Cometoyoursenses！Asweetheartattheageofsixty-three！Andatsuchapriceasthis。Whatareyoutalkingabout？Well，I'lltellthistoIgnat。"
　　AndMayakinfilledtheairwithajarring，hastylaughter，atwhichhisgoat-likebeardbegantotrembleinanuncomelymanner。IttookFomaalongtimetoobtainacategoricalanswer；theoldman，contrarytohishabit，wasrestlessandirritated；hisspeech，usuallyfluent，wasnowinterrupted；hewasswearingandexpectoratingashespoke，anditwaswithdifficultythatFomalearnedwhatthematterwas。
　　SophyaPavlovnaMedinskaya，thewealthyarchitect'swife，whowaswellknowninthecityforhertirelesseffortsinthelineofarrangingvariouscharitableprojects，persuadedIgnattoendowseventy-fivethousandroublesfortheerectionofalodging-houseinthecityandofapubliclibrarywithareading-room。Ignathadgiventhemoney，andalreadythenewspaperslaudedhimforhisgenerosity。Fomahadseenthewomanmorethanonceonthestreets；shewasshort；heknewthatshewasconsideredasoneofthemostbeautifulwomeninthecity，andthatbadrumourswereafootastoherbehaviour。
　　"Isthatall？"exclaimedFoma，whenhisgodfatherconcludedthestory。
　　"AndIthoughtGodknowswhat！"
　　"You？Youthought？"criedMayakin，suddenlygrownangry。"Youthoughtnothing，youbeardlessyoungster！"
　　"Whydoyouabuseme？"Fomasaid。
　　"Tellme，inyouropinion，isseventy-fivethousandroublesabigsumornot？"
　　"Yes，abigsum，"saidFoma，afteramoment'sthought。
　　"Ah，ha！"
　　"Butmyfatherhasmuchmoney。Whydoyoumakesuchafussaboutit？"
　　YakovTarasovichwastakenaback。Helookedintotheyouth'sfacewithcontemptandaskedhiminafaintvoice：
　　"Andyouspeaklikethis？"
　　"I？Whothen？"
　　"Youlie！Itisyouryoungfoolishnessthatspeaks。Yes！Andmyoldfoolishness——broughttotestamilliontimesbylife——saysthatyouareayoungdogasyet，anditistooearlyforyoutobarkinabasso。"
　　Fomahearingthis，hadoftenbeenquiteprovokedbyhisgodfather'stoopicturesquelanguage。
　　Mayakinalwaysspoketohimmoreroughlythanhisfather，butnowtheyouthfeltverymuchoffendedbytheoldmanandsaidtohimreservedly，butfirmly：
　　"Youhadbetternotabusemewithoutreflection，forIamnolongerasmallchild。"
　　"Come，come！"exclaimedMayakin，mockinglyliftinghiseyebrowsandsquinting。
　　ThisrousedFoma'sindignation。Helookedfullintotheoldman'seyesandarticulatedwithemphasis：
　　"AndIamtellingyouthatIdon'twanttohearanymoreofthatundeservedabuseofyours。Enough！"
　　"Mm！So-o！Pardonme。"
　　YakovTarasovichclosedhiseyes，chewedalittlewithhislips，and，turningasidefromhisgodson，keptsilentforawhile。Thecarriageturnedintoanarrowstreet，and，noticingfromafartheroofofhishouse，Fomainvoluntarilymovedforward。AtthesametimeMayakinaskedhimwitharoguishandgentlesmile：
　　"Foma！Tellme——onwhomyouhavesharpenedyourteeth？Eh？"
　　"Why，aretheysharp？"askedFoma，pleasedwiththemannerinwhichMayakinnowregardedhim。
　　"Prettygood。That'sgood，dear。That'sverygood！YourfatherandIwereafraidlestyoushouldbealaggard。Well，haveyoulearnedtodrinkvodka？"
　　"Idrankit。"
　　"Rathertoosoon！Didyoudrinkmuchofit？"
　　"Whymuch？"
　　"Doesittastegood？"
　　"Notvery。"
　　"So。Nevermind，allthisisnotsobad。Onlyyouaretoooutspoken。
　　Youarereadytoconfessallyoursinstoeachandeverypopethatcomesalong。Youmustconsideritisn'talwaysnecessarytodothat。
　　Sometimesbykeepingsilentyoubothpleasepeopleandcommitnosins。Yes。A
　　man'stongueisveryseldomsober。Hereweare。See，yourfatherdoesnotknowthatyouhavearrived。Ishehomeyet，Iwonder？"
　　Hewasathome：hisloud，somewhathoarselaughterwasheardfromtheopenwindowsoftherooms。Thenoiseofthecarriage，whichstoppedatthehouse，causedIgnattolookoutofthewindow，andatthesightofhissonhecriedoutwithjoy：
　　"Ah！You'vecome。"
　　AfterawhilehepressedFomatohisbreastwithonehand，and，pressingthepalmofhisotherhandagainsthisson'sforehead，thusbendinghisheadback，helookedintohisfacewithbeamingeyesandspokecontentedly：
　　"Youaresunburnt。You'vegrownstrong。You'reafinefellow！Madame！
　　How'smyson？Isn'thefine？"
　　"Notbadlooking，"agentle，silvervoicewasheard。Fomaglancedfrombehindhisfather'sshoulderandnoticedthataslenderwomanwithmagnificentfairhairwassittinginthefrontcorneroftheroom，restingherelbowsonthetable；herdarkeyes，herthineyebrowsandplump，redlipsstrikinglydefinedonherpaleface。Behindherarmchairstoodalargephilodendron-plantwhosebig，figuredleaveswerehangingdownintheairoverherlittlegoldenhead。
　　"Howdoyoudo，SophyaPavlovna，"saidMayakin，tenderly，approachingherwithhishandoutstretched。"What，areyoustillcollectingcontributionsfrompoorpeoplelikeus？"
　　Fomabowedtohermutely，nothearingheranswertoMayakin，norwhathisfatherwassayingtohim。Theladystaredathimsteadfastlyandsmiledtohimaffablyandserenely。Herchildlikefigure，clothedinsomekindofdarkfabric，wasalmostblendedwiththecrimsonstuffofthearmchair，whileherwavy，goldenhairandherpalefaceshoneagainstthedarkbackground。Sittingthereinthecorner，beneaththegreenleaves，shelookedatoncelikeaflower，andlikeanikon。
　　"See，SophyaPavlovna，howheisstaringatyou。Aneagle，eh？"
　　saidIgnat。
　　Hereyesbecamenarrower，afaintblushleapedtohercheeks，andsheburstintolaughter。Itsoundedlikethetinklingofalittlesilverbell。Andsheimmediatelyarose，saying：
　　"Iwouldn'tdisturbyou。Good-bye！"
　　WhenshewentpastFomanoiselessly，thescentofperfumecametohim，andhenoticedthathereyesweredarkblue，andhereyebrowsalmostblack。
　　"Theslyrogueglidedaway，"saidMayakininalowvoice，angrilylookingafterher。
　　"Well，tellushowwasthetrip？Haveyousquanderedmuchmoney？"
　　roaredIgnat，pushinghissonintothesamearmchairwhereMedinskayahadbeensittingawhilebefore。Fomalookedathimaskanceandseatedhimselfinanotherchair。
　　"Isn'tsheabeautifulyoungwoman，eh？"saidMayakin，smiling，feelingFomawithhiscunningeyes。"Ifyoukeepongapingathershewilleatawayallyourinsides。"
