Fomalistenedtothesonganddirectedhisfootstepstowardit，onthewharf。Therehenoticedthatthecarriers，formedintworows，wererollingoutofthesteamer'sholdhugebarrelsofsaltedfish。Dirty，cladinredblouses，unfastenedatthecollar，withmittensontheirhands，witharmsbaretotheelbow，theystoodoverthehold，and，merrilyjesting，withfacesanimatedbytoil，theypulledtheropes，alltogether，keepingtimetotheirsong。Andfromtheholdrangoutthehigh，laughingvoiceoftheinvisibleleader：
"ButforourpeasantthroatsThereisnotenoughvodka。"
Andthecompany，likeonehugepairoflungs，heavedforthloudlyandinunison：
"Oh，dubinushka，heave-ho！"
Fomafeltpleasedandenviousashelookedatthiswork，whichwasasharmoniousasmusic。Theslovenlyfacesofthecarriersbeamedwithsmiles，theworkwaseasy，itwentonsmoothly，andtheleaderofthechoruswasinhisbestvein。Fomathoughtthatitwouldbefinetoworkthusinunison，withgoodcomrades，tothetuneofacheerfulsong，togettiredfromworktodrinkaglassofvodkaandeatfatcabbagesoup，preparedbythestout，sprightlymatronofthecompany。
"Quicker，boys，quicker！"rangoutbesidehimsomeone'sunpleasant，hoarsevoice。
Fomaturnedaround。Astoutman，withanenormouspaunch，tappedontheboardsofthelandingbridgewithhiscane，ashelookedatthecarrierswithhissmalleyesandsaid：
"Bawllessandworkfaster。"
Hisfaceandneckwerecoveredwithperspiration；hewipeditoffeverynowandthenwithhislefthandandbreathedheavily，asthoughheweregoinguphill。
Fomacastatthemanahostilelookandthought：
"Othersareworkingandheissweating。AndIamstillworsethanhe。I'mlikeacrowonthefence，goodfornothing。"
Fromeachandeveryimpressionthereimmediatelystoodoutinhismindthepainfulthoughtofhisunfitnessforlife。Everythingthatattractedhisattentioncontainedsomethingoffensivetohim，andthissomethingfelllikeabrickuponhisbreast。Atonesideofhim，bythefreightscales，stoodtwosailors，andoneofthem，asquare-built，red-facedfellow，wastellingtheother：
"Astheyrushedonmeitbeganforfair，mydearchap！Therewerefourofthem——Iwasalone！ButIdidn'tgiveintothem，becauseIsawthattheywouldbeatmetodeath！Evenaramwillkickoutifyoufleeceitalive。HowItoremyselfawayfromthem！Theyallrolledawayindifferentdirections。"
"Butyoucameinforasounddrubbingallthesame？"inquiredtheothersailor。
"Ofcourse！Icaughtit。Iswallowedaboutfiveblows。Butwhat'sthedifference？Theydidn'tkillme。Well，thankGodforit！"
"Certainly。"
"Tothestern，devils，tothestern，I'mtellingyou！"roaredtheperspiringmaninaferociousvoiceattwocarrierswhowererollingabarreloffishalongthedeck。
"Whatareyouyellingfor？"Fomaturnedtohimsternly，ashehadstartedattheshout。
"Isthatanyofyourbusiness？"askedtheperspiringman，castingaglanceatFoma。
"Itismybusiness！Thepeopleareworkingandyourfatismeltingaway。Soyouthinkyoumustyellatthem？"saidFoma，threateningly，movingclosertowardhim。
"You——youhadbetterkeepyourtemper。"
Theperspiringmansuddenlyrushedawayfromhisplaceandwentintohisoffice。Fomalookedafterhimandalsowentawayfromthewharf；filledwithadesiretoabusesomeone，todosomething，justtodiverthisthoughtsfromhimselfatleastforashortwhile。Buthisthoughtstookafirmerholdonhim。
"Thatsailorthere，hetorehimselfaway，andhe'ssafeandsound！Yes，whileI——"
IntheeveningheagainwentuptotheMayakins。Theoldmanwasnotathome，andinthedining-roomsatLubovwithherbrother，drinkingtea。OnreachingthedoorFomaheardthehoarsevoiceofTaras：
"Whatmakesfatherbotherhimselfabouthim？"
AtthesightofFomahestoppedshort，staringathisfacewithaserious，searchinglook。AnexpressionofagitationwasclearlydepictedonLubov'sface，andshesaidwithdissatisfactionandatthesametimeapologetically：
"Ah！Soit'syou？"
"They'vebeenspeakingofme，"thoughtFoma，asheseatedhimselfatthetable。Tarasturnedhiseyesawayfromhimandsankdeeperinthearmchair。Therewasanawkwardsilencelastingforaboutaminute，andthispleasedFoma。
"Areyougoingtothebanquet？"
"Whatbanquet？"
"Don'tyouknow？Kononovisgoingtoconsecratehisnewsteamer。
AmasswillbeheldthereandthentheyaregoingtotakeatripuptheVolga。"
"Iwasnotinvited，"saidFoma。
"Nobodywasinvited。HesimplyannouncedontheExchange：
'Anybodywhowishestohonourmeiswelcome！
"Idon'tcareforit。"
"Yes？Buttherewillbeagranddrinkingbout，"saidLubov，lookingathimaskance。
"IcandrinkatmyownexpenseifIchoosetodoso。"
"Iknow，"saidLubov，noddingherheadexpressively。
Tarastoyedwithhisteaspoon，turningitbetweenhisfingersandlookingatthemaskance。
"Andwhere'smygodfather？"askedFoma。
"Hewenttothebank。There'sameetingoftheboardofdirectorstoday。Electionofofficersistotakeplace。
"They'llelecthimagain。"
"Ofcourse。"
Andagaintheconversationbrokeoff。Fomabegantowatchthebrotherandthesister。Havingdroppedthespoon，Tarasslowlydrankhisteainbigsips，andsilentlymovingtheglassovertohissister，smiledtoher。She，too，smiledjoyouslyandhappily，seizedtheglassandbegantorinseitassiduously。Thenherfaceassumedastrainedexpression；sheseemedtoprepareherselfforsomethingandaskedherbrotherinalowvoice，almostreverently：
