第7章

"Youdon’tunderstand？"whisperedFatherGrigory，steppingbackinastonishmentandclaspinghishands。"Whathaveyougotonyourshoulders，aheadorsomeotherobject？Yousendanoteuptothealtar，andwriteawordinitwhichitwouldbeunseemlyeventoutterinthestreet！Whyareyourollingyoureyes？

Surelyyouknowthemeaningoftheword？"

"Areyoureferringtothewordharlot？"mutteredtheshopkeeper，flushingcrimsonandblinking。"Butyouknow，theLordinHismercy……forgavethisverything，……forgaveaharlot……Hehaspreparedaplaceforher，andindeedfromthelifeoftheholysaint，MariyaofEgypt，onemayseeinwhatsensethewordisused——excuseme……"

Theshopkeeperwantedtobringforwardsomeotherargumentinhisjustification，buttookfrightandwipedhislipswithhissleeve"Sothat’swhatyoumakeofit！"criedFatherGrigory，claspinghishands。"ButyouseeGodhasforgivenher——doyouunderstand？Hehasforgiven，butyoujudgeher，youslanderher，callherbyanunseemlyname，andwhom！Yourowndeceaseddaughter！NotonlyinHolyScripture，buteveninworldlyliteratureyouwon’treadofsuchasin！Itellyouagain，Andrey，youmustn’tbeover-subtle！No，no，youmustn’tbeover-subtle，brother！IfGodhasgivenyouaninquiringmind，andifyoucannotdirectit，betternotgointothings……Don’tgointothings，andholdyourpeace！"

"Butyouknow，she，……excusemymentioningit，wasanactress！"articulatedAndreyAndreyitch，overwhelmed。

"Anactress！Butwhatevershewas，yououghttoforgetitallnowsheisdead，insteadofwritingitonthenote。"

"Justso，……"theshopkeeperassented。

"Yououghttodopenance，"boomedthedeaconfromthedepthsofthealtar，lookingcontemptuouslyatAndreyAndreyitch’sembarrassedface，"thatwouldteachyoutoleaveoffbeingsoclever！Yourdaughterwasawell-knownactress。Therewereevennoticesofherdeathinthenewspapers……Philosopher！"

"Tobesure，……certainly，"mutteredtheshopkeeper，"thewordisnotaseemlyone；butIdidnotsayittojudgeher，FatherGrigory，Ionlymeanttospeakspiritually，……thatitmightbeclearertoyouforwhomyouwerepraying。Theywriteinthememorialnotesthevariouscallings，suchastheinfantJohn，thedrownedwomanPelagea，thewarriorYegor，themurderedPavel，andsoon……Imeanttodothesame。"

"Itwasfoolish，Andrey！Godwillforgiveyou，butbewareanothertime。Aboveall，don’tbesubtle，butthinklikeotherpeople。

Maketenbowsandgoyourway。"

"Iobey，"saidtheshopkeeper，relievedthatthelecturewasover，andallowinghisfacetoresumeitsexpressionofimportanceanddignity。"Tenbows？Verygood，Iunderstand。Butnow，Father，allowmetoaskyouafavor……SeeingthatIam，anyway，herfather，……youknowyourself，whatevershewas，shewasstillmydaughter，soIwas，……excuseme，meaningtoaskyoutosingtherequiemtoday。Andallowmetoaskyou，FatherDeacon！"

"Well，that’sgood，"saidFatherGrigory，takingoffhisvestments。"ThatIcommend。Icanapproveofthat！Well，goyourway。Wewillcomeoutimmediately。"

AndreyAndreyitchwalkedwithdignityfromthealtar，andwithasolemn，requiem-likeexpressiononhisredfacetookhisstandinthemiddleofthechurch。ThevergerMatveysetbeforehimalittletablewiththememorialfooduponit，andalittlelatertherequiemservicebegan。

Therewasperfectstillnessinthechurch。Nothingcouldbeheardbutthemetallicclickofthecenserandslowsinging……NearAndreyAndreyitchstoodthevergerMatvey，themidwifeMakaryevna，andherone-armedsonMitka。Therewasnooneelse。

Thesacristansangbadlyinanunpleasant，hollowbass，butthetuneandthewordsweresomournfulthattheshopkeeperlittlebylittlelosttheexpressionofdignityandwasplungedinsadness。

HethoughtofhisMashutka，……herememberedshehadbeenbornwhenhewasstillalackeyintheserviceoftheownerofVerhnyZaprudy。Inhisbusylifeasalackeyhehadnotnoticedhowhisgirlhadgrownup。Thatlongperiodduringwhichshewasbeingshapedintoagracefulcreature，withalittleflaxenheadanddreamyeyesasbigaskopeck-piecespassedunnoticedbyhim。Shehadbeenbroughtuplikeallthechildrenoffavoritelackeys，ineaseandcomfortinthecompanyoftheyoungladies。Thegentry，tofilluptheiridletime，hadtaughthertoread，towrite，todance；hehadhadnohandinherbringingup。Onlyfromtimetotimecasuallymeetingheratthegateoronthelandingofthestairs，hewouldrememberthatshewashisdaughter，andwould，sofarashehadleisureforit，beginteachinghertheprayersandthescripture。Oh，eventhenhehadthereputationofanauthorityonthechurchrulesandtheholyscriptures！Forbiddingandstolidasherfather’sfacewas，yetthegirllistenedreadily。Sherepeatedtheprayersafterhimyawning，butontheotherhand，whenhe，hesitatingandtryingtoexpresshimselfelaborately，begantellingherstories，shewasallattention。Esau’spottage，thepunishmentofSodom，andthetroublesoftheboyJosephmadeherturnpaleandopenherblueeyeswide。

