"Andeverythingaboutherissopeculiar，"Fomarelatedsoftly。
　　"Shespeaksinawayallherown。And，God！Howbeautifulsheis！
　　Andthensheissosmall，likeachild。"
　　"Andwhattookplacebetweenyou？"askedLubov。
　　Fomamovedhischairclosertoher，andstooping，heloweredhisvoiceforsomereasonorother，andbegantorelatetoherallthathadtakenplacebetweenhimandMedinskaya。Hespoke，andasherecalledthewordshesaidtoMedinskaya，thesentimentsthatcalledforththewordswerealsoawakenedinhim。
　　"Itoldher，'Oh，you！whydidyoumakesportofme？'"hesaidangrilyandwithreproach。
　　AndLuba，hercheeksaflamewithanimation，spurredhimon，noddingherheadapprovingly：
　　"That'sit！That'sgood！Well，andshe？"
　　"Shewassilent！"saidFoma，sadly，withashrugoftheshoulders。
　　"Thatis，shesaiddifferentthings；butwhat'stheuse？"
　　Hewavedhishandandbecamesilent。Luba，playingwithherbraid，wasalsosilent。Thesamovarhadalreadybecomecold。Andthedimnessintheroomwasgrowingthickerandthicker，outsidethewindowitwasheavywithdarkness，andtheblackbranchesofthelinden-treeswereshakingpensively。
　　"Youmightlightthelamp，"Fomawenton。
　　"Howunhappywebothare，"saidLuba，withasigh。
　　Fomadidnotlikethis。
　　"Iamnotunhappy，"heobjectedinafirmvoice。"Iamsimply——notyetaccustomedtolife。"
　　"Hewhoknowsnotwhatheisgoingtodotomorrow，isunhappy，"
　　saidLuba，sadly。"Idonotknowit，neitherdoyou。Whithergo？
　　Yetgowemust，Whyisitthatmyheartisneveratease？Somekindofalongingisalwaysquiveringwithinit。"
　　"Itisthesamewithme，"saidFoma。"Istarttoreflect，butonwhat？Icannotmakeitcleartomyself。Thereisalsoapainfulgnawinginmyheart。Eh！ButImustgouptotheclub。"
　　"Don'tgoaway，"Lubaentreated。
　　"Imust。Somebodyiswaitingthereforme。Iamgoing。Goodbye！"
　　"Tillwemeetagain！"Sheheldoutherhandtohimandsadlylookedintohiseyes。
　　"Willyougotosleepnow？"askedFoma，firmlyshakingherhand。
　　"I'llreadalittle。"
　　"You'retoyourbooksasthedrunkardtohiswhisky，"saidtheyouth，withpity。
　　"Whatistherethatisbetter？"
　　WalkingalongthestreethelookedatthewindowsofthehouseandinoneofthemhenoticedLuba'sface。Itwasjustasvagueaseverythingthatthegirltoldhim，evenasvagueasherlongings。
　　Fomanoddedhisheadtowardherandwithaconsciousnessofhissuperiorityoverher，thought：
　　"Shehasalsolostherway，liketheotherone。"
　　Atthisrecollectionheshookhishead，asthoughhewantedtofrightenawaythethoughtofMedinskaya，andquickenedhissteps。
　　Nightwascomingon，andtheairwasfresh。Acold，invigoratingwindwasviolentlyraginginthestreet，drivingthedustalongthesidewalksandthrowingitintothefacesofthepassers-by。Itwasdark，andpeoplewerehastilystridingalonginthedarkness。Fomawrinkledhisface，forthedustfilledhiseyes，andthought：
　　"IfitisawomanImeetnow——thenitwillmeanthatSophyaPavlovnawillreceivemeinafriendlyway，asbefore。Iamgoingtoseehertomorrow。Andifitisaman——Iwon'tgotomorrow，I'llwait。"
　　Butitwasadogthatcametomeethim，andthisirritatedFomatosuchanextentthathefeltlikestrikinghimwithhiscane。
　　Intherefreshment-roomoftheclub，FomawasmetbythejovialOokhtishchev。Hestoodatthedoor，andchattedwithacertainstout，whiskeredman；but，noticingGordyeeff，hecameforwardtomeethim，saying，withasmile：
　　"Howdoyoudo，modestmillionaire！"Fomaratherlikedhimforhisjollymood，andwasalwayspleasedtomeethim。
　　Firmlyandkind-heartedlyshakingOokhtishchev'shand，Fomaaskedhim：
　　"AndwhatmakesyouthinkthatIammodest？"
　　"Whataquestion！Aman，wholiveslikeahermit，whoneitherdrinks，norplays，norlikesanywomen。Bytheway，doyouknow，FomaIgnatyevich，thatpeerlesspatronessofoursisgoingabroadtomorrowforthewholesummer？"
　　"SophyaPavlovna？"askedFoma，slowly。"Ofcourse！Thesunofmylifeissetting。And，perhaps，ofyoursaswell？"
　　Ookhtishchevmadeacomical，slygrimaceandlookedintoFoma'sface。
　　AndFomastoodbeforehim，feelingthathisheadwasloweringonhisbreast，andthathewasunabletohinderit。
　　"Yes，theradiantAurora。"
　　"IsMedinskayagoingaway？"adeepbassvoiceasked。"That'sfine！
　　Iamglad。"
　　"MayIknowwhy？"exclaimedOokhtishchev。Fomasmiledsheepishlyandstaredinconfusionatthewhiskeredman，Ookhtishchev'sinterlocutor。
　　Thatmanwasstrokinghismoustachewithanairofimportance，anddeep，heavy，repulsivewordsfellfromhislipsonFoma'sears。
　　"Because，yousee，therewillbeoneco-cot-telessintown。"
　　"Shame，MartinNikitich！"saidOokhtishchev，reproachfully，knittinghisbrow。
　　"Howdoyouknowthatsheisacoquette？"askedFoma，sternly，comingclosertothewhiskeredman。Themanmeasuredhimwithascornfullook，turnedasideandmovinghisthigh，drawledout：
　　"Ididn'tsay——coquette。"
　　"MartinNikitich，youmustn'tspeakthatwayaboutawomanwho——"
　　beganOokhtishchevinaconvincingtone，butFomainterruptedhim：
　　"Excuseme，justamoment！Iwishtoaskthegentleman，whatisthemeaningofthewordhesaid？"
　　Andashearticulatedthisfirmlyandcalmly，Fomathrusthishandsdeepintohistrousers-pockets，threwhischestforward，whichatoncegavehisfigureanattitudeofdefiance。ThewhiskeredgentlemanagaineyedFomawithasarcasticsmile。
　　"Gentlemen！"exclaimedOokhtishchev，softly。
　　"Isaid，co-cot-te，"pronouncedthewhiskeredman，movinghislipsasifhetastedtheword。"Andifyoudon'tunderstandit，Icanexplainittoyou。"
　　"Youhadbetterexplainit，"saidFoma，withadeepsigh，notliftinghiseyesofftheman。
　　Ookhtishchevclaspedhishandsandrushedaside。
　　"Acocotte，ifyouwanttoknowit，isaprostitute，"saidthewhiskeredmaninalowvoice，movinghisbig，fatfaceclosertoFoma。
　　Fomagaveasoftgrowland，beforethewhiskeredmanhadtimetomoveaway，heclutchedwithhisrighthandhiscurly，grayishhair。
　　Withaconvulsivemovementofthehand，Fomabegantoshaketheman'sheadandhisbig，solidbody；liftinguphislefthand，hespokeinadullvoice，keepingtimetothepunishment：
　　"Don'tabuseaperson——inhisabsence。Abusehim——rightinhisface——straightinhiseyes。"
