"Ah！Itisbrutal，Iagreewithyou。"
　　"Andagirlatthat！Iwouldhavegivenhimthetenroubles！"
　　Thereceiverwavedhishandhopelesslyandbecamesilent。HisgestureconfusedFoma。Hearosefromhisseat，walkedofftotherailingandlookeddownatthedeckofthebarge，whichwascoveredwithanindustriouslyworkingcrowdofpeople。Thenoiseintoxicatedhim，andtheuneasysomething，whichwasramblinginhissoul，wasnowdefinedintoapowerfuldesiretowork，tohavethestrengthofagiant，topossessenormousshouldersandputonthematonetimeahundredbagsofrye，thateveryonelookingathimmightbeastonished。
　　"Comenow，hurryupthere！"heshouteddowninaringingvoice。A
　　fewheadswereraisedtohim，somefacesappearedbeforehim，andoneofthem——thefaceofadark-eyedwoman——smiledathimagentleandenticingsmile。Somethingflaredupinhisbreastatthissmileandbegantospreadoverhisveinsinahotwave。Hedrewbackfromtherailingandwalkeduptothetableagain，feelingthathischeekswereburning。
　　"Listen！"saidthereceiver，addressinghim，"wiretoyourfatheraskinghimtoallowsomegrainforwaste！Justseehowmuchislosthere。Andhereeverypoundisprecious！Youshouldhaveunderstoodthis！Whatafinefatheryouhave，"heconcludedwithabitinggrimace。
　　"HowmuchshallIallow？"askedFoma，boldlyanddisdainfully。"Doyouwantahundredpuds？[Apudisaweightof40Russianpounds。]
　　Twohundred？"
　　"I——Ithankyou！"exclaimedthereceiver，overjoyedandconfused，"ifyouhavetherighttodoit。"
　　"Iamthemaster！"saidFoma，firmly。"Andyoumustnotspeakthatwayaboutmyfather——normakesuchfaces。"
　　"Pardonme！I——Idonotdoubtthatyouhavefullpower。Ithankyouheartily。Andyourfather，too——inbehalfofallthesemen——
　　inbehalfofthepeople！"
　　Yefimlookedcautiouslyattheyoungmaster，spreadingoutandsmackinghislips，whilethemasterwithanairofprideonhisfacelistenedtothequick-wittedspeechofthereceiver，whowaspressinghishandfirmly。
　　"Twohundredpuds！ThatisRussian-like，youngman！Ishalldirectlynotifythepeasantsofyourgift。You'llseehowgratefultheywillbe——howglad。"Andheshouteddown：
　　"Eh，boys！Themasterisgivingawaytwohundredpuds。"
　　"Threehundred！"interposedFoma。
　　"Threehundredpuds。Oh！Thankyou！Threehundredpudsofgrain，boys！"
　　Buttheirresponsewasweak。Thepeasantslifteduptheirheadsandmutelyloweredthemagain，resumingtheirwork。Afewvoicessaidirresolutelyandasthoughunwillingly：
　　"Thanks。MayGodgiveyou。Wethankyouveryhumbly。"
　　Andsomecriedoutgailyanddisdainfully：
　　"What'stheuseofthat？Iftheyhadgiveneachofusaglassofvodkainstead——thatwouldbeajustfavour。Forthegrainisnotforus——butforthecountryCouncil。"
　　"Eh！Theydonotunderstand！"exclaimedthereceiver，confused。
　　"I'llgodownandexplainittothem。"
　　Andhedisappeared。Butthepeasants'regardforhisgiftdidnotinterestFoma。Hesawthattheblackeyesoftherosy-cheekedwomanwerelookingathimsostrangelyandpleasingly。Theyseemedtothankhimandcaressinglybeckonedhim，andbesidesthoseeyeshesawnothing。Thewomanwasdressedlikethecitywomen。Sheworeshoes，acalicowaist，andoverherblackhairshehadapeculiarkerchief。Tallandsupple，seatedonapileofwood，sherepairedsacks，quicklymovingherhands，whichwerebareuptotheelbows，andshesmiledatFomaallthetime。
　　"FomaIgnatyich！"heheardYefim'sreproachfulvoice，"you'veshowedofftoomuch。Well，ifitwereonlyaboutfiftypuds！Butwhysomuch？Lookoutthatwedon'tgetagoodscoldingforthis。"