Afterwardswhenhegaveupbeingalackey，andwiththemoneyhehadsavedopenedashopinthevillage，MashutkahadgoneawaytoMoscowwithhismaster’sfamily……

Threeyearsbeforeherdeathshehadcometoseeherfather。Hehadscarcelyrecognizedher。Shewasagracefulyoungwomanwiththemannersofayounglady，anddressedlikeone。Shetalkedcleverly，asthoughfromabook，smoked，andslepttillmidday。

WhenAndreyAndreyitchaskedherwhatshewasdoing，shehadannounced，lookinghimboldlystraightintheface："Iamanactress。"Suchfranknessstrucktheformerflunkeyastheacmeofcynicism。Mashutkahadbegunboastingofhersuccessesandherstagelife；butseeingthatherfatheronlyturnedcrimsonandthrewuphishands，sheceased。Andtheyspentafortnighttogetherwithoutspeakingorlookingatoneanothertillthedayshewentaway。Beforeshewentawaysheaskedherfathertocomeforawalkonthebankoftheriver。Painfulasitwasforhimtowalkinthelightofday，inthesightofallhonestpeople，withadaughterwhowasanactress，heyieldedtoherrequest。

"Whatalovelyplaceyoulivein！"shesaidenthusiastically。

"Whatravinesandmarshes！Goodheavens，howlovelymynativeplaceis！"

Andshehadburstintotears。

"Theplaceissimplytakinguproom，……"AndreyAndreyvitchhadthought，lookingblanklyattheravines，notunderstandinghisdaughter’senthusiasm。"Thereisnomoreprofitfromthemthanmilkfromabilly-goat。"

Andshehadcriedandcried，drawingherbreathgreedilywithherwholechest，asthoughshefeltshehadnotalongtimelefttobreathe。

AndreyAndreyitchshookhisheadlikeahorsethathasbeenbitten，andtostiflepainfulmemoriesbeganrapidlycrossinghimself……

"Bemindful，OLord，"hemuttered，"ofThydepartedservant，theharlotMariya，andforgivehersins，voluntaryorinvoluntary……"

Theunseemlyworddroppedfromhislipsagain，buthedidnotnoticeit：whatisfirmlyimbeddedintheconsciousnesscannotbedrivenoutbyFatherGrigory’sexhortationsorevenknockedoutbyanail。Makaryevnasighedandwhisperedsomething，drawinginadeepbreath，whileone-armedMitkawasbroodingoversomething……

"Wherethereisnosickness，norgrief，norsighing，"dronedthesacristan，coveringhisrightcheekwithhishand。

Bluishsmokecoiledupfromthecenserandbathedinthebroad，slantingpatchofsunshinewhichcutacrossthegloomy，lifelessemptinessofthechurch。Anditseemedasthoughthesoulofthedeadwomanweresoaringintothesunlighttogetherwiththesmoke。Thecoilsofsmokelikeachild’scurlseddiedroundandround，floatingupwardstothewindowand，asitwere，holdingalooffromthewoesandtribulationsofwhichthatpoorsoulwasfull。

INTHECOACH-HOUSE

ITwasbetweennineandteno’clockintheevening。Stepanthecoachman，Mihailothehouse-porter，Alyoshkathecoachman’sgrandson，whohadcomeupfromthevillagetostaywithhisgrandfather，andNikandr，anoldmanofseventy，whousedtocomeintotheyardeveryeveningtosellsaltherrings，weresittingroundalanterninthebigcoach-house，playing"kings。"Throughthewide-opendoorcouldbeseenthewholeyard，thebighouse，wherethemaster’sfamilylived，thegates，thecellars，andtheporter’slodge。Itwasallshroudedinthedarknessofnight，andonlythefourwindowsofoneofthelodgeswhichwasletwerebrightlylitup。Theshadowsofthecoachesandsledgeswiththeirshaftstippedupwardsstretchedfromthewallstothedoors，quiveringandcuttingacrosstheshadowscastbythelanternandtheplayers……Ontheothersideofthethinpartitionthatdividedthecoach-housefromthestablewerethehorses。Therewasascentofhay，andadisagreeablesmellofsaltherringscomingfromoldNikandr。

Theporterwonandwasking；heassumedanattitudesuchaswasinhisopinionbefittingaking，andblewhisnoseloudlyonared-checkedhandkerchief。

"NowifIlikeIcanchopoffanybody’shead，"hesaid。Alyoshka，aboyofeightwithaheadofflaxenhair，leftlonguncut，whohadonlymissedbeingkingbytwotricks，lookedangrilyandwithenvyattheporter。Hepoutedandfrowned。

"Ishallgiveyouthetrick，grandfather，"hesaid，ponderingoverhiscards；"Iknowyouhavegotthequeenofdiamonds。"

