Throwthepapertothedogs。I'llgiveyoumore！"
　　Andeverythingrockedfromsidetosideinrhythmic，wave-likemovement。NowthepeoplemovedfartherawayfromFoma，nowtheycamenearertohim，theceilingdescended，thefloorrose，anditseemedtoFomathathewouldsoonbeflattenedandcrushed。Thenhebegantofeelthathewasfloatingsomewhereoveranimmenselywideandstormyriver，and，staggering，hecriedoutinfright：
　　"Wherearewefloating？Whereisthecaptain？"
　　Hewasansweredbytheloud，senselesslaughterofthedrunkencrowd，andbytheshrill，repulsiveshoutoftheswarthylittleman：
　　"True！weareallwithouthelmandsails。Whereisthecaptain？
　　What？Ha，ha，ha！"
　　Fomaawakenedfromthisnightmareinasmallroomwithtwowindows，andthefirstthinghiseyesfelluponwasawitheredtree。Itstoodnearthewindow；itsthicktrunk，barkless，witharottenheart，preventedthelightfromenteringtheroom；thebent，blackbranches，devoidofleaves，stretchedthemselvesmournfullyandhelplesslyintheair，andshakingtoandfro，theycreakedsoftly，plaintively。Arainwasfalling；streamsofwaterwerebeatingagainstthewindow-panes，andonecouldhearhowthewaterwasfallingtothegroundfromtheroof，sobbingthere。Thissobbingsoundwasjoinedbyanothersound——ashrill，ofteninterrupted，hastyscratchingofapenoverpaper，andthenbyacertainspasmodicgrumbling。
　　Whenheturnedwithdifficultyhisaching，heavyheadonthepillow，Fomanoticedasmall，swarthyman，whosatbythetablehastilyscratchingwithhispenoverthepaper，shakinghisroundheadapprovingly，waggingitfromsidetoside，shrugginghisshoulders，and，withallhissmallbodyclothedinnightgarmentsonly，constantlymovingaboutinhischair，asthoughheweresittingonfire，andcouldnotgetupforsomereasonorother。
　　Hislefthand，leanandthin，wasnowfirmlyrubbinghisforehead，nowmakingcertainincomprehensiblesignsintheair；
　　hisbarefeetscrapedalongthefloor，acertainveinquiveredonhisneck，andevenhisearsweremoving。WhenheturnedtowardFoma，Fomasawhisthinlipswhisperingsomething，hissharp-
　　pointednoseturneddowntohisthinmoustache，whichtwitchedupwardeachtimethelittlemansmiled。Hisfacewasyellow，bloated，wrinkled，andhisblack，vivacioussmallsparklingeyesdidnotseemtobelongtohim。
　　Havinggrowntiredoflookingathim，Fomaslowlybegantoexaminetheroomwithhiseyes。Onthelargenails，drivenintothewalls，hungpilesofnewspapers，whichmadethewallslookasthoughcoveredwithswellings。Theceilingwaspastedwithpaperwhichhadbeenwhiteonceuponatime；nowitwaspuffeduplikebladders，tornhereandthere，peeledoffandhangingindirtyscraps；clothing，boots，books，tornpiecesofpaperlayscatteredonthefloor。Altogethertheroomgaveonetheimpressionthatithadbeenscaldedwithboilingwater。
　　Thelittlemandroppedthepen，bentoverthetable，drummedbrisklyonitsedgewithhisfingersandbegantosingsoftlyinafaintvoice：
　　"Takethedrumandfearnot，——
　　Andkissthesutlergirlaloud——
　　That'sthesenseoflearning——
　　Andthat'sphilosophy。"
　　Fomaheavedadeedsighandsaid：
　　"MayIhavesomeseltzer？"
　　"Ah！"exclaimedthelittleman，andjumpingupfromhischair，appearedatthewideoilcloth-coveredlounge，whereFomalay。
　　"Howdoyoudo，comrade！Seltzer？Ofcourse！Withcognacorplain？"
　　"Betterwithcognac，"saidFoma，shakingthelean，burninghandwhichwasoutstretchedtohim，andstaringfixedlyintothefaceofthelittleman。
　　"Yegorovna！"criedthelatteratthedoor，andturningtoFoma，asked："Don'tyourecogniseme，FomaIgnatyevich？"
　　"Iremembersomething。Itseemstomewehadmetsomewherebefore。"
　　"Thatmeetinglastedforfouryears，butthatwaslongago！
　　Yozhov。"
　　"0hLord！"exclaimedFoma，inastonishment，slightlyrisingfromthelounge。"Isitpossiblethatitisyou？"
　　"Therearetimes，dear，whenIdon'tbelieveitmyself，butarealfactissomethingfromwhichdoubtjumpsbackasarubberballfromiron。"
　　Yozhov'sfacewascomicallydistorted，andforsomereasonorotherhishandsbegantofeelhisbreast。
　　"Well，well！"drawledoutFoma。"Buthowoldyouhavegrown！Ah-
　　ah！Howoldareyou？"
　　"Thirty。"
　　"Andyoulookasthoughyouwerefifty，lean，yellow。Lifeisn'tsweettoyou，itseems？Andyouaredrinking，too，Isee。"
　　Fomafeltsorrytoseehisjollyandbriskschoolmatesowornout，andlivinginthisdog-hole，whichseemedtobeswollenfromburns。Helookedathim，winkedhiseyesmournfullyandsawthatYozhov'sfacewasforevertwitching，andhissmalleyeswereburningwithirritation。Yozhovwastryingtouncorkthebottleofwater，andthusoccupied，wassilent；hepressedthebottlebetweenhiskneesandmadevaineffortstotakeoutthecork。AndhisimpotencemovedFoma。
　　"Yes；lifehassuckedyoudry。Andyouhavestudied。Evenscienceseemstohelpmanbutlittle，"saidGordyeeffplaintively。
　　"Drink！"saidYozhov，turningpalewithfatigue，andhandinghimtheglass。Thenhewipedhisforehead，seatedhimselfontheloungebesideFoma，andsaid：
　　"Leavesciencealone！Scienceisadrinkofthegods；butithasnotyetfermentedsufficiently，and，thereforeisnotfitforuse，likevodkawhichhasnotyetbeenpurifiedfromempyreumaticoil。Scienceisnotreadyforman'shappiness，myfriend。Andthoselivingpeoplethatuseitgetnothingbutheadaches。LikethoseyouandIhaveatpresent。Whydoyoudrinksorashly？"
　　"I？WhatelseamItodo？"askedFoma，laughing。YozhovlookedatFomasearchinglywithhiseyeshalfclosed，andhesaid：
　　"Connectingyourquestionwitheverythingyoujabberedlastnight，Ifeelwithinmytroubledsoulthatyou，too，myfriend，donotamuseyourselfbecauselifeischeerfultoyou。"
　　"Eh！"sighedFoma，heavily，risingfromthelounge。"Whatismylife？Itissomethingmeaningless。Ilivealone。Iunderstandnothing。AndyetthereissomethingIlongfor。Iyearntospitonallandthendisappearsomewhere！Iwouldliketorunawayfromeverything。Iamsoweary！"
　　"That'sinteresting！"saidYozhov，rubbinghishandsandturningaboutinalldirections。"Thisisinteresting，ifitistrueanddeep，foritshowsthattheholyspiritofdissatisfactionwithlifehasalreadypenetratedintothebedchambersofthemerchants，intothedeathchambersofsoulsdrownedinfatcabbagesoup，inlakesofteaandotherliquids。Givemeacircumstantialaccountofit。Then，mydear，Ishallwriteanovel。"
　　"Ihavebeentoldthatyouhavealreadywrittensomethingaboutme？"inquiredFoma，withcuriosity，andoncemoreattentivelyscrutinizedhisoldfriendunabletounderstandwhatsowretchedacreaturecouldwrite。
　　"OfcourseIhave！Didyoureadit？"
　　"No，Ididnothavethechance。"
　　"Andwhathavetheytoldyou？"
　　"Thatyougavemeacleverscolding。"
　　"Hm！Anddoesn'titinterestyoutoreadityourself？"inquiredYozhov，scrutinizingGordyeeffclosely。
　　"I'llreadit！"Fomaassuredhim，feelingembarrassedbeforeYozhov，andthatYozhovwasoffendedbysuchregardforhiswritings。"Indeed，itisinterestingsinceitisaboutmyself，"
　　headded，smilingkindheartedlyathiscomrade。