　　Heexperiencedaburningdelight，seeinghowcomicallythestoutarmswereswingingintheair，andhowthelegsoftheman，whomhewasshaking，werebendingunderhim，scrapingagainstthefloor。
　　Hisgoldwatchfelloutofthepocketanddangledonthechain，overhisroundpaunch。Intoxicatedwithhisownstrengthandwiththedegradationofthesedateman，filledwiththeburningfeelingofmalignancy，tremblingwiththehappinessofrevenge，Fomadraggedhimalongthefloorandinadullvoice，growledwickedly，inwildjoy。Inthesemomentsheexperiencedagreatfeeling——thefeelingofemancipationfromthewearisomeburdenwhichhadlongoppressedhisheartwithgriefandmorbidness。Hefeltthathewasseizedbythewaistandshouldersfrombehind，thatsomeoneseizedhishandandbentit，tryingtobreakit；thatsomeonewascrushinghistoes；buthesawnothing，followingwithhisbloodshoteyesthedark，heavymassmoaningandwrigglinginhishand。Finally，theytorehimawayanddownedhim，and，asthroughareddishmist，henoticedbeforehimonthefloor，athisfeet，themanhehadthrashed。Dishevelled，hewasmovinghislegsoverthefloor，attemptingtorise；twodarkmenwereholdinghimbythearms，hishandsweredanglingintheairlikebrokenwings，and，inavoicethatwaschokingwithsobs，hecriedtoFoma：
　　"Youmustn'tbeatme！Youmustn't！Ihavean……
　　Order。Yourascal！Oh，rascal！Ihavechildren。
　　Everybodyknowsme！Scoundrel！Savage，0——0——0！Youmayexpectaduel！"
　　AndOokhtishchevspokeloudlyinFoma'sear：
　　"Come，mydearboy，forGod'ssake！"
　　"Wait，I'llgivehimakickintheface，"beggedFoma。Buthewasdraggedoff。Therewasabuzzinginhisears，hisheartbeatfast，buthefeltrelievedandwell。AttheentranceoftheclubheheavedadeepsighofreliefandsaidtoOokhtishchev，withagood-
　　naturedsmile：
　　"Igavehimasounddrubbing，didn'tI？"
　　"Listen！"exclaimedthegaysecretary，indignantly。"Youmustpardonmebutthatwastheactofasavage！Thedeviltakeit。I
　　neverwitnessedsuchathingbefore！"
　　"Mydearman！"saidFoma，friendly，"didhenotdeservethedrubbing？Ishenotascoundrel？Howcanhespeaklikethatbehindaperson'sback？No！Lethimgotoherandtellitplainlytoheralone。"
　　"Excuseme。Thedeviltakeyou！Butitwasn'tforheralonethatyougavehimthedrubbing？"
　　"Thatis，whatdoyoumea，——notforheralone？Forwhomthen？"
　　askedFoma，amazed。
　　"Forwhom？Idon'tknow。Evidentlyyouhadoldaccountstosettle！
　　0hLord！Thatwasascene！Ishallnotforgetitinallmylife！"
　　"He——thatman——whoishe？"askedFoma，andsuddenlyburstoutlaughing。"Howheroared，thefool！"
　　Ookhtishchevlookedfixedlyintohisfaceandasked：
　　"Tellme，isittrue，thatyoudon'tknowwhomyou'vethrashed？AndisitreallyonlyforSophyaPavlovna？"
　　"Itis，byGod！"avowedFoma。
　　"So，thedevilknowswhattheresultmaybe！"Hestoppedshort，shruggedhisshouldersperplexedly，wavedhishand，andagainbegantopacethesidewalk，lookingatFomaaskance。"You'llpayforthis，FomaIgnatyevich。"
　　"Willhetakemetocourt？"
　　"WouldtoGodhedoes。HeistheVice-Governor'sson-in-law，"
　　"Isthatso？"saidFoma，slowly，andmadealongface。
　　"Yes。Totellthetruth，heisascoundrelandarascal。AccordingtothisfactImustadmit，thathedeservesadrubbing。Buttakingintoconsiderationthefactthattheladyyoudefendedisalso——"
　　"Sir！"saidFoma，firmly，placinghishandonOokhtishchev'sshoulder，"Ihavealwayslikedyou，andyouarenowwalkingwithme。Iunderstanditandcanappreciateit。Butdonotspeakillofherinmypresence。Whatevershemaybeinyouropinion，inmyopinion，sheisdeartome。Tomesheisthebestwoman。SoIamtellingyoufrankly。Sinceyouaregoingwithme，donottouchher。
　　Iconsiderhergood，thereforesheisgood。"
　　TherewasgreatemotioninFoma'svoice。Ookhtishchevlookedathimandsaidthoughtfully：
　　"Youareaqueerman，Imustconfess。"
　　"Iamasimpleman——asavage。IhavegivenhimathrashingandnowIfeeljolly，andastotheresult，letcomewhatwill。'
　　"Iamafraidthatitwillresultinsomethingbad。Doyouknow——tobefrank，inreturnforyourfrankness——Ialsolikeyou，although——
　　Mm！Itisratherdangeroustobewithyou。Suchaknightlytempermaycomeoveryouandonemaygetathrashingatyourhands。"
　　"Howso？Thiswasbutthefirsttime。Iamnotgoingtobeatpeopleeveryday，amI？"saidFoma，confused。Hiscompanionbegantolaugh。
　　"Whatamonsteryouare！Listentome——itissavagetofight——youmustexcuseme，butitisabominable。Yet，Imusttellyou，inthiscaseyoumadeahappyselection。Youhavethrashedarake，acynic，aparasite——amanwhorobbedhisnephewswithimpunity。"
　　"Well，thankGodforthat！"saidFomawithsatisfaction。"NowI
　　havepunishedhimalittle。"
　　"Alittle？Verywell，letussupposeitwasalittle。Butlistentome，mychild，permitmetogiveyouadvice。Iamamanofthelaw。
　　He，thatKayazev，isarascal！True！Butyoumustnotthrashevenarascal，forheisasocialbeing，underthepaternalcustodyofthelaw。Youcannottouchhimuntilhetransgressesthelimitsofthepenalcode。Buteventhen，notyou，butwe，thejudges，willgivehimhisdue。Whileyoumusthavepatience。"
　　"Andwillhesoonfallintoyourhands？"inquiredFoma，naively。
　　"Itishardtotell。Beingfarfromstupid，hewillprobablyneverbecaught，andtotheendofhisdayshewilllivewithyouandmeinthesamedegreeofequalitybeforethelaw。0hGod，whatIamtellingyou！"saidOokhtishchev，withacomicalsigh。
　　"Betrayingsecrets？"grinnedFoma。
　　"Itisn'tsecrets；butIoughtnottobefrivolous。De-e-evil！Butthen，thisaffairenlivenedme。Indeed，Nemesisiseventhentruetoherselfwhenshesimplykickslikeahorse。"
　　Fomastoppedsuddenly，asthoughhehadmetanobstacleonhisway。
　　"Nemesis——thegoddessofJustice，"babbledOokhtishchev。"What'sthematterwithyou？"
　　"Anditallcameabout，"saidFoma，slowly，inadullvoice，"becauseyousaidthatshewasgoingaway。"
　　"Who？
　　"SophyaPavlovna。"
　　"Yes，sheisgoingaway。Well？"
　　HestoodoppositeFomaandstaredathim，withasmileinhiseyes。
　　Gordyeeffwassilent，withloweredhead，tappingthestoneofthesidewalkwithhiscane。
　　"Come，"saidOokhtishchev。
