Becauseyoumustknowthere'snothinginthisworldthatI
wouldn'tbuyforyou。Ihaveamillion！Ha，ha，ha！AndI'llhavestillmore！Understand？All'syours！Ha，ha！"
Andsuddenlyhisenthusiasmwasextinguishedlikeacandleputoutbyaviolentpuffofthewind。Hisflushedfacebegantoshake，hiseyes，burningred，filledwithtears，andhislipsexpandedintoasadandfrightenedsmile。
"Anfisa，incaseheshoulddie，whatamItodothen？"
Andimmediatelyafterthesewordshewasseizedwithfury。
"I'dburneverything！"heroared，staringwildlyintosomedarkcorneroftheroom。"I'ddestroyeverything！I'dblowitupwithdynamite！"
"Enough，youuglybrute！Doyouwishtofrightenthechild？Ordoyouwanthimtotakesick？"interposedAnfisa，andthatwassufficientforIgnattorushoffhastily，muttering：
"Well，well，well！Iamgoing，Iamgoing，butdon'tcry！Don'tmakeanynoise。Don'tfrightenhim。"
AndwhenFomawassomewhatsick，hisfather，castingeverythingaside，didnotleavethehouseforamoment，butbotheredhissisterandhissonwithstupidquestionsandadvice；gloomy，sighing，andwithfearinhiseyes，hewalkedaboutthehousequiteoutofsorts。
"WhydoyouvextheLord？"saidAnfisa。"Beware，yourgrumblingswillreachHim，andHewillpunishyouforyourcomplaintsagainstHisgraces。"
"Eh，sister！"sighedIgnat。"Andifitshouldhappen？Myentirelifeiscrumblingaway！WhereforehaveIlived？Nooneknows。"
Similarscenesandthestrikingtransitionsofhisfatherfromonemoodtoanotherfrightenedthechildatfirst，buthesoonbecameaccustomedtoallthis，andwhenhenoticedthroughthewindowthathisfather，oncominghome，washardlyabletogetoutofthesledge，Fomasaidindifferently：
"Auntie，papacamehomedrunkagain。"……
Springcame，and，fulfillinghispromise，Ignattookhissonalongononeofhissteamers，andhereanewlife，aboundinginimpressions，wasopenedbeforeFoma'seyes。
Thebeautifulandmighty"Yermak，"Gordyeeff'ssteamtow-boat，wasrapidlyfloatingdownthecurrent，andoneachsidetheshoresofthepowerfulandbeautifulVolgawereslowlymovingpasthim——theleftside，allbathedinsunshine，stretchingitselftotheveryendoftheskylikeapompouscarpetofverdure；therightshore，itshighbanksovergrownwithwoods，swungskyward，sinkinginsternrepose。
Thebroad-bosomedriverstretcheditselfmajesticallybetweentheshores；noiselessly，solemnlyandslowlyfloweditswaters，consciousoftheirinvinciblepower；themountainousshoreisreflectedinthewaterinablackshadow，whileontheleftsideitisadornedwithgoldandwithverdantvelvetbyaborderofsandandthewidemeadows。Hereandtherevillagesappearonmountainandonmeadow，thesunshinesbrightonthewindow-panesofthehutsandontheyellowroofsofstraw，thechurchcrossessparkleamidtheverdureofthetrees，graywind-millwingsrevolvelazilyintheair，smokefromthefactorychimneyrisesskywardinthick，blackcurlingclouds。Crowdsofchildreninblue，redorwhiteshirts，standingonthebanks，shoutedloudlyatthesightofthesteamer，whichhaddisturbedthequietoftheriver，andfromunderthesteamer'swheelsthecheerfulwavesarerushingtowardthefeetofthechildrenandsplashagainstthebank。Nowacrowdofchildren，seatedinaboat，rowedtowardthemiddleoftherivertorockthereonthewavesasinacradle。
Treesstoodoutabovethewater；sometimesmanyofthemaredrownedintheoverflowofthebanks，andthesestandinthewaterlikeislands。Fromtheshoreamelancholysongisheard：
"Oh，o-o-o，oncemore！"
Thesteamerpassesmanyrafts，splashingthemwithwaves。Thebeamsareincontinualmotionundertheblowsofthewaves；themenontheraftsinblueshirts，staggering，lookatthesteamerandlaughandshoutsomething。Thebig，beautifulvesselgoessidewiseontheriver；theyellowscantlingswithwhichitisloadedsparklelikegoldandaredimlyreflectedinthemuddy，vernalwater。Apassengersteamercomesfromtheoppositesideandwhistles——theresoundingechoofthewhistlelosesitselfinthewoods，inthegorgesofthemountainousbank，anddiesawaythere。Inthemiddleoftheriverthewavesstirredupbythetwovesselsstrikeagainstoneanotherandsplashagainstthesteamers'sides，andthevesselsarerockeduponthewater。Ontheslopeofthemountainousbankareverdantcarpetsofwintercorn，brownstripsoffallowgroundandblackstripsofgroundtilledforspringcorn。Birds，likelittledots，soaroverthem，andareclearlyseeninthebluecanopyofthesky；nearbyaflockisgrazing；inthedistancetheylooklikechildren'stoys；
thesmallfigureoftheshepherdstandsleaningonastaff，andlooksattheriver。
Theglareofthewater——freedomandlibertyareeverywhere，themeadowsarecheerfullyverdantandtheblueskyistenderlyclear；arestrainedpowerisfeltinthequietmotionofthewater；aboveitthegenerousMaysunisshining，theairisfilledwiththeexquisiteodouroffirtreesandoffreshfoliage。Andthebankskeeponmeetingthem，caressingtheeyesandthesoulwiththeirbeauty，asnewpicturesconstantlyunfoldthemselves。
Everythingsurroundingthembearsthestampofsomekindoftardiness：all——natureaswellasmen——livethereclumsily，lazily；butinthatlazinessthereisanoddgracefulness，anditseemsasthoughbeyondthelazinessacolossalpowerwereconcealed；
aninvinciblepower，butasyetdeprivedofconsciousness，asyetwithoutanydefinitedesiresandaims。Andtheabsenceofconsciousnessinthishalf-slumberinglifethrowsshadesofsadnessoverallthebeautifulslope。Submissivepatience，silenthopeforsomethingnewandmoreinspiritingareheardeveninthecryofthecuckoo，waftedtotheriverbythewindfromtheshore。Themelancholysongssoundasthoughimploringsomeoneforhelp。Andattimesthereisinthemaringofdespair。Theriveranswersthesongswithsighs。Andthetree-
topsshake，lostinmeditation。Silence。
