\"’Youpromisedmetoreform，’mynoblemistresssaidtome，’andIwillbethefirsttoshowyouhowmuchfaithIhaveinyourpromise。Iwantyoutorideintotown，and，goingtotheprincipalmerchantthere，collectasumofmoneyfromhimandbringittome。’Isaidtomymistress：’Everythingyouordershallbedone。Iwillonlytoogladlyobeyyourslightestwish。’
Thenmymistresssaid：’Doyouunderstand，Polikey，thatyourfuturelotdependsuponthefaithfulperformanceofthisdutyI
imposeuponyou？’Ireplied：’Yes，Iunderstandeverything，andfeelthatIwillsuceedinperformingacceptablyanytaskwhichyoumayimposeuponme。Ihavebeenaccusedofeverykindofevildeedthatitispossibletochargeamanwith，butIhaveneverdoneanythingseriouslywrongagainstyou，yourhonor。’InthiswayItalkedtoourmistressuntilIsucceededinconvincingherthatmyrepentancewassincere，andshebecamegreatlysoftenedtowardme，saying，’IfyouaresuccessfulIwillgiveyouthefirstplaceatthecourt。’\"
\"Andhowmuchmoneyareyoutocollect？\"inquiredAkulina。
\"Fifteenhundredrubles，\"carelesslyansweredPolikey。
Akulinasadlyshookherheadassheasked，\"Whenareyoutostart？\"
\"Sheorderedmetoleavehereto-morrow，\"Polikeyreplied。’Takeanyhorseyouplease，’shesaid。’Cometotheoffice，andIwillseeyouthereandwishyouGod-speedonyourjourney。’\"
\"GlorytoThee，OLord！\"saidAkulina，asshearoseandmadethesignofthecross。\"God，Iamsure，willblessyou，Illitch，\"
sheadded，inawhisper，sothatthepeopleontheothersideofthepartitioncouldnothearwhatshesaid，allthewhileholdingontohissleeve。\"Illitch，\"shecriedatlast，excitedly，\"forGod’ssakepromisemethatyouwillnottouchadropofvodki。
TakeanoathbeforeGod，andkissthecross，sothatImaybesurethatyouwillnotbreakyourpromise！\"
Polikeyrepliedinmostcontemptuoustones：\"DoyouthinkIwilldaretotouchvodkiwhenIshallhavesuchalargesumofmoneyinmycare？\"
\"Akulina，haveacleanshirtreadyforthemorning，\"werehispartingwordsforthenight。
SoPolikeyandhiswifewenttosleepinahappyframeofmindandfullofbrightdreamsforthefuture。
CHAPTERIV。
Veryearlythenextmorning，almostbeforethestarshadhiddenthemselvesfromview，therewasseenstandingbeforePolikey’shomealowwagon，thesameinwhichthesuperintendenthimselfusedtoride；andharnessedtoitwasalarge-boned，dark-brownmare，calledforsomeunknownreasonbythenameofBaraban（drum）。Aniutka，Polikey’seldestdaughter，inspiteoftheheavyrainandthecoldwindwhichwasblowing，stoodoutsidebarefootedandheld（notwithoutsomefear）thereinsinorehand，whilewiththeothersheendeavoredtokeephergreenandyellowovercoatwoundaroundherbody，andalsotoholdPolikey’ssheepskincoat。
Inthehousetherewerethegreatestnoiseandconfusion。Themorningwasstillsodarkthatthelittledaylighttherewasfailedtopenetratethroughthebrokenpanesofglass，thewindowbeingstuffedinmanyplaceswithragsandpapertoexcludethecoldair。
AkulinaceasedfromhercookingforawhileandhelpedtogetPolikeyreadyforthejourney。Mostofthechildrenwerestillinbed，verylikelyasaprotectionagainstthecold，forAkulinahadtakenawaythebigovercoatwhichusuallycoveredthemandhadsubstitutedashawlofherown。Polikey’sshirtwasallready，niceandclean，buthisshoesbadlyneededrepairing，andthisfactcausedhisdevotedwifemuchanxiety。Shetookfromherownfeetthethickwoollenstockingsshewaswearing，andgavethemtoPolikey。Shethenbegantorepairhisshoes，patchinguptheholessoastoprotecthisfeetfromdampness。
Whilethiswasgoingonhewassittingonthesideofthebedwithhisfeetdanglingovertheedge，andtryingtoturnthesashwhichconfinedhiscoatatthewaist。Hewasanxioustolookascleanaspossible，andhedeclaredhissashlookedlikeadirtyrope。
Oneofhisdaughters，envelopedinasheepskincoat，wassenttoaneighbor’shousetoborrowahat。
WithinPolikey’shomethegreatestconfusionreigned，forthecourtservantswereconstantlyarrivingwithinnumerablesmallorderswhichtheywishedPolikeytoexecuteforthemintown。
Onewantedneedles，anothertea，anothertobacco，andlastcamethejoiner’swife，whobythistimehadpreparedhersamovar，and，anxioustomakeupthequarrelofthepreviousday，broughtthetravelleracupoftea。
NeighborNikitarefusedtheloanofthehat，sotheoldonehadtobepatchedupfortheoccasion。Thisoccupiedsometime，asthereweremanyholesinit。
FinallyPolikeywasallready，andjumpingonthewagonstartedonhisjourney，afterfirstmakingthesignofthecross。
Atthelastmomenthislittleboy，Mishka，rantothedoor，beggingtobegivenashortride；andthenhislittledaughter，Mashka，appearedonthesceneandpleadedthatshe，too，mighthavearide，declaringthatshewouldbequitewarmenoughwithoutfurs。
