Vassilyevwentintothedrawing-roomandsatdown。Therewereanumberofvisitorsintheroombesideshimandhisfriends：twoinfantryofficers，abald，gray-hairedgentlemaninspectacles，twobeardlessyouthsfromtheinstituteofland-surveying，andaverytipsymanwholookedlikeanactor。AlltheyoungladiesweretakenupwiththesevisitorsandpaidnoattentiontoVassilyev。
Onlyoneofthem，dressed_alaAida，_glancedsidewaysathim，smiled，andsaid，yawning：\"Adarkonehascome……\"
Vassilyev’sheartwasthrobbingandhisfaceburned。Hefeltashamedbeforethesevisitorsofhispresencehere，andhefeltdisgustedandmiserable。Hewastormentedbythethoughtthathe，adecentandlovingman（suchashehadhithertoconsideredhimself），hatedthesewomenandfeltnothingbutrepulsiontowardsthem。Hefeltpityneitherforthewomennorthemusiciansnortheflunkeys。
\"ItisbecauseIamnottryingtounderstandthem，\"hethought。
\"Theyareallmorelikeanimalsthanhumanbeings，butofcoursetheyarehumanbeingsallthesame，theyhavesouls。Onemustunderstandthemandthenjudge……\"
\"Grisha，don’tgo，waitforus，\"theartistshoutedtohimanddisappeared。
Themedicalstudentdisappearedsoonafter。
\"Yes，onemustmakeanefforttounderstand，onemustn’tbelikethis……\"Vassilyevwentonthinking。
Andhebegangazingateachofthewomenwithstrainedattention，lookingforaguiltysmile。Buteitherhedidnotknowhowtoreadtheirfaces，ornotoneofthesewomenfeltherselftobeguilty；hereadoneveryfacenothingbutablankexpressionofeverydayvulgarboredomandcomplacency。Stupidfaces，stupidsmiles，harsh，stupidvoices，insolentmovements，andnothingelse。Apparentlyeachofthemhadinthepastaromancewithanaccountantbasedonunderclothesforfiftyroubles，andlookedfornoothercharminthepresentbutcoffee，adinnerofthreecourses，wines，quadrilles，sleepingtilltwointheafternoon……
Findingnoguiltysmile，Vassilyevbegantolookwhethertherewasnotoneintelligentface。Andhisattentionwascaughtbyonepale，rathersleepy，exhausted-lookingface……Itwasadarkwoman，notveryyoung，wearingadresscoveredwithspangles；
shewassittinginaneasy-chair，lookingatthefloorlostinthought。Vassilyevwalkedfromonecorneroftheroomtotheother，and，asthoughcasually，satdownbesideher。
\"Imustbeginwithsomethingtrivial，\"hethought，\"andpasstowhatisserious……\"
\"Whataprettydressyouhave，\"andwithhisfingerhetouchedthegoldfringeofherfichu。
\"Oh，isit？……\"saidthedarkwomanlistlessly。
\"Whatprovincedoyoucomefrom？\"
\"I？Fromadistance……FromTchernigov。\"
\"Afineprovince。It’snicethere。\"
\"Anyplaceseemsnicewhenoneisnotinit。\"
\"It’sapityIcannotdescribenature，\"thoughtVassilyev。\"I
mighttouchherbyadescriptionofnatureinTchernigov。Nodoubtshelovestheplaceifshehasbeenbornthere。\"
\"Areyoudullhere？\"heasked。
\"OfcourseIamdull。\"
\"Whydon’tyougoawayfromhereifyouaredull？\"
\"WhereshouldIgoto？Gobeggingorwhat？\"
\"Beggingwouldbeeasierthanlivinghere。\"
Howdoyouknowthat？Haveyoubegged？\"
\"Yes，whenIhadn’tthemoneytostudy。EvenifIhadn’tanyonecouldunderstandthat。Abeggarisanywayafreeman，andyouareaslave。\"
Thedarkwomanstretched，andwatchedwithsleepyeyesthefootmanwhowasbringingatrayfulofglassesandseltzerwater。
\"Standmeaglassofporter，\"shesaid，andyawnedagain。
\"Porter，\"thoughtVassilyev。\"Andwhatifyourbrotherormotherwalkedinatthismoment？Whatwouldyousay？Andwhatwouldtheysay？Therewouldbeporterthen，Iimagine……\"
Allatoncetherewasthesoundofweeping。Fromtheadjoiningroom，fromwhichthefootmanhadbroughttheseltzerwater，afairmanwitharedfaceandangryeyesraninquickly。Hewasfollowedbythetall，stout\"madam，\"whowasshoutinginashrillvoice：
\"Nobodyhasgivenyouleavetoslapgirlsonthecheeks！Wehavevisitorsbetterthanyou，andtheydon’tfight！Impostor！\"
Ahubbubarose。Vassilyevwasfrightenedandturnedpale。Inthenextroomtherewasthesoundofbitter，genuineweeping，asthoughofsomeoneinsulted。Andherealizedthattherewererealpeoplelivingherewho，likepeopleeverywhereelse，feltinsulted，suffered，wept，andcriedforhelp。Thefeelingofoppressivehateanddisgustgavewaytoanacutefeelingofpityandangeragainsttheaggressor。Herushedintotheroomwheretherewasweeping。Acrossrowsofbottlesonamarble-toptablehedistinguishedasufferingface，wetwithtears，stretchedouthishandstowardsthatface，tookasteptowardsthetable，butatoncedrewbackinhorror。Theweepinggirlwasdrunk。
Ashemadehiswaythoughthenoisycrowdgatheredaboutthefairman，hisheartsankandhefeltfrightenedlikeachild；anditseemedtohimthatinthisalien，incomprehensibleworldpeoplewantedtopursuehim，tobeathim，topelthimwithfilthywords……Hetoredownhiscoatfromthehatstandandranheadlongdownstairs。
V