　　"Leavemealone！"saidFoma，shortly。
　　"Whatisittome？I'llkeepquiet。Butasyouaresoyoung，andasIwastoldtokeepaneyeonyou，Imaygetaraponthesnoutforbeingheedless。"
　　"I'lltellmyfatherallaboutit。Keepquiet！"saidFoma。
　　"Asforme——letitbeso——sothatyouaremasterhere。"
　　"Verywell。"
　　"Ihavesaidthis，FomaIgnatyich，foryourownsake——becauseyouaresoyoungandsimple-minded。"
　　"Leavemealone，Yefim！"
　　Yefimheavedasighandbecamesilent，whileFomastaredatthewomanandthought：
　　"Iwishtheywouldbringsuchawomanforsaletome。"
　　Hisheartbeatrapidly。Thoughasyetphysicallypure，healreadyknewfromconversationsthemysteriesofintimaterelationsbetweenmenandwomen。Heknewbyrudeandshamefulnames，andthesenameskindledinhimanunpleasant，burningcuriosityandshame；hisimaginationworkedobstinately，forhecouldnotpictureittohimselfinintelligibleimages。Andinhissoulhedidnotbelievethatthoserelationswerereallysosimpleandrude，ashehadbeentold。Whentheyhadlaughedathimandassuredhimthattheyweresuch，and，indeed，couldnotbeotherwise，hesmiledstupidlyandconfusedly，butthoughtneverthelessthattherelationswithwomendidnothavetobeinsuchashamefulformforeveryone，andthat，inallprobability，therewassomethingpurer，lessrudeandabusivetoahumanbeing。
　　Nowlookingatthedark-eyedworkingwomanwithadmiration，Fomadistinctlyfeltjustthatrudeinclinationtowardher，andhewasashamedandafraidofsomething。AndYefim，standingbesidehim，saidadmonitively：
　　"Thereyouarestaringatthewoman，sothatIcannotkeepsilenceanylonger。Youdonotknowher，butwhenshewinksatyou，youmay，becauseofyouryouth——andwithanaturelikeyours——youmaydosuchathingthatwe'llhavetogohomeonfootbytheshore。Andwe'llhavetothankGodifourtrousersatleastremainwithus。"
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"askedFoma，redwithconfusion。
　　"Iwantnothing。Andyouhadbettermindme。InregardtoaffairswithwomenImayperfectlywellbeateacher。Youmustdealwithawomanveryplainly——giveherabottleofvodka，somethingtoeatafterit，thenacoupleofbottlesofbeerandaftereverythinggivehertwentykopecksincash。Forthispriceshewillshowyouallherloveinthebestwaypossible。"
　　"Youarelying，"saidFoma，softly。
　　"Iamlying？WhyshallIlietoyousinceIhaveobservedthatsamepolicyperhapsahundredtimes？Justchargemetohavedealingswithher。Eh？I'llmakeyouacquaintedwithherinamoment。"
　　"Verywell，"saidFoma，feelingthathecouldhardlybreatheandthatsomethingwaschokinghisthroat。
　　"Well，then，I'llbringherupintheevening。"
　　AndYefimsmiledapprovinglyintoFoma'sfaceandwalkedoff。
　　UntileveningFomawalkedaboutasthoughlostinmist，notnoticingtherespectfulandbeseechingglanceswithwhichthepeasantsgreetedhimatthereceiver'sinstigation。Dreadfellonhim，hefelthimselfguiltybeforesomebody，andtoallthosethataddressedhimherepliedhumblyandgently，asthoughexcusinghimselfforsomething。Someoftheworkingpeoplewenthometowardevening，othersgatheredontheshorenearabig，brightbonfireandbegancookingtheirsupper。Fragmentsoftheirconversationfloatedaboutinthestillnessoftheevening。Thereflectionofthefirefellontheriverinredandyellowstripes，whichtrembledonthecalmwaterandonthewindowpanesofthecabinwhereFomawassitting。Hesatinthecorneronalounge，whichwascoveredwithoilcloth——andwaited。Onthetablebeforehimwereafewbottlesofvodkaandbeer，andplateswithbreadanddessert。