　　Insayingthishewasnotatallinterested，andhesaiditmerelyoutofpityforYozhov。Therewasquiteanotherfeelinginhim；hewishedtoknowwhatsortofamanYozhovwas，andwhyhehadbecomesowornout。ThismeetingwithYozhovgaveriseinhimtoatranquilandkindfeeling；itcalledforthrecollectionsofhischildhood，andtheseflashednowinhismemory，——flashedlikemodestlittlelights，timidlyshiningathimfromthedistanceofthepast。Yozhovwalkeduptothetableonwhichstoodaboilingsamovar，silentlypouredouttwoglassesofteaasstrongastar，andsaidtoFoma：
　　"Comeanddrinktea。Andtellmeaboutyourself。"
　　"Ihavenothingtotellyou。Ihavenotseenanythinginlife。
　　Mineisanemptylife！Youhadbettertellmeaboutyourself。I
　　amsureyouknowmorethanIdo，atanyrate。"
　　Yozhovbecamethoughtful，notceasingtoturnhiswholebodyandtowagglehishead。Inthoughtfulnesshisfacebecamemotionless，allitswrinklesgatherednearhiseyesandseemedtosurroundthemwithrays，andbecauseofthishiseyesrecededdeeperunderhisforehead。
　　"Yes，mydear，Ihaveseenathingortwo，andIknowagreatdeal，"hebegan，withashakeofthehead。"AndperhapsIknowevenmorethanitisnecessaryformetoknow，andtoknowmorethanitisnecessaryisjustasharmfultomanasitistobeignorantofwhatitisessentialtoknow。ShallItellyouhowI
　　havelived？Verywell；thatis，I'lltry。Ihavenevertoldanyoneaboutmyself，becauseIhaveneverarousedinterestinanyone。Itismostoffensivetoliveonearthwithoutarousingpeople'sinterestinyou！"
　　"Icanseebyyourfaceandbyeverythingelsethatyourlifehasnotbeenasmoothone！"saidFoma，feelingpleasedwiththefactthat，toallappearances，lifewasnotsweettohiscomradeaswell。Yozhovdrankhisteaatonedraught，thrusttheglassonthesaucer，placedhisfeetontheedgeofthechair，andclaspinghiskneesinhishands，restedhischinuponthem。Inthispose，smallsizedandflexibleasrubber，hebegan：
　　"ThestudentSachkov，myformerteacher，whoisnowadoctorofmedicine，awhist-playerandameanfellowallaround，usedtotellmewheneverIknewmylessonwell：'You'reafinefellow，Kolya！Youareanableboy。Weproletariats，plainandpoorpeople，comingfromthebackyardoflife，wemuststudyandstudy，inordertocometothefront，aheadofeverybody。Russiaisinneedofwiseandhonestpeople。Trytobesuch，andyouwillbemasterofyourfateandausefulmemberofsociety。Onuscommonersrestthebesthopesofthecountry。Wearedestinedtobringintoitlight，truth，'andsoon。Ibelievedhim，thebrute。Andsincethenabouttwentyyearshaveelapsed。Weproletariatshavegrownup，buthaveneitherappropriatedanywisdom，norbroughtlightintolife。Asbefore，Russiaisstillsufferingfromitschronicdisease——asuperabundanceofrascals；
　　whilewe，theproletariats，takepleasureinfillingtheirdensethrongs。Myteacher，Irepeat，isalackey，acharacterlessanddumbcreature，whomustobeytheordersofthemayor。While1amaclownintheemployofsociety。Famepursuesmehereintown，dear。IwalkalongthestreetandIhearonedriversaytoanother：'TheregoesYozhov！Howcleverlyhebarks，thedeucetakehim！'Yes！Eventhiscannotbesoeasilyattained。"
　　Yozhov'sfacewrinkledintoabittergrimace，andhebegantolaugh，noiselessly，withhislipsonly。Fomadidnotunderstandhiswords，and，justtosaysomething，heremarkedatrandom：
　　"Youdidn'thit，then，whatyouaimedat？"
　　"Yes，IthoughtIwouldgrowuphigher。AndsoIshould！SoI
　　should，Isay！"
　　Hejumpedupfromhischairandbegantorunaboutintheroom，exclaimingbrisklyinashrillvoice：
　　"Buttopreserveone'sselfpureforlifeandtobeafreemaninit，onemusthavevastpowers！Ihadthem。Ihadelasticity，cleverness。Ihavespentalltheseinordertolearnsomethingwhichisabsolutelyunnecessarytomenow。Ihavewastedthewholeofmyselfinordertopreservesomethingwithinmyself。0hdevil！Imyselfandmanyotherswithme，wehaveallrobbedourselvesforthesakeofsavingupsomethingforlife。Justthinkofit：desiringtomakeofmyselfavaluableman，Ihaveunderratedmyindividualityineverywaypossible。Inordertostudy，andnotdieofstarvation，Ihaveforsixyearsinsuccessiontaughtblockheadshowtoreadandwrite，andhadtobearamassofabominationsatthehandsofvariouspapasandmammas，whohumiliatedmewithoutanyconstraint。Earningmybreadandtea，Icouldnot，Ihadnotthetimetoearnmyshoes，andIhadtoturntocharitableinstitutionswithhumblepetitionsforloansonthestrengthofmypoverty。Ifthephilanthropistscouldonlyreckonuphowmuchofthespirittheykillinmanwhilesupportingthelifeofhisbody！Iftheyonlyknewthateachroubletheygiveforbreadcontainsninety-ninecopecks'worthofpoisonforthesoul！Iftheycouldonlyburstfromexcessoftheirkindnessandpride，whichtheydrawfromtheirholyactivity！Thereisnoneonearthmoredisgustingandrepulsivethanhewhogivesalms，evenasthereisnonemoremiserablethanhewhoacceptsit！"
　　Yozhovstaggeredaboutintheroomlikeadrunkenman，seizedwithmadness，andthepaperunderhisfeetwasrustling，tearing，flyinginscraps。Hegnashedhisteeth，shookhishead，hishandswavedintheairlikebrokenwingsofabird，andaltogetheritseemedasthoughhewerebeingboiledinakettleofhotwater。
　　Fomalookedathimwithastrange，mixedsensation；hepitiedYozhov，andatthesametimehewaspleasedtoseehimsuffering。
　　"Iamnotalone，heissuffering，too，"thoughtFoma，asYozhovspoke。AndsomethingclashedinYozhov'sthroat，likebrokenglass，andcreakedlikeanunoiledhinge。
　　"Poisonedbythekindnessofmen，Iwasruinedthroughthefatalcapacityofeverypoorfellowduringthemakingofhiscareer，throughthecapacityofbeingreconciledwithlittleintheexpectationofmuch。Oh！Doyouknow，morepeopleperishthroughlackofproperself-appreciationthanfromconsumption，andperhapsthatiswhytheleadersofthemassesserveasdistrictinspectors！"
　　"Thedeviltakethedistrictinspectors！"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。"Tellmeaboutyourself。"
　　"Aboutmyself！Iamhereentire！"exclaimedYozhov，stoppingshortinthemiddleoftheroom，andstrikinghischestwithhishands。"IhavealreadyaccomplishedallIcouldaccomplish。I
　　haveattainedtherankofthepublic'sentertainer——andthatisallIcando！Toknowwhatshouldbedone，andnottobeabletodoit，nottohavethestrengthforyourwork——thatistorture！"
　　"That'sit！Waitawhile！"saidFoma，enthusiastically。"Nowtellmewhatoneshoulddoinordertolivecalmly；thatis，inordertobesatisfiedwithone'sself。"
　　ToFomathesewordssoundedloud，butempty，andtheirsoundsdiedawaywithoutstirringanyemotioninhisheart，withoutgivingrisetoasinglethoughtinhismind。
　　"Youmustalwaysbeinlovewithsomethingunattainabletoyou。A
　　mangrowsinheightbystretchinghimselfupwards。"
　　Nowthathehadceasedspeakingofhimself，Yozhovbegantotalkmorecalmly，inadifferentvoice。Hisvoicewasfirmandresolute，andhisfaceassumedanexpressionofimportanceandsternness。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，hishandwithoutstretchedfingersuplifted，andspokeasthoughhewerereading：
　　"Menarebasebecausetheystriveforsatiety。Thewell-fedmanisananimalbecausesatietyistheself-contentednessofthebody。Andtheself-contentednessofthespiritalsoturnsmanintoanimal。"
