……Evenafirst-ratehorsecouldnotdoit，whilemine——youcanseeforyourself——isnotahorsebutadisgrace。’AndPavelIvanitchwillfrownandshout：’Weknowyou！Youalwaysfindsomeexcuse！Especiallyyou，Grishka；Iknowyouofold！I’llbeboundyouhavestoppedathalfadozentaverns！’AndIshallsay： ’Yourhonor！amIacriminaloraheathen？MyoldwomanisgivinguphersoultoGod，sheisdying，andamIgoingtorunfromtaverntotavern！Whatanidea，uponmyword！Plaguetakethem，thetaverns！’ThenPavelIvanitchwillorderyoutobetakenintothehospital，andIshallfallathisfeet……’PavelIvanitch！Yourhonor，wethankyoumosthumbly！Forgiveusfoolsandanathemas，don’tbehardonuspeasants！Wedeserveagoodkicking，whileyougraciouslyputyourselfoutandmessyourfeetinthesnow！’AndPavelIvanitchwillgivemealookasthoughhewouldliketohitme，andwillsay：’You’dmuchbetternotbeswillingvodka，youfool，buttakingpityonyouroldwomaninsteadoffallingatmyfeet。Youwantathrashing！’’Youarerightthere——athrashing，PavelIvanitch，strikemeGod！
Buthowcanwehelpbowingdownatyourfeetifyouareourbenefactor，andarealfathertous？Yourhonor！Igiveyoumyword，……hereasbeforeGod，……youmayspitinmyfaceifIdeceiveyou：assoonasmyMatryona，thissamehere，iswellagainandrestoredtohernaturalcondition，I’llmakeanythingforyourhonorthatyouwouldliketoorder！Acigarette-case，ifyoulike，ofthebestbirchwood，……ballsforcroquet，skittlesofthemostforeignpatternIcanturn……Iwillmakeanythingforyou！Iwon’ttakeafarthingfromyou。InMoscowtheywouldchargeyoufourroublesforsuchacigarette-case，butIwon’ttakeafarthing。’Thedoctorwilllaughandsay：’Oh，allright，allright……Isee！Butit’sapityyouareadrunkard……’Iknowhowtomanagethegentry，oldgirl。Thereisn’tagentlemanIcouldn’ttalkto。OnlyGodgrantwedon’tgetofftheroad。Oh，howitisblowing！One’seyesarefullofsnow。\"
Andtheturnerwentonmutteringendlessly。Heprattledonmechanicallytogetalittlerelieffromhisdepressingfeelings。
Hehadplentyofwordsonhistongue，butthethoughtsandquestionsinhisbrainwereevenmorenumerous。Sorrowhadcomeupontheturnerunawares，unlooked-for，andunexpected，andnowhecouldnotgetoverit，couldnotrecoverhimself。Hehadlivedhithertoinunruffledcalm，asthoughindrunkenhalf-consciousness，knowingneithergriefnorjoy，andnowhewassuddenlyawareofadreadfulpaininhisheart。Thecarelessidleranddrunkardfoundhimselfquitesuddenlyinthepositionofabusyman，weigheddownbyanxietiesandhaste，andevenstrugglingwithnature。
Theturnerrememberedthathistroublehadbeguntheeveningbefore。Whenhehadcomehomeyesterdayevening，alittledrunkasusual，andfromlong-establishedhabithadbegunswearingandshakinghisfists，hisoldwomanhadlookedatherrowdyspouseasshehadneverlookedathimbefore。Usually，theexpressioninheragedeyeswasthatofamartyr，meeklikethatofadogfrequentlybeatenandbadlyfed；thistimeshehadlookedathimsternlyandimmovably，assaintsintheholypicturesordyingpeoplelook。Fromthatstrange，evillookinhereyesthetroublehadbegun。Theturner，stupefiedwithamazement，borrowedahorsefromaneighbor，andnowwastakinghisoldwomantothehospitalinthehopethat，bymeansofpowdersandointments，PavelIvanitchwouldbringbackhisoldwoman’shabitualexpression。