"Well，well，littlesilly，youhavethoughtenough！"

Alyoshkatimidlyplayedtheknaveofdiamonds。Atthatmomentaringwasheardfromtheyard。

"Oh，hangyou！"mutteredtheporter，gettingup。"Goandopenthegate，Oking！"

Whenhecamebackalittlelater，Alyoshkawasalreadyaprince，thefish-hawkerasoldier，andthecoachmanapeasant。

"It’sanastybusiness，"saidtheporter，sittingdowntothecardsagain。"Ihavejustletthedoctorsout。Theyhavenotextractedit。"

"Howcouldthey？Justthink，theywouldhavetopickopenthebrains。Ifthereisabulletinthehead，ofwhatusearedoctors？"

"Heislyingunconscious，"theporterwenton。"Heisboundtodie。Alyoshka，don’tlookatthecards，youlittlepuppy，orI

willpullyourears！Yes，Iletthedoctorsout，andthefatherandmotherin……Theyhaveonlyjustarrived。Suchcryingandwailing，Lordpreserveus！Theysayheistheonlyson……

It’sagrief！"

AllexceptAlyoshka，whowasabsorbedinthegame，lookedroundatthebrightlylightedwindowsofthelodge。

"Ihaveorderstogotothepolicestationtomorrow，"saidtheporter。"Therewillbeaninquiry……ButwhatdoIknowaboutit？Isawnothingofit。Hecalledmethismorning，gavemealetter，andsaid：’Putitintheletter-boxforme。’Andhiseyeswereredwithcrying。Hiswifeandchildrenwerenotathome。Theyhadgoneoutforawalk。SowhenIhadgonewiththeletter，heputabulletintohisforeheadfromarevolver。WhenI

camebackhiscookwaswailingforthewholeyardtohear。"

"It’sagreatsin，"saidthefish-hawkerinahuskyvoice，andheshookhishead，"agreatsin！"

"Fromtoomuchlearning，"saidtheporter，takingatrick；"hiswitsoutstrippedhiswisdom。Sometimeshewouldsitwritingpapersallnight……Play，peasant！……Buthewasanicegentleman。Andsowhiteskinned，black-hairedandtall！……

Hewasagoodlodger。"

"Itseemsthefairsexisatthebottomofit，"saidthecoachman，slappingthenineoftrumpsonthekingofdiamonds。

"Itseemshewasfondofanotherman’swifeanddislikedhisown；

itdoeshappen。"

"Thekingrebels，"saidtheporter。

Atthatmomenttherewasagainaringfromtheyard。Therebelliouskingspatwithvexationandwentout。Shadowslikedancingcouplesflittedacrossthewindowsofthelodge。Therewasthesoundofvoicesandhurriedfootstepsintheyard。

"Isupposethedoctorshavecomeagain，"saidthecoachman。"OurMihailoisrunoffhislegs……"

Astrangewailingvoicerangoutforamomentintheair。

Alyoshkalookedinalarmathisgrandfather，thecoachman；thenatthewindows，andsaid：

"Hestrokedmeontheheadatthegateyesterday，andsaid，’Whatdistrictdoyoucomefrom，boy？’Grandfather，whowasthathowledjustnow？"

Hisgrandfathertrimmedthelightinthelanternandmadenoanswer。

"Themanislost，"hesaidalittlelater，withayawn。"Heislost，andhischildrenareruined，too。It’sadisgraceforhischildrenfortherestoftheirlivesnow。"

Theportercamebackandsatdownbythelantern。

"Heisdead，"hesaid。"Theyhavesenttothealmshousefortheoldwomentolayhimout。"

"Thekingdomofheavenandeternalpeacetohim！"whisperedthecoachman，andhecrossedhimself。

Lookingathim，Alyoshkacrossedhimselftoo。

"Youcan’tprayforsuchashim，"saidthefish-hawker。

"Whynot？"

"It’sasin。"

"That’strue，"theporterassented。"Nowhissoulhasgonestraighttohell，tothedevil……"

"It’sasin，"repeatedthefish-hawker；"suchashehavenofuneral，norequiem，butareburiedlikecarrionwithnorespect。"

Theoldmanputonhiscapandgotup。

"Itwasthesamethingatourlady’s，"hesaid，pullinghiscaponfurther。"Wewereserfsinthosedays；theyoungersonofourmistress，theGeneral’slady，shothimselfthroughthemouthwithapistol，fromtoomuchlearning，too。Itseemsthatbylawsuchhavetobeburiedoutsidethecemetery，withoutpriests，withoutarequiemservice；buttosavedisgraceourlady，youknow，bribedthepoliceandthedoctors，andtheygaveherapapertosayhersonhaddoneitwhendelirious，notknowingwhathewasdoing。Youcandoanythingwithmoney。Sohehadafuneralwithpriestsandeveryhonor，themusicplayed，andhewasburiedinthechurch；forthedeceasedGeneralhadbuiltthatchurchwithhisownmoney，andallhisfamilywereburiedthere。Onlythisiswhathappened，friends。Onemonthpassed，andthenanother，anditwasallright。InthethirdmonththeyinformedtheGeneral’sladythatthewatchmenhadcomefromthatsamechurch。