Leaningagainstthefence，hestoodnearthehousewaitingforhisfriendstocomeout。Thesoundsofthepianosandviolins，gay，reckless，insolent，andmournful，mingledintheairinasortofchaos，andthistangleofsoundsseemedagainlikeanunseenorchestratuningupontheroofs。Ifonelookedupwardsintothedarkness，theblackbackgroundwasallspangledwithwhite，movingspots：itwassnowfalling。Asthesnowflakescameintothelighttheyfloatedroundlazilyintheairlikedown，andstillmorelazilyfelltotheground。ThesnowflakeswhirledthicklyroundVassilyevandhunguponhisbeard，hiseyelashes，hiseyebrows……Thecabmen，thehorses，andthepassers-bywerewhite。
\"Andhowcanthesnowfallinthisstreet！\"thoughtVassilyev。
\"Damnationtakethesehouses！\"
Hislegsseemedtobegivingwayfromfatigue，simplyfromhavingrundownthestairs；hegaspedforbreathasthoughhehadbeenclimbinguphill，hisheartbeatsoloudlythathecouldhearit。
Hewasconsumedbyadesiretogetoutofthestreetasquicklyaspossibleandtogohome，butevenstrongerwashisdesiretowaitforhiscompanionsandventuponthemhisoppressivefeeling。
Therewasmuchhedidnotunderstandinthesehouses，thesoulsofruinedwomenwereamysterytohimasbefore；butitwascleartohimthatthethingwasfarworsethancouldhavebeenbelieved。Ifthatsinfulwomanwhohadpoisonedherselfwascalledfallen，itwasdifficulttofindafittingnameforallthesewhoweredancingnowtothistangleofsoundandutteringlong，loathsomesentences。Theywerenotontheroadtoruin，butruined。
\"Thereisvice，\"hethought，\"butneitherconsciousnessofsinnorhopeofsalvation。Theyaresoldandbought，steepedinwineandabominations，whilethey，likesheep，arestupid，indifferent，anddon’tunderstand。MyGod！MyGod！\"
Itwascleartohim，too，thateverythingthatiscalledhumandignity，personalrights，theDivineimageandsemblance，weredefiledtotheirveryfoundations——\"totheverymarrow，\"asdrunkardssay——andthatnotonlythestreetandthestupidwomenwereresponsibleforit。
Agroupofstudents，whitewithsnow，passedhimlaughingandtalkinggaily；one，atallthinfellow，stopped，glancedintoVassilyev’sface，andsaidinadrunkenvoice：
\"Oneofus！Abiton，oldman？Aha-ha！Nevermind，haveagoodtime！Don’tbedown-hearted，oldchap！\"
HetookVassilyevbytheshoulderandpressedhiscoldwetmustacheagainsthischeek，thenheslipped，staggered，and，wavingbothhands，cried：
\"Holdon！Don’tupset！\"
Andlaughing，herantoovertakehiscompanions。
Throughthenoisecamethesoundoftheartist’svoice：
\"Don’tyoudaretohitthewomen！Iwon’tletyou，damnationtakeyou！Youscoundrels！\"
Themedicalstudentappearedinthedoorway。Helookedfromsidetoside，andseeingVassilyev，saidinanagitatedvoice：
\"Youhere！Itellyouit’sreallyimpossibletogoanywherewithYegor！Whatafellowheis！Idon’tunderstandhim！Hehasgotupascene！Doyouhear？Yegor！\"heshoutedatthedoor。Yegor！\"
\"Iwon’tallowyoutohitwomen！\"theartist’spiercingvoicesoundedfromabove。Somethingheavyandlumberingrolleddownthestairs。Itwastheartistfallingheadlong。Evidentlyhehadbeenpusheddownstairs。
Hepickedhimselfupfromtheground，shookhishat，and，withanangryandindignantface，brandishedhisfisttowardsthetopofthestairsandshouted：
\"Scoundrels！Torturers！Bloodsuckers！Iwon’tallowyoutohitthem！Tohitaweak，drunkenwoman！Oh，youbrutes！……\"
\"Yegor！……Come，Yegor！……\"themedicalstudentbeganimploringhim。\"IgiveyoumywordofhonorI’llnevercomewithyouagain。OnmywordofhonorIwon’t！\"
Littlebylittletheartistwaspacifiedandthefriendswenthomewards。
\"Againstmywillanunknownforce，\"hummedthemedicalstudent，\"hasledmetothesemournfulshores。\"
\"Beholdthemill，\"theartistchimedinalittlelater，\"inruinsnow。Whatalotofsnow，HolyMother！Grisha，whydidyougo？Youareafunk，aregularoldwoman。\"
Vassilyevwalkedbehindhiscompanions，lookedattheirbacks，andthought：
\"Oneoftwothings：eitherweonlyfancyprostitutionisanevil，andweexaggerateit；or，ifprostitutionreallyisasgreatanevilasisgenerallyassumed，thesedearfriendsofmineareasmuchslaveowners，violators，andmurderers，astheinhabitantsofSyriaandCairo，thataredescribedinthe’Neva。’Nowtheyaresinging，laughing，talkingsense，buthaven’ttheyjustbeenexploitinghunger，ignorance，andstupidity？Theyhave——Ihavebeenawitnessofit。Whatistheuseoftheirhumanity，theirmedicine，theirpainting？Thescience，art，andloftysentimentsofthesesoul-destroyersremindmeofthepieceofbaconinthestory。Twobrigandsmurderedabeggarinaforest；theybegansharinghisclothesbetweenthem，andfoundinhiswalletapieceofbacon。’Wellfound，’saidoneofthem，’letushaveabit。’
’Whatdoyoumean？Howcanyou？’criedtheotherinhorror。’Haveyouforgottenthatto-dayisWednesday？’Andtheywouldnoteatit。Aftermurderingaman，theycameoutoftheforestinthefirmconvictionthattheywerekeepingthefast。Inthesamewaythesemen，afterbuyingwomen，gotheirwayimaginingthattheyareartistsandmenofscience……\"
