Thepuffingoftheengineandtheclatterofthesteamer\'swheels，minglingwiththesoundsofthemusic，producedintheairsomethingwhichsoundedlikethewildsongofasnow-storm。
Thewhistleoftheflute，theshrillsingingoftheclarionets，theheavyroaringofthebasses，therufflingofthelittledrumandthedronesoftheblowsonthebigone，allthisfellonthemonotonousanddullsoundsofthewheels，astheycutthewaterapart，smotetheairrebelliously，drownedthenoiseofthehumanvoicesandhoveredafterthesteamer，likeahurricane，causingthepeopletoshoutatthetopoftheirvoices。Attimesanangryhissingofsteamrangoutwithintheengine，andtherewassomethingirritableandcontemptuousinthissoundasitburstunexpectedlyuponthechaosofthedronesandroarsandshouts。
\"Ishallneverforget，evenuntomygrave，thatyourefusedtodiscountthenoteforme，\"criedsomeoneinafiercevoice。
\"Thatwilldo！Isthisaplaceforaccounts？\"rangoutBobrov\'sbass。
\"Brethren！Letushavesomespeeches！\"
\"Musicians，bush！\"
\"ComeuptothebankandI\'llexplaintoyouwhyIdidn\'tdiscountit。\"
\"Aspeech！Silence！\"
\"Musicians，ceaseplaying！\"
\"Strikeup\'IntheMeadows。\'\"
\"MadameAngot！\"
\"No！YakovTarasovich，webegofyou！\"
\"That\'scalledStrassburgpastry。\"
\"Webegofyou！Webegofyou！\"
\"Pastry？Itdoesn\'tlooklikeit，butI\'lltasteitallthesame。\"
\"Tarasovich！Start。\"
\"Brethren！Itisjolly！ByGod。\"
\"Andin\'LaBelleHelene\'sheusedtocomeoutalmostnaked，mydear，\"suddenlyRobustov\'sshrillandemotionalvoicebrokethroughthenoise。
\"Lookout！JacobcheatedEsau？Aha！\"
\"Ican\'t！Mytongueisnotahammer，andIamnolongeryoung。
\"Yasha！Weallimploreyou！\"
\"Dousthehonour！\"
\"We\'llelectyoumayor！\"
\"Tarasovich！don\'tbecapricious！\"
\"Sh！Silence！Gentlemen！YakovTarasovichwillsayafewwords！\"
\"Sh！\"
Andjustatthemomentthenoisesubsidedsomeone\'sloud，indignantwhisperwasheard：
\"Howshepinchedme，thecarrion。\"
AndBobrovinquiredinhisdeepbasso：
\"Wheredidshepinchyou？\"
Allburstintoringinglaughter，butsoonfellsilent，forYakovTarasovichMayakin，risingtohisfeet，clearedhisthroat，and，strokinghisbaldcrown，surveyedthemerchantswithaseriouslookexpectingattention。
\"Well，brethren，openyourears！\"shoutedKononov，withsatisfaction。
\"Gentlemenofthemerchantclass！\"beganMayakinwithasmile。
\"Thereisacertainforeignwordinthelanguageofintelligentandlearnedpeople，andthatwordis\'culture。\'SonowIamgoingtotalktoyouaboutthatwordinallthesimplicityofmysoul。\"
\"So，that\'swhereheisaimingto！\"someonessatisfiedexclamationwasheard。
\"Sh！Silence！\"
\"Deargentlemen！\"saidMayakin，raisinghisvoice，\"inthenewspaperstheykeepwritingaboutusmerchants，thatwearenotacquaintedwiththis\'culture，\'thatwedonotwantit，anddonotunderstandit。Andtheycallussavage，unculturedpeople。
Whatisculture？Itpainsme，oldmanasIam，tohearsuchwords，andonedayImadeitmybusinesstolookupthatword，toseewhatitreallycontains。\"Mayakinbecamesilent，surveyedtheaudiencewithhiseyes，andwentondistinctly，withatriumphantsmile：
\"Itproved，uponmyresearches，thatthiswordmeansworship，thatis，love，greatloveforbusinessandorderinlife。\'That\'sright！\'Ithought，\'that\'sright！\'Thatmeansthatheisaculturedmanwholovesbusinessandorder，who，ingeneral，lovestoarrangelife，lovestolive，knowsthevalueofhimselfandoflife。Good！\"YakovTarasovichtrembled，hiswrinklesspreadoverhisfacelikebeams，fromhissmilingeyestohislips，andhisbaldheadlookedlikesomedarkstar。
Themerchantsstaredsilentlyandattentivelyathismouth，andallfacesbespokeintenseattention。ThepeopleseemedpetrifiedintheattitudesinwhichMayakin\'sspeechhadovertakenthem。
\"Butifthatwordistobeinterpretedpreciselythus，andnototherwise，ifsuchisthecase——thenthepeoplewhocallusunculturedandsavage，slanderandblasphemeus！Fortheyloveonlytheword，butnotitsmeaning；whilewelovetheveryrootoftheword，weloveitsrealessence，weloveactivity。Wehavewithinustherealculttowardlife，thatis，theworshipoflife；we，notthey！Theylovereasoning\'weloveaction。Andhere，gentlemenofthemerchantclass，hereisanexampleofourculture，ofourloveforaction。TaketheVolga！Heresheis，ourdearownmother！Witheachandeverydropofherwatershecancorroborateourhonourandrefutetheemptyblasphemyspatteredonus。Onlyonehundredyearshaveelapsed，mydearsirs，sinceEmperorPetertheGreatlauncheddeckedbarksonthisriver，andnowthousandsofsteamshipssailupanddowntheriver。Whohasbuiltthem？TheRussianpeasant，anutterlyunletteredman！Alltheseenormoussteamers，barges——whosearethey？Ours！Whohasinventedthem？We！Everythinghereisours，everythinghereisthefruitofourminds，ofourRussianshrewdness，andourgreatloveforaction！Nobodyhasassistedusinanything！WeourselvesexterminatedpiracyontheVolga；atourownexpensewehiredtroops；weexterminatedpiracyandsentoutontheVolgathousandsofsteamersandvariousvesselsoverallthethousandsofmilesofhercourse。WhichisthebesttownontheVolga？Theonethathasthemostmerchants。Whosearethebesthousesintown？Themerchants！Whotakesthemostcareofthepoor？Themerchant！Hecollectsgroshesandcopecks，anddonateshundredsofthousandsofroubles。Whohaserectedthechurches？