Fomaspentalldaylongonthecaptain'sbridgebesidehisfather。Withoututteringaword，hestaredwide-eyedattheendlesspanoramaofthebanks，anditseemedtohimhewasmovingalongabroadsilverpathinthosewonderfulkingdomsinhabitedbythesorcerersandgiantsofhisfamiliarfairy-tales。Attimeshewouldloadhisfatherwithquestionsabouteverythingthatpassedbeforethem。Ignatansweredhimwillinglyandconcisely，buttheboywasnotpleasedwithhisanswers；theycontainednothinginterestingandintelligibletohim，andhedidnothearwhathelongedtohear。Oncehetoldhisfatherwithasigh：
"AuntieAnfisaknowsbetterthanyou。"
"Whatdoessheknow？"askedIgnat，smiling。
"Everything，"repliedtheboy，convincedly。
Nowonderfulkingdomappearedbeforehim。Butoftencitiesappearedonthebanksoftheriver，justsuchcitiesastheonewhereFomalived。Someofthemwerelarger，somesmaller，butthepeople，andthehouses，andthechurches——allwerethesameasinhisowncity。Fomaexaminedthemincompanywithhisfather，butwasstillunsatisfiedandreturnedtothesteamergloomyandfatigued。
"TomorrowweshallbeinAstrakhan，"saidIgnatoneday。
"Andisitjustthesameastheothercities？"
"Ofcourse。Howelseshoulditbe？"
"AndwhatisbeyondAstrakhan？"
"Thesea。TheCaspianSeaitiscalled。"
"Andwhatisthere？"
"Fishes，queerfellow！Whatelsecantherebeinthewater？"
"There'sthecityKitezhstandinginthewater。"
"That'sadifferentthing！That'sKitezh。Onlyrighteouspeoplelivethere。"
"Andaretherenorighteouscitiesonthesea？"
No，"saidIgnat，and，afteramoment'ssilence，added："Theseawaterisbitterandnobodycandrinkit。"
"Andistheremorelandbeyondthesea？"
"Certainly，theseamusthaveanend。Itislikeacup。"
"Andaretherecitiestheretoo？"
"Againcities。Ofcourse！Onlythatlandisnotours，itbelongstoPersia。DidyouseethePersianssellingpistachio-nutsandapricotsinthemarket？"
"Yes，Isawthem，"repliedFoma，andbecamepensive。
Onedayheaskedhisfather：
"Istheremuchmorelandleft？"
"Theearthisverybig，mydear！Ifyoushouldgoonfoot，youcouldn'tgoarounditevenintenyears。"
Ignattalkedforalongtimewithhissonaboutthesizeoftheearth，andsaidatlength：
"Andyetnooneknowsforcertainhowbigitreallyis，norwhereitends。"
"Andiseverythingalikeonearth？"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Thecitiesandall？"
"Well，ofcourse，thecitiesarelikecities。Therearehouses，streets——andeverythingthatisnecessary。"
Aftermanysimilarconversationstheboynolongerstaredsooftenintothedistancewiththeinterrogativelookofhisblackeyes。
Thecrewofthesteamerlovedhim，andhe，too，lovedthosefine，sun-burntandweather-beatenfellows，wholaughinglyplayedwithhim。Theymadefishingtacklesforhim，andlittleboatsoutofbark，playedwithhimandrowedhimabouttheanchoringplace，whenIgnatwenttotownonbusiness。Theboyoftenheardthementalkingabouthisfather，buthepaidnoattentiontowhattheysaid，andnevertoldhisfatherwhatheheardabouthim。Butoneday，inAstrakhan，whilethesteamerwastakinginacargooffuel，FomaheardthevoiceofPetrovich，themachinist：
"Heorderedsuchalotofwoodtobetakenin。Whatanabsurdman！Firstheloadsthesteameruptotheverydeck，andthenheroars。'Youbreakthemachinerytoooften，'hesays。'Youpouroil，'hesays，'atrandom。'"
Thevoiceofthegrayandsternpilotreplied：
"It'sallhisexorbitantgreediness。Fuelischeaperhere，soheistakingallhecan。Heisgreedy，thedevil！"
"Oh，howgreedy！"
Thisword，repeatedmanytimesinsuccession，fixeditselfinFoma'smemory，andintheevening，atsupper，hesuddenlyaskedhisfather：
"Papa！"
"What？"
"Areyougreedy？"
Inreplytohisfather'squestionsFomatoldhimoftheconversationbetweenthepilotandthemachinist。Ignat'sfacebecamegloomy，andhiseyesbegantoflashangrily。
"That'showitis，"ejaculatedIgnat，shakinghishead。"Well，you——don'tyoulistentothem。Theyarenotyourequals；don'thavesomuchtodowiththem。Youaretheirmaster，theyareyourservants，understandthat。Ifwechooseto，wecanputeveryoneofthemashore。Theyarecheapandtheycanbefoundeverywherelikedogs。Understand？Theymaysaymanybadthingsaboutme。Buttheysaythem，becauseIamtheirmaster。ThewholethingarisesbecauseIamfortunateandrich，andthericharealwaysenvied。
Ahappymaniseverybody'senemy。"
Abouttwodayslatertherewasanewpilotandanothermachinistonthesteamer。
"AndwhereisYakov？"askedtheboy。
"Idischargedhim。Iorderedhimaway。"
"Forthat？"queriedFoma。
"Yes，forthatverything。"
"AndPetrovich，too？"
"Yes，Isenthimthesameway。"
Fomawaspleasedwiththefactthathisfatherwasabletochangethemensoquickly。Hesmiledtohisfather，and，comingoutonthedeck，walkeduptoasailor，whosatonthefloor，untwistingapieceofropeandmakingaswab。
"Wehaveanewpilothere，"announcedFoma。
"Iknow。Goodhealthtoyou，FomaIgnatich！Howdidyousleep？"
"Andanewmachinist，too。"
"Andanewmachinist。AreyousorryforPetrovich？"
"Really？Andhewassogoodtoyou。"
"Well，whydidheabusemyfather？"
"Oh？Didheabusehim？"
"Ofcoursehedid。Ihearditmyself。"
"Mm——andyourfatherheardit，too？"
"No，Itoldhim。"
"You——so"——drawledthesailorandbecamesilent，takinguphisworkagain。
"Andpapasaystome：'You，'hesays，'youaremasterhere——youcandrivethemallawayifyouwish。'"
"So，"saidthesailor，gloomilylookingattheboy，whowassoenthusiasticallyboastingtohimofhissupremepower。FromthatdayonFomanoticedthatthecrewdidnotregardhimasbefore。
Somebecamemoreobligingandkind，othersdidnotcaretospeaktohim，andwhentheydidspeaktohim，itwasdoneangrily，andnotatallentertainingly，asbefore。Fomalikedtowatchwhilethedeckwasbeingwashed：theirtrousersrolleduptotheirknees，orsometimestakenoffaltogether，thesailors，withswabsandbrushesintheirhands，cleverlyranaboutthedeck，emptyingpailsofwateronit，besprinklingoneanother，laughing，shouting，falling。Streamsofwaterranineverydirection，andthelivelynoiseofthemenintermingledwiththegraysplashofthewater。Before，theboyneverbotheredthesailorsinthisplayfulandlightwork；nay，hetookanactivepart，besprinklingthemwithwaterandlaughinglyrunningaway，whentheythreatenedtopourwateroverhim。ButafterYakovandPetrovichhadbeendischarged，hefeltthathewasineverybody'sway，thatnoonecaredtoplaywithhimandthatnooneregardedhimkindly。