　　Fomashudderedforsomereasonorother，and，sayingnothinginreply，begantotellhisfatheraboutthejourneyinamatter-of-facttone。
　　ButIgnatinterruptedhim：
　　"Wait，I'llaskforsomecognac。"
　　"Andyouarekeepingondrinkingallthetime，theysay，"saidFoma，disapprovingly。
　　Ignatglancedathissonwithsurpriseandcuriosity，andasked：
　　"Isthisthewaytospeaktoyourfather？"
　　Fomabecameconfusedandloweredhishead。
　　"That'sit！"saidIgnat，kind-heartedly，andorderedcognactobebroughttohim。
　　Mayakin，winkinghiseyes，lookedattheGordyeeffs，sighed，bidthemgood-bye，and，afterinvitingthemtohaveteawithhiminhisraspberrygardenintheevening，wentaway。
　　"WhereisAuntAnfisa？"askedFoma，feelingthatnow，beingalonewithhisfather，hewassomewhatillatease。
　　"Shewenttothecloister。Well，tellme，andIwillhavesomecognac。"
　　Fomatoldhisfatherallabouthisaffairsinafewminutesandheconcludedhisstorywithafrankconfession：
　　"Ihavespentmuchmoneyonmyself。"
　　"Howmuch？"
　　"Aboutsixhundredroubles。"
　　"Insixweeks！That'sagooddeal。Iseeasaclerkyou'retooexpensiveforme。Wherehaveyousquandereditall？"
　　"Igaveawaythreehundredpudsofgrain。"
　　"Towhom？How？"
　　Fomatoldhimallaboutit。
　　"Hm！Well，that'sallright！"Ignatapproved。"That'stoshowwhatstuffwearemadeof。That'sclearenough——forthefather'shonour——
　　forthehonourofthefirm。Andthereisnolosseither，becausethatgivesagoodreputation。Andthat，mydear，istheverybestsignboardforabusiness。Well，whatelse？"
　　"Andthen，Isomehowspentmore。"
　　"Speakfrankly。It'snotthemoneythatIamaskingyouabout——I
　　justwanttoknowhowyoulivedthere，"insistedIgnat，regardinghissonattentivelyandsternly。
　　"Iwaseating，drinking。"Fomadidnotgivein，bendinghisheadmoroselyandconfusedly。
　　"Drinkingvodka？"
　　"Vodka，too。"
　　"Ah！So。Isn'titrathertoosoon？"
　　"AskYefimwhetherIeverdrankenoughtobeintoxicated。"
　　"WhyshouldIaskYefim？Youmusttellmeeverythingyourself。Soyouaredrinking？Idon'tlikeit。"
　　"ButIcangetalongwithoutdrinking。"
　　"Come，come！Doyouwantsomecognac？"
　　Fomalookedathisfatherandsmiledbroadly。Andhisfatheransweredhimwithakindlysmile：
　　"Eh，you。Devil！Drink，butlookout——knowyourbusiness。Whatcanyoudo？Adrunkardwillsleephimselfsober，afool——never。
　　Letusunderstandthismuchatleast，forourownconsolation。
　　Anddidyouhaveagoodtimewithgirls，too？Befrank！AreyouafraidthatIwillbeatyou，orwhat？"
　　"Yes。Therewasoneonthesteamer。IhadhertherefromPermtoKazan。"
　　"So，"Ignatsighedheavilyandsaid，frowning："You'vebecomedefiledrathertoosoon。"
　　"Iamtwentyyearsold。Andyouyourselftoldmethatinyourdaysfellowsmarriedattheageoffifteen，"repliedFoma，confused。
　　"Thentheymarried。Verywell，then，letusdropthesubject。Well，you'vehaddealingswithawoman。Whatofit？Awomanislikevaccination，youcannotpassyourlifewithouther。Asformyself，Icannotplaythehypocrite。IbegantogoaroundwithwomenwhenI
　　wasyoungerthanyouarenow。Butyoumustbeonyourguardwiththem。"
　　Ignatbecamepensiveandwassilentforalongtime，sittingmotionless，hisheadbentlowonhisbreast。
　　"Listen，Foma，"hestartedagain，sternlyandfirmly。"Ishalldiebeforelong。Iamold。Somethingoppressesmybreast。I
　　breathewithdifficulty。I'lldie。Thenallmyaffairswillfallonyourshoulders。Atfirstyourgodfatherwillassistyou——mindhim！Youstartedquitewell；youattendedtoeverythingproperly；
　　youheldthereinsfirmlyinyourhands。Andthoughyoudidsquanderabigsumofmoney，itisevidentthatyoudidnotloseyourhead。Godgrantthesameinthefuture。Youshouldknowthis：
　　businessisaliving，strongbeast；youmustmanageitably；youmustputastrongbridleonitoritwillconqueryou。Trytostandaboveyourbusiness。Placeyourselfsothatitwillallbeunderyourfeet；
　　thateachlittletackshallbevisibletoyou。"
　　Fomalookedathisfather'sbroadchest，heardhisheavyvoiceandthoughttohimself：
　　"Oh，butyouwon'tdiesosoon！"
　　Thisthoughtpleasedhimandawakenedinhimakind，warmfeelingforhisfather。
　　"Relyuponyourgodfather。Hehasenoughcommonsenseinhisheadtosupplythewholetownwithit。Allhelacksiscourage，orhewouldhaverisenhigh。Yes，Itellyoumydaysoneartharenumbered。
　　Indeed，itishightimetopreparemyselffordeath；tocasteverythingaside；tofast，andseetoitthatpeoplebearmegood-
　　will。"
　　"Theywill！"saidFomawithconfidence。
　　"Iftherewerebutareasonwhytheyshould。"
　　"Andthelodging-house？"
　　Ignatlookedathissonandbegantolaugh。
　　"Yakovhashadtimetotellittoyoualready！Theoldmiser。Hemusthaveabusedme？"
　　"Alittle。"Fomasmiled。
　　"Ofcourse！Don'tIknowhim？"
　　"Hespokeofitasthoughitwerehisownmoney。"
　　Ignatleanedbackinhischairandburstintostilllouderlaughter。
　　"Theoldraven，eh？That'squitetrue。Whetheritbehisownmoneyormine，itisallthesametohim。Thereheistremblingnow。Hehasanaiminview，thebald-headedfellow。Canyoutellmewhatitis？"
　　Fomathoughtawhileandsaid：
　　"Idon'tknow。"
　　"Eh，you'restupid。Hewantstotellourfortunes。"
　　Howisthat？"
　　"Comenow，guess！"
　　Fomalookedathisfatherand——guessedit。Hisfacebecamegloomy，heslightlyraisedhimselffromthearmchairandsaidresolutely：
　　"No，Idon'twantto。Ishallnotmarryher！"
　　"Oh？Whyso？Sheisastronggirl；sheisnotfoolish；she'shisonlychild。"
　　"AndTaras？Thelostone？ButI——Idon'twanttoatall！"
　　"Thelostoneisgone，consequentlyitisnotworthwhilespeakingofhim。Thereisawill，dear，whichsays：'Allmymovableandrealestatesshallgotomydaughter，Lubov。'Andastothefactthatsheisyourgodfather'sdaughter，we'llsetthisright。"
　　"Itisallthesame，"saidFoma，firmly。"Ishallnotmarryher！"
　　"Well，itisratherearlytospeakofitnow！Butwhydoyoudislikehersomuch？"
　　Idonotlikesuchassheis。"
　　"So-o！Justthinkofit！Andwhichwomenaremoretoyourliking，sir，mayIask？"
　　"Thosethataremoresimple。She'salwaysbusywithherGymnasiumstudentsandwithherbooks。She'sbecomelearned。She'llbelaughingatmyexpense，"saidFoma，emotionally。