\"Isay，Matryona，……\"theturnermuttered，\"ifPavelIvanitchasksyouwhetherIbeatyou，say，’Never！’andIneverwillbeatyouagain。Iswearit。AnddidIeverbeatyououtofspite？I
justbeatyouwithoutthinking。Iamsorryforyou。Somemenwouldn’ttrouble，buthereIamtakingyou……Iamdoingmybest。Andthewayitsnows，thewayitsnows！ThyWillbedone，O
Lord！Godgrantwedon’tgetofftheroad……Doesyoursideache，Matryona，thatyoudon’tspeak？Iaskyou，doesyoursideache？\"
Itstruckhimasstrangethatthesnowonhisoldwoman’sfacewasnotmelting；itwasqueerthatthefaceitselflookedsomehowdrawn，andhadturnedapalegray，dingywaxenhueandhadgrowngraveandsolemn。
\"Youareafool！\"mutteredtheturner……\"Itellyouonmyconscience，beforeGod，……andyougoand……Well，youareafool！IhaveagoodmindnottotakeyoutoPavelIvanitch！\"
Theturnerletthereinsgoandbeganthinking。Hecouldnotbringhimselftolookroundathisoldwoman：hewasfrightened。
Hewasafraid，too，ofaskingheraquestionandnotgettingananswer。Atlast，tomakeanendofuncertainty，withoutlookingroundhefelthisoldwoman’scoldhand。Theliftedhandfelllikealog。
\"Sheisdead，then！Whatabusiness！\"
Andtheturnercried。Hewasnotsomuchsorryasannoyed。Hethoughthowquicklyeverythingpassesinthisworld！Histroublehadhardlybegunwhenthefinalcatastrophehadhappened。Hehadnothadtimetolivewithhisoldwoman，toshowherhewassorryforherbeforeshedied。Hehadlivedwithherforfortyyears，butthosefortyyearshadpassedbyasitwereinafog。
Whatwithdrunkenness，quarreling，andpoverty，therehadbeennofeelingoflife。And，asthoughtospitehim，hisoldwomandiedattheverytimewhenhefelthewassorryforher，thathecouldnotlivewithouther，andthathehadbehaveddreadfullybadlytoher。
\"Why，sheusedtogotheroundofthevillage，\"heremembered。\"I
sentheroutmyselftobegforbread。Whatabusiness！Sheoughttohavelivedanothertenyears，thesillything；asitisI’llbeboundshethinksIreallywasthatsortofman……HolyMother！butwherethedevilamIdriving？There’snoneedforadoctornow，butaburial。Turnback！\"
Grigoryturnedbackandlashedthehorsewithallhismight。Theroadgrewworseandworseeveryhour。Nowhecouldnotseetheyokeatall。Nowandthenthesledgeranintoayoungfirtree，adarkobjectscratchedtheturner’shandsandflashedbeforehiseyes，andthefieldofvisionwaswhiteandwhirlingagain。
\"Toliveoveragain，\"thoughttheturner。
HerememberedthatfortyyearsagoMatryonahadbeenyoung，handsome，merry，thatshehadcomeofawell-to-dofamily。Theyhadmarriedhertohimbecausetheyhadbeenattractedbyhishandicraft。Alltheessentialsforahappylifehadbeenthere，butthetroublewasthat，justashehadgotdrunkaftertheweddingandlaysprawlingonthestove，sohehadgoneonwithoutwakinguptillnow。Hisweddingheremembered，butofwhathappenedafterthewedding——forthelifeofhimhecouldremembernothing，exceptperhapsthathehaddrunk，lainonthestove，andquarreled。Fortyyearshadbeenwastedlikethat。
Thewhitecloudsofsnowwerebeginninglittlebylittletoturngray。Itwasgettingdusk。
\"WhereamIgoing？\"theturnersuddenlybethoughthimwithastart。\"Ioughttobethinkingoftheburial，andIamonthewaytothehospital……ItasisthoughIhadgonecrazy。\"
