OnthemorningofthenextdayFomaandSashastoodsidebysideonthegangwayofasteamerwhichwasapproachingaharbourontheUstye。Sasha'sbigblackhatattractedeverybody'sattentionbyitsdeftlybentbrim，anditswhitefeathers，andFomawasillateaseashestoodbesideher，andfeltasthoughinquisitiveglancescrawledoverhisperplexedface。Thesteamerhissedandquiveredasitnearedthelanding-bridge，whichwassprinkledbyawaitingcrowdofpeopleattiredinbrightsummerclothes，anditseemedtoFomathathenoticedamongthecrowdofvariousfacesandfiguresapersonheknew，whonowseemedtobehidingbehindotherpeople'sbacks，andyetliftednothiseyefromhim。
"Let'sgointothecabin！"saidhetohiscompanionuneasily。
"Don'tacquirethehabitofhidingyoursinsfrompeople，"
repliedSasha，withasmile。"Haveyouperhapsnoticedanacquaintancethere？"
"Mm。Yes。Somebodyiswatchingme。"
"Anursewithamilkbottle？Ha，ha，ha！"
"Well，thereyou'reneighing！"saidFoma，enraged，lookingatheraskance。"DoyouthinkIamafraid？"
"Icanseehowbraveyouare。"
"You'llsee。I'llfaceanybody，"saidFoma，angrily，butafteracloselookatthecrowdintheharbourhisfacesuddenlyassumedanotherexpression，andheaddedsoftly：
"Oh，it'smygodfather。"
Attheveryedgeofthelanding-stagestoodYakovTarasovich，squeezedbetweentwostoutwomen，withhisiron-likefaceliftedupward，andhewavedhiscapintheairwithmaliciouspoliteness。Hisbeardshook，hisbaldcrownflashed，andhissmalleyepiercedFomalikeborers。
"Whatavulture！"mutteredFoma，raisinghiscapandnoddinghisheadtohisgodfather。
HisbowevidentlyaffordedgreatpleasuretoMayakin。Theoldmansomehowcoiledhimselfup，stampedhisfeet，andhisfaceseemedbeamingwithamalicioussmile。
"Thelittleboywillgetmoneyfornuts，itseems！"SashateasedFoma。Herwordstogetherwithhisgodfather'ssmileseemedtohavekindledafireinFoma'sbreast。
"Weshallseewhatisgoingtohappen，"hissedFoma，andsuddenlyhebecameaspetrifiedinmaliciouscalm。Thesteamermadefast，andthepeoplerushedinawavetothelanding-place。Pressedbythecrowd，Mayakindisappearedforawhilefromthesightofhisgodsonandappearedagainwithamaliciouslytriumphantsmile。
Fomastaredathimfixedly，withknittedbrow，andcametowardhimslowlypacingthegangplanks。Theyjostledhimintheback，theyleanedonhim，theysqueezedhim，andthisprovokedFomastillmore。Nowhecamefacetofacewiththeoldman，andthelattergreetedhimwithapolitebow，andasked：
"Whitherareyoutravelling，FomaIgnatyich？"
"Aboutmyaffairs，"repliedFoma，firmly，withoutgreetinghisgodfather。
"That'spraiseworthy，mydearsir！"saidYakovTarasovich，allbeamingwithasmile。"Theladywiththefeathers——whatisshetoyou，mayIask？"
"She'smymistress，"saidFoma，loud，withoutloweringhiseyesatthekeenlookofhisgodfather。
Sashastoodbehindhimcalmlyexaminingoverhisshoulderthelittleoldman，whoseheadhardlyreachedFoma'schin。AttractedbyFoma'sloudwords，thepubliclookedatthem，scentingascandal。AndMayakin，too，perceivedimmediatelythepossibilityofascandalandinstantlyestimatedcorrectlythequarrelsomemoodofhisgodson。Hecontractedhiswrinkles，bithislips，andsaidtoFoma，peaceably：
"Ihavesomethingtospeaktoyouabout。Willyoucomewithmetothehotel？"
"Yes；foralittlewhile。"
"Youhavenotime，then？It'saplainthing，youmustbemakinghastetowreckanotherbarge，eh？"saidtheoldman，unabletocontainhimselfanylonger。
"Andwhynotwreckthem，sincetheycanbewrecked？"retortedFoma，passionatelyandfirmly。
"Ofcourse，youdidnotearnthemyourself；whyshouldyousparethem？Well，come。Andcouldn'twedrownthatladyinthewaterforawhile？"saidMayakin，softly。
"Drivetothetown，Sasha，andengagearoomattheSiberianInn。
I'llbethereshortly！"saidFomaandturningtoMayakin，heannouncedboldly：
"Iamready！Letusgo！"
Neitherofthemspokeontheirwaytothehotel。Foma，seeingthathisgodfatherhadtoskipashewentinordertokeepupwithhim，purposelytooklongerstrides，andthefactthattheoldmancouldnotkeepstepwithhimsupportedandstrengthenedinhimtheturbulentfeelingofprotestwhichhewasbythistimescarcelyabletomaster。
"Waiter！"saidMayakin，gently，onenteringthehallofthehotel，andturningtowardaremotecorner，"letushaveabottleofmoorberrykvass。"
"AndIwantsomecognac，"orderedFoma。
"So-o！Whenyouhavepoorcardsyouhadbetteralwaysplaythelowesttrumpfirst！"Mayakinadvisedhimsarcastically。
"Youdon'tknowmygame！"saidFoma，seatinghimselfbythetable。
"Really？Come，come！Manyplaylikethat。"
"How？"
"Imeanasyoudo——boldly，butfoolishly。"
"Iplaysothateithertheheadissmashedtopieces，orthewallbrokeninhalf，"saidFoma，hotly，andstruckthetablewithhisfist。
"Haven'tyourecoveredfromyourdrunkennessyet？"askedMayakinwithasmile。
Fomaseatedhimselfmorefirmlyinhischair，and，hisfacedistortedwithwrathfulagitation，hesaid：
"Godfather，youareasensibleman。Irespectyouforyourcommonsense。"
"Thankyou，myson！"andMayakinbowed，risingslightly，andleaninghishandsagainstthetable。
"Don'tmentionit。IwanttotellyouthatIamnolongertwenty。
Iamnotachildanylonger。"
"Ofcoursenot！"assentedMayakin。"You'velivedagoodwhile，thatgoeswithoutsaying！Ifamosquitohadlivedaslongitmighthavegrownasbigasahen。"
"Stopyourjoking！"Fomawarnedhim，andhediditsocalmlythatMayakinstartedback，andthewrinklesonhisfacequiveredwithalarm。
"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？"askedFoma。
"Ah！you'vedonesomenastyworkhere。SoIwanttofindoutwhetherthere'smuchdamageinit！Yousee，Iamarelativeofyours。Andthen，Iamtheonlyoneyouhave。"
"Youaretroublingyourselfinvain。Doyouknow，papa，whatI'lltellyou？Eithergivemefullfreedom，ortakeallmybusinessintoyourownhands。Takeeverything！Everything——tothelastrouble！"
ThispropositionburstforthfromFomaaltogetherunexpectedlytohimself；hehadneverbeforethoughtofanythinglikeit。Butnowthatheutteredsuchwordstohisgodfatheritsuddenlybecamecleartohimthatifhisgodfatherweretotakefromhimallhispropertyhewouldbecomeaperfectlyfreeman，hecouldgowhereverhepleased，dowhateverhepleased。Untilthismomenthehadbeenboundandenmeshedwithsomething，butheknewnothisfettersandwasunabletobreakthem，whilenowtheywerefallingoffofthemselvessosimply，soeasily。Bothanalarmingandajoyoushopeblazedupwithinhisbreast，asthoughhenoticedthatsuddenlylighthadbeguntoflashuponhisturbidlife，thatawide，spaciousroadlayopennowbeforehim。Certainimagessprangupinhismind，and，watchingtheirshiftings，hemutteredincoherently：
"Here，thisisbetterthananything！Takeeverything，andbedonewithit！And——asforme——Ishallbefreetogoanywhereinthewideworld！Icannotlivelikethis。Ifeelasthoughweightswerehangingonme，asthoughIwereallbound。There——Imustnotgo，thisImustnotdo。Iwanttoliveinfreedom，thatImayknoweverythingmyself。Ishallsearchlifeformyself。For，otherwise，whatamI？Aprisoner！Bekind，takeeverything。Thedeviltakeitall！Givemefreedom，pray！WhatkindofamerchantamI？Idonotlikeanything。Andso——Iwouldforsakemen——
everything。Iwouldfindaplaceformyself，Iwouldfindsomekindofwork，andwouldwork。ByGod！Father！setmeatliberty！
Fornow，yousee，Iamdrinking。I'mentangledwiththatwoman。"
Mayakinlookedathim，listenedattentivelytohiswords，andhisfacewasstern，immobileasthoughpetrified。Adull，tavernnoisesmotetheair，somepeoplewentpastthem，theygreetedMayakin，buthesawnothing，staringfixedlyattheagitatedfaceofhisgodson，whosmileddistractedly，bothjoyouslyandpitifully。
"Eh，mysourblackberry！"saidMayakin，withasigh，interruptingFoma'sspeech。"Iseeyou'velostyourway。Andyou'repratingnonsense。Iwouldliketoknowwhetherthecognacistoblameforit，orisityourfoolishness？"