Hecoveredthewindowsanddidnotlightthelamp；thefaintlightfromthebonfire，penetratingthroughthecurtains，fellonthetable，onthebottlesandonthewall，andtrembled，nowgrowingbrighter，nowfainter。Itwasquietonthesteamerandonthebarges，onlyfromtheshorecameindistinctsoundsofconversation，andtheriverwassplashing，scarcelyaudible，againstthesidesofthesteamer。ItseemedtoFomathatsomebodywashidinginthedarknearby，listeningtohimandspyinguponhim。Nowsomebodyiswalkingoverthegang-plankofthebargeswithquickandheavysteps——thegang-plankstrikesagainstthewaterclangouslyandangrily。Fomahearsthemuffledlaughterofthecaptainandhisloweredvoice。Yefimstandsbythecabindoorandspeakssoftly，butsomewhatreprimandingly，asthoughinstructing。
　　Fomasuddenlyfeltlikecryingout：
　　"Itisnotnecessary！"
　　Andhearosefromthelounge——butatthismomentthecabindoorwasopened，thetallformofawomanappearedonthethreshold，and，noiselesslyclosingthedoorbehindher，shesaidinalowvoice：
　　"0hdear！Howdarkitis！Istherealivingsoulsomewherearoundhere？"
　　"Yes，"answeredFoma，softly。
　　"Well，then，goodevening。"
　　Andthewomanmovedforwardcarefully。
　　"I'lllightthelamp，"saidFomainabrokenvoice，and，sinkingonthelounge，hecurledhimselfupinthecorner。
　　"Itisgoodenoughthisway。Whenyougetusedtoityoucanseeeverythinginthedarkaswell。"
　　"Beseated，"saidFoma。
　　"Iwill。"
　　Shesatdownontheloungeabouttwostepsawayfromhim。Fomasawtheglitterofhereyes，hesawasmileonherfulllips。Itseemedtohimthatthissmileofherswasnotatalllikethatothersmilebefore——thissmileseemedplaintive，sad。Thissmileencouragedhim；hebreathedwithlessdifficultyatthesightoftheseeyes，which，onmeetinghisown，suddenlyglanceddownonthefloor。Buthedidnotknowwhattosaytothiswomanandforabouttwominutesbothweresilent。Itwasaheavy，awkwardsilence。
　　Shebegantospeak：
　　"Youmustbefeelinglonesomehereallalone？"
　　"Yes，"answeredFoma。
　　"Anddoyoulikeourplacehere？"askedthewomaninalowvoice。
　　"Itisnice。Therearemanywoodshere。"
　　Andagaintheybecamesilent。
　　"Theriver，ifyoulike，ismorebeautifulthantheVolga，"
　　utteredFoma，withaneffort。
　　"IwasontheVolga。"
　　"Where？"
　　"InthecityofSimbirsk。"
　　"Simbirsk？"repeatedFomalikeanecho，feelingthathewasagainunabletosayaword。
　　Butsheevidentlyunderstoodwithwhomshehadtodeal，andshesuddenlyaskedhiminaboldwhisper：
　　"Whydon'tyoutreatmetosomething？"
　　"Here！"Fomagaveastart。"Indeed，howqueerIam？Well，then，comeuptothetable。"
　　Hebustledaboutinthedark，pushedthetable，tookuponebottle，thenanother，andagainreturnedthemtotheirplace，laughingguiltilyandconfusedlyashedidso。Shecameupclosetohimandstoodbyhisside，and，smiling，lookedathisfaceandathistremblinghands。
　　"Areyoubashful？"shesuddenlywhispered。
　　Hefeltherbreathonhischeekandrepliedjustassoftly：
　　"Yes。"
　　Thensheplacedherhandsonhisshouldersandquietlydrewhimtoherbreast，sayinginasoothingwhisper：
　　"Nevermind，don'tbebashful，myyoung，handsomedarling。HowI
　　pityyou！"
　　Andhefeltlikecryingbecauseofherwhisper，hisheartwasmeltinginsweetfatigue；pressinghisheadclosetoherbreast，heclaspedherwithhishands，mumblingtohersomeinarticulatewords，whichwereunknowntohimself。
　　"Begone！"saidFomainaheavyvoice，staringatthewallwithhiseyeswideopen。
　　Havingkissedhimonthecheekshewalkedoutofthecabin，sayingtohim：