Polikeystoppedthehorseonhearingthechildren，andAkulinaplacedtheminthewagon，togetherwithtwoothersbelongingtoaneighbor——allanxioustohaveashortride。
AsAkulinahelpedthelittleonesintothewagonshetookoccasiontoremindPolikeyofthesolemnpromisehehadmadehernottotouchadropofvodkiduringthejourney。
Polikeydrovethechildrenasfarastheblacksmith’splace，whereheletthemoutofthewagon，tellingthemtheymustreturnhome。Hethenarrangedhisclothing，and，settinghishatfirmlyonhishead，startedhishorseonatrot。
Thetwochildren，MishkaandMashka，bothbarefooted，startedrunningatsucharapidpacethatastrangedogfromanothervillage，seeingthemflyingovertheroad，droppedhistailbetweenhislegsandranhomesquealing。
Theweatherwasverycold，asharpcuttingwindblowingcontinuously；butthisdidnotdisturbPolikey，whosemindwasengrossedwithpleasantthoughts。Asherodethroughthewintryblastshekeptrepeatingtohimself：\"SoIamthemantheywantedtosendtoSiberia，andwhomtheythreatenedtoenrollasasoldier——thesamemanwhomeveryoneabused，andsaidhewaslazy，andwhowaspointedoutasathiefandgiventhemeanestworkontheestatetodo！NowIamgoingtoreceivealargesumofmoney，forwhichmymistressissendingmebecauseshetrustsme。Iamalsoridinginthesamewagonthatthesuperintendenthimselfuseswhenheisridingasarepresentativeofthecourt。
Ihavethesameharness，leatherhorse-collar，reins，andalltheothergear。\"
Polikey，filledwithprideatthoughtofthemissionwithwhichhehadbeenintrusted，drewhimselfupwithanairofpride，and，fixinghisoldhatmorefirmlyonhishead，buttonedhiscoattightlyabouthimandurgedhishorsetogreaterspeed。
\"Justtothink，\"hecontinued；\"Ishallhaveinmypossessionthreethousandhalf-rubles[thepeasantmannerofspeakingofmoneysoastomakeitappearalargersumthanitreallyis]，andwillcarrytheminmybosom。IfIwishedtoImightrunawaytoOdessainsteadoftakingthemoneytomymistress。Butno；I
willnotdothat。Iwillsurelycarrythemoneystraighttotheonewhohasbeenkindenoughtotrustme。\"
WhenPolikeyreachedthefirstkabak（tavern）hefoundthatfromlonghabitthemarewasnaturallyturningherheadtowardit；buthewouldnotallowhertostop，thoughmoneyhadbeengivenhimtopurchasebothfoodanddrink。Strikingtheanimalasharpblowwiththewhip，hepassedbythetavern。Theperformancewasrepeatedwhenhereachedthenextkabak，whichlookedveryinviting；butheresolutelysethisfaceagainstentering，andpassedon。
Aboutnoonhearrivedathisdestination，andgettingdownfromthewagonapproachedthegateofthemerchant’shousewheretheservantsofthecourtalwaysstopped。Openingitheledthemarethrough，and（afterunharnessingher）fedher。Thisdone，henextenteredthehouseandhaddinnerwiththemerchant’sworkingman，andtothemherelatedwhatanimportantmissionhehadbeensenton，makinghimselfveryamusingbythepompousairwhichheassumed。Dinnerover，hecarriedalettertothemerchantwhichthenoblewomanhadgivenhimtodeliver。
Themerchant，knowingthoroughlythereputationwhichPolikeybore，feltdoubtfuloftrustinghimwithsomuchmoney，andsomewhatanxiouslyinquiredifhereallyhadreceivedorderstocarrysomanyrubles。
Polikeytriedtoappearoffendedatthisquestion，butdidnotsucceed，andheonlysmiled。
Themerchant，afterreadingtheletterasecondtimeandbeingconvincedthatallwasright，gavePolikeythemoney，whichheputinhisbosomforsafe-keeping。
Onhiswaytothehousehedidnotoncestopatanyoftheshopshepassed。Theclothingestablishmentspossessednoattractionsforhim，andafterhehadsafelypassedthemallhestoodforamoment，feelingverypleasedthathehadbeenabletowithstandtemptation，andthenwentonhisway。
\"Ihavemoneyenoughtobuyupeverything，\"hesaid；\"butIwillnotdoso。\"
Thenumerouscommissionswhichhehadreceivedcompelledhimtogotothebazaar。Thereheboughtonlywhathadbeenordered，buthecouldnotresistthetemptationtoaskthepriceofaveryhandsomesheep-skincoatwhichattractedhisattention。ThemerchanttowhomhespokelookedatPolikeyandsmiled，notbelievingthathehadsufficientmoneytopurchasesuchanexpensivecoat。ButPolikey，pointingtohisbreast，saidthathecouldbuyoutthewholeshopifhewishedto。Hethereuponorderedtheshop-keepertotakehismeasure。Hetriedthecoatonandlookedhimselfovercarefully，testingthequalityandblowinguponthehairtoseethatnoneofitcameout。Finally，heavingadeepsigh，hetookitoff。
\"Thepriceistoohigh，\"hesaid。\"Ifyoucouldletmehaveitforfifteenrubles——\"
Butthemerchantcuthimshortbysnatchingthecoatfromhimandthrowingitangrilytooneside。
Polikeyleftthebazaarandreturnedtothemerchant’shouseinhighspirits。