"Papa！"exclaimedFoma，"thiscansurelybedone。Therewerecaseswherepeoplehavecastawayalltheirpossessionsandthussavedthemselves。"
"Thatwasn'tinmytime。Notpeoplethatareneartome！"saidMayakin，sternly，"orelseIwouldhaveshownthemhowtogoaway！"
"Manyhavebecomesaintswhentheywentaway。"
"Mm！Theycouldn'thavegoneawayfromme！Thematterissimple——
youknowhowtoplayatdraughts，don'tyou？Movefromoneplacetoanotheruntilyouarebeaten，andifyou'renotbeatenthenyouhavethequeen。Thenallwaysareopentoyou。Doyouunderstand？AndwhyamItalkingtoyouseriously？Psha！"
"Papa！whydon'tyouwantit？"exclaimedFoma，angrily。
"Listentome！Ifyouareachimney-sweep，go，carrion，ontheroof！Ifyouareafireman，standonthewatch-tower！Andeachandeverysortofmenmusthaveitsownmodeoflife。Calvescannotroarlikebears！Ifyouliveyourownlife；goon，liveit！Anddon'ttalknonsense，anddon'tcreepwhereyoudon'tbelong。Arrangeyourlifeafteryourpattern。"Andfromthedarklipsoftheoldmangushedforthinatrembling，glitteringstreamthejarring，butconfidentandboldwordssofamiliartoFoma。Seizedwiththethoughtoffreedom，whichseemedtohimsoeasilypossible，Fomadidnotlistentohiswords。Thisideahadeatenintohisbrains，andinhisheartthedesiregrewstrongerandstrongertoseverallhisconnectionswiththisemptyandwearisomelife，withhisgodfather，withthesteamers，thebargesandthecarouses，witheverythingamidstwhichitwasnarrowandstiflingforhimtolive。
Theoldman'swordsseemedtofallonhimfromafar；theywereblendedwiththeclatterofthedishes，withthescrapingofthelackey'sfeetalongthefloor，withsomeone'sdrunkenshouting。
Notfarfromthemsatfourmerchantsatatableandarguedloudly：
"Twoandaquarter——andthankGod！"
"LukaMitrich！HowcanI？"
"Givehimtwoandahalf！"
"That'sright！Yououghttogiveit，it'sagoodsteamer，ittowsbriskly。"
"Mydearfellows，Ican't。Twoandaquarter！"
"Andallthisnonsensecametoyourheadfromyouryouthfulpassion！"saidMayakin，importantly，accompanyinghiswordswitharaponthetable。"Yourboldnessisstupidity；allthesewordsofyoursarenonsense。Wouldyouperhapsgotothecloister？orhaveyouperhapsalongingtogoonthehighways？"
Fomalistenedinsilence。Thebuzzingnoiseabouthimnowseemedtomovefartherawayfromhim。Hepicturedhimselfamidavastrestlesscrowdofpeople；withoutknowingwhytheybustledabouthitherandthither，jumpedononeanother；theireyesweregreedilyopenedwide；theywereshouting，cursing，falling，crushingoneanother，andtheywerealljostlingaboutononeplace。Hefeltbadamongthembecausehedidnotunderstandwhattheywanted，becausehehadnofaithintheirwords，andhefeltthattheyhadnofaithinthemselves，thattheyunderstoodnothing。Andifoneweretotearhimselfawayfromtheirmidsttofreedom，totheedgeoflife，andthencebeholdthem——thenallwouldbecomecleartohim。Thenhewouldalsounderstandwhattheywanted，andwouldfindhisownplaceamongthem。
"Don'tIunderstand，"saidMayakin，moregently，seeingFomalostinthought，andassumingthathewasreflectingonhiswords——"I
understandthatyouwanthappinessforyourself。Well，myfriend，itisnottobeeasilyseized。Youmustseekhappinessevenastheysearchformushroomsinthewood，youmustbendyourbackinsearchofit，andfindingit，seewhetheritisn'tatoad-stool。"
"Soyouwillsetmefree？"askedFoma，suddenlyliftinghishead，andMayakinturnedhiseyesawayfromhisfierylook。
"Father！atleastforashorttime！Letmebreathe，letmestepasidefromeverything！"entreatedFoma。"Iwillwatchhoweverythinggoeson。Andthen——ifnot——Ishallbecomeadrunkard。"
"Don'ttalknonsense。Whydoyouplaythefool？"criedMayakin，angrily。
"Verywell，then！"repliedFoma，calmly。"Verywell！Youdonotwantit？Thentherewillbenothing！I'llsquanderitall！Andthereisnothingmoreforustospeakof。Goodbye！I'llsetouttowork，you'llsee！Itwillaffordyoujoy。Everythingwillgoupinsmoke！"Fomawascalm，hespokewithconfidence；itseemedtohimthatsincehehadthusdecided，hisgodfathercouldnothinderhim。ButMayakinstraightenedhimselfinhischairandsaid，alsoplainlyandcalmly：
"AnddoyouknowhowIcandealwithyou？"
"Asyoulike！"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。"Wellthen。
NowIlikethefollowing：I'llreturntotownandwillseetoitthatyouaredeclaredinsane，andputintoalunaticasylum。"
"Canthisbedone？"askedFoma，distrustfully，butwithatoneoffrightinhisvoice。
"Wecandoeverything，mydear。"
Fomaloweredhishead，andcastingafurtiveglanceathisgodfather'sface，shuddered，thinking：
"He'lldoit；hewon'tspareme。"
"IfyouplaythefoolseriouslyImustalsodealwithyouseriously。Ipromisedyourfathertomakeamanofyou，andI
willdoit；ifyoucannotstandonyourfeet，I'llputyouinirons。Thenyouwillstand。ThoughIknowalltheseholywordsofyoursarebutuglycapricesthatcomefromexcessivedrinking。
Butifyoudonotgivethatup，ifyoukeeponbehavingindecently，ifyouruin，outofwantonness，thepropertyaccumulatedbyyourfather，I'llcoveryouallup。I'llhaveabellforgedoveryou。Itisveryinconvenienttofoolwithme。"
Mayakinspokegently。Thewrinklesofhischeeksallroseupward，andhissmalleyesintheirdarksocketsweresmilingsarcastically，coldly。Andthewrinklesonhisforeheadformedanoddpattern，risinguptohisbaldcrown。Hisfacewassternandmerciless，andbreathedmelancholyandcoldnessuponFoma'ssoul。
"Sothere'snowayoutforme？"askedFoma，gloomily。"Youareblockingallmyways？"
"Thereisaway。Gothere！Ishallguideyou。Don'tworry，itwillberight！Youwillcomejusttoyourproperplace。"
Thisself-confidence，thisunshakableboastfulnessarousedFoma'sindignation。Thrustinghishandsintohispocketsinordernottostriketheoldman，hestraightenedhimselfinhischairandclinchinghisteeth，said，facingMayakinclosely：
"Whyareyouboasting？Whatareyouboastingof？Yourownson，whereishe？Yourdaughter，whatisshe？Eh，you——youlife-
builder！Well，youareclever。Youknoweverything。Tellme，whatfordoyoulive？Whatforareyouaccumulatingmoney？Doyouthinkyouarenotgoingtodie？Well，whatthen？You'vecapturedme。You'vetakenholdofme，you'veconqueredme。Butwait，Imayyettearmyselfawayfromyou！Itisn'ttheendyet！Eh，you！
Whathaveyoudoneforlife？Bywhatwillyouberemembered？Myfather，forinstance，donatedalodging-house，andyou——whathaveyoudone？"
Mayakin'swrinklesquiveredandsankdownward，whereforehisfaceassumedasickly，weepingexpression。
"Howwillyoujustifyyourself？"askedFoma，softly，withoutliftinghiseyesfromhim。
"Holdyourtongue，youpuppy！"saidtheoldmaninalowvoice，castingaglanceofalarmabouttheroom。
"I'vesaideverything！AndnowI'mgoing！Holdmeback！"
Fomarosefromhischair，thrusthiscaponhishead，andmeasuredtheoldmanwithabhorrence。
"Youmaygo；butI'll——I'llcatchyou！ItwillcomeoutasI
say！"saidYakovTarasovichinabrokenvoice。
"AndI'llgoonaspree！I'llsquanderall！"
"Verywell，we'llsee！"
"Goodbye！youhero，"Fomalaughed。
"Goodbye，forashortwhile！I'llnotgobackonmyown。Iloveit。Iloveyou，too。Nevermind，you'reagoodfellow！"saidMayakin，softly，andasthoughoutofbreath。
"Donotloveme，butteachme。Butthen，youcannotteachmetherightthing！"saidFoma，asheturnedhisbackontheoldmanandleftthehall。
YakovTarasovichMayakinremainedinthetavernalone。Hesatbythetable，and，bendingoverit，madedrawingsofpatternsonthetray，dippinghistremblingfingerinthespiltkvass，andhissharp-pointedheadwassinkinglowerandloweroverthetable，asthoughhedidnotdecipher，andcouldnotmakeoutwhathisbonyfingerwasdrawingonthetray。
Beadsofperspirationglistenedonhisbaldcrown，andasusualthewrinklesonhischeeksquiveredwithfrequent，irritablestarts。
Inthetavernaresoundingtumultsmotetheairsothatthewindow-paneswererattling。FromtheVolgawerewaftedthewhistlingsofsteamers，thedullbeatingofthewheelsuponthewater，theshoutingoftheloaders——lifewasmovingonwardunceasinglyandunquestionably。