　　"Thatisquitetrue。Sheistoobold。Butthatisatrifle。Allsortsofrustcanberemovedifyoutrytodoit。That'samatterforthefuture。Andyourgodfatherisacleveroldman。Hiswasapeaceful，sedentarylife；sittinginoneplacehegaveathoughttoeverything。Itisworthwhilelisteningtohim，forhecanseethewrongsideofeachandeveryworldlyaffair。Heisouraristocrat——
　　descendingfromMotherYekaterina——ha，ha！Heunderstandsagreatdealabouthimself。AndashisstemwascutoffbyTaras，hedecidedtoputyouinTaras'splace，doyousee？"
　　"No，I'dratherselectmyplacemyself，"saidFoma，stubbornly。
　　"Youarefoolishasyet。"Ignatsmiledinreplytohisson'swords。
　　TheirconversationwasinterruptedbythearrivalofAuntAnfisa。
　　"Foma！You'vecome，"shecriedout，somewherebehindthedoors。
　　Fomaroseandwenttomeether，withagentlesmile。
　　Againhislifestreamedonslowly，calmly，monotonously。AgaintheExchangeandhisfather'sinstructions。Retainingakindlysarcasticandencouragingtoneinhisrelationtowardhisson，Ignatbegantotreathimmorestrictly。Hecensuredhimforeachandeverytrifleandconstantlyremindedhimthathebroughthimupfreely；thathewasneverinhiswayandthatheneverbeathim。
　　"Otherfathersbeatfellowslikeyourselfwithlogsofwood。AndInevereventouchedyouwithafinger。"
　　"EvidentlyIdidn'tdeserveit，"saidFomaoneday，calmly。
　　Ignatbecameangryathissonforthesewordsandforthetone。
　　"Don'ttalksomuch！"heroared。"You'vepickedupcouragebecauseofthesoftnessofmyhand。YoufindananswertoeverywordIsay。
　　Beware；thoughmyhandwassoft，itcanneverthelessstillsqueezeyousothattearswillgushforthfromyourheels。You'vegrownuptoosoon，likeatoad-stool，justsprungupfromtheground。Youhaveabadsmellalready。"
　　"Whyareyousoangryatme？"askedFoma，perplexedandoffended，whenhisfatherchancedtobeinahappyframeofmind。
　　"Becauseyoucannottolerateitwhenyourfathergrumblesatyou。
　　You'rereadytoquarrelimmediately。"
　　"Butitisoffensive。IhavenotgrownworsethanIwasbefore。
　　Don'tIseehowothersliveatmyage？"
　　"Yourheadwouldn'tfallofffrommyscoldingyou。AndIscoldyoubecauseIseethereissomethinginyouthatisnotmine。Whatitis，Idonotknow，butIseeitisthere。Andthatsomethingisharmfultoyou。"
　　ThesewordsofIgnatmadethesonverythoughtful。Fomaalsofeltsomethingstrangeinhimself，somethingwhichdistinguishedhimfromtheyouthofhisage，buthe，too，couldnotunderstandwhatitwas。Andhelookedathimselfwithsuspicion。
　　FomalikedtobeontheExchangeamidthebustleandtalkofthesedatepeoplewhoweremakingdealsamountingtothousandsofroubles；therespectwithwhichthelesswell-to-dotradesmengreetedandspoketohim——toFoma，thesonofthemillionaire——
　　flatteredhimgreatly。Hefelthappyandproudwheneverhesuccessfullymanagedsomepartofhisfather'sbusiness，assumingallresponsibilityonhisownshoulders，andreceivedasmileofapprovalfromhisfatherforit。Therewasinhimagreatdealofambition，yearningtoappearasagrown-upmanofbusiness，but——
　　justasbeforehistriptoPerm——helivedasinsolitude；hestillfeltnolongingforfriends，althoughhenowcameincontacteverydaywiththemerchants'sonsofhisage。Theyhadinvitedhimmorethanoncetojointhemintheirsprees，butheratherrudelyanddisdainfullydeclinedtheirinvitationsandevenlaughedatthem。
　　"Iamafraid。Yourfathersmaylearnofyoursprees，andasthey'llgiveyouadrubbing，Imightalsocomeinforashare。"
　　Whathedidnotlikeinthemwasthattheywereleadingadissipatedanddepravedlife，withouttheirfathers'knowledge，andthatthemoneytheywerespendingwaseitherstolenfromtheirparentsorborrowedonlong-termedpromissorynotes，tobepaidwithexorbitantinterest。
　　Theyinturndidnotlikehimforthisveryreserveandaversion，whichcontainedthepridesooffensivetothem。Hewastimidaboutspeakingtopeopleolderthanhimself，fearinglestheshouldappearintheireyesstupidandthick-headed。
　　HeoftenrecalledPelageya，andatfirsthefeltmelancholywheneverherimageflashedbeforehisimagination。Buttimewenton，andlittlebylittlerubbedoffthebrightcoloursofthiswoman；andbeforehewasawareofithisthoughtswereoccupiedbytheslender，angel-likeMedinskaya。SheusedtocomeuptoIgnatalmosteverySundaywithvariousrequests，allofwhichgenerallyhadbutoneaim——tohastenthebuildingofthelodging-asylum。InherpresenceFomafeltawkward，huge，heavy；thispainedhim，andheblusheddeeplyundertheendearinglookofSophyaPavlovna'slargeeyes。Henoticedthateverytimeshelookedathim，hereyeswouldgrowdarker，whileherupperlipwouldtrembleandraiseitselfslightly，thusdisplayingverysmallwhiteteeth。Thisalwaysfrightenedhim。WhenhisfathernoticedhowsteadfastlyhewasstaringatMedinskayahetoldhimoneday：
　　"Don'tbestaringsomuchatthatface。Lookout，sheislikeabirchember：fromtheoutsideitisjustasmodest，smoothanddark——
　　altogethercoldtoallappearances——buttakeitintoyourhandanditwillburnyou。"
　　Medinskayadidnotkindleintheyouthanysensualpassion，fortherewasnothinginherthatresembledPelageya，andaltogethershewasnotatalllikeotherwomen。Heknewthatshamefulrumoursaboutherwereintheair，buthedidnotbelieveanyofthem。Buthisrelationstoherwerechangedwhenhenoticedheronedayinacarriagebesideastoutmaninagrayhatandwithlonghairfallingoverhisshoulders。
　　Hisfacewaslikeabladder——redandbloated；hehadneithermoustachenorbeard，andaltogetherhelookedlikeawomanindisguise。Fomawastoldthatthiswasherhusband。Thendarkandcontradictingfeelingssprangupwithinhim：hefeltlikeinsultingthearchitect，andatthesametimeheenviedandrespectedhim。Medinskayanowseemedtohimlessbeautifulandmoreaccessible；hebegantofeelsorryforher，andyethethoughtmalignantly：
　　"Shemustsurelyfeeldisgustedwhenhekissesher。"
　　Andafterallthishesometimesperceivedinhimselfsomebottomlessandoppressiveemptiness，whichcouldnotbefilledupbyanything——