Surprisedandmelancholy，heleftthedeck，walkeduptothewheel，satdownthere，and，offended，hethoughtfullybegantostareatthedistantgreenbankandthedentedstripofwoodsuponit。Andbelow，onthedeck，thewaterwassplashingplayfully，andthesailorsweregailylaughing。Heyearnedtogodowntothem，butsomethingheldhimback。
"Keepawayfromthemasmuchaspossible，"herecalledhisfather'swords；"youaretheirmaster。"Thenhefeltlikeshoutingatthesailors——somethingharshandauthoritative，sohisfatherwouldscoldthem。Hethoughtalongtimewhattosay，butcouldnotthinkofanything。Anothertwo，threedayspassed，anditbecameperfectlycleartohimthatthecrewnolongerlikedhim。Hebegantofeellonesomeonthesteamer，andamidtheparti-colouredmistofnewimpressions，stillmoreoftentherecameupbeforeFomatheimageofhiskindandgentleAuntAnfisa，withherstories，andsmiles，andsoft，ringinglaughter，whichfilledtheboy'ssoulwithajoyouswarmth。Hestilllivedintheworldoffairy-tales，buttheinvisibleandpitilesshandofrealitywasalreadyatworktearingthebeautiful，finewebofthewonderful，throughwhichtheboyhadlookedateverythingabouthim。Theincidentwiththemachinistandthepilotdirectedhisattentiontohissurroundings；Foma'seyesbecamemoresharp-
sighted。Aconscioussearchfulnessappearedinthemandinhisquestionstohisfatherrangayearningtounderstandwhichthreadsandspringsweremanagingthedeedsofmen。
Onedayascenetookplacebeforehim：thesailorswerecarryingwood，andoneofthem，theyoung，curly-hairedandgayYefim，passingthedeckoftheshipwithhand-barrows，saidloudlyandangrily：
"No，hehasnoconsciencewhatever！TherewasnoagreementthatI
shouldcarrywood。Asailor——well，one'sbusinessisclear——buttocarrywoodintothebargain——thankyou！ThatmeansformetotakeofftheskinIhavenotsold。Heiswithoutconscience！Hethinksitisclevertosapthelifeoutofus。"
Theboyheardthisgrumblingandknewthatitwasconcerninghisfather。HealsonoticedthatalthoughYefimwasgrumbling，hecarriedmorewoodonhisstretcherthantheothers，andwalkedfasterthantheothers。NoneofthesailorsrepliedtoYefim'sgrumbling，andeventheonewhoworkedwithhimwassilent，onlynowandthenprotestingagainsttheearnestnesswithwhichYefimpiledupthewoodonthestretchers。
"Enough！"hewouldsay，morosely，"youarenotloadingahorse，areyou？"
"Andyouhadbetterkeepquiet。Youwereputtothecart——cartitanddon'tkick——andshouldyourbloodbesucked——keepquietagain。Whatcanyousay？"
SuddenlyIgnatappeared，walkeduptothesailorand，stoppinginfrontofhim，askedsternly：
"Whatwereyoutalkingabout？"
"Iamtalking——Iknow，"repliedYefim，hesitating。"Therewasnoagreement——thatImustsaynothing。"
"Andwhoisgoingtosuckblood？"askedIgnat，strokinghisbeard。
Thesailorunderstoodthathehadbeencaughtunawares，andseeingnowayoutofit，heletthelogofwoodfallfromhishands，rubbedhispalmsagainsthispants，and，facingIgnatsquarely，saidratherboldly：
"AndamInotright？Don'tyousuckit？"
"I？"
"You。"
Fomasawthathisfatherswunghishand。Aloudblowresounded，andthesailorfellheavilyonthewood。Hearoseimmediatelyandworkedoninsilence。Bloodwastricklingfromhisbruisedfaceontothewhitebarkofthebirchwood；hewipedthebloodoffhisfacewiththesleeveofhisshirt，lookedathissleeveand，heavingasigh，maintainedsilence，andwhenhewentpastFomawiththehand-harrows，twobig，turbidtearsweretremblingonhisface，nearthebridgeofhisnose，andFomanoticedthem。
AtdinnerFomawaspensiveandnowandthenglancedathisfatherwithfearinhiseyes。
"Whydoyoufrown？"askedhisfather，gently。
"Frown？"
"Areyouill，perhaps？Becareful。Ifthereisanything，tellme。"
"Youarestrong，"saidFomaofasuddenmusingly。
"I？That'sright。Godhasfavouredmewithstrength。"
"Howhardyoustruckhim！"exclaimedtheboyinalowvoice，loweringhishead。
Ignatwasabouttoputapieceofbreadwithcaviarintohismouth，buthishandstopped，heldbackbyhisson'sexclamation；
helookedinterrogativelyatFoma'sdroopingheadandasked：
"YoumeanYefim，don'tyou？"
"Yes，hewasbleeding。Andhowhewalkedafterward，howhecried，"saidtheboyinalowvoice。
"Mm，"roaredIgnat，chewingabite。"Well，areyousorryforhim？"
"It'sapity！"saidFoma，withtearsinhisvoice。
"Yes。Sothat'sthekindofafellowyouare，"saidIgnat。
Then，afteramoment'ssilence，hefilledawineglasswithvodka，emptiedit，andsaidsternly，inaslightlyreprimandingtone：
"Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldpityhim。Hebrawledatrandom，andthereforegotwhathedeserved。Iknowhim：heisagoodfellow，industrious，strongandnotabitfoolish。Buttoargueisnothisbusiness；Imayargue，becauseIamthemaster。
Itisn'tsimpletobemaster。Apunchwouldn'tkillhim，butwillmakehimwiser。That'stheway。Eh，Foma！Youareaninfant，andyoudonotunderstandthesethings。Imustteachyouhowtolive。
Itmaybethatmydaysoneartharenumbered。"
Ignatwassilentforawhile，dranksomemorevodkaandwentoninstinctively：
"Itisnecessarytohavepityonmen。Youarerightindoingso。
Butyoumustpitythemsensibly。Firstlookataman，findoutwhatgoodthereisinhim，andwhatusemaybemadeofhim！Andifyoufindhimtobestrongandcapable——pityandassisthim。
Andifheisweakandnotinclinedtowork——spituponhim，passhimby。Justkeepthisinmind——themanwhocomplainsagainsteverything，whosighsandmoansallthetime——thatmanisworthnothing；hemeritsnocompassionandyouwilldohimnogoodwhatever，evenifyouhelphim。Pityforsuchpeoplemakesthemmoremorose，spoilsthemthemore。Inyourgodfather'shouseyousawvariouskindsofpeople——unfortunatetravellersandhangers-
on，andallsortsofrabble。Forgetthem。Theyarenotmen，theyarejustshells，andaregoodfornothing。Theyarelikebugs，fleasandotheruncleanthings。NordotheyliveforGod'ssake——
