Asforme，Iwasarrestedbeforeherdeath，ateighto’clockinthemorning。Theytookmetothepolicestation，andthentoprison，andthere，duringelevenmonths，awaitingtheverdict，I
reflecteduponmyself，anduponmypast，andIunderstoodit。
Yes，Ibegantounderstandfromthethirdday。Thethirddaytheytookmetothehouse。\"……
Posdnicheffseemedtowishtoaddsomething，but，nolongerhavingthestrengthtorepresshissobs，hestopped。Afterafewminutes，havingrecoveredhiscalmness，heresumed：
\"IbegantounderstandonlywhenIsawherinthecoffin。\"……
Heutteredasob，andthenimmediatelycontinued，withhaste：
\"Thenonly，whenIsawherdeadface，didIunderstandallthatI
haddone。IunderstoodthatitwasI，I，whohadkilledher。I
understoodthatIwasthecauseofthefactthatshe，whohadbeenamoving，living，palpitatingbeing，hadnowbecomemotionlessandcold，andthattherewasnowayofrepairingthisthing。Hewhohasnotlivedthroughthatcannotunderstandit。\"
——————————
Weremainedsilentalongtime。Posdnicheffsobbedandtrembledbeforeme。Hisfacehadbecomedelicateandlong，andhismouthhadgrownlarger。
\"Yes，\"saidhesuddenly，\"ifIhadknownwhatInowknow，I
shouldneverhavemarriedher，never，notforanything。\"
Againweremainedsilentforalongtime。
\"Yes，thatiswhatIhavedone，thatismyexperience，WemustunderstandtherealmeaningofthewordsoftheGospel，——Matthew，V。28，——’thatwhosoeverlookethonawomantolustafterherhathcommittedadultery’；andthesewordsrelatetothewife，tothesister，andnotonlytothewifeofanother，butespeciallytoone’sownwife。\"
THEEND。
Ifthereadingofthisbookhasinterestedyou，donotfailtogetitssequel，entitled\"KREUTZERSONATABEARINGFRUIT，byPaulineGrayson，whichisanexceedinglyinterestingnarrativeshowingoneoftheresultsoftheideassetforthin\"KreutzerSonata。\"Itisboundinpapercoversandwillbesentbymail，postagepaid，uponreceiptof25cents。AddressallorderstoJ。
S。OGILVIEPUBLISHINGCOMPANY，57RoseStreet，NewYork。
LESSONOF\"THEKREUTZERSONATA。\"
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Ihavereceived，andstillcontinuetoreceive，numbersoflettersfrompersonswhoareperfectstrangerstome，askingmetostateinplainandsimplelanguagemyownviewsonthesubjecthandledinthestoryentitled\"TheKreutzerSonata。\"WiththisrequestIshallnowendeavortocomply。
Myviewsonthequestionmaybesuccinctlystatedasfollows：
Withoutenteringintodetails，itwillbegenerallyadmittedthatIamaccurateinsayingthatmanypeoplecondoneinyoungmenacourseofconductwithregardtotheothersexwhichisincompatiblewithstrictmorality，andthatthisdissolutenessispardonedgenerally。Bothparentsandthegovernment，inconsequenceofthisview，maybesaidtowinkatprofligacy，andeveninthelastresourcetoencourageitspractice。Iamofopinionthatthisisnotright。
Itisnotpossiblethatthehealthofoneclassshouldnecessitatetheruinofanother，and，inconsequence，itisourfirstdutytoturnadeafeartosuchanessentialimmoraldoctrine，nomatterhowstronglysocietymayhaveestablishedorlawprotectedit。Moreover，itneedstobefullyrecognizedthatmenarerightlytobeheldresponsiblefortheconsequencesoftheirownacts，andthatthesearenolongertobevisitedonthewomanalone。Itfollowsfromthisthatitisthedutyofmenwhodonotwishtoleadalifeofinfamytopracticesuchcontinenceinrespecttoallwomanastheywouldwerethefemalesocietyinwhichtheymovemadeupexclusivelyoftheirownmothersandsisters。
Amorerationalmodeoflifeshouldbeadoptedwhichwouldincludeabstinencefromallalcoholicdrinks，fromexcessineatingandfromfleshmeat，ontheonehand，andrecoursetophysicallaborontheother。Iamnotspeakingofgymnastics，orofanyofthoseoccupationswhichmaybefitlydescribedasplayingatwork；Imeanthegenuinetoilthatfatigues。Nooneneedgofarinsearchofproofsthatthiskindofabstemiouslivingisnotmerelypossible，butfarlesshurtfultohealththanexcess。Hundredsofinstancesareknowntoeveryone。Thisismyfirstcontention。
Inthesecondplace，Ithinkthatoflateyears，throughvariousreasonswhichIneednotenter，butamongwhichtheabove-mentionedlaxityofopinioninsocietyandthefrequentidealizationofthesubjectincurrentliteratureandpaintingmaybementioned，conjugalinfidelityhasbecomemorecommonandisconsideredlessreprehensible。Iamofopinionthatthisisnotright。Theoriginoftheevilistwofold。Itisdue，inthefirstplace，toanaturalinstinct，and，inthesecond，totheelevationofthisinstincttoaplacetowhichitdoesnotrightlybelong。Thisbeingso，theevilcanonlyberemediedbyeffectingachangeintheviewsnowinvogueabout\"fallinginlove\"andallthatthistermimplies，byeducatingmenandwomenathomethroughfamilyinfluenceandexample，andabroadbymeansofhealthypublicopinion，topracticethatabstinencewhichmoralityandChristianityalikeenjoin。Thisismysecondcontention。