Whatdidtheywant？Theywerebroughttoher，theyfellatherfeet。’Wecan’tgoonserving，yourexcellency，’theysaid。’Lookoutforotherwatchmenandgraciouslydismissus。’’Whatfor？’

’No，’theysaid，’wecan’tpossibly；yoursonhowlsunderthechurchallnight。’"

Alyoshkashuddered，andpressedhisfacetothecoachman’sbacksoasnottoseethewindows。

"AtfirsttheGeneral’sladywouldnotlisten，"continuedtheoldman。"’Allthisisyourfancy，yousimplefolkhavesuchnotions，’shesaid。’Adeadmancannothowl。’Sometimeafterwardsthewatchmencametoheragain，andwiththemthesacristan。Sothesacristan，too，hadheardhimhowling。TheGeneral’sladysawthatitwasabadjob；shelockedherselfinherbedroomwiththewatchmen。’Here，myfriends，herearetwenty-fiveroublesforyou，andforthatgobynightinsecret，sothatnooneshouldhearorseeyou，digupmyunhappyson，andburyhim，’shesaid，’outsidethecemetery。’AndIsupposeshestoodthemaglass……Andthewatchmendidso。Thestonewiththeinscriptiononitistheretothisday，buthehimself，theGeneral’sson，isoutsidethecemetery……OLord，forgiveusourtransgressions！"sighedthefish-hawker。"Thereisonlyonedayintheyearwhenonemayprayforsuchpeople：theSaturdaybeforeTrinity……Youmustn’tgivealmstobeggarsfortheirsake，itisasin，butyoumayfeedthebirdsfortherestoftheirsouls。TheGeneral’sladyusedtogoouttothecrossroadseverythreedaystofeedthebirds。Onceatthecross-roadsablackdogsuddenlyappeared；itranuptothebread，andwassucha……weallknowwhatthatdogwas。TheGeneral’sladywaslikeahalf-crazycreatureforfivedaysafterwards，sheneitheratenordrank……Allatonceshefellonherkneesinthegarden，andprayedandprayed……Well，good-by，friends，theblessingofGodandtheHeavenlyMotherbewithyou。Letusgo，Mihailo，you’llopenthegateforme。"

Thefish-hawkerandtheporterwentout。ThecoachmanandAlyoshkawentouttoo，soasnottobeleftinthecoach-house。

"Themanwaslivingandisdead！"saidthecoachman，lookingtowardsthewindowswhereshadowswerestillflittingtoandfro。

"Onlythismorninghewaswalkingabouttheyard，andnowheislyingdead。"

"Thetimewillcomeandweshalldietoo，"saidtheporter，walkingawaywiththefish-hawker，andatoncetheybothvanishedfromsightinthedarkness。

Thecoachman，andAlyoshkaafterhim，somewhattimidlywentuptothelightedwindows。Averypaleladywithlargetearstainedeyes，andafine-lookinggrayheadedmanweremovingtwocard-tablesintothemiddleoftheroom，probablywiththeintentionoflayingthedeadmanuponthem，andonthegreenclothofthetablenumberscouldstillbeseenwritteninchalk。

Thecookwhohadrunabouttheyardwailinginthemorningwasnowstandingonachair，stretchinguptotryandcoverthelookingglasswithatowel。

"Grandfatherwhataretheydoing？"askedAlyoshkainawhisper。

"Theyarejustgoingtolayhimonthetables，"answeredhisgrandfather。"Letusgo，child，itisbedtime。"

ThecoachmanandAlyoshkawentbacktothecoach-house。Theysaidtheirprayers，andtookofftheirboots。Stepanlaydowninacorneronthefloor，Alyoshkainasledge。Thedoorsofthecoachhousewereshut，therewasahorriblestenchfromtheextinguishedlantern。AlittlelaterAlyoshkasatupandlookedabouthim；throughthecrackofthedoorhecouldstillseealightfromthoselightedwindows。

"Grandfather，Iamfrightened！"hesaid。

"Come，gotosleep，gotosleep！……"

"ItellyouIamfrightened！"

"Whatareyoufrightenedof？Whatababy！"

Theyweresilent。

Alyoshkasuddenlyjumpedoutofthesledgeand，loudlyweeping，rantohisgrandfather。

"Whatisit？What’sthematter？"criedthecoachmaninafright，gettingupalso。

"He’showling！"

"Whoishowling？"

"Iamfrightened，grandfather，doyouhear？"

Thecoachmanlistened。

"It’stheircrying，"hesaid。"Come！there，littlesilly！Theyaresad，sotheyarecrying。"

"Iwanttogohome，……"hisgrandsonwentonsobbingandtremblingallover。"Grandfather，letusgobacktothevillage，tomammy；come，grandfatherdear，Godwillgiveyoutheheavenlykingdomforit……"

"Whatasilly，ah！Come，bequiet，bequiet！Bequiet，Iwilllightthelantern，……silly！"

Thecoachmanfumbledforthematchesandlightedthelantern。ButthelightdidnotcomfortAlyoshka。

"GrandfatherStepan，let’sgotothevillage！"hebesoughthim，weeping。"Iamfrightenedhere；oh，oh，howfrightenedIam！Andwhydidyoubringmefromthevillage，accursedman？"