　　Againhestartedasthoughallhisveinsandmusclesweresuddenlystrained，andagainhebegantorunabouttheroominseethingagitation。
　　"Aself-contentedmanisthehardenedswellingonthebreastofsociety。Heismyswornenemy。Hefillshimselfupwithcheaptruths，withgnawedmorselsofmustywisdom，andheexistslikeastoreroomwhereastingyhousewifekeepsallsortsofrubbishwhichisabsolutelyunnecessarytoher，andworthless。Ifyoutouchsuchaman，ifyouopenthedoorintohim，thestenchofdecaywillbebreatheduponyou，andastreamofsomemustytrashwillbepouredintotheairyoubreathe。Theseunfortunatepeoplecallthemselvesmenoffirmcharacter，menofprinciplesandconvictions。Andnoonecarestoseethatconvictionsaretothembuttheclotheswithwhichtheycoverthebeggarlynakednessoftheirsouls。Onthenarrowbrowsofsuchpeopletherealwaysshinestheinscriptionsofamiliartoall：calmnessandconfidence。Whatafalseinscription！Justrubtheirforeheadswithfirmhandandthenyouwillseetherealsign-board，whichreads：'Narrowmindednessandweaknessofsoul！'"
　　FomawatchedYozhovbustlingabouttheroom，andthoughtmournfully：
　　"Whomisheabusing？Ican'tunderstand；butIcanseethathehasbeenterriblywounded。"
　　"HowmanysuchpeoplehaveIseen！"exclaimedYozhov，withwrathandterror。"Howtheselittleretailshopshavemultipliedinlife！Inthemyouwillfindcalicoforshrouds，andtar，candyandboraxfortheexterminationofcockroaches，butyouwillnotfindanythingfresh，hot，wholesome！Youcometothemwithanachingsoulexhaustedbyloneliness；youcome，thirstingtohearsomethingthathaslifeinit。Andtheyoffertoyousomewormcud，ruminatedbook-thoughts，grownsourwithage。Andthesedry，stalethoughtsarealwayssopoorthat，inordertogivethemexpression，itisnecessarytouseavastnumberofhigh-soundingandemptywords。WhensuchamanspeaksIsaytomyself：'Theregoesawell-fed，butover-wateredmare，alldecoratedwithbells；
　　she'scartingaloadofrubbishoutofthetown，andthemiserablewretchiscontentwithherfate。'"
　　"Theyaresuperfluouspeople，then，"saidFoma。Yozhovstoppedshortinfrontofhimandsaidwithabitingsmileonhislips：
　　"No，theyarenotsuperfluous，ohno！Theyexistasanexample，toshowwhatmanoughtnottobe。Speakingfrankly，theirproperplaceistheanatomicalmuseums，wheretheypreserveallsortsofmonstersandvarioussicklydeviationsfromthenormal。Inlifethereisnothingthatissuperfluous，dear。EvenIamnecessary！
　　Onlythosepeople，inwhosesoulsdwellsaslavishcowardicebeforelife，inwhosebosomsthereareenormousulcersofthemostabominableself-adoration，takingtheplacesoftheirdeadhearts——onlythosepeoplearesuperfluous；buteventheyarenecessary，ifonlyforthesakeofenablingmetopourmyhatreduponthem。"
　　Alldaylong，untilevening，Yozhovwasexcited，ventinghisblasphemyonmenhehated，andhiswords，thoughtheircontentswereobscuretoFoma，infectedhimwiththeirevilheat，andinfectingcalledforthinhimaneagerdesireforcombat。AttimestheresprangupinhimdistrustofYozhov，andinoneofthesemomentsheaskedhimplainly：
　　"Well！Andcanyouspeaklikethatinthefaceofmen？"
　　"Idoitateveryconvenientoccasion。AndeverySundayinthenewspaper。I'llreadsometoyouifyoulike。"
　　WithoutwaitingforFoma'sreply，hetoredownfromthewallafewsheetsofpaper，andstillcontinuingtorunabouttheroom，begantoreadtohim。Heroared，squeaked，laughed，showedhisteethandlookedlikeanangrydogtryingtobreakthechaininpowerlessrage。Notgraspingtheidealsinhisfriend'screations，Fomafelttheirdaringaudacity，theirbitingsarcasm，theirpassionatemalice，andhewasaswellpleasedwiththemasthoughhehadbeenscourgedwithbesomsinahotbath。
　　"Clever！"heexclaimed，catchingsomeseparatephrase。"That'scleverlyaimed！"
　　Everynowandagainthereflashedbeforehimthefamiliarnamesofmerchantsandwell-knowncitizens，whomYozhovhadstung，nowstoutlyandsharply，nowrespectfullyandwithafineneedle-likesting。
　　Foma'sapprobation，hiseyesburningwithsatisfaction，andhisexcitedfacegaveYozhovstillmoreinspiration，andhecriedandroaredeverlouderandlouder，nowfallingontheloungefromexhaustion，nowjumpingupagainandrushingtowardFoma。
　　"Come，now，readaboutme！"exclaimedFoma，longingtohearit。Yozhovrummagedamongapileofpapers，toreoutonesheet，andholdingitinbothhands，stoppedinfrontofFoma，withhislegsstraddledwideapart，whileFomaleanedbackinthebroken-
　　seatedarmchairandlistenedwithasmile。
　　ThenoticeaboutFomastartedwithadescriptionofthespreeontherafts，andduringthereadingofthenoticeFomafeltthatcertainparticularwordsstunghimlikemosquitoes。Hisfacebecamemoreserious，andhebenthisheadingloomysilence。Andthemosquitoeswentonmultiplying。
　　"Nowthat'stoomuch！"saidhe，atlength，confusedanddissatisfied。"SurelyyoucannotgainthefavourofGodmerelybecauseyouknowhowtodisgraceaman。"
　　"Keepquiet！Waitawhile！"saidYozhov，curtly，andwentonreading。
　　Havingestablishedinhisarticlethatthemerchantrisesbeyonddoubtabovetherepresentativesofotherclassesofsocietyinthematterofnuisanceandscandal-making，Yozhovasked："Whyisthisso？"andreplied：
　　"Itseemstomethatthispredilectionforwildprankscomesfromthelackofcultureinsofarasitisdependentupontheexcessofenergyanduponidleness。Therecannotbeanydoubtthatourmerchantclass，withbutfewexceptions，isthehealthiestand，atthesametime，mostinactiveclass。"
　　"That'strue！"exclaimedFoma，strikingthetablewithhisfist。
　　"That'strue！Ihavethestrengthofabullanddotheworkofasparrow。"
　　"Whereisthemerchanttospendhisenergy？HecannotspendmuchofitontheExchange，sohesquanderstheexcessofhismuscularcapitalindrinking-boutsinkabaky；forhehasnoconceptionofotherapplicationsofhisstrength，whicharemoreproductive，morevaluabletolife。Heisstillabeast，andlifehasalreadybecometohimacage，anditistoonarrowforhimwithhissplendidhealthandpredilectionforlicentiousness。Hamperedbycultureheatoncestartstoleadadissolutelife。Thedebauchofamerchantisalwaystherevoltofacaptivebeast。Ofcoursethisisbad。But，ah！itwillbeworseyet，whenthisbeast，inadditiontohisstrength，shallhavegatheredsomesenseandshallhavedisciplinedit。Believeme，eventhenhewillnotceasetocreatescandals，buttheywillbehistoricalevents。
　　Heavendeliverusfromsuchevents！Fortheywillemanatefromthemerchant'sthirstforpower；theiraimwillbetheomnipotenceofoneclass，andthemerchantwillnotbeparticularaboutthemeanstowardtheattainmentofthisaim。
　　"Well，whatdoyousay，isittrue？"askedYozhov，whenhehadfinishedreadingthenewspaper，andthrownitaside。
　　"Idon'tunderstandtheend，"repliedFoma。"Andastostrength，thatistrue！WhereamItomakeuseofmystrengthsincethereisnodemandforit！Ioughttofightwithrobbers，orturnarobbermyself。IngeneralIoughttodosomethingbig。Andthatshouldbedonenotwiththehead，butwiththearmsandthebreast。WhileherewehavetogototheExchangeandtrytoaimwelltomakearouble。Whatdoweneeditfor？Andwhatisit，anyway？Haslifebeenarrangedinthisformforever？Whatsortoflifeisit，ifeveryoneisgrievedandfindsittoonarrowforhim？Lifeoughttobeaccordingtothetasteofman。Ifitisnarrowforme，ImustmoveitasunderthatImayhavemoreroom。