InthethirdplaceIamofopinionthatanotherconsequenceofthefalselightinwhich\"fallinginlove，\"andwhatitleadsto，areviewedinoursociety，isthatthebirthofchildrenhaslostitspristinesignificance，andthatmodernmarriagesareconceivedlessandlessfromthepointofviewofthefamily。I
amofopinionthatthisisnotright。Thisismythirdcontention。
Inthefourthplace，Iamofopinionthatthechildren（whoinoursocietyareconsideredanobstacletoenjoyment——anunluckyaccident，asitwere）areeducatednotwithaviewtotheproblemwhichtheywillbeonedaycalledontofaceandtosolve，butsolelywithaneyetothepleasurewhichtheymaybemadetoyieldtotheirparents。Theconsequenceis，thatthechildrenofhumanbeingsarebroughtupforalltheworldliketheyoungofanimals，thechiefcareoftheirparentsbeingnottotrainthemtosuchworkasisworthyofmenandwomen，buttoincreasetheirweight，oraddacubittotheirstature，tomakethemspruce，sleek，well-fed，andcomely。Theyrigthemoutinallmanneroffantasticcostumes，washthem，over-feedthem，andrefusetomakethemwork。Ifthechildrenofthelowerordersdifferinthislastrespectfromthoseofthewell-to-doclasses，thedifferenceismerelyformal；theyworkfromsheernecessity，andnotbecausetheirparentsrecognizeworkasaduty。Andinover-fedchildren，asinover-fedanimals，sensualityisengenderedunnaturallyearly。
Fashionabledressto-day，thecourseofreading，plays，music，dances，lusciousfood，alltheelementsofourmodernlife，inaword，fromthepicturesonthelittleboxesofsweetmeatsuptothenovel，thetale，andthepoem，contributetofanthissensualityintoastrong，consumingflame，withtheresultthatsexualvicesanddiseaseshavecometobethenormalconditionsoftheperiodoftenderyouth，andoftencontinueintotheriperageoffull-blownmanhood。AndIamofopinionthatthisisnotright。
Itishightimeitceased。Thechildrenofhumanbeingsshouldnotbebroughtupasiftheywereanimals；andweshouldsetupastheobjectandstrivetomaintainastheresultofourlaborssomethingbetterandnoblerthanawell-dressedbody。Thisismyfourthcontention。
Inthefifthplace，Iamofopinionthat，owingtotheexaggeratedanderroneoussignificanceattributedbyoursocietytoloveandtotheidealizedstatesthataccompanyandsucceedit，thebestenergiesofourmenandwomenaredrawnforthandexhaustedduringthemostpromisingperiodoflife；thoseofthemenintheworkoflookingfor，choosing，andwinningthemostdesirableobjectsoflove，forwhichpurposelyingandfraudareheldtobequiteexcusable；thoseofthewomenandgirlsinalluringmenanddecoyingthemintoliaisonsormarriagebythemostquestionablemeansconceivable，asaninstanceofwhichthepresentfashionsineveningdressmaybecited。Iamofopinionthatthisisnotright。
Thetruthis，thatthewholeaffairhasbeenexaltedbypoetsandromancerstoanundueimportance，andthatloveinitsvariousdevelopmentsisnotafittingobjecttoconsumethebestenergiesofmen。Peoplesetitbeforethemandstriveafterit，becausetheirviewoflifeisasvulgarandbrutishasisthatotherconceptionfrequentlymetwithinthelowerstagesofdevelopment，whichseesinlusciousandabundantfoodanendworthyofman’sbestefforts。Now，thisisnotrightandshouldnotbedone。And，inordertoavoiddoingit，itisonlyneedfultorealizethefactthatwhatevertrulydeservestobeheldupasaworthyobjectofman’sstrivingandworking，whetheritbetheserviceofhumanity，ofone’scountry，ofscience，ofart，nottospeakoftheserviceofGod，isfaraboveandbeyondthesphereofpersonalenjoyment。Hence，itfollowsthatnotonlytoformaliaison，buteventocontractmarriage，is，fromaChristianpointofview，notaprogress，butafall。Love，andallthestatesthataccompanyandfollowit，howeverwemaytryinproseandversetoprovethecontrary，neverdoandnevercanfacilitatetheattainmentofanaimworthyofmen，butalwaysmakeitmoredifficult。Thisismyfifthcontention。
Howaboutthehumanrace？Ifweadmitthatcelibacyisbetterandnoblerthanmarriage，evidentlythehumanracewillcometoanend。But，ifthelogicalconclusionoftheargumentisthatthehumanracewillbecomeextinct，thewholereasoningiswrong。
TothatIreplythattheargumentisnotmine；Ididnotinventit。Thatitisincumbentonmankindsotostrive，andthatcelibacyispreferabletomarriage，aretruthsrevealedbyChrist1，900yearsago，setforthinourcatechisms，andprofessedbyusasfollowersofChrist。
Chastityandcelibacy，itisurged，cannotconstitutetheidealofhumanity，becausechastitywouldannihilatetheracewhichstrovetorealizeit，andhumanitycannotsetupasitsidealitsownannihilation。Itmaybepointedoutinreplythatonlythatisatrueideal，which，beingunattainable，admitsofinfinitegradationindegreesofproximity。SuchistheChristianidealofthefoundingofGod’skingdom，theunionofalllivingcreaturesbythebondsoflove。Theconceptionofitsattainmentisincompatiblewiththeconceptionofthemovementoflife。