"Who’sanaccursedman？Youmustn’tusesuchdisrespectablewordstoyourlawfulgrandfather。Ishallwhipyou。"

"Dowhipme，grandfather，do；beatmelikeSidor’sgoat，butonlytakemetomammy，forGod’smercy！……"

"Come，come，grandson，come！"thecoachmansaidkindly。"It’sallright，don’tbefrightened……Iamfrightenedmyself……

Sayyourprayers！"

Thedoorcreakedandtheporter’sheadappeared。"Aren’tyouasleep，Stepan？"heasked。"Ishan’tgetanysleepallnight，"hesaid，comingin。"Ishallbeopeningandshuttingthegatesallnight……Whatareyoucryingfor，Alyoshka？"

"Heisfrightened，"thecoachmanansweredforhisgrandson。

Againtherewasthesoundofawailingvoiceintheair。Theportersaid：

"Theyarecrying。Themothercan’tbelievehereyes……It’sdreadfulhowupsetsheis。"

"Andisthefatherthere？"

"Yes……Thefatherisallright。Hesitsinthecornerandsaysnothing。Theyhavetakenthechildrentorelations……

Well，Stepan，shallwehaveagameoftrumps？"

"Yes，"thecoachmanagreed，scratchinghimself，"andyou，Alyoshka，gotosleep。Almostbigenoughtobemarried，andblubbering，yourascal。Come，goalong，grandson，goalong……

ThepresenceoftheporterreassuredAlyoshka。Hewent，notveryresolutely，towardsthesledgeandlaydown。Andwhilehewasfallingasleepheheardahalf-whisper。

"Ibeatandcover，"saidhisgrandfather。

"Ibeatandcover，"repeatedtheporter。

Thebellrangintheyard，thedoorcreakedandseemedalsosaying："Ibeatandcover。"WhenAlyoshkadreamedofthegentlemanand，frightenedbyhiseyes，jumpedupandburstoutcrying，itwasmorning，hisgrandfatherwassnoring，andthecoach-housenolongerseemedterrible。

PANICFEARS

DURINGalltheyearsIhavebeenlivinginthisworldIhaveonlythreetimesbeenterrified。

Thefirstrealterror，whichmademyhairstandonendandmadeshiversrunalloverme，wascausedbyatrivialbutstrangephenomenon。Ithappenedthat，havingnothingtodooneJulyevening，Idrovetothestationforthenewspapers。Itwasastill，warm，almostsultryevening，likeallthosemonotonouseveningsinJulywhich，whenoncetheyhavesetin，goonforaweek，afortnight，orsometimeslonger，inregularunbrokensuccession，andaresuddenlycutshortbyaviolentthunderstormandalavishdownpourofrainthatrefresheseverythingforalongtime。

Thesunhadsetsometimebefore，andanunbrokengraydusklayallovertheland。Themawkishlysweetscentsofthegrassandflowerswereheavyinthemotionless，stagnantair。

Iwasdrivinginaroughtrolley。Behindmybackthegardener’ssonPashka，aboyofeightyearsold，whomIhadtakenwithmetolookafterthehorseincaseofnecessity，wasgentlysnoring，withhisheadonasackofoats。Ourwaylayalonganarrowby-road，straightasaruler，whichlayhidlikeagreatsnakeinthetallthickrye。Therewasapalelightfromtheafterglowofsunset；astreakoflightcutitswaythroughanarrow，uncouth-lookingcloud，whichseemedsometimeslikeaboatandsometimeslikeamanwrappedinaquilt……

Ihaddrivenamileandahalf，ortwomiles，whenagainstthepalebackgroundoftheeveningglowtherecameintosightoneafteranothersomegracefultallpoplars；ariverglimmeredbeyondthem，andagorgeouspicturesuddenly，asthoughbymagic，laystretchedbeforeme。Ihadtostopthehorse，forourstraightroadbrokeoffabruptlyandrandownasteepinclineovergrownwithbushes。Wewerestandingonthehillsideandbeneathusatthebottomlayahugeholefulloftwilight，offantasticshapes，andofspace。Atthebottomofthishole，inawideplainguardedbythepoplarsandcaressedbythegleamingriver，nestledavillage。Itwasnowsleeping……Itshuts，itschurchwiththebelfry，itstrees，stoodoutagainstthegraytwilightandwerereflecteddarklyinthesmoothsurfaceoftheriver。

IwakedPashkaforfearheshouldfalloutandbegancautiouslygoingdown。

"HavewegottoLukovo？"askedPashka，liftinghisheadlazily。

"Yes。Holdthereins！……"

Iledthehorsedownthehillandlookedatthevillage。Atthefirstglanceonestrangecircumstancecaughtmyattention：attheverytopofthebelfry，inthetinywindowbetweenthecupolaandthebells，alightwastwinkling。Thislightwaslikethatofasmolderinglamp，atonemomentdyingdown，atanotherflickeringup。Whatcoulditcomefrom？

Itssourcewasbeyondmycomprehension。Itcouldnotbeburningatthewindow，fortherewereneitherikonsnorlampsinthetopturretofthebelfry；therewasnothingthere，asIknew，butbeams，dust，andspiders’webs。Itwashardtoclimbupintothatturret，forthepassagetoitfromthebelfrywascloselyblockedup。