　　neitherbytheimpressionsofthedayjustgonebynorbytherecollectionofthepast；andtheExchange，andhisaffairs，andhisthoughtsofMedinskaya——allwereswallowedupbythisemptiness。Italarmedhim：inthedarkdepthofthisemptinesshesuspectedsomehiddenexistenceofahostilepower，asyetformlessbutalreadycarefullyandpersistentlystrivingtobecomeincarnate。
　　InthemeantimeIgnat，changingbutlittleoutwardly，wasgrowingevermorerestlessandquerulousandwascomplainingmoreoftenofbeingill。
　　"Ilostmysleep。Itusedtobesosoundthateventhoughyouhadtornoffmyskin，Iwouldnothavefeltit。WhilenowItossaboutfromsidetoside，andIfallasleeponlytowardmorning。AndeverynowandthenIawaken。Myheartbeatsunevenly，now，thoughtiredout；oftenthus：tuk-tuk-tuk。Andsometimesitsinksofasudden——anditseemsasthoughitwouldsoontearitselfawayandfallsomewhereintothedeep；
　　intothebosom。0hLord，havepityuponmethroughThygreatmercy。"
　　Andheavingapenitentsigh，hewouldliftheavenwardhissterneyes，growndimnow，devoidoftheirbright，sparklingglitter。
　　"Deathkeepsaneyeonmesomewherecloseby，"hesaidonedaymorosely，buthumbly。Andindeed，itsoonfelledhisbig，sturdybodytotheground。
　　ThishappenedinAugust，earlyinthemorning。Fomawassoundasleepwhensuddenlyhefeltsomebodyshakinghimbytheshoulder，andahoarsevoicecalledathisear：
　　"Getup。"
　　Heopenedhiseyesandsawthathisfatherwasseatedinachairnearhisbed，monotonouslyrepeatinginadullvoice：
　　"Getup，getup。"
　　Thesunhadjustrisen，anditslight，fallingonIgnat'swhitelinenshirt，hadnotyetlostitsrosytints。
　　"It'searly，"saidFoma，stretchinghimself。
　　"Well，you'llsleepenoughlater。"
　　Lazilymufflinghimselfintheblanket，Fomaasked：
　　"Whydoyouneedme？"
　　"Getup，dear，willyou，please？"exclaimedIgnat，adding，somewhatoffended："Itmustbenecessary，sinceIamwakingyou。"
　　WhenFomalookedcloselyathisfather'sface，henoticedthatitwasgrayandweary。
　　"Areyouill？"
　　"Slightly。"
　　"Shallwesendforadoctor？"
　　"Thedeviltakehim！"Ignatwavedhishand。"Iamnotayoungmananylonger。Iknowitaswellwithouthim。"
　　"What？"
　　"Oh，Iknowit！"saidtheoldman，mysteriously，castingastrangeglancearoundtheroom。Fomawasdressinghimself，andhisfather，withloweredhead，spokeslowly：
　　"Iamafraidtobreathe。SomethingtellsmethatifIshouldnowheaveadeepsigh，myheartwouldburst。TodayisSunday！Afterthemorningmassisover，sendforthepriest。"
　　"Whatareyoutalkingabout，papa？"Fomasmiled。
　　"Nothing。Washyourselfandgointothegarden。Iorderedthesamovartobebroughtthere。We'lldrinkourteainthemorningcoolness。Ifeellikedrinkingnowhot，strongtea。Bequicker。"
　　Theoldmanrosewithdifficultyfromthechair，and，bentandbarefooted，lefttheroominastaggeringgait。Fomalookedathisfather，andashootingchilloffearmadehisheartshrink。
　　Hewashedhimselfinhaste，andhurriedoutintothegarden。
　　There，underanold，spreadingapple-treesatIgnatinabigoakenarmchair。Thelightofthesunfellinthinstripesthroughthebranchesofthetreesuponthewhitefigureoftheoldmancladinhisnight-garments。Therewassuchaprofoundsilenceinthegardenthateventherustleofabranch，accidentallytouchedbyFoma'sclothes，seemedtohimlikealoudsoundandheshuddered。
　　Onthetable，beforehisfather，stoodthesamovar，purringlikeawell-fedtom-catandexhalingastreamofsteamintotheair。
　　Amidthesilenceandthefreshverdureofthegarden，whichhadbeenwashedbyabundantrainsthedaybefore，thisbrightspotoftheboldlyshining，loudbrassseemedtoFomaassomethingunnecessary，assomethingwhichsuitedneitherthetimenortheplace——northefeelingthatsprangupwithinhimatthesightofthesickly，bentoldman，whowasdressedinwhite，andwhosataloneunderneaththemute，motionless，dark-greenfoliage，whereinredapplesweremodestlypeeping。
　　"Beseated，"saidIgnat。
　　"Weoughttosendforadoctor。"Fomaadvisedhimirresolutely，seatinghimselfoppositehim。
　　"Itisn'tnecessary。It'salittlebetternowintheopenair。
　　AndnowI'llsipsometeaandperhapsthatwilldomemoregood，"
　　saidIgnat，pouringoutteaintotheglasses，andFomanoticedthattheteapotwastremblinginhisfather'shand。
　　"Drink。"
　　Silentlymovinguponeglassforhimself，Fomabentoverit，blowingthefoamoffthesurfaceofthetea，andwithpaininhisheart，hearingtheloud，heavybreathingofhisfather。Suddenlysomethingstruckagainstthetablewithsuchforcethatthedishesbegantorattle。
　　Fomashuddered，threwuphisheadandmetthefrightened，almostsenselesslookofhisfather'seyes。Ignatstaredathissonandwhisperedhoarsely：
　　"Anapplefelldownthedeviltakeit！。Itsoundedlikethefiringofagun。"
　　"Won'tyouhavesomecognacinyourtea？"Fomasuggested。
　　"Itisgoodenoughwithoutit。"
　　Theybecamesilent。Aflightoffincheswingedpastoverthegarden，scatteringaprovokinglycheerfultwitteringintheair。Andagaintheripebeautyofthegardenwasbathedinsolemnsilence。ThefrightwasstillinIgnat'seyes。
　　"0hLord，JesusChrist！"saidheinalowvoice，makingthesignofthecross。"Yes。Thereitis——thelasthourofmylife。"
　　"Stop，papa！"whisperedFoma。
　　"Whystop？We'llhaveourtea，andthensendforthepriest，andforMayakin。"
　　"I'drathersendforthemnow。"
　　"They'llsoontollforthemass——thepriestisn'thome——andthenthere'snohurry，itmaypasssoon。"
　　Andhenoisilystartedtosiptheteaoutofthesaucer。
　　"Ishouldliveanotheryearortwo。Youareyoung，andIamverymuchafraidforyou。Livehonestlyandfirmly；donotcovetwhatbelongstootherpeople，takegoodcareofyourown。"
　　Itwashardforhimtospeak，hestoppedshortandrubbedhischestwithhishand。
　　"Donotrelyuponothers；expectbutlittlefromthem。Weallliveinordertotake，nottogive。0hLord！Havemercyonthesinner！"
　　Somewhereinthedistancethedeepsoundofthebellfellonthesilenceofthemorning。IgnatandFomacrossedthemselvesthreetimes。
　　Afterthefirstsoundofthebell-tonecameanother，thenathird，andsoontheairwasfilledwithsoundsofthechurch-bells，comingfromallsides——flowing，measured，callingaloud。
　　"There，theyaretollingforthemass，"saidIgnat，listeningtotheechoofthebell-metal。"Canyoutellthebellsbytheirsounds？"