Whatkindoflifecouldsubsistifalllivingcreatureswerejoinedtogetherbythebondsoflove？None。Ourconceptionoflifeisinseparablyboundupwiththeconceptionofacontinualstrivingafteranunattainableideal。
ButevenifwesupposetheChristianidealofperfectchastityrealized，whatthen？Weshouldmerelyfindourselvesfacetofaceontheonehandwiththefamiliarteachingofreligion，oneofwhosedogmasisthattheworldwillhaveanend；andontheotherofso-calledscience，whichinformsusthatthesunisgraduallylosingitsheat，theresultofwhichwillintimebetheextinctionofthehumanrace。
NowthereisnotandcannotbesuchaninstitutionasChristianmarriage，justastherecannotbesuchathingasaChristianliturgy（Matt。vi。5-12；Johniv。21），norChristianteachers，norchurchfathers（Matt。xxiii。8-10），norChristianarmies，Christianlawcourts，norChristianStates。ThisiswhatwasalwaystaughtandbelievedbytrueChristiansofthefirstandfollowingcenturies。AChristian’sidealisnotmarriage，butloveforGodandforhisneighbor。ConsequentlyintheeyesofaChristianrelationsinmarriagenotonlydonotconstitutealawful，right，andhappystate，asoursocietyandourchurchesmaintain，but，onthecontrary，arealwaysafall。
SuchathingasChristianmarriageneverwasandnevercouldbe。
Christdidnotmarry，nordidheestablishmarriage；neitherdidhisdisciplesmarry。ButifChristianmarriagecannotexist，thereissuchathingasaChristianviewofmarriage。Andthisishowitmaybeformulated：AChristian（andbythistermI
understandnotthosewhocallthemselvesChristiansmerelybecausetheywerebaptizedandstillreceivethesacramentonceayear，butthosewhoselivesareshapedandregulatedbytheteachingsofChrist），Isay，cannotviewthemarriagerelationotherwisethanasadeviationfromthedoctrineofChrist，——asasin。ThisisclearlylaiddowninMatt。v。28，andtheceremonycalledChristianmarriagedoesnotalteritscharacteronejot。
AChristianwillnever，therefore，desiremarriage，butwillalwaysavoidit。
IfthelightoftruthdawnsuponaChristianwhenheisalreadymarried，orif，beingaChristian，fromweaknessheentersintomaritalrelationswiththeceremoniesofthechurch，orwithoutthem，hehasnootheralternativethantoabidewithhiswife（andthewifewithherhusband，ifitisshewhoisaChristian）
andtoaspiretogetherwithhertofreethemselvesoftheirsin。
ThisistheChristianviewofmarriage；andtherecannotbeanyotherforamanwhohonestlyendeavorstoshapehislifeinaccordancewiththeteachingsofChrist。
ToverymanypersonsthethoughtsIhaveutteredhereandin\"TheKreutzerSonata\"willseemstrange，vague，evencontradictory。
Theycertainlydocontradict，noteachother，butthewholetenorofourlives，andinvoluntarilyadoubtarises，\"onwhichsideistruth，——onthesideofthethoughtswhichseemtrueandwell-founded，oronthesideofthelivesofothersandmyself？\"
I，too，wasweigheddownbythatsamedoubtwhenwriting\"TheKreutzerSonata。\"IhadnotthefaintestpresentimentthatthetrainofthoughtIhadstartedwouldleadmewhitheritdid。I
wasterrifiedbymyownconclusion，andIwasatfirstdisposedtorejectit，butitwasimpossiblenottohearkentothevoiceofmyreasonandmyconscience。Andso，strangethoughtheymayappeartomany，opposedastheyundoubtedlyaretothetrendandtenorofourlives，andincompatiblethoughtheymayprovewithwhatIhaveheretoforethoughtanduttered，Ihavenochoicebuttoacceptthem。\"Butmanisweak，\"peoplewillobject。\"Histaskshouldberegulatedbyhisstrength。\"
Thisistantamounttosaying，\"Myhandisweak。Icannotdrawastraightline，——thatis，alinewhichwillbetheshortestlinebetweentwogivenpoints，——andso，inordertomakeitmoreeasyformyself，I，intendingtodrawastraight，willchooseformymodelacrookedline。\"
Theweakermyhand，thegreatertheneedthatmymodelshouldbeperfect。
LEOTOLSTOI。
IVANTHEFOOL
CHAPTERI
Inacertainkingdomtherelivedarichpeasant，whohadthreesons——Simeon（asoldier），Tarras-Briukhan（fatman），andIvan（afool）——andonedaughter，Milania，borndumb。Simeonwenttowar，toservetheCzar；Tarraswenttoacityandbecameamerchant；andIvan，withhissister，remainedathometoworkonthefarm。
Forhisvaliantserviceinthearmy，Simeonreceivedanestatewithhighrank，andmarriedanoble’sdaughter。Besideshislargepay，hewasinreceiptofahandsomeincomefromhisestate；yethewasunabletomakeendsmeet。Whatthehusbandsaved，thewifewastedinextravagance。OnedaySimeonwenttotheestatetocollecthisincome，whenthestewardinformedhimthattherewasnoincome，saying：
\"Wehaveneitherhorses，cows，fishing-nets，norimplements；itisnecessaryfirsttobuyeverything，andthentolookforincome。\"
Simeonthereuponwenttohisfatherandsaid：
\"Youarerich，batiushka[littlefather]，butyouhavegivennothingtome。Givemeone-thirdofwhatyoupossessasmyshare，andIwilltransferittomyestate。\"