SummoningthewaiterwithanodYakovTarasovichaskedhimwithpeculiarintensityandimpressiveness"HowmuchdoIoweforallthis？"
CHAPTERX
PREVIOUStohisquarrelwithMayakin，Fomahadcarousedbecauseofthewearinessoflife，outofcuriosity，andhalfindifferently；nowheledadissipatedlifeoutofspite，almostindespair；nowhewasfilledwithafeelingofvengeanceandwithacertaininsolencetowardmen，aninsolencewhichastonishedevenhimselfattimes。Hesawthatthepeopleabouthim，likehimself，lackedsupportandreason，onlytheydidnotunderstandthis，orpurposelywouldnotunderstandit，soasnottohinderthemselvesfromlivingblindly，andfromgivingthemselvescompletely，withoutathought，totheirdissolutelife。Hefoundnothingfirminthem，nothingsteadfast；whensober，theyseemedtohimmiserableandstupid；whenintoxicated，theywererepulsivetohim，andstillmorestupid。Noneoftheminspiredhimwithrespect，withdeep，heartyinterest；hedidnotevenaskthemwhattheirnameswere；heforgotwhereandwhenhemadetheiracquaintance，andregardingthemwithcontemptuouscuriosity，alwayslongedtosayanddosomethingthatwouldoffendthem。Hepasseddaysandnightswiththemindifferentplacesofamusement，andhisacquaintancesalwaysdependedjustuponthecategoryofeachoftheseplaces。Intheexpensiveandelegantrestaurantscertainsharpersofthebetterclassofsocietysurroundedhim——gamblers，coupletsingers，jugglers，actors，andproperty-holderswhowereruinedbyleadingdepravedlives。Atfirstthesepeopletreatedhimwithapatronizingair，andboastedbeforehimoftheirrefinedtastes，oftheirknowledgeofthemeritsofwineandfood，andthentheycourtedfavoursofhim，fawneduponhim，borrowedofhimmoneywhichhescatteredaboutwithoutcounting，drawingitfromthebanks，andalreadyborrowingitonpromissorynotes。Inthecheaptavernshair-dressers，markers，clerks，functionariesandchoristerssurroundedhimlikevultures；andamongthesepeoplehealwaysfeltbetter——freer。Inthesehesawplainpeople，notsomonstrouslydeformedanddistortedasthat"cleansociety"oftheelegantrestaurants；thesewerelessdepraved，cleverer，betterunderstoodbyhim。Attimestheyevincedwholesome，strongemotions，andtherewasalwayssomethingmorehumaninthem。But，likethe"cleansociety，"thesewerealsoeagerformoney，andshamelesslyfleecedhim，andhesawitandrudelymockedthem。
Tobesure，therewerewomen。Physicallyhealthy，butnotsensual，Fomaboughtthem，thedearonesandthecheapones，thebeautifulandtheugly，gavethemlargesumsofmoney，changedthemalmosteveryweek，andingeneral，hetreatedthewomenbetterthanthemen。Helaughedatthem，saidtothemdisgracefulandoffensivewords，buthecouldnever，evenwhenhalf-drunk，ridhimselfofacertainbashfulnessintheirpresence。Theyall，eventhemostbrazen-faced，thestrongestandthemostshameless，seemedtohimweakanddefenseless，likesmallchildren。Alwaysreadytothrashanyman，heneverlaidahandonwomen，althoughwhenirritatedbysomethinghesometimesabusedthemindecently。
Hefeltthathewasimmeasurablystrongerthananywoman，andeverywomanseemedtohimimmeasurablymoremiserablethanhewas。Thoseofthewomenwholedtheirdissolutelivesaudaciously，boastingoftheirdepravity，calledforthinFomaafeelingofbashfulness，whichmadehimtimidandawkward。Oneevening，duringsupperhour，oneofthesewomen，intoxicatedandimpudent，struckFomaonthecheekwithamelon-rind。Fomawashalf-drunk。Heturnedpalewithrage，rosefromhischair，andthrustinghishandsintohispockets，saidinafiercevoicewhichtrembledwithindignation：
"Youcarrion，getout。Begone！Someoneelsewouldhavebrokenyourheadforthis。AndyouknowthatIamforbearingwithyou，andthatmyarmisneverraisedagainstanyofyourkind。Driveherawaytothedevil！"
AfewdaysafterherarrivalinKazan，Sashabecamethemistressofacertainvodka-distiller'sson，whowascarousingtogetherwithFoma。GoingawaywithhernewmastertosomeplaceontheKama，shesaidtoFoma：
"Goodbye，dearman！Perhapswemaymeetagain。We'rebothgoingthesameway！ButIadviseyounottogiveyourheartfreerein。
Enjoyyourselfwithoutlookingbackatanything。Andthen，whenthegrueliseatenup，smashthebowlontheground。Goodbye！"
Andsheimpressedahotkissuponhislips，atwhichhereyeslookedstilldarker。
Fomawasgladthatshewasleavinghim，hehadgrowntiredofherandhercoldindifferencefrightenedhim。Butnowsomethingtrembledwithinhim，heturnedasidefromherandsaidinalowvoice：
"Perhapsyouwillnotlivewelltogether，thencomebacktome。"
"Thankyou！"shereplied，andforsomereasonorotherburstintohoarselaughter，whichwasuncommonwithher。
ThuslivedFoma，dayinanddayout，alwaysturningaroundononeandthesameplace，amidpeoplewhowerealwaysalike，andwhoneverinspiredhimwithanynoblefeelings。Andthenheconsideredhimselfsuperiortothem，becausethethoughtsofthepossibilityoffreeinghimselffromthislifewastakingdeeperanddeeperrootinhismind，becausetheyearningforfreedomheldhiminaneverfirmerembrace，becauseeverbrighterwerethepicturesasheimaginedhimselfdriftingawaytotheborderoflife，awayfromthistumultandconfusion。Morethanonce，bynight，remainingallbyhimself，hewouldfirmlyclosehiseyesandpicturetohimselfadarkthrongofpeople，innumerablygreatandeventerribleinitsimmenseness。Crowdedtogethersomewhereinadeepvalley，whichwassurroundedbyhillocks，andfilledwithadustymist，thisthrongjostledoneanotheronthesameplaceinnoisyconfusion，andlookedlikegraininahopper。Itwasasthoughaninvisiblemillstone，hiddenbeneaththefeetofthecrowd，weregrindingit，andpeoplemovedaboutitlikewaves——nowrushingdownwardtobegroundthesooneranddisappear，nowburstingupwardintheefforttoescapethemercilessmillstone。Therewerealsopeoplewhoresembledcrabsjustcaughtandthrownintoahugebasket——clutchingatoneanother，theytwinedaboutheavily，crawledsomewhereandinterferedwithoneanother，andcoulddonothingtofreethemselvesfromcaptivity。
Fomasawfamiliarfacesamidthecrowd：therehisfatheriswalkingboldly，sturdilypushingasideandoverthrowingeverybodyonhisway；heisworkingwithhislongpaws，massingeverythingwithhischest，andlaughinginthunderingtones。Andthenhedisappears，sinkingsomewhereinthedepth，beneaththefeetofthepeople。There，wrigglinglikeasnake，nowjumpingonpeople'sshoulders，nowglidingbetweentheirfeet，hisgodfatherisworkingwithhislean，butsuppleandsinewybody。HereLuboviscryingandstruggling，followingherfather，withabruptbutfaintmovements，nowremainingbehindhim，nownearinghimagain。
Stridingsoftlywithakindsmileonherface，steppingasidefromeverybody，andmakingwayforeveryone，AuntAnfisaisslowlymovingalong。HerimagequiversinthedarknessbeforeFoma，likethemodestflameofawaxcandle。Anditdiesoutanddisappearsinthedarkness。Pelagayaisquicklygoingsomewherealongastraightroad。ThereSophyaPavlovnaMedinskayaisstanding，herhandshangingimpotently，justasshestoodinherdrawing-roomwhenhesawherlast。Hereyeswerelarge，butsomegreatfrightgleamsinthem。Sasha，too，ishere。Indifferent，payingnoattentiontothejostling，sheisstoutlygoingstraightintotheverydregsoflife，singinghersongsatthetopofhervoice，herdarkeyesfixedinthedistancebeforeher。
Fomahearstumult，howls，laughter，drunkenshouts，irritabledisputesaboutcopecks——songsandsobshoveroverthisenormousrestlessheapoflivinghumanbodiescrowdedintoapit。Theyjump，fall，crawl，crushoneanother，leapononeanother'sshoulders，gropeeverywherelikeblindpeople，stumblingeverywhereoverotherslikethemselves，struggle，and，falling，disappearfromsight。Moneyrustles，soaringlikebatsovertheheadsofthepeople，andthepeoplegreedilystretchouttheirhandstowardit，thegoldandsilverjingles，bottlesrattle，corkspop，someonesobs，andamelancholyfemalevoicesings：