Aftersupperhewentoutandfedthemare，andpreparedeverythingforthenight。Returningtothehousehegotuponthestovetorest，andwhiletherehetookouttheenvelopewhichcontainedthemoneyandlookedlongandearnestlyatit。Hecouldnotread，butaskedoneofthosepresenttotellhimwhatthewritingontheenvelopemeant。Itwassimplytheaddressandtheannouncementthatitcontainedfifteenhundredrubles。
Theenvelopewasmadeofcommonpaperandwassealedwithdark-brownsealingwax。Therewasonelargesealinthecentreandfoursmalleronesatthecorners。Polikeycontinuedtoexamineitcarefully，eveninsertinghisfingertillhetouchedthecrispnotes。Heappearedtotakeachildishdelightinhavingsomuchmoneyinhispossession。
Havingfinishedhisexamination，heputtheenvelopeinsidetheliningofhisoldbatteredhat，andplacingbothunderhisheadhewenttosleep；butduringthenighthefrequentlyawokeandalwaysfelttoknowifthemoneywassafe。Eachtimethathefoundthatitwassafeherejoicedatthethoughtthathe，Polikey，abusedandregardedbyeveryoneasathief，wasintrustedwiththecareofsuchalargesumofmoney，andalsothathewasabouttoreturnwithitquiteassafelyasthesuperintendenthimselfcouldhavedone。
CHAPTERV。
BeforedawnthenextmorningPolikeywasup，andafterharnessingthemareandlookinginhishattoseethatthemoneywasallright，hestartedonhisreturnjourney。
ManytimesonthewayPolikeytookoffhishattoseethatthemoneywassafe。Oncehesaidtohimself，\"IthinkthatperhapsitwouldbebetterifIshouldputitinmybosom。\"Thiswouldnecessitatetheuntyingofhissash，sohedecidedtokeepitstillinhishat，oruntilheshouldhavemadehalfthejourney，whenhewouldbecompelledtostoptofeedhishorseandtorest。
Hesaidtohimself：\"Theliningisnotsewninverystronglyandtheenvelopemightfallout，soIthinkIhadbetternottakeoffmyhatuntilIreachhome。\"
Themoneywassafe——atleast，soitseemedtohim——andhebegantothinkhowgratefulhismistresswouldbetohim，andinhisexcitedimaginationhesawthefiverubleshewassosureofreceiving。
Oncemoreheexaminedthehattoseethatthemoneywassafe，andfindingeverythingallrightheputonhishatandpulleditwelldownoverhisears，smilingallthewhileathisownthoughts。
Akulinahadcarefullysewedalltheholesinthehat，butitburstoutinotherplacesowingtoPolikey’sremovingitsooften。
Inthedarknesshedidnotnoticethenewrents，andtriedtopushtheenvelopefurtherunderthelining，andindoingsopushedonecornerofitthroughtheplush。
Thesunwasgettinghighintheheavens，andPolikeyhavingsleptbutlittlethepreviousnightandfeelingitswarmraysfellfastasleep，afterfirstpressinghishatmorefirmlyonhishead。Bythisactionheforcedtheenvelopestillfurtherthroughtheplush，andasherodealonghisheadbobbedupanddown。
Polikeydidnotawaketillhearrivednearhisownhouse，andhisfirstactwastoputhishandtohisheadtolearnifhishatwasallright。Findingthatitwasinitsplace，hedidnotthinkitnecessarytoexamineitandseethatthemoneywassafe。
Touchingthemaregentlywiththewhipshestartedintoatrot，andasherodealonghearrangedinhisownmindhowmuchhewastoreceive。Withtheairofamanalreadyholdingahighpositionatthecourt，helookedaroundhimwithanexpressionofloftyscornonhisface。
Ashenearedhishousehecouldseebeforehimtheoneroomwhichconstitutedtheirhumblehome，andthejoiner’swifenextdoorcarry-ingherrollsoflinen。Hesawalsotheofficeofthecourtandhismistress’shouse，wherehehopedhewouldbeablepresentlytoprovethathewasanhonest，trustworthyman。
Hereasonedwithhimselfthatanypersoncanbeabusedbylyingtongues，butwhenhismistresswouldseehimshewouldsay：\"Welldone，Polikey；youhaveshownthatyoucanbehonest。Herearethree——itmaybefive——perhapsten——rublesforyou；\"andalsoshewouldorderteaforhim，andmighttreathimtovodki——whoknows？
Thelatterthoughtgavehimgreatpleasure，ashewasfeelingverycold。
Speakingaloudhesaid：\"Whatahappyholy-daywecanhavewithtenrubles！Havingsomuchmoney，IcouldpayNikitathefourrublesfiftykopeckswhichIowehim，andyethavesomelefttobuyshoesforthechildren。\"
WhennearthehousePolikeybegantoarrangehisclothes，smoothingdownhisfurcollar，re-tyinghissash，andstrokinghishair。Todothelatterhehadtotakeoffhishat，andwhendoingsofeltintheliningfortheenvelope。Quickerandquickerheranhishandaroundthelining，andnotfindingthemoneyusedbothhands，firstoneandthentheother。Buttheenvelopewasnottobefound。
Polikeywasbythistimegreatlydistressed，andhisfacewaswhitewithfearashepassedhishandthroughthecrownofhisoldhat。Polikeystoppedthemareandbeganadiligentsearchthroughthewagonanditscontents。Notfindingthepreciousenvelope，hefeltinallhispockets——BUTTHEMONEYCOULDNOTBE
FOUND！
Wildlyclutchingathishair，heexclaimed：\"Batiushka！WhatwillIdonow？Whatwillbecomeofme？\"Atthesametimeherealizedthathewasnearhisneighbors’houseandcouldbeseenbythem；soheturnedthemarearound，and，pullinghishatdownsecurelyuponhishead，herodequicklybackinsearchofhislosttreasure。
