第5章

……Evenafirst-ratehorsecouldnotdoit，whilemine——youcanseeforyourself——isnotahorsebutadisgrace。’AndPavelIvanitchwillfrownandshout：’Weknowyou！Youalwaysfindsomeexcuse！Especiallyyou，Grishka；Iknowyouofold！I’llbeboundyouhavestoppedathalfadozentaverns！’AndIshallsay： ’Yourhonor！amIacriminaloraheathen？MyoldwomanisgivinguphersoultoGod，sheisdying，andamIgoingtorunfromtaverntotavern！Whatanidea，uponmyword！Plaguetakethem，thetaverns！’ThenPavelIvanitchwillorderyoutobetakenintothehospital，andIshallfallathisfeet……’PavelIvanitch！Yourhonor，wethankyoumosthumbly！Forgiveusfoolsandanathemas，don’tbehardonuspeasants！Wedeserveagoodkicking，whileyougraciouslyputyourselfoutandmessyourfeetinthesnow！’AndPavelIvanitchwillgivemealookasthoughhewouldliketohitme，andwillsay：’You’dmuchbetternotbeswillingvodka，youfool，buttakingpityonyouroldwomaninsteadoffallingatmyfeet。Youwantathrashing！’’Youarerightthere——athrashing，PavelIvanitch，strikemeGod！

Buthowcanwehelpbowingdownatyourfeetifyouareourbenefactor，andarealfathertous？Yourhonor！Igiveyoumyword，……hereasbeforeGod，……youmayspitinmyfaceifIdeceiveyou：assoonasmyMatryona，thissamehere，iswellagainandrestoredtohernaturalcondition，I’llmakeanythingforyourhonorthatyouwouldliketoorder！Acigarette-case，ifyoulike，ofthebestbirchwood，……ballsforcroquet，skittlesofthemostforeignpatternIcanturn……Iwillmakeanythingforyou！Iwon’ttakeafarthingfromyou。InMoscowtheywouldchargeyoufourroublesforsuchacigarette-case，butIwon’ttakeafarthing。’Thedoctorwilllaughandsay：’Oh，allright，allright……Isee！Butit’sapityyouareadrunkard……’Iknowhowtomanagethegentry，oldgirl。Thereisn’tagentlemanIcouldn’ttalkto。OnlyGodgrantwedon’tgetofftheroad。Oh，howitisblowing！One’seyesarefullofsnow。"

Andtheturnerwentonmutteringendlessly。Heprattledonmechanicallytogetalittlerelieffromhisdepressingfeelings。

Hehadplentyofwordsonhistongue，butthethoughtsandquestionsinhisbrainwereevenmorenumerous。Sorrowhadcomeupontheturnerunawares，unlooked-for，andunexpected，andnowhecouldnotgetoverit，couldnotrecoverhimself。Hehadlivedhithertoinunruffledcalm，asthoughindrunkenhalf-consciousness，knowingneithergriefnorjoy，andnowhewassuddenlyawareofadreadfulpaininhisheart。Thecarelessidleranddrunkardfoundhimselfquitesuddenlyinthepositionofabusyman，weigheddownbyanxietiesandhaste，andevenstrugglingwithnature。

Theturnerrememberedthathistroublehadbeguntheeveningbefore。Whenhehadcomehomeyesterdayevening，alittledrunkasusual，andfromlong-establishedhabithadbegunswearingandshakinghisfists，hisoldwomanhadlookedatherrowdyspouseasshehadneverlookedathimbefore。Usually，theexpressioninheragedeyeswasthatofamartyr，meeklikethatofadogfrequentlybeatenandbadlyfed；thistimeshehadlookedathimsternlyandimmovably，assaintsintheholypicturesordyingpeoplelook。Fromthatstrange，evillookinhereyesthetroublehadbegun。Theturner，stupefiedwithamazement，borrowedahorsefromaneighbor，andnowwastakinghisoldwomantothehospitalinthehopethat，bymeansofpowdersandointments，PavelIvanitchwouldbringbackhisoldwoman’shabitualexpression。

"Isay，Matryona，……"theturnermuttered，"ifPavelIvanitchasksyouwhetherIbeatyou，say，’Never！’andIneverwillbeatyouagain。Iswearit。AnddidIeverbeatyououtofspite？I

justbeatyouwithoutthinking。Iamsorryforyou。Somemenwouldn’ttrouble，buthereIamtakingyou……Iamdoingmybest。Andthewayitsnows，thewayitsnows！ThyWillbedone，O

Lord！Godgrantwedon’tgetofftheroad……Doesyoursideache，Matryona，thatyoudon’tspeak？Iaskyou，doesyoursideache？"

Itstruckhimasstrangethatthesnowonhisoldwoman’sfacewasnotmelting；itwasqueerthatthefaceitselflookedsomehowdrawn，andhadturnedapalegray，dingywaxenhueandhadgrowngraveandsolemn。

"Youareafool！"mutteredtheturner……"Itellyouonmyconscience，beforeGod，……andyougoand……Well，youareafool！IhaveagoodmindnottotakeyoutoPavelIvanitch！"

Theturnerletthereinsgoandbeganthinking。Hecouldnotbringhimselftolookroundathisoldwoman：hewasfrightened。

Hewasafraid，too，ofaskingheraquestionandnotgettingananswer。Atlast，tomakeanendofuncertainty，withoutlookingroundhefelthisoldwoman’scoldhand。Theliftedhandfelllikealog。

"Sheisdead，then！Whatabusiness！"

Andtheturnercried。Hewasnotsomuchsorryasannoyed。Hethoughthowquicklyeverythingpassesinthisworld！Histroublehadhardlybegunwhenthefinalcatastrophehadhappened。Hehadnothadtimetolivewithhisoldwoman，toshowherhewassorryforherbeforeshedied。Hehadlivedwithherforfortyyears，butthosefortyyearshadpassedbyasitwereinafog。

Whatwithdrunkenness，quarreling，andpoverty，therehadbeennofeelingoflife。And，asthoughtospitehim，hisoldwomandiedattheverytimewhenhefelthewassorryforher，thathecouldnotlivewithouther，andthathehadbehaveddreadfullybadlytoher。