　　"Well，good-bye。"
　　Fomafeltintolerablyashamedinherpresence；butnosoonerdidshedisappearbehindthedoorthanhejumpedupandseatedhimselfonthelounge。Thenhearose，staggering，andatoncehewasseizedwiththefeelingofhavinglostsomethingveryvaluable，somethingwhosepresencehedidnotseemtohavenoticedinhimselfuntilthemomentitwaslost。Butimmediatelyanew，manlyfeelingofself-pridetookpossessionofhim。Itdrownedhisshame，and，insteadoftheshame，pityforthewomansprangupwithinhim——
　　forthehalf-cladwoman，whowentoutaloneintothedarkofthechillyMaynight。Hehastilycameoutonthedeck——itwasastarlit，butmoonlessnight；thecoolnessandthedarknessembracedhim。Ontheshorethegolden-redpileofcoalswasstillglimmering。Fomalistened——
　　anoppressivestillnessfilledtheair，onlythewaterwasmurmuring，breakingagainsttheanchorchains。Therewasnotasoundoffootstepstobeheard。Fomanowlongedtocallthewoman，buthedidnotknowhername。Eagerlyinhalingthefreshairintohisbroadchest，hestoodondeckforafewminutes。Suddenly，frombeyondtheroundhouse——
　　fromtheprow——amoanreachedhisears——adeep，loudmoan，resemblingawail。Heshudderedandwentthithercarefully，understandingthatshewasthere。
　　Shesatonthedeckclosetothesideofthesteamer，and，leaningherheadagainstaheapofropes，shewept。Fomasawthatherbarewhiteshouldersweretrembling，heheardherpitifulmoans，andbegantofeeldepressed。Bendingoverher，heaskedhertimidly：
　　"Whatisit？"
　　Shenoddedherheadandsaidnothinginreply。
　　"HaveIoffendedyou？"
　　"Goaway，"shesaid。
　　"But，how？"saidFoma，alarmedandconfused，touchingherheadwithhishand。"Don'tbeangry。Youcameofyourownfreewill。"
　　"Iamnotangry！"sherepliedinaloudwhisper。"WhyshouldIbeangryatyou？Youarenotaseducer。Youareapuresoul！Eh，mydarling！Beseatedherebymyside。"
　　AndtakingFomabythehand，shemadehimsitdown，likeachild，inherlap，pressedhisheadclosetoherbreast，and，bendingoverhim，pressedherlipstohisforalongtime。
　　"Whatareyoucryingabout？"askedFoma，caressinghercheekwithonehand，whiletheotherclaspedthewoman'sneck。
　　"Iamcryingaboutmyself。Whyhaveyousentmeaway？"sheaskedplaintively。
　　"Ibegantofeelashamedofmyself，"saidFoma，loweringhishead。
　　"Mydarling！Tellmethetruth——haven'tyoubeenpleasedwithme？"
　　sheaskedwithasmile，butherbig，hottearswerestilltricklingdownonFoma'sbreast。
　　"Whyshouldyouspeaklikethis？"exclaimedtheyouth，almostfrightened，andhotlybegantomumbletohersomewordsaboutherbeauty，aboutherkindness，tellingherhowsorryhewasforherandhowbashfulinherpresence。Andshelistenedandkeptonkissinghischeeks，hisneck，hisheadandhisuncoveredbreast。
　　Hebecamesilent——thenshebegantospeak——softlyandmournfullyasthoughspeakingofthedead：
　　"AndIthoughtitwassomethingelse。Whenyousaid，'Begone！'I
　　gotupandwentaway。Andyourwordsmademefeelsad，verysad。
　　Therewasatime，Iremembered，whentheycaressedmeandfondledmeunceasingly，withoutgrowingtired；forasinglekindsmiletheyusedtodoformeanythingIpleased。Irecalledallthisandbegantocry！Ifeltsorryformyyouth，forIamnowthirtyyearsold，thelastdaysforawoman！Eh，FomaIgnatyevich！"sheexclaimed，liftinghervoicelouder，andreiteratingtherhythmofherharmoniousspeech，whoseaccentsroseandfellinunisonwiththemelodiousmurmuringofthewater。