CHAPTERVI。
ThewholedaypassedwithoutanyoneinthevillageofPokrovskihavingseenanythingofPolikey。Duringtheafternoonhismistressinquiredmanytimesastohiswhereabouts，andsentAksiutkafrequentlytoAkulina，whoeachtimesentbackwordthatPolikeyhadnotyetreturned，sayingalsothatperhapsthemerchanthadkepthim，orthatsomethinghadhappenedtothemare。
Hispoorwifefeltaheavyloaduponherheart，andwasscarcelyabletodoherhouseworkandputeverythinginorderforthenextday（whichwastobeaholy-day）。Thechildrenalsoanxiouslyawaitedtheirfather’sappearance，and，thoughfordifferentreasons，couldhardlyrestraintheirimpatience。ThenoblewomanandAkulinawereconcernedonlyinregardtoPolikeyhimself，whilethechildrenwereinterestedmostinwhathewouldbringthemfromthetown。
TheonlynewsreceivedbythevillagersduringthedayconcerningPolikeywastotheeffectthatneighboringpeasantshadseenhimrunningupanddowntheroadandaskingeveryonehemetifheorshehadfoundanenvelope。
Oneofthemhadseenhimalsowalkingbythesideofhistired-outhorse。\"Ithought，\"saidhe，\"thatthemanwasdrunk，andhadnotfedhishorsefortwodays——theanimallookedsoexhausted。\"
Unabletosleep，andwithherheartpalpitatingateverysound，AkulinalayawakeallnightvainlyawaitingPolikey’sreturn。
Whenthecockcrowedthethirdtimeshewasobligedtogetuptoattendtothefire。Daywasjustdawningandthechurch-bellshadbeguntoring。Soonallthechildrenwerealsoup，buttherewasstillnotidingsofthemissinghusbandandfather。
Inthemorningthechillblastsofwinterenteredtheirhumblehome，andonlookingouttheysawthatthehouses，fields，androadswerethicklycoveredwithsnow。Thedaywasclearandcold，asifbefittingtheholy-daytheywereabouttocelebrate。
Theywereabletoseealongdistancefromthehouse，butnoonewasinsight。
Akulinawasbusybakingcakes，andhaditnotbeenforthejoyousshoutsofthechildrenshewouldnothaveknownthatPolikeywascominguptheroad，forafewminuteslaterhecameinwithabundleinhishandandwalkedquietlytohiscorner。Akulinanoticedthathewasverypaleandthathisfaceboreanexpressionofsuffering——asifhewouldliketohavecriedbutcouldnotdoso。Butshedidnotstoptostudyit，butexcitedlyinquired：\"What！Illitch，iseverythingallrightwithyou？\"
Heslowlymutteredsomething，buthiswifecouldnotunderstandwhathesaid。
\"What！\"shecriedout，\"haveyoubeentoseeourmistress？\"
Polikeystillsatonthebedinhiscorner，glaringwildlyabouthim，andsmilingbitterly。Hedidnotreplyforalongtime，andAkulinaagaincried：
\"Eh？Illitch！Whydon’tyouanswerme？Whydon’tyouspeak？\"
Finallyhesaid：\"Akulina，Ideliveredthemoneytoourmistress；
andoh，howshethankedme！\"Thenhesuddenlylookedabouthim，withananxious，startledair，andwithasadsmileonhislips。
Twothingsintheroomseemedtoengrossthemostofhisattention：thebabyinthecradle，andtheropewhichwasattachedtotheladder。Approachingthecradle，hebeganwithhisthinfingersquicklytountietheknotintheropebywhichthetwowereconnected。Afteruntyingithestoodforafewmomentslookingsilentlyatthebaby。
Akulinadidnotnoticethisproceeding，andwithhercakesontheboardwenttoplacetheminacorner。
Polikeyquicklyhidtheropebeneathhiscoat，andagainseatedhimselfonthebed。
\"Whatisitthattroublesyou，Illitch？\"inquiredAkulina。\"Youarenotyourself。\"
\"Ihavenotslept，\"heanswered。
Suddenlyadarkshadowcrossedthewindow，andaminutelaterthegirlAksiutkaquicklyenteredtheroom，exclaiming：
\"Theboyariniacommandsyou，PolikeyIllitch，tocometoherthismoment！\"
PolikeylookedfirstatAkulinaandthenatthegirl。
\"Thismoment！\"hecried。\"Whatmoreiswanted？\"
HespokethelastsentencesosoftlythatAkulinabecamequietedinhermind，thinkingthatperhapstheirmistressintendedtorewardherhusband。
\"SaythatIwillcomeimmediately，\"hesaid。
ButPolikeyfailedtofollowthegirl，andwentinsteadtoanotherplace。
Fromtheporchofhishousetherewasaladderreachingtotheattic。ArrivingatthefootoftheladderPolikeylookedaroundhim，andseeingnooneabout，hequicklyascendedtothegarret。
*******
Meanwhilethegirlhadreachedhermistress’shouse。
\"WhatdoesitmeanthatPolikeydoesnotcome？\"saidthenoblewomanimpatiently。\"Wherecanhebe？Whydoeshenotcomeatonce？\"
AksiutkaflewagaintohishouseanddemandedtoseePolikey。
\"Hewentalongtimeago，\"answeredAkulina，andlookingaroundwithanexpressionoffearonherface，sheadded，\"Hemayhavefallenasleepsomewhereontheway。\"