Theoldmanreplied：\"Youdidnothelptobringprosperitytoourhousehold。Forwhatreason，then，shouldyounowdemandthethirdpartofeverything？ItwouldbeunjusttoIvanandhissister。\"
\"Yes，\"saidSimeon；\"butheisafool，andshewasborndumb。
Whatneedhavetheyofanything？\"
\"SeewhatIvanwillsay。\"
Ivan’sreplywas：\"Well，lethimtakehisshare。\"
Simeontooktheportionallottedtohim，andwentagaintoserveinthearmy。
Tarrasalsometwithsuccess。Hebecamerichandmarriedamerchant’sdaughter，buteventhisfailedtosatisfyhisdesires，andhealsowenttohisfatherandsaid，\"Givememyshare。\"
Theoldman，however，refusedtocomplywithhisrequest，saying：
\"Youhadnohandintheaccumulationofourproperty，andwhatourhouseholdcontainsistheresultofIvan’shardwork。Itwouldbeunjust，\"herepeated，\"toIvanandhissister。\"
Tarrasreplied：\"Buthedoesnotneedit。Heisafool，andcannotmarry，fornoonewillhavehim；andsisterdoesnotrequireanything，forshewasborndumb。\"TurningthentoIvanhecontinued：\"Givemehalfthegrainyouhave，andIwillnottouchtheimplementsorfishing-nets；andfromthecattleIwilltakeonlythedarkmare，assheisnotfittoplow。\"
Ivanlaughedandsaid：\"Well，IwillgoandarrangematterssothatTarrasmayhavehisshare，\"whereuponTarrastookthebrownmarewiththegraintotown，leavingIvanwithoneoldhorsetoworkonasbeforeandsupporthisfather，mother，andsister。
CHAPTERII。
ItwasdisappointingtotheStaryTchert（OldDevil）thatthebrothersdidnotquarreloverthedivisionoftheproperty，andthattheyseparatedpeacefully；andhecriedout，callinghisthreesmalldevils（Tchertionki）。
\"Seehere，\"saidhe，\"therearelivingthreebrothers——Simeonthesoldier，Tarras-Briukhan，andIvantheFool。Itisnecessarythattheyshouldquarrel。Nowtheylivepeacefully，andenjoyeachother’shospitality。TheFoolspoiledallmyplans。Nowyouthreegoandworkwiththeminsuchamannerthattheywillbereadytoteareachother’seyesout。Canyoudothis？\"
\"Wecan，\"theyreplied。
\"Howwillyouaccomplishit？\"
\"Inthisway：Wewillfirstruinthemtosuchanextentthattheywillhavenothingtoeat，andwewillthengatherthemtogetherinoneplacewherewearesurethattheywillfight。\"
\"Verywell；Iseeyouunderstandyourbusiness。Go，anddonotreturntomeuntilyouhavecreatedafeudbetweenthethreebrothers——orIwillskinyoualive。\"
Thethreesmalldevilswenttoaswamptoconsultastothebestmeansofaccomplishingtheirmission。Theydisputedforalongtime——eachonewantingtheeasiestpartofthework——andnotbeingabletoagree，concludedtodrawlots；bywhichitwasdecidedthattheonewhowasfirstfinishedhadtocomeandhelptheothers。Thisagreementbeingenteredinto，theyappointedatimewhentheywereagaintomeetintheswamp——tofindoutwhowasthroughandwhoneededassistance。
Thetimehavingarrived，theyoungdevilsmetintheswampasagreed，wheneachrelatedhisexperience。Thefirst，whowenttoSimeon，said：\"Ihavesucceededinmyundertaking，andto-morrowSimeonreturnstohisfather。\"
Hiscomrades，eagerforparticulars，inquiredhowhehaddoneit。
\"Well，\"hebegan，\"thefirstthingIdidwastoblowsomecourageintohisveins，and，onthestrengthofit，SimeonwenttotheCzarandofferedtoconquerthewholeworldforhim。TheEmperormadehimcommander-in-chiefoftheforces，andsenthimwithanarmytofighttheViceroyofIndia。Havingstartedontheirmissionofconquest，theywereunawarethatI，followingintheirwake，hadwetalltheirpowder。IalsowenttotheIndianrulerandshowedhimhowIcouldcreatenumberlesssoldiersfromstraw。
Simeon’sarmy，seeingthattheyweresurroundedbysuchavastnumberofIndianwarriorsofmycreation，becamefrightened，andSimeoncommandedtofirefromcannonsandrifles，whichofcoursetheywereunabletodo。Thesoldiers，discouraged，retreatedingreatdisorder。ThusSimeonbroughtuponhimselftheterribledisgraceofdefeat。Hisestatewasconfiscated，andto-morrowheistobeexecuted。Allthatremainsformetodo，therefore，\"
concludedtheyoungdevil，\"istoreleasehimto-morrowmorning。
Now，then，whowantsmyassistance？\"
Thesecondsmalldevil（fromTarras）thenrelatedhisstory。
\"Idonotneedanyhelp，\"hebegan。\"Mybusinessisalsoallright。MyworkwithTarraswillbefinishedinoneweek。InthefirstplaceImadehimgrowthin。Heafterwardbecamesocovetousthathewantedtopossesseverythinghesaw，andhespentallthemoneyhehadinthepurchaseofimmensequantitiesofgoods。Whenhiscapitalwasgonehestillcontinuedtobuywithborrowedmoney，andhasbecomeinvolvedinsuchdifficultiesthathecannotfreehimself。Attheendofoneweekthedateforthepaymentofhisnoteswillhaveexpired，and，hisgoodsbeingseizedupon，hewillbecomeabankrupt；andhealsowillreturntohisfather。\"
AttheconclusionofthisnarrativetheyinquiredofthethirddevilhowthingshadfaredbetweenhimandIvan。