　　Fomastarted，sayingindifferently：
　　"Well，lethergo。AndIamalone。"Ookhtishchev，wavinghiscane，begantowhistle，lookingathiscompanion。
　　"Sha'n'tIbeabletogetalongwithouther？"askedFoma，lookingsomewhereinfrontofhimandthen，afterapause，heansweredhimselfsoftlyandirresolutely：
　　"Ofcourse，Ishall。"
　　"Listentome！"exclaimedOokhtishchev。"I'llgiveyousomegoodadvice。Amanmustbehimself。Whileyou，youareanepicman，sotosay，andthelyricalisnotbecomingtoyou。Itisn'tyourgenre。"
　　"Speaktomemoresimply，sir，"saidFoma，havinglistenedattentivelytohiswords。
　　"Moresimply？Verywell。Iwanttosay，giveupthinkingofthislittlelady。Sheispoisonousfoodforyou。"
　　"Shetoldmethesame，"putinFoma，gloomily。
　　"Shetoldyou？"Ookhtishchevaskedandbecamethoughtful。"Now，I'lltellyou，shouldn'tweperhapsgoandhavesupper？"
　　"Let'sgo，"Fomaassented。Andhesuddenlyroaredobdurately，clinchinghisfistsandwavingthemintheair："Well，letusgo，andI'llgetwoundup；I'llbreakloose，afterallthis，soyoucan'tholdmeback！"
　　"Whatfor？We'lldoitmodestly。"
　　"No！wait！"saidFoma，anxiously，seizinghimbytheshoulder。
　　"What'sthat？AmIworsethanotherpeople？Everybodylives，whirls，hustlesabout，hashisownpoint。WhileIamweary。
　　Everybodyissatisfiedwithhimself。Andastotheircomplaining，theylie，therascals！Theyaresimplypretendingforbeauty'ssake。Ihavenoreasontopretend。Iamafool。Idon'tunderstandanything，mydearfellow。Isimplywishtolive！Iamunabletothink。Ifeeldisgusted；onesaysthis，anotherthat！Pshaw！Butshe，eh！Ifyouknew。Myhopewasinher。Iexpectedofher——justwhatIexpected，Icannottell；butsheisthebestofwomen！AndI
　　hadsomuchfaithinher——whensometimesshespokesuchpeculiarwords，allherown。Hereyes，mydearboy，aresobeautiful！0hLord！Iwasashamedtolookuponthem，andasIamtellingyou，shewouldsayafewwords，andeverythingwouldbecomecleartome。ForIdidnotcometoherwithlovealone——Icametoherwithallmysoul！Isought——Ithoughtthatsinceshewassobeautiful，consequently，Imightbecomeamanbyherside！"
　　Ookhtishchevlistenedtothepainful，unconnectedwordsthatburstfromhiscompanion'slips。Hesawhowthemusclesofhisfacecontractedwiththeefforttoexpresshisthoughts，andhefeltthatbehindthisbombasttherewasagreat，seriousgrief。Therewassomethingintenselypatheticinthepowerlessnessofthisstrongandsavageyouth，whosuddenlystartedtopacethesidewalkwithbig，unevensteps。Skippingalongafterhimwithhisshortlegs，OokhtishchevfeltithisdutysomehowtocalmFoma。
　　EverythingFomahadsaidanddonethateveningawakenedinthejollysecretaryafeelingoflivelycuriositytowardFoma，andthenhefeltflatteredbythefranknessoftheyoungmillionaire。Thisfranknessconfusedhimwithitsdarkpower；hewasdisconcertedbyitspressure，andthough，inspiteofhisyouth，hehadastockofwordsreadyforalloccasionsinlife，ittookhimquiteawhiletorecallthem。
　　"Ifeelthateverythingisdarkandnarrowaboutme，"saidGordyeeff。"Ifeelthataburdenisfallingonmyshoulders，butwhatitisIcannotunderstand！Itputsarestraintonme，anditchecksthefreedomofmymovementsalongtheroadoflife。
　　Listeningtopeople，youhearthateachsaysadifferentthing。Butshecouldhavesaid——"
　　"Eh，mydearboy！"OokhtishchevinterruptedFoma，gentlytakinghisarm。"Thatisn'tright！Youhavejuststartedtoliveandalreadyyouarephilosophizing！No，thatisnotright！Lifeisgivenustolive！Whichmeans——liveandletotherslive。That'sthephilosophy！
　　Andthatwoman。Bah！Isshethentheonlyoneintheworld？Theworldislargeenough。Ifyouwish，I'llintroduceyoutosuchavirilewoman，thateventheslightesttraceofyourphilosophywouldatoncevanishfromyoursoul！Oh，aremarkablewoman！Andhowwellsheknowshowtoavailherselfoflife！Doyouknow，there'salsosomethingepicabouther？Sheisbeautiful；aPhryne，Imaysay，andwhatamatchshewouldbetoyou！Ah，devil！Itisreallyasplendididea。I'llmakeyouacquaintedwithher！Wemustdriveonenailoutwithanother。"
　　"Myconsciencedoesnotallowit，"saidFoma，sadlyandsternly。
　　"Solongassheisalive，Icannotevenlookatwomen。"
　　"Sucharobustandhealthyyoungman。Ho，ho！"exclaimedOokhtishchev，andinthetoneofateacherbegantoarguewithFomathatitwasessentialforhimtogivehispassionanoutletinagoodspree，inthecompanyofwomen。
　　"Thiswillbemagnificent，anditisindispensabletoyou。Youmaybelieveme。Andastoconscience，youmustexcuseme。Youdon'tdefineitquiteproperly。Itisnotconsciencethatinterfereswithyou，buttimidity，Ibelieve。Youliveoutsideofsociety。Youarebashful，andawkward。Youaredimlyconsciousofallthis，anditisthisconsciousnessthatyoumistakeforconscience。Inthiscasetherecanbenoquestionaboutconscience。Whathasconsciencetodohere，sinceitisnaturalformantoenjoyhimself，sinceitishisnecessityandhisright？"
　　Fomawalkedon，regulatinghisstepstothoseofhiscompanion，andstaringalongtheroad，whichlaybetweentworowsofbuildings，resembledanenormousditch，andwasfilledwithdarkness。Itseemedthattherewasnoendtotheroadandthatsomethingdark，inexhaustibleandsuffocatingwasslowlyflowingalongitinthedistance。Ookhtishchev'skind，suasivevoicerangmonotonouslyinFoma'sears，andthoughhewasnotlisteningtohiswords，hefeltthattheyweretenaciousintheirway；thattheyadheredtohim，andthathewasinvoluntarilymemorizingthem。Notwithstandingthatamanwalkedbesidehim，hefeltasthoughhewerealone，strayinginthedark。Andthedarknessseizedhimandslowlydrewhimalong，andhefeltthathewasdrawnsomewhere，andyethadnodesiretostop。Somesortoffatiguehinderedhisthinking；therewasnodesireinhimtoresisttheadmonitionsofhiscompanion——andwhyshouldheresistthem？
　　"Itisn'tforeveryonetophilosophize，"saidOokhtishchev，swinginghiscaneintheair，andsomewhatcarriedawaybyhiswisdom。"Forifeverybodyweretophilosophize，whowouldlive？Andwelivebutonce！Andthereforeitwerebesttomakehastetolive。