Aboutthistimethejoiner’swife，withhairunkemptandclothesbedraggled，wentuptothelofttogatherthelinenwhichshehadpreviouslyputtheretodry。Suddenlyacryofhorrorwasheard，andthewoman，withhereyesclosed，andcrazedbyfear，randowntheladderlikeacat。
\"Illitch，\"shecried，\"hashangedhimself！\"
PoorAkulinaranuptheladderbeforeanyofthepeople，whohadgatheredfromthesurroundinghouses，couldpreventher。Withaloudshriekshefellbackasifdead，andwouldsurelyhavebeenkilledhadnotoneofthespectatorssucceededincatchingherinhisarms。
Beforedarkthesamedayapeasantofthevillage，whilereturningfromthetown，foundtheenvelopecontainingPolikey’smoneyontheroadside，andsoonafterdeliveredittotheboyarinia。
THECANDLE。
\"Yehaveheardthatithathbeensaid，aneyeforaneyeandatoothforatooth：butIsayuntoyou，Thatyeresistnotevil。\"——ST。MATTHEWV。38，39。
Itwasinthetimeofserfdom——manyyearsbeforeAlexanderII。’sliberationofthesixtymillionserfsin1862。Inthosedaysthepeoplewereruledbydifferentkindsoflords。Therewerenotafewwho，rememberingGod，treatedtheirslavesinahumanemanner，andnotasbeastsofburden，whiletherewereotherswhowereseldomknowntoperformakindorgenerousaction；butthemostbarbarousandtyrannicalofallwerethoseformerserfswhoarosefromthedirtandbecameprinces。
Itwasthislatterclasswhomadelifeliterallyaburdentothosewhowereunfortunateenoughtocomeundertheirrule。Manyofthemhadarisenfromtheranksofthepeasantrytobecomesuperintendentsofnoblemen’sestates。
Thepeasantswereobligedtoworkfortheirmasteracertainnumberofdayseachweek。Therewasplentyoflandandwaterandthesoilwasrichandfertile，whilethemeadowsandforestsweresufficienttosupplytheneedsofboththepeasantsandtheirlord。
Therewasacertainnoblemanwhohadchosenasuperintendentfromthepeasantryononeofhisotherestates。Nosoonerhadthepowertogovernbeenvestedinthisnewly-madeofficialthanhebegantopracticethemostoutrageouscrueltiesuponthepoorserfswhohadbeenplacedunderhiscontrol。Althoughthismanhadawifeandtwomarrieddaughters，andwasmakingsomuchmoneythathecouldhavelivedhappilywithouttransgressinginanywayagainsteitherGodorman，yethewasfilledwithenvyandjealousyanddeeplysunkinsin。
MichaelSimeonovitchbeganhispersecutionsbycompellingthepeasantstoperformmoredaysofserviceontheestateeveryweekthanthelawsobligedthemtowork。Heestablishedabrick-yard，inwhichheforcedthemenandwomentodoexcessivelabor，sellingthebricksforhisownprofit。
OnoneoccasiontheoverworkedserfssentadelegationtoMoscowtocomplainoftheirtreatmenttotheirlord，buttheyobtainednosatisfaction。Whenthepoorpeasantsreturneddisconsolatefromthenoblemantheirsuperintendentdeterminedtohaverevengefortheirboldnessingoingabovehimforredress，andtheirlifeandthatoftheirfellow-victimsbecameworsethanbefore。
Ithappenedthatamongtheserfsthereweresomeverytreacherouspeoplewhowouldfalselyaccusetheirfellowsofwrong-doingandsowseedsofdiscordamongthepeasantry，whereuponMichaelwouldbecomegreatlyenraged，whilehispoorsubjectsbegantoliveinfearoftheirlives。Whenthesuperintendentpassedthroughthevillagethepeoplewouldrunandhidethemselvesasfromawildbeast。Seeingthustheterrorwhichhehadstrucktotheheartsofthemoujiks，Michael’streatmentofthembecamestillmorevindictive，sothatfromover-workandill-usagethelotofthepoorserfswasindeedahardone。
Therewasatimewhenitwaspossibleforthepeasants，whendriventodespair，todevisemeanswherebytheycouldridthemselvesofaninhumanmonstersuchasSimeonovitch，andsotheseunfortunatepeoplebegantoconsiderwhethersomethingcouldnotbedonetorelieveTHEMoftheirintolerableyoke。
Theywouldholdlittlemeetingsinsecretplacestobewailtheirmiseryandtoconferwithoneanotherastowhichwouldbethebestwaytoact。Nowandthentheboldestofthegatheringwouldriseandaddresshiscompanionsinthisstrain：\"Howmuchlongercanwetoleratesuchavillaintoruleoverus？Letusmakeanendofitatonce，foritwerebetterforustoperishthantosuffer。Itissurelynotasintokillsuchadevilinhumanform。\"
Ithappenedonce，beforetheEasterholidays，thatoneofthesemeetingswasheldinthewoods，whereMichaelhadsenttheserfstomakeaclearancefortheirmaster。Atnoontheyassembledtoeattheirdinnerandtoholdaconsultation。\"Whycan’tweleavenow？\"saidone。\"Verysoonweshallbereducedtonothing。
Alreadywearealmostworkedtodeath——therebeingnorest，nightorday，eitherforusorourpoorwomen。Ifanythingshouldbedoneinawaynotexactlytopleasehimhewillfindfaultandperhapsflogsomeofustodeath——aswasthecasewithpoorSimeon，whomhekillednotlongago。OnlyrecentlyAnisimwastorturedinironstillhedied。Wecertainlycannotstandthismuchlonger。\"\"Yes，\"saidanother，\"whatistheuseofwaiting？