"Andsoletuslivewhilewecan，Andthen——e'engrassmayceasetogrow！"
ThiswildpicturefasteneditselffirmlyinFoma'smind，andgrowingclearer，largerandmorevividwitheachtimeitarosebeforehim，rousinginhisbreastsomethingchaotic，onegreatindefinitefeelingintowhichfell，likestreamsintoariver，fearandrevoltandcompassionandwrathandmanyanotherthing。
Allthisboiledupwithinhisbreastintostraineddesire，whichwasthrustingitasunderintoadesirewhosepowerwaschokinghim，andhiseyeswerefilledwithtears；helongedtoshout，tohowllikeabeast，tofrightenallthepeople，tochecktheirsenselessbustle，topourintothetumultandvanityoftheirlifesomethingnew，hisown——totellthemcertainloudfirmwords，toguidethemallintoonedirection，andnotoneagainstanother。Hedesiredtoseizethembytheirheads，totearthemapartonefromanother，tothrashsome，tofondleothers，toreproachthemall，toilluminethemwithacertainfire。
Therewasnothinginhim，neitherthenecessarywords，northefire；allhehadwasthelongingwhichwascleartohim，butimpossibleoffulfillment。Hepicturedhimselfabovelifeoutsideofthedeepvalley，whereinpeoplewerebustlingabout；hesawhimselfstandingfirmlyonhisfeetand——speechless。Hemighthavecriedtothepeople：
"Seehowyoulive！Aren'tyouashamed？"
Andhemighthaveabusedthem。Butiftheyweretoaskonhearinghisvoice：
"Andhowoughtwetolive？"
Itwasperfectlycleartohimthataftersuchaquestionhewouldhavetoflydownheadforemostfromtheheightsthere，beneaththefeetofthethrong，uponthemillstone。Andlaughterwouldaccompanyhimtohisdestruction。
Sometimeshewasdeliriousunderthepressureofthisnightmare。
Certainmeaninglessandunconnectedwordsburstfromhislips；heevenperspiredfromthispainfulstrugglewithinhim。Attimesitoccurredtohimthathewasgoingmadfromintoxication，andthatthatwasthereasonwhythisterribleandgloomypicturewasforcingitselfintohismind。Withagreateffortofwillhebrushedasidethesepicturesandexcitements；butassoonashewasaloneandnotverydrunk，hewasagainseizedbyhisdeliriumandagaingrewfaintunderitsweight。Andhisthirstforfreedomwasgrowingmoreandmoreintense，torturinghimbyitsforce。
Buttearhimselfawayfromtheshacklesofhiswealthhecouldnot。Mayakin，whohadFoma'sfullpowerofattorneytomanagehisaffairs，actednowinsuchawaythatFomawasboundtofeelalmosteverydaytheburdenoftheobligationswhichresteduponhim。Peoplewereconstantlyapplyingtohimforpayments，proposingtohimtermsforthetransportationoffreight。Hisemployeesoverwhelmedhiminpersonandbyletterwithtrifleswithwhichhehadneverbeforeconcernedhimself，astheyusedtosettlethesetriflesattheirownrisk。Theylookedforhimandfoundhiminthetaverns，questionedhimastowhatandhowitshouldbedone；hewouldtellthemsometimeswithoutatallunderstandinginwhatwaythisorthatshouldbedone。Henoticedtheirconcealedcontemptforhim，andalmostalwayssawthattheydidnotdotheworkashehadordered，butdiditinadifferentandbetterway。Inthishefeltthecleverhandofhisgodfather，andunderstoodthattheoldmanwasthuspressinghiminordertoturnhimtohisway。Andatthesametimehenoticedthathewasnotthemasterofhisbusiness，butonlyacomponentpartofit，andaninsignificantpartatthat。Thisirritatedhimandmovedhimfartherawayfromtheoldman，itaugumentedhislongingtotearhimselfawayfromhisbusiness，evenatthecostofhisownruin。Infuriated，heflungmoneyaboutthetavernsanddives，butthisdidnotlastlong。YakovTarasovichclosedhisaccountsinthebanks，withdrawingalldeposits。SoonFomabegantofeelthatevenonpromissorynotes，theynowgavehimthemoneynotquiteaswillinglyasbefore。Thisstunghisvanity；andhisindignationwasroused，andhewasfrightenedwhenhelearnedthathisgodfatherhadcirculatedarumourinthebusinessworldthathe，Foma，wasoutofhismind，andthat，perhaps，itmightbecomenecessarytoappointaguardianforhim。Fomadidnotknowthelimitsofhisgodfather'spower，anddidnotventuretotakeanyone'scounselinthismatter。Hewasconvincedthatinthebusinessworldtheoldmanwasapower，andthathecoulddoanythinghepleased。AtfirstitwaspainfulforhimtofeelMayakin'shandoverhim，butlaterhebecamereconciledtothis，renouncedeverything，andresumedhisrestless，drunkenlife，whereintherewasonlyoneconsolation——thepeople。Witheachsucceedingdayhebecamemoreandmoreconvincedthattheyweremoreirrationalandaltogetherworsethanhe——thattheywerenotthemastersoflife，butitsslaves，andthatitwasturningthemaround，bendingandbreakingthematitswill，whiletheysuccumbedtoitunfeelinglyandresignedly，andnoneofthembuthedesiredfreedom。Buthewantedit，andthereforeproudlyelevatedhimselfabovehisdrinkingcompanions，notdesiringtoseeinthemanythingbutwrong。
Onedayinatavernacertainhalf-intoxicatedmancomplainedtohimofhislife。Thiswasasmall-sized，meagreman，withdim，frightenedeyes，unshaven，inashortfrockcoat，andwithabrightnecktie。Heblinkedpitifully，hisearsquiveredspasmodically，andhissoftlittlevoicealsotrembled。
"I'vestruggledhardtomakemywayamongmen；I'vetriedeverything，I'veworkedlikeabull。Butlifejostledmeaside，crushedmeunderfoot，gavemenochance。Allmypatiencegaveway。Eh！andsoI'vetakentodrink。IfeelthatI'llberuined。
Well，that'stheonlywayopentome！"
"Fool！"saidFomawithcontempt。"Whydidyouwanttomakeyourwayamongmen？Youshouldhavekeptawayfromthem，totheright。
Standingaside，youmighthaveseenwhereyourplacewasamongthem，andthengonerighttothepoint！"
"Idon'tunderstandyourwords。"Thelittlemanshookhisclose-
cropped，angularhead。
Fomalaughed，self-satisfied。
"Isitforyoutounderstandit？""No；doyouknow，IthinkthathewhomGoddecreed——"
"NotGod，butmanarrangeslife！"Fomablurtedout，andwasevenhimselfastonishedattheaudacityofhiswords。Andthelittlemanglancingathimaskancealsoshranktimidly。
"HasGodgivenyoureason？"askedFoma，recoveringfromhisembarrassment。
"Ofcourse；thatistosay，asmuchasistheshareofasmallman，"saidFoma'sinterlocutorirresolutely。
"Well，andyouhavenorighttoaskofHimasinglegrainmore！
Makeyourownlifebyyourownreason。AndGodwilljudgeyou。WeareallinHisservice。AndinHiseyesweareallofequalvalue。Understand？"
IthappenedveryoftenthatFomawouldsuddenlysaysomethingwhichseemedaudaciouseventohimself，andwhich，atthesametime，elevatedhiminhisowneyes。Therewerecertainunexpected，daringthoughtsandwords，whichsuddenlyflashedlikesparks，asthoughanimpressionproducedthemfromFoma'sbrains。Andhenoticedmorethanoncethatwhateverhehadcarefullythoughtoutbeforehandwasexpressedbyhimnotquitesowell，andmoreobscure，thanthatwhichsuddenlyflashedupinhisheart。
Fomalivedasthoughwalkinginaswamp，indangerofsinkingateachstepinthemireandslime，whilehisgodfather，likeariverloach，wriggledhimselfonadry，firmlittlespot，vigilantlywatchingthelifeofhisgodsonfromafar。
AfterhisquarrelwithFoma，YakovTarasovichreturnedhome，gloomyandpensive。Hiseyesflasheddrily，andhestraightenedhimselflikeatightly-stretchedstring。Hiswrinklesshrankpainfully，hisfaceseemedtohavebecomesmalleranddarker，andwhenLubovsawhiminthisstateitappearedtoherthathewasseriouslyill，butthathewasforcingandrestraininghimself。
Mutelyandnervouslytheoldmanflunghimselfabouttheroom，castinginreplytohisdaughter'squestions，drycurtwords，andfinallyshoutedtoher：
"Leavemealone！Youseeithasnothingtodowithyou。"
Shefeltsorryforhimwhenshenoticedthegloomyandmelancholyexpressionofhiskeen，greeneyes；shemadeitherdutytoquestionhimastowhathadhappenedtohim，andwhenheseatedhimselfatthedinner-tableshesuddenlyapproachedhim，placedherhandsonhisshoulders，andlookingdownintohisface，askedhimtenderlyandanxiously：