　　"Listentome——preserveyouryouth！Thereisnothingintheworldbetterthanthat。Thereisnothingmorepreciousthanyouth。Withyouth，aswithgold，youcanaccomplishanythingyouplease。Livesothatyoushallhaveinoldagesomethingtoremindyouofyouryouth。HereIrecalledmyself，andthoughIcried，yetmyheartblazedupattheveryrecollectionofmypastlife。AndagainI
　　wasyoung，asthoughIdrankofthewateroflife！MysweetchildI'llhaveagoodtimewithyou，ifIpleaseyou，we'llenjoyourselvesasmuchaswecan。Eh！I'llburntoashes，nowthatIhaveblazedup！"
　　Andpressingtheyouthclosetoherself，shegreedilybegantokisshimonthelips。
　　"Lo-o-oko-u-u-u-t！"thewatchonthebargewailedmournfully，and，cuttingshortthelastsyllable，begantostrikehismalletagainstthecast-ironboard。
　　Theshrill，tremblingsoundsharshlybrokethesolemnquietofthenight。
　　Afewdayslater，whenthebargeshaddischargedtheircargoandthesteamerwasreadytoleaveforPerm，Yefimnoticed，tohisgreatsorrow，thatacartcameuptotheshoreandthatthedark-
　　eyedPelageya，withatrunkandwithsomebundles，wasinit。
　　"Sendasailortobringherthings，"orderedFoma，noddinghisheadtowardtheshore。
　　Withareproachfulshakeofhishead，Yefimcarriedouttheorderangrily，andthenaskedinaloweredvoice：
　　"Soshe，too，iscomingwithus？"
　　"Sheisgoingwithme，"Fomaannouncedshortly。
　　"Itisunderstood。Notwithallofus。Oh，Lord！"
　　"Whyareyousighing？"
　　"Yes。FomaIgnatyich！Wearegoingtoabigcity。Aretherenotplentyofwomenofherkind？"
　　"Well，keepquiet！"saidFoma，sternly。
　　"Iwillkeepquiet，butthisisn'tright！"
　　"What？"
　　"Thisverywantonnessofours。Oursteamerisperfect，clean——andsuddenlythereisawomanthere！Andifitwereatleasttherightsortofawoman！Butasitis，shemerelybearsthenameofwoman。"
　　Fomafrownedinsinuatinglyandaddressedthecaptain，imperiouslyemphasizinghiswords：
　　"Yefim，Iwantyoutobearitinmind，andtotellittoeverybodyhere，thatifanyonewillutteranobscenewordabouther，I'llstrikehimontheheadwithalogofwood！"
　　"Howterrible！"saidYefim，incredulously，lookingintothemaster'sfacewithcuriosity。Butheimmediatelymadeastepbackward。Ignat'sson，likeawolf，showedhisteeth，theapplesofhiseyesbecamewider，andheroared：
　　"Laugh！I'llshowyouhowtolaugh！"
　　ThoughYefimlostcourage，heneverthelesssaidwithdignity：
　　"Althoughyou，FomaIgnatyich，arethemaster，yetasIwastold，'Watch，Yefim，'andthenIamthecaptainhere。"
　　"Thecaptain？"criedFoma，shudderingineverylimbandturningpale。"AndwhoamI？"
　　"Well，don'tbawl！Onaccountofsuchatrifleasawoman。"
　　RedspotscameoutonFoma'spaleface，heshiftedfromonefoottotheother，thrusthishandsintothepocketsofhisjacketwithaconvulsivemotionandsaidinafirmandevenvoice：
　　"You！Captain！Seehere，sayanotherwordagainstme——andyougotothedevil！I'llputyouashore！I'llgetalongaswellwiththepilot！Understand？Youcannotcommandme。Doyousee？"
　　Yefimwasdumfounded。Helookedathismasterandcomicallywinkedhiseyes，findingnoreplytohiswords。
　　"Doyouunderstand，Isay？"
　　"Yes。Iunderstand！"drawledYefim。"Butwhatisallthisnoiseabout？Onaccountof——"
　　"Silence！"
　　Foma'seyes，whichflashedwildly，andhisfacedistortedwithwrath，suggestedtothecaptainthehappythoughttoleavehismasterassoonaspossibleand，turningaroundquickly，hewalkedoff。