　　ByGod！That'strue！Butwhat'stheuseoftalking？Wouldyoupermitmetogiveyouashakingup？Let'sgoimmediatelytoapleasure-houseIknow。Twosisterslivethere。Ah，howtheylive！
　　Youwillcome？"
　　"Well，I'llgo，"saidFoma，calmly，andyawned。"Isn'titratherlate？"heasked，lookingupattheskywhichwascoveredwithclouds。
　　"It'snevertoolatetogotoseethem！"exclaimedOokhtishchev，merrily。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　ONthethirddayafterthesceneintheclub，Fomafoundhimselfaboutsevenverstsfromthetown，onthetimber-wharfofthemerchantZvantzev，inthecompanyofthemerchant'ssonofOokhtishchev——asedate，bald-headedandred-nosedgentlemanwithsidewhiskers——andfourladies。TheyoungZvantzevworeeyeglasses，wasthinandpale，andwhenhestood，thecalvesofhislegswereforevertremblingasthoughtheyweredisgustedatsupportingthefeeblebody，cladinalong，checkedtop-coatwithacape，inwhosefoldsasmallheadinajockeycapwascomicallyshaking。ThegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerscalledhimJeanandpronouncedthisnameasthoughhewassufferingfromaninveteratecold。Jean'sladywasatall，stoutwomanwithashowybust。Herheadwascompressedonthesides，herlowforeheadreceded，herlong，sharp-pointednosegaveherfaceanexpressionsomewhatbird-like。Andthisuglyfacewasperfectlymotionless，andtheeyesalone，small，roundandcold，wereforeversmilingapenetratingandcunningsmile。Ookhtishchev'slady'snamewasVera；shewasatall，palewomanwithredhair。Shehadsomuchhair，thatitseemedasthoughthewomanhadputonherheadanenormouscapwhichwascomingdownoverherears，hercheeksandherhighforehead，fromunderwhichherlargeblueeyeslookedforthcalmlyandlazily。
　　Thegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerssatbesideayoung，plump，buxomgirl，whoconstantlygiggledinaringingvoiceatsomethingwhichhewhisperedinherearasheleanedoverhershoulder。
　　AndFoma'sladywasastatelybrunette，cladallinblack。Dark-
　　complexioned，withwavylocks，shekeptherheadsoerectandhighandlookedateverythingaboutherwithsuchcondescendinghaughtiness，thatitwasatonceevidentthatsheconsideredherselfthemostimportantpersonthere。
　　Thecompanywereseatedontheextremelinkoftheraft，extendingfarintothesmoothexpanseoftheriver。Boardswerespreadoutontheraftandinthecentrestoodacrudelyconstructedtable；emptybottles，provisionbaskets，candy-
　　wrappersandorangepeelswerescatteredabouteverywhere。Inthecorneroftheraftwasapileofearth，uponwhichabonfirewasburning，andapeasantinashortfurcoat，squatting，warmedhishandsoverthefire，andcastfurtiveglancesatthepeopleseatedaroundthetable。Theyhadjustfinishedeatingtheirsturgeonsoup，andnowwinesandfruitswerebeforethemonthetable。
　　Fatiguedwithatwo-days'spreeandwiththedinnerthathadjustbeenfinished，thecompanywasinawearyframeofmind。Theyallgazedattheriver，chatting，buttheirconversationwasnowandagaininterruptedbylongpauses。
　　Thedaywasclearandbrightandyoung，asinspring。Thecold，clearskystretcheditselfmajesticallyovertheturbidwaterofthegigantically-wide，overflowingriver，whichwasascalmastheskyandasvastasthesea。Thedistant，mountainousshorewastenderlybathedinbluishmist。Throughit，there，onthemountaintops，thecrossesofchurcheswereflashinglikebigstars。Theriverwasanimatedatthemountainousshore；steamersweregoinghitherandthither，andtheirnoisecameindeepmoanstowardtheraftsandintothemeadows，wherethecalmflowofthewavesfilledtheairwithsoftandfaintsounds。Giganticbargesstretchedthemselvesoneafteranotheragainstthecurrent，likehugepigs，tearingasunderthesmoothexpanseoftheriver。Blacksmokecameinponderouspuffsfromthechimneysofthesteamers，slowlymeltinginthefreshair，whichwasfullofbrightsunshine。Attimesawhistleresounded——itwasliketheroarofsomehuge，enragedanimal，embitteredbytoil。Andonthemeadowsneartherafts，allwascalmandsilent。Solitarytreesthathadbeendrownedbytheflood，werenowalreadycoveredwithlight-
　　greenspanglesoffoliage。Coveringtheirrootsandreflectingtheirtops，thewatergavethemtheappearanceofglobes，anditseemedasthoughtheslightestbreezewouldsendthemfloating，fantasticallybeautiful，downthemirror-likebosomoftheriver。
　　Thered-hairedwoman，pensivelygazingintothedistance，begantosingsoftlyandsadly：
　　"AlongtheVolgariverAlittleboatisflo-o-oating。"
　　Thebrunette，snappingherlarge，sterneyeswithcontempt，said，withoutlookingather："Wefeelgloomyenoughwithoutthis。"
　　"Don'ttouchher。Lethersing！"entreatedFoma，kindly，lookingintohislady'sface。Hewaspalesomesparkseemedtoflashupinhiseyesnowandthen，andanindefinite，indolentsmileplayedabouthislips。
　　"Letussinginchorus！"suggestedthemanwiththesidewhiskers。
　　"No，letthesetwosing！"exclaimedOokhtishchevwithenthusiasm。
　　"Vera，singthatsong！Youknow，'Iwillgoatdawn。'Howisit？
　　Sing，Pavlinka！"
　　Thegigglinggirlglancedatthebrunetteandaskedherrespectfully：
　　"ShallIsing，Sasha？"
　　"Ishallsingmyself，"announcedFoma'scompanion，andturningtowardtheladywiththebirdlikeface，sheordered：
　　"Vassa，singwithme！"
　　VassaimmediatelybrokeoffherconversationwithZvantzev，strokedherthroatalittlewithherhandandfixedherroundeyesonthefaceofhersister。Sasharosetoherfeet，leanedherhandagainstthetable，andherheadliftedhaughtily，begantodeclaiminapowerful，almostmasculinevoice：
　　"Lifeonearthisbrighttohim，Whoknowsnocaresorwoe，AndwhoseheartisnotconsumedBypassion'sardentglow！"
　　Hersisternoddedherheadandslowly，plaintivelybegantomoaninadeepcontralto：
　　"Ahme！Ofmethemaidenfair。"
　　Flashinghereyesathersister，Sashaexclaimedinherlow-
　　pitchednotes：
　　"Likeabladeofgrassmyhearthaswithered。"