"Why，sheusedtogotheroundofthevillage，"heremembered。"I

sentheroutmyselftobegforbread。Whatabusiness！Sheoughttohavelivedanothertenyears，thesillything；asitisI’llbeboundshethinksIreallywasthatsortofman……HolyMother！butwherethedevilamIdriving？There’snoneedforadoctornow，butaburial。Turnback！"

Grigoryturnedbackandlashedthehorsewithallhismight。Theroadgrewworseandworseeveryhour。Nowhecouldnotseetheyokeatall。Nowandthenthesledgeranintoayoungfirtree，adarkobjectscratchedtheturner’shandsandflashedbeforehiseyes，andthefieldofvisionwaswhiteandwhirlingagain。

"Toliveoveragain，"thoughttheturner。

HerememberedthatfortyyearsagoMatryonahadbeenyoung，handsome，merry，thatshehadcomeofawell-to-dofamily。Theyhadmarriedhertohimbecausetheyhadbeenattractedbyhishandicraft。Alltheessentialsforahappylifehadbeenthere，butthetroublewasthat，justashehadgotdrunkaftertheweddingandlaysprawlingonthestove，sohehadgoneonwithoutwakinguptillnow。Hisweddingheremembered，butofwhathappenedafterthewedding——forthelifeofhimhecouldremembernothing，exceptperhapsthathehaddrunk，lainonthestove，andquarreled。Fortyyearshadbeenwastedlikethat。

Thewhitecloudsofsnowwerebeginninglittlebylittletoturngray。Itwasgettingdusk。

"WhereamIgoing？"theturnersuddenlybethoughthimwithastart。"Ioughttobethinkingoftheburial，andIamonthewaytothehospital……ItasisthoughIhadgonecrazy。"

Grigoryturnedroundagain，andagainlashedhishorse。Thelittlenagstraineditsutmostand，withasnort，fellintoalittletrot。Theturnerlasheditonthebacktimeaftertime……Aknockingwasaudiblebehindhim，andthoughhedidnotlookround，heknewitwasthedeadwoman’sheadknockingagainstthesledge。Andthesnowkeptturningdarkeranddarker，thewindgrewcolderandmorecutting……

"Toliveoveragain！"thoughttheturner。"Ishouldgetanewlathe，takeorders，……givethemoneytomyoldwoman……"

Andthenhedroppedthereins。Helookedforthem，triedtopickthemup，butcouldnot——hishandswouldnotwork……

"Itdoesnotmatter，"hethought，"thehorsewillgoofitself，itknowstheway。Imighthavealittlesleepnow……Beforethefuneralortherequiemitwouldbeaswelltogetalittlerest……"

Theturnerclosedhiseyesanddozed。Alittlelaterheheardthehorsestop；heopenedhiseyesandsawbeforehimsomethingdarklikeahutorahaystack……

Hewouldhavegotoutofthesledgeandfoundoutwhatitwas，buthefeltovercomebysuchinertiathatitseemedbettertofreezethanmove，andhesankintoapeacefulsleep。

Hewokeupinabigroomwithpaintedwalls。Brightsunlightwasstreaminginatthewindows。Theturnersawpeoplefacinghim，andhisfirstfeelingwasadesiretoshowhimselfarespectablemanwhoknewhowthingsshouldbedone。

"Arequiem，brothers，formyoldwoman，"hesaid。"Thepriestshouldbetold……"

"Oh，allright，allright；liedown，"avoicecuthimshort。

"PavelIvanitch！"theturnercriedinsurprise，seeingthedoctorbeforehim。"Yourhonor，benefactor！"

Hewantedtoleapupandfallonhiskneesbeforethedoctor，butfeltthathisarmsandlegswouldnotobeyhim。

"Yourhonor，wherearemylegs，wherearemyarms！"

"Saygood-bytoyourarmsandlegs……They’vebeenfrozenoff。Come，come！……Whatareyoucryingfor？You’velivedyourlife，andthankGodforit！Isupposeyouhavehadsixtyyearsofit——that’senoughforyou！……"

"Iamgrieving……Graciouslyforgiveme！IfIcouldhaveanotherfiveorsixyears！……"

"Whatfor？"

"Thehorseisn’tmine，Imustgiveitback……Imustburymyoldwoman……Howquicklyitisallendedinthisworld！Yourhonor，PavelIvanitch！Acigarette-caseofbirchwoodofthebest！

I’llturnyoucroquetballs……"

Thedoctorwentoutofthewardwithawaveofhishand。Itwasalloverwiththeturner。

ONOFFICIALDUTY

THEdeputyexaminingmagistrateandthedistrictdoctorweregoingtoaninquestinthevillageofSyrnya。Ontheroadtheywereovertakenbyasnowstorm；theyspentalongtimegoingroundandround，andarrived，notatmidday，astheyhadintended，butintheeveningwhenitwasdark。TheyputupforthenightattheZemstvohut。Itsohappenedthatitwasinthishutthatthedeadbodywaslying——thecorpseoftheZemstvoinsuranceagent，Lesnitsky，whohadarrivedinSyrnyathreedaysbeforeand，orderingthesamovarinthehut，hadshothimself，tothegreatsurpriseofeveryone；andthefactthathehadendedhislifesostrangely，afterunpackinghiseatablesandlayingthemoutonthetable，andwiththesamovarbeforehim，ledmanypeopletosuspectthatitwasacaseofmurder；aninquestwasnecessary。

Intheouterroomthedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrateshookthesnowoffthemselvesandknockeditofftheirboots。Andmeanwhiletheoldvillageconstable，IlyaLoshadin，stoodby，holdingalittletinlamp。Therewasastrongsmellofparaffin。

"Whoareyou？"askedthedoctor。

"Conshtable，……"answeredtheconstable。

Heusedtospellit"conshtable"whenhesignedthereceiptsatthepostoffice。

"Andwherearethewitnesses？"

"Theymusthavegonetotea，yourhonor。"