　　"Pshaw！Howterrible！Asitseemstheappledidnotfalltoofarfromthetree，"hemutteredsneeringly，walkingonthedeck。HewasangryatFoma，andconsideredhimselfoffendedfornothing，butatthesametimehebegantofeeloverhimselfthereal，firmhandofamaster。Foryearsaccustomedtobeingsubordinate，heratherlikedthismanifestationofpoweroverhim，and，enteringthecabinoftheoldpilot，herelatedtohimthescenebetweenhimselfandhismaster，withashadeofsatisfactioninhisvoice。
　　"See？"heconcludedhisstory。"Apupcomingfromagoodbreedisanexcellentdogattheveryfirstchase。Fromhisexteriorheisso-so。Amanofratherheavymindasyet。Well，nevermind，lethimhavehisfun。Itseemsnowasthoughnothingwrongwillcomeoutofthis。Withacharacterlikehis，no。Howhebawledatme！
　　Aregulartrumpet，Itellyou！Andheappointedhimselfmasteratonce。Asthoughhehadsippedpowerandstrictnessoutofaladle。"
　　Yefimspokethetruth：duringthesefewdaysFomaunderwentastrikingtransformation。Thepassionnowkindledinhimmadehimmasterofthesoulandbodyofawoman；heeagerlyabsorbedthefierysweetnessofthispower，andthisburnedoutallthatwasawkwardinhim，allthatgavehimtheappearanceofasomewhatstupid，gloomyfellow，and，destroyingit，filledhisheartwithyouthfulpride，withtheconsciousnessofhishumanpersonality。
　　Loveforawomanisalwaysfruitfultotheman，bethelovewhateveritmay；eventhoughitweretocausebutsufferingsthereisalwaysmuchthatisrichinit。Workingasapowerfulpoisononthosewhosesoulsareafflicted，itisforthehealthymanasfireforiron，whichistobetransformedintosteel。
　　Foma'spassionforthethirty-year-oldwoman，wholamentedinhisembracesherdeadyouth，didnottearhimawayfromhisaffairs；
　　hewasneverlostinthecaresses，orinhisaffairs，bringingintobothhiswholeself。Thewoman，likegoodwine，provokedinhimalikeathirstforlabourandforlove，andshe，too，becameyoungerfromthekissesoftheyouth。
　　InPerm，Fomafoundaletterwaitingforhim。Itwasfromhisgodfather，whonotifiedhimthatIgnat，outofanxietyforhisson，hadbeguntodrinkheavily，andthatitwasharmfultodrinkthus，foramanofhisage。Theletterconcludedwithadvicetohurryupmattersinordertoreturnhomethesooner。Fomafeltalarmedoverthisadvice，anditcloudedtheclearholidayofhisheart。Butthisshadowsoonmeltedinhisworriesoverhisaffairs，andinthecaressesofPelageya。Hislifestreamedonwiththeswiftnessofariverwave，andeachdaybroughttohimnewsensations，awakeninginhimnewthoughts。Pelageya'srelationswithhimcontainedallthepassionofamistress，allthatpoweroffeelingwhichwomenofherageputintotheirpassionwhendrinkingthelastdropsfromthecupoflife。Butattimesadifferentfeelingawokeinher，afeelingnotlesspowerful，andbywhichFomabecamestillmoreattachedtoher——somethingsimilartoamother'syearningtoguardherbelovedsonfromerrors，toteachhimthewisdomoflife。Oftentimesatnight，sittinginhisembracesonthedeck，shespoketohimtenderlyandsadly：
　　"Mindmeasanoldersisterofyours。Ihavelived，Iknowmen。I
　　haveseenagreatdealinmylife！Chooseyourcompanionswithcare，fortherearepeoplejustascontagiousasadisease。Atfirstyoucannottellthemevenwhenyouseethem；helookstobeamanlikeeverybodyelse，and，suddenly，withoutbeingawareofityourself，youwillstarttoimitatehiminlife。Youlookaround——
　　andyoufindthatyouhavecontractedhisscabs。Imyselfhavelosteverythingonaccountofafriend。Ihadahusbandandtwochildren。
　　Welivedwell。Myhusbandwasaclerkatavolost。"Shebecamesilentandlookedforalongtimeatthewater，whichwasstirredbythevessel。Thensheheavedasighandspoketohimagain：