"Papa，areyouill？tellme！"
Hercaresseswereextremelyrare；theyalwayssoftenedthelonelyoldman，andthoughhedidnotrespondtothemforsomereasonorotherheneverthelesscouldnothelpappreciatingthem。Andnowheshruggedhisshoulders，thusthrowingoffherhandsandsaid：
"Go，gotoyourplace。HowtheitchingcuriosityofEvegivesyounorest。"
ButLubovdidnotgoaway；persistinglylookingintohiseyes，sheasked，withanoffendedtoneinhervoice：
"Papa，whydoyoualwaysspeaktomeinsuchawayasthoughI
wereasmallchild，orverystupid？"
"Becauseyouaregrownupandyetnotveryclever。Yes！That'sthewholestory！Go，sitdownandeat！"
Shewalkedawayandsilentlyseatedherselfoppositeherfather，compressingherlipsforaffront。ContrarytohishabitsMayakinateslowly，stirringhisspooninhisplateofcabbage-soupforalongtime，andexaminingthesoupclosely。
"Ifyourobstructedmindcouldbutcomprehendyourfather'sthoughts！"saidhe，suddenly，ashesighedwithasortofwhistlingsound。
Lubovthrewherspoonasideandalmostwithtearsinhervoice，said：
"Whydoyouinsultme，papa？YouseethatIamalone，alwaysalone！Youunderstandhowdifficultmylifeis，andyouneversayasinglekindwordtome。Youneversayanythingtome！Andyouarealsolonely；lifeisdifficultforyoutoo，Icanseeit。Youfinditveryhardtolive，butyoualonearetoblameforit！Youalone！
"NowBalaam'sshe-asshasalsostartedtotalk！"saidtheoldman，laughing。"Well！whatwillbenext？"
"Youareveryproudofyourwisdom，papa。"
"Andwhatelse？"
"Thatisn'tgood；anditpainsmegreatly。Whydoyourepulseme？
Youknowthat，saveyou，Ihavenoone。"
Tearsleapedtohereyes；herfathernoticedthem，andhisfacequivered。
"Ifyouwerenotagirl！"heexclaimed。"IfyouhadasmuchbrainsasMarfaPoosadnitza，forinstance。Eh，Lubov？ThenI'dlaughateverybody，andatFoma。Comenow，don'tcry！"
Shewipedhereyesandasked：
"WhataboutFoma？"
"He'srebellious。Ha！ha！hesays：'Takeawaymyproperty，givemefreedom！'Hewantstosavehissoulinthekabak。That'swhatenteredFoma'shead。"
"Well，whatisthis？"askedLubov，irresolutely。ShewantedtosaythatFoma'sdesirewasgood，thatitwasanobledesireifitwereearnest，butshefearedtoirritateherfatherwithherwords，andsheonlygazedathimquestioningly。
"Whatisit？"saidMayakin，excitedly，trembling。"Thateithercomestohimfromexcessivedrinking，orelse——Heavenforbid——
fromhismother，theorthodoxspirit。AndifthisheathenishleavenisgoingtoriseinhimI'llhavetostrugglehardwithhim！Therewillbeagreatconflictbetweenus。Hehascomeout，breastforemost，againstme；hehasatoncedisplayedgreataudacity。He'syoung——there'snotmuchcunninginhimasyet。Hesays：'I'lldrinkawayeverything，everythingwillgoupinsmoke！I'llshowyouhowtodrink！
Mayakinliftedhishandoverhishead，and，clenchinghisfist，threatenedfuriously。
"Howdareyou？Whoestablishedthebusiness？Whobuiltitup？
You？Yourfather。Fortyyearsoflabourwereputintoit，andyouwishtodestroyit？Wemustallgotoourplacesherealltogetherasoneman，therecautiously，onebyone。Wemerchants，tradesmen，haveforcenturiescarriedRussiaonourshoulders，andwearestillcarryingit。PetertheGreatwasaCzarofdivinewisdom，heknewourvalue。Howhesupportedus！Hehadprintedbooksfortheexpresspurposeofteachingusbusiness。
ThereIhaveabookwhichwasprintedathisorderbyPolidorVirgilyOorbansky，aboutinventory，printedin1720。Yes，onemustunderstandthis。Heunderstoodit，andclearedthewayforus。Andnowwestandonourownfeet，andwefeelourplace。
Clearthewayforus！Wehavelaidthefoundationoflife，insteadofbrickswehavelaidourselvesintheearth。Nowwemustbuildthestories。Giveusfreedomofaction！That'swherewemustholdourcourse。That'swheretheproblemlies；butFomadoesnotcomprehendthis。Buthemustunderstandit，mustresumethework。Hehashisfather'smeans。WhenIdieminewillbeaddedtohis。Work，youpuppy！Andheisraving。No，wait！I'llliftyouuptotheproperpoint！"
TheoldmanwaschokingwithagitationandwithflashingeyeslookedathisdaughtersofuriouslyasthoughFomaweresittinginherplace。HisagitationfrightenedLubov，butshelackedthecouragetointerruptherfather，andshelookedathissternandgloomyfaceinsilence。
"Theroadhasbeenpavedbyourfathers，andyoumustwalkonit。
Ihaveworkedforfiftyyearstowhatpurpose？ThatmychildrenmayresumeitafterIamgone。Mychildren！Wherearemychildren？"
Theoldmandroopedhisheadmournfully，hisvoicebrokedown，andhesaidsadly，asifhewerespeakinguntohimself：
"Oneisaconvict，utterlyruined；theother，adrunkard。Ihavelittlehopeinhim。Mydaughter，towhom，then，shallIleavemylabourbeforemydeath？IfIhadbutason-in-law。IthoughtFomawouldbecomeamanandwouldbesharpenedup，thenIwouldgiveyouuntohim，andwithyouallIhave——there！ButFomaisgoodfornothing，andIseenooneelseinhisstead。Whatsortofpeoplewehavenow！Informerdaysthepeoplewereasofiron，whilenowtheyareofindia-rubber。Theyareallbendingnow。Andnothing——theyhavenofirmnessinthem。Whatisit？Whyisitso？"
Mayakinlookedathisdaughterwithalarm。Shewassilent。
"Tellme，"heaskedher，"whatdoyouneed？How，inyouropinion，isitpropertolive？Whatdoyouwant？Youhavestudied，read，tellmewhatisitthatyouneed？"
ThequestionsfellonLubov'sheadquiteunexpectedlytoher，andshewasembarrassed。Shewaspleasedthatherfatheraskedheraboutthismatter，andwasatthesametimeafraidtoreply，lestsheshouldbeloweredinhisestimation。Andthen，gatheringcourage，asthoughpreparingtojumpacrossthetable，shesaidirresolutelyandinatremblingvoice：
"Thatallthepeopleshouldbehappyandcontented；thatallthepeopleshouldbeequal，allthepeoplehaveanequalrighttolife，totheblissoflife，allmusthavefreedom，evenastheyhaveair。Andequalityineverything！"
Atthebeginningofheragitatedspeechherfatherlookedatherfacewithanxiouscuriosityinhiseyes，butasshewentonhastilyhurlingherwordsathimhiseyesassumedanaltogetherdifferentexpression，andfinallyhesaidtoherwithcalmcontempt：
"Iknewitbefore——youareagildedfool！"
Sheloweredherhead，butimmediatelyraiseditandexclaimedsadly：
"Youhavesaidsoyourself——freedom。"
"Youhadbetterholdyourtongue！"theoldmanshoutedatherrudely。"Youcannotseeeventhatwhichisvisiblyforcedoutsideofeachman。Howcanallthepeoplebehappyandequal，sinceeachonewantstobeabovetheother？Eventhebeggarhashisprideandalwaysboastsofsomethingorotherbeforeotherpeople。Asmallchild，evenhewantstobefirstamonghisplaymates。Andonemanwillneveryieldtoanother；onlyfoolsbelieveinit。Eachmanhashisownsoul，andhisownface；onlythosewholovenottheirsoulsandcarenotfortheirfacescanbeplaneddowntothesamesize。Eh，you！You'vereadmuchtrash，andyou'vedevouredit！"
Bitterreproachandbitingcontemptwereexpressedontheoldman'sface。Henoisilypushedhischairawayfromthetable，jumpedup，andfoldinghishandsbehindhisback，begantodartaboutintheroomwithshortsteps，shakinghisheadandsayingsomethingtohimselfinanangry，hissingwhisper。Lubov，palewithemotionandanger，feelingherselfstupidandpowerlessbeforehim，listeningtohiswhisper，andherheartpalpitatedwildly。
"Iamleftalone，alone，likeJob。0hLord！WhatshallIdo？Oh，alone！AmInotwise？AmInotclever？Butlifehasoutwittedmealso。Whatdoesitlove？Whomdoesitfondle？Itbeatsthegood，andsuffersnotthebadtogounpunished，andnooneunderstandslife'sjustice。"
Thegirlbegantofeelpainfullysorryfortheoldman；shewasseizedwithanintenseyearningtohelphim；shelongedtobeofusetohim。
Followinghimwithburningeyes，shesuddenlysaidinalowvoice：
"Papa，dear！donotgrieve。Tarasisstillalive。Perhapshe——"
Mayakinstoppedsuddenlyasthoughnailedtothespot，andheslowlyliftedhishead。