　　Imustbreakitandreconstructit。Butnod？That'swherethetroublelies！Whatoughttobedonethatlifemaybefreer？ThatIdonotunderstand，andthat'sallthereistoit。"
　　"Yes！"drawledoutYozhov。"Sothat'swhereyou'vegone！That，dear，isagoodthing！Ah，yououghttostudyalittle！Howareyouaboutbooks？Doyoureadany？"
　　"No，Idon'tcareforthem。Ihaven'treadany。"
　　"That'sjustwhyyoudon'tcareforthem。""Iamevenafraidtoreadthem。Iknowone——acertaingirl——it'sworsethandrinkingwithher！Andwhatsenseisthereinbooks？Onemanimaginessomethingandprintsit，andothersreadit。Ifitisinteresting，it'sallright。Butlearnfromabookhowtolive！——
　　thatissomethingabsurd。Itwaswrittenbyman，notbyGod，andwhatlawsandexamplescanmanestablishforhimself？"
　　"AndhowabouttheGospels？Weretheynotwrittenbymen？"
　　"Thosewereapostles。Nowtherearenone。"
　　"Good，yourrefutationissound！Itistrue，dear，therearenoapostles。OnlytheJudasesremained，andmiserableonesatthat。"
　　Fomafeltverywell，forhesawthatYozhovwasattentivelylisteningtohiswordsandseemedtobeweighingeachandeverywordheuttered。Meetingsuchbearingtowardhimforthefirsttimeinhislife，Fomaunburdenedhimselfboldlyandfreelybeforehisfriend，caringnothingforthechoiceofwords，andfeelingthathewouldbeunderstoodbecauseYozhovwantedtounderstandhim。
　　"Youareacuriousfellow！"saidYozhov，abouttwodaysaftertheirmeeting。"Andthoughyouspeakwithdifficulty，onefeelsthatthereisagreatdealinyou——greatdaringofheart！Ifyouonlyknewalittleabouttheorderoflife！Thenyouwouldspeakloudenough，Ithink。Yes！"
　　"Butyoucannotwashyourselfcleanwithwords，norcanyouthenfreeyourself，"remarkedFoma，withasigh。"Youhavesaidsomethingaboutpeoplewhopretendthattheyknoweverything，andcandoeverything。Ialsoknowsuchpeople。Mygodfather，forinstance。Itwouldbeagoodthingtosetoutagainstthem，toconvictthem；they'reaprettydangerousset！"
　　"Icannotimagine，Foma，howyouwillgetalonginlifeifyoupreservewithinyouthatwhichyounowhave，"saidYozhov，thoughtfully。
　　"It'sveryhard。Ilacksteadfastness。OfasuddenIcouldperhapsdosomething。Iunderstandverywellthatlifeisdifficultandnarrowforeveryoneofus。Iknowthatmygodfatherseesthat，too！Butheprofitsbythisnarrowness。Hefeelswellinit；heissharpasaneedle，andhe'llmakehiswaywhereverhepleases。ButIamabig，heavyman，that'swhyIamsuffocating！That'swhyIliveinfetters。Icouldfreemyselffromeverythingwithasingleeffort：justtomovemybodywithallmystrength，andthenallthefetterswillburst！"
　　"Andwhatthen？"askedYozhov。
　　"Then？"Fomabecamepensive，and，afteramoment'sthought，wavedhishand。"Idon'tknowwhatwillbethen。Ishallsee！"
　　"Weshallsee！"assentedYozhov。
　　Hewasgiventodrink，thislittlemanwhowasscaldedbylife。
　　Hisdaybeganthus：inthemorningathisteahelookedoverthelocalnewspapersanddrewfromthenewsnoticesmaterialforhisfeuilleton，whichhewroterightthenandthereonthecornerofthetable。Thenherantotheeditorialoffice，wherehemadeup"ProvincialPictures"outofclippingsfromcountrynewspapers。
　　OnFridayhehadtowritehisSundayfeuilleton。Foralltheypaidhimahundredandtwenty-fiveroublesamonth；heworkedfast，anddevotedallhisleisuretimetothe"surveyandstudyofcharitableinstitutions。"TogetherwithFomahestrolledabouttheclubs，hotelsandtavernstilllateatnight，drawingmaterialeverywhereforhisarticles，whichhecalled"brushesforthecleansingoftheconscienceofsociety。"Thecensorhestyledassuperintendentofthediffusionoftruthandrighteousnessinlife，"thenewspaperhecalled"thego-between，engagedinintroducingthereadertodangerousideas，"andhisownwork，"thesaleofasoulinretail，"and"aninclinationtoaudacityagainstholyinstitutions。"
　　FomacouldhardlymakeoutwhenYozhovjestedandwhenhewasinearnest。Hespokeofeverythingenthusiasticallyandpassionately，hecondemnedeverythingharshly，andFomalikedit。
　　Butoften，beginningtoargueenthusiastically，herefutedandcontradictedhimselfwithequalenthusiasmorwounduphisspeechwithsomeridiculousturn。ThenitappearedtoFomathatthatmanlovednothing，thatnothingwasfirmlyrootedwithinhim，thatnothingguidedhim。Onlywhenspeakingofhimselfhetalkedinaratherpeculiarvoice，andthemoreimpassionedhewasinspeakingofhimself，themoremercilessandenragedwasheinrevilingeverythingandeverybody。AndhisrelationtowardFomawasdual；sometimeshegavehimcourageandspoketohimhotly，quiveringineverylimb。
　　"Goahead！Refuteandoverthroweverythingyoucan！Pushforwardwithallyourmight。Thereisnothingmorevaluablethanman，knowthis！Cryatthetopofyourvoice：'Freedom！Freedom！"
　　ButwhenFoma，warmedupbytheglowingsparksofthesewords，begantodreamofhowheshouldstarttorefuteandoverthrowpeoplewho，forthesakeofpersonalprofit，donotwanttobroadenlife，Yozhovwouldoftencuthimshort：
　　"Dropit！Youcannotdoanything！Peoplelikeyouarenotneeded。
　　Yourtime，thetimeofthestrongbutnotclever，ispast，mydear！Youaretoolate！Thereisnoplaceforyouinlife。"
　　"No？Youarelying！"criedFoma，irritatedbycontradiction。
　　"Well，whatcanyouaccomplish？"
　　"I？"
　　"You！"
　　"Why，Icankillyou！"saidFoma，angrily，clenchinghisfist。
　　"Eh，youscarecrow！"saidYozhov，convincinglyandpitifully，withashrugoftheshoulder。"Isthereanythinginthat？Why，I
　　amanywayhalfdeadalreadyfrommywounds。"
　　Andsuddenlyinflamedwithmelancholymalice，hestretchedhimselfandsaid：
　　"Myfatehaswrongedme。WhyhaveIloweredmyself，acceptingthesopsofthepublic？WhyhaveIworkedlikeamachinefortwelveyearsinsuccessioninordertostudy？WhyhaveIswallowedfortwelvelongyearsintheGymnasiumandtheUniversitythedryandtedioustrashandthecontradictorynonsensewhichisabsolutelyuselesstome？Inordertobecomefeuilleton-writer，toplaytheclownfromdaytoday，entertainingthepublicandconvincingmyselfthatthatisnecessaryandusefultothem。Whereisthepowderofmyyouth？Ihavefiredoffallthechargeofmysoulatthreecopecksashot。WhatfaithhaveIacquiredformyself？Onlyfaithinthefactthateverythinginthislifeisworthless，thateverythingmustbebroken，destroyed。WhatdoIlove？Myself。AndIfeelthattheobjectofmylovedoesnotdeservemylove。WhatcanIaccomplish？"
　　Healmostwept，andkeptonscratchinghisbreastandhisneckwithhisthin，feeblehands。
　　Butsometimeshewasseizedwithaflowofcourage，andthenhespokeinadifferentspirit：
　　"I？Oh，no，mysongisnotyetsungtotheend！Mybreasthasimbibedsomething，andI'llhisslikeawhip！Wait，I'lldropthenewspaper，I'llstarttodoseriouswork，andwriteonesmallbook，whichIwillentitle'ThePassingoftheSoul'；thereisaprayerbythatname，itisreadforthedying。Andbeforeitsdeaththissociety，cursedbytheanathemaofinwardimpotence，willreceivemybooklikeincense。"