Itwasmorelikelythananythingelsetobethereflectionofsomeoutsidelight，butthoughIstrainedmyeyestotheutmost，Icouldnotseeoneotherspeckoflightinthevastexpansethatlaybeforeme。Therewasnomoon。Thepaleand，bynow，quitedimstreakoftheafterglowcouldnothavebeenreflected，forthewindowlookednottothewest，buttotheeast。TheseandothersimilarconsiderationswerestrayingthroughmymindallthewhilethatIwasgoingdowntheslopewiththehorse。AtthebottomIsatdownbytheroadsideandlookedagainatthelight。

Asbeforeitwasglimmeringandflaringup。

"Strange，"Ithought，lostinconjecture。"Verystrange。"

AndlittlebylittleIwasovercomebyanunpleasantfeeling。AtfirstIthoughtthatthiswasvexationatnotbeingabletoexplainasimplephenomenon；butafterwards，whenIsuddenlyturnedawayfromthelightinhorrorandcaughtholdofPashkawithonehand，itbecameclearthatIwasovercomewithterror……

Iwasseizedwithafeelingofloneliness，misery，andhorror，asthoughIhadbeenflungdownagainstmywillintothisgreatholefullofshadows，whereIwasstandingallalonewiththebelfrylookingatmewithitsredeye。

"Pashka！"Icried，closingmyeyesinhorror。

"Well？"

"Pashka，what’sthatgleamingonthebelfry？"

Pashkalookedovermyshoulderatthebelfryandgaveayawn。

"Whocantell？"

Thisbriefconversationwiththeboyreassuredmeforalittle，butnotforlong。Pashka，seeingmyuneasiness，fastenedhisbigeyesuponthelight，lookedatmeagain，thenagainatthelight……

"Iamfrightened，"hewhispered。

Atthispoint，besidemyselfwithterror，Iclutchedtheboywithonehand，huddleduptohim，andgavethehorseaviolentlash。

"It’sstupid！"Isaidtomyself。"ThatphenomenonisonlyterriblebecauseIdon’tunderstandit；everythingwedon’tunderstandismysterious。"

Itriedtopersuademyself，butatthesametimeIdidnotleaveofflashingthehorse。WhenwereachedthepostingstationI

purposelystayedforafullhourchattingwiththeoverseer，andreadthroughtwoorthreenewspapers，butthefeelingofuneasinessdidnotleaveme。Onthewaybackthelightwasnottobeseen，butontheotherhandthesilhouettesofthehuts，ofthepoplars，andofthehillupwhichIhadtodrive，seemedtomeasthoughanimated。AndwhythelightwasthereIdon’tknowtothisday。

ThesecondterrorIexperiencedwasexcitedbyacircumstancenolesstrivial……Iwasreturningfromaromanticinterview。Itwasoneo’clockatnight，thetimewhennatureisburiedinthesoundest，sweetestsleepbeforethedawn。Thattimenaturewasnotsleeping，andonecouldnotcallthenightastillone。

Corncrakes，quails，nightingales，andwoodcockswerecalling，cricketsandgrasshopperswerechirruping。Therewasalightmistoverthegrass，andcloudswerescurryingstraightaheadacrosstheskynearthemoon。Naturewasawake，asthoughafraidofmissingthebestmomentsofherlife。

Iwalkedalonganarrowpathattheveryedgeofarailwayembankment。Themoonlightglidedoverthelineswhichwerealreadycoveredwithdew。Greatshadowsfromthecloudskeptflittingovertheembankment。Farahead，adimgreenlightwasglimmeringpeacefully。

"Soeverythingiswell，"Ithought，lookingatthem。

Ihadaquiet，peaceful，comfortablefeelinginmyheart。Iwasreturningfromatryst，Ihadnoneedtohurry；Iwasnotsleepy，andIwasconsciousofyouthandhealthineverysigh，everystepItook，rousingadullechointhemonotonoushumofthenight。Idon’tknowwhatIwasfeelingthen，butIrememberIwashappy，veryhappy。

Ihadgonenotmorethanthree-quartersofamilewhenIsuddenlyheardbehindmeamonotonoussound，arumbling，ratherliketheroarofagreatstream。Itgrewlouderandloudereverysecond，andsoundednearerandnearer。Ilookedround；ahundredpacesfrommewasthedarkcopsefromwhichIhadonlyjustcome；theretheembankmentturnedtotherightinagracefulcurveandvanishedamongthetrees。Istoodstillinperplexityandwaited。

Ahugeblackbodyappearedatonceattheturn，noisilydartedtowardsme，andwiththeswiftnessofabirdflewpastmealongtherails。Lessthanhalfaminutepassedandtheblurhadvanished，therumblemeltedawayintothenoiseofthenight。

Itwasanordinarygoodstruck。Therewasnothingpeculiaraboutitinitself，butitsappearancewithoutanengineandinthenightpuzzledme。Wherecouldithavecomefromandwhatforcesentitflyingsorapidlyalongtherails？Wherediditcomefromandwherewasitflyingto？