We！Whocontributesthemostmoneytothegovernment？Themerchants！Gentlemen！tousaloneistheworkdearforitsownsake，forthesakeofourloveforthearrangementoflife，andwealoneloveorderandlife！Andhewhotalksaboutusmerelytalks，andthat\'sall！Lethimtalk！Whenthewindblowsthewillowrustles；whenthewindsubsidesthewillowissilent；andneitheracart-shaft，norabroomcanbemadeoutofthewillow；
itisauselesstree！Andfromthisuselessnesscomesthenoise。
Whathavethey，ourjudges，accomplished；howhavetheyadornedlife？Wedonotknowit。Whileourworkisclearlyevident！
Gentlemenofthemerchantclass！Seeinginyoutheforemostmeninlife，mostindustriousandlovingyourlabours，seeinginyouthemenwhocanaccomplishandhaveaccomplishedeverything，I
nowheartily，withrespectandloveforyou，liftmybrimminggoblet，totheglorious，strong-souled，industriousRussianmerchantclass。Longmayyoulive！MayyousucceedforthegloryofMotherRussia！Hurrah！\"
Theshrill，jarringshoutofMayakincalledforthadeafening，triumphantroarfromthemerchants。Allthesebig，fleshybodies，arousedbywineandbytheoldman\'swords，stirredandutteredfromtheirchestssuchaunanimous，massiveshoutthateverythingaroundthemseemedtotrembleandtoquake。
\"Yakov！youarethetrumpetoftheLord！\"criedZubov，holdingouthisgoblettowardMayakin。
Overturningthechairs，jostlingthetables，thuscausingthedishesandthebottlestorattleandfall，themerchants，agitated，delighted，somewithtearsintheireyes，rushedtowardMayakinwithgobletsintheirhands。
\"Ah！Doyouunderstandwhathasbeensaidhere？\"askedKononov，graspingRobustovbytheshoulderandshakinghim。\"Understandit！Thatwasagreatspeech！\"
\"YakovTarasovich！Come，letmeembraceyou！\"
\"Let\'stoss，Mayakin！
\"Strikeuptheband。\"
\"Soundaflourish！Amarch。\'ThePersianMarch。\"\'
\"Wedon\'twantanymusic！Thedeviltakeit！\"
\"Hereisthemusic！Eh，YakovTarasovich！Whatamind！\"
\"Iwassmallamongmybrethren，butIwasfavouredwithunderstanding。\"
\"Youlie，Trofim！\"
\"Yakov！you\'lldiesoon。Oh，whatapity！Wordscan\'texpresshowsorryweare！\"
\"Butwhatafuneralthatisgoingtobe！\"
\"Gentlemen！LetusestablishaMayakinfund！Iputupathousand！\"
\"Silence！Holdon！\"
\"Gentlemen！\"YakovTarasovichbegantospeakagain，quiveringineverylimb。\"And，furthermore，wearetheforemostmeninlifeandtherealmastersinourfatherlandbecauseweare——peasants！\'
\"Corr-rect！\"
\"That\'sright！Dearmother！That\'sanoldmanforyou！\"
\"Holdon！Lethimfinish。\"
\"WeareprimitiveRussianpeople，andeverythingthatcomesfromusistrulyRussian！Consequentlyitisthemostgenuine，themostusefulandobligatory。\"
\"Astrueastwoandtwomakefour！\"
\"It\'ssosimple。\"
\"Heisaswiseasaserpent！\"
\"Andasmeekasa——\"
\"Asahawk。Ha，ha，ha！\"
Themerchantsencircledtheiroratorinaclosering，theylookedathimwiththeiroilyeyes，andweresoagitatedthattheycouldnolongerlistentohiswordscalmly。Aroundhimatumultofvoicessmotetheair，andminglingwiththenoiseoftheengine，andthebeatingofthewheelsuponthewater，itformedawhirlwindofsoundswhichdrownedthejarringvoiceoftheoldman。Theexcitementofthemerchantswasgrowingmoreandmoreintense；allfaceswereradiantwithtriumph；handsholdingoutgobletswereoutstretchedtowardMayakin；themerchantsclappedhimontheshoulder，jostledhim，kissedhim，gazedwithemotionintohisface。Andsomescreamedecstatically：
\"Thekamarinsky。Thenationaldance！\"
\"Wehaveaccomplishedallthat！\"criedYakovTarasovich，pointingattheriver。\"Itisallours！Wehavebuiltuplife！\"
Suddenlyrangoutaloudexclamationwhichdrownedallsounds：
\"Ah！Soyouhavedoneit？Ah，you。\"
Andimmediatelyafterthis，avulgaroathresoundedthroughtheair，pronounceddistinctlywithgreatrancour，inadullbutpowerfulvoice。Everyonehearditandbecamesilentforamoment，searchingwiththeireyesthemanwhohadabusedthem。Atthismomentnothingwasheardsavethedeepsighsoftheenginesandtheclankingoftherudderchains。
\"Who\'ssnarlingthere？\"askedKononovwithafrown。
\"Wecan\'tgetalongwithoutscandals！\"saidReznikov，withacontritesigh。
\"Whowasswearinghereatrandom？\"