Letusactatonce。Michaelwillbeherethisevening，andwillbecertaintoabuseusshamefully。Letus，then，thrusthimfromhishorseandwithoneblowofanaxegivehimwhathedeserves，andthusendourmisery。Wecanthendigabigholeandburyhimlikeadog，andnoonewillknowwhatbecameofhim。Nowletuscometoanagreement——tostandtogetherasonemanandnottobetrayoneanother。\"
ThelastspeakerwasVasiliMinayeff，who，ifpossible，hadmorecausetocomplainofMichael’scrueltythananyofhisfellow-serfs。Thesuperintendentwasinthehabitofflogginghimseverelyeveryweek，andhetookalsoVasili’swifetoservehimascook。
Accordingly，duringtheeveningthatfollowedthismeetinginthewoodsMichaelarrivedonthesceneonhorseback。Hebeganatoncetofindfaultwiththemannerinwhichtheworkhadbeendone，andtocomplainbecausesomelime-treeshadbeencutdown。
\"Itoldyounottocutdownanylime-trees！\"shoutedtheenragedsuperintendent。\"Whodidthisthing？Tellmeatonce，orI
shallflogeveryoneofyou！\"
Oninvestigation，apeasantnamedSidorwaspointedoutastheguiltyone，andhisfacewasroundlyslapped。MichaelalsoseverelypunishedVasili，becausehehadnotdonesufficientwork，afterwhichthemasterrodesafelyhome。
Intheeveningtheserfsagainassembled，andpoorVasilisaid：
\"Oh，whatkindofpeopleAREwe，anyway？Weareonlysparrows，andnotmenatall！Weagreetostandbyeachother，butassoonasthetimeforactioncomesweallrunandhide。Oncealotofsparrowsconspiredagainstahawk，butnosoonerdidthebirdofpreyappearthantheysneakedoffinthegrass。Selectingoneofthechoicestsparrows，thehawktookitawaytoeat，afterwhichtheotherscameoutcrying，’Twee-twee！’andfoundthatonewasmissing。’Whoiskilled？’theyasked。’Vanka！Well，hedeservedit。’You，myfriends，areactinginjustthesamemanner。WhenMichaelattackedSidoryoushouldhavestoodbyyourpromise。Whydidn’tyouarise，andwithonestrokeputanendtohimandtoourmisery？\"
Theeffectofthisspeechwastomakethepeasantsmorefirmintheirdeterminationtokilltheirsuperintendent。ThelatterhadalreadygivenordersthattheyshouldbereadytoploughduringtheEasterholidays，andtosowthefieldwithoats，whereupontheserfsbecamestrickenwithgrief，andgatheredinVasili’shousetoholdanotherindignationmeeting。\"IfhehasreallyforgottenGod，\"theysaid，\"andshallcontinuetocommitsuchcrimesagainstus，itistrulynecessarythatweshouldkillhim。
Ifnot，letusperish，foritcanmakenodifferencetousnow。\"
Thisdespairingprogramme，however，metwithconsiderableoppositionfromapeaceably-inclinedmannamedPeterMikhayeff。
\"Brethren，\"saidhe，\"youarecontemplatingagrievoussin。Thetakingofhumanlifeisaveryseriousmatter。Ofcourseitiseasytoendthemortalexistenceofaman，butwhatwillbecomeofthesoulsofthosewhocommitthedeed？IfMichaelcontinuestoacttowardusunjustlyGodwillsurelypunishhim。But，myfriends，wemusthavepatience。\"
ThispacificutteranceonlyservedtointensifytheangerofVasili。Saidhe：\"Peterisforeverrepeatingthesameoldstory，’Itisasintokillanyone。’Certainlyitissinfultomurder；
butweshouldconsiderthekindofmanwearedealingwith。Weallknowitiswrongtokillagoodman，butevenGodwouldtakeawaythelifeofsuchadogasheis。Itisourduty，ifwehaveanyloveformankind，toshootadogthatismad。Itisasintolethimlive。If，therefore，wearetosufferatall，letitbeintheinterestsofthepeople——andtheywillthankusforit。
Ifweremainquietanylongerafloggingwillbeouronlyreward。
Youaretalkingnonsense，Mikhayeff。Whydon’tyouthinkofthesinweshallbecommittingifweworkduringtheEasterholidays——foryouwillrefusetoworkthenyourself？\"
\"Well，then，\"repliedPeter，\"iftheyshallsendmetoplough，I
willgo。ButIshallnotbegoingofmyownfreewill，andGodwillknowwhosesinitis，andshallpunishtheoffenderaccordingly。Yetwemustnotforgethim。Brethren，Iamnotgivingyoumyownviewsonly。ThelawofGodisnottoreturnevilforevil；indeed，ifyoutryinthiswaytostampoutwickednessitwillcomeuponyouallthestronger。Itisnotdifficultforyoutokilltheman，buthisbloodwillsurelystainyourownsoul。Youmaythinkyouhavekilledabadman——thatyouhavegottenridofevil——butyouwillsoonfindoutthattheseedsofstillgreaterwickednesshavebeenplantedwithinyou。Ifyouyieldtomisfortuneitwillsurelycometoyou。\"
AsPeterwasnotwithoutsympathizersamongthepeasants，thepoorserfswereconsequentlydividedintotwogroups：thefollowersofVasiliandthosewhoheldtheviewsofMikhayeff。
OnEasterSundaynoworkwasdone。Towardtheeveninganeldercametothepeasantsfromthenobleman’scourtandsaid：\"Oursuperintendent，MichaelSimeonovitch，ordersyoutogoto-morrowtoploughthefieldfortheoats。\"Thustheofficialwentthroughthevillageanddirectedthementoprepareforworkthenextday——somebytheriverandothersbytheroadway。Thepoorpeoplewerealmostovercomewithgrief，manyofthemsheddingtears，butnonedaredtodisobeytheordersoftheirmaster。