Grigoryturnedroundagain，andagainlashedhishorse。Thelittlenagstraineditsutmostand，withasnort，fellintoalittletrot。Theturnerlasheditonthebacktimeaftertime……Aknockingwasaudiblebehindhim，andthoughhedidnotlookround，heknewitwasthedeadwoman’sheadknockingagainstthesledge。Andthesnowkeptturningdarkeranddarker，thewindgrewcolderandmorecutting……
\"Toliveoveragain！\"thoughttheturner。\"Ishouldgetanewlathe，takeorders，……givethemoneytomyoldwoman……\"
Andthenhedroppedthereins。Helookedforthem，triedtopickthemup，butcouldnot——hishandswouldnotwork……
\"Itdoesnotmatter，\"hethought，\"thehorsewillgoofitself，itknowstheway。Imighthavealittlesleepnow……Beforethefuneralortherequiemitwouldbeaswelltogetalittlerest……\"
Theturnerclosedhiseyesanddozed。Alittlelaterheheardthehorsestop；heopenedhiseyesandsawbeforehimsomethingdarklikeahutorahaystack……
Hewouldhavegotoutofthesledgeandfoundoutwhatitwas，buthefeltovercomebysuchinertiathatitseemedbettertofreezethanmove，andhesankintoapeacefulsleep。
Hewokeupinabigroomwithpaintedwalls。Brightsunlightwasstreaminginatthewindows。Theturnersawpeoplefacinghim，andhisfirstfeelingwasadesiretoshowhimselfarespectablemanwhoknewhowthingsshouldbedone。
\"Arequiem，brothers，formyoldwoman，\"hesaid。\"Thepriestshouldbetold……\"
\"Oh，allright，allright；liedown，\"avoicecuthimshort。
\"PavelIvanitch！\"theturnercriedinsurprise，seeingthedoctorbeforehim。\"Yourhonor，benefactor！\"
Hewantedtoleapupandfallonhiskneesbeforethedoctor，butfeltthathisarmsandlegswouldnotobeyhim。
\"Yourhonor，wherearemylegs，wherearemyarms！\"
\"Saygood-bytoyourarmsandlegs……They’vebeenfrozenoff。Come，come！……Whatareyoucryingfor？You’velivedyourlife，andthankGodforit！Isupposeyouhavehadsixtyyearsofit——that’senoughforyou！……\"
\"Iamgrieving……Graciouslyforgiveme！IfIcouldhaveanotherfiveorsixyears！……\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Thehorseisn’tmine，Imustgiveitback……Imustburymyoldwoman……Howquicklyitisallendedinthisworld！Yourhonor，PavelIvanitch！Acigarette-caseofbirchwoodofthebest！
I’llturnyoucroquetballs……\"
Thedoctorwentoutofthewardwithawaveofhishand。Itwasalloverwiththeturner。
ONOFFICIALDUTY
THEdeputyexaminingmagistrateandthedistrictdoctorweregoingtoaninquestinthevillageofSyrnya。Ontheroadtheywereovertakenbyasnowstorm；theyspentalongtimegoingroundandround，andarrived，notatmidday，astheyhadintended，butintheeveningwhenitwasdark。TheyputupforthenightattheZemstvohut。Itsohappenedthatitwasinthishutthatthedeadbodywaslying——thecorpseoftheZemstvoinsuranceagent，Lesnitsky，whohadarrivedinSyrnyathreedaysbeforeand，orderingthesamovarinthehut，hadshothimself，tothegreatsurpriseofeveryone；andthefactthathehadendedhislifesostrangely，afterunpackinghiseatablesandlayingthemoutonthetable，andwiththesamovarbeforehim，ledmanypeopletosuspectthatitwasacaseofmurder；aninquestwasnecessary。
Intheouterroomthedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrateshookthesnowoffthemselvesandknockeditofftheirboots。Andmeanwhiletheoldvillageconstable，IlyaLoshadin，stoodby，holdingalittletinlamp。Therewasastrongsmellofparaffin。
\"Whoareyou？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Conshtable，……\"answeredtheconstable。
Heusedtospellit\"conshtable\"whenhesignedthereceiptsatthepostoffice。