"Shallwereturntothebeginningofourconversation？"
"Ifyouplease，"assentedTaras，shortly。
"Yousaidsomething，butIdidn'tunderstand。Whatwasit？I
asked：'Ifallthisis，asyousay，Utopia，ifitisimpossible，dreams，thenwhatishetodowhoisnotsatisfiedwithlifeasitis？'"
Thegirlleanedherwholebodytowardherbrother，andhereyes，withstrainedexpectation，stoppedonthecalmfaceofherbrother。Heglancedatherinawearyway，movedaboutinhisseat，and，loweringhishead，saidcalmlyandimpressively：
"Wemustconsiderfromwhatsourcespringsthatdissatisfactionwithlife。Itseemstomethat，firstofall，itcomesfromtheinabilitytowork；fromthelackofrespectforwork。And，secondly，fromawrongconceptionofone'sownpowers。Themisfortuneofmostofthepeopleisthattheyconsiderthemselvescapableofdoingmorethantheyreallycan。Andyetonlylittleisrequiredofman：hemustselectforhimselfanoccupationtosuithispowersandmustmasteritaswellaspossible，asattentivelyaspossible。Youmustlovewhatyouaredoing，andthenlabour，beiteversorough，risestotheheightofcreativeness。Achair，madewithlove，willalwaysbeagood，beautifulandsolidchair。Andsoitiswitheverything。ReadSmiles。Haven'tyoureadhim？Itisaverysensiblebook。Itisasoundbook。ReadLubbock。Ingeneral，rememberthattheEnglishpeopleconstitutethenationmostqualifiedforlabour，whichfactexplainstheirastonishingsuccessinthedomainofindustryandcommerce。Withthemlabourisalmostacult。Theheightofculturestandsalwaysdirectlydependentupontheloveoflabour。
Andthehighertheculturethemoresatisfiedaretherequirementsofman，thefewertheobstaclesontheroadtowardthefurtherdevelopmentofman'srequirements。Happinessispossible——itisthecompletesatisfactionofrequirements。Thereitis。And，asyousee，man'shappinessisdependentuponhisrelationtowardhiswork。"
TarasMayakinspokeslowlyandlaboriously，asthoughitwereunpleasantandtediousforhimtospeak。AndLubov，withknittedbrow，leaningtowardhim，listenedtohiswordswitheagerattentioninhereyes，readytoaccepteverythingandimbibeitintohersoul。
"Well，andsupposeeverythingisrepulsivetoaman？"askedFoma，suddenly，inadeepvoice，castingaglanceatTaras'sface。
"Butwhat，inparticular，isrepulsivetotheman？"askedMayakin，calmly，withoutlookingatFoma。
Fomabenthishead，leanedhisarmsagainstthetableandthus，likeabull，wentontoexplainhimself：
"Nothingpleaseshim——business，work，allpeopleanddeeds。
SupposeIseethatallisdeceit，thatbusinessisnotbusiness，butmerelyaplugthatwepropupwithittheemptinessofoursouls；thatsomework，whileothersonlygiveordersandsweat，butgetmoreforthat。Whyisitso？Eh？"
"Icannotgraspyouridea，"announcedTaras，whenFomapaused，feelingonhimselfLubov'scontemptuousandangrylook。
"Youdonotunderstand？"askedFoma，lookingatTaraswithasmile。"Well，I'llputitinthisway：
Amanissailinginaboatontheriver。Theboatmaybegood，butunderitthereisalwaysadepthallthesame。Theboatissound，butifthemanfeelsbeneathhimthisdarkdepth，noboatcansavehim。"
TaraslookedatFomaindifferentlyandcalmly。Helookedinsilence，andsoftlytappedhisfingersontheedgeofthetable。
Lubovwasuneasilymovingaboutinherchair。Thependulumoftheclocktoldthesecondswithadull，sighingsound。AndFoma'sheartthrobbedslowlyandpainfully，asthoughconsciousthatherenoonewouldrespondwithawarmwordtoitspainfulperplexity。
"Workisnotexactlyeverythingforaman，"saidhe，moretohimselfthantothesepeoplewhohadnofaithinthesincerityofhiswords。"Itisnottruethatinworkliesjustification。Therearepeoplewhodonotworkatallduringalltheirliveslong，andyettheylivebetterthanthosethatdowork。Howisthat？
Andthetoilers——theyaremerelyunfortunate——horses！Othersrideonthem，theysufferandthat'sall。ButtheyhavetheirjustificationbeforeGod。Theywillbeasked：'Towhatpurposedidyoulive？'Thentheywillsay：'Wehadnotimetothinkofthat。Weworkedallourlives。'AndI——whatjustificationhaveI？
Andallthosepeoplewhogiveorders——howwilltheyjustifythemselves？Towhatpurposehavetheylived？Itismyideathateverybodynecessarilyoughttoknow，toknowfirmlywhatheislivingfor。"
Hebecamesilent，and，tossinghisheadup，exclaimedinaheavyvoice：
"Canitbethatmanisbornmerelytowork，acquiremoney，buildahouse，begetchildrenand——die？No，lifemeanssomething。Amanisborn，helivesanddies。Whatfor？Itisnecessary，byGod，itisnecessaryforallofustoconsiderwhatwearelivingfor。
Thereisnosenseinourlife。Nosensewhatever！Thenthingsarenotequal，thatcanbeseenatonce。Somearerich——theyhavemoneyenoughforathousandpeople，andtheyliveinidleness。
Othersbendtheirbacksovertheirworkalltheirlives，andyettheyhavenotevenagrosh。Andthedifferenceinpeopleisveryinsignificant。Therearesomethathavenotevenanytrousersandyettheyreasonasthoughtheywereattiredinsilks。"
Carriedawaybyhisthoughts，Fomawouldhavecontinuedtogivethemutterance，butTarasmovedhisarmchairawayfromthetable，roseandsaidsoftly，withasigh：
"No，thankyou！Idon'twantanymore。"
Fomabrokeoffhisspeechabruptly，shruggedhisshouldersandlookedatLubovwithasmile。