"Thetreethatgrewcrookedinitsyouthandcouldnotholdoutwillcertainlybreakwhenit'sold。Butnevertheless，evenTarasisastrawtomenow。ThoughIdoubtwhetherheisbetterthanFoma。Gordyeeffhasacharacter，hehashisfather'sdaring。Hecantakeagreatdealonhimself。ButTaraska，yourecalledhimjustintime。Yes！"
Andtheoldman，whoamomentagohadlosthiscouragetothepointofcomplaining，and，grief-strickenhadrunabouttheroomlikeamouseinatrap，nowcalmlyandfirmlywalkedupwithacarewornfacetothetable，carefullyadjustedhischair，andseatedhimself，saying：
"We'llhavetosoundTaraska。HelivesinUsolyeatsomefactory。
Iwastoldbysomemerchants——they'remakingsodathere，I
believe。I'llfindouttheparticulars。I'llwritetohim。"
"Allowmetowritetohim，papa！"beggedLubov，softly，flushing，tremblingwithjoy。
"You？"askedMayakin，castingabriefglanceather；hethenbecamesilent，thoughtawhileandsaid：
"That'sallright。That'sevenbetter！Writetohim。Askhimwhetherheisn'tmarried，howhelives，whathethinks。ButthenI'lltellyouwhattowritewhenthetimehascome。"
"Doitatonce，papa，"saidthegirl。
"Itisnecessarytomarryyouoffthesooner。Iamkeepinganeyeonacertainred-hairedfellow。Hedoesn'tseemtobestupid。
He'sbeenpolishedabroad，bytheway。
"IsitSmolin，papa？"askedLubov，inquisitivelyandanxiously。
"Andsupposingitishe，whatofit？"inquiredYakovTarasovichinabusiness-liketone。
"Nothing，Idon'tknowhim，"repliedLubov，indefinitely。
"We'llmakeyouacquainted。It'stime，Lubov，it'stime。OurhopesforFomaarepoor，althoughIdonotgivehimup。"
"IdidnotreckononFoma——whatishetome？"
"That'swrong。Ifyouhadbeenclevererperhapshewouldn'thavegoneastray！WheneverIusedtoseeyoutogether，Ithought：'Mygirlwillattractthefellowtoherself！Thatwillbeafineaffair！'ButIwaswrong。Ithoughtthatyouwouldknowwhatistoyouradvantagewithoutbeingtoldofit。That'stheway，mygirl！"saidthefather，instructively。
Shebecamethoughtfulasshelistenedtohisimpressivespeech。
Robustandstrong，Lubovwasthinkingofmarriagemoreandmorefrequentlyoflate，forshesawnootherwayoutofherloneliness。Thedesiretoforsakeherfatherandgoawaysomewhereinordertostudysomething，todosomething。Thisdesireshehadlongsinceovercome，evenassheconqueredinherselfmanyanotherlongingjustaskeen，butshallowandindefinite。Fromthevariousbooksshehadreadathicksedimentremainedwithinher，andthoughitwassomethingliveithadthelifeofaprotoplasm。Thissedimentdevelopedinthegirlafeelingofdis-satisfactionwithherlife，ayearningtowardpersonalindependence，alongingtobefreedfromtheheavyguardianshipofherfather，butshehadneitherthepowertorealizethesedesires，northeclearconceptionoftheirrealization。Butnaturehaditsinfluenceonher，andatthesightofyoungmotherswithchildrenintheirarmsLubovoftenfeltasadandmournfullanguorwithinher。Attimesstoppingbeforethemirrorshesadlyscrutinizedinitherplump，freshfacewithdarkcirclesaroundhereyes，andshefeltsorryforherself。Shefeltthatlifewasgoingpasther，forgettinghersomewhereontheside。Nowlisteningtoherfather'swordsshepicturedtoherselfwhatsortofmanSmolinmightbe。ShehadmethimwhenhewasyetaGymnasiumstudent，hisfacewascoveredwithfreckles，hewassnub-nosed，alwaysclean，sedateandtiresome。Hedancedheavily，awkwardly，hetalkeduninterestingly。Alongtimehadpassedsincethen，hehadbeenabroad，hadstudiedsomethingthere，howwashenow？FromSmolinherthoughtsdartedtoherbrother，andwithasinkingheartshethought：whatwouldhesayinreplytoherletter？Whatsortofamanwashe？TheimageofherbrotherasshehadpicturedittoherselfpreventedherfromseeingbothherfatherandSmolin，andshehadalreadymadeuphermindnottoconsenttomarrybeforemeetingTaras，whensuddenlyherfathershoutedtoher：
"Eh，Lubovka！Whyareyouthoughtful？Whatareyouthinkingofmostly？"
"So，everythinggoessoswiftly，"repliedLuba，withasmile。
"Whatgoesswiftly？"
"Everything。AweekagoitwasimpossibletospeakwithyouaboutTaras，whilenow——"
"'Tisneed，mygirl！Needisapower，itbendsasteelrodintoaspring。Andsteelisstubborn。Taras，we'llseewhatheis！Manistobeappreciatedbyhisresistancetothepoweroflife；ifitisn'tlifethatwringshim，buthethatwringslifetosuithimself，myrespectstothatman！Allowmetoshakeyourhand，let'srunourbusinesstogether。Eh，Iamold。Andhowverybrisklifehasbecomenow！Witheachsucceedingyearthereismoreandmoreinterestinit，moreandmorerelishtoit！IwishIcouldliveforever，IwishIcouldactallthetime！"Theoldmansmackedhislips，rubbedhishands，andhissmalleyesgleamedgreedily。
"Butyouareathin-bloodedlot！Ereyouhavegrownupyouarealreadyovergrownandwithered。Youlivelikeanoldradish。Andthefactthatlifeisgrowingfairerandfairerisincomprehensibletoyou。Ihavelivedsixty-sevenyearsonthisearth，andthoughIamnowstandingclosetomygraveIcanseethatinformeryears，whenIwasyoung，therewerefewerflowersonearth，andtheflowerswerenotquiteasbeautifulastheyarenow。Everythingisgrowingmorebeautiful！Whatbuildingswehavenow！Whatdifferenttradeimplements。Whathugesteamers！Aworldofbrainshasbeenputintoeverything！Youlookandthink；whatcleverfellowsyouare——0hpeople！Youmeritrewardandrespect！
You'vearrangedlifecleverly。Everythingisgood，everythingispleasant。Onlyyou，oursuccessors，youaredevoidofalllivefeelings！Anylittlecharlatanfromamongthecommonersisclevererthanyou！TakethatYozhov，forinstance，whatishe？
Andyetherepresentshimselfasjudgeoverus，andevenoverlifeitself——hehascourage。Butyou，pshaw！Youlivelikebeggars！Inyourjoyyouarebeasts，inyourmisfortunevermin！
Youarerotten！Theyoughttoinjectfireintoyourveins，theyoughttotakeyourskinoffandstrewsaltuponyourrawflesh，thenyouwouldhavejumped！"
YakovTarasovich，small-sized，wrinkledandbony，withblack，brokenteethinhismouth，bald-headedanddark，asthoughburnedbytheheatoflifeandsmokedinit，trembledinvehementagitation，showeringjarringwordsofcontemptuponhisdaughter，whowasyoung，well-grownandplump。Shelookedathimwithaguiltyexpressioninhereyes，smiledconfusedly，andinherheartgrewagreaterandgreaterrespectfortheliveoldmanwhowassosteadfastinhisdesires……
AndFomawentonstrayingandraving，passinghisdaysandnightsintavernsanddens，andmasteringmoreandmorefirmlyhiscontemptuously-hatefulbearingtowardthepeoplethatsurroundedhim。Attimestheyawakenedinhimasadyearningtofindamongthemsomesortofresistancetohiswickedfeeling，tomeetaworthyandcourageousmanwhowouldcausehimtoblushwithshamebyhisburningreproach。Thisyearningbecameclearer——eachtimeitsprangupinhimitwasalongingforassistanceonthepartofamanwhofeltthathehadlosthiswayandwasperishing。
"Brethren！"hecriedoneday，sittingbythetableinatavern，half-intoxicated，andsurroundedbycertainobscureandgreedypeople，whoateanddrankasthoughtheyhadnothadapieceofbreadintheirmouthsformanyalongdaybefore。
"Brethren！Ifeeldisgusted。Iamtiredofyou！Beatmeunmercifully，drivemeaway！Youarerascals，butyouarenearertooneanotherthantome。Why？AmInotadrunkardandarascalaswell？AndyetIamastrangertoyou！IcanseeIamastranger。Youdrinkoutofmeandsecretlyyouspituponme。I
canfeelit！Whydoyoudoit？"
Tobesure，theycouldtreathiminadifferentway。InthedepthofhissoulperhapsnotoneofthemconsideredhimselflowerthanFoma，buthewasrich，andthishinderedthemfromtreatinghimmoreasacompanion，andthenhealwaysspokecertaincomicallywrathful，conscience-rendingwords，andthisembarrassedthem。
Moreover，hewasstrongandreadytofight，andtheydarednotsayawordagainsthim。Andthatwasjustwhathewanted。Hewishedmoreandmoreintenselythatoneofthesepeoplehedespisedwouldstandupagainsthim，facetoface，andwouldtellhimsomethingstrong，which，likealever，wouldturnhimasidefromtheslopingroad，whosedangerhefelt，andwhosefilthhesaw，beingfilledwithhelplessaversionforit。