Ontherightwastheparlor，thetravelers’orgentry’sroom；ontheleftthekitchen，withabigstoveandsleepingshelvesundertherafters。Thedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrate，followedbytheconstable，holdingthelamphighabovehishead，wentintotheparlor。Hereastill，longbodycoveredwithwhitelinenwaslyingonthefloorclosetothetable-legs。Inthedimlightofthelamptheycouldclearlysee，besidesthewhitecovering，newrubbergoloshes，andeverythingaboutitwasuncannyandsinister：thedarkwalls，andthesilence，andthegoloshes，andthestillnessofthedeadbody。Onthetablestoodasamovar，coldlongago；androunditparcels，probablytheeatables。

"ToshootoneselfintheZemstvohut，howtactless！"saidthedoctor。"Ifonedoeswanttoputabulletthroughone’sbrains，oneoughttodoitathomeinsomeouthouse。"

Hesankontoabench，justashewas，inhiscap，hisfurcoat，andhisfeltoverboots；hisfellow-traveler，theexaminingmagistrate，satdownopposite。

"Thesehysterical，neurasthenicpeoplearegreategoists，"thedoctorwentonhotly。"Ifaneurasthenicsleepsinthesameroomwithyou，herustleshisnewspaper；whenhedineswithyou，hegetsupascenewithhiswifewithouttroublingaboutyourpresence；andwhenhefeelsinclinedtoshoothimself，heshootshimselfinavillageinaZemstvohut，soastogivethemaximumoftroubletoeverybody。Thesegentlemenineverycircumstanceoflifethinkofnoonebutthemselves！That’swhytheelderlysodislikeour’nervousage。’"

"Theelderlydislikesomanythings，"saidtheexaminingmagistrate，yawning。"Youshouldpointouttotheeldergenerationwhatthedifferenceisbetweenthesuicidesofthepastandthesuicidesofto-day。Intheolddaystheso-calledgentlemanshothimselfbecausehehadmadeawaywithGovernmentmoney，butnowadaysitisbecauseheissickoflife，depressed……Whichisbetter？"

"Sickoflife，depressed；butyoumustadmitthathemighthaveshothimselfsomewhereelse。"

"Suchtrouble！"saidtheconstable，"suchtrouble！It’sarealaffliction。Thepeopleareverymuchupset，yourhonor；theyhaven’tsleptthesethreenights。Thechildrenarecrying。Thecowsoughttobemilked，butthewomenwon’tgotothestall——

theyareafraid……forfearthegentlemanshouldappeartotheminthedarkness。Ofcoursetheyaresillywomen，butsomeofthemenarefrightenedtoo。Assoonasitisdarktheywon’tgobythehutonebyone，butonlyinaflocktogether。Andthewitnessestoo……"

Dr。Startchenko，amiddle-agedmaninspectacleswithadarkbeard，andtheexaminingmagistrateLyzhin，afairman，stillyoung，whohadonlytakenhisdegreetwoyearsbeforeandlookedmorelikeastudentthananofficial，satinsilence，musing。

Theywerevexedthattheywerelate。Nowtheyhadtowaittillmorning，andtostayhereforthenight，thoughitwasnotyetsixo’clock；andtheyhadbeforethemalongevening，adarknight，boredom，uncomfortablebeds，beetles，andcoldinthemorning；andlisteningtotheblizzardthathowledinthechimneyandintheloft，theyboththoughthowunlikeallthiswasthelifewhichtheywouldhavechosenforthemselvesandofwhichtheyhadoncedreamed，andhowfarawaytheybothwerefromtheircontemporaries，whowereatthatmomentwalkingaboutthelightedstreetsintownwithoutnoticingtheweather，orweregettingreadyforthetheatre，orsittingintheirstudiesoverabook。Oh，howmuchtheywouldhavegivennowonlytostrollalongtheNevskyProspect，oralongPetrovkainMoscow，tolistentodecentsinging，tositforanhourorsoinarestaurant！

"Oo-oo-oo-oo！"sangthestormintheloft，andsomethingoutsideslammedviciously，probablythesignboardonthehut。

"Oo-oo-oo-oo！"

"Youcandoasyouplease，butIhavenodesiretostayhere，"

saidStartchenko，gettingup。"It’snotsixyet，it’stooearlytogotobed；Iamoff。VonTaunitzlivesnotfarfromhere，onlyacoupleofmilesfromSyrnya。Ishallgotoseehimandspendtheeveningthere。Constable，runandtellmycoachmannottotakethehorsesout。Andwhatareyougoingtodo？"heaskedLyzhin。

"Idon’tknow；IexpectIshallgotosleep。"

Thedoctorwrappedhimselfinhisfurcoatandwentout。Lyzhincouldhearhimtalkingtothecoachmanandthebellsbeginningtoquiveronthefrozenhorses。Hedroveoff。

"Itisnotniceforyou，sir，tospendthenightinhere，"saidtheconstable；"comeintotheotherroom。It’sdirty，butforonenightitwon’tmatter。I’llgetasamovarfromapeasantandheatitdirectly。I’llheapupsomehayforyou，andthenyougotosleep，andGodblessyou，yourhonor。"

Alittlelatertheexaminingmagistratewassittinginthekitchendrinkingtea，whileLoshadin，theconstable，wasstandingatthedoortalking。Hewasanoldmanaboutsixty，shortandverythin，bentandwhite，withanaivesmileonhisfaceandwateryeyes，andhekeptsmackingwithhislipsasthoughheweresuckingasweetmeat。Hewaswearingashortsheepskincoatandhighfeltboots，andheldhisstickinhishandsallthetime。Theyouthoftheexaminingmagistratearousedhiscompassion，andthatwasprobablywhyheaddressedhimfamiliarly。

"Theeldergaveordersthathewastobeinformedwhenthepolicesuperintendentortheexaminingmagistratecame，"hesaid，"soI

supposeImustgonow……It’snearlythreemilestothe_volost_，andthestorm，thesnowdrifts，aresomethingterrible——maybeonewon’tgettherebeforemidnight。Ough！howthewindroars！"

"Idon’tneedtheelder，"saidLyzhin。"Thereisnothingforhimtodohere。"

Helookedattheoldmanwithcuriosity，andasked：

"Tellme，grandfather，howmanyyearshaveyoubeenconstable？"