"Wherehaveyoupickedupsuchphilosophy？"sheasked，suspiciouslyanddrily。
"Thatisnotphilosophy。Thatissimplytorture！"saidFomainanundertone。"Openyoureyesandlookateverything。Thenyouwillthinksoyourself。"
"Bytheway，Luba，turnyourattentiontothefact，"beganTaras，standingwithhisbacktowardthetableandscrutinizingtheclock，"thatpessimismisperfectlyforeigntotheAnglo-Saxonrace。ThatwhichtheycallpessimisminSwiftandinByronisonlyaburning，sharpprotestagainsttheimperfectionoflifeandman。Butyoucannotfindamongthemthecold，wellweighedandpassivepessimism。"
Then，asthoughsuddenlyrecallingFoma，heturnedtohim，claspinghishandsbehindhisback，and，wrigglinghisthigh，said：
"Youraiseveryimportantquestions，andifyouareseriouslyinterestedinthemyoumustreadbooks。Inthemwillyoufindmanyveryvaluableopinionsastothemeaningoflife。Howaboutyou——doyoureadbooks？"
"No！"repliedFoma，briefly。
"Ah！"
"Idon'tlikethem。"
"Aha！Buttheymightneverthelessbeofsomehelptoyou，"saidTaras，andasmilepassedacrosshislips。
"Books？Sincemencannothelpmeinmythoughtsbookscancertainlydonothingforme，"ejaculatedFoma，morosely。
Hebegantofeelawkwardandwearywiththisindifferentman。Hefeltlikegoingaway，butatthesametimehewishedtotellLubovsomethinginsultingaboutherbrother，andhewaitedtillTaraswouldleavetheroom。Lubovwashedthedishes；herfacewasconcentratedandthoughtful；herhandsmovedlazily。Taraswaspacingtheroom，nowandthenhestoppedshortbeforethesideboardonwhichwasthesilverware，whistled，tappedhisfingersagainstthewindow-panesandexaminedthearticleswithhiseyeshalfshut。Thependulumoftheclockflashedbeneaththeglassdoorofthecaselikesomebroad，grinningface，andmonotonouslytoldtheseconds。WhenFomanoticedthatLubovglancedathimafewtimesquestioningly，withexpectantandhostilelooks，heunderstoodthathewasinherwayandthatshewasimpatientlyexpectinghimtoleave。
"Iamgoingtostayhereovernight，"saidhe，withasmile。"I
mustspeakwithmygodfather。Andthenitisratherlonesomeinmyhousealone。"
"ThengoandtellMarfushatomakethebedforyouinthecornerroom，"Lubovhastenedtoadvisehim。
"Ishall。"
Hearoseandwentoutofthedining-room。AndhesoonheardthatTarasaskedhissisteraboutsomethinginalowvoice。
"Aboutme！"hethought。Suddenlythiswickedthoughtflashedthroughhismind："Itwerebutrighttolistenandhearwhatwisepeoplehavetosay。"
Helaughedsoftly，and，steppingontiptoe，wentnoiselesslyintotheotherroom，alsoadjoiningthedining-room。Therewasnolightthere，andonlyathinbandoflightfromthedining-room，passingthroughtheuncloseddoor，layonthedarkfloor。Softly，withsinkingheartandmalicioussmile，Fomawalkedupclosetothedoorandstopped。
"He'saclumsyfellow，"saidTaras。
ThencameLubov'sloweredandhastyspeech：
"Hewascarousinghereallthetime。Hecarriedondreadfully！Itallstartedsomehowofasudden。Thefirstthinghedidwastothrashtheson-in-lawoftheVice-GovernorattheClub。Papahadtotakethegreatestpainstohushupthescandal，anditwasagoodthingthattheVice-Governor'sson-in-lawisamanofverybadreputation。Heisacard-sharperandingeneralashadypersonality，yetitcostfathermorethantwothousandroubles。
AndwhilepapawasbusyinghimselfaboutthatscandalFomacameneardrowningawholecompanyontheVolga。"
"Ha-ha！Howmonstrous！Andthatsamemanbusieshimselfwithinvestigatingastothemeaningoflife。"
"Onanotheroccasionhewascarousingonasteamerwithacompanyofpeoplelikehimself。Suddenlyhesaidtothem：'PraytoGod！
I'llflingeveryoneofyouoverboard！'Heisfrightfullystrong。
Theyscreamed，whilehesaid：'Iwanttoservemycountry。Iwanttocleartheearthofbasepeople。'"
"Really？That'sclever！"
"He'saterribleman！Howmanywildprankshehasperpetratedduringtheseyears！Howmuchmoneyhehassquandered！"
"And，tellme，onwhatconditionsdoesfathermanagehisaffairsforhim？Doyouknow？"
"No，Idon't。Hehasafullpowerofattorney。Whydoyouask？"
"Simplyso。It'sasolidbusiness。OfcourseitisconductedinpurelyRussianfashion；inotherwords，itisconductedabominably。Butitisasplendidbusiness，nevertheless。Ifitweremanagedproperlyitwouldbeamostprofitablegoldmine。"
"Fomadoesabsolutelynothing。Everythingisinfather'shands。"
"Yes？That'sfine。"
"Doyouknow，sometimesitoccurstomethathisthoughtfulframeofmind——thatthesewordsofhisaresincere，andthathecanbeverydecent。ButIcannotreconcilehisscandalouslifewithhiswordsandarguments。Icannotdoitunderanycircumstances！"
"Itisn'tevenworthwhiletobotheraboutit。Thestriplingandlazybonesseekstojustifyhislaziness。"
"No。Yousee，attimesheislikeachild。Hewasparticularlysobefore。"
"Well，that'swhatIhavesaid：he'sastripling。Isitworthwhiletalkingaboutanignoramusandasavage，whowishestoremainanignoramusandasavage，anddoesnotconcealthefact？
Yousee：hereasonsasthebearinthefablebenttheshafts。"
"Youareveryharsh。"
"Yes，Iamharsh！Peoplerequirethat。WeRussiansarealldesperatelyloose。Happily，lifeissoarrangedthat，whetherwewillitornot，wegraduallybraceup。Dreamsarefortheladsandmaidens，butforseriouspeoplethereisseriousbusiness。"