\"Andwherearethewitnesses？\"
\"Theymusthavegonetotea，yourhonor。\"
Ontherightwastheparlor，thetravelers’orgentry’sroom；ontheleftthekitchen，withabigstoveandsleepingshelvesundertherafters。Thedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrate，followedbytheconstable，holdingthelamphighabovehishead，wentintotheparlor。Hereastill，longbodycoveredwithwhitelinenwaslyingonthefloorclosetothetable-legs。Inthedimlightofthelamptheycouldclearlysee，besidesthewhitecovering，newrubbergoloshes，andeverythingaboutitwasuncannyandsinister：thedarkwalls，andthesilence，andthegoloshes，andthestillnessofthedeadbody。Onthetablestoodasamovar，coldlongago；androunditparcels，probablytheeatables。
\"ToshootoneselfintheZemstvohut，howtactless！\"saidthedoctor。\"Ifonedoeswanttoputabulletthroughone’sbrains，oneoughttodoitathomeinsomeouthouse。\"
Hesankontoabench，justashewas，inhiscap，hisfurcoat，andhisfeltoverboots；hisfellow-traveler，theexaminingmagistrate，satdownopposite。
\"Thesehysterical，neurasthenicpeoplearegreategoists，\"thedoctorwentonhotly。\"Ifaneurasthenicsleepsinthesameroomwithyou，herustleshisnewspaper；whenhedineswithyou，hegetsupascenewithhiswifewithouttroublingaboutyourpresence；andwhenhefeelsinclinedtoshoothimself，heshootshimselfinavillageinaZemstvohut，soastogivethemaximumoftroubletoeverybody。Thesegentlemenineverycircumstanceoflifethinkofnoonebutthemselves！That’swhytheelderlysodislikeour’nervousage。’\"
\"Theelderlydislikesomanythings，\"saidtheexaminingmagistrate，yawning。\"Youshouldpointouttotheeldergenerationwhatthedifferenceisbetweenthesuicidesofthepastandthesuicidesofto-day。Intheolddaystheso-calledgentlemanshothimselfbecausehehadmadeawaywithGovernmentmoney，butnowadaysitisbecauseheissickoflife，depressed……Whichisbetter？\"
\"Sickoflife，depressed；butyoumustadmitthathemighthaveshothimselfsomewhereelse。\"
\"Suchtrouble！\"saidtheconstable，\"suchtrouble！It’sarealaffliction。Thepeopleareverymuchupset，yourhonor；theyhaven’tsleptthesethreenights。Thechildrenarecrying。Thecowsoughttobemilked，butthewomenwon’tgotothestall——
theyareafraid……forfearthegentlemanshouldappeartotheminthedarkness。Ofcoursetheyaresillywomen，butsomeofthemenarefrightenedtoo。Assoonasitisdarktheywon’tgobythehutonebyone，butonlyinaflocktogether。Andthewitnessestoo……\"
Dr。Startchenko，amiddle-agedmaninspectacleswithadarkbeard，andtheexaminingmagistrateLyzhin，afairman，stillyoung，whohadonlytakenhisdegreetwoyearsbeforeandlookedmorelikeastudentthananofficial，satinsilence，musing。
Theywerevexedthattheywerelate。Nowtheyhadtowaittillmorning，andtostayhereforthenight，thoughitwasnotyetsixo’clock；andtheyhadbeforethemalongevening，adarknight，boredom，uncomfortablebeds，beetles，andcoldinthemorning；andlisteningtotheblizzardthathowledinthechimneyandintheloft，theyboththoughthowunlikeallthiswasthelifewhichtheywouldhavechosenforthemselvesandofwhichtheyhadoncedreamed，andhowfarawaytheybothwerefromtheircontemporaries，whowereatthatmomentwalkingaboutthelightedstreetsintownwithoutnoticingtheweather，orweregettingreadyforthetheatre，orsittingintheirstudiesoverabook。Oh，howmuchtheywouldhavegivennowonlytostrollalongtheNevskyProspect，oralongPetrovkainMoscow，tolistentodecentsinging，tositforanhourorsoinarestaurant！