OnthemorningofEasterMonday，whilethechurchbellswerecallingtheinhabitantstoreligiousservices，andwhileeveryoneelsewasabouttoenjoyaholiday，theunfortunateserfsstartedforthefieldtoplough。Michaelaroseratherlateandtookawalkaboutthefarm。Thedomesticservantswerethroughwiththeirworkandhaddressedthemselvesfortheday，whileMichael’swifeandtheirwidoweddaughter（whowasvisitingthem，aswashercustomonholidays）hadbeentochurchandreturned。
Asteamingsamovarawaitedthem，andtheybegantodrinkteawithMichael，who，afterlightinghispipe，calledtheeldertohim。
\"Well，\"saidthesuperintendent，\"haveyouorderedthemoujikstoploughto-day？\"
\"Yes，sir，Idid，\"wasthereply。
\"Havetheyallgonetothefield？\"
\"Yes，sir；allofthem。Idirectedthemmyselfwheretobegin。\"
\"Thatisallverywell。Yougavetheorders，butaretheyploughing？Goatonceandsee，andyoumaytellthemthatI
shallbethereafterdinner。Ishallexpecttofindoneandahalfacresdoneforeverytwoploughs，andtheworkmustbewelldone；otherwisetheyshallbeseverelypunished，notwithstandingtheholiday。\"
\"Ihear，sir，andobey。\"
Theelderstartedtogo，butMichaelcalledhimback。Afterhesitatingforsometime，asifhefeltveryuneasy，hesaid：
\"Bytheway，listentowhatthosescoundrelssayaboutme。
Doubtlesssomeofthemwillcurseme，andIwantyoutoreporttheexactwords。Iknowwhatvillainstheyare。Theydon’tfindworkatallpleasant。Theywouldratherliedownalldayanddonothing。Theywouldliketoeatanddrinkandmakemerryonholidays，buttheyforgetthatiftheploughingisnotdoneitwillsoonbetoolate。Soyougoandlistentowhatissaid，andtellittomeindetail。Goatonce。\"
\"Ihear，sir，andobey。\"
Turninghisbackandmountinghishorse，theelderwassoonatthefieldwheretheserfswerehardatwork。
IthappenedthatMichael’swife，averygood-heartedwoman，overheardtheconversationwhichherhusbandhadjustbeenholdingwiththeelder。Approachinghim，shesaid：
\"Mygoodfriend，Mishinka[diminutiveofMichael]，Ibegofyoutoconsidertheimportanceandsolemnityofthisholy-day。Donotsin，forChrist’ssake。Letthepoormoujiksgohome。\"
Michaellaughed，butmadenoreplytohiswife’shumanerequest。
Finallyhesaidtoher：
\"You’venotbeenwhippedforaverylongtime，andnowyouhavebecomeboldenoughtointerfereinaffairsthatarenotyourown。\"
\"Mishinka，\"shepersisted，\"Ihavehadafrightfuldreamconcerningyou。Youhadbetterletthemoujiksgo。\"
\"Yes，\"saidhe；\"Iperceivethatyouhavegainedsomuchfleshoflatethatyouthinkyouwouldnotfeelthewhip。Lookout！\"
Rudelythrustinghishotpipeagainsthercheek，Michaelchasedhiswifefromtheroom，afterwhichheorderedhisdinner。Aftereatingaheartymealconsistingofcabbage-soup，roastpig，meat-cake，pastrywithmilk，jelly，sweetcakes，andvodki，hecalledhiswomancooktohimandorderedhertobeseatedandsingsongs，Simeonovitchaccompanyingherontheguitar。
Whilethesuperintendentwasthusenjoyinghimselftothefullestsatisfactioninthemusicalsocietyofhiscooktheelderreturned，and，makingalowbowtohissuperior，proceededtogivethedesiredinformationconcerningtheserfs。
\"Well，\"askedMichael，\"didtheyplough？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedtheelder；\"theyhaveaccomplishedabouthalfthefield。\"
\"Istherenofaulttobefound？\"
\"NotthatIcoulddiscover。Theworkseemstobewelldone。
Theyareevidentlyafraidofyou。\"
\"Howisthesoil？\"
\"Verygood。Itappearstobequitesoft。\"
\"Well，\"saidSimeonovitch，afterapause，\"whatdidtheysayaboutme？Cursedme，Isuppose？\"
Astheelderhesitatedsomewhat，Michaelcommandedhimtospeakandtellhimthewholetruth。\"Tellmeall，\"saidhe；\"Iwanttoknowtheirexactwords。IfyoutellmethetruthIshallrewardyou；butifyouconcealanythingfrommeyouwillbepunished。
Seehere，Catherine，pouroutaglassofvodkitogivehimcourage！\"
Afterdrinkingtothehealthofhissuperior，theeldersaidtohimself：\"Itisnotmyfaultiftheydonotpraisehim。Ishalltellhimthetruth。\"Thenturningsuddenlytothesuperintendenthesaid：
\"Theycomplain，MichaelSimeonovitch！Theycomplainbitterly。\"
\"Butwhatdidtheysay？\"demandedMichael。\"Tellme！\"
\"Well，onethingtheysaidwas，’HedoesnotbelieveinGod。’\"
Michaellaughed。\"Whosaidthat？\"heasked。
\"Itseemedtobetheirunanimousopinion。’HehasbeenovercomebytheEvilOne，’theysaid。\"
\"Verygood，\"laughedthesuperintendent；\"buttellmewhateachofthemsaid。WhatdidVasilisay？\"
Theelderdidnotwishtobetrayhispeople，buthehadacertaingrudgeagainstVasili，andhesaid：
\"Hecursedyoumorethandidanyoftheothers。\"