"SometimesIfeelverysorryforFoma。Whatwillbecomeofhim？"
"Thatdoesnotconcernme。Ibelievethatnothinginparticularwillbecomeofhim——neithergoodnorbad。Theinsipidfellowwillsquanderhismoneyaway，andwillberuined。Whatelse？Eh，thedeucetakehim！Suchpeopleasheisarerarenowadays。Nowthemerchantknowsthepowerofeducation。Andhe，thatfoster-
brotherofyours，hewillgotoruin。"
"That'strue，sir！"saidFoma，openingthedoorandappearingonthethreshold。
Pale，withknittedbrowandquiveringlips，hestaredstraightintoTaras'sfaceandsaidinadullvoice："True！Iwillgotoruinand——amen！Thesoonerthebetter！"
Lubovsprangupfromthechairwithfrightenedface，andranuptoTaras，whostoodcalmlyinthemiddleoftheroom，withhishandsthrustinhispockets。
"Foma！Oh！Shame！Youhavebeeneavesdropping。Oh，Foma！"saidsheinconfusion。
"Keepquiet，youlamb！"saidFomatoher。
"Yes，eavesdroppingiswrong！"ejaculatedTaras，slowly，withoutliftingfromFomahislookofcontempt。
"Letitbewrong！"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。"Isitmyfaultthatthetruthcanbelearnedbyeavesdroppingonly？"
"Goaway，Foma，please！"entreatedLubov，pressingclosetoherbrother。
"Perhapsyouhavesomethingtosaytome？"askedTaras，calmly。
"I？"exclaimedFoma。"WhatcanIsay？Icannotsayanything。Itisyouwho——you，Ibelieve，knoweverything。"
"Youhavenothingthentodiscusswithme？"askedTarasagain。
"Iamverypleased。"
HeturnedsidewaystoFomaandinquiredofLubov：
"Whatdoyouthink——willfatherreturnsoon？"
Fomalookedathim，and，feelingsomethingakintorespectfortheman，deliberatelyleftthehouse。Hedidnotfeellikegoingtohisownhugeemptyhouse，whereeachstepofhisawakenedaringingecho，hestrolledalongthestreet，whichwasenvelopedinthemelancholygraytwilightoflateautumn。HethoughtofTarasMayakin。
"Howsevereheis。Hetakesafterhisfather。Onlyhe'snotsorestless。He'salsoacunningrogue，Ithink，whileLubkaregardedhimalmostasasaint。Thatfoolishgirl！Whatasermonhereadtome！Aregularjudge。Andshe——shewaskindtowardme。"
Butallthesethoughtsstirredinhimnofeelings——neitherhatredtowardTarasnorsympathyforLubov。Hecarriedwithhimsomethingpainfulanduncomfortable，somethingincomprehensibletohim，thatkeptgrowingwithinhisbreast，anditseemedtohimthathisheartwasswollenandwasgnawingasthoughfromanabscess。Hehearkenedtothatunceasingandindomitablepain，noticedthatitwasgrowingmoreandmoreacutefromhourtohour，and，notknowinghowtoallayit，waitedfortheresults。
Thenhisgodfather'strotterpassedhim。FomasawinthecarriagethesmallfigureofYakovMayakin，buteventhatarousednofeelinginhim。AlamplighterranpastFoma，overtookhim，placedhisladderagainstthelamppostandwentup。Theladdersuddenlyslippedunderhisweight，andhe，claspingthelamppost，cursedloudlyandangrily。AgirljostledFomainthesidewithherbundleandsaid：
"Excuseme。"
Heglancedatherandsaidnothing。Thenadrizzlingrainbegantofallfromthesky——tiny，scarcelyvisibledropsofmoistureovercastthelightsofthelanternsandtheshopwindowswithgrayishdust。Thisdustmadehimbreathewithdifficulty。
"ShallIgotoYozhovandpassthenightthere？Imightdrinkwithhim，"thoughtFomaandwentawaytoYozhov，nothavingtheslightestdesireeithertoseethefeuilleton-writerortodrinkwithhim。
AtYozhov'shefoundashaggyfellowsittingonthelounge。Hehadonablouseandgraypantaloons。Hisfacewasswarthy，asthoughsmoked，hiseyeswerelarge，immobileandangry，histhickupperlipwascoveredwithabristle-like，soldiermoustache。Hewassittingonthelounge，withhisfeetclaspedinhishugearmsandhischinrestingonhisknees。Yozhovsatsidewaysinachair，withhislegsthrownacrossthearmofthechair。Amongbooksandnewspapersonthetablestoodabottleofvodkaandtherewasanodourofsomethingsaltyintheroom。
"Whyareyoutrampingabout？"YozhovaskedFoma，and，noddingathim，saidtothemanonthelounge："Gordyeeff！"
Themanglancedatthenewcomerandsaidinaharsh，shrillvoice："Krasnoshchokov。"
FomaseatedhimselfonacorneroftheloungeandsaidtoYozhov：
"Ihavecometostayhereovernight。"
"Well？Goon，Vasily。"
ThelatterglancedatFomaaskanceandwentoninacreakingvoice：
"Inmyopinion，youareattackingthestupidpeopleinvain。
Masaniellowasafool，butwhathadtobeperformedwasdoneinthebestwaypossible。AndthatWinkelriedwascertainlyafoolalso，andyethadhenotthrusttheimperialspearsintohimselftheSwisswouldhavebeenthrashed。Havetherenotbeenmanyfoolslikethat？Yettheyaretheheroes。Andthecleverpeoplearethecowards。Wheretheyoughttodealtheobstacleablowwithalltheirmighttheystoptoreflect：'Whatwillcomeofit？
Perhapswemayperishinvain？'Andtheystandtherelikeposts——
untiltheybreathetheirlast。Andthefoolisbrave！Herushesheadforemostagainstthewall——bang！Ifhisskullbreaks——whatofit？Calves'headsarenotdear。Andifhemakesacrackinthewallthecleverpeoplewillpickitopenintogates，willpassandcreditthemselveswiththehonour。No，NikolayMatveyich，braveryisagoodthingeventhoughitbewithoutreason。"
"Vasily，youaretalkingnonsense！"saidYozhov，stretchinghishandtowardhim。