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"myreportisnotsoencouraging。ThefirstthingIdidwastospitintohisjugofquass[asourdrinkmadefromrye]，whichmadehimsickathisstomach。Heafterwardwenttoplowhissummer-fallow，butImadethesoilsohardthattheplowcouldscarcelypenetrateit。IthoughttheFoolwouldnotsucceed，buthestartedtoworknevertheless。Moaningwithpain，hestillcontinuedtolabor。Ibrokeoneplow，buthereplaceditwithanother，fixingitsecurely，andresumedwork。GoingbeneaththesurfaceofthegroundItookholdoftheplowshares，butdidnotsucceedinstoppingIvan。Hepressedsohard，andthecolterwassosharp，thatmyhandswerecut；anddespitemyutmostefforts，hewentoverallbutasmallportionofthefield。\"
Heconcludedwith：\"Come，brothers，andhelpme，forifwedonotconquerhimourwholeenterprisewillbeafailure。IftheFoolispermittedsuccessfullytoconducthisfarming，theywillhavenoneed，forhewillsupporthisbrothers。\"
CHAPTERIII。
Ivanhavingsucceededinplowingallbutasmallportionofhisland，hereturnedthenextdaytofinishit。Thepaininhisstomachcontinued，buthefeltthathemustgoonwithhiswork。
Hetriedtostarthisplow，butitwouldnotmove；itseemedtohavestruckahardroot。Itwasthesmalldevilinthegroundwhohadwoundhisfeetaroundtheplowsharesandheldthem。
\"Thisisstrange，\"thoughtIvan。\"Therewereneveranyrootsherebefore，andthisissurelyone。\"
Ivanputhishandintheground，and，feelingsomethingsoft，graspedandpulleditout。Itwaslikearootinappearance，butseemedtopossesslife。Holdingituphesawthatitwasalittledevil。Disgusted，heexclaimed，\"Seethenastything，\"
andheproceededtostrikeitablow，intendingtokillit，whentheyoungdevilcriedout：
\"Donotkillme，andIwillgrantyoureverywish。\"
\"Whatcanyoudoforme？\"
\"Tellmewhatitisyoumostwishfor，\"thelittledevilreplied。
Ivan，peasant-fashion，scratchedthebackofhisheadashethought，andfinallyhesaid：
\"Iamdreadfullysickatmystomach。Canyoucureme？\"
\"Ican，\"thelittledevilsaid。
\"Thendoso。\"
Thelittledevilbenttowardtheearthandbegansearchingforroots，andwhenhefoundthemhegavethemtoIvan，saying：\"Ifyouwillswallowsomeoftheseyouwillbeimmediatelycuredofwhatsoeverdiseaseyouareafflictedwith。\"
Ivandidasdirected，andobtainedinstantrelief。
\"Ibegofyoutoletmegonow，\"thelittledevilpleaded；\"I
willpassintotheearth，nevertoreturn。\"
\"Verywell；youmaygo，andGodblessyou；\"andasIvanpronouncedthenameofGod，thesmalldevildisappearedintotheearthlikeaflash，andonlyaslightopeninginthegroundremained。
Ivanplacedinhishatwhatrootshehadleft，andproceededtoplow。Soonfinishinghiswork，heturnedhisplowoverandreturnedhome。
WhenhereachedthehousehefoundhisbrotherSimeonandhiswifeseatedatthesupper-table。Hisestatehadbeenconfiscated，andhehimselfhadbarelyescapedexecutionbymakinghiswayoutofprison，andhavingnothingtoliveuponhadcomebacktohisfatherforsupport。
TurningtoIvanhesaid：\"IcametoaskyoutocareforusuntilIcanfindsomethingtodo。\"
\"Verywell，\"Ivanreplied；\"youmayremainwithus。\"
JustasIvanwasabouttositdowntothetableSimeon’swifemadeawryface，indicatingthatshedidnotlikethesmellofIvan’ssheep-skincoat；andturningtoherhusbandshesaid，\"I
shallnotsitatthetablewithamoujik[peasant]whosmellslikethat。\"
Simeonthesoldierturnedtohisbrotherandsaid：\"Myladyobjectstothesmellofyourclothes。Youmayeatintheporch。\"
Ivansaid：\"Verywell，itisallthesametome。Iwillsoonhavetogoandfeedmyhorseanyway。\"
Ivantooksomebreadinonehand，andhiskaftan（coat）intheother，andlefttheroom。
CHAPTERIV。
ThesmalldevilfinishedwithSimeonthatnight，andaccordingtoagreementwenttotheassistanceofhiscomradewhohadchargeofIvan，thathemighthelptoconquertheFool。Hewenttothefieldandsearchedeverywhere，butcouldfindnothingbuttheholethroughwhichthesmalldevilhaddisappeared。
\"Well，thisisstrange，\"hesaid；\"somethingmusthavehappenedtomycompanion，andIwillhavetotakehisplaceandcontinuetheworkhebegan。TheFoolisthroughwithhisplowing，soI
mustlookaboutmeforsomeothermeansofcompassinghisdestruction。Imustoverflowhismeadowandpreventhimfromcuttingthegrass。\"
Thelittledevilaccordinglyoverflowedthemeadowwithmuddywater，and，whenIvanwentatdawnnextmorningwithhisscythesetandsharpenedandtriedtomowthegrass，hefoundthatitresistedallhiseffortsandwouldnotyieldtotheimplementasusual。
ManytimesIvantriedtocutthegrass，butalwayswithoutsuccess。Atlast，becomingwearyoftheeffort，hedecidedtoreturnhomeandhavehisscytheagainsharpened，andalsotoprocureaquantityofbread，saying：\"IwillcomebackhereandwillnotleaveuntilIhavemownallthemeadow，evenifitshouldtakeawholeweek。\"
Hearingthis，thelittledevilbecamethoughtful，saying：\"ThatIvanisakoolak[hardcase]，andImustthinkofsomeotherwayofconqueringhim。\"
Ivansoonreturnedwithhissharpenedscytheandstartedtomow。