"Howmany？Why，thirtyyears。FiveyearsaftertheFreedomI

begangoingasconstable，that’showIreckonit。AndfromthattimeIhavebeengoingeverydaysince。Otherpeoplehaveholidays，butIamalwaysgoing。Whenit’sEasterandthechurchbellsareringingandChristhasrisen，Istillgoaboutwithmybag——tothetreasury，tothepost，tothepolicesuperintendent’slodgings，totheruralcaptain，tothetaxinspector，tothemunicipaloffice，tothegentry，tothepeasants，toallorthodoxChristians。Icarryparcels，notices，taxpapers，letters，formsofdifferentsorts，circulars，andtobesure，kindgentleman，thereareallsortsofformsnowadays，soastonotedownthenumbers——yellow，white，andred——andeverygentlemanorpriestorwell-to-dopeasantmustwritedownadozentimesintheyearhowmuchhehassownandharvested，howmanyquartersorpoodshehasofrye，howmanyofoats，howmanyofhay，andwhattheweather’slike，youknow，andinsects，too，ofallsorts。Tobesureyoucanwritewhatyoulike，it’sonlyaregulation，butonemustgoandgiveoutthenoticesandthengoagainandcollectthem。Here，forinstance，there’snoneedtocutopenthegentleman；youknowyourselfit’sasillything，it’sonlydirtyingyourhands，andhereyouhavebeenputtotrouble，yourhonor；youhavecomebecauseit’stheregulation；

youcan’thelpit。ForthirtyyearsIhavebeengoingroundaccordingtoregulation。Inthesummeritisallright，itiswarmanddry；butinwinterandautumnit’suncomfortableAttimesIhavebeenalmostdrownedandalmostfrozen；allsortsofthingshavehappened——wickedpeoplesetonmeintheforestandtookawaymybag；Ihavebeenbeaten，andIhavebeenbeforeacourtoflaw。"

"Whatwereyouaccusedof？"

"Offraud。"

"Howdoyoumean？"

"Why，yousee，HrisanfGrigoryev，theclerk，soldthecontractorsomeboardsbelongingtosomeoneelse——cheatedhim，infact。I

wasmixedupinit。Theysentmetothetavernforvodka；well，theclerkdidnotsharewithme——didnotevenoffermeaglass；

butasthroughmypovertyIwas——inappearance，Imean——notamantobereliedupon，notamanofanyworth，wewerebothbroughttotrial；hewassenttoprison，but，praiseGod！Iwasacquittedonallpoints。Theyreadanotice，youknow，inthecourt。Andtheywereallinuniforms——inthecourt，Imean。I

cantellyou，yourhonor，mydutiesforanyonenotusedtothemareterrible，absolutelykilling；buttomeitisnothing。Infact，myfeetachewhenIamnotwalking。Andathomeitisworseforme。Athomeonehastoheatthestovefortheclerkinthe_volost_office，tofetchwaterforhim，tocleanhisboots。"

"Andwhatwagesdoyouget？"Lyzhinasked。

"Eighty-fourroublesayear。"

"I’llbetyougetotherlittlesumscomingin。Youdo，don’tyou？"

"Otherlittlesums？No，indeed！Gentlemennowadaysdon’toftengivetips。Gentlemennowadaysarestrict，theytakeoffenseatanything。Ifyoubringthemanoticetheyareoffended，ifyoutakeoffyourcapbeforethemtheyareoffended。’Youhavecometothewrongentrance，’theysay。’Youareadrunkard，’theysay。

’Yousmellofonion；youareablockhead；youarethesonofabitch。’Therearekind-heartedones，ofcourse；butwhatdoesonegetfromthem？Theyonlylaughandcalloneallsortsofnames。

Mr。Altuhin，forinstance，heisagood-naturedgentleman；andifyoulookathimheseemssoberandinhisrightmind，butsosoonasheseesmeheshoutsanddoesnotknowwhathemeanshimself。

Hegavemesuchaname’You，’saidhe，……"Theconstableutteredsomeword，butinsuchalowvoicethatitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhathesaid。

"What？"Lyzhinasked。"Sayitagain。"

"’Administration，’"theconstablerepeatedaloud。"Hehasbeencallingmethatforalongwhile，forthelastsixyears。’Hullo，Administration！’ButIdon’tmind；lethim，Godblesshim！

Sometimesaladywillsendoneaglassofvodkaandabitofpieandonedrinkstoherhealth。Butpeasantsgivemore；peasantsaremorekind-hearted，theyhavethefearofGodintheirhearts：

onewillgiveabitofbread，anotheradropofcabbagesoup，anotherwillstandoneaglass。Thevillageelderstreatonetoteainthetavern。Herethewitnesseshavegonetotheirtea。

’Loshadin，’theysaid，’youstayhereandkeepwatchforus，’andtheygavemeakopeckeach。Yousee，theyarefrightened，notbeingusedtoit，andyesterdaytheygavemefifteenkopecksandofferedmeaglass。"

"Andyou，aren’tyoufrightened？"

"Iam，sir；butofcourseitismyduty，thereisnogettingawayfromit。InthesummerIwastakingaconvicttothetown，andhesetuponmeandgavemesuchadrubbing！Andallaroundwerefields，forest——howcouldIgetawayfromhim？It’sjustthesamehere。Irememberthegentleman，Mr。Lesnitsky，whenhewassohigh，andIknewhisfatherandmother。IamfromthevillageofNedoshtchotova，andthey，theLesnitskyfamily，werenotmorethanthree-quartersofamilefromusandlessthanthat，theirgroundnexttoours，andMr。Lesnitskyhadasister，aGod-fearingandtender-heartedlady。LordkeepthesoulofThyservantYulya，eternalmemorytoher！Shewasnevermarried，andwhenshewasdyingshedividedallherproperty；

sheleftthreehundredacrestothemonastery，andsixhundredtothecommuneofpeasantsofNedoshtchotovatocommemoratehersoul；butherbrotherhidthewill，theydosayburntitinthestove，andtookallthislandforhimself。Hethought，tobesure，itwasforhisbenefit；but——nay，waitabit，youwon’tgetonintheworldthroughinjustice，brother。Thegentlemandidnotgotoconfessionfortwentyyearsafter。Hekeptawayfromthechurch，tobesure，anddiedimpenitent。Heburst。Hewasaveryfatman，soheburstlengthways。Theneverythingwastakenfromtheyoungmaster，fromSeryozha，topaythedebts——everythingtherewas。Well，hehadnotgoneveryfarinhisstudies，hecouldn’tdoanything，andthepresidentoftheRuralBoard，hisuncle——’I’lltakehim’——Seryozha，I