"Ah，ofcourse！"assentedVasily。"HowamItosipcabbagesoupwithabastshoe？AndyetIamnotblind。Icansee。Thereisplentyofbrains，butnogoodcomesofit。Duringthetimethecleverpeoplethinkandreflectastohowtoactinthewisestway，thefoolswilldownthem。That'sall。"
"Waitalittle！"saidYozhov。
"Ican't！Iamondutytoday。Iamratherlateasitis。I'lldropintomorrow——mayI？"
"Come！I'llgivearoasting！"
"That'sexactlyyourbusiness。"
Vasilyadjustedhimselfslowly，rosefromthelounge，tookYozhov'syellow，thinlittlehandinhisbig，swarthypawandpressedit。
"Goodbye！"
ThenhenoddedtowardFomaandwentthroughthedoorsideways。
"Haveyouseen？"YozhovaskedFoma，pointinghishandatthedoor，behindwhichtheheavyfootstepsstillresounded。
"Whatsortofamanishe？"
"Assistantmachinist，VaskaKrasnoshchokov。Here，takeanexamplefromhim：Attheageoffifteenhebegantostudy，toreadandwrite，andattwenty-eighthehasreadthedevilknowshowmanygoodbooks，andhasmasteredtwolanguagestoperfection。Nowhe'sgoingabroad。"
"Whatfor？"inquiredFoma。
"Tostudy。Toseehowpeoplelivethere，whileyoulanguishhere——
whatfor？"
"Hespokesensiblyofthefools，"saidFoma，thoughtfully。
"Idon'tknow，forIamnotafool。"
"Thatwaswellsaid。Thestupidmanoughttoactatonce。Rushforwardandoverturn。"
"There，he'sbrokenloose！"exclaimedYozhov。"YoubettertellmewhetheritistruethatMayakin'ssonhasreturned？"
"Yes。"
"Whydoyouask？"
"Nothing。"
"Icanseebyyourfacethatthereissomething。"
"Weknowallabouthisson；we'veheardabouthim。"
"ButIhaveseenhim。"
"Well？Whatsortofmanishe？"
"Thedevilknowshim！WhathaveItodowithhim？"
"Ishelikehisfather？"
"He'sstouter，plumper；thereismoreseriousnessabouthim；heissocold。"
"WhichmeansthathewillbeevenworsethanYashka。Well，now，mydear，beonyourguardortheywillsuckyoudry。"
"Well，letthemdoit！"
"They'llrobyou。You'llbecomeapauper。ThatTarasfleecedhisfather-in-lawinYekateringburgsocleverly。"
"Lethimfleecemetoo，ifhelikes。Ishallnotsayawordtohimexcept'thanks。'"
"Youarestillsingingthatsameoldtune？"
"Yes。"
"Tobesetatliberty。"
"Yes。"
"Dropit！Whatdoyouwantfreedomfor？Whatwillyoudowithit？
Don'tyouknowthatyouarenotfitforanything，thatyouareilliterate，thatyoucertainlycannotevensplitalogofwood？
Now，ifIcouldonlyfreemyselffromthenecessityofdrinkingvodkaandeatingbread！"
Yozhovjumpedtohisfeet，and，stoppinginfrontofFoma，begantospeakinaloudvoice，asthoughdeclaiming：
"Iwouldgathertogethertheremainsofmywoundedsoul，andtogetherwiththebloodofmyheartIwouldspitthemintothefaceofourintelligentsociety，thedeviltakeit！Iwouldsaytothem：
'Youinsects，youarethebestsapofmycountry！ThefactofyourexistencehasbeenrepaidbythebloodandthetearsofscoresofgenerationsofRussianpeople。0，younits！Howdearlyyourcountryhaspaidforyou！Whatareyoudoingforitssakeinreturn？Haveyoutransformedthetearsofthepastintopearls？
Whathaveyoucontributedtowardlife？Whathaveyouaccomplished？Youhavepermittedyourselvestobeconquered？Whatareyoudoing？Youpermityourselvestobemocked。"'
Hestampedhisfeetwithrage，andsettinghisteethtogetherstaredatFomawithburning，angrylooks，andresembledaninfuriatedwildbeast。
"Iwouldsaytothem：'You！Youreasontoomuch，butyouarenotverywise，andyouareutterlypowerless，andyouareallcowards！Yourheartsarefilledupwithmoralityandnobleintentions，buttheyareassoftandwarmasfeatherbeds；thespiritofcreativenesssleepswithinthemaprofoundandcalmsleep，andyourheartsdonotthrob，theymerelyrockslowly，likecradles。'Dippingmyfingerinthebloodofmyheart，I
wouldsmearupontheirbrowsthebrandsofmyreproaches，andthey，paupersinspirit，miserableintheirself-contentment，theywouldsuffer。Oh，howtheywouldsuffer！Myscourgeissharp，myhandisfirm！AndIlovetoodeeplytohavecompassion！
Theywouldsuffer！Andnowtheydonotsuffer，fortheyspeakoftheirsufferingstoomuch，toooften，andtooloud！Theylie！
Genuinesufferingismute，andgenuinepassionknowsnobounds！
Passions，passions！Whenwilltheyspringupintheheartsofmen？Weareallmiserablebecauseofapathy。"
Shortofbreathheburstintoafitofcoughing，hecoughedforalongtime，hoppingabouthitherandthither，wavinghishandslikeamadman。AndthenheagainstoppedinfrontofFomawithpalefaceandblood-shoteyes。Hebreathedheavily，hislipstremblednowandthen，displayinghissmall，sharpteeth。
Dishevelled，withhisheadcoveredwithshortheir，helookedlikeaperchjustthrownoutofthewater。ThiswasnotthefirsttimeFomasawhiminsuchastate，and，asalways，hewasinfectedbyhisagitation。Helistenedtothefierywordsofthesmallman，silently，withoutattemptingtounderstandtheirmeaning，havingnodesiretoknowagainstwhomtheyweredirected，absorbingtheirforceonly。Yozhov'swordsbubbledonlikeboilingwater，andheatedhissoul。
"Iwillsaytothem，tothosemiserableidlers：
'Look！Lifegoesonward，leavingyoubehind！"'
"Eh！That'sfine！"exclaimedFoma，ecstatically，andbegantomoveaboutonthelounge。"You'reahero，Nikolay！Oh！Goahead！
Throwitrightintotheirfaces！"
ButYozhovwasnotinneedofencouragement，itseemedevenasthoughhehadnotheardatallFoma'sexclamations，andhewenton：