　　"No，"answeredFoma。
　　"Justlisten。Thisonenow——doyouhear？thebass——thisisfromtheNikolaChurch。ItwaspresentedbyPeterMitrichVyagin——andthis，thehoarseone——thisisatthechurchofPraskevaPyatnitza。"
　　Thesingingwavesofthebell-tonesagitatedtheair，whichwasfilledwiththem，andtheydiedawayintheclearblueofthesky。Fomastaredthoughtfullyathisfather'sfaceandsawthatthealarmwasdisappearingfromhiseyes，andthattheywerenowbrighter。
　　Butsuddenlytheoldman'sfaceturnedveryred，hiseyesdistendedandrolledoutoftheirorbits，hismouthopenedwithfright，andfromitissuedastrange，hissingsound：
　　"F-F-A-A-ch。"
　　ImmediatelyafterthisIgnat'sheadfellbackonhisshoulder，andhisheavybodyslowlyslippeddownfromthechairtothegroundasiftheearthhaddraggedhimimperiouslyuntoitself。Fomawasmotionlessandsilentforawhile，thenherusheduptoIgnat，liftedhisheadfromthegroundandlookedintohisface。Thefacewasdark，motionless，andthewide-openeyesexpressednothing——neitherpain，norfear，norjoy。Fomalookedaroundhim。Asbefore，nobodywasinthegarden，andtheresoundingchatterofthebellswasstillroaringintheair。Foma'shandsbegantotremble，heletgohisfather'shead，anditstruckheavilyagainsttheground。Dark，thickbloodbegantogushinanarrowstreamfromhisopenmouthacrosshisbluecheek。
　　Fomastruckhisbreastwithbothhands，andkneelingbeforethedeadbody，hewildlycriedaloud。Hewastremblingwithfright，andwitheyeslikethoseofamadmanhewassearchingforsomeoneintheverdureofthegarden。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　HISfather'sdeathstupefiedFomaandfilledhimwithastrangesensation；quietwaspouredintohissoul——apainful，immovablequiet，whichabsorbedallthesoundsoflifewithoutaccountingforit。Allsortsofacquaintanceswerebustlingabouthim；theyappeared，disappeared，saidsomethingtohim——hisrepliestothemwereuntimely，andtheirwordscalledforthnoimagesinhim，drowning，withoutleavinganytrace，inthebottomlessdepthsofthedeath-likesilencewhichfilledhissoul。Heneithercried，norgrieved，northoughtofanything；paleandgloomy，withknittedbrow，hewasattentivelylisteningtothisquiet，whichhadforcedoutallhisfeelings，benumbedhisheartandtightlyclutchedhisbrains。Hewasconsciousbutofthepurelyphysicalsensationofheavinessinallhisframeandparticularlyinhisbreast，andthenitalsoseemedtohimthatitwasalwaystwilight，andeventhoughthesunwasstillhighinthesky——
　　everythingonearthlookeddarkandmelancholy。
　　ThefuneralwasarrangedbyMayakin。Hastilyandbrisklyhewasbustlingaboutintherooms，makingmuchclatterwiththeheelsofhisboots；hecriedatthehouseholdhelpimperiously，clappedhisgodsonontheshoulder，consolinghim：
　　"Andwhyareyoupetrified？Roarandyouwillfeelrelieved。Yourfatherwasold——oldinbody。Deathispreparedforallofus，youcannotescapeit——consequentlyyoumustnotbeprematurelytorpid。
　　Youcannotbringhimtolifeagainwithyoursorrow，andyourgriefisunnecessarytohim，foritissaid：'Whenthebodyisrobbedofthesoulbytheterribleangels，thesoulforgetsallrelativesandacquaintances，'whichmeansthatyouareofnoconsequencetohimnow，whetheryoucryorlaugh。Butthelivingmustcarefortheliving。Youhadbettercry，forthisishuman。Itbringsmuchrelieftotheheart。"
　　ButneitherdidthesewordsprovokeanythinginFoma'sheadorinhisheart。Hecametohimself，however，onthedayofthefuneral，thankstothepersistenceofhisgodfather，whowasassiduouslyandoddlytryingtorousehissadsoul。
　　Thedayofthefuneralwascloudyanddreary。Amidaheavycloudofdustanenormouscrowdofpeople，windinglikeablackribbon，followedthecoffinofIgnatGordyeeff。Hereandthereflashedthegoldofthepriest'srobes，andthedullnoiseoftheslowmovementofthecrowdblendedinharmonywiththesolemnmusicofthechoir，composedofthebishop'schoristers。Fomawaspushedfrombehindandfromthesides；hewalked，seeingnothingbutthegrayheadofhisfather，andthemournfulsingingresoundedinhisheartlikeamelancholyecho。AndMayakin，walkingbesidehim，keptonintrusivelywhisperinginhisears：
　　"Look，whatacrowd——thousands！Thegovernorhimselfcameouttoaccompanyyourfathertothechurch，themayor，andalmosttheentirecitycouncil。Andbehindyou——justturnaround！TheregoesSophyaPavlovna。ThetownpaysitsrespectstoIgnat。"
　　AtfirstFomadidnotlistentohisgodfather'swhisper，butwhenhementionedMedinskaya，heinvoluntarilylookedbackandnoticedthegovernor。Alittledropofsomethingpleasantfellintohisheartatthesightofthisimportantpersonage，withabrightribbonacrosshisshoulder，withordersonhisbreast，pacingafterthecoffin，anexpressionofsorrowonhissterncountenance。
　　Blessedistheroadwherethissoulgoethtoday，"YakovTarasovichhummedsoftly，movinghisnose，andheagainwhisperedinhisgodson'sear：
　　"Seventy-fivethousandroublesissuchasumthatyoucandemandsomanyescortsforit。HaveyouheardthatSonkaismakingarrangementsforthelayingofthecorner-stoneonthefifteenth？
　　Justfortydaysafterthedeathofyourfather。"
　　Fomaagainturnedback，andhiseyesmettheeyesofMedinskaya。
　　Heheavedadeepsighathercaressingglance，andfeltrelievedatonce，asifawarmrayoflightpenetratedhissoulandsomethingmeltedthere。Andthenandthereheconsideredthatitwasunbecominghimtoturnhisheadfromsidetoside。
　　AtchurchFoma'sheadbegantoache，anditseemedtohimthateverythingaroundandunderneathhimwasshaking。Inthestiflingair，filledwithdust，withthebreathingofthepeopleandthesmokeoftheincense，theflamesofthecandlesweretimidlytrembling。ThemeekimageofChristlookeddownathimfromthebigikon，andtheflamesofthecandles，reflectedinthetarnishedgoldofthecrownovertheSaviour'sbrow，remindedhimofdropsofblood。
　　Foma'sawakenedsoulwasgreedilyfeedingitselfonthesolemn，gloomypoetryoftheliturgy，andwhenthetouchingcitationwasheard，"Come，letusgivehimthelastkiss，"aloud，wailingsobescapedfromFoma'schest，andthecrowdinchurchwasstirredtoagitationbythisoutburstofgrief。