mean——thinkshe，’foranagent；lethimcollecttheinsurance，that’snotadifficultjob，’andthegentlemanwasyoungandproud，hewantedtobelivingonabiggerscaleandinbetterstyleandwithmorefreedom。Tobesureitwasacome-downforhimtobejoltingaboutthedistrictinawretchedcartandtalkingtothepeasants；hewouldwalkandkeeplookingontheground，lookingonthegroundandsayingnothing；ifyoucalledhisnamerightinhisear，’SergeySergeyitch！’hewouldlookroundlikethis，’Eh？’andlookdownonthegroundagain，andnowyouseehehaslaidhandsonhimself。There’snosenseinit，yourhonor，it’snotright，andthere’snomakingoutwhat’sthemeaningofit，mercifulLord！Sayyourfatherwasrichandyouarepoor；itismortifying，there’snodoubtaboutit，butthere，youmustmakeupyourmindtoit。Iusedtoliveingoodstyle，too；Ihadtwohorses，yourhonor，threecows，Iusedtokeeptwentyheadofsheep；butthetimehascome，andIamleftwithnothingbutawretchedbag，andeventhatisnotminebutGovernmentproperty。AndnowinourNedoshtchotova，ifthetruthistobetold，myhouseistheworstofthelot。Makeyhadfourfootmen，andnowMakeyisafootmanhimself。Petrakhadfourlaborers，andnowPetrakisalaborerhimself。"

"Howwasityoubecamepoor？"askedtheexaminingmagistrate。

"Mysonsdrinkterribly。Icouldnottellyouhowtheydrink，youwouldn’tbelieveit。"

Lyzhinlistenedandthoughthowhe，Lyzhin，wouldgobacksoonerorlatertoMoscow，whilethisoldmanwouldstayhereforever，andwouldalwaysbewalkingandwalking。Andhowmanytimesinhislifehewouldcomeacrosssuchbattered，unkemptoldmen，not"menofanyworth，"inwhosesoulsfifteenkopecks，glassesofvodka，andaprofoundbeliefthatyoucan’tgetoninthislifebydishonesty，wereequallyfirmlyrooted。

Thenhegrewtiredoflistening，andtoldtheoldmantobringhimsomehayforhisbed，Therewasanironbedsteadwithapillowandaquiltinthetraveler’sroom，anditcouldbefetchedin；butthedeadmanhadbeenlyingbyitfornearlythreedays（andperhapssittingonitjustbeforehisdeath），anditwouldbedisagreeabletosleepuponitnow……

"It’sonlyhalf-pastseven，"thoughtLyzhin，glancingathiswatch。"Howawfulitis！"

Hewasnotsleepy，buthavingnothingtodotopassawaythetime，helaydownandcoveredhimselfwitharug。Loshadinwentinandoutseveraltimes，clearingawaythetea-things；smackinghislipsandsighing，hekepttrampingroundthetable；atlasthetookhislittlelampandwentout，and，lookingathislong，gray-headed，bentfigurefrombehind，Lyzhinthought：

"Justlikeamagicianinanopera。"

Itwasdark。Themoonmusthavebeenbehindtheclouds，asthewindowsandthesnowonthewindow-framescouldbeseendistinctly。

"Oo-oo-oo！"sangthestorm，"Oo-oo-oo-oo！"

"Ho-ho-lysa-aints！"wailedawomanintheloft，oritsoundedlikeit。"Ho-ho-lysa-aints！"

"B-booh！"somethingoutsidebangedagainstthewall。"Trah！"

Theexaminingmagistratelistened：therewasnowomanupthere，itwasthewindhowling。Itwasrathercold，andheputhisfurcoatoverhisrug。Ashegotwarmhethoughthowremoteallthis——thestorm，andthehut，andtheoldman，andthedeadbodylyinginthenextroom——howremoteitallwasfromthelifehedesiredforhimself，andhowalienitallwastohim，howpetty，howuninteresting。IfthismanhadkilledhimselfinMoscoworsomewhereintheneighborhood，andhehadhadtoholdaninquestonhimthere，itwouldhavebeeninteresting，important，andperhapshemightevenhavebeenafraidtosleepinthenextroomtothecorpse。Here，nearlyathousandmilesfromMoscow，allthiswasseensomehowinadifferentlight；itwasnotlife，theywerenothumanbeings，butsomethingonlyexisting"accordingtotheregulation，"asLoshadinsaid；itwouldleavenotthefaintesttraceinthememory，andwouldbeforgottenassoonashe，Lyzhin，droveawayfromSyrnya。Thefatherland，therealRussia，wasMoscow，Petersburg；butherehewasintheprovinces，thecolonies。Whenonedreamedofplayingaleadingpart，ofbecomingapopularfigure，ofbeing，forinstance，examiningmagistrateinparticularlyimportantcasesorprosecutorinacircuitcourt，ofbeingasocietylion，onealwaysthoughtofMoscow。Tolive，onemustbeinMoscow；hereonecaredfornothing，onegreweasilyresignedtoone’sinsignificantposition，andonlyexpectedonethingoflife——

togetawayquickly，quickly。AndLyzhinmentallymovedabouttheMoscowstreets，wentintothefamiliarhouses，methiskindred，hiscomrades，andtherewasasweetpangathisheartatthethoughtthathewasonlytwenty-six，andthatifinfiveortenyearshecouldbreakawayfromhereandgettoMoscow，eventhenitwouldnotbetoolateandhewouldstillhaveawholelifebeforehim。Andashesankintounconsciousness，ashisthoughtsbegantobeconfused，heimaginedthelongcorridorofthecourtatMoscow，himselfdeliveringaspeech，hissisters，theorchestrawhichforsomereasonkeptdroning："Oo-oo-oo-oo！

Oo-oooo-oo！"

"Booh！Trah！"soundedagain。"Booh！"