　　"MaytheHolyVirginguardyoufromwomenofmykind——becareful。
　　Youaretenderasyet，yourhearthasnotbecomeproperlyhardened。
　　Andwomenarefondofsuchasyou——strong，handsome，rich。Andmostofallbewareofthequietwomen。Theysticktoamanlikeblood-
　　suckers，andsuckandsuck。Andatthesametimetheyarealwayssokind，sogentle。Theywillkeeponsuckingyourjuice，butwillpreservethemselves。They'llonlybreakyourheartinvain。Youhadbetterhavedealingswiththosethatarebold，likemyself。Theselivenotforthesakeofgain。"
　　Andshewasindeeddisinterested。InPermFomapurchasedforherdifferentnewthingsandwhat-not。Shewasdelighted，butlater，havingexaminedthem，shesaidsadly：
　　"Don'tsquanderyourmoneytoofreely。Seethatyourfatherdoesnotgetangry。Iloveyouanyway，withoutallthis。"
　　ShehadalreadytoldhimthatshewouldgowithhimonlyasfarasKazan，whereshehadamarriedsister。Fomacouldnotbelievethatshewouldleavehim，andwhen，ontheeveoftheirarrivalatKazan，sherepeatedherwords，hebecamegloomyandbegantoimplorehernottoforsakehim。
　　"Donotfeelsorryinadvance，"shesaid。"Wehaveawholenightbeforeus。YouwillhavetimetofeelsorrywhenIbidyougood-
　　bye，ifyouwillfeelsorryatall。"
　　Buthestilltriedtopersuadehernottoforsakehim，and，finally——
　　whichwastobeexpected——announcedhisdesiretomarryher。
　　"So，so！"andshebegantolaugh。"ShallImarryyouwhilemyhusbandisstillalive？Mydarling，myqueerfellow！Youhaveadesiretomarry，eh？ButdotheymarrysuchwomenasIam？Youwillhavemany，manymistresses。Marrythen，whenyouhaveoverflowed，whenyouhavehadyourfillofallsweetsandfeellikehavingryebread。Thenyoumaymarry！Ihavenoticedthatahealthyman，forhisownpeace，mustnotmarryearly。Onewomanwillnotbeenoughtosatisfyhim，andhe'llgotootherwomen。
　　Andforyourownhappiness，youshouldtakeawifeonlywhenyouknowthatshealonewillsufficeforyou。"
　　Butthemoreshespoke，themorepersistentFomabecameinhisdesirenottopartwithher。
　　"JustlistentowhatI'lltellyou，"saidthewoman，calmly。"A
　　splinterofwoodisburninginyourhand，andyoucanseewellevenwithoutitslight——youhadbetterdipitintowater，sothattherewillbenosmellofsmokeandyourhandwillnotbeburned。"
　　"Idonotunderstandyourwords。"
　　"Dounderstand。Youhavedonemenowrong，andIdonotwishtodoyouany。And，therefore，Iamgoingaway。"
　　Itishardtosaywhatmighthavebeentheresultofthisdisputeifanaccidenthadnotinterferedwithit。InKazanFomareceivedatelegramfromMayakin，whowrotetohisgodsonbriefly："Comeimmediatelyonthepassengersteamer。"Foma'sheartcontractednervously，andafewhourslater，gloomyandpale，histeethsettogether，hestoodonthedeckofthesteamer，whichwasleavingtheharbour，andclingingtotherailwithhishands，hestaredmotionlesslyintothefaceofhislove，whowasfloatingfarawayfromhimtogetherwiththeharbourandtheshore。Pelageyawavedherhandkerchiefandsmiled，butheknewthatshewascrying，sheddingmanypainfultears。
　　FromhertearstheentirefrontofFoma'sshirtwaswet，andfromhertears，hisheart，fullofgloomyalarm，wassadandcold。Thefigureofthewomanwasgrowingsmallerandsmaller，asthoughmeltingaway，andFoma，withoutliftinghiseyes，staredatherandfeltthatasidefromfearforhisfatherandsorrowforthewoman，somenew，powerfulandcausticsensationwasawakeninginhissoul。
　　Hecouldnotnameit，butitseemedtohimassomethinglikeagrudgeagainstsomeone。