\"Oo-oo-oo-oo！\"sangthestormintheloft，andsomethingoutsideslammedviciously，probablythesignboardonthehut。
\"Oo-oo-oo-oo！\"
\"Youcandoasyouplease，butIhavenodesiretostayhere，\"
saidStartchenko，gettingup。\"It’snotsixyet，it’stooearlytogotobed；Iamoff。VonTaunitzlivesnotfarfromhere，onlyacoupleofmilesfromSyrnya。Ishallgotoseehimandspendtheeveningthere。Constable，runandtellmycoachmannottotakethehorsesout。Andwhatareyougoingtodo？\"heaskedLyzhin。
\"Idon’tknow；IexpectIshallgotosleep。\"
Thedoctorwrappedhimselfinhisfurcoatandwentout。Lyzhincouldhearhimtalkingtothecoachmanandthebellsbeginningtoquiveronthefrozenhorses。Hedroveoff。
\"Itisnotniceforyou，sir，tospendthenightinhere，\"saidtheconstable；\"comeintotheotherroom。It’sdirty，butforonenightitwon’tmatter。I’llgetasamovarfromapeasantandheatitdirectly。I’llheapupsomehayforyou，andthenyougotosleep，andGodblessyou，yourhonor。\"
Alittlelatertheexaminingmagistratewassittinginthekitchendrinkingtea，whileLoshadin，theconstable，wasstandingatthedoortalking。Hewasanoldmanaboutsixty，shortandverythin，bentandwhite，withanaivesmileonhisfaceandwateryeyes，andhekeptsmackingwithhislipsasthoughheweresuckingasweetmeat。Hewaswearingashortsheepskincoatandhighfeltboots，andheldhisstickinhishandsallthetime。Theyouthoftheexaminingmagistratearousedhiscompassion，andthatwasprobablywhyheaddressedhimfamiliarly。
\"Theeldergaveordersthathewastobeinformedwhenthepolicesuperintendentortheexaminingmagistratecame，\"hesaid，\"soI
supposeImustgonow……It’snearlythreemilestothe_volost_，andthestorm，thesnowdrifts，aresomethingterrible——maybeonewon’tgettherebeforemidnight。Ough！howthewindroars！\"
\"Idon’tneedtheelder，\"saidLyzhin。\"Thereisnothingforhimtodohere。\"
Helookedattheoldmanwithcuriosity，andasked：
\"Tellme，grandfather，howmanyyearshaveyoubeenconstable？\"
\"Howmany？Why，thirtyyears。FiveyearsaftertheFreedomI
begangoingasconstable，that’showIreckonit。AndfromthattimeIhavebeengoingeverydaysince。Otherpeoplehaveholidays，butIamalwaysgoing。Whenit’sEasterandthechurchbellsareringingandChristhasrisen，Istillgoaboutwithmybag——tothetreasury，tothepost，tothepolicesuperintendent’slodgings，totheruralcaptain，tothetaxinspector，tothemunicipaloffice，tothegentry，tothepeasants，toallorthodoxChristians。Icarryparcels，notices，taxpapers，letters，formsofdifferentsorts，circulars，andtobesure，kindgentleman，thereareallsortsofformsnowadays，soastonotedownthenumbers——yellow，white，andred——andeverygentlemanorpriestorwell-to-dopeasantmustwritedownadozentimesintheyearhowmuchhehassownandharvested，howmanyquartersorpoodshehasofrye，howmanyofoats，howmanyofhay，andwhattheweather’slike，youknow，andinsects，too，ofallsorts。Tobesureyoucanwritewhatyoulike，it’sonlyaregulation，butonemustgoandgiveoutthenoticesandthengoagainandcollectthem。Here，forinstance，there’snoneedtocutopenthegentleman；youknowyourselfit’sasillything，it’sonlydirtyingyourhands，andhereyouhavebeenputtotrouble，yourhonor；youhavecomebecauseit’stheregulation；