　　Listeningtoeachandeverywordofhis，watchinghimandcomparinghisremarks，FomasawthatYozhovwasjustasweakashewas，thathe，too，hadlosthisway。ButYozhov'smoodstillinfectedFoma，hisspeechesenrichedFoma'svocabulary，andsometimeshenoticedwithjoyousdelighthowcleverlyandforciblyhehadhimselfexpressedthisorthatidea。HeoftenmetinYozhov'shousecertainpeculiarpeople，who，itseemedtohim，kneweverything，understoodeverything，contradictedeverything，andsawdeceitandfalsehoodineverything。Hewatchedtheminsilence，listenedtotheirwords；theiraudacitypleasedhim，buthewasembarrassedandrepelledbytheircondescendingandhaughtybearingtowardhim。AndthenheclearlysawthatinYozhov'sroomtheywereallclevererandbetterthantheywereinthestreetandinthehotels。Theyheldpeculiarconversations，wordsandgesturesforuseintheroom，andallthiswaschangedoutsidetheroom，intothemostcommonplaceandhuman。Sometimes，intheroom，theyallblazeduplikeahugewoodpile，andYozhovwasthebrightestfirebrandamongthem；butthelightofthisbonfireilluminatedbutfaintlytheobscurityofFomaGordyeeff'ssoul。
　　OnedayYozhovsaidtohim：
　　"Todaywewillcarouse！Ourcompositorshaveformedaunion，andtheyaregoingtotakealltheworkfromthepublisheronacontract。Therewillbesomedrinkingonthisaccount，andIaminvited。ItwasIwhoadvisedthemtodoit。Letusgo？Youwillgivethemagoodtreat。"
　　"Verywell！"saidFoma，towhomitwasimmaterialwithwhomhepassedthetime，whichwasaburdentohim。
　　IntheeveningofthatdayFomaandYozhovsatinthecompanyofrough-facedpeople，ontheoutskirtsofagrove，outsidethetown。Thereweretwelvecompositorsthere，neatlydressed；theytreatedYozhovsimply，asacomrade，andthissomewhatsurprisedandembarrassedFoma，inwhoseeyesYozhovwasafterallsomethingofamasterorsuperiortothem，whiletheywerereallyonlyhisservants。TheydidnotseemtonoticeGordyeeff，although，whenYozhovintroducedFomatothem，theyshookhandswithhimandsaidthattheyweregladtoseehim。Helaydownunderahazel-bush，andwatchedthemall，feelinghimselfastrangerinthiscompany，andnoticingthatevenYozhovseemedtohavegotawayfromhimdeliberately，andwaspayingbutlittleattentiontohim。HeperceivedsomethingstrangeaboutYozhov；
　　thelittlefeuilleton-writerseemedtoimitatethetoneandthespeechofthecompositors。Hebustledaboutwiththematthewoodpile，uncorkedbottlesofbeer，cursed，laughedloudlyandtriedhisbesttoresemblethem。Hewasevendressedmoresimplythanusual。
　　"Eh，brethren！"heexclaimed，withenthusiasm。"Ifeelwellwithyou！I'mnotabigbird，either。Iamonlythesonofthecourthouseguard，andnoncommissionedofficer，MatveyYozhov！"
　　"Whydoeshesaythat？"thoughtFoma。"Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhosesonamanis？Amanisnotrespectedonaccountofhisfather，butforhisbrains。"
　　Thesunwassettinglikeahugebonfireinthesky，tintingthecloudswithhuesofgoldandofblood。Dampnessandsilencewerebreathedfromtheforest，whileatitsoutskirtsdarkhumanfiguresbustledaboutnoisily。Oneofthem，shortandlean，inabroad-brimmedstrawhat，playedtheaccordion；anotherone，withdarkmoustacheandwithhiscaponthebackofhishead，sanganaccompanimentsoftly。Twootherstuggedatastick，testingtheirstrength。Severalbusiedthemselveswiththebasketcontainingbeerandprovisions；atallmanwithagrayishbeardthrewbranchesonthefire，whichwasenvelopedinthick，whitishsmoke。Thedampbranches，fallingonthefire，crackledandrustledplaintively，andtheaccordionteasinglyplayedalivelytune，whilethefalsettoofthesingerreinforcedandcompleteditsloudtones。
　　Apartfromthemall，onthebrinkofasmallravine，laythreeyoungfellows，andbeforethemstoodYozhov，whospokeinaringingvoice：
　　"Youbearthesacredbanneroflabour。AndI，likeyourselves，amaprivatesoldierinthesamearmy。WeallserveHerMajesty，thePress。Andwemustliveinfirm，solidfriendship。"
　　"That'strue，NikolayMatveyich！"someone'sthickvoiceinterruptedhim。"Andwewanttoaskyoutouseyourinfluencewiththepublisher！Useyourinfluencewithhim！Illnessanddrunkennesscannotbetreatedasoneandthesamething。And，accordingtohissystem，itcomesoutthus；ifoneofusgetsdrunkheisfinedtotheamountofhisday'searnings；ifhetakessickthesameisdone。Weoughttobepermittedtopresentthedoctor'scertificate，incaseofsickness，tomakeitcertain；andhe，tobejust，oughttopaythesubstituteatleasthalfthewagesofthesickman。Otherwise，itishardforus。
　　Whatifthreeofusshouldsuddenlybetakensickatonce？"
　　"Yes；thatiscertainlyreasonable，"assentedYozhov。"But，myfriends，theprincipleofcooperation——"
　　Fomaceasedlisteningtothespeechofhisfriend，forhisattentionwasdivertedbytheconversationofothers。Twomenweretalking；onewasatallconsumptive，poorlydressedandangry-lookingman；theotherafair-hairedandfair-beardedyoungman。
　　"Inmyopinion，"saidthetallmansternly，andcoughing，"itisfoolish！Howcanmenlikeusmarry？Therewillbechildren。Dowehaveenoughtosupportthem？Thewifemustbeclothed——andthenyoucan'ttellwhatsortofawomanyoumaystrike。"
　　"She'safinegirl，"saidthefair-hairedman，softly。"Well，it'snowthatsheisfine。Abetrothedgirlisonething，awifequiteanother。Butthatisn'tthemainpoint。Youcantry——
　　perhapsshewillreallybegood。Butthenyou'llbeshortofmeans。Youwillkillyourselfwithwork，andyouwillruinher，too。Marriageisanimpossiblethingforus。Doyoumeantosaythatwecansupportafamilyonsuchearnings？Here，yousee，I
　　haveonlybeenmarriedfouryears，andmyendisnear。Ihaveseennojoy——nothingbutworryandcare。"
　　Hebegantocough，coughedforalongtime，withagroan，andwhenhehadceased，hesaidtohiscomradeinachokingvoice：
　　"Dropit，nothingwillcomeofit！"
　　Hisinterlocutorbenthisheadmournfully，whileFomathought：
　　"Hespeakssensibly。It'sevidenthecanreasonwell。"
　　ThelackofattentionshowntoFomasomewhatoffendedhimandarousedinhimatthesametimeafeelingofrespectforthesemenwithdarkfacesimpregnatedwithlead-dust。Almostallofthemwereengagedinpracticalseriousconversation，andtheirremarkswerestuddedwithcertainpeculiarwords。Noneofthemfawneduponhim，nonebotheredhimwithov，withhisbacktothefire，andhesawbeforehimarowofbrightlyilluminated，cheerfulandsimplefaces。Theywereallexcitedfromdrinking，butwerenotyetintoxicated；theylaughed，jested，triedtosing，drank，andatecucumbers，whitebreadandsausages。AllthishadforFomaaparticularlypleasantflavour；hegrewbolder，seizedbythegeneralgoodfeeling，andhelongedtosaysomethinggoodtothesepeople，topleasethemallinsomewayorother。Yozhov，sittingbyhisside，movedaboutontheground，jostledhimwithhisshoulderand，shakinghishead，mutteredsomethingindistinctly。
　　Brethren！"shoutedthestoutfellow。"Let'sstrikeupthestudentsong。Well，one，two！"
　　"Swiftasthewaves，"
　　Someoneroaredinhisbassvoice：
　　"Arethedaysofourlife。"
　　"Friends！"saidYozhov，risingtohisfeet，aglassinhishand。