theyhavenoGod。TheycallHisnameinvain，inordertomovefoolstopity，and，thuspitied，tofilltheirbellieswithsomething。Theylivebutfortheirbellies，andasidefromeating，drinking，sleepingandmoaningtheycandonothing。Andalltheyaccomplishisthesoul'sdecay。Theyareinyourwayandyoutripoverthem。Agoodmanamongthem——likefreshapplesamongbadones——maysoonbespoilt，andnoonewillprofitbyit。
Youareyoung，that'sthetrouble。Youcannotcomprehendmywords。Helphimwhoisfirminmisery。Hemaynotaskyouforassistance，butthinkofityourself，andassisthimwithouthisrequest。Andifheshouldhappentobeproudandthusfeeloffendedatyouraid，donotallowhimtoseethatyouarelendinghimahelpinghand。That'sthewayitshouldbedone，accordingtocommonsense！Here，forexample，twoboards，letussay，fallintothemud——oneofthemisarottenone，theother，agoodsoundboard。Whatshouldyoudo？Whatgoodisthereintherottenboard？Youhadbetterdropit，letitstayinthemudandsteponitsoasnottosoilyourfeet。Astothesoundboard，liftitupandplaceitinthesun；ifitcanbeofnousetoyou，someoneelsemayavailhimselfofit。That'sthewayitis，myson！Listentomeandremember。ThereisnoreasonwhyYefimshouldbepitied。Heisacapablefellow，heknowshisvalue。Youcannotknockhissouloutwithaboxontheear。I'lljustwatchhimforaboutaweek，andthenI'llputhimatthehelm。Andthere，Iamquitesure，he'llbeagoodpilot。Andifheshouldbepromotedtocaptain，hewouldn'tlosecourage——hewouldmakeaclevercaptain！That'sthewaypeoplegrow。Ihavegonethroughthisschoolmyself，dear。I，too，receivedmorethanoneboxontheearwhenIwasofhisage。Life，myson，isnotadearmothertoallofus。Itisourexactingmistress。"
Ignattalkedwithhissonabouttwohours，tellinghimofhisownyouth，ofhistoils，ofmen；theirterriblepower，andoftheirweakness；ofhowtheylive，andsometimespretendtobeunfortunateinordertoliveonotherpeople'smoney；andthenhetoldhimofhimself，andofhowherosefromaplainworkingmantobeproprietorofalargeconcern。Theboylistenedtohiswords，lookedathimandfeltasthoughhisfatherwerecomingnearerandnearertohim。Andthoughhisfather'sstorydidnotcontainthematerialofwhichAuntAnfisa'sfairy-taleswerebrimful，therewassomethingnewinit，somethingclearerandmorecomprehensiblethaninherfairy-tales，andsomethingjustasinteresting。Somethingpowerfulandwarmbegantothrobwithinhislittleheart，andhewasdrawntowardhisfather。Ignat，evidently，surmisedhisson'sfeelingsbyhiseyes：heroseabruptlyfromhisseat，seizedhiminhisarmsandpressedhimfirmlytohisbreast。AndFomaembracedhisneck，and，pressinghischeektothatofhisfather，wassilentandbreathedrapidly。
"Myson，"whisperedIgnatinadullvoice，"Mydarling！Myjoy！
LearnwhileIamalive。Alas！itishardtolive。"
Thechild'shearttrembledatthiswhisper；hesethisteethtogether，andhottearsgushedfromhiseyes。
UntilthisdayIgnathadneverkindledanyparticularfeelinginhisson：theboywasusedtohim；hewastiredoflookingathisenormousfigure，andfearedhimslightly，butwasatthesametimeawarethathisfatherwoulddoanythingforhimthathewanted。SometimesIgnatwouldstayawayfromhomeaday，two，aweek，orpossiblytheentiresummer。AndyetFomadidnotevennoticehisabsence，soabsorbedwashebyhisloveforAuntAnfisa。WhenIgnatreturnedtheboywasglad，buthecouldhardlytellwhetheritwashisfather'sarrivalthatgladdenedhimortheplaythingshebroughtwithhim。Butnow，atthesightofIgnat，theboyrantomeethim，graspedhimbythehand，laughed，staredintohiseyesandfeltwearyifhedidnotseehimfortwoorthreehours：Hisfatherbecameinterestingtohim，and，rousinghiscuriosity，hefairlydevelopedloveandrespectforhimself。
EverytimethattheyweretogetherFomabeggedhisfather：
"Papa，tellmeaboutyourself。"……
ThesteamerwasnowgoinguptheVolga。OnesuffocatingnightinJuly，whentheskywasovercastwiththickblackclouds，andeverythingontheVolgawassomewhatominouslycalm，theyreachedKazanandanchorednearUslonattheendofanenormousfleetofvessels。TheclinkingoftheanchorchainsandtheshoutingofthecrewawakenedFoma；helookedoutofthewindowandsaw，farinthedistance，smalllightsglimmeringfantastically：thewaterabouttheboatblackandthick，likeoil——andnothingelsecouldbeseen。Theboy'shearttrembledpainfullyandhebegantolistenattentively。Ascarcelyaudible，melancholysongreachedhisears——mournfulandmonotonousasachantonthecaravanthewatchmencalledtooneanother；thesteamerhissedangrilygettingupsteam。Andtheblackwateroftheriversplashedsadlyandquietlyagainstthesidesofthevessels。Staringfixedlyintothedarkness，untilhiseyeshurt，theboydiscernedblackpilesandsmalllightsdimlyburninghighabovethem。Heknewthatthosewerebarges，butthisknowledgedidnotcalmhimandhisheartthrobbedunevenly，and，inhisimagination，terrifyingdarkimagesarose。
"O-o-o，"adrawlingcrycamefromthedistanceandendedlikeawail。
Someonecrossedthedeckandwentuptothesideofthesteamer。
"O-o-o，"washeardagain，butnearerthistime。
"Yefim！"someonecalledinalowvoiceonthedeck。"Yefimka！"
"Well？"
"Devil！Getup！Taketheboat-hook。"
"O-o-o，"someonemoanednearby，andFoma，shuddering，steppedbackfromthewindow。
Thequeersoundcamenearerandnearerandgrewinstrength，sobbedanddiedoutinthedarkness。Whileonthedecktheywhisperedwithalarm：
"Yefimka！Getup！Aguestisfloating！"
"Where？"cameahastyquestion，thenbarefeetbegantopatteraboutthedeck，abustlewasheard，andtwoboat-hooksslippeddownpasttheboy'sfaceandalmostnoiselesslyplungedintothewater。
"Ague-e-est！"Somebegantosobnearby，andaquiet，butveryqueersplashresounded。
Theboytrembledwithfrightatthismournfulcry，buthecouldnottearhishandsfromthewindownorhiseyesfromthewater。
"Lightthelantern。Youcan'tseeanything。"
"Directly。"
Andthenaspotofdimlightfelloverthewater。Fomasawthatthewaterwasrockingcalmly，thataripplewaspassingoverit，asthoughthewaterwereafflicted，andtrembledforpain。
"Look！Look！"theywhisperedonthedeckwithfright。