　　Havingutteredthesob，Fomastaggered。Hisgodfatherimmediatelycaughthimbyhisarmsandbegantopushhimforwardtothecoffin，singingquiteloudlyandwithsomeanger：
　　Kisshimwhowasbutlatelywithus。Kiss，Foma，kisshim——heisgivenovertothegrave，coveredwithastone。Heissettlingdownindarkness，andisburiedwiththedead。"
　　Fomatouchedhisfather'sforeheadwithhislipsandsprangbackfromthecoffinwithhorror。
　　"Holdyourpeace！Younearlyknockedmedown，"Mayakinremarkedtohim，inalowvoice，andthesesimple，calmwordssupportedFomabetterthanhisgodfather'shands。
　　"Yethatbeholdmemuteandlifelessbeforeyou，weepforme，brethrenandfriends，"beggedIgnatthroughthemouthoftheChurch。Buthissonwasnotcryinganylonger；hishorrorwascalledforthbytheblack，swollenfaceofhisfather，andthishorrorsomewhatsoberedhissoul，whichhadbeenintoxicatedbythemournfulmusicoftheChurch'slamentforitssinfulson。Hewassurroundedbyacquaintances，whowerekindlyconsolinghim；
　　helistenedtothemandunderstoodthattheyallfeltsorryforhimandthathebecamedeartothem。Andhisgodfatherwhisperedinhisear：
　　"See，howtheyallfawnuponyou。Thetom-catshavesmeltthefat。"
　　ThesewordswereunpleasanttoFoma，buttheywereusefultohim，astheycausedhimtoansweratallevents。
　　Atthecemetery，whentheysangforIgnat'seternalmemory，hecriedagainbitterlyandloud。Hisgodfatherimmediatelyseizedhimbythearmsandledhimawayfromthegrave，speakingtohimearnestly：
　　"Whatafaint-heartedfellowyouare！DoInotfeelsorryforhim？
　　Ihaveknownhisrealvalue，whileyouwerebuthisson。Andyet，Idonotcry。Formorethanthirtyyearswelivedtogetherinperfectharmony——howmuchhadbeenspoken，howmuchthought——howmuchsorrowdrunk。Youareyoung；itisnotforyoutogrieve！Yourlifeisbeforeyou，andyouwillberichinallsortsoffriendship；whileIamold，andnowthatIburiedmyonlyfriend，Iamlikeapauper。Icannolongermakeabosomfriend！"
　　Theoldman'svoicebegantojarandsqueakqueerly。Hisfacewasdistorted，hislipswerestretchedintoabiggrimaceandwerequivering，andfromhissmalleyesfrequenttearswererunningoverthenowcontractedwrinklesofhisface。Helookedsopitifulandsounlikehimself，thatFomastoppedshort，pressedhimclosetohisbodywiththetendernessofastrongmanandcriedwithalarm：
　　"Don'tcry，father——darling！Don'tcry。"
　　"Thereyouhaveit！"saidMayakin，faintly，and，heavingadeepsigh，hesuddenlyturnedagainintoafirmandcleveroldman。
　　"Youmustnotcry，"saidhe，mysteriously，seatinghimselfinthecarriagebesidehisgodson。"Youarenowthecommander-in-chiefinthewarandyoumustcommandyoursoldiersbravely。Yoursoldiersaretheroubles，andyouhaveagreatarmyofthese。
　　Makewarincessantly！"
　　Surprisedatthequicknessofhistransformation，Fomalistenedtohiswordsandforsomereasonorothertheyremindedhimofthoseclodsofearth，whichthepeoplethrewintoIgnat'sgraveuponhiscoffin。
　　"OnwhomamItomakewar？"saidFomawithasigh。
　　"I'llteachyouthat！DidyourfathertellyouthatIwasacleveroldmanandthatyoushouldmindme？"
　　"Hedid。"
　　"Thendomindme！Ifmymindshouldbeaddedtoyouryouthfulstrength，agoodvictorymightbewon。Yourfatherwasagreatman，buthedidnotlookfarbeforehimandhecouldnottakemyadvice。Hegainedsuccessinlifenotwithhismind，butmorewithhishead。Oh，whatwillbecomeofyou？Youhadbettermoveintomyhouse，foryouwillfeellonesomeinyours。"
　　"Auntisthere。"
　　"Aunt？Sheissick。Shewillnotlivelong。"
　　"Donotspeakofit，"beggedFomainalowvoice。
　　"AndIwillspeakofit。Youneednotfeardeath——youarenotanoldwomanontheoven。Livefearlesslyanddowhatyouwereappointedtodo。Manisappointedfortheorganisationoflifeonearth。Maniscapital——likearouble，heismadeupoftrashycoppergroshesandcopecks。Fromthedustoftheearth，asitissaid；andevenashehasintercoursewiththeworld，heabsorbsgreaseandoil，sweatandtears——asoulandamindformthemselvesinhim。Andfromthishestartstogrowupwardanddownward。Now，youseehispriceisagrosh，nowafifteencopecksilverpiece，nowahundredroubles，andsometimesheisaboveanyprice。Heisputintocirculationandhemustbringintereststolife。Lifeknowsthevalueofeachofusandwillnotcheckourcoursebeforetime。Nobody，dear，workstohisowndetriment，ifheiswise。Andlifehassavedupmuchwisdom。Areyoulistening？"
　　"Iam。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouunderstand？"
　　"Everything。"
　　"Youareprobablylying？"Mayakindoubted。
　　"But，whymustwedie？"askedFomainalowvoice。
　　Mayakinlookedintohisfacewithregret，smackedhislipsandsaid：
　　"Awisemanwouldneverasksuchaquestion。Awisemanknowsforhimselfthatifitisariver，itmustbeflowingsomewhere，andifitwerestandinginoneplace，itwouldbeaswamp。"
　　"You'resimplymockingmeatrandom，"saidFoma，sternly。"Theseaisnotflowinganywhere。"
　　"Theseareceivesallriversintoitself，andthen，powerfulstormsrageinitattimes。Thentheseaoflifealsosubmitsonagitation，stirredupbymen，anddeathrenovatesthewatersoftheseaoflife，thattheymightnotbecomespoiled。Nomatterhowmanypeoplearedying，theyareneverthelessforevergrowinginnumber。"
　　"Whatofit？Butmyfatherisdead。"
　　"Youwilldieaswell。"
　　"ThenwhathaveItodowiththefactthatpeoplearegrowinginnumber？"Fomasmiledsadly。
　　"Eh，he，he！"sighedMayakin。"That，indeed，concernsnoneofus。
　　There，yourtrousersprobablyreasoninthesameway：whathavewetodowiththefactthatthereareallsortsofstuffintheworld？Butyoudonotmindthem——youwearthemoutandthrowthemaway。"
　　Fomaglancedathisgodfatherreproachfully，andnoticingthattheoldmanwassmiling，hewasastonishedandheaskedrespectfully：
　　"Canitbetrue，father，thatyoudonotfeardeath？"
　　"MostofallIfearfoolishness，mychild，"repliedMayakinwithhumblebitterness。"Myopinionisthis：ifafoolgiveyouhoney，spituponit；ifawisemangiveyoupoison，drinkit！AndIwilltellyouthattheperchhasaweaksoulsincehisfinsdonotstandonend。"