　　Thecrowdintheharbourblendedintoaclose，darkanddeadspot，faceless，formless，motionless。Fomawentawayfromtherailandbegantopacethedeckgloomily。
　　Thepassengers，conversingaloud，seatedthemselvestodrinktea；
　　theportersbustledaboutonthegallery，settingthetables；
　　somewherebelow，onthestern，inthethirdclass，achildwascrying，aharmonicawaswailing，thecookwaschoppingsomethingwithknives，thedisheswerejarring——producingaratherharshnoise。Cuttingthewavesandmakingfoam，shudderingunderthestrainandsighingheavily，theenormoussteamermovedrapidlyagainstthecurrent。Fomalookedatthewidestripofbroken，struggling，andenragedwavesatthesternofthesteamer，andbegantofeelawilddesiretobreakortearsomething；alsotogo，breastforemost，againstthecurrentandtomassitspressureagainsthimself，againsthisbreastandhisshoulders。
　　"Fate！"saidsomeonebesidehiminahoarseandwearyvoice。
　　Thiswordwasfamiliartohim：hisAuntAnfisahadoftenuseditasananswertohisquestions，andhehadinvestedinthisbriefwordaconceptionofapower，similartothepowerofGod。Heglancedatthespeakers：oneofthemwasagraylittleoldman，withakindface；theotherwasyounger，withbig，wearyeyesandwithalittleblackwedge-shapedbeard。Hisbiggristlynoseandhisyellow，sunkencheeksremindedFomaofhisgodfather。
　　"Fate！"Theoldmanrepeatedtheexclamationofhisinterlocutorwithconfidence，andbegantosmile。"Fateinlifeislikeafishermanontheriver：itthrowsabaitedhooktowardusintothetumultofourlifeandwedartatitwithgreedymouths。Thenfatepullsuptherod——andthemanisstruggling，floppingontheground，andthenyouseehisheartisbroken。That'showitis，mydearman。"
　　Fomaclosedhiseyes，asifarayofthesunhadfallenfullonthem，andshakinghishead，hesaidaloud：
　　"True！Thatistrue！"
　　Thecompanionslookedathimfixedly：theoldman，withafine，wisesmile；thelarge-eyedman，unfriendly，askance。ThisconfusedFoma；heblushedandwalkedaway，thinkingofFateandwonderingwhyithadfirsttreatedhimkindlybygivinghimawoman，andthentookbackthegiftfromhim，sosimplyandabusively？Andhenowunderstoodthatthevague，causticfeelingwhichhecarriedwithinhimwasagrudgeagainstFateforthussportingwithhim。Hehadbeentoomuchspoiledbylife，toregardmoreplainlythefirstdropofpoisonfromthecupwhichwasjuststarted，andhepassedallthetimeofthejourneywithoutsleep，ponderingovertheoldman'swordsandfondlinghisgrudge。Thisgrudge，however，didnotawakeninhimdespondencyandsorrow，butratherafeelingofangerandrevenge。
　　Fomawasmetbyhisgodfather，andtohishastyandagitatedquestion，Mayakin，hisgreenishlittleeyesflashingexcitedly，saidwhenheseatedhimselfinthecarriagebesidehisgodson：
　　"Yourfatherhasgrownchildish。"
　　"Drinking？"
　　"Worse——hehaslosthismindcompletely。"
　　"Really？0hLord！Tellme。"
　　"Don'tyouunderstand？Acertainladyisalwaysaroundhim。"
　　"Whatabouther？"exclaimedFoma，recallinghisPelageya，andforsomereasonorotherhisheartwasfilledwithjoy。
　　"Shestickstohimand——bleedshim。"
　　"Issheaquietone？"
　　"She？Quietasafire。Seventy-fivethousandroublessheblewoutofhispocketlikeafeather！"
　　"Oh！Whoisshe？"
　　"SonkaMedinskaya，thearchitect'swife。"
　　"GreatGod！Isitpossiblethatshe——Didmyfather——Isitpossiblethathetookherashissweetheart？"askedFoma，withastonishment，inalowvoice。
　　Hisgodfatherdrewbackfromhim，andcomicallyopeninghiseyeswide，saidconvincedly：
　　"Youareoutofyourmind，too！ByGod，you'reoutofyourmind！