Atthesametimeabig，terriblehumanface，withwhiteteethsettogether，appearedonthespotoflight。Itfloatedandrockedinthewater，itsteethseemedtostareatFomaasthoughsaying，withasmile：
"Eh，boy，boy，itiscold。Goodbye！"
Theboat-hooksshook，wereliftedintheair，wereloweredagainintothewaterandcarefullybegantopushsomethingthere。
"Shovehim！Shove！Lookout，hemaybethrownunderthewheel。"
"Shovehimyourselfthen。"
Theboat-hooksglidedoverthesideofthesteamer，and，scratchingagainstit，producedanoiselikethegrindingofteeth。Fomacouldnotclosehiseyesforwatchingthem。Thenoiseoffeetstampingonthedeck，overhishead，wasgraduallymovingtowardthestern。Andthenagainthatmoaningcryforthedeadwasheard：
"Ague-e-est！"
"Papa！"criedFomainaringingvoice。"Papa！"Hisfatherjumpedtohisfeetandrushedtowardhim。
"Whatisthat？Whataretheydoingthere？"criedFoma。
Wildlyroaring，Ignatjumpedoutofthecabinwithhugebounds。
Hesoonreturned，soonerthanFoma，staggeringandlookingaroundhim，hadtimetoreachhisfather'sbed。
"Theyfrightenedyou？It'snothing！"saidIgnat，takinghimupinhisarms。"Liedownwithme。"
"Whatisit？"askedFoma，quietly。
"Itwasnothing，myson。Onlyadrownedman。Amanwasdrownedandheisfloating。That'snothing！Don'tbeafraid，hehasalreadyfloatedclearofus。"
"Whydidtheypushhim？"interrogatedtheboy，firmlypressingclosetohisfather，andshuttinghiseyesforfright。
"Itwasnecessarytodoso。Thewatermighthavethrownhimunderthewheel。Underours，forinstance。Tomorrowthepolicewouldnoticeit，therewouldbetrouble，inquests，andwewouldbeheldhereforexamination。That'swhyweshovedhimalong。Whatdifferencedoesitmaketohim？Heisdead；itdoesn'tpainhim；
itdoesn'toffendhim。Andthelivingwouldbetroubledonhisaccount。Sleep，myson。
"Sohewillfloatonthatway？"
"Hewillfloat。They'lltakehimoutsomewhereandburyhim。"
"Andwillafishdevourhim？"
"Fishdonoteathumanbodies。Crabseatthem。Theylikethem。"
Foma'sfrightwasmelting，fromtheheatofhisfather'sbody，butbeforehiseyestheterriblesneeringfacewasstillrockingintheblackwater。
"Andwhoishe？"
"Godknows！SaytoGodabouthim：'0hLord，resthissoul！'"
"Lord，resthissoul！"repeatedFoma，inawhisper。
"That'sright。Sleepnow，don'tfear。Heisfarawaynow！Floatingon。
Seehere，becarefulasyougouptothesideoftheship。Youmayfalloverboard。Godforbid！And——"
"Didhefalloverboard？"
"Ofcourse。Perhapshewasdrunk，andthat'shisend！Andmaybehethrewhimselfintothewater。Therearepeoplewhodothat。
Theygoandthrowthemselvesintothewaterandaredrowned。
Life，mydear，issoarrangedthatdeathissometimesaholidayforone，sometimesitisablessingforall。"
"Papa。"
"Sleep，sleep，dear。"
CHAPTERIII
DURINGtheveryfirstdayofhisschoollife，stupefiedbythelivelyandheartynoiseofprovokingmischiefsandofwild，childishgames，Fomapickedouttwoboysfromthecrowdwhoatonceseemedmoreinterestingtohimthantheothers。Onehadaseatinfrontofhim。Foma，lookingaskance，sawabroadback；afullneck，coveredwithfreckles；bigears；andthebackoftheheadcloselycropped，coveredwithlight-redhairwhichstoodoutlikebristles。
Whentheteacher，abald-headedman，whoselowerliphungdown，calledout："Smolin，African！"thered-headedboyaroseslowly，walkeduptotheteacher，calmlystaredintohisface，and，havinglistenedtotheproblem，carefullybegantomakebigroundfiguresontheblackboardwithchalk。
"Goodenough！"saidtheteacher。"Yozhov，Nicolai。Proceed！"
OneofFoma'sneighbours，afidgetylittleboywithblacklittlemouse-eyes，jumpedupfromhisseatandpassedthroughtheaisle，strikingagainsteverythingandturninghisheadonallsides。Attheblackboardheseizedthechalk，and，standinguponthetoesofhisboots，noisilybegantomarktheboardwiththechalk，creakingandfillingwithchalkdust，dashingoffsmall，illegiblemarks。
"Notsoloud！"saidtheteacher，wrinklinghisyellowfaceandcontractinghisfatiguedeyes。Yozhovspokequicklyandinaringingvoice：
"Nowweknowthatthefirstpeddlermade17k。profit。"
"Enough！Gordyeeff！Tellmewhatmustwedoinordertofindouthowmuchthesecondpeddlergained？"
Watchingtheconductoftheboys，sounlikeeachother，Fomawasthustakenunawaresbythequestionandhekeptquiet。
"Don'tyouknow？How？Explainittohim，Smolin。"
Havingcarefullywipedhisfingers，whichhadbeensoiledwithchalk，Smolinputtheragaway，and，withoutlookingatFoma，finishedtheproblemandagainbegantowipehishands，whileYozhov，smilingandskippingalongashewalked，returnedtohisseat。
"Eh，you！"hewhispered，seatinghimselfbesideFoma，incidentallystrikinghissidewithhisfist。"Whydon'tyouknowit？Whatwastheprofitaltogether？Thirtykopecks。Andthereweretwopeddlers。Oneofthemgot17。Well，howmuchdidtheotheroneget？"
"Iknow，"repliedFoma，inawhisper，feelingconfusedandexaminingthefaceofSmolin，whowassedatelyreturningtohisseat。Hedidn'tlikethatround，freckledface，withtheblueeyes，whichwereloadedwithfat。AndYozhovpinchedhislegandasked：
"Whosesonareyou？TheFrantic's？"
"Yes。"
"So。Doyouwishmetopromptyoualways？"
"Yes。"
"Andwhatwillyougivemeforit？"
Fomathoughtawhileandasked：
"Anddoyouknowitallyourself？"
"I？Iamthebestpupil。You'llseeforyourself。"
"Hey，there！Yozhov，youaretalkingagain？"criedtheteacher，faintly。
Yozhovjumpedtohisfeetandsaidboldly：
"It'snotI，IvanAndreyich——it'sGordyeeff。"
"Bothofthemwerewhispering，"announcedSmolin，serenely。
Wrinklinghisfacemournfullyandmovinghisbiglipcomically，theteacherreprimandedthemall，buthiswordsdidnotpreventYozhovfromwhisperingimmediately：
"Verywell，Smolin！I'llrememberyoufortelling。"
"Well，whydoyoublameitallonthenewboy？"askedSmolin，inalowvoice，withouteventurninghisheadtothem。
"Allright，allright，"hissedYozhov。