\"Listen！\"hesaidsharplyandangrily。\"Whydoyoucomehere？Isitpossible——isitpossibleyoudon’tunderstandhowhorribleitis？Yourmedicalbookstellyouthateveryoneofthesewomendiesprematurelyofconsumptionorsomething；arttellsyouthatmorallytheyaredeadevenearlier。Everyoneofthemdiesbecauseshehasinhertimetoentertainfivehundredmenonanaverage，letussay。Eachoneofthemiskilledbyfivehundredmen。Youareamongthosefivehundred！Ifeachofyouinthecourseofyourlivesvisitsthisplaceorotherslikeittwohundredandfiftytimes，itfollowsthatonewomaniskilledforeverytwoofyou！Can’tyouunderstandthat？Isn’tithorribletomurder，twoofyou，threeofyou，fiveofyou，afoolish，hungrywoman！Ah！isn’titawful，myGod！\"
\"Iknewitwouldendlikethat，\"theartistsaidfrowning。\"Weoughtnottohavegonewiththisfoolandass！Youimagineyouhavegrandnotionsinyourheadnow，ideas，don’tyou？No，it’sthedevilknowswhat，butnotideas。Youarelookingatmenowwithhatredandrepulsion，butItellyouit’sbetteryoushouldsetuptwentymorehouseslikethosethanlooklikethat。
There’smoreviceinyourexpressionthaninthewholestreet！
Comealong，Volodya，lethimgotothedevil！He’safoolandanass，andthat’sall……\"
\"Wehumanbeingsdomurdereachother，\"saidthemedicalstudent。
\"It’simmoral，ofcourse，butphilosophizingdoesn’thelpit。
Good-by！\"
AtTrubnoySquarethefriendssaidgood-byandparted。Whenhewasleftalone，Vassilyevstroderapidlyalongtheboulevard。Hefeltfrightenedofthedarkness，ofthesnowwhichwasfallinginheavyflakesontheground，andseemedasthoughitwouldcoverupthewholeworld；hefeltfrightenedofthestreetlampsshiningwithpalelightthroughthecloudsofsnow。Hissoulwaspossessedbyanunaccountable，faint-heartedterror。Passers-bycametowardshimfromtimetotime，buthetimidlymovedtooneside；itseemedtohimthatwomen，nonebutwomen，werecomingfromallsidesandstaringathim……
\"It’sbeginning，\"hethought，\"Iamgoingtohaveabreakdown。\"
VI
Athomehelayonhisbedandsaid，shudderingallover：\"Theyarealive！Alive！MyGod，thosewomenarealive！\"
Heencouragedhisimaginationinallsortsofwaystopicturehimselfthebrotherofafallenwoman，orherfather；thenafallenwomanherself，withherpaintedcheeks；anditallmovedhimtohorror。
Itseemedtohimthathemustsettlethequestionatonceatallcosts，andthatthisquestionwasnotonethatdidnotconcernhim，butwashisownpersonalproblem。Hemadeanimmenseeffort，repressedhisdespair，and，sittingonthebed，holdinghisheadinhishands，beganthinkinghowonecouldsaveallthewomenhehadseenthatday。Themethodforattackingproblemsofallkindswas，ashewasaneducatedman，wellknowntohim。And，howeverexcitedhewas，hestrictlyadheredtothatmethod。Herecalledthehistoryoftheproblemanditsliterature，andforaquarterofanhourhepacedfromoneendoftheroomtotheothertryingtorememberallthemethodspracticedatthepresenttimeforsavingwomen。HehadverymanygoodfriendsandacquaintanceswholivedinlodgingsinPetersburg……Amongthemwereagoodmanyhonestandself-sacrificingmen。Someofthemhadattemptedtosavewomen……
\"Allthesenotverynumerousattempts，\"thoughtVassilyev，\"canbedividedintothreegroups。Some，afterbuyingthewomanoutofthebrothel，tookaroomforher，boughtherasewing-machine，andshebecameasemptress。Andwhetherhewantedtoornot，afterhavingboughtherouthemadeherhismistress；thenwhenhehadtakenhisdegree，hewentawayandhandedherintothekeepingofsomeotherdecentmanasthoughshewereathing。
Andthefallenwomanremainedafallenwoman。Others，afterbuyingherout，tookalodgingapartforher，boughttheinevitablesewing-machine，andtriedteachinghertoread，preachingatherandgivingherbooks。Thewomanlivedandsewedaslongasitwasinterestingandanoveltytoher，thengettingbored，beganreceivingmenonthesly，orranawayandwentbackwhereshecouldsleeptillthreeo’clock，drinkcoffee，andhavegooddinners。Thethirdclass，themostardentandself-sacrificing，hadtakenabold，resolutestep。Theyhadmarriedthem。Andwhentheinsolentandspoilt，orstupidandcrushedanimalbecameawife，theheadofahousehold，andafterwardsamother，itturnedherwholeexistenceandattitudetolifeupsidedown，sothatitwashardtorecognizethefallenwomanafterwardsinthewifeandthemother。Yes，marriagewasthebestandperhapstheonlymeans。\"
\"Butitisimpossible！\"Vassilyevsaidaloud，andhesankuponhisbed。\"I，tobeginwith，couldnotmarryone！Todothatonemustbeasaintandbeunabletofeelhatredorrepulsion。ButsupposingthatI，themedicalstudent，andtheartistmasteredourselvesanddidmarrythem——supposetheywereallmarried。