Andhesuddenlyrecalledhowoneday，whenhewastalkingtothebookkeeperinthelittleofficeoftheRuralBoard，athin，palegentlemanwithblackhairanddarkeyeswalkedin；hehadadisagreeablelookinhiseyessuchasoneseesinpeoplewhohaveslepttoolongafterdinner，anditspoilthisdelicate，intelligentprofile；andthehighbootshewaswearingdidnotsuithim，butlookedclumsy。Thebookkeeperhadintroducedhim：

"Thisisourinsuranceagent。"

"SothatwasLesnitsky，……thissameman，"Lyzhinreflectednow。

HerecalledLesnitsky’ssoftvoice，imaginedhisgait，anditseemedtohimthatsomeonewaswalkingbesidehimnowwithasteplikeLesnitsky’s。

Allatoncehefeltfrightened，hisheadturnedcold。

"Who’sthere？"heaskedinalarm。

"Theconshtable！"

"Whatdoyouwanthere？"

"Ihavecometoask，yourhonor——yousaidthiseveningthatyoudidnotwanttheelder，butIamafraidhemaybeangry。Hetoldmetogotohim。Shouldn’tIgo？"

"That’senough，youbotherme，"saidLyzhinwithvexation，andhecoveredhimselfupagain。

"Hemaybeangry……I’llgo，yourhonor。Ihopeyouwillbecomfortable，"andLoshadinwentout。

Inthepassagetherewascoughingandsubduedvoices。Thewitnessesmusthavereturned。

"We’llletthosepoorbeggarsgetawayearlyto-morrow，……"

thoughttheexaminingmagistrate；"we’llbegintheinquestassoonasitisdaylight。"

Hebegansinkingintoforgetfulnesswhensuddenlytherewerestepsagain，nottimidthistimebutrapidandnoisy。Therewastheslamofadoor，voices，thescratchingofamatch……

"Areyouasleep？Areyouasleep？"Dr。Startchenkowasaskinghimhurriedlyandangrilyashestruckonematchafteranother；hewascoveredwithsnow，andbroughtachillairinwithhim。"Areyouasleep？Getup！LetusgotoVonTaunitz’s。Hehassenthisownhorsesforyou。Comealong。There，atanyrate，youwillhavesupper，andsleeplikeahumanbeing。YouseeIhavecomeforyoumyself。Thehorsesaresplendid，weshallgetthereintwentyminutes。"

"Andwhattimeisitnow？"

"Aquarterpastten。"

Lyzhin，sleepyanddiscontented，putonhisfeltoverboots，hisfurlinedcoat，hiscapandhood，andwentoutwiththedoctor。

Therewasnotaverysharpfrost，butaviolentandpiercingwindwasblowinganddrivingalongthestreetthecloudsofsnowwhichseemedtoberacingawayinterror：highdriftswereheapedupalreadyunderthefencesandatthedoorways。Thedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrategotintothesledge，andthewhitecoachmanbentoverthemtobuttonupthecover。Theywerebothhot。

"Ready！"

Theydrovethroughthevillage。"Cuttingafeatheryfurrow，"

thoughttheexaminingmagistrate，listlesslywatchingtheactionofthetracehorse’slegs。Therewerelightsinallthehuts，asthoughitweretheeveofagreatholiday：thepeasantshadnotgonetobedbecausetheywereafraidofthedeadbody。Thecoachmanpreservedasullensilence，probablyhehadfeltdrearywhilehewaswaitingbytheZemstvohut，andnowhe，too，wasthinkingofthedeadman。

"AttheVonTaunitz’s，"saidStartchenko，"theyallsetuponmewhentheyheardthatyouwerelefttospendthenightinthehut，andaskedmewhyIdidnotbringyouwithme。"

Astheydroveoutofthevillage，attheturningthecoachmansuddenlyshoutedatthetopofhisvoice："Outoftheway！"

Theycaughtaglimpseofaman：hewasstandinguptohiskneesinthesnow，movingofftheroadandstaringatthehorses。Theexaminingmagistratesawastickwithacrook，andabeardandabag，andhefanciedthatitwasLoshadin，andevenfanciedthathewassmiling。Heflashedbyanddisappeared。

Theroadranatfirstalongtheedgeoftheforest，thenalongabroadforestclearing；theycaughtglimpsesofoldpinesandayoungbirchcopse，andtall，gnarledyoungoaktreesstandingsinglyintheclearingswherethewoodhadlatelybeencut；butsoonitwasallmergedinthecloudsofsnow。Thecoachmansaidhecouldseetheforest；theexaminingmagistratecouldseenothingbutthetracehorse。Thewindblewontheirbacks。

Allatoncethehorsesstopped。

"Well，whatisitnow？"askedStartchenkocrossly。

Thecoachmangotdownfromtheboxwithoutawordandbeganrunningroundthesledge，treadingonhisheels；hemadelargerandlargercircles，gettingfurtherandfurtherawayfromthesledge，anditlookedasthoughheweredancing；atlasthecamebackandbegantoturnofftotheright。

"You’vegotofftheroad，eh？"askedStartchenko。

"It’sallri-ight……"

Thentherewasalittlevillageandnotasinglelightinit。

Againtheforestandthefields。Againtheylosttheroad，andagainthecoachmangotdownfromtheboxanddancedroundthesledge。Thesledgeflewalongadarkavenue，flewswiftlyon。

Andtheheatedtracehorse’shoofsknockedagainstthesledge。

Heretherewasafearfulroaringsoundfromthetrees，andnothingcouldbeseen，asthoughtheywereflyingonintospace；

andallatoncetheglaringlightattheentranceandthewindowsflashedupontheireyes，andtheyheardthegood-natured，drawn-outbarkingofdogs。Theyhadarrived。

Whiletheyweretakingofftheirfurcoatsandtheirfeltbootsbelow，"UnPetitVerredeClicquot"wasbeingplayeduponthepianooverhead，andtheycouldhearthechildrenbeatingtimewiththeirfeet。Immediatelyongoingintheywereawareofthesnugwarmthandspecialsmelloftheoldapartmentsofamansionwhere，whatevertheweatheroutside，lifeissowarmandcleanandcomfortable。