"Iknowthelimitationsofmypowers。Iknowthey'llshoutatme：
'Holdyourpeace！'They'lltellme：'Keepsilence！'Theywillsayitwisely，theywillsayitcalmly，mockingme，theywillsayitfromtheheightoftheirmajesty。IknowIamonlyasmallbird，0h，Iamnotanightingale！ComparedwiththemIamanignorantman，Iamonlyafeuilleton-writer，amantoamusethepublic。
Letthemcryandsilenceme，letthemdoit！Ablowwillfallonmycheek，buttheheartwillneverthelesskeeponthrobbing！AndIwillsaytothem：
"'Yes，Iamanignorantman！AndmyfirstadvantageoveryouisthatIdonotknowasinglebook-truthdearertomethanaman！
Manistheuniverse，andmayheliveforeverwhocarriesthewholeworldwithinhim！Andyou，'Iwillsay，'forthesakeofawordwhich，perhaps，doesnotalwayscontainameaningcomprehensibletoyou，forthesakeofawordyouofteninflictsoresandwoundsononeanother，forthesakeofawordyouspurtoneanotherwithbile，youassaultthesoul。Forthis，believeme，lifewillseverelycallyoutoaccount：astormwillbreakloose，anditwillwhiskandwashyouofftheearth，aswindandrainwhiskandwashthedustoffatreeIThereisinhumanlanguageonlyonewordwhosemeaningisclearanddeartoeverybody，andwhenthatwordispronounced，itsoundsthus：
'Freedom！'"
"Crushon！"roaredFoma，jumpingupfromtheloungeandgraspingYozhovbytheshoulders。WithflashingeyeshegazedintoYozhov'sface，bendingtowardhim，andalmostmoanedwithgriefandaffliction："Oh！Nikolay！Mydearfellow，Iammortallysorryforyou！Iammoresorrythanwordscantell！"
"What'sthis？What'sthematterwithyou？"criedYozhov，pushinghimaway，amazedandshiftedfromhispositionbyFoma'sunexpectedoutburstandstrangewords。
"Oh，brother！"saidFoma，loweringhisvoice，whichthussoundeddeeper，morepersuasive。"Oh，livingsoul，whydoyousinktoruin？"
"Who？I？Isink？Youlie！"
"Mydearboy！Youwillnotsayanythingtoanybody！Thereisnoonetospeakto！Whowilllistentoyou？OnlyI！"
"Gotothedevil！"shoutedYozhov，angrily，jumpingawayfromhimasthoughhehadbeenscorched。
AndFomawenttowardhim，andspokeconvincingly，withintensesorrow：
"Speak！speaktome！Ishallcarryawayyourwordstotheproperplace。Iunderstandthem。And，ah！howIwillscorchthepeople！
Justwait！Myopportunitywillcome。"
"Goaway！"screamedYozhov，hysterically，squeezinghisbacktothewall，underFoma'spressure。Perplexed，crushed，andinfuriatedhestoodandwavedoffFoma'sarmsoutstretchedtowardhim。Andatthistimethedooroftheroomopened，andonthethresholdappearedawomanallinblack。Herfacewasangry-
lookingandexcited，hercheekwastiedupwithakerchief。Shetossedherheadback，stretchedoutherhandtowardYozhovandsaid，inahissingandshrillvoice：
"NikolayMatveyich！Excuseme，butthisisimpossible！Suchbeast-likehowlingandroaring。Guestseveryday。Thepolicearecoming。No，Ican'tbearitanylonger！Iamnervous。Pleasevacatethelodgingsto-morrow。Youarenotlivinginadesert，therearepeopleaboutyouhere。Andaneducatedmanatthat！A
writer！Allpeoplerequirerest。Ihaveatoothache。Irequestyoutomovetomorrow。I'llpasteupanotice，I'llnotifythepolice。"
Shespokerapidly，andthemajorityofherwordswerelostinthehissingandwhistlingofhervoice；onlythosewordsweredistinct，whichsheshriekedoutinashrill，irritatedtone。Thecornersofherkerchiefprotrudedonherheadlikesmallhorns，andshookfromthemovementofherjaws。AtthesightofheragitatedandcomicalfigureFomagraduallyretreatedtowardthelounge，whileYozhovstood，andwipinghisforehead，staredatherfixedly，andlistenedtoherwords：
"Soknowitnow！"shescreamed，andbehindthedoor，shesaidoncemore：
"Tomorrow！Whatanoutrage。"
"Devil！"whisperedYozhov，staringdullyatthedoor。
"Yes！whatawoman！Howstrict！"saidFoma，lookingathiminamazement，asheseatedhimselfonthelounge。
Yozhov，raisinghisshoulders，walkeduptothetable，pouredoutahalfatea-glassfullofvodka，emptieditandsatdownbythetable，bowinghisheadlow。Therewassilenceforaboutaminute。
ThenFomasaid，timidlyandsoftly：
"Howitallhappened！Wehadnotimeeventowinkaneye，and，suddenly，suchanoutcome。Ah！"
"You！"saidYozhovinanundertone，tossinguphishead，andstaringatFomaangrilyandwildly。"Keepquiet！You，thedeviltakeyou。Liedownandsleep！Youmonster。Nightmare。Oh！"
AndhethreatenedFomawithhisfist。Thenhefilledtheglasswithmorebrandy，andemptieditagain。
AfewminuteslaterFomalayundressedonthelounge，and，withhalf-shuteyes，followedYozhovwhosatbythetableinanawkwardpose。Hestaredatthefloor，andhislipswerequietlymoving。Fomawasastonished，hecouldnotmakeoutwhyYozhovhadbecomeangryathim。Itcouldnotbebecausehehadbeenorderedtomoveout。Foritwashehimselfwhohadbeenshouting。
"0hdevil！"whisperedYozhov，andgnashedhisteeth。
Fomaquietlyliftedhisheadfromthepillow。Yozhovdeeplyandnoisilysighing，againstretchedouthishandtowardthebottle。
ThenFomasaidtohimsoftly：
"Let'sgotosomehotel。Itisn'tlateyet。"
Yozhovlookedathim，and，rubbinghisheadwithhishands，begantolaughstrangely。ThenherosefromhischairandsaidtoFomacurtly：
"Dressyourself！"
Andseeinghowclumsilyandslowlyheturnedonthelounge，Yozhovshoutedwithangerandimpatience：