Whatwouldbetheresult？TheresultwouldbethatwhilehereinMoscowtheywerebeingmarried，someSmolenskaccountantwouldbedebauchinganotherlot，andthatlotwouldbestreamingheretofillthevacantplaces，togetherwithothersfromSaratov，Nizhni-Novgorod，Warsaw……AndwhatisonetodowiththehundredthousandinLondon？What’sonetodowiththoseinHamburg？\"
Thelampinwhichtheoilhadburntdownbegantosmoke。
Vassilyevdidnotnoticeit。Hebeganpacingtoandfroagain，stillthinking。Nowheputthequestiondifferently：whatmustbedonethatfallenwomenshouldnotbeneeded？Forthat，itwasessentialthatthemenwhobuythemanddothemtodeathshouldfeelalltheimmoralityoftheirshareinenslavingthemandshouldbehorrified。Onemustsavethemen。
\"Onewon’tdoanythingbyartandscience，thatisclear……\"
thoughtVassilyev。\"Theonlywayoutofitismissionarywork。\"
Andhebegantodreamhowhewouldthenexteveningstandatthecornerofthestreetandsaytoeverypasser-by：\"Whereareyougoingandwhatfor？HavesomefearofGod！\"
Hewouldturntotheapatheticcabmenandsaytothem：\"Whyareyoustayinghere？Whyaren’tyourevolted？Whyaren’tyouindignant？IsupposeyoubelieveinGodandknowthatitisasin，thatpeoplegotohellforit？Whydon’tyouspeak？Itistruethattheyarestrangerstoyou，butyouknoweventheyhavefathers，brotherslikeyourselves……\"
OneofVassilyev’sfriendshadoncesaidofhimthathewasatalentedman。Thereareallsortsoftalents——talentforwriting，talentforthestage，talentforart；buthehadapeculiartalent——atalentfor_humanity_。Hepossessedanextraordinarilyfinedelicatescentforpainingeneral。Asagoodactorreflectsinhimselfthemovementsandvoiceofothers，soVassilyevcouldreflectinhissoulthesufferingsofothers。
Whenhesawtears，hewept；besideasickman，hefeltsickhimselfandmoaned；ifhesawanactofviolence，hefeltasthoughhehimselfwerethevictimofit，hewasfrightenedasachild，andinhisfrightrantohelp。Thepainofothersworkedonhisnerves，excitedhim，rousedhimtoastateoffrenzy，andsoon。
WhetherthisfriendwererightIdon’tknow，butwhatVassilyevexperiencedwhenhethoughtthisquestionwassettledwassomethinglikeinspiration。Hecriedandlaughed，spokealoudthewordsthatheshouldsaynextday，feltaferventloveforthosewhowouldlistentohimandwouldstandbesidehimatthecornerofthestreettopreach；hesatdowntowriteletters，madevowstohimself……
Allthiswaslikeinspirationalsofromthefactthatitdidnotlastlong。Vassilyevwassoontired。ThecasesinLondon，inHamburg，inWarsaw，weigheduponhimbytheirmassasamountainweighsupontheearth；hefeltdispirited，bewildered，inthefaceofthismass；herememberedthathehadnotagiftforwords，thathewascowardlyandtimid，thatindifferentpeoplewouldnotbewillingtolistenandunderstandhim，alawstudentinhisthirdyear，atimidandinsignificantperson；thatgenuinemissionaryworkincludednotonlyteachingbutdeeds……
Whenitwasdaylightandcarriageswerealreadybeginningtorumbleinthestreet，Vassilyevwaslyingmotionlessonthesofa，staringintospace。Hewasnolongerthinkingofthewomen，norofthemen，norofmissionarywork。Hiswholeattentionwasturneduponthespiritualagonywhichwastorturinghim。Itwasadull，vague，undefinedanguishakintomisery，toanextremeformofterrorandtodespair。Hecouldpointtotheplacewherethepainwas，inhisbreastunderhisheart；buthecouldnotcompareitwithanything。Inthepasthehadhadacutetoothache，hehadhadpleurisyandneuralgia，butallthatwasinsignificantcomparedwiththisspiritualanguish。Inthepresenceofthatpainlifeseemedloathsome。Thedissertation，theexcellentworkhehadwrittenalready，thepeopleheloved，thesalvationoffallenwomen——everythingthatonlythedaybeforehehadcaredaboutorbeenindifferentto，nowwhenhethoughtofthemirritatedhiminthesamewayasthenoiseofthecarriages，thescurryingfootstepsofthewaitersinthepassage，thedaylight……Ifatthatmomentsomeonehadperformedagreatdeedofmercyorhadcommittedarevoltingoutrage，hewouldhavefeltthesamerepulsionforbothactions。
Ofallthethoughtsthatstrayedthroughhismindonlytwodidnotirritatehim：onewasthatateverymomenthehadthepowertokillhimself，theotherthatthisagonywouldnotlastmorethanthreedays。Thislastheknewbyexperience。
Afterlyingforawhilehegotupand，wringinghishands，walkedabouttheroom，notasusualfromcornertocorner，butroundtheroombesidethewalls。Ashepassedheglancedathimselfinthelooking-glass。Hisfacelookedpaleandsunken，histempleslookedhollow，hiseyeswerebigger，darker，morestaring，asthoughtheybelongedtosomeoneelse，andtheyhadanexpressionofinsufferablementalagony。
Atmiddaytheartistknockedatthedoor。
\"Grigory，areyouathome？\"heasked。
Gettingnoanswer，hestoodforaminute，pondered，andansweredhimselfinLittleRussian：\"Nay。TheconfoundedfellowhasgonetotheUniversity。\"