Thefacesofthemerchantsmirroredalarm，curiosity，astonishment，reproach，andallthepeoplebegantobustleaboutstupidly。OnlyYakovTarasovichalonewascalmandseemedevensatisfiedwithwhathadoccurred。Risingontiptoe，withhisneckoutstretched，hestaredsomewheretowardtheendofthetable，andhiseyesflashedstrangely，asthoughhesawtheresomethingwhichwaspleasingtohim。
\"Gordyeeff\"saidYonaYushkov，softly。
AndallheadswereturnedtowardthedirectioninwhichYakovTarasovichwasstaring。
There，withhishandsrestingonthetable，stoodFoma。Hisfacedistortedwithwrath，histeethfirmlysettogether，hesilentlysurveyedthemerchantswithhisburning，wide-openeyes。Hislowerjawwastrembling，hisshoulderswerequivering，andthefingersofhishands，firmlyclutchingtheedgeofthetable，werenervouslyscratchingthetablecloth。Atthesightofhiswolf-
like，angryfaceandhiswrathfulpose，themerchantsagainbecamesilentforamoment。
\"Whatareyougapingat？\"askedFoma，andagainaccompaniedhisquestionwithaviolentoath。
\"He\'sdrunk！\"saidBobrov，withashakeofthehead。
\"Andwhywasheinvited？\"whisperedReznikov，softly。
\"FomaIgnatyevich！\"saidKononov，sedately，\"youmustn\'tcreateanyscandals。Ifyourheadisreeling——go，mydearboy，quietlyandpeacefullyintothecabinandliedown！Liedown，and——\"
\"Silence，you！\"roaredFoma，andturnedhiseyeathim。\"Donotdaretospeaktome！Iamnotdrunk。Iamsobererthananyoneofyouhere！Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Butwaitawhile，myboy。Whoinvitedyouhere？\"askedKononov，reddeningwithoffence。
\"Ibroughthim！\"rangoutMayakin\'svoice。
\"Ah！Well，then，ofcourse。Excuseme，FomaIgnatyevich。Butasyoubroughthim，Yakov，yououghttosubduehim。Otherwiseit\'snogood。\"
Fomamaintainedsilenceandsmiled。Andthemerchants，too，weresilent，astheylookedathim。
\"Eh，Fomka！\"beganMayakin。\"Againyoudisgracemyoldage。\"
\"Godfather！\"saidFoma，showinghisteeth，\"Ihavenotdoneanythingasyet，soitisratherearlytoreadmealecture。Iamnotdrunk，Ihavedrunknothing，butIhaveheardeverything。
Gentlemenmerchants！Permitmetomakeaspeech！Mygodfather，whomyourespectsomuch，hasspoken。Nowlistentohisgodson。\"
\"What——speeches？\"saidReznikov。\"Whyhaveanydiscourses？Wehavecometogethertoenjoyourselves。\"
\"Come，youhadbetterdropthat，FomaIgnatyevich。\"
\"Betterdrinksomething。\"
\"Let\'shaveadrink！Ah，Foma，you\'rethesonofafinefather！\"
Fomarecoiledfromthetable，straightenedhimselfandcontinuouslysmiling，listenedtothekind，admonitorywords。
Amongallthosesedatepeoplehewastheyoungestandthehandsomest。Hiswell-shapedfigure，inatight-fittingfrockcoat，stoodout，tohisadvantage，amongthemassofstoutbodieswithprominentpaunches。Hisswarthyfacewithlargeeyeswasmoreregularlyfeatured，morefulloflifethantheshrivelledorredfacesofthosewhostoodbeforehimwithastonishmentandexpectancy。Hethrewhischestforward，sethisteethtogether，andflingingtheskirtsofhisfrockcoatapart，thrusthishandsintohispockets。
\"Youcan\'tstopupmymouthnowwithflatteryandcaresses！\"saidhe，firmlyandthreateningly，\"Whetheryouwilllistenornot，I
amgoingtospeakallthesame。Youcannotdrivemeawayfromhere。\"
Heshookhishead，and，raisinghisshoulders，announcedcalmly：
\"Butifanyoneofyoudaretotouchme，evenwithafinger，I\'llkillhim！IswearitbytheLord。I\'llkillasmanyasIcan！\"
Thecrowdofpeoplethatstoodoppositehimswayedback，evenasbushesrockedbythewind。Theybegantotalkinagitatedwhispers。Foma\'sfacegrewdarker，hiseyesbecameround。
\"Well，ithasbeensaidherethatyouhavebuiltuplife，andthatyouhavedonethemostgenuineandproperthings。\"
Fomaheavedadeepsigh，andwithinexpressibleaversionscrutinizedhislisteners\'faces，whichsuddenlybecamestrangelypuffedup，asthoughtheywereswollen。Themerchantsweresilent，pressingcloserandclosertooneanother。Someoneinthebackrowsmuttered：
\"Whatishetalkingabout？Ah！Fromapaper，orbyheart？\"
\"Oh，yourascals！\"exclaimedGordyeeff，shakinghishead。\"Whathaveyoumade？Itisnotlifethatyouhavemade，butaprison。
Itisnotorderthatyouhaveestablished，youhaveforgedfettersonman。Itissuffocating，itisnarrow，thereisnoroomforalivingsoultoturn。Manisperishing！Youaremurderers！
Doyouunderstandthatyouexisttodayonlythroughthepatienceofmankind？\"
\"Whatdoesthismean？\"exclaimedReznikov，claspinghishandsinrageandindignation。\"IlyaYefimov，what\'sthis？Ican\'tbeartohearsuchwords。\"
\"Gordyeeff！\"criedBobrov。\"Lookout，youspeakimproperwords。\"
\"Forsuchwordsyou\'llget——oi，oi，oi！\"saidZubov，insinuatingly。
\"Silence！\"roaredFoma，withblood-shoteyes。\"Nowthey\'regrunting。\"
\"Gentlemen！\"rangoutMayakin\'scalm，maliciousvoice，likethescreechofasmooth-fileoniron。\"Don\'ttouchhim！Ientreatyouearnestly，donothinderhim。Lethimsnarl。Lethimamusehimself。Hiswordscannotharmyou。\"
\"Well，no，Ihumblythankyou！\"criedYushkov。AndcloseatFoma\'ssidestoodSmolinandwhisperedinhisear：