　　Hestaggered，andleanedhisotherhandagainstFoma'shead。Thestartedsongwasbrokenoff，andallturnedtheirheadstowardhim。
　　"Workingmen！Permitmetosayafewwords，wordsfromtheheart。
　　Iamhappyinyourcompany！Ifeelwellinyourmidst。Thatisbecauseyouaremenoftoil，menwhoserighttohappinessisnotsubjecttodoubt，althoughitisnotrecognised。Inyourennoblingmidst，0hhonestpeople，thelonelyman，whoispoisonedbylife，breathessoeasily，sofreely。"
　　Yozhov'svoicequiveredandquaked，andhisheadbegantoshake。
　　Fomafeltthatsomethingwarmtrickleddownonhishand，andhelookedupatthewrinkledfaceofYozhov，whowentonspeaking，tremblingineverylimb：
　　"Iamnottheonlyone。Therearemanylikemyself，intimidatedbyfate，brokenandsuffering。Wearemoreunfortunatethanyouare，becauseweareweakerbothinbodyandinsoul，butwearestrongerthanyoubecausewearearmedwithknowledge，whichwehavenoopportunitytoapply。Wearegladlyreadytocometoyouandresignourselvestoyouandhelpyoutolive。Thereisnothingelseforustodo！Withoutyouwearewithoutgroundtostandon；withoutus，youarewithoutlight！Comrades！wewerecreatedbyFateitselftocompleteoneanother！"
　　"Whatdoeshebegofthem？"thoughtFoma，listeningtoYozhov'swordswithperplexity。Andexaminingthefacesofthecompositorshesawthattheyalsolookedattheoratorinquiringly，perplexedly，wearily。
　　"Thefutureisyours，myfriends！"saidYozhov，faintly，shakinghisheadmournfullyasthoughfeelingsorryforthefuture，andyieldingtothesepeopleagainsthiswillthepredominanceoverit。"Thefuturebelongstothemenofhonesttoil。Youhaveagreattaskbeforeyou！Youhavetocreateanewculture，everythingfree，vitalandbright！I，whoamoneofyouinfleshandinspirit；whoamthesonofasoldier；Iproposeatoasttoyourfuture！Hurrah！"
　　Yozhovemptiedhisglassandsankheavilytotheground。Thecompositorsunanimouslytookuphisbrokenexclamation，andapowerful，thunderingshoutrolledthroughtheair，causingtheleavesonthetreestotremble。
　　"Let'sstartasongnow，"proposedthestoutfellowagain。
　　"Comeon！"chimedintwoorthreevoices。Anoisydisputeensuedastowhattosing。Yozhovlistenedtothenoise，and，turninghisheadfromonesidetoanother，scrutinizedthemall。
　　"Brethren，"Yozhovsuddenlycriedagain，"answerme。Sayafewwordsinreplytomyaddressofwelcome。"
　　Again——thoughnotatonce——allbecamesilent，somelookingathimwithcuriosity，othersconcealingagrin，stillotherswithanexpressionofdissatisfactionplainlywrittenontheirfaces。Andheagainrosefromthegroundandsaid，hotly：
　　"Twoofusherearecastawaybylife——Iandthatotherone。Webothdesirethesameregardformanandthehappinessoffeelingourselvesusefuluntoothers。Comrades！Andthatbig，stupidman——
　　"
　　"NikolayMatveyich，youhadbetternotinsultourguest！"saidsomeoneinadeep，displeasedvoice。
　　"Yes，that'sunnecessary，"affirmedthestoutfellow，whohadinvitedFomatothefireside。"Whyuseoffensivelanguage？"
　　Athirdvoicerangoutloudlyanddistinctly：
　　"Wehavecometogethertoenjoyourselves——totakearest。"
　　"Fools！"laughedYozhov，faintly。"Kind-heartedfools！Doyoupityhim？Butdoyouknowwhoheis？Heisofthosepeoplewhosuckyourblood。"
　　"Thatwilldo，NikolayMatveyich！"theycriedtoYozhov。Andallbegantotalk，payingnofurtherattentiontohim。Fomafeltsosorryforhisfriendthathedidnoteventakeoffence。HesawthatthesepeoplewhodefendedhimfromYozhov'sattackswerenowpurposelyignoringthefeuilleton-writer，andheunderstoodthatthiswouldpainYozhovifheweretonoticeit。Andinordertotakehisfriendawayfrompossibleunpleasantness，henudgedhiminthesideandsaid，withakind-heartedlaugh：
　　"Well，yougrumbler，shallwehaveadrink？Orisittimetogohome？"
　　"Home？Whereisthehomeofthemanwhohasnoplaceamongmen？"
　　askedYozhov，andshoutedagain："Comrades！"
　　Unanswered，hisshoutwasdrownedinthegeneralmurmur。ThenhedroopedhisheadandsaidtoFoma：
　　"Let'sgofromhere。"
　　"Let'sgo。ThoughIdon'tmindsittingalittlelonger。It'sinteresting。Theybehavesonobly，thedevils。ByGod！"
　　"Ican'tbearitanylonger。Ifeelcold。Iamsuffocating。"
　　"Well，comethen。"
　　Fomarosetohisfeet，removedhiscap，and，bowingtothecompositors，saidloudlyandcheerfully：
　　"Thankyou，gentlemen，foryourhospitality！Good-bye！"
　　Theyimmediatelysurroundedhimandspoketohimpersuasively：
　　"Stayhere！Whereareyougoing？Wemightsingalltogether，eh？"
　　"No，Imustgo，itwouldbedisagreeabletomyfriendtogoalone。Iamgoingtoescorthim。Iwishyouajollyfeast！"
　　"Eh，yououghttowaitalittle！"exclaimedthestoutfellow，andthenwhispered：
　　"Someonewillescorthimhome！"
　　Theconsumptivealsoremarkedinalowvoice：
　　"Youstayhere。We'llescorthimtotown，andgethimintoacaband——thereyouare！"
　　Fomafeltlikestayingthere，andatthesametimewasafraidofsomething。WhileYozhovrosetohisfeet，and，clutchingatthesleevesofhisovercoat，muttered：
　　"Come，thedeviltakethem！"
　　"Tillwemeetagain，gentlemen！I'mgoing！"saidFomaanddepartedamidexclamationsofpoliteregret。
　　"Ha，ha，ha！"Yozhovburstoutlaughingwhenhehadgotabouttwentystepsawayfromthefire。"Theyseeusoffwithsorrow，buttheyaregladthatIamgoingaway。Ihinderedthemfromturningintobeasts。"
　　"It'strue，youdiddisturbthem，"saidFoma。"Whydoyoumakesuchspeeches？Peoplehavecomeouttoenjoythemselves，andyouobtrudeyourselfuponthem。Thatboresthem！"
　　"Keepquiet！Youdon'tunderstandanything！"criedYozhov，harshly。"YouthinkIamdrunk？It'smybodythatisintoxicated，butmysoulissober，itisalwayssober；itfeelseverything。
　　Oh，howmuchmeannessthereisintheworld，howmuchstupidityandwretchedness！Andmen——thesestupid，miserablemen。"
　　Yozhovpaused，and，claspinghisheadwithhishands，stoodforawhile，staggering。
　　"Yes！"drawledoutFoma。"Theyareverymuchunlikeoneanother。
　　Nowthesemen，howpolitetheyare，likegentlemen。Andtheyreasoncorrectly，too，andallthatsortofthing。Theyhavecommonsense。Yettheyareonlylabourers。"
　　Inthedarknessbehindthemthemenstruckupapowerfulchoralsong。Inharmoniousatfirst，itswelledandgrewuntilitrolledinahuge，powerfulwavethroughtheinvigoratingnocturnalair，abovethedesertedfield。
　　"MyGod！"saidYozhov，sadlyandsoftly，heavingasigh。"Wherebyarewetolive？Whereonfastenoursoul？Whoshallquenchitsthirstsforfriendshipbrotherhood，love，forpureandsacredtoil？"
　　"Thesesimplepeople，"saidFoma，slowlyandpensively，withoutlisteningtohiscompanionswords，absorbedashewasinhisownthoughts，"ifonelooksintothesepeople，they'renotsobad！
　　It'sevenvery——itisinteresting。Peasants，labourers，tolookatthemplainly，theyarejustlikehorses。Theycarryburdens，theypuffandblow。"
　　"Theycarryourlifeontheirbacks，"exclaimedYozhovwithirritation。"Theycarryitlikehorses，submissively，stupidly。
　　Andthissubmissivenessoftheirsisourmisfortune，ourcurse！"
　　AndFoma，carriedawaybyhisownthought，argued：