"Well，bequicker！Youpersonificationofstupidity。Yousymbolicalcart-shaft。"
"Don'tcurse！"saidFoma，withapeaceablesmile。"Isitworthwhiletobeangrybecauseawomanhascackled？"
Yozhovglancedathim，spatandburstintoharshlaughter。
CHAPTERXIII
"AREallhere？"askedIlyaYefimovichKononov，standingonthebowofhisnewsteamer，andsurveyingthecrowdofguestswithbeamingeyes。
"Itseemstobeall！"
Andraisingupwardhisstout，red，happy-lookingface，heshoutedtothecaptain，whowasalreadystandingonthebridge，besidethespeaking-tube：
"Castoff，Petrukha！"
"Yes，sir！"
Thecaptainbaredhishuge，baldhead，madethesignofthecross，glancingupatthesky，passedhishandoverhiswide，blackbeard，clearedhisthroat，andgavethecommand：
"Back！"
Theguestswatchedthemovementsofthecaptainsilentlyandattentively，and，emulatinghisexample，theyalsobegantocrossthemselves，atwhichperformancetheircapsandhighhatsflashedthroughtheairlikeaflockofblackbirds。
GiveusThyblessing，0hLord！"exclaimedKononovwithemotion。
"Letgoastern！Forward！"orderedthecaptain。Themassive"IlyaMurometz，"heavingamightysigh，emittedathickcolumnofwhitesteamtowardthesideofthelanding-bridge，andstartedupstreameasily，likeaswan。
"Howitstartedoff，"enthusiasticallyexclaimedcommercialcounsellorLupGrigoryevReznikov，atall，thin，good-lookingman。"Withoutaquiver！Likealadyinthedance！"
"Halfspeed！"
"It'snotaship，it'saLeviathan！"remarkedwithadevoutsighthepock-markedandstoopingTrofimZubov，cathedral-wardenandprincipalusurerintown。
Itwasagrayday。Thesky，overcastwithautumnclouds，wasreflectedinthewateroftheriver，thusgivingitacoldleadencolouring。Flashinginthefreshnessofitspaintthesteamersailedalongthemonotonousbackgroundoftheriverlikeahugebrightspot，andtheblacksmokeofitsbreathhungintheairlikeaheavycloud。Allwhite，withpinkpaddle-boxesandbrightredblades，thesteamereasilycutthroughthecoldwaterwithitsbowanddroveitaparttowardtheshores，andtheroundwindow-panesonthesidesofthesteamerandthecabinglitteredbrilliantly，asthoughsmilingaself-satisfied，triumphantsmile。
"Gentlemenofthishonourablecompany！"exclaimedKononov，removinghishat，andmakingalowbowtotheguests。"AswehavenowrendereduntoGod，sotosay，whatisduetoGod，wouldyoupermitthatthemusiciansrendernowuntotheEmperorwhatisduetotheEmperor？"
And，withoutwaitingforananswerfromhisguests，heplacedhisfisttohismouth，andshouted：
"Musicians！Play'BeGlorious！'"
Themilitaryorchestra，behindtheengine，thunderedoutthemarch。
AndMakarBobrov，thedirectorandfounderofthelocalcommercialbank，begantohuminapleasantbasso，beatingtimewithhisfingersonhisenormouspaunch：
"Beglorious，beglorious，ourRussianCzar——tra-rata！Boom！"
"Iinviteyoutothetable，gentlemen！Please！Takepot-luck，he，he！Ientreatyouhumbly，"saidKononov，pushinghimselfthroughthedensegroupofguests。
Therewereaboutthirtyofthem，allsedatemen，thecreamofthelocalmerchants。Theoldermenamongthem，bald-headedandgray，woreold-fashionedfrock-coats，capsandtallboots。Buttherewereonlyfewofthese；highsilkhats，shoesandstylishcoatsreignedsupreme。Theywereallcrowdedonthebowofthesteamer，andlittlebylittle，yieldingtoKononov'srequests，movedtowardsthesterncoveredwithsailcloth，wherestoodtablesspreadwithlunch。LupReznikovwalkedarminarmwithYakovMayakin，and，bendingovertohisear，whisperedsomethingtohim，whilethelatterlistenedandsmiled。Foma，whohadbeenbroughttothefestivalbyhisgodfather，afterlongadmonitions，foundnocompanionforhimselfamongthesepeoplewhowererepulsivetohim，and，paleandgloomy，heldhimselfapartfromthem。DuringthepasttwodayshehadbeendrinkingheavilywithYozhov，andnowhehadaterribleheadache。Hefeltillateaseinthesedateandyetjollycompany；thehummingofthevoices，thethunderingofthemusicandtheclamourofthesteamer，alltheseirritatedhim。
Hefeltapressingneedtodozeoff，andhecouldfindnorestfromthethoughtastowhyhisgodfatherwassokindtohimtoday，andwhyhebroughthimhitherintothecompanyoftheforemostmerchantsofthetown。Whyhadheurgedsopersuasively，andevenentreatedhimtoattendKononov'smassandbanquet？
"Don'tbefoolish，come！"Fomarecalledhisgodfather'sadmonitions。"Whydoyoufightshyofpeople？Mangetshischaracterfromnature，andinrichesyouarelowerthanveryfew。
Youmustkeepyourselfonanequalfootingwiththeothers。
Come！"
"Butwhenareyougoingtospeakseriouslywithme，papa？"Fomahadasked，watchingtheplayofhisgodfather'sfaceandgreeneyes。
"Youmeanaboutsettingyoufreefromthebusiness？Ha，ha！We'lltalkitover，we'lltalkitover，myfriend！Whataqueerfellowyouare。Well？Willyouenteramonasterywhenyouhavethrownawayyourwealth？Aftertheexampleofthesaints？Eh？"
"I'llseethen！"Fomahadanswered。
"So。Well，andmeanwhile，beforeyougotothemonastery，comealongwithme！Getreadyquickly。Rubyourphizwithsomethingwet，foritisverymuchswollen。Sprinkleyourselfwithcologne，getitfromLubov，todriveawaythesmellofthekabak。Goahead！"
Arrivingonthesteamerwhilethemasswasinprogress，Fomatookupaplaceonthesideandwatchedthemerchantsduringthewholeservice。