Fomawassilent，lookingaskanceathisbriskneighbour，whoatoncepleasedhimandrousedinhimadesiretogetasfaraspossibleawayfromhim。DuringrecesshelearnedfromYozhovthatSmolin，too，wasrich，beingthesonofatan-yardproprietor，andthatYozhovhimselfwasthesonofaguardattheCourtofExchequer，andverypoor。Thelastwasclearlyevidentbytheadroitboy'scostume，madeofgrayfustianandadornedwithpatchesonthekneesandelbows；byhispale，hungry-lookingface；and，byhissmall，angularandbonyfigure。Thisboyspokeinametallicalto，elucidatinghiswordswithgrimacesandgesticulations，andheoftenusedwordswhosemeaningwasknownbuttohimself。
"We'llbefriends，"heannouncedtoFoma。
"Whydidyoucomplaintotheteacheraboutme？"GordyeeffremindedYozhov，lookingathimsuspiciously。
"There！What'sthedifferencetoyou？Youareanewscholarandrich。Theteacherisnotexactingwiththerich。AndIamapoorhanger-on；hedoesn'tlikeme，becauseIamimpudentandbecauseIneverbringhimanypresents。IfIhadbeenabadpupilhewouldhaveexpelledmelongago。YouknowI'llgototheGymnasiumfromhere。I'llpassthesecondclassandthenI'llleave。Alreadyastudentispreparingmeforthesecondclass。
ThereI'llstudysothattheycan'tholdmeback！Howmanyhorsesdoyouhave？"
"Three。Whatdoyouneedtostudysomuchfor？"askedFoma。
"BecauseIampoor。Thepoormuststudyhardsothattheymaybecomerich。Theybecomedoctors，functionaries，officers。I
shallbea'tinkler。'Aswordatmyside，spuronmyboots。
Cling，cling！Andwhatareyougoingtobe？"
"Idon'tknow，"saidFoma，pensively，examininghiscompanion。
"Youneednotbeanything。Andareyoufondofpigeons？"
"Yes。"
"Whatagood-for-nothingyouare！Oh！Eh！"YozhovimitatedFoma'sslowwayofspeaking。"Howmanypigeonsdoyouhave？"
"Ihavenone。"
"Eh，you！Rich，andyetyouhavenopigeons。EvenIhavethree。
IfmyfatherhadbeenrichIwouldhavehadahundredpigeonsandchasedthemalldaylong。Smolinhaspigeons，too，fineones！
Fourteen。Hemademeapresentofone。Only，heisgreedy。Allthericharegreedy。Andyou，areyougreedy，too？"
"Idon'tknow，"saidFoma，irresolutely。
"ComeuptoSmolin'sandthethreeofustogetherwillchasethepigeons。"
"Verywell。Iftheyletme。"
"Why，doesnotyourfatherlikeyou？"
"Hedoeslikeme。"
"Well，then，he'llletyougo。Onlydon'ttellhimthatIamcoming。Perhapshewouldnotletyougowithme。TellhimyouwanttogotoSmolin's。Smolin！"
Aplumpboycameuptothem，andYozhovaccostedhim，shakinghisheadreproachfully：
"Eh，youred-headedslanderer！Itisn'tworthwhiletobefriendswithyou，blockhead！"
"Whydoyouabuseme？"askedSmolin，calmly，examiningFomafixedly。
"Iamnotabusingyou；Iamtellingthetruth，"Yozhovexplained，straighteninghimselfwithanimation。"Listen！Althoughyouareakissel，but——letitgo！We'llcomeuptoseeyouonSundayaftermass。"
"Come，"Smolinnoddedhishead。
"We'llcomeup。They'llringthebellsoon。Imustruntosellthesiskin，"declaredYozhov，pullingoutofhispocketapaperpackage，whereinsomelivethingwasstruggling。Andhedisappearedfromtheschool-yardasmercuryfromthepalmofahand。
"Whataqueerfellowheis！"saidFoma，dumfoundedbyYozhov'sadroitnessandlookingatSmolininterrogatively。
"Heisalwayslikethis。He'sveryclever，"thered-headedboyexplained。
"Andcheerful，too，"addedFoma。
"Cheerful，too，"Smolinassented。Thentheybecamesilent，lookingateachother。
"Willyoucomeupwithhimtomyhouse？"askedthered-headedboy。
"Yes。"
"Comeup。It'snicethere。"
Fomasaidnothingtothis。ThenSmolinaskedhim：
"Haveyoumanyfriends？"
"Ihavenone。"
"NeitherdidIhaveanyfriendsbeforeIwenttoschool。Onlycousins。Nowyou'llhavetwofriendsatonce。"
"Yes，"saidFoma。
"Areyouglad？"
"I'mglad。"
"Whenyouhavelotsoffriends，itislively。Anditiseasiertostudy，too——theypromptyou。"
"Andareyouagoodpupil？"
"Ofcourse！Idoeverythingwell，"saidSmolin，calmly。
Thebellbegantobangasthoughithadbeenfrightenedandwashastilyrunningsomewhere。
Sittinginschool，Fomabegantofeelsomewhatfreer，andcomparedhisfriendswiththerestoftheboys。Hesoonlearnedthattheybothweretheverybestboysinschoolandthattheywerethefirsttoattracteverybody'sattention，evenasthetwofigures5and7，whichhadnotyetbeenwipedofftheblackboard。
AndFomafeltverymuchpleasedthathisfriendswerebetterthananyoftheotherboys。
Theyallwenthomefromschooltogether，butYozhovsoonturnedintosomenarrowsidestreet，whileSmolinwalkedwithFomauptohisveryhouse，and，departing，said：
"Yousee，webothgohomethesameway，too。"
AthomeFomawasmetwithpomp：hisfathermadehimapresentofaheavysilverspoon，withaningeniousmonogramonit，andhisauntgavehimascarfknittedbyherself。Theywereawaitinghimfordinner，havingpreparedhisfavouritedishesforhim，andassoonashetookoffhiscoat，seatedhimatthetableandbegantoplyhimwithquestions。
"Well，howwasit？Howdidyouliketheschool？"askedIgnat，lookinglovinglyathisson'srosy，animatedface。
"Prettygood。It'snice！"repliedFoma。
"Mydarling！"sighedhisaunt，withfeeling，"lookout，holdyourownwithyourfriends。Assoonastheyoffendyoutellyourteachersaboutit。"
"Goon。Whatelsewillyoutellhim？"Ignatsmiled。"Neverdothat！Trytogetsquarewitheveryoffenderyourself，punishhimwithyourownhand，notwithsomebodyelse's。Arethereanygoodfellowsthere？"
"Therearetwo，"Fomasmiled，recallingYozhov。"Oneofthemissobold——terrible！"
"Whoseishe？"
"Aguard'sson。"
"Mm！Bolddidyousay？"
"Dreadfullybold！"
"Well，lethimbe！Andtheother？"
"Theotheroneisred-headed。Smolin。"
"Ah！EvidentlyMitryIvanovitch'sson。Sticktohim，he'sgoodcompany。Mitryisacleverpeasant。Ifthesontakesafterhisfatheritisallright。Butthatotherone——youknow，Foma，youhadbetterinvitethemtoourhouseonSunday。I'llbuysomepresentsandyoucantreatthem。We'llseewhatsortofboystheyare。"
"SmolinaskedmetocometohimthisSunday，"saidFoma，lookingupathisfatherquestioningly。
"So。Well，youmaygo！That'sallright，go。Observewhatkindofpeoplethereareintheworld。Youcannotpassyourlifealone，withoutfriendship。YourgodfatherandI，forinstance，havebeenfriendsformorethantwentyyears，andIhaveprofitedagreatdealbyhiscommonsense。Soyou，too，trytobefriendlywiththosethatarebetterandwiserthanyou。Rubagainstagoodman，likeacoppercoinagainstsilver，andyoumaythenpassforasilvercoinyourself。"