Andhewentaway。Vassilyevlaydownonthebedand，thrustinghisheadunderthepillow，begancryingwithagony，andthemorefreelyhistearsflowedthemoreterriblehismentalanguishbecame。Asitbegantogetdark，hethoughtoftheagonizingnightawaitinghim，andwasovercomebyahorribledespair。Hedressedquickly，ranoutofhisroom，and，leavinghisdoorwideopen，fornoobjectorreason，wentoutintothestreet。Withoutaskinghimselfwhereheshouldgo，hewalkedquicklyalongSadovoyStreet。
Snowwasfallingasheavilyasthedaybefore；itwasthawing。
Thrustinghishandsintohissleeves，shudderingandfrightenedatthenoises，atthetrambells，andatthepassers-by，VassilyevwalkedalongSadovoyStreetasfarasSuharevTower；thentotheRedGate；fromthereheturnedofftoBasmannyaStreet。Hewentintoatavernanddrankoffabigglassofvodka，butthatdidnotmakehimfeelbetter。WhenhereachedRazgulyaheturnedtotheright，andstrodealongsidestreetsinwhichhehadneverbeenbeforeinhislife。HereachedtheoldbridgebywhichtheYauzarunsgurgling，andfromwhichonecanseelongrowsoflightsinthewindowsoftheRedBarracks。Todistracthisspiritualanguishbysomenewsensationorsomeotherpain，Vassilyev，notknowingwhattodo，cryingandshuddering，undidhisgreatcoatandjacketandexposedhisbarechesttothewetsnowandthewind。Butthatdidnotlessenhissufferingeither。
Thenhebentdownovertherailofthebridgeandlookeddownintotheblack，yeastyYauza，andhelongedtoplungedownheadforemost；notfromloathingforlife，notforthesakeofsuicide，butinordertobruisehimselfatleast，andbyonepaintoeasetheother。Buttheblackwater，thedarkness，thedesertedbankscoveredwithsnowwereterrifying。Heshiveredandwalkedon。HewalkedupanddownbytheRedBarracks，thenturnedbackandwentdowntoacopse，fromthecopsebacktothebridgeagain\"No，home，home！\"hethought。\"AthomeIbelieveit’sbetter……\"
Andhewentback。Whenhereachedhomehepulledoffhiswetcoatandcap，beganpacingroundtheroom，andwentonpacingroundandroundwithoutstoppingtillmorning。
VII
Whennextmorningtheartistandthemedicalstudentwentintohim，hewasmovingabouttheroomwithhisshirttorn，bitinghishandsandmoaningwithpain。
\"ForGod’ssake！\"hesobbedwhenhesawhisfriends，\"takemewhereyouplease，dowhatyoucan；butforGod’ssake，savemequickly！Ishallkillmyself！\"
Theartistturnedpaleandwashelpless。Themedicalstudent，too，almostshedtears，butconsideringthatdoctorsoughttobecoolandcomposedineveryemergencysaidcoldly：
\"It’sanervousbreakdown。Butit’snothing。Letusgoatoncetothedoctor。\"
\"Whereveryoulike，onlyforGod’ssake，makehaste\"
\"Don’texciteyourself。Youmusttryandcontrolyourself。\"
TheartistandthemedicalstudentwithtremblinghandsputVassilyev’scoatandhatonandledhimoutintothestreet。
\"MihailSergeyitchhasbeenwantingtomakeyouracquaintanceforalongtime，\"themedicalstudentsaidontheway。\"Heisaverynicemanandthoroughlygoodathiswork。Hetookhisdegreein1882，andhehasanimmensepracticealready。Hetreatsstudentsasthoughhewereonehimself。\"
\"Makehaste，makehaste！……\"Vassilyevurged。
MihailSergeyitch，astout，fair-haireddoctor，receivedthefriendswithpolitenessandfrigiddignity，andsmiledonlyononesideofhisface。
\"RybnikovandMayerhavespokentomeofyourillnessalready，\"
hesaid。\"Verygladtobeofservicetoyou。Well？Sitdown，I
beg……\"
HemadeVassilyevsitdowninabigarmchairnearthetable，andmovedaboxofcigarettestowardshim。
\"Nowthen！\"hebegan，strokinghisknees。\"Letusgettowork……Howoldareyou？\"
Heaskedquestionsandthemedicalstudentansweredthem。HeaskedwhetherVassilyev’sfatherhadsufferedfromcertainspecialdiseases，whetherhedranktoexcess，whetherhewereremarkableforcrueltyoranypeculiarities。Hemadesimilarinquiriesabouthisgrandfather，mother，sisters，andbrothers。
Onlearningthathismotherhadabeautifulvoiceandsometimesactedonthestage，hegrewmoreanimatedatonce，andasked：
\"Excuseme，butdon’tyouremember，perhaps，yourmotherhadapassionforthestage？\"
Twentyminutespassed。Vassilyevwasannoyedbythewaythedoctorkeptstrokinghiskneesandtalkingofthesamething。
\"SofarasIunderstandyourquestions，doctor，\"hesaid，\"youwanttoknowwhethermyillnessishereditaryornot。Itisnot。\"
ThedoctorproceededtoaskVassilyevwhetherhehadhadanysecretvicesasaboy，orhadreceivedinjuriestohishead；
whetherhehadhadanyaberrations，anypeculiarities，orexceptionalpropensities。Halfthequestionsusuallyaskedbydoctorsoftheirpatientscanbeleftunansweredwithouttheslightestilleffectonthehealth，butMihailSergeyitch，themedicalstudent，andtheartistalllookedasthoughifVassilyevfailedtoansweronequestionallwouldbelost。Ashereceivedanswers，thedoctorforsomereasonnotedthemdownonaslipofpaper。OnlearningthatVassilyevhadtakenhisdegreeinnaturalscience，andwasnowstudyinglaw，thedoctorpondered。
\"Hewroteafirst-ratepieceoforiginalworklastyear，……\"
saidthemedicalstudent。