\"Stop，mydearboy！What\'sthematterwithyou？Areyououtofyourwits？They\'lldoyou——！\"
\"Getaway！\"saidFoma，firmly，flashinghisangryeyesathim。
\"YougotoMayakinandflatterhim，perhapssomethingwillcomeyourway！\"
Smolinwhistledthroughhisteethandsteppedaside。Andthemerchantsbegantodisperseonthesteamer，onebyone。ThisirritatedFomastillmorehewishedhecouldchainthemtothespotbyhiswords，buthecouldnotfindsuchpowerfulwords。
\"Youhavebuiltuplife！\"heshouted。\"Whoareyou？
Swindlers，robbers。\"
AfewmenturnedtowardFoma，asifhehadcalledthem。
\"Kononov！aretheysoongoingtotryyouforthatlittlegirl？
They\'llconvictyoutothegalleys。Goodbye，Ilya！Youarebuildingyoursteamersinvain。They\'lltransportyoutoSiberiaonagovernmentvessel。\"
Kononovsankintoachair；hisbloodleapedtohisface，andheshookhisfistinsilence。Fomasaidhoarsely：
\"Verywell。Good。Ishallnotforgetit。\"
Fomasawhisdistortedfacewithitstremblinglips，andunderstoodwithwhatweaponshecoulddealthesementhemostforcibleblows。
\"Ha，ha，ha！Buildersoflife！Gushchin，doyougivealmstoyourlittlenephewsandnieces？Givethematleastacopeckaday。Youhavestolensixty-seventhousandroublesfromthem。Bobrov！whydidyoulieaboutthatmistressofyours，sayingthatshehadrobbedyou，andthensendhertoprison？Ifyouhadgrowntiredofher，youmighthavegivenherovertoyourson。Anywayhehasstartedanintriguewiththatothermistressofyours。Didn\'tyouknowit？Eh，youfatpig，ha，ha！Andyou，Lup，openagainabrothel，andfleeceyourgueststhereasbefore。Andthenthedevilwillfleeceyou，ha，ha！Itisgoodtobearascalwithapiousfacelikeyours！Whomdidyoukillthen，Lup？\"
Fomaspoke，interruptinghisspeechwithloud，malevolentlaughter，andsawthathiswordswereproducinganimpressiononthesepeople。Before，whenhehadspokentoallofthemtheyturnedawayfromhim，steppingaside，forminggroups，andlookingattheiraccuserfromafarwithangerandcontempt。Hesawsmilesontheirfaces，hefeltintheireverymovementsomethingscornful，andunderstoodthatwhilehiswordsangeredthemtheydidnotstingasdeepashewishedthemto。Allthishadchilledhiswrath，andwithinhimtherewasalreadyarisingthebitterconsciousnessofthefailureofhisattackonthem。Butassoonashebegantospeakofeachoneseparately，therewasaswiftandstrikingchangeintherelationofhishearerstowardhim。
WhenKononovsankheavilyinthechair，asthoughhewereunabletowithstandtheweightofFoma\'sharshwords，Fomanoticedthatbitterandmalicioussmilescrossedthefacesofsomeofthemerchants。Heheardsomeone\'swhisperofastonishmentandapproval：
\"That\'swellaimed！\"
ThiswhispergavestrengthtoFoma，andheconfidentlyandpassionatelybegantohurlreproaches，jeersandabusesatthosewhomethiseyes。Hegrowledjoyously，seeingthathiswordsweretakingeffect。Hewaslistenedtosilently，attentively；severalmenmovedclosertowardhim。
Exclamationsofprotestwereheard，butthesewerebrief，notloud，andeachtimeFomashoutedsomeone\'sname，allbecamesilent，listening，castingfurtive，maliciousglancesinthedirectionoftheiraccusedcomrade。
Bobrovlaughedperplexedly，buthissmalleyesboredintoFomaasgimlets。AndLupReznikov，wavinghishands，hoppedaboutawkwardlyand，shortofbreath，said：
\"Bemywitnesses。What\'sthis！No-o！Iwillnotforgivethis！
I\'llgotocourt。What\'sthat？\"andsuddenlyhescreamedinashrillvoice，out-stretchinghishandtowardFoma：
\"Bindhim！\"
Fomawaslaughing。
\"Youcannotbindthetruth，youcan\'tdoit！Evenbound，truthwillnotgrowdumb！\"
\"Go-o-od！\"drawledoutKononovinadull，brokenvoice。
\"Seehere，gentlemenofthemerchantclass！\"rangoutMayakin\'svoice。\"Iask！youtoadmirehim，that\'sthekindofafellowheis！\"
OneafteranotherthemerchantsmovedtowardFoma，andontheirfaceshesawwrath，curiosity，amaliciousfeelingofsatisfaction，fear。SomeoneofthosemodestpeopleamongwhomFomawassitting，whisperedtohim：
\"Giveittothem。Godblessyou。Goahead！Thatwillbetoyourcredit。\"
\"Robustov！\"criedFoma。\"Whatareyoulaughingat？Whatmakesyouglad？Youwillalsogotothegalleys。\"
\"Puthimashore！\"suddenlyroaredRobustov，springingtohisfeet。
AndKononovshoutedtothecaptain：
\"Back！Tothetown！TotheGovernor。\"
Andsomeoneinsinuatingly，inavoicetremblingwithfeeling：
\"That\'sacollusiveagreement。Thatwasdoneonpurpose。Hewasinstigated，andmadedrunktogivehimcourage。\"
\"No，it\'sarevolt！\"
\"Bindhim！Justbindhim！\"
Fomagraspedachampagnebottleandswungitintheair。
\"Comeonnow！No，itseemsthatyouwillhavetolistentome。\"
Withrenewedfury，franticwithjoyatseeingthesepeopleshrinkingandquailingundertheblowsofhiswords，Fomaagainstartedtoshoutnamesandvulgaroaths，andtheexasperatedtumultwashushedoncemore。Themen，whomFomadidnotknow，gazedathimwitheagercuriosity，withapproval，whilesomelookedathimevenwithjoyoussurprise。Oneofthem，agray-