　　Theoldman'smockingwordsoffendedandangeredFoma。Heturnedasideandsaid：
　　"Youcanneverspeakwithoutthesesubterfuges。"
　　"Icannot！"exclaimedMayakin，andhiseyesbegantosparklewithalarm。"Eachmanusestheverysametonguehehas。DoIseemtobestern？DoI？"
　　Fomawassilent。
　　"Eh，you。Knowthis——heloveswhoteaches。Rememberthiswell。
　　Andastodeath，donotthinkofit。Itisfoolish，dear，foralivemantothinkofdeath。'Ecclesiastes'reflectedondeathbetterthananybodyelsereflectedonit，andsaidthatalivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion。"
　　Theycamehome。Thestreetnearthehousewascrowdedwithcarriages，andfromtheopenwindowscameloudsoundsoftalk。AssoonasFomaappearedinthehall，hewasseizedbythearmsandledawaytothetableandtherewasurgedtodrinkandeatsomething。Amarketplacenoisesmotetheair；thehallwascrowdedandsuffocating。Silently，Fomadrankaglassofvodka，thenanother，andathird。Aroundhimtheyweremunchingandsmackingtheirlips；thevodkapouredoutfromthebottleswasgurgling，thewine-glassesweretinkling。Theywerespeakingofdriedsturgeonandofthebassofthesoloistofthebishop'schoir，andthenagainofthedriedsturgeon，andthentheysaidthatthemayoralsowishedtomakeaspeech，butdidnotventuretodosoafterthebishophadspoken，fearinglestheshouldnotspeaksowellasthebishop。Someonewastellingwithfeeling：
　　"Thedeceasedoneusedtodothus：hewouldcutoffasliceofsalmon，pepperitthickly，coveritwithanothersliceofsalmon，andthensenditdownimmediatelyafteradrink。"
　　"Letusfollowhisexample，"roaredathickbasso。Offendedtothequick，Fomalookedwithafrownatthefatlipsandatthejawschewingthetastyfood，andhefeltlikecryingoutanddrivingawayallthesepeople，whosesedatenesshadbutlatelyinspiredhimwithrespectforthem。
　　"Youhadbetterbemorekind，moresociable，"saidMayakininalowvoice，cominguptohim。
　　"Whyaretheygobblinghere？Isthisatavern？"criedFoma，angrily。
　　"Hush，"Mayakinremarkedwithfrightandhastilyturnedtolookaroundwithakindsmileonhisface。
　　Butitwastoolate；hissmilewasofnoavail。Foma'swordshadbeenoverheard，thenoiseandthetalkwassubsiding，someoftheguestsbegantobustleabouthurriedly，others，offended，frowned，putdowntheirforksandknivesandwalkedawayfromthetable，alllookingatFomaaskance。
　　Silentandangry，hemettheseglanceswithoutloweringhiseyes。
　　"Iaskyoutocomeuptothetable！"criedMayakin，gleamingamidthecrowdofpeoplelikeanemberamidashes。"Beseated，pray！They'resoonservingpancakes。"
　　Fomashruggedhisshouldersandwalkedofftowardthedoor，sayingaloud：
　　"Ishallnoteat。"
　　Heheardahostilerumblingbehindhimandhisgodfather'swheedlingvoicesayingtosomebody：
　　"It'sforgrief。Ignatwasatoncefatherandmothertohim。"
　　Fomacameoutinthegardenandsatdownonthesameplacewherehisfatherhaddied。Thefeelingoflonelinessandgriefoppressedhisheart。Heunbuttonedthecollarofhisshirttomakehisbreathingeasier，restedhiselbowsonthetable，andwithhisheadtightlypressedbetweenhishands，hesatmotionless。Itwasdrizzlingandtheleavesoftheapple-treewererustlingmournfullyunderthedropsoftherain。Hesatthereforalongtimealone，motionless，watchinghowthesmalldropswerefallingfromtheapple-tree。Hisheadwasheavyfromthevodka，andinhishearttherewasagrowinggrudgeagainstmen。Someindefinite，impersonalfeelingsandthoughtswerespringingupandvanishingwithinhim；beforehimflashedthebaldskullofhisgodfatherwithalittlecrownofsilverhairandwithadarkface，whichresembledthefacesoftheancientikons。
　　Thisfacewiththetoothlessmouthandthemalicioussmile，rousinginFomahatredandfear，augmentedinhimtheconsciousnessofsolitude。ThenherecalledthekindeyesofMedinskayaandhersmall，gracefulfigure；andbesideherarosethetall，robust，androsy-
　　cheekedLubovMayakinawithsmilingeyesandwithabiglightgolden-
　　colouredbraid。"Donotrelyuponmen，expectbutlittleattheirhands"——hisfather'swordsbegantoringinhismemory。Hesighedsadlyandcastaglancearoundhim。Thetreeleaveswereflutteringfromtherain，andtheairwasfullofmournfulsounds。Thegrayskyseemedasthoughweeping，andonthetreescoldtearsweretrembling。
　　AndFoma'ssoulwasdry，dark；itwasfilledwithapainfulfeelingoforphanhood。Butthisfeelinggavebirthtothequestion：
　　"HowshallIlivenowthatIamalone？"
　　Theraindrenchedhisclothes，andwhenhefeltthathewasshiveringwithcoldhearoseandwentintothehouse。
　　Lifewastugginghimfromallsides，givinghimnochancetobeconcentratedinthinkingofandgrievingforhisfather，andonthefortiethdayafterIgnat'sdeathFoma，attiredinholidayclothes，withapleasantfeelinginhisheart，wenttotheceremonyofthecorner-stonelayingofthelodging-asylum。Medinskayanotifiedhiminaletterthedaybefore，thathehadbeenelectedasamemberofthebuildingcommitteeandalsoashonorarymemberofthesocietyofwhichshewaspresident。Thispleasedhimandhewasgreatlyagitatedbytheparthewastoplaytodayatthelayingofthecorner-stone。Onhiswayhethoughtofhoweverythingwouldbeandhowheshouldbehaveinordernottobeconfusedbeforethepeople。
　　"Eh，eh！Holdon！"
　　Heturnedaround。Mayakincamehasteningtohimfromthesidewalk。
　　Hewasinafrock-coatthatreachedhisheels，inahighcap，andhecarriedahugeumbrellainhishand。
　　"Comeon，takemeupthere，"saidtheoldman，cleverlyjumpingintothecarriagelikeamonkey。"Totellthetruth，Iwaswaitingforyou。Iwaslookingaround，thinkingitwastimeforyoutogo。"
　　"Areyougoingthere？"askedFoma。
　　"Ofcourse！Imustseehowtheywillburymyfriend'smoneyintheground。"
　　Fomalookedathimaskanceandwassilent。"Whydoyoufrownuponme？Don'tfear，youwillalsostartoutasabenefactoramongmen。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"askedFoma，reservedly。"I'vereadinthenewspaperthismorningthatyouwereelectedasamemberofthebuildingcommitteeandalsoasanhonorarymemberofSophya'ssociety。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thismembershipwilleatintoyourpocket！"sighedMayakin。