\"Butwhatdidhesay？\"
\"Itisawfultorepeatit，sir。Vasilisaid，’Heshalldielikeadog，havingnochancetorepent！’\"
\"Oh，thevillain！\"exclaimedMichael。\"Hewouldkillmeifhewerenotafraid。Allright，Vasili；weshallhaveanaccountingwithyou。AndTishka——hecalledmeadog，Isuppose？\"
\"Well，\"saidtheelder，\"theyallspokeofyouinanythingbutcomplimentaryterms；butitismeaninmetorepeatwhattheysaid。\"
\"Meanornotyoumusttellme，Isay！\"
\"Someofthemdeclaredthatyourbackshouldbebroken。\"
Simeonovitchappearedtoenjoythisimmensely，forhelaughedoutright。\"Weshallseewhosebackwillbethefirsttobebroken，\"saidhe。\"WasthatTishka’sopinion？WhileIdidnotsupposetheywouldsayanythinggoodaboutme，Ididnotexpectsuchcursesandthreats。AndPeterMikhayeff——wasthatfoolcursingmetoo？\"
\"No；hedidnotcurseyouatall。Heappearedtobetheonlysilentoneamongthem。Mikhayeffisaverywisemoujik，andhesurprisesmeverymuch。Athisactionsalltheotherpeasantsseemedamazed。\"
\"Whatdidhedo？\"
\"Hedidsomethingremarkable。Hewasdiligentlyploughing，andasIapproachedhimIheardsomeonesingingverysweetly。
Lookingbetweentheploughshares，Iobservedabrightobjectshining。\"
\"Well，whatwasit？Hurryup！\"
\"Itwasasmall，five-kopeckwaxcandle，burningbrightly，andthewindwasunabletoblowitout。Peter，wearinganewshirt，sangbeautifulhymnsasheploughed，andnomatterhowhehandledtheimplementthecandlecontinuedtoburn。Inmypresencehefixedtheplough，shakingitviolently，butthebrightlittleobjectbetweenthecoltersremainedundisturbed。\"
\"AndwhatdidMikhayeffsay？\"
\"Hesaidnothing——exceptwhen，onseeingme，hegavemetheholy-daysalutation，afterwhichhewentonhiswaysingingandploughingasbefore。Ididnotsayanythingtohim，but，onapproachingtheothermoujiks，Ifoundthattheywerelaughingandmakingsportoftheirsilentcompanion。’ItisagreatsintoploughonEasterMonday，’theysaid。’Youcouldnotgetabsolutionfromyoursinifyouweretoprayallyourlife。’\"
\"AnddidMikhayeffmakenoreply？\"
\"Hestoodlongenoughtosay：’Thereshouldbepeaceonearthandgood-willtomen，’afterwhichheresumedhisploughingandsinging，thecandleburningevenmorebrightlythanbefore。\"
Simeonovitchhadnowceasedtoridicule，and，puttingasidehisguitar，hisheaddroppedonhisbreastandhebecamelostinthought。Presentlyheorderedtheelderandcooktodepart，afterwhichMichaelwentbehindascreenandthrewhimselfuponthebed。Hewassighingandmoaning，asifingreatdistress，whenhiswifecameinandspokekindlytohim。Herefusedtolistentoher，exclaiming：
\"Hehasconqueredme，andmyendisnear！\"
\"Mishinka，\"saidthewoman，\"ariseandgotothemoujiksinthefield。Letthemgohome，andeverythingwillbeallright。
Heretoforeyouhaverunfargreaterriskswithoutanyfear，butnowyouappeartobeverymuchalarmed。\"
\"Hehasconqueredme！\"herepeated。\"Iamlost！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"demandedhiswife，angrily。\"IfyouwillgoanddoasItellyoutherewillbenodanger。Come，Mishinka，\"
sheadded，tenderly；\"Ishallhavethesaddle-horsebroughtforyouatonce。\"
Whenthehorsearrivedthewomanpersuadedherhusbandtomounttheanimal，andtofulfilherrequestconcerningtheserfs。Whenhereachedthevillageawomanopenedthegateforhimtoenter，andashedidsotheinhabitants，seeingthebrutalsuperintendentwhomeverybodyfeared，rantohidethemselvesintheirhouses，gardens，andothersecludedplaces。
AtlengthMichaelreachedtheothergate，whichhefoundclosedalso，and，beingunabletoopenithimselfwhileseatedonhishorse，hecalledloudlyforassistance。Asnoonerespondedtohisshoutshedismountedandopenedthegate，butashewasabouttoremount，andhadonefootinthestirrup，thehorsebecamefrightenedatsomepigsandsprangsuddenlytooneside。Thesuperintendentfellacrossthefenceandaverysharppicketpiercedhisstomach，whenMichaelfellunconscioustotheground。
Towardtheevening，whentheserfsarrivedatthevillagegate，theirhorsesrefusedtoenter。Onlookingaround，thepeasantsdiscoveredthedeadbodyoftheirsuperintendentlyingfacedownwardinapoolofblood，wherehehadfallenfromthefence。
PeterMikhayeffalonehadsufficientcouragetodismountandapproachtheprostrateform，hiscompanionsridingaroundthevillageandenteringbywayofthebackyards。Peterclosedthedeadman’seyes，afterwhichheputthebodyinawagonandtookithome。
Whenthenoblemanlearnedofthefatalaccidentwhichhadbefallenhissuperintendent，andofthebrutaltreatmentwhichhehadmetedouttothoseunderhim，hefreedtheserfs，exactingasmallrentfortheuseofhislandandtheotheragriculturalopportunities。
AndthusthepeasantsclearlyunderstoodthatthepowerofGodismanifestednotinevil，butingoodness。