　　Thetwovoicesmingledandfloatedoverthewaterinmelodious，fullsounds，whichquiveredfromexcessofpower。Oneofthemwascomplainingoftheunbearablepainintheheart，andintoxicatedbythepoisonofitsplaint，itsobbedwithmelancholyandimpotentgrief；sobbed，quenchingwithtearsthefireofthesuffering。Theother——thelower，moremasculinevoice——rolledpowerfullythroughtheair，fullofthefeelingofbloodymortificationandofreadinesstoavenge。Pronouncingthewordsdistinctly，thevoicecamefromherbreastinadeepstream，andeachwordreekedwithboilingblood，stirredupbyoutrage，poisonedbyoffenceandmightilydemandingvengeance。
　　"Iwillrequitehim，"
　　sangVassa，plaintively，closinghereyes。
　　"Iwillinflamehim，I'lldryhimup，"
　　Sashapromisedsternlyandconfidently，waftingintotheairstrong，powerfultones，whichsoundedlikeblows。Andsuddenly，changingthetempoofthesongandstrikingahigherpitch，shebegantosing，asslowlyashersister，voluptuousandexultantthreats：
　　"Drierthantheragingwind，Drierthanthemown-downgrass，Oi，themownanddried-upgrass。"
　　Restinghiselbowsonthetable，Fomabenthishead，andwithknittedbrow，gazedintothefaceofthewoman，intoherblack，half-shuteyesStaringfixedlyintothedistance，hereyesflashedsobrightlyandmalignantlythat，becauseoftheirlight，thevelvetyvoice，thatburstfromthewoman'schest，seemedtohimalsoblackandflashing，likehereyes。Herecalledhercaressesandthought：
　　"Howdoesshecometobesuchassheis？Itisevenfearfultobewithher。"
　　Ookhtishchev，sittingclosetohislady，anexpressionofhappinessonhisface，listenedtothesongandwasradiantwithsatisfaction。ThegentlemanwiththesidewhiskersandZvantzevweredrinkingwine，softlywhisperingsomethingastheyleanedtowardeachother。Thered-headedwomanwasthoughtfullyexaminingthepalmofOokhtishchev'shand，holdingitinherown，andthejollygirlbecamesad。Shedroopedherheadlowandlistenedtothesong，motionless，asthoughbewitchedbyit。Fromthefirecamethepeasant。Hesteppedcarefullyovertheboards，ontiptoe；hishandswereclaspedbehindhisback，andhisbroad，beardedfacewasnowtransformedintoasmileofastonishmentandofanaivedelight。
　　"Eh！butfeel，mykind，braveman！"
　　entreatedVassa，plaintively，noddingherhead。Andhersister，herchestbentforward，herhandstillhigher，woundupthesonginpowerfultriumphantnotes：
　　"Theyearningandthepangsoflove！"
　　Whenshefinishedsinging，shelookedhaughtilyabouther，andseatingherselfbyFoma'sside，claspedhisneckwithafirmandpowerfulhand。
　　"Well，wasitanicesong？"
　　"It'scapital！"saidFomawithasigh，ashesmiledather。
　　Thesongfilledhisheartwiththirstfortendernessand，stillfullofcharmingsounds，itquivered，butatthetouchofherarmhefeltawkwardandashamedbeforetheotherpeople。
　　"Bravo-o！Bravo，AleksandraSarelyevna！"shoutedOokhtishchev，andtheotherswereclappingtheirhands。Butshepaidnoattentiontothem，andembracingFomaauthoritatively，said：
　　"Well，makemeapresentofsomethingforthesong。"
　　"Verywell，Iwill，"Fomaassented。
　　"What？"
　　"Youtellme。"
　　"I'lltellyouwhenwecometotown。Andifyou'llgivemewhatI
　　like——Oh，howIwillloveyou！"
　　"Forthepresent？"askedFoma，smilingsuspiciously。"Yououghttolovemeanyway。"
　　Shelookedathimcalmlyand，afteramoment'sthought，saidresolutely：
　　"It'stoosoontoloveyouanyway。Iwillnotlie。WhyshouldI
　　lietoyou？Iamtellingyoufrankly。Iloveyouformoney，forpresents。Becauseasidefrommoney，menhavenothing。Theycannotgiveanythingmorethanmoney。Nothingofworth。Iknowitwellalready。Onecanlovemerelyso。Yes，waitalittle——I'llknowyoubetterandthen，perhaps，Imayloveyoufreeofcharge。Andmeanwhile，youmustn'ttakemeamiss。Ineedmuchmoneyinmymodeoflife。"
　　Fomalistenedtoher，smiledandnowandthenquiveredfromthenearnessofhersound，well-shapedbody。Zvantzev'ssour，crackedandboringvoicewasfallingonhisears。"Idon'tlikeit。I
　　cannotunderstandthebeautyofthisrenownedRussiansong。Whatisitthatsoundsinit？Eh？Thehowlofawolf。Somethinghungry，wild。Eh！it'sthegroanofasickdog——altogethersomethingbeastly。There'snothingcheerful，there'snochictoit；therearenoliveandvivifyingsoundsinit。No，yououghttohearwhatandhowtheFrenchpeasantsings。Ah！ortheItalian。"
　　"Excuseme，IvanNikolayevich，"criedOokhtishchev，agitated。
　　"Imustagreewithyou，theRussiansongismonotonousandgloomy。Ithasnot，youknow，thatbrilliancyofculture，"saidthemanwiththesidewhiskerswearily，ashesippedsomewineoutofhisglass。
　　"Butnevertheless，thereisalwaysawarmheartinit，"putinthered-hairedlady，asshepeeledanorange。
　　Thesunwassetting。Sinkingsomewherefarbeyondtheforest，onthemeadowshore，itpaintedtheentireforestwithpurpletintsandcastrosyandgoldenspotsoverthedarkcoldwater。Fomagazedinthatdirectionatthisplayofthesunbeams，watchedhowtheyquiveredastheyweretransposedovertheplacidandvastexpanseofwaters，andcatchingfragmentsofconversation，hepicturedtohimselfthewordsasaswarmofdarkbutterflies，busilyflutteringintheair。Sasha，herheadrestingonhisshoulder，wassoftlywhisperingintohisearsomethingatwhichheblushedandwasconfused，forhefeltthatshewaskindlinginhimthedesiretoembracethiswomanandkissherunceasingly。
　　Asidefromher，noneofthoseassembledthereinterestedhim——whileZvantzevandthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskerswereactuallyrepulsivetohim。
　　"Whatareyoustaringat？Eh？"heheardOokhtishchev'sjestingly-
　　sternvoice。
　　Thepeasant，atwhomOokhtishchevshouted，drewthecapfromhishead，clappeditagainsthiskneeandanswered，withasmile：
　　"Icameovertolistentothelady'ssong。"
　　"Well，doesshesingwell？"
　　"Whataquestion！Ofcourse，"saidthepeasant，lookingatSasha，withadmirationinhiseyes。
　　"That'sright！"exclaimedOokhtishchev。
　　"Thereisagreatpowerofvoiceinthatlady'sbreast，"saidthepeasant，noddinghishead。
　　Athiswords，theladiesburstoutlaughingandthemenmadesomedouble-meaningremarksaboutSasha。
　　Aftershehadcalmlylistenedtotheseandsaidnothinginreply，Sashaaskedthepeasant：
　　"Doyousing？"