\"Ibegyourpardon，butdon’tinterruptme；youpreventmefromconcentrating，\"saidthedoctor，andhesmiledononesideofhisface。\"Though，ofcourse，thatdoesenterintothediagnosis。
Intenseintellectualwork，nervousexhaustion……Yes，yes……Anddoyoudrinkvodka？\"hesaid，addressingVassilyev。
\"Veryrarely。\"
Anothertwentyminutespassed。Themedicalstudentbegantellingthedoctorinalowvoicehisopinionastotheimmediatecauseoftheattack，anddescribedhowthedaybeforeyesterdaytheartist，Vassilyev，andhehadvisitedS。Street。
Theindifferent，reserved，andfrigidtoneinwhichhisfriendsandthedoctorspokeofthewomenandthatmiserablestreetstruckVassilyevasstrangeintheextreme……
\"Doctor，tellmeonethingonly，\"hesaid，controllinghimselfsoasnottospeakrudely。\"Isprostitutionanevilornot？\"
\"Mydearfellow，whodisputesit？\"saidthedoctor，withanexpressionthatsuggestedthathehadsettledallsuchquestionsforhimselflongago。\"Whodisputesit？\"
\"Youareamentaldoctor，aren’tyou？\"Vassilyevaskedcurtly。
\"Yes，amentaldoctor。\"
\"Perhapsallofyouareright！\"saidVassilyev，gettingupandbeginningtowalkfromoneendoftheroomtotheother。
\"Perhaps！Butitallseemsmarveloustome！ThatIshouldhavetakenmydegreeintwofacultiesyoulookuponasagreatachievement；becauseIhavewrittenaworkwhichinthreeyearswillbethrownasideandforgotten，Iampraiseduptotheskies；
butbecauseIcannotspeakoffallenwomenasunconcernedlyasofthesechairs，Iambeingexaminedbyadoctor，Iamcalledmad，Iampitied！\"
Vassilyevforsomereasonfeltallatonceunutterablysorryforhimself，andhiscompanions，andallthepeoplehehadseentwodaysbefore，andforthedoctor；heburstintotearsandsankintoachair。
Hisfriendslookedinquiringlyatthedoctor。Thelatter，withtheairofcompletelycomprehendingthetearsandthedespair，offeelinghimselfaspecialistinthatline，wentuptoVassilyevand，withoutaword，gavehimsomemedicinetodrink；andthen，whenhewascalmer，undressedhimandbegantoinvestigatethedegreeofsensibilityoftheskin，thereflexactionoftheknees，andsoon。
AndVassilyevfelteasier。Whenhecameoutfromthedoctor’shewasbeginningtofeelashamed；therattleofthecarriagesnolongerirritatedhim，andtheloadathisheartgrewlighterandlighterasthoughitweremeltingaway。Hehadtwoprescriptionsinhishand：onewasforbromide，onewasformorphia……Hehadtakenalltheseremediesbefore。
Inthestreethestoodstilland，sayinggood-bytohisfriends，draggedhimselflanguidlytotheUniversity。
MISERY
\"TowhomshallItellmygrief？\"
THEtwilightofevening。Bigflakesofwetsnowarewhirlinglazilyaboutthestreetlamps，whichhavejustbeenlighted，andlyinginathinsoftlayeronroofs，horses’backs，shoulders，caps。IonaPotapov，thesledge-driver，isallwhitelikeaghost。Hesitsontheboxwithoutstirring，bentasdoubleasthelivingbodycanbebent。Ifaregularsnowdriftfellonhimitseemsasthougheventhenhewouldnotthinkitnecessarytoshakeitoff……Hislittlemareiswhiteandmotionlesstoo。Herstillness，theangularityofherlines，andthestick-likestraightnessofherlegsmakeherlooklikeahalfpennygingerbreadhorse。Sheisprobablylostinthought。
Anyonewhohasbeentornawayfromtheplough，fromthefamiliargraylandscapes，andcastintothisslough，fullofmonstrouslights，ofunceasinguproarandhurryingpeople，isboundtothink。
ItisalongtimesinceIonaandhisnaghavebudged。Theycameoutoftheyardbeforedinnertimeandnotasinglefareyet。Butnowtheshadesofeveningarefallingonthetown。Thepalelightofthestreetlampschangestoavividcolor，andthebustleofthestreetgrowsnoisier。
\"SledgetoVyborgskaya！\"Ionahears。\"Sledge！\"
Ionastarts，andthroughhissnow-plasteredeyelashesseesanofficerinamilitaryovercoatwithahoodoverhishead。
\"ToVyborgskaya，\"repeatstheofficer。\"Areyouasleep？ToVyborgskaya！\"
IntokenofassentIonagivesatugatthereinswhichsendscakesofsnowflyingfromthehorse’sbackandshoulders。Theofficergetsintothesledge。Thesledge-driverclickstothehorse，craneshisnecklikeaswan，risesinhisseat，andmorefromhabitthannecessitybrandisheshiswhip。Themarecranesherneck，too，crooksherstick-likelegs，andhesitatinglysetsof……
\"Whereareyoushoving，youdevil？\"Ionaimmediatelyhearsshoutsfromthedarkmassshiftingtoandfrobeforehim。\"Wherethedevilareyougoing？Keeptother-right！\"
\"Youdon’tknowhowtodrive！Keeptotheright，\"saystheofficerangrily。
Acoachmandrivingacarriageswearsathim；apedestriancrossingtheroadandbrushingthehorse’snosewithhisshoulderlooksathimangrilyandshakesthesnowoffhissleeve。Ionafidgetsontheboxasthoughheweresittingonthorns，jerkshiselbows，andturnshiseyesaboutlikeonepossessedasthoughhedidnotknowwherehewasorwhyhewasthere。
\"Whatrascalstheyallare！\"saystheofficerjocosely。\"Theyaresimplydoingtheirbesttorunupagainstyouorfallunderthehorse’sfeet。Theymustbedoingitonpurpose。\"