　　"Thatwouldn'truinme。"
　　"Idon'tknowit，"observedtheoldman，maliciously。
　　"Ispeakofthismorebecausethereisaltogetherverylittlewisdominthischaritybusiness，andImayevensaythatitisn'tabusinessatall，butsimplyharmfulnonsense。"
　　"Isitharmfultoaidpeople？"askedFoma，hotly。
　　"Eh，youcabbagehead！"saidMayakinwithasmile。"Youhadbettercomeuptomyhouse，I'llopenyoureyesinregardtothis。Imustteachyou！Willyoucome？"
　　"Verywell，Iwillcome！"repliedFoma。
　　"So。Andinthemeantime，holdyourselfproudatthelayingofthecorner-stone。Standinviewofeverybody。IfIdon'ttellthistoyou，youmighthideyourselfbehindsomebody'sback。"
　　"WhyshouldIhidemyself？"saidFoma，displeased。
　　"That'sjustwhatIsay：thereisnoreasonwhy。Forthemoneywasdonatedbyyourfatherandyouareentitledtothehonourashisheir。Honourisjustthesameasmoney。Withhonourabusinessmanwillgetcrediteverywhere，andeverywherethereisawayopentohim。Thencomeforward，sothateverybodymayseeyouandthatifyoudofivecopecks'worthofwork，youshouldgetaroubleinreturnforit。Andifyouwillhideyourself——nothingbutfoolishnesswillbetheresult。"
　　Theyarrivedattheirdestination，wherealltheimportantpeoplehadgatheredalready，andanenormouscrowdofpeoplesurroundedthepilesofwood，bricksandearth。Thebishop，thegovernor，therepresentativesofthecity'saristocracyandtheadministrationformed，togetherwiththesplendidlydressedladies，abigbrightgroupandlookedattheeffortsofthetwostonemasons，whowerepreparingthebricksandthelime。Mayakinandhisgodsonwendedtheirwaytowardthisgroup。HewhisperedtoFoma：
　　"Losenocourage，thesepeoplehaverobbedtheirbelliestocoverthemselveswithsilk。"
　　Andhegreetedthegovernorbeforethebishop，inarespectfullycheerfulvoice。
　　"Howdoyoudo，yourExcellency？Givemeyourblessing，yourHoliness！"
　　"Ah，YakovTarasovich！"exclaimedthegovernorwithafriendlysmile，shakingandsqueezingMayakin'shand，whiletheoldmanwasatthesametimekissingthebishop'shand。"Howareyou，deathlessoldman？"
　　"Ithankyouhumbly，yourExcellency！MyrespectstoSophyaPavlovna！"
　　Mayakinspokefast，whirlinglikeapeg-topamidthecrowdofpeople。
　　Inaminutehemanagedtoshakehandswiththepresidingjusticeofthecourt，withtheprosecutor，withthemayor——inaword，withallthosepeoplewhomheconsidereditnecessarytogreetfirst；suchasthese，however，werefew。Hejested，smiledandatonceattractedeverybody'sattentiontohislittlefigure，andFomawithdowncastheadstoodbehindhim，lookingaskanceatthesepeoplewrappedincostlystuffs，embroideredwithgold；heenviedtheoldman'sadroitnessandlosthiscourage，andfeelingthathewaslosinghiscourage——hegrewstillmoretimid。ButnowMayakinseizedhimbythehandanddrewhimuptohimself。
　　"There，yourExcellency，thisismygodson，Foma，thelateIgnat'sonlyson。"
　　"Ah！"saidthegovernorinhisbasso，"I'mverypleased。Isympathisewithyouinyourmisfortune，youngman！"hesaid，shakingFoma'shand，andbecamesilent；thenheaddedresolutelyandconfidently："Toloseafather，thatisaverypainfulmisfortune。"
　　And，havingwaitedabouttwosecondsforFoma'sanswer，heturnedawayfromhim，addressingMayakinapprovingly：
　　"Iamdelightedwiththespeechyoumadeyesterdayinthecityhall！
　　Beautiful，clever，YakovTarasovich。Proposingtousethemoneyforthispublicclub，theydonotunderstandtherealneedsofthepopulation。"
　　"Andthen，yourExcellency，asmallcapitalmeansthatthecitywillhavetoadditsownmoney。"
　　"Perfectlytrue！Perfectlytrue！"
　　"Temperance，Isay，isgood！WouldtoGodthatallweresober！I
　　don'tdrink，either，butwhatistheuseoftheseperformances，librariesandallthat，sincethepeoplecannotevenread？"
　　Thegovernorrepliedapprovingly。
　　"Here，Isay，youbetterusethismoneyforatechnicalinstitution。
　　Ifitshouldbeestablishedonasmallplan，thismoneyalonewillsuffice，andincaseitshouldn't，wecanaskformoreinSt。
　　Petersburg——they'llgiveittous。Thenthecitywouldn'thavetoaddofitsownmoney，andthewholeaffairwouldbemoresensible。"
　　"Precisely！Ifullyagreewithyou！Buthowtheliberalsbegantocryatyou！Eh？Ha，ha！"
　　"Thathasalwaysbeentheirbusiness，tocry。"
　　Thedeepcoughofthearchdeaconofthecathedralannouncedthebeginningofthedivineservice。
　　SophyaPavlovnacameuptoFoma，greetedhimandsaidinasad，lowvoice：
　　"Ilookedatyourfaceonthedayofthefuneral，andmyheartsaddened。MyGod，Ithought，howhemustsuffer！"
　　AndFomalistenedtoherandfeltasthoughhewasdrinkinghoney。
　　"Thesecriesofyours，theyshookmysoul，mypoorchild！Imayspeaktoyouthisway，forIamanoldwomanalready。"
　　"You！"exclaimedFoma，softly。
　　"Isn'tthatso？"sheasked，naivelylookingintohisface。
　　Fomawassilent，hisheadbentonhisbreast。
　　"Don'tyoubelievethatIamanoldwoman？"
　　"Ibelieveyou；thatis，Ibelieveeverythingyoumaysay；onlythisisnottrue！"saidFoma，feelingly，inalowvoice。
　　"Whatisnottrue？Whatdoyoubelieveme？"
　　"No！notthis，butthat。I——excuseme！Icannotspeak！"saidFoma，sadly，allaflushwithconfusion。"Iamnotcultured。"
　　"Youneednottroubleyourselfonthisaccount，"saidMedinskaya，patronisingly。"Youaresoyoung，andeducationisaccessibletoeverybody。Buttherearepeopletowhomeducationisnotonlyunnecessary，butwhocanalsobeharmedbyit。Thosethatarepureofheart，sanguine，sincere，likechildren，andyouareofthosepeople。Youare，areyounot？"
　　WhatcouldFomasayinanswertothisquestion？Hesaidsincerely：
　　"Ithankyouhumbly！"
　　AndnoticingthathiswordscalledforthagaygleaminMedinskaya'seyes，Fomaappearedridiculousandstupidinhisowneyes；heimmediatelybecameangryathimselfandsaidinamuffledvoice：
　　"Yes，Iamsuch。Ialwaysspeakmymind。Icannotdeceive。IfI
　　seesomethingtolaughat，Ilaughopenly。Iamstupid！"
　　"Whatmakesyouspeakthatway？"saidthewoman，reproachfully，andadjustingherdress，sheaccidentallystrokedFoma'shand，inwhichheheldhishat。Thismadehimlookathiswristandsmilejoyouslyandconfusedly。