　　"Wesingalittle！"andhewavedhishand，"Whatsongsdoyouknow？"
　　"Allkinds。Ilovesinging。"Andhesmiledapologetically。
　　"Come，let'ssingsomethingtogether，youandI。"
　　"Howcanwe？AmIamatchforyou？"
　　"Well，strikeup！"
　　"MayIsitdown？"
　　"Comeoverhere，tothetable。"
　　"Howlivelythisis！"exclaimedZvantzev，wrinklinghisface。
　　"Ifyoufindittedious，goanddrownyourself，"saidSasha，angrilyflashinghereyesathim。
　　"No，thewateriscold，"repliedZvantzev，shrinkingatherglance。
　　"Asyouplease！"Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。"Butitisabouttimeyoudidit，andthen，there'salsoplentyofwaternow，sothatyouwouldn'tspoilitallwithyourrottenbody。"
　　"Fie，howwitty！"hissedtheyouth，turningawayfromher，andaddedwithcontempt："InRussiaeventheprostitutesarerude。"
　　Headdressedhimselftohisneighbour，butthelattergavehimonlyanintoxicatedsmileinreturn。Ookhtishchevwasalsodrunk。
　　Staringintothefaceofhiscompanion，withhiseyesgrowndim，hemutteredsomethingandheardnothing。Theladywiththebird-
　　likefacewaspeckingcandy，holdingtheboxunderherverynose。
　　Pavlinkawentawaytotheedgeoftheraftand，standingthere，threworangepeelsintothewater。
　　"Ineverbeforeparticipatedinsuchanabsurdoutingand——
　　company，"saidZvantzev，tohisneighbour，plaintively。
　　AndFomawatchedhimwithasmile，delightedthatthisfeebleandugly-lookingmanfeltbored，andthatSashahadinsultedhim。Nowandthenhecastatherakindglanceofapproval。Hewaspleasedwiththefactthatshewassofrankwitheverybodyandthatsheboreherselfproudly，likearealgentlewoman。
　　Thepeasantseatedhimselfontheboardsatherfeet，claspedhiskneesinhishands，liftedhisfacetoherandseriouslylistenedtoherwords。
　　"Youmustraiseyourvoice，whenIlowermine，understand？"
　　"Iunderstand；but，Madam，yououghttohandmesomejusttogivemecourage！"
　　"Foma，givehimaglassofbrandy！"
　　Andwhenthepeasantemptiedit，clearedhisthroatwithpleasure，lickedhislipsandsaid："Now，Icandoit，"sheordered，knittingherbrow：
　　"Begin！"
　　Thepeasantmadeawrymouth，liftedhiseyestoherface，andstartedinahigh-pitchedtenor：
　　"Icannotdrink，Icannoteat。"
　　Tremblingineverylimb，thewomansobbedouttremulously，withstrangesadness：
　　"Winecannotgladdenmysoul。"
　　Thepeasantsmiledsweetly，tossedhisheadtoandfro，andclosinghiseyes，pouredoutintotheairatremulouswaveofhigh-pitchednotes：
　　"Oh，timehascomeformetobidgoodbye！"
　　Andthewoman，shudderingandwrithing，moanedandwailed：
　　"Oi，frommykindredImustpart。"
　　Loweringhisvoiceandswayingtoandfro，thepeasantdeclaimedinasing-songwitharemarkablyintenseexpressionofanguish：
　　"Alas，toforeignlandsImustdepart。"
　　Whenthetwovoices，yearningandsobbing，pouredforthintothesilenceandfreshnessoftheevening，everythingaboutthemseemedwarmerandbetter；everythingseemedtosmilethesorrowfulsmileofsympathyontheanguishofthemanwhomanobscurepoweristearingawayfromhisnativesoilintosomeforeignplace，wherehardlabouranddegradationareinstoreforhim。Itseemedasthoughnotthesounds，northesong，buttheburningtearsofthehumanheartinwhichtheplainthadsurgedup——itseemedasthoughthesetearsmoistenedtheair。
　　Wildgriefandpainfromthesoresofbodyandsoul，whichwereweariedinthestrugglewithsternlife；intensesufferingsfromthewoundsdealttomanbytheironhandofwant——allthiswasinvestedinthesimple，crudewordsandwastossedinineffablymelancholysoundstowardthedistant，emptysky，whichhasnoechoforanybodyoranything。
　　Fomahadsteppedasidefromthesingers，andstaredatthemwithafeelingakintofright，andthesong，inahugewave，pouredforthintohisbreast，andthewildpowerofgrief，withwhichithadbeeninvested，clutchedhisheartpainfully。Hefeltthattearswouldsoongushfromhisbreast，somethingwasclogginghisthroatandhisfacewasquivering。HedimlysawSasha'sblackeyes；immobileandflashinggloomily，theyseemedtohimenormousandstillgrowinglargerandlarger。Anditseemedtohimthatitwasnottwopersonswhoweresinging——thateverythingabouthimwassingingandsobbing，quiveringandpalpitatingintorrentsofsorrow，madlystrivingsomewhere，sheddingburningtears，andall——andallthingslivingseemedclaspedinonepowerfulembraceofdespair。Anditseemedtohimthathe，too，wassinginginunisonwithallofthem——withthepeople，theriverandthedistantshore，whencecameplaintivemoansthatmingledwiththesong。
　　Nowthepeasantwentdownonhisknees，andgazingatSasha，wavedhishands，andshebentdowntowardhimandshookherhead，keepingtimetothemotionsofhishands。Bothwerenowsingingwithoutwords，withsoundsonly，andFomastillcouldnotbelievethatonlytwovoiceswerepouringintotheairthesemoansandsobswithsuchmightypower。
　　Whentheyhadfinishedsinging，Foma，tremblingwithexcitement，withatear-stainedface，gazedatthemandsmiledsadly。
　　"Well，diditmoveyou？"askedSasha。Palewithfatigue，shebreathedquicklyandheavily。
　　Fomaglancedatthepeasant。Thelatterwaswipingthesweatoffhisbrowandlookingaroundhimwithsuchawanderinglookasthoughhecouldnotmakeoutwhathadtakenplace。
　　Allwassilence。Allweremotionlessandspeechless。
　　"0hLord！"sighedFoma，risingtohisfeet。"Eh，Sasha！Peasant！
　　Whoareyou？"healmostshouted。
　　"Iam——Stepan，"saidthepeasant，smilingconfusedly，andalsorosetohisfeet。"I'mStepan。Ofcourse！"
　　"Howyousing！Ah！"Fomaexclaimedinastonishment，uneasilyshiftingfromfoottofoot。
　　"Eh，yourHonour！"sighedthepeasantandaddedsoftlyandconvincingly："Sorrowcancompelanoxtosinglikeanightingale。Andwhatmakestheladysinglikethis，onlyGodknows。Andshesings，withallherveins——thatistosay，soyoumightjustliedownanddiewithsorrow！Well，that'salady。"
　　"Thatwassungverywell！"saidOokhtishchevinadrunkenvoice。
　　No，thedevilknowswhatthisis！"Zvantzevsuddenlyshouted，almostcrying，irritatedashejumpedupfromthetable。"I'vecomeouthereforagoodtime。Iwanttoenjoymyself，andheretheyperformafuneralserviceforme！Whatanoutrage！Ican'tstandthisanylonger。I'mgoingaway！"