"That’scapital！"saidVonTaunitz，afatmanwithanincrediblythickneckandwithwhiskers，asheshooktheexaminingmagistrate’shand。"That’scapital！Youareverywelcome，delightedtomakeyouracquaintance。Wearecolleaguestosomeextent，youknow。AtonetimeIwasdeputyprosecutor；butnotforlong，onlytwoyears。Icameheretolookaftertheestate，andhereIhavegrownold——anoldfogey，infact。Youareverywelcome，"hewenton，evidentlyrestraininghisvoicesoasnottospeaktooloud；hewasgoingupstairswithhisguests。"Ihavenowife，she’sdead。Buthere，Iwillintroducemydaughters，"

andturninground，heshouteddownthestairsinavoiceofthunder："TellIgnattohavethesledgereadyateighto’clockto-morrowmorning。"

Hisfourdaughters，youngandprettygirls，allwearinggraydressesandwiththeirhairdoneupinthesamestyle，andtheircousin，alsoyoungandattractive，withherchildren，wereinthedrawingroom。Startchenko，whoknewthemalready，beganatoncebeggingthemtosingsomething，andtwooftheyoungladiesspentalongtimedeclaringtheycouldnotsingandthattheyhadnomusic；thenthecousinsatdowntothepiano，andwithtremblingvoices，theysangaduetfrom"TheQueenofSpades。"Again"UnPetitVerredeClicquot"wasplayed，andthechildrenskippedabout，beatingtimewiththeirfeet。AndStartchenkoprancedabouttoo。Everybodylaughed。

Thenthechildrensaidgood-nightandwentofftobed。Theexaminingmagistratelaughed，dancedaquadrille，flirted，andkeptwonderingwhetheritwasnotalladream？ThekitchenoftheZemstvohut，theheapofhayinthecorner，therustleofthebeetles，therevoltingpoverty-strickensurroundings，thevoicesofthewitnesses，thewind，thesnowstorm，thedangerofbeinglost；andthenallatoncethissplendid，brightlylightedroom，thesoundsofthepiano，thelovelygirls，thecurly-headedchildren，thegay，happylaughter——suchatransformationseemedtohimlikeafairytale，anditseemedincrediblethatsuchtransitionswerepossibleatthedistanceofsometwomilesinthecourseofonehour。Anddrearythoughtspreventedhimfromenjoyinghimself，andhekeptthinkingthiswasnotlifehere，butbitsoflifefragments，thateverythingherewasaccidental，thatonecoulddrawnoconclusionsfromit；andheevenfeltsorryforthesegirls，whowerelivingandwouldendtheirlivesinthewilds，inaprovincefarawayfromthecenterofculture，wherenothingisaccidental，buteverythingisinaccordancewithreasonandlaw，andwhere，forinstance，everysuicideisintelligible，sothatonecanexplainwhyithashappenedandwhatisitssignificanceinthegeneralschemeofthings。Heimaginedthatifthelifesurroundinghimhereinthewildswerenotintelligibletohim，andifhedidnotseeit，itmeantthatitdidnotexistatall。

AtsuppertheconversationturnedonLesnitsky"Heleftawifeandchild，"saidStartchenko。"Iwouldforbidneurasthenicsandallpeoplewhosenervoussystemisoutofordertomarry，Iwoulddeprivethemoftherightandpossibilityofmultiplyingtheirkind。Tobringintotheworldnervous，invalidchildrenisacrime。"

"Hewasanunfortunateyoungman，"saidVonTaunitz，sighinggentlyandshakinghishead。"Whatalotonemustsufferandthinkaboutbeforeonebringsoneselftotakeone’sownlife，……ayounglife！Suchamisfortunemayhappeninanyfamily，andthatisawful。Itishardtobearsuchathing，insufferable……"

Andallthegirlslistenedinsilencewithgravefaces，lookingattheirfather。Lyzhinfeltthathe，too，mustsaysomething，buthecouldn’tthinkofanything，andmerelysaid：

"Yes，suicideisanundesirablephenomenon。"

Hesleptinawarmroom，inasoftbedcoveredwithaquiltunderwhichtherewerefinecleansheets，butforsomereasondidnotfeelcomfortable：perhapsbecausethedoctorandVonTaunitzwere，foralongtime，talkingintheadjoiningroom，andoverheadheheard，throughtheceilingandinthestove，thewindroaringjustasintheZemstvohut，andasplaintivelyhowling："Oo-oo-oo-oo！"

VonTaunitz’swifehaddiedtwoyearsbefore，andhewasstillunabletoresignhimselftohislossand，whateverhewastalkingabout，alwaysmentionedhiswife；andtherewasnotraceofaprosecutorleftabouthimnow。

"IsitpossiblethatImaysomedaycometosuchacondition？"

thoughtLyzhin，ashefellasleep，stillhearingthroughthewallhishost’ssubdued，asitwerebereaved，voice。

Theexaminingmagistratedidnotsleepsoundly。Hefelthotanduncomfortable，anditseemedtohiminhissleepthathewasnotatVonTaunitz’s，andnotinasoftcleanbed，butstillinthehayattheZemstvohut，hearingthesubduedvoicesofthewitnesses；hefanciedthatLesnitskywascloseby，notfifteenpacesaway。Inhisdreamsherememberedhowtheinsuranceagent，black-hairedandpale，wearingdustyhighboots，hadcomeintothebookkeeper’soffice。"Thisisourinsuranceagent……"

ThenhedreamedthatLesnitskyandLoshadintheconstablewerewalkingthroughtheopencountryinthesnow，sidebyside，supportingeachother；thesnowwaswhirlingabouttheirheads，thewindwasblowingontheirbacks，buttheywalkedon，singing：Wegoon，andon，andon……"

Theoldmanwaslikeamagicianinanopera，andbothofthemweresingingasthoughtheywereonthestage：

"Wegoon，andon，andon！……Youareinthewarmth，inthelightandsnugness，butwearewalkinginthefrostandthestorm，throughthedeepsnow……Weknownothingofease，weknownothingofjoy……Webearalltheburdenofthislife，yoursandours……Oo-oo-oo！Wegoon，andon，andon……"

