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