　　"Jean，Iamalsogoing。I'mweary，too，"announcedthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskers。
　　"Vassa，"criedZvantzevtohislady，"dressyourself！"
　　"Yes，it'stimetogo，"saidthered-hairedladytoOokhtishchev。
　　"Itiscold，anditwillsoonbedark。"
　　"Stepan！Cleareverythingaway！"commandedVassa。
　　Allbegantobustleabout，allbegantospeakofsomething。Fomastaredattheminsuspenseandshuddered。Staggering，thecrowdwalkedalongtherafts。Paleandfatigued，theysaidtooneanotherstupid，disconnectedthings。Sashajostledthemunceremoniously，asshewasgettingherthingstogether。
　　"Stepan！Callforthehorses！"
　　"AndI'lldrinksomemorecognac。Whowantssomemorecognacwithme？"drawledthegentlemanwiththesidewhiskersinabeatificvoice，holdingabottleinhishands。
　　VassawasmufflingZvantzev'sneckwithascarf。Hestoodinfrontofher，frowning，dissatisfied，hislipscurledcapriciously，thecalvesofhislegsshivering。Fomabecamedisgustedashelookedatthem，andhewentofftotheotherraft。Hewasastonishedthatallthesepeoplebehavedasthoughtheyhadnotheardthesongatall。Inhisbreastthesongwasaliveandthereitcalledtolifearestlessdesiretodosomething，tosaysomething。Buthehadnoonetheretospeakto。
　　Thesunhadsetandthedistancewasenvelopedinbluemist。Fomaglancedthitherandturnedaway。Hedidnotfeellikegoingtotownwiththesepeople，neitherdidhecaretostayherewiththem。Andtheywerestillpacingtheraftwithunevensteps，shakingfromsidetosideandmutteringdisconnectedwords。Thewomenwerenotquiteasdrunkasthemen，andonlythered-hairedonecouldnotliftherselffromthebenchforalongtime，andfinally，whensherose，shedeclared：
　　"Well，I'mdrunk。"
　　Fomasatdownonalogofwood，andliftingtheaxe，withwhichthepeasanthadchoppedwoodforthefire，hebegantoplaywithit，tossingitupintheairandcatchingit。
　　"Oh，myGod！Howmeanthisis！"Zvantzev'scapriciousvoicewasheard。
　　Fomabegantofeelthathehatedit，andhim，andeverybody，exceptSasha，whoawakenedinhimacertainuneasyfeeling，whichcontainedatonceadmirationforherandafearlestshemightdosomethingunexpectedandterrible。
　　"Brute！"shoutedZvantzevinashrillvoice，andFomanoticedthathestruckthepeasantonthechest，afterwhichthepeasantremovedhiscaphumblyandsteppedaside。
　　"Fo-o-ol！"criedZvantzev，walkingafterhimandliftinghishand。
　　Fomajumpedtohisfeetandsaidthreateningly，inaloudvoice：
　　"Eh，you！Don'ttouchhim！"
　　"Wha-a-at？"Zvantzevturnedaroundtowardhim。
　　"Stepan，comeoverhere，"calledFoma。
　　"Peasant！"Zvantzevhurledwithcontempt，lookingatFoma。
　　Fomashruggedhisshouldersandmadeasteptowardhim；butsuddenlyathoughtflashedvividlythroughhismind！HesmiledmaliciouslyandinquiredofStepan，softly：
　　"Thestringofraftsismooredinthreeplaces，isn'tit？
　　"Inthree，ofcourse！"
　　"Cuttheconnections！"
　　"Andthey？"
　　"Keepquiet！Cut！"
　　"But——"
　　"Cut！Quietly，sotheydon'tnoticeit！"
　　Thepeasanttooktheaxeinhishands，slowlywalkeduptotheplacewhereonelinkwaswellfastenedtoanotherlink，struckafewtimeswithhisaxe，andreturnedtoFoma。
　　"I'mnotresponsible，yourHonour，"hesaid。
　　"Don'tbeafraid。"
　　"They'vestartedoff，"whisperedthepeasantwithfright，andhastilymadethesignofthecross。AndFomagazed，laughingsoftly，andexperiencedapainfulsensationthatkeenlyandsharplystunghisheartwithacertainstrange，pleasantandsweetfear。
　　Thepeopleontheraftwerestillpacingtoandfro，movingaboutslowly，jostlingoneanother，assistingtheladieswiththeirwraps，laughingandtalking，andtheraftwasmeanwhileturningslowlyandirresolutelyinthewater。
　　"Ifthecurrentcarriesthemagainstthefleet，"whisperedthepeasant，"they'llstrikeagainstthebows——andthey'llbesmashedintosplinters。"
　　"Keepquiet！"
　　"They'lldrown！"
　　"You'llgetaboat，andovertakethem。"
　　"That'sit！Thankyou。Whatthen？They'reafterallhumanbeings。
　　Andwe'llbeheldresponsibleforthem。"Satisfiednow，laughingwithdelight，thepeasantdashedinboundsacrosstheraftstotheshore。AndFomastoodbythewaterandfeltapassionatedesiretoshoutsomething，buthecontrolledhimself，inordertogivetimefortherafttofloatofffarther，sothatthosedrunkenpeoplewouldnotbeabletojumpacrosstothemooredlinks。Heexperiencedapleasantcaressingsensationashesawtheraftsoftlyrockinguponthewaterandfloatingofffartherandfartherfromhimeverymoment。Theheavyanddarkfeeling，withwhichhishearthadbeenfilledduringthistime，nowseemedtofloatawaytogetherwiththepeopleontheraft。Calmlyheinhaledthefreshairandwithitsomethingsoundthatclearedhisbrain。AttheveryedgeofthefloatingraftstoodSasha，withherbacktowardFoma；helookedatherbeautifulfigureandinvoluntarilyrecalledMedinskaya。Thelatterwassmallerinsize。Therecollectionofherstunghim，andhecriedoutinaloud，mockingvoice：
　　"Eh，there！Good-bye！Ha！ha！ha！"
　　Suddenlythedarkfiguresofthepeoplemovedtowardhimandcrowdedtogetherinonegroup，inthecentreoftheraft。Butbythistimeaclearstripofwater，aboutthreeyardswide，wasflashingbetweenthemandFoma。
　　Therewasasilencelastingforafewseconds。
　　Thensuddenlyahurricaneofshrill，repulsivelypitifulsounds，whichwerefullofanimalfright，washurledatFoma，andlouderthanallandmorerepulsivethanall，Zvantzev'sshrill，jarringcrypiercedtheear：
　　"He-e-elp！"
　　Someone——inallprobability，thesedategentlemanwiththesidewhiskers——roaredinhisbasso：
　　"Drowning！They'redrowningpeople！"
　　"Areyoupeople？"criedFoma，angrily，irritatedbytheirscreamswhichseemedtobitehim。Andthepeopleranaboutontheraftinthemadnessoffright；theraftrockedundertheirfeet，floatedfasteronaccountofthis，andtheagitatedwaterwasloudlysplashingagainstandunderit。Thescreamsrenttheair，thepeoplejumpedabout，wavingtheirhands，andthestatelyfigureofSashaalonestoodmotionlessandspeechlessontheedgeoftheraft。