youcan’thelpit。ForthirtyyearsIhavebeengoingroundaccordingtoregulation。Inthesummeritisallright，itiswarmanddry；butinwinterandautumnit’suncomfortableAttimesIhavebeenalmostdrownedandalmostfrozen；allsortsofthingshavehappened——wickedpeoplesetonmeintheforestandtookawaymybag；Ihavebeenbeaten，andIhavebeenbeforeacourtoflaw。\"
\"Whatwereyouaccusedof？\"
\"Offraud。\"
\"Howdoyoumean？\"
\"Why，yousee，HrisanfGrigoryev，theclerk，soldthecontractorsomeboardsbelongingtosomeoneelse——cheatedhim，infact。I
wasmixedupinit。Theysentmetothetavernforvodka；well，theclerkdidnotsharewithme——didnotevenoffermeaglass；
butasthroughmypovertyIwas——inappearance，Imean——notamantobereliedupon，notamanofanyworth，wewerebothbroughttotrial；hewassenttoprison，but，praiseGod！Iwasacquittedonallpoints。Theyreadanotice，youknow，inthecourt。Andtheywereallinuniforms——inthecourt，Imean。I
cantellyou，yourhonor，mydutiesforanyonenotusedtothemareterrible，absolutelykilling；buttomeitisnothing。Infact，myfeetachewhenIamnotwalking。Andathomeitisworseforme。Athomeonehastoheatthestovefortheclerkinthe_volost_office，tofetchwaterforhim，tocleanhisboots。\"
\"Andwhatwagesdoyouget？\"Lyzhinasked。
\"Eighty-fourroublesayear。\"
\"I’llbetyougetotherlittlesumscomingin。Youdo，don’tyou？\"
\"Otherlittlesums？No，indeed！Gentlemennowadaysdon’toftengivetips。Gentlemennowadaysarestrict，theytakeoffenseatanything。Ifyoubringthemanoticetheyareoffended，ifyoutakeoffyourcapbeforethemtheyareoffended。’Youhavecometothewrongentrance，’theysay。’Youareadrunkard，’theysay。
’Yousmellofonion；youareablockhead；youarethesonofabitch。’Therearekind-heartedones，ofcourse；butwhatdoesonegetfromthem？Theyonlylaughandcalloneallsortsofnames。
Mr。Altuhin，forinstance，heisagood-naturedgentleman；andifyoulookathimheseemssoberandinhisrightmind，butsosoonasheseesmeheshoutsanddoesnotknowwhathemeanshimself。
Hegavemesuchaname’You，’saidhe，……\"Theconstableutteredsomeword，butinsuchalowvoicethatitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhathesaid。
\"What？\"Lyzhinasked。\"Sayitagain。\"
\"’Administration，’\"theconstablerepeatedaloud。\"Hehasbeencallingmethatforalongwhile，forthelastsixyears。’Hullo，Administration！’ButIdon’tmind；lethim，Godblesshim！
Sometimesaladywillsendoneaglassofvodkaandabitofpieandonedrinkstoherhealth。Butpeasantsgivemore；peasantsaremorekind-hearted，theyhavethefearofGodintheirhearts：
onewillgiveabitofbread，anotheradropofcabbagesoup，anotherwillstandoneaglass。Thevillageelderstreatonetoteainthetavern。Herethewitnesseshavegonetotheirtea。
’Loshadin，’theysaid，’youstayhereandkeepwatchforus，’andtheygavemeakopeckeach。Yousee，theyarefrightened，notbeingusedtoit，andyesterdaytheygavemefifteenkopecksandofferedmeaglass。\"
\"Andyou，aren’tyoufrightened？\"