IfIhadbeensuperstitiousIshouldhavemadeupmyminditwasapartyofdemonsandwitchesjourneyingtoadevils’sabbath，andshouldhavegoneonmyway；butasitwas，thephenomenonwasabsolutelyinexplicabletome。Ididnotbelievemyeyes，andwasentangledinconjectureslikeaflyinaspider’sweb……

IsuddenlyrealizedthatIwasutterlyaloneonthewholevastplain；thatthenight，whichbynowseemedinhospitable，waspeepingintomyfaceanddoggingmyfootsteps；allthesounds，thecriesofthebirds，thewhisperingsofthetrees，seemedsinister，andexistingsimplytoalarmmyimagination。Idashedonlikeamadman，andwithoutrealizingwhatIwasdoingIran，tryingtorunfasterandfaster。AndatonceIheardsomethingtowhichIhadpaidnoattentionbefore：thatis，theplaintivewhiningofthetelegraphwires。

"Thisisbeyondeverything，"Isaid，tryingtoshamemyself。

"It’scowardice！it’ssilly！"

Butcowardicewasstrongerthancommonsense。IonlyslackenedmypacewhenIreachedthegreenlight，whereIsawadarksignal-box，andnearitontheembankmentthefigureofaman，probablythesignalman。

"Didyouseeit？"Iaskedbreathlessly。

"Seewhom？What？"

"Why，atruckranby。"

"Isawit，……"thepeasantsaidreluctantly。"Itbrokeawayfromthegoodstrain。Thereisaninclineattheninetiethmile……；thetrainisdraggeduphill。Thecouplingonthelasttruckgaveway，soitbrokeoffandranback……Thereisnocatchingitnow！……"

Thestrangephenomenonwasexplainedanditsfantasticcharactervanished。MypanicwasoverandIwasabletogoonmyway。

MythirdfrightcameuponmeasIwasgoinghomefromstandshootinginearlyspring。Itwasintheduskofevening。Theforestroadwascoveredwithpoolsfromarecentshowerofrain，andtheearthsquelchedunderone’sfeet。Thecrimsonglowofsunsetfloodedthewholeforest，coloringthewhitestemsofthebirchesandtheyoungleaves。Iwasexhaustedandcouldhardlymove。

Fourorfivemilesfromhome，walkingalongtheforestroad，I

suddenlymetabigblackdogofthewaterspanielbreed。Asheranby，thedoglookedintentlyatme，straightinmyface，andranon。

"Anicedog！"Ithought。"Whoseisit？"

Ilookedround。Thedogwasstandingtenpacesoffwithhiseyesfixedonme。Foraminutewescannedeachotherinsilence，thenthedog，probablyflatteredbymyattention，cameslowlyuptomeandwaggedhistail。

Iwalkedon，thedogfollowingme。

"Whosedogcanitbe？"Ikeptaskingmyself。"Wheredoeshecomefrom？"

Iknewallthecountrygentryfortwentyorthirtymilesround，andknewalltheirdogs。Notoneofthemhadaspaniellikethat。

Howdidhecometobeinthedepthsoftheforest，onatrackusedfornothingbutcartingtimber？Hecouldhardlyhavedroppedbehindsomeonepassingthrough，fortherewasnowhereforthegentrytodrivetoalongthatroad。

Isatdownonastumptorest，andbeganscrutinizingmycompanion。He，too，satdown，raisedhishead，andfasteneduponmeanintentstare。Hegazedatmewithoutblinking。Idon’tknowwhetheritwastheinfluenceofthestillness，theshadowsandsoundsoftheforest，orperhapsaresultofexhaustion，butI

suddenlyfeltuneasyunderthesteadygazeofhisordinarydoggyeyes。IthoughtofFaustandhisbulldog，andofthefactthatnervouspeoplesometimeswhenexhaustedhavehallucinations。

Thatwasenoughtomakemegetuphurriedlyandhurriedlywalkon。Thedogfollowedme。

"Goaway！"Ishouted。

Thedogprobablylikedmyvoice，forhegaveagleefuljumpandranaboutinfrontofme。

"Goaway！"Ishoutedagain。

Thedoglookedround，staredatmeintently，andwaggedhistailgood-humoredly。Evidentlymythreateningtoneamusedhim。Ioughttohavepattedhim，butIcouldnotgetFaust’sdogoutofmyhead，andthefeelingofpanicgrewmoreandmoreacute……

Darknesswascomingon，whichcompletedmyconfusion，andeverytimethedogranuptomeandhitmewithhistail，likeacowardIshutmyeyes。Thesamethinghappenedaswiththelightinthebelfryandthetruckontherailway：Icouldnotstanditandrushedaway。

AthomeIfoundavisitor，anoldfriend，who，aftergreetingme，begantocomplainthatashewasdrivingtomehehadlosthiswayintheforest，andasplendidvaluabledogofhishaddroppedbehind。

THEBET

ITWASadarkautumnnight。Theoldbankerwaswalkingupanddownhisstudyandrememberinghow，fifteenyearsbefore，hehadgivenapartyoneautumnevening。Therehadbeenmanyclevermenthere，andtherehadbeeninterestingconversations。Amongotherthingstheyhadtalkedofcapitalpunishment。Themajorityoftheguests，amongwhomweremanyjournalistsandintellectualmen，disapprovedofthedeathpenalty。Theyconsideredthatformofpunishmentoutofdate，immoral，andunsuitableforChristianStates。Intheopinionofsomeofthemthedeathpenaltyoughttobereplacedeverywherebyimprisonmentforlife。