Theystoodinsolemnsilence；theirfaceshadanexpressionofdevoutconcentration；theyprayedwithfervour，deeplysighing，bowinglow，devoutlyliftingtheireyesheavenward。AndFomalookednowatone，nowatanother，andrecalledwhatheknewaboutthem。
TherewasLupReznikov；hehadbegunhiscareerasabrothel-
keeper，andhadbecomerichallofasudden。Theysaidhehadstrangledoneofhisguests，arichSiberian。Zubov'sbusinessinhisyouthhadbeentopurchasethreadfromthepeasants。Hehadfailedtwice。Kononovhadbeentriedtwentyyearsagoforarson，andevennowhewasindictedfortheseductionofaminor。
Togetherwithhim，forthesecondtimealready，onasimilarcharge，ZakharKirillovRobustovhadbeendraggedtocourt。
Robustovwasastout，shortmerchantwitharoundfaceandcheerfulblueeyes。AmongthesepeopletherewashardlyoneaboutwhomFomadidnotknowsomethingdisgraceful。
AndheknewthattheywereallsurelyenvyingthesuccessfulKononov，whowasconstantlyincreasingthenumberofhissteamersfromyeartoyear。Manyofthosepeoplewereatdaggers'pointswithoneanother，noneofthemwouldshowmercytotheothersinthebattlefieldofbusiness，andallknewwickedanddishonestthingsaboutoneanother。Butnow，whentheygatheredaroundKononov，whowastriumphantandhappy，theyblendedinonedense，darkmass，andstoodandbreathedasoneman，concentratedandsilent，surroundedbysomethinginvisibleyetfirm，bysomethingwhichrepulsedFomafromthem，andwhichinspiredhimwithfearofthem。
"Impostors！"thoughthe，thusencouraginghimself。
Andtheycoughedgently，sighed，crossedthemselves，bowed，and，surroundingtheclergyinathickwall，stoodimmovableandfirm，likebig，blackrocks。
"Theyarepretending！"Fomaexclaimedtohimself。Besidehimstoodthehump-backed，one-eyedPavlinGushchin——hewho，notlongbefore，hadturnedthechildrenofhishalf-wittedbrotherintothestreetasbeggars——hestoodthereandwhisperedpenetratinglyashelookedatthegloomyskywithhissingleeye：
"0hLord！DonotconvictmeinThywrath，norchastisemeinThyindignation。"
AndFomafeltthatthatmanwasaddressingtheLordwiththemostprofoundandfirmfaithinHismercy。
"0hLord，Godofourfathers，whohadstcommandedNoah，Thyservant，tobuildanarkforthepreservationoftheworld，"saidthepriestinhisdeepbassvoice，liftinghiseyesandoutstretchinghishandsskyward，"protectalsothisvesselandgiveuntoitaguardingangelofgoodandpeace。Guardthosethatwillsailuponit。"
Themerchantsinunisonmadethesignofthecross，withwideswingsoftheirarms，andalltheirfacesboretheexpressionofonesentiment——faithinthepowerofprayer。AllthesepicturestookrootinFoma'smemoryandawakenedinhimperplexityastothesepeople，who，beingabletobelievefirmlyinthemercyofGod，were，nevertheless，socrueluntoman。Hewatchedthempersistently，wishingtodetecttheirfraud，toconvincehimselfoftheirfalsehood。
Theirgravefirmnessangeredhim，theirunanimousself-
confidence，theirtriumphantfaces，theirloudvoices，theirlaughter。Theywerealreadyseatedbythetables，coveredwithluncheon，andwerehungrilyadmiringthehugesturgeon，almostthreeyardsinlength，nicelysprinkledoverwithgreensandlargecrabs。TrofimZubov，tyinganapkinaroundhisneck，lookedatthemonsterfishwithhappy，sweetlyhalf-shuteyes，andsaidtohisneighbour，theflourmerchant，YonaYushkov：
"YonaNikiforich！Look，it'saregularwhale！It'sbigenoughtoserveasacasketforyourperson，eh？Ha，ha！Youcouldcreepintoitasafootintoaboot，eh？Ha，ha！"
Thesmall-bodiedandplumpYonacarefullystretchedouthisshortlittlehandtowardthesilverpailfilledwithfreshcaviar，smackedhislipsgreedily，andsquintedatthebottlesbeforehim，fearinglesthemightoverturnthem。
OppositeKononov，onatrestle，stoodahalf-vedrobarrelofoldvodka，importedfromPoland；inahugesilver-mountedshelllayoysters，andacertainparticolouredcake，intheshapeofatower，stoodoutabovealltheviands。
"Gentlemen！Ientreatyou！Helpyourselvestowhateveryouplease！"criedKononov。"Ihavehereeverythingatoncetosuitthetasteofeveryone。Thereisourown，Russianstuff，andthereisforeign，allatonce！That'sthebestway！Whowishesanything？Doesanybodywantsnails，orthesecrabs，eh？They'refromIndia，Iamtold。"
AndZubovsaidtohisneighbour，Mayakin：
"Theprayer'AttheBuildingofaVessel'isnotsuitableforsteam-tugsandriversteamers，thatis，notthatitisnotsuitable，itisn'tenoughalone。Ariversteamerisaplaceofpermanentresidenceforthecrew，andthereforeitoughttobeconsideredasahouse。Consequentlyitisnecessarytomaketheprayer'AttheBuildingofaHouse，'inadditiontothatforthevessel。Butwhatwillyoudrink？"
"Iamnotmuchofawinefiend。Pourmeoutsomecuminvodka，"
repliedYakovTarasovich。
Foma，seatedattheendofthetableamongsometimidandmodestmenwhowereunfamiliartohim，nowandagainfeltonhimselfthesharpglancesoftheoldman。
"He'safraidI'llmakeascandal，"thoughtFoma。"Brethren！"
roaredthemonstrouslystoutshipbuilderYashchurov，inahoarsevoice，"Ican'tdowithoutherring！Imustnecessarilybeginwithherring，that'smynature。"
"Musicians！strikeup'ThePersianMarch！"
"Holdon！Better'HowGlorious！'"
"Strikeup'HowGlorious。"'