Thesmalldevilhidhimselfinthegrass，andasthepointofthescythecamedownheburieditintheearthandmadeitalmostimpossibleforIvantomovetheimplement。He，however，succeededinmowingallbutonesmallspotintheswamp，whereagainthesmalldevilhidhimself，saying：\"EvenifheshouldcutmyhandsIwillpreventhimfromaccomplishinghiswork。\"
WhenIvancametotheswamphefoundthatthegrasswasnotverythick。Still，thescythewouldnotwork，whichmadehimsoangrythatheworkedwithallhismight，andoneblowmorepowerfulthantheotherscutoffaportionofthesmalldevil’stail，whohadhiddenhimselfthere。
Despitethelittledevil’seffortshesucceededinfinishinghiswork，whenhereturnedhomeandorderedhissistertogatherupthegrasswhilehewenttoanotherfieldtocutrye。Butthedevilprecededhimthere，andfixedtheryeinsuchamannerthatitwasalmostimpossibleforIvantocutit；however，aftercontinuoushardlaborhesucceeded，andwhenhewasthroughwiththeryehesaidtohimself：\"NowIwillstarttomowoats。\"
Onhearingthis，thelittledevilthoughttohimself：\"Icouldnotpreventhimfrommowingtherye，butIwillsurelystophimfrommowingtheoatswhenthemorningcomes。\"
Earlynextday，whenthedevilcametothefield，hefoundthattheoatshadbeenalreadymowed。Ivandiditduringthenight，soastoavoidthelossthatmighthaveresultedfromthegrainbeingtooripeanddry。SeeingthatIvanagainhadescapedhim，thelittledevilbecamegreatlyenraged，saying：
\"Hecutmealloverandmademetired，thatfool。Ididnotmeetsuchmisfortuneevenonthebattle-field。Hedoesnotevensleep；\"andthedevilbegantoswear。\"Icannotfollowhim，\"hecontinued。\"Iwillgonowtotheheapsandmakeeverythingrotten。\"
Accordinglyhewenttoaheapofthenew-mowngrainandbeganhisfiendishwork。Afterwettingithebuiltafireandwarmedhimself，andsoonwasfastasleep。
Ivanharnessedhishorse，and，withhissister，wenttobringtheryehomefromthefield。
Afterliftingacoupleofsheavesfromthefirstheaphispitchforkcameintocontactwiththelittledevil’sback，whichcausedthelattertohowlwithpainandtojumparoundineverydirection。Ivanexclaimed：
\"Seehere！Whatnastiness！Youagainhere？\"
\"Iamanotherone！\"saidthelittledevil。\"Thatwasmybrother。
IamtheonewhowassenttoyourbrotherSimeon。\"
\"Well，\"saidIvan，\"itmattersnotwhoyouare。Iwillfixyouallthesame。\"
AsIvanwasabouttostrikethefirstblowthedevilpleaded：
\"LetmegoandIwilldoyounomoreharm。Iwilldowhateveryouwish。\"
\"Whatcanyoudoforme？\"askedIvan。
\"Icanmakesoldiersfromalmostanything。\"
\"Andwhatwilltheybegoodfor？\"
\"Oh，theywilldoeverythingforyou！\"
\"Cantheysing？\"
\"Theycan。\"
\"Well，makethem。\"
\"Takeabunchofstrawandscatteritontheground，andseeifeachstrawwillnotturnintoasoldier。\"
Ivanshookthestrawsontheground，and，asheexpected，eachstrawturnedintoasoldier，andtheybeganmarchingwithabandattheirhead。
\"Ishty[lookyou]，thatwaswelldone！Howitwilldelightthevillagemaidens！\"heexclaimed。
Thesmalldevilnowsaid：\"Letmego；youdonotneedmeanylonger。\"
ButIvansaid：\"No，Iwillnotletyougojustyet。Youhaveconvertedthestrawintosoldiers，andnowIwantyoutoturnthemagainintostraw，asIcannotaffordtoloseit，butIwantitwiththegrainon。\"
Thedevilreplied：\"Say：’Somanysoldiers，somuchstraw。’\"
Ivandidasdirected，andgotbackhisryewiththestraw。
Thesmalldevilagainbeggedforhisrelease。
Ivan，takinghimfromthepitchfork，said：\"WithGod’sblessingyoumaydepart\"；and，asbeforeatthementionofGod’sname，thelittledevilwashurledintotheearthlikeaflash，andnothingwasleftbuttheholetoshowwherehehadgone。
SoonafterwardIvanreturnedhome，tofindhisbrotherTarrasandhiswifethere。Tarras-Briukhancouldnotpayhisdebts，andwasforcedtofleefromhiscreditorsandseekrefugeunderhisfather’sroof。SeeingIvan，hesaid：\"Well，Ivan，mayweremainhereuntilIstartinsomenewbusiness？\"
IvanrepliedashehadbeforetoSimeon：\"Yes，youareperfectlywelcometoremainhereaslongasitsuitsyou。\"
Withthatannouncementheremovedhiscoatandseatedhimselfatthesupper-tablewiththeothers。ButTarras-Briukhan’swifeobjectedtothesmellofhisclothes，saying：\"Icannoteatwithafool；neithercanIstandthesmell。\"
ThenTarras-Briukhansaid：\"Ivan，fromyourclothestherecomesabadsmell；goandeatbyyourselfintheporch。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidIvan；andhetooksomebreadandwentoutasordered，saying，\"Itistimeformetofeedmymare。\"
CHAPTERV。
ThesmalldevilwhohadchargeofTarrasfinishedwithhimthatnight，andaccordingtoagreementproceededtotheassistanceoftheothertwotohelpthemconquerIvan。Arrivingattheplowedfieldhelookedaroundforhiscomrades，butfoundonlytheholethroughwhichonehaddisappeared；andongoingtothemeadowhediscoveredtheseveredtailoftheother，andintherye-fieldhefoundyetanotherhole。