　　"Theycarryburdens，theytoilalltheirlifelongformeretrifles。Andsuddenlytheysaysomethingthatwouldn'tcomeintoyourmindinacentury。Evidentlytheyfeel。Yes，itisinterestingtobewiththem。"
　　Staggering，Yozhovwalkedinsilenceforalongtime，andsuddenlyhewavedhishandintheairandbegantodeclaiminadull，chokingvoice，whichsoundedasthoughitissuedfromhisstomach：
　　"Lifehascruellydeceivedme，Ihavesufferedsomuchpain。"
　　"These，dearboy，aremyownverses，"saidhe，stoppingshortandnoddinghisheadmournfully。"Howdotheyrun？I'veforgotten。
　　Thereissomethingthereaboutdreams，aboutsacredandpurelongings，whicharesmotheredwithinmybreastbythevapouroflife。Oh！"
　　"TheburieddreamswithinmybreastWillneverriseagain。"
　　"Brother！YouarehappierthanI，becauseyouarestupid。WhileI——"
　　"Don'tberude！"saidFoma，irritated。"Youwouldbetterlistenhowtheyaresinging。"
　　"Idon'twanttolistentootherpeople'ssongs，"saidYozhov，withashakeofthehead。"Ihavemyown，itisthesongofasoulrentinpiecesbylife。"
　　Andhebegantowailinawildvoice：
　　TheburieddreamswithinmybreastWillneverriseagain……
　　Howgreattheirnumberis！"
　　"Therewasawholeflowergardenofbright，livingdreamsandhopes。Theyperished，witheredandperished。Deathiswithinmyheart。Thecorpsesofmydreamsarerottingthere。Oh！oh！"
　　Yozhovburstintotears，sobbinglikeawoman。Fomapitiedhim，andfeltuncomfortablewithhim。Hejerkedathisshoulderimpatiently，andsaid：
　　"Stopcrying！Come，howweakyouare，brother！"ClaspinghisheadinhishandYozhovstraighteneduphisstoopingframe，madeaneffortandstartedagainmournfullyandwildly：
　　"Howgreattheirnumberis！
　　Theirsepulchrehownarrow！
　　IclothedthemallinshroudsofrhymeAndmanysadandsolemnsongsO'erthemIsangfromtimetotime！"
　　"0h，Lord！"sighedFomaindespair。"Stopthat，forChrist'ssake！ByGod，howsad！"
　　Inthedistancetheloudchoralsongwasrollingthroughthedarknessandthesilence。Someonewaswhistling，keepingtimetotherefrain，andthisshrillsound，whichpiercedtheear，ranaheadofthebillowofpowerfulvoices。Fomalookedinthatdirectionandsawthetall，blackwallofforest，thebrightfieryspotofthebonfireshininguponit，andthemistyfiguressurroundingthefire。Thewallofforestwaslikeabreast，andthefirelikeabloodywoundinit。Itseemedasthoughthebreastwastrembling，asthebloodcourseddowninburningstreams。Embracedindensegloomfromallsidesthepeopleseemedonthebackgroundoftheforest，likelittlechildren；they，too，seemedtoburn，illuminatedbytheblazeofthebonfire。Theywavedtheirhandsandsangtheirsongsloudly，powerfully。
　　AndYozhov，standingbesideFoma，spokeexcitedly：
　　"Youhard-heartedblockhead！Whydoyourepulseme？Yououghttolistentothesongofthedyingsoul，andweepoverit，for，whywasitwounded，whyisitdying？Begonefromme，begone！YouthinkIamdrunk？Iampoisoned，begone！"
　　Withoutliftinghiseyesofftheforestandthefire，sobeautifulinthedarkness，FomamadeafewstepsasidefromYozhovandsaidtohiminalowvoice：
　　"Don'tplaythefool。Whydoyouabusemeatrandom？"
　　"Iwanttoremainalone，andfinishsingingmysong。"
　　Staggering，he，too，movedasidefromFoma，andafterafewsecondsagainexclaimedinasobbingvoice：
　　"Mysongisdone！AndnevermoreShallIdisturbtheirsleepofdeath，OhLord，0hLord，reposemysoul！
　　Foritishopelessinitswounds，OhLord，reposemysoul。"
　　Fomashudderedatthesoundsoftheirgloomywailing，andhehurriedafterYozhov；butbeforeheovertookhimthelittlefeuilleton-writerutteredahystericalshriek，threwhimselfchestdownuponthegroundandburstoutsobbingplaintivelyandsoftly，evenassicklychildrencry。
　　"Nikolay！"saidFoma，liftinghimbytheshoulders。"Ceasecrying；what'sthematter？0hLord。Nikolay！Enough，aren'tyouashamed？"
　　ButYozhovwasnotashamed；hestruggledontheground，likeafishjusttakenfromthewater，andwhenFomahadliftedhimtohisfeet，hepressedclosetoFoma'sbreast，claspinghissideswithhisthinarms，andkeptonsobbing。
　　"Well，that'senough！"saidFoma，withhisteethtightlyclenched。"Enough，dear。"
　　Andagitatedbythesufferingofthemanwhowaswoundedbythenarrownessoflife，filledwithwrathonhisaccount，heturnedhisfacetowardthegloomwherethelightsofthetownwereglimmering，and，inanoutburstofwrathfulgrief，roaredinadeep，loudvoice：
　　"A-a-ana-thema！Becursed！Justwait。You，too，shallchoke！Becursed！"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　"LUBAVKA！"saidMayakinonedaywhenhecamehomefromtheExchange，"prepareyourselfforthisevening。Iamgoingtobringyouabridegroom！Prepareaniceheartylittlelunchforus。Putoutonthetableasmuchofouroldsilverwareaspossible，alsobringoutthefruit-vases，sothatheisimpressedbyourtable！
　　Lethimseethateachandeverythingwehaveisararity！"
　　Lubovwassittingbythewindowdarningherfather'ssocks，andherheadwasbentlowoverherwork。
　　"Whatisallthisfor，papa？"sheasked，dissatisfiedandoffended。
　　"Why，forsauce，forflavour。Andthen，it'sindueorder。Foragirlisnotahorse；youcan'tdisposeofherwithouttheharness。"
　　Allaflushwithoffence，Lubovtossedherheadnervously，andflingingherworkaside，castaglanceatherfather；and，takingupthesocksagain，shebentherheadstillloweroverthem。Theoldmanpacedtheroomtoandfro，pluckingathisfierybeardwithanxiety；hiseyesstaredsomewhereintothedistance，anditwasevidentthathewasallabsorbedinsomegreatcomplicatedthought。Thegirlunderstoodthathewouldnotlistentoherandwouldnotcaretocomprehendhowdegradinghiswordswereforher。Herromanticdreamsofahusband-friend，aneducatedman，whowouldreadwithherwisebooksandhelphertofindherselfinherconfuseddesires，thesedreamswerestifledbyherfather'sinflexibleresolutiontomarryhertoSmolin。Theyhadbeenkilledandhadbecomedecomposed，settlingdownasabittersedimentinhersoul。Shehadbeenaccustomedtolookinguponherselfasbetterandhigherthantheaveragegirlofthemerchantclass，thantheemptyandstupidgirlwhothinksofnothingbutdresses，andwhomarriesalmostalwaysaccordingtothecalculationofherparents，andbutseldominaccordancewiththefreewillofherheart。Andnowsheherselfisabouttomarrymerelybecauseitwastime，andalsobecauseherfatherneededason-in-lawtosucceedhiminhisbusiness。Andherfatherevidentlythoughtthatshe，byherself，washardlycapableofattractingtheattentionofaman，andthereforeadornedherwithsilver。Agitated，sheworkednervously，prickedherfingers，brokeneedles，butmaintainedsilence，beingawarethatwhateversheshouldsaywouldnotreachherfather'sheart。
　　Andtheoldmankeptonpacingtheroomtoandfro，nowhummingpsalmssoftly，nowimpressivelyinstructinghisdaughterhowtobehavewiththebridegroom。Andthenhealsocountedsomethingonhisfingers，frownedandsmiled。
　　"Mm！So！Tryme，0hLord，andjudgeme。Fromtheunjustandthefalseman，deliverme。Yes！Putonyourmother'semeralds，Lubov。"
　　"Enough，papa！"exclaimedthegirl，sadly。"Pray，leavethatalone。"
　　"Don'tyoukick！ListentowhatI'mtellingyou。"