hairedlittleoldmanwithrosycheeksandsmallmouseeyes，suddenlyturnedtowardthemerchants，whohadbeenabusedbyFoma，andsaidinasweetvoice：
\"Thesearewordsfromtheconscience！That\'snothing！Youmustendureit。That\'sapropheticaccusation。Wearesinful。Totellthetruthwearevery——\"
Hewashissed，andZubovevenjostledhimontheshoulder。Hemadealowbowanddisappearedinthecrowd。
\"Zubov！\"criedFoma。\"Howmanypeoplehaveyoufleecedandturnedtobeggars？DoyoueverdreamofIvanPetrovMyakinnikov，whostrangledhimselfbecauseofyou？Isittruethatyoustealateverymasstenroublesoutofthechurchbox？\"
Zubovhadnotexpectedtheattack，andheremainedaspetrified，withhishanduplifted。Butheimmediatelybegantoscreaminashrillvoice，ashejumpedupquickly：
\"Ah！Youturnagainstmealso？Againstme，too？
AndsuddenlyhepuffeduphischeeksandfuriouslybegantoshakehisfistatFoma，ashescreamedinashrillvoice：
\"ThefoolsaysinhisheartthereisnoGod！I\'llgotothebishop！Infidel！You\'llgetthegalleys！\"
Thetumultonthesteamergrew，andatthesightoftheseenraged，perplexedandinsultedpeople，Fomafelthimselfafairy-talegiant，slayingmonsters。Theybustledabout，wavingtheirarms，talkingtooneanother——someredwithanger，otherspale，yetallequallypowerlesstochecktheflowofhisjeersatthem。
\"Sendthesailorsoverhere！\"criedReznikov，tuggingKononovbytheshoulder。\"What\'sthematterwithyou，Ilya？Ah？Haveyouinvitedustoberidiculed？\"
\"Againstonepuppy，\"screamedZubov。
AcrowdhadgatheredaroundYakovTarasovitchMayakin，andlistenedtohisquietspeechwithanger，andnoddedtheirheadsaffirmatively。
\"Act，Yakov！\"saidRobustov，loudly。\"Weareallwitnesses。Goahead！\"
AndabovethegeneraltumultofvoicesrangoutFoma\'sloud，accusingvoice：
\"Itwasnotlifethatyouhavebuilt——youhavemadeacesspool！
Youhavebredfilthandputrefactionbyyourdeeds！Haveyouaconscience？DoyourememberGod？Money——that\'syourGod！Andyourconscienceyouhavedrivenaway。Whitherhaveyoudrivenitaway？
Blood-suckers！Youliveonthestrengthofothers。Youworkwithotherpeople\'shands！Youshallpayforallthis！Whenyouperish，youwillbecalledtoaccountforeverything！Foreverything，eventoateardrop。Howmanypeoplehaveweptbloodatthosegreatdeedsofyours？Andaccordingtoyourdeserts，evenhellistoogoodaplaceforyou，rascals。Notinfire，butinboilingmudyoushallbescorched。Yoursufferingsshalllastforcenturies。Thedevilswillhurlyouintoaboilerandwillpourintoit——ha，ha，ha！they\'llpourintoit——ha，ha，ha！
Honourablemerchantclass！BuildersofLife。Oh，youdevils！\"
Fomaburstintoringinglaughter，and，holdinghissides，staggered，tossinghisheaduphigh。
Atthatmomentseveralmenquicklyexchangedglances，simultaneouslyrushedonFomaanddownedhimwiththeirweight。A
racketensued。
\"Nowyou\'recaught！\"ejaculatedsomeoneinasuffocatingvoice。
\"Ah！Isthatthewayyou\'redoingit？\"criedFoma，hoarsely。
Foraboutahalfaminuteawholeheapofblackbodiesbustledaboutononespot，heavilystampingtheirfeet，anddullexclamationswereheard：
\"Throwhimtotheground！\"
\"Holdhishand，hishand！Oh！\"
\"Bythebeard？\"
\"Getnapkins，bindhimwithnapkins。\"
\"You\'llbite，willyou？\"
\"So！Well，how\'sit？Aha！\"
\"Don\'tstrike！Don\'tdaretostrike。\"
\"Ready！\"
\"Howstrongheis！\"
\"Let\'scarryhimovertheretowardtheside。\"
\"Outinthefreshair，ha，ha！\"
TheydraggedFomaawaytooneside，andhavingplacedhimagainstthewallofthecaptain\'scabin，walkedawayfromhim，adjustingtheircostumes，andmoppingtheirsweat-coveredbrows。Fatiguedbythestruggle，andexhaustedbythedisgraceofhisdefeat，Fomalaythereinsilence，tattered，soiledwithsomething，firmlybound，handandfoot，withnapkinsandtowels。Withround，blood-shoteyeshegazedatthesky；theyweredullandlustreless，asthoseofanidiot，andhischestheavedunevenlyandwithdifficulty。
Nowcametheirturntomockhim。Zubovbegan。Hewalkeduptohim，kickedhiminthesideandaskedinasoftvoice，alltremblingwiththepleasureofrevenge：
\"Well，thunder-likeprophet，howisit？NowyoucantastethesweetnessofBabyloniancaptivity，he，he，he！\"
\"Wait，\"saidFoma，hoarsely，withoutlookingathim。\"WaituntilI\'mrested。Youhavenottiedupmytongue。\"
Butsayingthis，Fomaunderstoodthathecouldnolongerdoanything，norsayanything。Andthatnotbecausetheyhadboundhim，butbecausesomethinghadburnedoutwithinhim，andhissoulhadbecomedarkandempty。
ZubovwassoonjoinedbyReznikov。Thenoneafteranothertheothersbegantodrawnear。Bobrov，KononovandseveralothersprecededbyYakovMayakinwenttothecabin，anxiouslydiscussingsomethinginlowtones。