AndFomafoundwhatheneeded。
Oneday，irritatedbythelackofattentionforhim，hecriedtohisdrinking-companions：
"Youboys，keepquiet，everyoneofyou！Whogivesyoutodrinkandtoeat？Haveyouforgottenit？I'llbringyouinorder！I'llshowyouhowtorespectme！Convicts！WhenIspeakyoumustallkeepquiet！"
And，indeed，allbecamesilent；eitherforfearlesttheymightlosehisgoodwill，or，perhaps，afraidthathe，thathealthyandstrongbeast，mightbeatthem。Theysatinsilenceaboutaminute，concealingtheirangerathim，bendingovertheplatesandattemptingtohidefromhimtheirfrightandembarrassment。
Fomameasuredthemwithaself-satisfiedlook，andgratifiedbytheirslavishsubmissiveness，saidboastfully：
"Ah！You'vegrowndumbnow，that'stheway！Iamstrict！I——"
"Yousluggard！"camesomeone'scalm，loudexclamation。
"Wha-at？"roaredFoma，jumpingupfromhischair。"Whosaidthat？"
Thenacertain，strange，shabby-lookingmanaroseattheendofthetable；hewastall，inalongfrock-coat，withaheapofgrayishhaironhislargehead。Hishairwasstiff，standingoutinalldirectionsinthicklocks，hisfacewasyellow，unshaven，withalong，crookednose。ToFomaitseemedthatheresembledaswabwithwhichthesteamerdecksarewashed，andthisamusedthehalf-intoxicatedfellow。
"Howfine！"saidhe，sarcastically。"Whatareyousnarlingat，eh？DoyouknowwhoIam？"
WiththegestureofatragicactorthemanstretchedouttoFomahishand，withitslong，pliantfingerslikethoseofajuggler，andhesaidinadeephoarsebasso：
"Youaretherottendiseaseofyourfather，who，thoughhewasaplunderer，wasneverthelessaworthymanincomparisonwithyou。"
Becauseoftheunexpectednessofthis，andbecauseofhiswrath，Foma'sheartshrank。Hefiercelyopenedhiseyeswideandkeptsilent，findingnowordstoreplytothisinsolence。Andtheman，standingbeforehim，wentonhoarsely，withanimation，beastlikerollinghislarge，butdimandswollen，eyes：
"Youdemandofusrespectforyou，youfool！Howhaveyoumeritedit？Whoareyou？Adrunkard，drinkingawaythefortuneofyourfather。Yousavage！YououghttobeproudthatI，arenownedartist，adisinterestedandfaithfulworshipperattheshrineofart，drinkfromthesamebottlewithyou！Thisbottlecontainssandalandmolasses，infusedwithsnuff-tobacco，whileyouthinkitisportwine。Itisyourlicenseforthenameofsavageandass。"
"Eh，youjailbird！"roaredFoma，rushingtowardtheartist。Buthewasseizedandheldback。Strugglinginthearmsofthosethatseizedhim，hewascompelledtolistenwithoutreplying，tothethundering，deepandheavybassofthemanwhoresembledaswab。
"Youhavethrowntomenafewcopecksoutofthestolenroubles，andyouconsideryourselfahero！Youaretwiceathief。Youhavestolentheroublesandnowyouarestealinggratitudeforyourfewcopecks！ButIshallnotgiveittoyou！I，whohavedevotedallmylifetothecondemnationofvice，Istandbeforeyouandsayopenly：'Youareafoolandabeggarbecauseyouaretoorich！Hereliesthewisdom：allthericharebeggars。'That'showthefamouscoupletist，Rimsky-Kannibalsky，servesTruth！"
Fomawasnowstandingmeeklyamongthepeoplethathadcloselysurroundedhim，andheeagerlylistenedtothecoupletist'sthunderingwords，whichnowarousedinhimasensationasthoughsomebodywasscratchingasorespot，andthussoothingtheacuteitchingofthepain。Thepeoplewereexcited；someattemptedtocheckthecoupletist'sflowofeloquence，otherswantedtoleadFomaawaysomewhere。Withoutsayingawordhepushedthemasideandlistened，moreandmoreabsorbedbytheintensepleasureofhumiliationwhichhefeltinthepresenceofthesepeople。Thepainirritatedbythewordsofthecoupletist，caressedFoma'ssoulmoreandmorepassionately，andthecoupletistwentonthundering，intoxicatedwiththeimpurityofhisaccusation：
"Youthinkthatyouarethemasteroflife？Youarethelowslaveoftherouble。"
Someoneinthecrowdhiccoughed，and，evidentlydispleasedwithhimselfforthis，cursedeachtimehehiccoughed：
"0hdevil。"
Andacertain，unshaven，fat-facedmantookpityonFoma，or，perhaps，becametiredofwitnessingthatscene，and，wavinghishands，hedrawledoutplaintively：
"Gentlemen，dropthat！Itisn'tgood！Forweareallsinners！
Decidedlyall，believeme！"
"Well，speakon！"mutteredFoma。"Sayeverything！Iwon'ttouchyou。"
Themirrorsonthewallsreflectedthisdrunkenconfusion，andthepeople，asreflectedinthemirrors，seemedmoredisgustingandhideousthantheywereinreality。
"Idonotwanttospeak！"exclaimedthecoupletist，"Idonotwanttocastthepearlsoftruthandofmywrathbeforeyou。"
Herushedforward，andraisinghisheadmajestically，turnedtowardthedoorwithtragicfootsteps。
"Youlie！"saidFoma，attemptingtofollowhim。"Holdon！youhavemademeagitated，nowcalmme。"
Theyseizedhim，surroundedhimandshoutedsomethingtohimwhilehewasrushingforward，overturningeverybody。Whenhemettactileobstaclesonhiswaythestrugglewiththemgavehimease，unitingallhisriotousfeelingsintooneyearningtooverthrowthatwhichhinderedhim。Andnow，afterhehadjostledthemallasideandrushedoutintothestreet，hewasalreadylessagitated。Standingonthesidewalkhelookedaboutthestreetandthoughtwithshame：
"HowcouldIpermitthatswabtomockmeandabusemyfatherasathief？"
Itwasdarkandquietabouthim，themoonwasshiningbrightly，andalightrefreshingbreezewasblowing。Fomaheldhisfacetothecoolbreezeashewalkedagainstthewindwithrapidstrides，timidlylookingaboutonallsides，andwishingthatnoneofthecompanyfromthetavernwouldfollowhim。Heunderstoodthathehadloweredhimselfintheeyesofallthesepeople。Ashewalkedhethoughtofwhathehadcometo：asharperhadpubliclyabusedhimindisgracefulterms，whilehe，thesonofawell-knownmerchant，hadnotbeenabletorepayhimforhismocking。
"Itservesmeright！"thoughtFoma，sadlyandbitterly。"Thatservesmeright！Don'tloseyourhead，understand。Andthenagain，Iwanteditmyself。Iinterferedwitheverybody，sonow，takeyourshare！"Thesethoughtsmadehimfeelpainfullysorryforhimself。Seizedandsoberedbythemhekeptonstrollingalongthestreets，andsearchingforsomethingstrongandfirminhimself。Buteverythingwithinhimwasconfused；itmerelyoppressedhisheart，withoutassuminganydefiniteforms。Asinapainfuldreamhereachedtheriver，seatedhimselfonthebeamsbytheshore，andbegantolookatthecalmdarkwater，whichwascoveredwithtinyripples。Calmlyandalmostnoiselesslyflowedonthebroad，mightyriver，carryingenormousweightsuponitsbosom。Theriverwasallcoveredwithblackvessels，thesignallightsandthestarswerereflectedinitswater；thetinyripples，murmuringsoftly，weregentlybreakingagainsttheshoreattheveryfeetofFoma。Sadnesswasbreatheddownfromthesky，thefeelingoflonelinessoppressedFoma。
"0hLordJesusChrist！"thoughthe，sadlygazingatthesky。
"WhatafailureIam。Thereisnothinginme。Godhasputnothingintome。OfwhatuseamI？OhLordJesus！"
AttherecollectionofChristFomafeltsomewhatbetter——hislonelinessseemedalleviated，andheavingadeepsigh，hebegantoaddressGodinsilence：
"0hLordJesusChrist！Otherpeopledonotunderstandanythingeither，buttheythinkthatallisknowntothem，andthereforeitiseasierforthemtolive。WhileI——Ihavenojustification。
Hereitisnight，andIamalone，Ihavenoplacetogo，Iamunabletosayanythingtoanybody。Ilovenoone——onlymygodfather，andheissoulless。IfThouhadstbutpunishedhimsomehow！Hethinksthereisnoneclevererandbetteronearththanhimself。WhileThousufferestit。Andthesamewithme。Ifsomemisfortunewerebutsenttome。Ifsomeillnessweretoovertakeme。ButhereIamasstrongasiron。Iamdrinking，leadingagaylife。Iliveinfilth，butthebodydoesnotevenrust，andonlymysoulaches。OhLord！Towhatpurposeissuchalife？"