"Idon’tagreewithyou，"saidtheirhostthebanker。"Ihavenottriedeitherthedeathpenaltyorimprisonmentforlife，butifonemayjudge_apriori_，thedeathpenaltyismoremoralandmorehumanethanimprisonmentforlife。Capitalpunishmentkillsamanatonce，butlifelongimprisonmentkillshimslowly。Whichexecutioneristhemorehumane，hewhokillsyouinafewminutesorhewhodragsthelifeoutofyouinthecourseofmanyyears？"

"Bothareequallyimmoral，"observedoneoftheguests，"fortheybothhavethesameobject——totakeawaylife。TheStateisnotGod。Ithasnottherighttotakeawaywhatitcannotrestorewhenitwantsto。"

Amongtheguestswasayounglawyer，ayoungmanoffive-and-twenty。Whenhewasaskedhisopinion，hesaid：

"Thedeathsentenceandthelifesentenceareequallyimmoral，butifIhadtochoosebetweenthedeathpenaltyandimprisonmentforlife，Iwouldcertainlychoosethesecond。Toliveanyhowisbetterthannotatall。"

Alivelydiscussionarose。Thebanker，whowasyoungerandmorenervousinthosedays，wassuddenlycarriedawaybyexcitement；

hestruckthetablewithhisfistandshoutedattheyoungman：

"It’snottrue！I’llbetyoutwomillionsyouwouldn’tstayinsolitaryconfinementforfiveyears。"

"Ifyoumeanthatinearnest，"saidtheyoungman，"I’lltakethebet，butIwouldstaynotfivebutfifteenyears。"

"Fifteen？Done！"criedthebanker。"Gentlemen，Istaketwomillions！"

"Agreed！YoustakeyourmillionsandIstakemyfreedom！"saidtheyoungman。

Andthiswild，senselessbetwascarriedout！Thebanker，spoiltandfrivolous，withmillionsbeyondhisreckoning，wasdelightedatthebet。Atsupperhemadefunoftheyoungman，andsaid：

"Thinkbetterofit，youngman，whilethereisstilltime。Tometwomillionsareatrifle，butyouarelosingthreeorfourofthebestyearsofyourlife。Isaythreeorfour，becauseyouwon’tstaylonger。Don’tforgeteither，youunhappyman，thatvoluntaryconfinementisagreatdealhardertobearthancompulsory。Thethoughtthatyouhavetherighttostepoutinlibertyatanymomentwillpoisonyourwholeexistenceinprison。

Iamsorryforyou。"

Andnowthebanker，walkingtoandfro，rememberedallthis，andaskedhimself："Whatwastheobjectofthatbet？Whatisthegoodofthatman’slosingfifteenyearsofhislifeandmythrowingawaytwomillions？Canitprovethatthedeathpenaltyisbetterorworsethanimprisonmentforlife？No，no。Itwasallnonsensicalandmeaningless。Onmypartitwasthecapriceofapamperedman，andonhispartsimplegreedformoney……"

Thenherememberedwhatfollowedthatevening。Itwasdecidedthattheyoungmanshouldspendtheyearsofhiscaptivityunderthestrictestsupervisioninoneofthelodgesinthebanker’sgarden。Itwasagreedthatforfifteenyearsheshouldnotbefreetocrossthethresholdofthelodge，toseehumanbeings，tohearthehumanvoice，ortoreceivelettersandnewspapers。Hewasallowedtohaveamusicalinstrumentandbooks，andwasallowedtowriteletters，todrinkwine，andtosmoke。Bythetermsoftheagreement，theonlyrelationshecouldhavewiththeouterworldwerebyalittlewindowmadepurposelyforthatobject。Hemighthaveanythinghewanted——

books，music，wine，andsoon——inanyquantityhedesiredbywritinganorder，butcouldonlyreceivethemthroughthewindow。Theagreementprovidedforeverydetailandeverytriflethatwouldmakehisimprisonmentstrictlysolitary，andboundtheyoungmantostaythere_exactly_fifteenyears，beginningfromtwelveo’clockofNovember14，1870，andendingattwelveo’clockofNovember14，1885。Theslightestattemptonhisparttobreaktheconditions，ifonlytwominutesbeforetheend，releasedthebankerfromtheobligationtopayhimtwomillions。

Forthefirstyearofhisconfinement，asfarasonecouldjudgefromhisbriefnotes，theprisonersufferedseverelyfromlonelinessanddepression。Thesoundsofthepianocouldbeheardcontinuallydayandnightfromhislodge。Herefusedwineandtobacco。Wine，hewrote，excitesthedesires，anddesiresaretheworstfoesoftheprisoner；andbesides，nothingcouldbemoredrearythandrinkinggoodwineandseeingnoone。Andtobaccospoilttheairofhisroom。Inthefirstyearthebookshesentforwereprincipallyofalightcharacter；novelswithacomplicatedloveplot，sensationalandfantasticstories，andsoon。