Thesteamerwassailingtowardthetownatfullspeed。Thebottlesonthetablestrembledandrattledfromthevibrationofthesteamer，andFomaheardthisjarring，plaintivesoundaboveeverythingelse。Nearhimstoodathrongofpeople，sayingmalicious，offensivethings。
ButFomasawthemasthoughthroughafog，andtheirwordsdidnottouchhimtothequick。Avast，bitterfeelingwasnowspringingupwithinhim，fromthedepthofhissoul；hefolloweditsgrowthandthoughhedidnotyetunderstandit，healreadyexperiencedsomethingmelancholyanddegrading。
\"Justthink，youcharlatan！Whathaveyoudonetoyourself？\"saidReznikov。\"Whatsortofalifeisnowpossibletoyou？Doyouknowthatnownooneofuswouldcareevenasmuchastospitonyou？\"
\"WhathaveIdone？\"Fomatriedtounderstand。Themerchantsstoodaroundhiminadense，darkmass。
\"Well，\"saidYashchurov，\"now，Fomka，yourworkisdone。\"
\"Wait，we\'llsee，\"bellowedZubovinalowvoice。
\"Letmefree！\"saidFoma。
\"Well，no！wethankyouhumbly！\"
\"Untieme。\"
\"It\'sallright！Youcanliethatwayaswell。\"
\"Callupmygodfather。\"
ButYakovTarasovichcameupatthismoment。Hecameup，stoppednearFoma，sternlysurveyedwithhiseyestheoutstretchedfigureofhisgodson，andheavedadeepsigh。
\"Well，Foma，\"hebegan。
\"Orderthemtounbindme，\"entreatedFoma，softly，inamournfulvoice。
\"Soyoucanbeturbulentagain？No，no，you\'dbetterliethisway，\"hisgodfatherreplied。
\"Iwon\'tsayanotherword。IswearitbyGod！Unbindme。Iamashamed！ForChrist\'ssake。YouseeIamnotdrunk。Well，youneedn\'tuntiemyhands。\"
\"Youswearthatyou\'llnotbetroublesome？\"askedMayakin。
\"0hLord！Iwillnot，Iwillnot，\"moanedFoma。
Theyuntiedhisfeet，butlefthishandsbound。Whenherose，helookedatthemall，andsaidsoftlywithapitifulsmile：
\"Youwon。\"
\"Wealwaysshall！\"repliedhisgodfather，smilingsternly。
Fomabent，withhishandstiedbehindhisback，advancedtowardthetablesilently，withoutliftinghiseyestoanyone。Heseemedshorterinstatureandthinner。Hisdishevelledhairfellonhisforeheadandtemples；thetornandcrumpledbosomofhisshirtprotrudingfromunderhisvest，andthecollarcoveredhislips。
Heturnedhisheadtopushthecollardownunderhischin，andwasunabletodoit。Thenthegray-headedlittleoldmanwalkeduptohim，adjustedwhatwasnecessary，lookedintohiseyeswithasmileandsaid：
\"Youmustendureit。\"
Now，inMayakin\'spresence，thosewhohadmockedFomaweresilent，lookingattheoldmanquestioningly，withcuriosityandexpectancy。Hewascalmbuthiseyesgleamedinawaynotatallbecomingtotheoccasion，contentedlyandbrightly。
\"Givemesomevodka，\"beggedFoma，seatinghimselfatthetable，andleaninghischestagainstitsedge。Hisbentfigurelookpiteousandhelpless。Aroundtheyweretalkinginwhispers，passingthiswayandthatcautiously。Andeveryonelookednowathim，nowatMayakin，whohadseatedhimselfoppositehim。TheoldmandidnotgiveFomathevodkaatonce。Firsthesurveyedhimfixedly，thenheslowlypouredoutawineglassful，andfinally，withoutsayingaword，raisedittoFoma\'slips。Fomadrankthevodka，andasked：
\"Somemore！\"
\"That\'senough！\"repliedMayakin。
Andimmediatelyafterthistherefellaminuteofperfect，painfulsilence。Peoplewerecominguptothetablenoiselessly，ontiptoe，andwhentheywereneartheystretchedtheirneckstoseeFoma。
\"Well，Fomka，doyouunderstandnowwhatyouhavedone？\"askedMayakin。Hespokesoftly，butallheardhisquestion。
Fomanoddedhisheadandmaintainedsilence。
\"There\'snoforgivenessforyou！\"Mayakinwentonfirmly，andraisinghisvoice。\"ThoughweareallChristians，yetyouwillreceivenoforgivenessatourhands。Justknowthis。\"
Fomaliftedhisheadandsaidpensively：
\"Ihavequiteforgottenaboutyou，godfather。Youhavenotheardanythingfromme。\"
\"Thereyouhaveit！\"exclaimedMayakin，bitterly，pointingathisgodson。\"Yousee？\"
Adullgrumbleofprotestburstforth。
\"Well，it\'sallthesame！\"resumedFomawithasigh。\"It\'sallthesame！Nothing——nogoodcameoutofitanyway。\"
Andagainhebentoverthetable。
\"Whatdidyouwant？\"askedMayakin，sternly。
\"WhatIwanted？\"Fomaraisedhishead，lookedatthemerchantsandsmiled。\"Iwanted——\"
\"Drunkard！Nastyscamp！\"
\"Iamnotdrunk！\"retortedFoma，morosely。\"Ihavedrankonlytwoglasses。Iwasperfectlysober。\"
\"Consequently，\"saidBobrov，\"youareright，YakovTarasovich，heisinsane。\"
\"I？\"exclaimedFoma。
Buttheypaidnoattentiontohim。Reznikov，ZubovandBobrovleanedovertoMayakinandbegantotalkinlowtones。
\"Guardianship！\"Foma\'searscaughtthisoneword。\"Iaminmyrightmind！\"hesaid，leaningbackinhischairandstaringatthemerchantswithtroubledeyes。\"IunderstandwhatIwanted。I
wantedtospeakthetruth。Iwantedtoaccuseyou。\"
Hewasagainseizedwithemotion，andhesuddenlyjerkedhishandsinanefforttofreethem。
\"Eh！Holdon！\"exclaimedBobrov，seizinghimbytheshoulders。
\"Holdhim。\"
\"Well，holdme！\"saidFomawithsadnessandbitterness。\"Holdme——