　　Andhewasagainabsorbedinhiscalculations，snappinghisgreeneyesandplayingwithhisfingersinfrontofhisface。
　　"Thatmakesthirty-fivepercent。Mm！Thefellow'sarogue。Senddownthylightandthytruth。"
　　"Papa！"exclaimedLubov，mournfullyandwithfright。
　　"What？"
　　"You——areyoupleasedwithhim？"
　　"Withwhom？
　　"Smolin。"
　　"Smolin？Yes，he'sarogue，he'sacleverfellow，asplendidmerchant！Well，I'moffnow。Sobeonyourguard，armyourself。"
　　WhenLubovremainedalonesheflungherworkasideandleanedagainstthebackofherchair，closinghereyestightly。Herhandsfirmlyclaspedtogetherlayonherknees，andtheirfingerstwitched。Filledwiththebitternessofoffendedvanity，shefeltanalarmingfearofthefuture，andprayedinsilence：
　　"MyGod！0hLord！Ifhewereonlyakindman！Makehimkind，sincere。0hLord！Astrangemancomes，examinesyou，andtakesyouuntohimselfforyears，ifyoupleasehim！Howdisgracefulthatis，howterrible。0hLord，myGod！IfIcouldonlyrunaway！
　　IfIonlyhadsomeonetoadvisemewhattodo！Whoishe？HowcanIlearntoknowhim？Icannotdoanything！AndIhavethought，ah，howmuchIhavethought！Ihaveread。TowhatpurposehaveI
　　read？WhyshouldIknowthatitispossibletoliveotherwise，soasIcannotlive？Anditmaybethatwereitnotforthebooksmylifewouldbeeasier，simpler。Howpainfulallthisis！Whatawretched，unfortunatebeingIam！Alone。IfTarasatleastwerehere。"
　　Attherecollectionofherbrothershefeltstillmoregrieved，stillmoresorryforherself。ShehadwrittentoTarasalong，exultantletter，inwhichshehadspokenofherloveforhim，ofherhopeinhim；imploringherbrothertocomeassoonaspossibletoseehisfather，shehadpicturedtohimplansofarrangingtolivetogether，assuringTarasthattheirfatherwasextremelycleverandunderstoodeverything；shetoldabouthisloneliness，hadgoneintoecstasyoverhisaptitudeforlifeandhad，atthesametime，complainedofhisattitudetowardher。
　　Fortwoweekssheimpatientlyexpectedareply，andwhenshehadreceivedandreaditsheburstoutsobbingforjoyanddisenchantment。Theanswerwasdryandshort；initTarassaidthatwithinamonthhewouldbeontheVolgaonbusinessandwouldnotfailtocallonhisfather，iftheoldmanreallyhadnoobjectiontoit。Theletterwascold，likeablockofice；
　　withtearsinhereyessheperuseditoverandoveragain，rumpledit，creasedit，butitdidnotturnwarmeronthisaccount，itonlybecamewet。Fromthesheetofstiffnotepaperwhichwascoveredwithwritinginalarge，firmhand，awrinkledandsuspiciouslyfrowningface，thinandangularlikethatofherfather，seemedtolookather。
　　OnYakovTarasovichtheletterofhissonmadeadifferentimpression。OnlearningthecontentsofTaras'sreplytheoldmanstartedandhastilyturnedtohisdaughterwithanimationandwithapeculiarsmile：
　　"Well，letmeseeit！Showittome！He-he！Let'sreadhowwisemenwrite。Wherearemyspectacles？Mm！'Dearsister！'Yes。"
　　Theoldmanbecamesilent；hereadtohimselfthemessageofhisson，putitonthetable，and，raisinghiseyebrows，silentlypacedtheroomtoandfro，withanexpressionofamazementonhiscountenance。Thenhereadtheletteroncemore，thoughtfullytappedthetablewithhisfingersandspoke：
　　"Thatletterisn'tbad——itissound，withoutanyunnecessarywords。Well？Perhapsthemanhasreallygrownhardenedinthecold。Thecoldisseverethere。Lethimcome，we'lltakealookathim。It'sinteresting。Yes。InthepsalmofDavidconcerningthemysteriesofhissonitissaid：'WhenThouhastreturnedmyenemy'——I'veforgottenhowitreadsfurther。'Myenemy'sweaponshaveweakenedintheend，andhismemoryhathperishedamidnoise。Well，we'lltalkitoverwithhimwithoutnoise。
　　Theoldmantriedtospeakcalmlyandwithacontemptuoussmile，butthesmiledidnotcome；hiswrinklesquiveredirritably，andhissmalleyeshadaparticularlyclearbrilliancy。
　　"Writetohimagain，Lubovka。'Comealong！'writehim，'don'tbeafraidtocome！'"
　　LubovwroteTarasanotherletter，butthistimeitwasshorterandmorereserved，andnowsheawaitedareplyfromdaytoday，attemptingtopicturetoherselfwhatsortofmanhemustbe，thismysteriousbrotherofhers。Beforesheusedtothinkofhimwithsinkingheart，withthatsolemnrespectwithwhichbelieversthinkofmartyrs，menofuprightlife；nowshefearedhim，forhehadacquiredtherighttobejudgeovermenandlifeatthepriceofpainfulsufferings，atthecostofhisyouth，whichwasruinedinexile。Oncoming，hewouldaskher：
　　"Youaremarryingofyourownfreewill，forlove，areyounot？"
　　Whatshouldshetellhim？Wouldheforgiveherfaint-heartedness？
　　Andwhydoesshemarry？Canitreallybepossiblethatthisisallshecandoinordertochangeherlife？
　　Gloomythoughtsspranguponeafteranotherintheheadofthegirlandconfusedandtorturedher，impotentasshewastosetupagainstthemsomedefinite，all-conqueringdesire。Thoughshewasinananxiousandcompressingherlips。Smolinrosefromhischair，madeasteptowardherandbowedrespectfully。Shewasratherpleasedwiththislowandpolitebow，alsowiththecostlyfrockcoat，whichfittedSmolin'ssupplefiguresplendidly。Hehadchangedbutslightly——hewasthesamered-headed，closely-
　　cropped，freckledyouth；onlyhismoustachehadbecomelong，andhiseyesseemedtohavegrownlarger。
　　"Nowhe'schanged，eh？"exclaimedMayakintohisdaughter，pointingatthebridegroom。AndSmolinshookhandswithher，andsmiling，saidinaringingbaritonevoice：
　　"Iventuretohopethatyouhavenotforgottenyouroldfriend？"
　　It'sallright！Youcantalkofthislater，"saidtheoldman，scanninghisdaughterwithhiseyes。
　　"Lubova，youcanmakeyourarrangementshere，whilewefinishourlittleconversation。Wellthen，AfricanMitrich，explainyourself。"
　　"Youwillpardonme，LubovYakovlevna，won'tyou？"askedSmolin，gently。
　　"Praydonotstanduponceremony，"saidLubov。"He'spoliteandclever，"sheremarkedtoherself；and，asshewalkedaboutintheroomfromthetabletothesideboard，shebegantolistenattentivelytoSmolin'swords。Hespokesoftly，confidently，withasimplicity，inwhichwasfeltcondescendencetowardtheinterlocutor。"Wellthen，forfouryearsIhavecarefullystudiedtheconditionofRussianleatherinforeignmarkets。It'sasadandhorridcondition！Aboutthirtyyearsagoourleatherwasconsideredthereasthestandard，whilenowthedemandforitisconstantlyfallingoff，and，ofcourse，thepricegoeshandinhandwithit。Andthatisperfectlynatural。Lackingthecapitalandknowledgeallthesesmallleatherproducersarenotabletoraisetheirproducttotheproperstandard，and，atthesametime，toreducetheprice。Theirgoodsareextremelybadanddear。AndtheyarealltoblameforhavingspoiledRussia'sreputationasmanufacturerofthebestleather。Ingeneral，thepettyproducer，lackingthetechnicalknowledgeandcapital，isconsequentlyplacedinapositionwhereheisunabletoimprovehisproductsinproportiontothedevelopmentofthetechnicalside。Suchaproducerisamisfortuneforthecountry，theparasiteofhercommerce。"
　　"Hm！"bellowedtheoldman，lookingathisguestwithoneeye，andwatchinghisdaughterwiththeother。"Sothatnowyourintentionistobuildsuchagreatfactorythatalltheotherswillgotothedogs？"