Lyzhinwokeandsatupinbed。Whataconfused，baddream！Andwhydidhedreamoftheconstableandtheagenttogether？Whatnonsense！AndnowwhileLyzhin’sheartwasthrobbingviolentlyandhewassittingonhisbed，holdinghisheadinhishands，itseemedtohimthattherereallywassomethingincommonbetweenthelivesoftheinsuranceagentandtheconstable。Don’ttheyreallygosidebysideholdingeachotherup？Sometieunseen，butsignificantandessential，existedbetweenthem，andevenbetweenthemandVonTaunitzandbetweenallmen——allmen；inthislife，evenintheremotestdesert，nothingisaccidental，everythingisfullofonecommonidea，everythinghasonesoul，oneaim，andtounderstandititisnotenoughtothink，itisnotenoughtoreason，onemusthavealso，itseems，thegiftofinsightintolife，agiftwhichisevidentlynotbestowedonall。

Andtheunhappymanwhohadbrokendown，whohadkilledhimself——the"neurasthenic，"asthedoctorcalledhim——andtheoldpeasantwhospenteverydayofhislifegoingfromonemantoanother，wereonlyaccidental，wereonlyfragmentsoflifeforonewhothoughtofhisownlifeasaccidental，butwerepartsofoneorganism——marvelousandrational——foronewhothoughtofhisownlifeaspartofthatuniversalwholeandunderstoodit。

SothoughtLyzhin，anditwasathoughtthathadlonglainhiddeninhissoul，andonlynowitwasunfoldedbroadlyandclearlytohisconsciousness。

Helaydownandbegantodropasleep；andagaintheyweregoingalongtogether，singing："Wegoon，andon，andon……Wetakefromlifewhatishardestandbitterestinit，andweleaveyouwhatiseasyandjoyful；andsittingatsupper，youcancoldlyandsensiblydiscusswhywesufferandperish，andwhywearenotassoundandassatisfiedasyou。"

Whattheyweresinginghadoccurredtohismindbefore，butthethoughtwassomewhereinthebackgroundbehindhisotherthoughts，andflickeredtimidlylikeafarawaylightinfoggyweather。Andhefeltthatthissuicideandthepeasant’ssufferingslayuponhisconscience，too；toresignhimselftothefactthatthesepeople，submissivetotheirfate，shouldtakeuptheburdenofwhatwashardestandgloomiestinlife——howawfulitwas！Toacceptthis，andtodesireforhimselfalifefulloflightandmovementamonghappyandcontentedpeople，andtobecontinuallydreamingofsuch，meansdreamingoffreshsuicidesofmencrushedbytoilandanxiety，orofmenweakandoutcastwhompeopleonlytalkofsometimesatsupperwithannoyanceormockery，withoutgoingtotheirhelp……Andagain：

"Wegoon，andon，andon……"asthoughsomeonewerebeatingwithahammeronhistemples。

Hewokeearlyinthemorningwithaheadache，rousedbyanoise；

inthenextroomVonTaunitzwassayingloudlytothedoctor：

"It’simpossibleforyoutogonow。Lookwhat’sgoingonoutside。

Don’targue，youhadbetteraskthecoachman；hewon’ttakeyouinsuchweatherforamillion。"

"Butit’sonlytwomiles，"saidthedoctorinanimploringvoice。

"Well，ifitwereonlyhalfamile。Ifyoucan’t，thenyoucan’t。

Directlyyoudriveoutofthegatesitisperfecthell，youwouldbeofftheroadinaminute。Nothingwillinducemetoletyougo，youcansaywhatyoulike。"

"It’sboundtobequietertowardsevening，"saidthepeasantwhowasheatingthestove。

AndinthenextroomthedoctorbegantalkingoftherigorousclimateanditsinfluenceonthecharacteroftheRussian，ofthelongwinterswhich，bypreventingmovementfromplacetoplace，hindertheintellectualdevelopmentofthepeople；andLyzhinlistenedwithvexationtotheseobservationsandlookedoutofwindowatthesnowdriftswhichwerepiledonthefence。Hegazedatthewhitedustwhichcoveredthewholevisibleexpanse，atthetreeswhichbowedtheirheadsdespairinglytorightandthentoleft，listenedtothehowlingandthebanging，andthoughtgloomily：

"Well，whatmoralcanbedrawnfromit？It’sablizzardandthatisallaboutit……"

Atmiddaytheyhadlunch，thenwanderedaimlesslyaboutthehouse；theywenttothewindows。

"AndLesnitskyislyingthere，"thoughtLyzhin，watchingthewhirlingsnow，whichracedfuriouslyroundandrounduponthedrifts。"Lesnitskyislyingthere，thewitnessesarewaiting……"

Theytalkedoftheweather，sayingthatthesnowstormusuallylastedtwodaysandnights，rarelylonger。Atsixo’clocktheyhaddinner，thentheyplayedcards，sang，danced；atlasttheyhadsupper。Thedaywasover，theywenttobed。

Inthenight，towardsmorning，itallsubsided。Whentheygotupandlookedoutofwindow，thebarewillowswiththeirweaklydroopingbrancheswerestandingperfectlymotionless；itwasdullandstill，asthoughnaturenowwereashamedofitsorgy，ofitsmadnights，andthelicenseithadgiventoitspassions。Thehorses，harnessedtandem，hadbeenwaitingatthefrontdoorsincefiveo’clockinthemorning。Whenitwasfullydaylightthedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrateputontheirfurcoatsandfeltboots，and，sayinggood-bytotheirhost，wentout。

Atthestepsbesidethecoachmanstoodthefamiliarfigureoftheconstable，IlyaLoshadin，withanoldleatherbagacrosshisshoulderandnocaponhishead，coveredwithsnowallover，andhisfacewasredandwetwithperspiration。Thefootmanwhohadcomeouttohelpthegentlemenandcovertheirlegslookedathimsternlyandsaid：

"Whatareyoustandingherefor，youolddevil？Getaway！"

"Yourhonor，thepeopleareanxious，"saidLoshadin，smilingnaivelyalloverhisface，andevidentlypleasedatseeingatlastthepeoplehehadwaitedforsolong。"Thepeopleareveryuneasy，thechildrenarecrying……Theythought，yourhonor，thatyouhadgonebacktothetownagain。Showustheheavenlymercy，ourbenefactors！……"

Thedoctorandtheexaminingmagistratesaidnothing，gotintothesledge，anddrovetoSyrnya。