Vaguethoughtsofprotestflashedoneafteranotherthroughthemindofthelonely，strayingman，whilethesilenceabouthimwasgrowingdeeper，andnighteverdarkeranddarker。Notfarfromtheshorelayaboatatanchor；itrockedfromsidetoside，andsomethingwascreakinginitasthoughmoaning。
"HowamItofreemyselffromsuchalifeasthis？"reflectedFoma，staringattheboat。"Andwhatoccupationisdestinedtobemine？Everybodyisworking。"
Andsuddenlyhewasstruckbyathoughtwhichappearedgreattohim：
"Andhardworkischeaperthaneasywork！Somemanwillgivehimselfupentiretohisworkforarouble，whileanothertakesathousandwithonefinger。"
Hewaspleasantlyrousedbythisthought。Itseemedtohimthathediscoveredanotherfalsehoodinthelifeofman，anotherfraudwhichtheyconceal。Herecalledoneofhisstokers，theoldmanIlya，who，fortencopecks，usedtobeonwatchatthefireplaceoutofhisturn，workingforacomradeeighthoursinsuccession，amidsuffocatingheat。Oneday，whenhehadfallensickonaccountofoverwork，hewaslyingonthebowofthesteamer，andwhenFomaaskedhimwhyhewasthusruininghimself，Ilyarepliedroughlyandsternly：
"Becauseeverycopeckismorenecessarytomethanahundredroublestoyou。That'swhy！"
And，sayingthis，theoldmanturnedhisbody，whichwasburningwithpain，withitsbacktoFoma。
Reflectingonthestokerhisthoughtssuddenlyandwithoutanyeffort，embracedallthosepettypeoplethatweredoinghardwork。Hewondered，Whydotheylive？Whatpleasureisitforthemtoliveonearth？Theyconstantlydobuttheirdirty，hardwork，theyeatpoorly，arepoorlyclad，theydrink。Onemanissixtyyearsold，andyethekeepsontoilingsidebysidewiththeyoungfellows。AndtheyallappearedtoFomaasahugepileofworms，whichbattledaboutonearthjusttogetsomethingtoeat。
Inhismemoryspranguphismeetingswiththesepeople，oneafteranother——theirremarksaboutlife——nowsarcasticandmournful，nowhopelesslygloomyremarks——theirwailingsongs。AndnowhealsorecalledhowonedayintheofficeYefimhadsaidtotheclerkwhohiredthesailors：
"SomeLopukhinpeasantshavecomeheretohirethemselvesout，sodon'tgivethemmorethantenroublesamonth。Theirplacewasburneddowntoasheslastsummer，andtheyarenowindireneed——
they'llworkfortenroubles。"
Sittingonthebeams，Fomarockedhiswholebodytoandfro，andoutofthedarkness，fromtheriver，varioushumanfiguresappearedsilentlybeforehim——sailors，stokers，clerks，waiters，half-intoxicatedpaintedwomen，andtavern-loungers。Theyfloatedintheairlikeshadows；somethingdampandbrackishcamefromthem，andthedark，densethrongmovedonslowly，noiselesslyandswiftly，likecloudsinanautumnsky。Thesoftsplashingofthewavespouredintohissoullikesadlysighingmusic。Faraway，somewhereontheotherbankoftheriver，burnedawood-pile；
embracedbythedarknessonallsides，itwasattimesalmostabsorbedbyit，andinthedarknessittrembled，areddishspotscarcelyvisibletotheeye。Butnowthefireflamedupagain，thedarknessreceded，anditwasevidentthattheflamewasstrivingupward。Andthenitsankagain。
"0hLord，0hLord！"thoughtFoma，painfullyandbitterly，feelingthatgriefwasoppressinghisheartwithevergreaterpower。
"HereIam，alone，evenasthatfire。Onlynolightcomesfromme，nothingbutfumesandsmoke。IfIcouldonlymeetawiseman！
Someonetospeakto。Itisutterlyimpossibleformetolivealone。Icannotdoanything。IwishImightmeetaman。"
Faraway，ontheriver，twolargepurplefiresappeared，andhighabovethemwasathird。Adullnoiseresoundedinthedistance，somethingblackwasmovingtowardFoma。
"Asteamergoingupstream，"hethought。"Theremaybemorethanahundredpeopleaboard，andnoneofthemgiveasinglethoughttome。Theyallknowwhithertheyaresailing。Everyoneofthemhassomethingthatishisown。Everyone，Ibelieve，understandswhathewants。ButwhatdoIwant？Andwhowilltellittome？
Whereissuchaman？"
Thelightsofthesteamerwerereflectedintheriver，quiveringinit；theilluminedwaterrushedawayfromitwithadullmurmur，andthesteamerlookedlikeahugeblackfishwithfinsoffire。
Afewdayselapsedafterthispainfulnight，andFomacarousedagain。Itcameaboutbyaccidentandagainsthiswill。Hehadmadeuphismindtorestrainhimselffromdrinking，andsowenttodinnerinoneofthemostexpensivehotelsintown，hopingtofindtherenoneofhisfamiliardrinking-companions，whoalwaysselectedthecheaperandlessrespectableplacesfortheirdrinkingbouts。Buthiscalculationprovedtobewrong；heatoncecameintothefriendlyjoyousembraceofthebrandy-
distiller'sson，whohadtakenSashaasmistress。
HeranuptoFoma，embracedhimandburstintomerrylaughter。
"Here'sameeting！ThisisthethirddayIhaveeatenhere，andI
amweariedbythisterriblelonesomeness。Thereisnotadecentmaninthewholetown，soIhavehadtostrikeupanacquaintancewithnewspapermen。They'reagaylot，althoughatfirsttheyplayedthearistocratandkeptsneeringatme。Afterawhileweallgotdeaddrunk。They'llbehereagaintoday——Iswearbythefortuneofmyfather！I'llintroduceyoutothem。Thereisonewriteroffeuilletonshere；youknow，thatsomeonewhoalwayslaudedyou，what'shisname？Anamusingfellow，thedeviltakehim！Doyouknowitwouldbeagoodthingtohireonelikethatforpersonaluse！Givehimacertainsumofmoneyandorderhimtoamuse！How'sthat？Ihadacertaincoupletistinmyemploy，——
itwasratherentertainingtobewithhim。Iusedtosaytohimsometimes：'Rimsky！giveussomecouplets！'Hewouldstart，I
tellyou，andhe'dmakeyousplityoursideswithlaughter。It'sapity，heranoffsomewhere。Haveyouhaddinner？"
"Notyet。Andhow'sAleksandra？"askedFoma，somewhatdeafenedbytheloudspeechofthistall，frank，red-facedfellowcladinamotleycostume。
"Well，doyouknow，"saidthelatterwithafrown，"thatAleksandraofyoursisanastywoman！She'ssoobscure，it'stiresometobewithher，thedeviltakeher！She'sascoldasafrog，——brrr！IguessI'llsendheraway。"
"Cold——that'strue，"saidFomaandbecamepensive。"Everypersonmustdohisworkinafirstclassmanner，"saidthedistiller'sson，instructively。"Andifyoubecomesomeone'ssmistressyoumustperformyourdutyinthebestwaypossible，ifyouareadecentwoman。Well，shallwehaveadrink？"
Theyhadadrink。Andnaturallytheygotdrunk。Alargeandnoisycompanygatheredinthehoteltowardevening。AndFoma，intoxicated，butsadandcalm，spoketothemwithheavyvoice：
"That'sthewayIunderstandit：somepeopleareworms，otherssparrows。Thesparrowsarethemerchants。Theypecktheworms。
Suchistheirdestinedlot。TheyarenecessaryButIandyou——allofyou——aretonopurpose。Welivesothatwecannotbecomparedtoanything——withoutjustification，merelyatrandom。Andweareutterlyunnecessary。Buteventhesehere，andeverybodyelse，towhatpurposearethey？Youmustunderstandthat。Brethren！Weshallallburst！ByGod！Andwhyshallweburst？Becausethereisalwayssomethingsuperfluousinus，thereissomethingsuperfluousinoursouls。Andallourlifeissuperfluous！
Comrades！Iweep。TowhatpurposeamI？Iamunnecessary！Killme，thatImaydie；Iwanttodie。"
Andhewept，sheddingmanydrunkentears。Adrunken，small-sized，swarthymansatdownclosetohim，begantoremindhimofsomething，triedtokisshim，andstrikingaknifeagainstthetable，shouted：
"True！Silence！Thesearepowerfulwords！Lettheelephantsandthemammothsofthedisorderoflifespeak！TherawRussianconsciencespeaksholywords！Roaron，Gordyeeff！Roarateverything！"AndagainheclutchedatFoma'sshoulders，flunghimselfonhisbreast，raisingtoFoma'sfacehisround，black，closely-croppedhead，whichwasceaselesslyturningaboutonhisshouldersonallsides，sothatFomawasunabletoseehisface，andhewasangryathimforthis，andkeptonpushinghimaside，cryingexcitedly：
"Getaway！Whereisyourface？Goon！"
Adeafening，drunkenlaughtersmotetheairaboutthem，andchokingwithlaughter，thesonofthebrandy-distillerroaredtosomeonehoarsely：
"Cometome！Ahundredroublesamonthwithboardandlodging！