And，burstingintolaughterathiscomparison，Ignataddedseriously：
"Iwasonlyjesting。Trytobe，notartificial，butgenuine。Andhavesomecommonsense，nomatterhowlittle，butyourown。Haveyoumanylessonstodo？"
"Many！"sighedtheboy，andtohissigh，likeanecho，hisauntansweredwithaheavysigh。
"Well，study。Don'tbeworsethanothersatschool。Although，I'lltellyou，evenifthereweretwenty-fiveclassesinyourschool，theycouldneverteachyouthereanythingsavereading，writingandarithmetic。Youmayalsolearnsomenaughtythings，butGodprotectyou！Ishallgiveyouaterriblespankingifyoudo。IfyousmoketobaccoI'llcutyourlipsoff。"
"RememberGod，Fomushka，"saidtheaunt。"Seethatyoudon'tforgetourLord。"
"That'strue！HonourGodandyourfather。ButIwishtotellyouthatschoolbooksarebutatrivialmatter。Youneedtheseasacarpenterneedsanadzeandapointer。Theyaretools，butthetoolscannotteachyouhowtomakeuseofthem。Understand？Letussee：Supposeanadzewerehandedtoacarpenterforhimtosquareabeamwithit。It'snotenoughtohavehandsandanadze；
itisalsonecessaryforhimtoknowhowtostrikethewoodsoasnottohithisfootinstead。Toyoutheknowledgeofreadingandwritingisgiven，andyoumustregulateyourlifewithit。Thusitfollowsthatbooksalonearebutatrifleinthismatter；itisnecessarytobeabletotakeadvantageofthem。Anditisthisabilitythatismorecunningthananybooks，andyetnothingaboutitiswritteninthebooks。This，Foma，youmustlearnfromLifeitself。Abookisadeadthing，youmaytakeitasyouplease，youmaytearit，breakit——itwillnotcryout。Whileshouldyoubutmakeasinglewrongstepinlife，orwronglyoccupyaplaceinit，Lifewillstarttobawlatyouinathousandvoices；itwilldealyouablow，fellingyoutotheground。"
Foma，hiselbowsleaningonthetable，attentivelylistenedtohisfather，andunderthesoundofhispowerfulvoicehepicturedtohimselfnowthecarpentersquaringabeam，nowhimself，hishandsoutstretched，carefullyandstealthilyapproachingsomecolossalandlivingthing，anddesiringtograspthatterriblesomething。
"Amanmustpreservehimselfforhisworkandmustbethoroughlyacquaintedwiththeroadtoit。Aman，dear，islikethepilotonaship。Inyouth，asathightide，gostraight！Awayisopentoyoueverywhere。Butyoumustknowwhenitistimetosteer。Thewatersrecede——hereyouseeasandbank，there，arock；itisnecessarytoknowallthisandtoslipoffintime，inordertoreachtheharboursafeandsound。"
"Iwillreachit！"saidtheboy，lookingathisfatherproudlyandwithconfidence。
"Eh？Youspeakcourageously！"Ignatburstintolaughter。Andtheauntalsobegantolaughkindly。
SincehistripwithhisfatherontheVolga，Fomabecamemorelivelyandtalkativeathome，withhisfather，withhisauntandwithMayakin。Butonthestreet，inanewplace，orinthepresenceofstrangers，hewasalwaysgloomy，alwayslookingabouthimwithsuspicion，asthoughhefeltsomethinghostiletohimeverywhere，somethinghiddenfromhimspyingonhim。
Atnightshesometimesawokeofasuddenandlistenedforalongtimetothesilenceabouthim，fixedlystaringintothedarkwithwide-openeyes。Andthenhisfather'sstoriesweretransformedbeforehimintoimagesandpictures。Withoutbeingawareofit，hemixedupthosestorieswithhisaunt'sfairy-tales，thuscreatingforhimselfachaosofadventureswhereinthebrightcoloursoffantasywerewhimsicallyintertwinedwiththesternshadesofreality。Thisresultedinsomethingcolossal，incomprehensible；theboyclosedhiseyesanddroveitallawayfromhimandtriedtochecktheplayofhisimagination，whichfrightenedhim。Invainheattemptedtofallasleep，andthechamberbecamemoreandmorecrowdedwithdarkimages。Thenhequietlyrousedhisaunt。
"Auntie！Auntie！"
"What？Christbewithyou。"
"I'llcometoyou，"whisperedFoma。
"Why？Sleep，darling，sleep。"
"Iamafraid，"confessedtheboy。
"Youbettersaytoyourself，'AndtheLordwillriseagain，'thenyouwon'tbeafraid。"
Fomalieswithhiseyesopenandsaystheprayer。Thesilenceofthenightpicturesitselfbeforehimintheformofanendlessexpanseofperfectlycalm，darkwater，whichhasoverflowedeverythingandcongealed；thereisnotarippleonit，notashadowofamotion，andneitheristhereanythingwithinit，althoughitisbottomlesslydeep。Itisveryterribleforonetolookdownfromthedarkatthisdeadwater。Butnowthesoundofthenightwatchman'smalletisheard，andtheboyseesthatthesurfaceofthewaterisbeginningtotremble，and，coveringthesurfacewithripples，lightlittleballsaredancinguponit。Thesoundofthebellonthesteeple，withonemightyswing，bringsallthewaterinagitationanditisslightlytremblingfromthatsound；abigspotoflightisalsotrembling，spreadinglightuponthewater，radiatingfromitscentreintothedarkdistance，theregrowingpaleranddyingout。Againthereiswearyanddeathlikereposeinthisdarkdesert。
"Auntie，"whispersFoma，beseechingly。
"Dearest？"
"Iamcomingtoyou。"
"Come，then，come，mydarling。"
Goingoverintoauntie'sbed，hepressesclosetoher，begging：
"Tellmesomething。"
"Atnight？"protestsauntie，sleepily。
"Please。"
Hedoesnothavetoaskherlong。Yawning，hereyesclosed，theoldwomanbeginsslowlyinavoicegrownheavywithsleep：
"Well，mydearsir，inacertainkingdom，inacertainempire，therelivedamanandhiswife，andtheywereverypoor。Theyweresounfortunatethattheyhadnothingtoeat。Theywouldgoaroundbegging，somebodywouldgivethemacrustofstalebreadandthatwouldkeepthemforawhile。Anditcametopassthatthewifebegotachild——achildwasborn——itwasnecessarytochristenit，but，beingpoor，theycouldnotentertainthegodparentsandtheguests，sonobodycametochristenthechild。
Theytriedthisandtheytriedthat——yetnobodycame。AndtheybegantopraytotheLord，'0hLord！0hLord！'"