\"Iam，sir；butofcourseitismyduty，thereisnogettingawayfromit。InthesummerIwastakingaconvicttothetown，andhesetuponmeandgavemesuchadrubbing！Andallaroundwerefields，forest——howcouldIgetawayfromhim？It’sjustthesamehere。Irememberthegentleman，Mr。Lesnitsky，whenhewassohigh，andIknewhisfatherandmother。IamfromthevillageofNedoshtchotova，andthey，theLesnitskyfamily，werenotmorethanthree-quartersofamilefromusandlessthanthat，theirgroundnexttoours，andMr。Lesnitskyhadasister，aGod-fearingandtender-heartedlady。LordkeepthesoulofThyservantYulya，eternalmemorytoher！Shewasnevermarried，andwhenshewasdyingshedividedallherproperty；
sheleftthreehundredacrestothemonastery，andsixhundredtothecommuneofpeasantsofNedoshtchotovatocommemoratehersoul；butherbrotherhidthewill，theydosayburntitinthestove，andtookallthislandforhimself。Hethought，tobesure，itwasforhisbenefit；but——nay，waitabit，youwon’tgetonintheworldthroughinjustice，brother。Thegentlemandidnotgotoconfessionfortwentyyearsafter。Hekeptawayfromthechurch，tobesure，anddiedimpenitent。Heburst。Hewasaveryfatman，soheburstlengthways。Theneverythingwastakenfromtheyoungmaster，fromSeryozha，topaythedebts——everythingtherewas。Well，hehadnotgoneveryfarinhisstudies，hecouldn’tdoanything，andthepresidentoftheRuralBoard，hisuncle——’I’lltakehim’——Seryozha，I
mean——thinkshe，’foranagent；lethimcollecttheinsurance，that’snotadifficultjob，’andthegentlemanwasyoungandproud，hewantedtobelivingonabiggerscaleandinbetterstyleandwithmorefreedom。Tobesureitwasacome-downforhimtobejoltingaboutthedistrictinawretchedcartandtalkingtothepeasants；hewouldwalkandkeeplookingontheground，lookingonthegroundandsayingnothing；ifyoucalledhisnamerightinhisear，’SergeySergeyitch！’hewouldlookroundlikethis，’Eh？’andlookdownonthegroundagain，andnowyouseehehaslaidhandsonhimself。There’snosenseinit，yourhonor，it’snotright，andthere’snomakingoutwhat’sthemeaningofit，mercifulLord！Sayyourfatherwasrichandyouarepoor；itismortifying，there’snodoubtaboutit，butthere，youmustmakeupyourmindtoit。Iusedtoliveingoodstyle，too；Ihadtwohorses，yourhonor，threecows，Iusedtokeeptwentyheadofsheep；butthetimehascome，andIamleftwithnothingbutawretchedbag，andeventhatisnotminebutGovernmentproperty。AndnowinourNedoshtchotova，ifthetruthistobetold，myhouseistheworstofthelot。Makeyhadfourfootmen，andnowMakeyisafootmanhimself。Petrakhadfourlaborers，andnowPetrakisalaborerhimself。\"
\"Howwasityoubecamepoor？\"askedtheexaminingmagistrate。
\"Mysonsdrinkterribly。Icouldnottellyouhowtheydrink，youwouldn’tbelieveit。\"
Lyzhinlistenedandthoughthowhe，Lyzhin，wouldgobacksoonerorlatertoMoscow，whilethisoldmanwouldstayhereforever，andwouldalwaysbewalkingandwalking。Andhowmanytimesinhislifehewouldcomeacrosssuchbattered，unkemptoldmen，not\"menofanyworth，\"inwhosesoulsfifteenkopecks，glassesofvodka，andaprofoundbeliefthatyoucan’tgetoninthislifebydishonesty，wereequallyfirmlyrooted。
Thenhegrewtiredoflistening，andtoldtheoldmantobringhimsomehayforhisbed，Therewasanironbedsteadwithapillowandaquiltinthetraveler’sroom，anditcouldbefetchedin；butthedeadmanhadbeenlyingbyitfornearlythreedays（andperhapssittingonitjustbeforehisdeath），anditwouldbedisagreeabletosleepuponitnow……
\"It’sonlyhalf-pastseven，\"thoughtLyzhin，glancingathiswatch。\"Howawfulitis！\"