whatdoyouneedmefor？\"
\"Sitstill！\"criedhisgodfather，sternly。
Fomabecamesilent。Henowunderstoodthatwhathehaddonewasofnoavail，thathiswordshadnotstaggeredthemerchants。Heretheystood，surroundinghiminadensethrong，andhecouldnotseeanythingforthem。Theywerecalm，firm，treatinghimasadrunkardandaturbulentfellow，andwereplottingsomethingagainsthim。Hefelthimselfpitiful，insignificant，crushedbythatdarkmassofstrong-souled，cleverandsedatepeople。Itseemedtohimthatalongtimehadpassedsincehehadabusedthem，solongatimethathehimselfseemedasastranger，incapableofcomprehendingwhathehaddonetothesepeople，andwhyhehaddoneit。Heevenexperiencedinhimselfacertainfeelingofoffence，whichresembledshameathimselfinhisowneyes。Therewasaticklingsensationinhisthroat，andhefelttherewassomethingforeigninhisbreast，asthoughsomedustorasheswerestrewnuponhisheart，anditthrobbedunevenlyandwithdifficulty。Wishingtoexplaintohimselfhisact，hesaidslowlyandthoughtfully，withoutlookingatanyone：
\"Iwantedtospeakthetruth。Isthislife？\"
\"Fool！\"saidMayakin，contemptuously。\"Whattruthcanyouspeak？
Whatdoyouunderstand？\"
\"Myheartiswounded，thatIunderstand！WhatjustificationhaveyouallintheeyesofGod？Towhatpurposedoyoulive？Yes，I
feel——Ifeltthetruth！\"
\"Heisrepenting！\"saidReznikov，withasarcasticsmile。
\"Lethim！\"repliedBobrov，withcontempt。
Someoneadded：
\"Itisevident，fromhiswords，thatheisoutofhiswits。\"
\"Tospeakthetruth，that\'snotgiventoeveryone！\"saidYakovTarasovich，sternlyandinstructively，liftinghishandupward。
\"Itisnottheheartthatgraspstruth；itisthemind；doyouunderstandthat？Andastoyourfeeling，that\'snonsense！Acowalsofeelswhentheytwisthertail。Butyoumustunderstand，understandeverything！Understandalsoyourenemy。Guesswhathethinkseveninhisdreams，andthengoahead！\"
Accordingtohiswont，Mayakinwascarriedawaybytheexpositionofhispracticalphilosophy，butherealisedintimethataconqueredmanisnottobetaughthowtofight，andhestoppedshort。Fomacastathimadullglance，andshookhisheadstrangely。
\"Lamb！\"saidMayakin。
\"Leavemealone！\"entreatedFoma，plaintively。\"It\'sallyours！
Well，whatelsedoyouwant？Well，youcrushedme，bruisedme，thatservesmeright！WhoamI？0Lord！\"
Alllistenedattentivelytohiswords，andinthatattentiontherewassomethingprejudiced，somethingmalicious。
\"Ihavelived，\"saidFomainaheavyvoice。\"Ihaveobserved。I
havethought；myhearthasbecomewoundedwiththoughts！Andhere——theabscessburst。NowIamutterlypowerless！Asthoughallmybloodhadgushedout。Ihaveliveduntilthisday，andstillthoughtthatnowIwillspeakthetruth。Well，Ihavespokenit。\"
Hetalkedmonotonously，colourlessly，andhisspeechresembledthatofoneindelirium。
\"Ihavespokenit，andIhaveonlyemptiedmyself，that\'sall。
Notatracehavemywordsleftbehindthem。Everythingisuninjured。Andwithinmesomethingblazedup；ithasburnedout，andthere\'snothingmorethere。WhathaveItohopefornow？Andeverythingremainsasitwas。\"
YakovTarasovichburstintobitterlaughter。
\"Whatthen，didyouthinktolickawayamountainwithyourtongue？Youarmedyourselfwithmaliceenoughtofightabedbug，andyoustartedoutafterabear，isthatit？Madman！Ifyourfatherweretoseeyounow。Eh！\"
\"Andyet，\"saidFoma，suddenly，loudly，withassurance，andhiseyesagainflaredup，\"andyetitisallyourfault！Youhavespoiledlife！Youhavemadeeverythingnarrow。Wearesuffocatingbecauseofyou！Andthoughmytruthagainstyouisweak，itistruth，nevertheless！Youaregodlesswretches！Mayyouallbecursed！\"
Hemovedaboutinhischair，attemptingtofreehishands，andcriedout，flashinghiseyeswithfury：
\"Unbindmyhands！\"
Theycameclosertohim；thefacesofthemerchantsbecamemoresevere，andReznikovsaidtohimimpressively：
\"Don\'tmakeanoise，don\'tbebothersome！We\'llsoonbeintown。
Don\'tdisgraceyourself，anddon\'tdisgraceuseither。Wearenotgoingtotakeyoudirectfromthewharftotheinsaneasylum。\"
\"So！\"exclaimedFoma。\"Soyouaregoingtoputmeintoaninsaneasylum？\"
Noonereplied。Helookedattheirfacesandhunghishead。
\"Behavepeacefully！We\'llunbindyou！\"saidsomeone。
\"It\'snotnecessary！\"saidFomainalowvoice。\"It\'sallthesame。Ispitonit！Nothingwillhappen。\"
Andhisspeechagainassumedthenatureofadelirium。
\"Iamlost，Iknowit！Onlynotbecauseofyourpower，butratherbecauseofmyweakness。Yes！You，too，areonlywormsintheeyesofGod。And，wait！Youshallchoke。Iamlostthroughblindness。
IsawmuchandIbecameblind，likeanowl。Asaboy，Iremember，Ichasedanowlinaravine；itflewaboutandstruckagainstsomething。Thesunblindedit。Itwasallbruisedanditdisappeared，andmyfathersaidtomethen：\'Itisthesamewithman；somemanbustlesabouttoandfro，bruiseshimself，exhaustshimself，andthenthrowshimselfanywhere，justtorest。\'HeyI