FomaknewthisawfulstoryaboutGod'sgodchild。Hehadhearditmorethanonceandwasalreadypicturingtohimselfthisgodchildridingonawhitehorsetohisgodfatherandgodmother；hewasridinginthedarkness，overthedesert，andhesawtherealltheunbearablemiseriestowhichsinnersarecondemned。Andheheardtheirfaintmoansandrequests：
"Oh！Man！AsktheLordyethowlongarewetosufferhere！"
ThenitappearedtoFomathatitwashewhowasridingatnightonthewhitehorse，andthatthemoansandtheimploringswereaddressedtohim。Hisheartcontractswithsomeincomprehensibledesire；sorrowcompressedhisbreastandtearsgatheredinhiseyes，whichhehadfirmlyclosedandnowfearedtoopen。
Heistossingaboutinhisbedrestlessly，"Sleep，mychild。Christbewithyou！"saystheoldwoman，interruptinghertaleofmensufferingfortheirsins。
ButinthemorningaftersuchanightFomarosesoundandcheerful，washedhimselfhastily，drankhisteainhasteandranofftoschool，providedwithsweetcakes，whichwereawaitedbythealwayshungrylittleYozhov，whogreedilysubsistedonhisrichfriend'sgenerosity。
"Gotanythingtoeat？"heaccostedFoma，turninguphissharp-pointednose。"Letmehaveit，forIleftthehousewithouteatinganything。
Islepttoolong，deviltakeit！Istudieduptotwoo'clocklastnight。Haveyousolvedyourproblems？"
"No，Ihaven't。"
"Eh，youlazybones！Well，I'lldashthemoffforyoudirectly！"
Drivinghissmall，thinteethintothecakes，hepurredsomethinglikeakitten，stampedhisleftfoot，beatingtime，andatthesametimesolvedtheproblem，rattlingoffshortphrasestoFoma：
"See？Eightbucketfulsleakedoutinonehour。Andhowmanyhoursdiditleak——six？Eh，whatgoodthingstheyeatinyourhouse！
Consequently，wemustmultiplysixbyeight。Doyoulikecakewithgreenonions？Oh，howIlikeit！Sothatinsixhoursforty-
eightbucketfulsleakedoutofthefirstgauge-cock。Andaltogetherthetubcontainedninety。Doyouunderstandtherest？"
FomalikedYozhovbetterthanSmolin，buthewasmorefriendlywithSmolin。Hewonderedattheabilityandthesprightlinessofthelittlefellow。HesawthatYozhovwasmorecleverandbetterthanhimself；heenviedhim，andfeltoffendedonthataccount，andatthesametimehepitiedhimwiththecondescendingcompassionofasatisfiedmanforahungryone。Perhapsitwasthisverycompassionthatpreventedhimfrompreferringthisbrightboytotheboringred-headedSmolin。Yozhov，fondofhavingalaughattheexpenseofhiswell-fedfriends，toldthemquiteoften："Eh，youarelittletrunksfullofcakes！"
Fomawasangrywithhimforhissneers，andoneday，touchedtothequick，saidwickedlyandwithcontempt：
"Andyouareabeggar——apauper！"
Yozhov'syellowfacebecameovercast，andherepliedslowly：
"Verywell，sobeit！Ishallneverpromptyouagain——andyou'llbelikealogofwood！"
Andtheydidnotspeaktoeachotherforaboutthreedays，verymuchtotheregretoftheteacher，whoduringthesedayshadtogivethelowestmarkingstothesonoftheesteemedIgnatMatveyich。
Yozhovkneweverything：herelatedatschoolhowtheprocurator'schambermaidgavebirthtoachild，andthatforthistheprocurator'swifepouredhotcoffeeoverherhusband；hecouldtellwhereandwhenitwasbesttocatchperch；heknewhowtomaketrapsandcagesforbirds；hecouldgiveadetailedaccountofhowthesoldierhadhangedhimselfinthegarretofthearmoury，andknewfromwhichofthepupils'parentstheteacherhadreceivedapresentthatdayandpreciselywhatsortofapresentitwas。
ThesphereofSmolin'sknowledgeandinterestswasconfinedtothemerchant'smodeoflife，and，aboveall，thered-headedboywasfondofjudgingwhetherthismanwasricherthanthat，valuingandpricingtheirhouses，theirvesselsandtheirhorses。
Allthisheknewtoperfection，andspokeofitwithenthusiasm。
LikeFoma，heregardedYozhovwiththesamecondescendingpity，butmoreasafriendandequal。WheneverGordyeeffquarrelledwithYozhov，Smolinhastenedtoreconcilethem，andhesaidtoFomaoneday，ontheirwayhome：
"WhydoyoualwaysquarrelwithYozhov？"
"Well，whyishesoself-conceited？"saidFoma，angrily。
"Heisproudbecauseyouneverknowyourlessons，andhealwayshelpsyouout。Heisclever。Andbecauseheispoor——ishetoblameforthat？
Hecanlearnanythinghewantsto，andhewillberich，too。"
"Heislikeamosquito，"saidFoma，disdainfully；"hewillbuzzandbuzz，andthenofasuddenwillbite。"
Buttherewassomethinginthelifeoftheseboysthatunitedthemall；therewerehourswhentheconsciousnessofdifferenceintheirnaturesandpositionswasentirelylost。OnSundaystheyallgatheredatSmolin's，and，gettingupontheroofofthewing，wheretheyhadanenormouspigeon-house，theyletthepigeonsloose。
Thebeautiful，well-fedbirds，rufflingtheirsnow-whitewings，dartedoutofthepigeon-houseonebyone，and，seatingthemselvesinarowontheridgeoftheroof，and，illuminedbythesun，cooing，flauntedbeforetheboys。
"Scarethem！"imploredYozhov，tremblingforimpatience。
Smolinswungapolewithabast-wispfastenedtoitsend，andwhistled。
Thefrightenedpigeonsrushedintotheair，fillingitwiththehurriedflappingoftheirwings。Andnow，outliningbigcircles，theyeasilysoarupwards，intothebluedepthsofthesky；theyfloathigherandhigher，theirsilverandsnow-whitefeathersflashing。Someofthemarestrivingtoreachthedomeoftheskieswiththelightsoaringofthefalcon，theirwingsoutstretchedwideandalmostmotionless；othersplay，turnoverintheair，nowdroppingdownwardinasnowylump，nowdartinguplikeanarrow。Nowtheentireflockseemsasthoughhangingmotionlessinthedesertofthesky，and，growingsmallerandsmaller，seemstosinkinit。Withheadsthrownback，theboysadmirethebirdsinsilence，withouttakingtheireyesfromthem——
theirtiredeyes，soradiantwithcalmjoy，notaltogetherfreefromenvyingthesewingedcreatures，whichsofreelytookflightfromearthupintothepureandcalmatmospherefulloftheglitterofthesun。Thesmallgroupofscarcelyvisibledots，nowmerespecksintheazureofthesky，leadsontheimaginationofthechildren，andYozhovexpressestheircommonfeelingwhen，inalowvoice，hesaysthoughtfully：
"That'sthewayweoughttofly，friends。"