Ionalooksashisfareandmoveshislips……Apparentlyhemeanstosaysomething，butnothingcomesbutasniff。
\"What？\"inquirestheofficer。
Ionagivesawrysmile，andstraininghisthroat，bringsouthuskily：\"Myson……er……mysondiedthisweek，sir。\"
\"H’m！Whatdidhedieof？\"
Ionaturnshiswholebodyroundtohisfare，andsays：
\"Whocantell！Itmusthavebeenfromfever……Helaythreedaysinthehospitalandthenhedied……God’swill。\"
\"Turnround，youdevil！\"comesoutofthedarkness。\"Haveyougonecracked，youolddog？Lookwhereyouaregoing！\"
\"Driveon！driveon！……\"saystheofficer。\"Weshan’tgettheretillto-morrowgoingonlikethis。Hurryup！\"
Thesledge-drivercraneshisneckagain，risesinhisseat，andwithheavygraceswingshiswhip。Severaltimeshelooksroundattheofficer，butthelatterkeepshiseyesshutandisapparentlydisinclinedtolisten。PuttinghisfaredownatVyborgskaya，Ionastopsbyarestaurant，andagainsitshuddleduponthebox……Againthewetsnowpaintshimandhishorsewhite。Onehourpasses，andthenanother……
Threeyoungmen，twotallandthin，oneshortandhunchbacked，comeup，railingateachotherandloudlystampingonthepavementwiththeirgoloshes。
\"Cabby，tothePoliceBridge！\"thehunchbackcriesinacrackedvoice。\"Thethreeofus，……twentykopecks！\"
Ionatugsatthereinsandclickstohishorse。Twentykopecksisnotafairprice，buthehasnothoughtsforthat。Whetheritisaroubleorwhetheritisfivekopecksdoesnotmattertohimnowsolongashehasafare……Thethreeyoungmen，shovingeachotherandusingbadlanguage，gouptothesledge，andallthreetrytositdownatonce。Thequestionremainstobesettled：Whicharetositdownandwhichoneistostand？Afteralongaltercation，ill-temper，andabuse，theycometotheconclusionthatthehunchbackmuststandbecauseheistheshortest。
\"Well，driveon，\"saysthehunchbackinhiscrackedvoice，settlinghimselfandbreathingdownIona’sneck。\"Cutalong！Whatacapyou’vegot，myfriend！Youwouldn’tfindaworseoneinallPetersburg……\"
\"He-he！……he-he！……\"laughsIona。\"It’snothingtoboastof！\"
\"Well，then，nothingtoboastof，driveon！Areyougoingtodrivelikethisalltheway？Eh？ShallIgiveyouoneintheneck？\"
\"Myheadaches，\"saysoneofthetallones。\"AttheDukmasovs’
yesterdayVaskaandIdrankfourbottlesofbrandybetweenus。\"
\"Ican’tmakeoutwhyyoutalksuchstuff，\"saystheothertalloneangrily。\"Youlielikeabrute。\"
\"Strikemedead，it’sthetruth！……\"
\"It’saboutastrueasthatalousecoughs。\"
\"He-he！\"grinsIona。\"Me-er-rygentlemen！\"
\"Tfoo！thedeviltakeyou！\"criesthehunchbackindignantly。
\"Willyougeton，youoldplague，orwon’tyou？Isthatthewaytodrive？Giveheronewiththewhip。Hangitall，giveitherwell。\"
Ionafeelsbehindhisbackthejoltingpersonandquiveringvoiceofthehunchback。Hehearsabuseaddressedtohim，heseespeople，andthefeelingoflonelinessbeginslittlebylittletobelessheavyonhisheart。Thehunchbackswearsathim，tillhechokesoversomeelaboratelywhimsicalstringofepithetsandisoverpoweredbyhiscough。HistallcompanionsbegintalkingofacertainNadyezhdaPetrovna。Ionalooksroundatthem。Waitingtillthereisabriefpause，helooksroundoncemoreandsays：
\"Thisweek……er……my……er……sondied！\"
\"Weshallalldie，……\"saysthehunchbackwithasigh，wipinghislipsaftercoughing。\"Come，driveon！driveon！Myfriends，I
simplycannotstandcrawlinglikethis！Whenwillhegetusthere？\"
\"Well，yougivehimalittleencouragement……oneintheneck！\"
\"Doyouhear，youoldplague？I’llmakeyousmart。Ifonestandsonceremonywithfellowslikeyouonemayaswellwalk。Doyouhear，youolddragon？Ordon’tyoucareahangwhatwesay？\"
AndIonahearsratherthanfeelsaslaponthebackofhisneck。
\"He-he！……\"helaughs。\"Merrygentlemen……Godgiveyouhealth！\"
\"Cabman，areyoumarried？\"asksoneofthetallones。
\"I？Hehe！Me-er-rygentlemen。Theonlywifeformenowisthedampearth……He-ho-ho！……Thegravethatis！……Heremyson’sdeadandIamalive……It’sastrangething，deathhascomeinatthewrongdoor……Insteadofcomingformeitwentformyson……\"
AndIonaturnsroundtotellthemhowhissondied，butatthatpointthehunchbackgivesafaintsighandannouncesthat，thankGod！theyhavearrivedatlast。Aftertakinghistwentykopecks，Ionagazesforalongwhileaftertherevelers，whodisappearintoadarkentry。Againheisaloneandagainthereissilenceforhim……Themiserywhichhasbeenforabriefspaceeasedcomesbackagainandtearshisheartmorecruellythanever。WithalookofanxietyandsufferingIona’seyesstrayrestlesslyamongthecrowdsmovingtoandfroonbothsidesofthestreet：
canhenotfindamongthosethousandssomeonewhowilllistentohim？Butthecrowdsflitbyheedlessofhimandhismisery……