\"Well，\"hethought，\"itisquiteclearthatmycomradeshavemetwithsomegreatmisfortune，andthatIwillhavetotaketheirplacesandarrangethefeudbetweenthebrothers。\"
ThesmalldevilthenwentinsearchofIvan。Buthe，havingfinishedwiththefield，wasnowheretobefound。Hehadgonetotheforesttocutlogstobuildhomesforhisbrothers，astheyfounditinconvenientforsomanytoliveunderthesameroof。
Thesmalldevilatlastdiscoveredhiswhereabouts，andgoingtotheforestclimbedintothebranchesofthetreesandbegantointerferewithIvan’swork。Ivancutdownatree，whichfailed，however，tofalltotheground，becomingentangledinthebranchesofothertrees；yethesucceededingettingitdownafterahardstruggle。Inchoppingdownthenexttreehemetwiththesamedifficulties，andalsowiththethird。Ivanhadsupposedhecouldcutdownfiftytreesinaday，buthesucceededinchoppingbuttenbeforedarknessputanendtohislaborsforatime。Hewasnowexhausted，and，perspiringprofusely，hesatdownaloneinthewoodstorest。Hesoonafterresumedhiswork，cuttingdownonemoretree；buttheeffortgavehimapaininhisback，andhewasobligedtorestagain。Seeingthis，thesmalldevilwasfullofjoy。
\"Well，\"hethought，\"nowheisexhaustedandwillstopwork，andIwillrestalso。\"Hethenseatedhimselfonsomebranchesandrejoiced。
Ivanagainarose，however，and，takinghisaxe，gavethetreeaterrificblowfromtheoppositeside，whichfelleditinstantlytotheground，carryingthelittledevilwithit；andIvan，proceedingtocutthebranches，foundthedevilalive。Verymuchastonished，Ivanexclaimed：
\"Lookyou！Suchnastiness！Areyouagainhere？\"
\"Iamanotherone，\"repliedthedevil。\"IwaswithyourbrotherTarras。\"
\"Well，\"saidIvan，\"thatmakesnodifference；Iwillfixyou。\"
Andhewasabouttostrikehimablowwiththeaxewhenthedevilpleaded：
\"Donotkillme，andwhateveryouwishyoushallhave。\"
Ivanasked，\"Whatcanyoudo？\"
\"Icanmakeforyouallthemoneyyouwish。\"
Ivanthentoldthedevilhemightproceed，whereuponthelatterbegantoexplaintohimhowhemightbecomerich。
\"Take，\"saidhetoIvan，\"theleavesofthisoaktreeandrubtheminyourhands，andthegoldwillfalltotheground。\"
Ivandidashewasdirected，andimmediatelythegoldbegantodropabouthisfeet；andheremarked：
\"Thiswillbeafinetricktoamusethevillageboyswith。\"
\"CanInowtakemydeparture？\"askedthedevil，towhichIvanreplied，\"WithGod’sblessingyoumaygo。\"
AtthementionofthenameofGod，thedevildisappearedintotheearth。
CHAPTERVI。
Thebrothers，havingfinishedtheirhouses，movedintothemandlivedapartfromtheirfatherandbrother。Ivan，whenhehadcompletedhisplowing，madeagreatfeast，towhichheinvitedhisbrothers，tellingthemthathehadplentyofbeerforthemtodrink。Thebrothers，however，declinedIvan’shospitality，saying，\"Wehaveseenthebeermoujiksdrink，andwantnoneofit。\"
Ivanthengatheredaroundhimallthepeasantsinthevillageandwiththemdrankbeeruntilhebecameintoxicated，whenhejoinedtheKhorovody（astreetgatheringofthevillageboysandgirls，whosingsongs），andtoldthemtheymustsinghispraises，sayingthatinreturnhewouldshowthemsuchsightsastheyhadneverbeforeseenintheirlives。ThelittlegirlslaughedandbegantosingsongspraisingIvan，andwhentheyhadfinishedtheysaid：\"Verywell；nowgiveuswhatyousaidyouwould。\"
Ivanreplied，\"Iwillsoonshowyou，\"and，takinganemptybaginhishand，hestartedforthewoods。Thelittlegirlslaughedastheysaid，\"Whatafoolheis！\"andresumingtheirplaytheyforgotallabouthim。
SometimeafterIvansuddenlyappearedamongthemcarryinginhishandthebag，whichwasnowfilled。
\"ShallIdividethiswithyou？\"hesaid。
\"Yes；divide！\"theysanginchorus。
SoIvanputhishandintothebaganddrewitoutfullofgoldcoins，whichhescatteredamongthem。
\"Batiushka，\"theycriedastheyrantogatherupthepreciouspieces。
Themoujiksthenappearedonthesceneandbegantofightamongthemselvesforthepossessionoftheyellowobjects。Inthemeleeoneoldwomanwasnearlycrushedtodeath。
Ivanlaughedandwasgreatlyamusedatthesightofsomanypersonsquarrellingoverafewpiecesofgold。
\"Oh！youduratchki\"（littlefools），hesaid，\"whydidyoualmostcrushthelifeoutoftheoldgrandmother？Bemoregentle。I
haveplentymore，andIwillgivethemtoyou；\"whereuponhebeganthrowingaboutmoreofthecoins。
Thepeoplegatheredaroundhim，andIvancontinuedthrowinguntilheemptiedhisbag。Theyclamoredformore，butIvanreplied：
\"Thegoldisallgone。AnothertimeIwillgiveyoumore。Nowwewillr俿um？oursinginganddancing。\"
Thelittlechildrensang，butIvansaidtothem，\"Yoursongsarenogood。\"
Thechildrensaid，\"Thenshowushowtosingbetter。\"
TothisIvanreplied，\"Iwillshowyoupeoplewhocansingbetterthanyou。\"WiththatremarkIvanwenttothebarnand，securingabundleofstraw，didasthelittledevilhaddirectedhim；andpresentlyaregimentofsoldiersappearedinthevillagestreet，andheorderedthemtosinganddance。