　　"Givemyregardstothecrabs！"criedFoma。Fomafeltmoreandmorecheerfulandrelievedinproportionastheraftwasfloatingawayfromhim。
　　"FomaIgnatyevich！"saidOokhtishchevinafaint，butsobervoice，"lookout，thisisadangerousjoke。I'llmakeacomplaint。"
　　"Whenyouaredrowned？Youmaycomplain！"answeredFoma，cheerfully。
　　"Youareamurderer！"exclaimedZvantzev，sobbing。Butatthistimearingingsplashofwaterwasheardasthoughitgroanedwithfrightorwithastonishment。Fomashudderedandbecameasthoughpetrified。Thenrangoutthewild，deafeningshrieksofthewomen，andtheterror-strickenscreamsofmen，andallthefiguresontheraftremainedpetrifiedintheirplaces。AndFoma，staringatthewater，feltasthoughhereallywerepetrified。Inthewatersomethingblack，surroundedwithsplashes，wasfloatingtowardhim。
　　Ratherinstinctivelythanconsciously，Fomathrewhimselfwithhischestonthebeamsoftheraft，andstretchedouthishands，hisheadhangingdownoverthewater。Severalincrediblylongsecondspassed。Cold，wetarmsclaspedhisneckanddarkeyesflashedbeforehim。ThenheunderstoodthatitwasSasha。
　　Thedullhorror，whichhadsuddenlyseizedhim，vanished，replacednowbywild，rebelliousjoy。Havingdraggedthewomanoutofthewater，hegraspedherbythewaist，claspedhertohisbreast，and，notknowingwhattosaytoher，hestaredintohereyeswithastonishment。Shesmiledathimcaressingly。
　　"Iamcold，"saidSasha，softly，andquiveredineverylimb。
　　Fomalaughedgailyatthesoundofhervoice，liftedherintohisarmsandquickly，almostrunning，dashedacrosstheraftstotheshore。Shewaswetandcold，butherbreathingwashot，itburnedFoma'scheekandfilledhisbreastwithwildjoy。
　　"Youwantedtodrownme？"saidshe，firmly，pressingclosetohim。"Itwasrathertooearly。Wait！"
　　"Howwellyouhavedoneit，"mutteredFoma，asheran。
　　"You'reafine，bravefellow！Andyourdevicewasn'tbad，either，thoughyouseemtobesopeaceable。"
　　"Andtheyarestillroaringthere，ha！ha！"
　　"Thedeviltakethem！Iftheyaredrowned，we'llbesenttoSiberia，"saidthewoman，asthoughshewantedtoconsoleandencouragehimbythis。Shebegantoshiver，andtheshudderofherbody，feltbyFoma，madehimhastenhispace。
　　Sobsandcriesforhelpfollowedthemfromtheriver。There，ontheplacidwater，floatedinthetwilightasmallisland，withdrawingfromtheshoretowardthestreamofthemaincurrentoftheriver，andonthatlittleislanddarkhumanfigureswererunningabout。
　　Nightwasclosingdownuponthem。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　ONESundayafternoon，YakovTarasovichMayakinwasdrinkingteainhisgardenandtalkingtohisdaughter。Thecollarofhisshirtunbuttoned，atowelwoundroundhisneck，hesatonabenchunderacanopyofverdantcherry-trees，wavedhishandsintheair，wipedtheperspirationoffhisface，andincessantlypouredforthintotheairhisbriskspeech。
　　"Themanwhopermitshisbellytohavetheupperhandoverhimisafoolandarogue！Istherenothingbetterintheworldthaneatinganddrinking？Uponwhatwillyouprideyourselfbeforepeople，ifyouarelikeahog？"
　　Theoldman'seyessparkledirritablyandangrily，hislipstwistedwithcontempt，andthewrinklesofhisgloomyfacequivered。
　　"IfFomaweremyownson，Iwouldhavemadeamanofhim！"
　　Playingwithanacaciabranch，Lubovmutelylistenedtoherfather'swords，nowandthencastingacloseandsearchinglookinhisagitated，quiveringface。Growingolder，shechanged，withoutnoticingit，hersuspiciousandcoldrelationtowardtheoldman。Inhiswordsshenowbegantofindthesameideasthatwereinherbooks，andthiswonheroveronherfather'sside，involuntarilycausingthegirltopreferhislivewordstothecoldlettersofthebook。Alwaysoverwhelmedwithbusinessaffairs，alwaysalertandclever，hewenthisownwayalone，andsheperceivedhissolitude，knewhowpainfulitwas，andherrelationstowardherfathergrewinwarmth。Attimessheevenenteredintoargumentswiththeoldman；healwaysregardedherremarkscontemptuouslyandsarcastically；butmoretenderlyandattentivelyfromtimetotime。
　　"IfthedeceasedIgnatcouldreadinthenewspapersoftheindecentlifehissonisleading，hewouldhavekilledFoma！"
　　saidMayakin，strikingthetablewithhisfists。"Howtheyhavewrittenitup！It'sadisgrace！"
　　"Hedeservesit，"saidLubov。
　　"Idon'tsayitwasdoneatrandom！They'vebarkedathim，aswasnecessary。Andwhowasitthatgotintosuchafitofanger？"
　　"Whatdifferencedoesitmaketoyou？"askedthegirl。
　　"It'sinterestingtoknow。HowcleverlytherascaldescribedFoma'sbehaviour。Evidentlyhemusthavebeenwithhimandwitnessedalltheindecencyhimself。"
　　"Oh，no，hewouldn'tgowithFomaonaspree！'saidLubov，confidently，andblusheddeeplyatherfather'ssearchinglook。
　　"So！Youhavefineacquaintances，Lubka！"saidMayakinwithhumorousbitterness。"Well，whowroteit？"
　　"Whatdoyouwishtoknowitfor，papa？"
　　"Come，tellme！"
　　Shehadnodesiretotell，buttheoldmanpersisted，andhisvoicewasgrowingmoreandmoredryandangry。Thensheaskedhimuneasily：
　　"Andyouwillnotdohimanyillforit？"
　　"I？Iwill——bitehisheadoff！Fool！WhatcanIdotohim？They，thesewriters，arenotafoolishlotandarethereforeapower——apower，thedevils！AndIamnotthegovernor，andevenhecannotputone'shandoutofjointortieone'stongue。Likemice，theygnawuslittlebylittle。Andwehavetopoisonthemnotwithmatches，butwithroubles。Yes！Well，whoisit？"
　　"Doyouremember，whenIwasgoingtoschool，aGymnasiumstudentusedtocomeuptous。Yozhov？Suchadarklittlefellow！"
　　"Mm！Ofcourse，Isawhim。Iknowhim。Soit'she？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thelittlemouse！Evenatthattimeonecouldseealreadythatsomethingwrongwouldcomeoutofhim。Eventhenhestoodinthewayofotherpeople。Aboldboyhewas。Ishouldhavelookedafterhimthen。Perhaps，Imighthavemadeamanofhim。"
　　Lubovlookedatherfather，smiledinimically，andaskedhotly：
　　"Andisn'thewhowritesfornewspapersaman？"
　　Foralongwhile，theoldmandidnotanswerhisdaughter。