Hismiseryisimmense，beyondallbounds。IfIona’sheartweretoburstandhismiserytoflowout，itwouldfloodthewholeworld，itseems，butyetitisnotseen。Ithasfoundahiding-placeinsuchaninsignificantshellthatonewouldnothavefounditwithacandlebydaylight……
Ionaseesahouse-porterwithaparcelandmakesuphismindtoaddresshim。
\"Whattimewillitbe，friend？\"heasks。
\"Goingonforten……Whyhaveyoustoppedhere？Driveon！\"
Ionadrivesafewpacesaway，bendshimselfdouble，andgiveshimselfuptohismisery。Hefeelsitisnogoodtoappealtopeople。Butbeforefiveminuteshavepassedhedrawshimselfup，shakeshisheadasthoughhefeelsasharppain，andtugsatthereins……Hecanbearitnolonger。
\"Backtotheyard！\"hethinks。\"Totheyard！\"
Andhislittlemare，asthoughsheknewhisthoughts，fallstotrotting。AnhourandahalflaterIonaissittingbyabigdirtystove。Onthestove，onthefloor，andonthebenchesarepeoplesnoring。Theairisfullofsmellsandstuffiness。Ionalooksatthesleepingfigures，scratcheshimself，andregretsthathehascomehomesoearly……
\"Ihavenotearnedenoughtopayfortheoats，even，\"hethinks。
\"That’swhyIamsomiserable。Amanwhoknowshowtodohiswork，……whohashadenoughtoeat，andwhosehorsehashadenoughtoeat，isalwaysatease……\"
Inoneofthecornersayoungcabmangetsup，clearshisthroatsleepily，andmakesforthewater-bucket。
\"Wantadrink？\"Ionaaskshim。
\"Seemsso。\"
\"Mayitdoyougood……Butmysonisdead，mate……Doyouhear？Thisweekinthehospital……It’saqueerbusiness……\"
Ionalookstoseetheeffectproducedbyhiswords，butheseesnothing。Theyoungmanhascoveredhisheadoverandisalreadyasleep。Theoldmansighsandscratcheshimself……Justastheyoungmanhadbeenthirstyforwater，hethirstsforspeech。
Hissonwillsoonhavebeendeadaweek，andhehasnotreallytalkedtoanybodyyet……Hewantstotalkofitproperly，withdeliberation……Hewantstotellhowhissonwastakenill，howhesuffered，whathesaidbeforehedied，howhedied……Hewantstodescribethefuneral，andhowhewenttothehospitaltogethisson’sclothes。HestillhashisdaughterAnisyainthecountry……Andhewantstotalkabouthertoo……Yes，hehasplentytotalkaboutnow。Hislisteneroughttosighandexclaimandlament……Itwouldbeevenbettertotalktowomen。Thoughtheyaresillycreatures，theyblubberatthefirstword。
\"Let’sgooutandhavealookatthemare，\"Ionathinks。\"Thereisalwaystimeforsleep……You’llhavesleepenough，nofear……\"
Heputsonhiscoatandgoesintothestableswherehismareisstanding。Hethinksaboutoats，abouthay，abouttheweather……Hecannotthinkabouthissonwhenheisalone……Totalkabouthimwithsomeoneispossible，buttothinkofhimandpicturehimisinsufferableanguish……
\"Areyoumunching？\"Ionaaskshismare，seeinghershiningeyes。
\"There，munchaway，munchaway……Sincewehavenotearnedenoughforoats，wewilleathay……Yes，……Ihavegrowntoooldtodrive……Mysonoughttobedriving，notI……
Hewasarealcabman……Heoughttohavelived……\"
Ionaissilentforawhile，andthenhegoeson：
\"That’showitis，oldgirl……KuzmaIonitchisgone……
Hesaidgood-bytome……Hewentanddiedfornoreason……Now，supposeyouhadalittlecolt，andyouwereownmothertothatlittlecolt……Andallatoncethatsamelittlecoltwentanddied……You’dbesorry，wouldn’tyou？……\"
Thelittlemaremunches，listens，andbreathesonhermaster’shands。Ionaiscarriedawayandtellsherallaboutit。
CHAMPAGNE
AWAYFARER’SSTORY
INtheyearinwhichmystorybeginsIhadajobatalittlestationononeofoursouthwesternrailways。WhetherIhadagayoradulllifeatthestationyoucanjudgefromthefactthatforfifteenmilesroundtherewasnotonehumanhabitation，notonewoman，notonedecenttavern；andinthosedaysIwasyoung，strong，hot-headed，giddy，andfoolish。TheonlydistractionIcouldpossiblyfindwasinthewindowsofthepassengertrains，andinthevilevodkawhichtheJewsdruggedwiththorn-apple。Sometimestherewouldbeaglimpseofawoman’sheadatacarriagewindow，andonewouldstandlikeastatuewithoutbreathingandstareatituntilthetrainturnedintoanalmostinvisiblespeck；oronewoulddrinkallonecouldoftheloathsomevodkatillonewasstupefiedanddidnotfeelthepassingofthelonghoursanddays。Uponme，anativeofthenorth，thesteppeproducedtheeffectofadesertedTatarcemetery。Inthesummerthesteppewithitssolemncalm，themonotonouschurofthegrasshoppers，thetransparentmoonlightfromwhichonecouldnothide，reducedmetolistlessmelancholy；
andinthewintertheirreproachablewhitenessofthesteppe，itscolddistance，longnights，andhowlingwolvesoppressedmelikeaheavynightmare。Therewereseveralpeoplelivingatthestation：mywifeandI，adeafandscrofuloustelegraphclerk，andthreewatchmen。Myassistant，ayoungmanwhowasinconsumption，usedtogofortreatmenttothetown，wherehestayedformonthsatatime，leavinghisdutiestometogetherwiththerightofpocketinghissalary。Ihadnochildren，nocakewouldhavetemptedvisitorstocomeandseeme，andIcouldonlyvisitotherofficialsontheline，andthatnooftenerthanonceamonth。