unbindmyhands。\"
Hisfaceturnedpale，hiseyesclosed，hisshouldersquivered。
Tatteredandcrumpledherockedaboutinthechair，strikinghischestagainsttheedgeofthetable，andbegantowhispersomething。
Themerchantsexchangedsignificantglances。Some，nudgingoneanotherinthesides，shooktheirheadsatFomainsilence。YakovMayakin\'sfacewasdarkandimmobileasthoughhewnoutofstone。
\"Shallweperhapsunbindhim？\"whisperedBobrov。
\"Whenwegetalittlenearer。\"
\"No，it\'snotnecessary，\"saidMayakininanundertone-\"We\'llleavehimhere。Letsomeonesendforacarriage。We\'lltakehimstraighttotheasylum。\"
\"AndwhereamItorest？\"Fomamutteredagain。\"WhithershallI
flingmyself？\"Andheremainedasthoughpetrifiedinabroken，uncomfortableattitude，alldistorted，withanexpressionofpainonhisface。
Mayakinrosefromhisseatandwenttothecabin，sayingsoftly：
\"Keepaneyeonhim，hemightflinghimselfoverboard。\"
\"Iamsorryforthefellow，\"saidBobrov，lookingatYakovTarasovichashedeparted。
\"Nooneistoblameforhismadness，\"repliedReznikov，morosely。
\"AndYakov，\"whisperedZubov，noddinghisheadinthedirectionofMayakin。
\"WhataboutYakov？Helosesnothingthroughit。\"
\"Yes，nowhe\'ll，ha，ha！\"
\"He\'llbehisguardian，ha，ha，ha！\"
TheirquietlaughterandwhispermingledwiththegroaningoftheenginedidnotseemtoreachFoma\'sear。Motionlesslyhestaredintothedistancebeforehimwithadimlook，andonlyhislipswereslightlyquivering。
\"Hissonhasreturned，\"whisperedBobrov。
\"Iknowhisson，\"saidYashchurov。\"ImethiminPerm。\"
\"Whatsortofamanishe？\"
\"Abusiness-like，cleverfellow。\"
\"Isthatso？\"
\"HemanagesabigbusinessinOosolye。\"
\"ConsequentlyYakovdoesnotneedthisone。Yes。Sothat\'sit。\"
\"Look，he\'sweeping！\"
\"Oh？\"
Fomawassittingleaningagainstthebackofthechair，anddroopinghisheadontheshoulder。Hiseyeswereshut，andfromunderhiseyelidstearsweretricklingoneafteranother。Theycourseddownhischeeksintohismoustache。Foma\'slipsquiveredconvulsively，andthetearsfellfromhismoustacheuponhisbreast。Hewassilentandmotionless，onlyhischestheavedunevenly，andwithdifficulty。Themerchantslookedathispale，tear-stainedface，grownleanwithsuffering，withthecornersofhislipslowereddownward，andwalkedawayfromhimquietlyandmutely。
AndthenFomaremainedalone，withhishandstiedbehindhisback，sittingatthetablewhichwascoveredwithdirtydishesanddifferentremainsofthefeast。Attimesheslowlyopenedhisheavy，swolleneyelids，andhiseyes，throughtears，lookeddimlyandmournfullyatthetablewhereeverythingwasdirty，upset，ruined……
Threeyearshavepassed。
AboutayearagoYakovTarasovichMayakindied。Hediedinfullconsciousness，andremainedtruetohimself；afewhoursbeforehisdeathhesaidtohisson，daughterandson-in-law：
\"Well，children，liveinrichness！Yakovhastastedeverything，sonowitistimeforYakovtogo。Yousee，Iamdying，yetIamnotdespondent；andtheLordwillsetthatdowntomycredit。I
havebotheredHim，theMostGraciousOne，withjestsonly，butneverwithmoansandcomplaints！0hLord！IamgladthatIhavelivedwithunderstandingthroughThymercy！Farewell，mychildren。Liveinharmony，anddon\'tphilosophizetoomuch。Knowthis，notheisholywhohideshimselffromsinandliescalm。
Withcowardiceyoucannotdefendyourselfagainstsin，thusalsosaystheparableofthetalents。Buthewhowantstoattainhisgoalinlifefearsnotsin。Godwillpardonhimanerror。Godhasappointedmanasthebuilderoflife，buthasnotendowedhimwithtoomuchwisdom。Consequently，Hewillnotcallinhisoutstandingdebtsseverely。ForHeisholyandmostmerciful。\"
Hediedafterashortbutverypainfulagony。
Yozhovwasforsomereasonorotherbanishedfromthetownsoonaftertheoccurrenceonthesteamer。
Agreatcommercialhousesprangupinthetownunderthefirm-
nameof\"TarasMayakin&AfricanSmolin。\"
NothinghadbeenheardofFomaduringthesethreeyears。ItwasrumouredthatuponhisdischargefromtheasylumMayakinhadsenthimawaytosomerelativesofhismotherintheUral。
NotlongagoFomaappearedinthestreetsofthetown。Heiswornout，shabbyandhalf-witted。Almostalwaysintoxicated，heappearsnowgloomy，withknittedbrow，andwithheadbentdownonhisbreast，nowsmilingthepitifulandmelancholysmileofasillyfanatic。Sometimesheisturbulent，butthathappensrarely。Heliveswithhisfoster-sisterinalittlewingintheyard。Hisacquaintancesamongthemerchantsandcitizensoftenridiculehim。AsFomawalksalongthestreet，suddenlysomeoneshoutstohim：
\"Eh，youprophet，comehere！\"
Yetherarelygoestothosewhocallhim；heshunspeopleanddoesnotcaretospeakwiththem。Butwhenhedoesapproachthemtheysaytohim：
\"Well，tellussomethingaboutdoomsday，won\'tyou？Ha，ha，ha！
Prophet！\"
TheEnd