ThepeoplewereastonishedandcouldnotunderstandhowIvanhadproducedthestrangers。
Thesoldierssangforsometime，tothegreatdelightofthevillagers；andwhenIvancommandedthemtostoptheyinstantlyceased。
Ivanthenorderedthemofftothebarn，tellingtheastonishedandmystifiedmoujiksthattheymustnotfollowhim。Reachingthebarn，heturnedthesoldiersagainintostrawandwenthometosleepofftheeffectsofhisdebauch。
CHAPTERVII。
ThenextmorningIvan’sexploitswerethetalkofthevillage，andnewsofthewonderfulthingshehaddonereachedtheearsofhisbrotherSimeon，whoimmediatelywenttoIvantolearnallaboutit。
\"Explaintome，\"hesaid；\"fromwhencedidyoubringthesoldiers，andwheredidyoutakethem？\"
\"Andwhatdoyouwishtoknowfor？\"askedIvan。
\"Why，withsoldierswecandoalmostanythingwewish——wholekingdomscanbeconquered，\"repliedSimeon。
ThisinformationgreatlysurprisedIvan，whosaid：\"Well，whydidyounottellmeaboutthisbefore？Icanmakeasmanyasyouwant。\"
Ivanthentookhisbrothertothebarn，buthesaid：\"WhileIamwillingtocreatethesoldiers，youmusttakethemawayfromhere；forifitshouldbecomenecessarytofeedthem，allthefoodinthevillagewouldlastthemonlyoneday。\"
SimeonpromisedtodoasIvanwished，whereuponIvanproceededtoconvertthestrawintosoldiers。Outofonebundleofstrawhemadeanentireregiment；infact，somanysoldiersappearedasifbymagicthattherewasnotavacantspotinthefield。
TurningtoSimeonIvansaid，\"Well，isthereasufficientnumber？\"
Beamingwithjoy，Simeonreplied：\"Enough！enough！Thankyou，Ivan！\"
\"Gladyouaresatisfied，\"saidIvan，\"andifyouwishmoreIwillmakethemforyou。Ihaveplentyofstrawnow。\"
Simeondividedhissoldiersintobattalionsandregiments，andafterhavingdrilledthemhewentforthtofightandtoconquer。
SimeonhadjustgottensafelyoutofthevillagewithhissoldierswhenTarras，theotherbrother，appearedbeforeIvan——healsohavingheardofthepreviousday’sperformanceandwantingtolearnthesecretofhispower。HesoughtIvan，saying：\"Tellmethesecretofyoursupplyofgold，forifIhadplentyofmoneyIcouldwithitsassistancegatherinallthewealthintheworld。\"
Ivanwasgreatlysurprisedonhearingthisstatement，andsaid：
\"Youmighthavetoldmethisbefore，forIcanobtainforyouasmuchmoneyasyouwish。\"
Tarraswasdelighted，andhesaid，\"Youmightgetmeaboutthreebushels。\"
\"Well，\"saidIvan，\"wewillgotothewoods，or，betterstill，wewillharnessthehorse，aswecouldnotpossiblycarrysomuchmoneyourselves。\"
ThebrotherswenttothewoodsandIvanproceededtogathertheoakleaves，whichherubbedbetweenhishands，thedustfallingtothegroundandturningintogoldpiecesasquicklyasitfell。
WhenquiteapilehadaccumulatedIvanturnedtoTarrasandaskedifhehadrubbedenoughleavesintomoney，whereuponTarrasreplied：\"Thankyou，Ivan；thatwillbesufficientforthistime。\"
Ivanthensaid：\"Ifyouwishmore，cometomeandIwillrubasmuchasyouwant，forthereareplentyofleaves。\"
Tarras，withhistarantas（wagon）filledwithgold，rodeawaytothecitytoengageintradeandincreasehiswealth；andthusbothbrotherswenttheirway，SimeontofightandTarrastotrade。
Simeon’ssoldiersconqueredakingdomforhimandTarras-Briukhanmadeplentyofmoney。
Sometimeafterwardthetwobrothersmetandconfessedtoeachotherthesourcefromwhencesprangtheirprosperity，buttheywerenotyetsatisfied。
Simeonsaid：\"Ihaveconqueredakingdomandenjoyaverypleasantlife，butIhavenotsufficientmoneytoprocurefoodformysoldiers；\"whileTarrasconfessedthathewasthepossessorofenormouswealth，butthecareofitcausedhimmuchuneasiness。
\"Letusgoagaintoourbrother，\"saidSimeon；\"Iwillorderhimtomakemoresoldiersandwillgivethemtoyou，andyoumaythentellhimthathemustmakemoremoneysothatwecanbuyfoodforthem。\"
TheywentagaintoIvan，andSimeonsaid：\"Ihavenotsufficientsoldiers；Iwantyoutomakemeatleasttwodivisionsmore。\"
ButIvanshookhisheadashesaid：\"Iwillnotcreatesoldiersfornothing；youmustpaymefordoingit。\"
\"Well，butyoupromised，\"saidSimeon。
\"IknowIdid，\"repliedIvan；\"butIhavechangedmymindsincethattime。\"
\"But，fool，whywillyounotdoasyoupromised？\"
\"Forthereasonthatyoursoldierskillmen，andIwillnotmakeanymoreforsuchacruelpurpose。\"WiththisreplyIvanremainedstubbornandwouldnotcreateanymoresoldiers。
Tarras-BriukhannextapproachedIvanandorderedhimtomakemoremoney；but，asinthecaseofTarras，Ivanonlyshookhishead，ashesaid：\"Iwillnotmakeyouanymoneyunlessyoupaymefordoingit。Icannotworkwithoutpay。\"
Tarrasthenremindedhimofhispromise。
\"IknowIpromised，\"repliedIvan；\"butstillImustrefusetodoasyouwish。\"
\"Butwhy，fool，willyounotfulfillyourpromise？\"askedTarras。
\"ForthereasonthatyourgoldwasthemeansofdeprivingMikhailovnaofhercow。\"
\"Buthowdidthathappen？\"inquiredTarras。