Hewasnotsleepy，buthavingnothingtodotopassawaythetime，helaydownandcoveredhimselfwitharug。Loshadinwentinandoutseveraltimes，clearingawaythetea-things；smackinghislipsandsighing，hekepttrampingroundthetable；atlasthetookhislittlelampandwentout，and，lookingathislong，gray-headed，bentfigurefrombehind，Lyzhinthought：
\"Justlikeamagicianinanopera。\"
Itwasdark。Themoonmusthavebeenbehindtheclouds，asthewindowsandthesnowonthewindow-framescouldbeseendistinctly。
\"Oo-oo-oo！\"sangthestorm，\"Oo-oo-oo-oo！\"
\"Ho-ho-lysa-aints！\"wailedawomanintheloft，oritsoundedlikeit。\"Ho-ho-lysa-aints！\"
\"B-booh！\"somethingoutsidebangedagainstthewall。\"Trah！\"
Theexaminingmagistratelistened：therewasnowomanupthere，itwasthewindhowling。Itwasrathercold，andheputhisfurcoatoverhisrug。Ashegotwarmhethoughthowremoteallthis——thestorm，andthehut，andtheoldman，andthedeadbodylyinginthenextroom——howremoteitallwasfromthelifehedesiredforhimself，andhowalienitallwastohim，howpetty，howuninteresting。IfthismanhadkilledhimselfinMoscoworsomewhereintheneighborhood，andhehadhadtoholdaninquestonhimthere，itwouldhavebeeninteresting，important，andperhapshemightevenhavebeenafraidtosleepinthenextroomtothecorpse。Here，nearlyathousandmilesfromMoscow，allthiswasseensomehowinadifferentlight；itwasnotlife，theywerenothumanbeings，butsomethingonlyexisting\"accordingtotheregulation，\"asLoshadinsaid；itwouldleavenotthefaintesttraceinthememory，andwouldbeforgottenassoonashe，Lyzhin，droveawayfromSyrnya。Thefatherland，therealRussia，wasMoscow，Petersburg；butherehewasintheprovinces，thecolonies。Whenonedreamedofplayingaleadingpart，ofbecomingapopularfigure，ofbeing，forinstance，examiningmagistrateinparticularlyimportantcasesorprosecutorinacircuitcourt，ofbeingasocietylion，onealwaysthoughtofMoscow。Tolive，onemustbeinMoscow；hereonecaredfornothing，onegreweasilyresignedtoone’sinsignificantposition，andonlyexpectedonethingoflife——
togetawayquickly，quickly。AndLyzhinmentallymovedabouttheMoscowstreets，wentintothefamiliarhouses，methiskindred，hiscomrades，andtherewasasweetpangathisheartatthethoughtthathewasonlytwenty-six，andthatifinfiveortenyearshecouldbreakawayfromhereandgettoMoscow，eventhenitwouldnotbetoolateandhewouldstillhaveawholelifebeforehim。Andashesankintounconsciousness，ashisthoughtsbegantobeconfused，heimaginedthelongcorridorofthecourtatMoscow，himselfdeliveringaspeech，hissisters，theorchestrawhichforsomereasonkeptdroning：\"Oo-oo-oo-oo！
Oo-oooo-oo！\"
\"Booh！Trah！\"soundedagain。\"Booh！\"
Andhesuddenlyrecalledhowoneday，whenhewastalkingtothebookkeeperinthelittleofficeoftheRuralBoard，athin，palegentlemanwithblackhairanddarkeyeswalkedin；hehadadisagreeablelookinhiseyessuchasoneseesinpeoplewhohaveslepttoolongafterdinner，anditspoilthisdelicate，intelligentprofile；andthehighbootshewaswearingdidnotsuithim，butlookedclumsy。Thebookkeeperhadintroducedhim：
\"Thisisourinsuranceagent。\"
\"SothatwasLesnitsky，……thissameman，\"Lyzhinreflectednow。
HerecalledLesnitsky’ssoftvoice，imaginedhisgait，anditseemedtohimthatsomeonewaswalkingbesidehimnowwithasteplikeLesnitsky’s。
Allatoncehefeltfrightened，hisheadturnedcold。
\"Who’sthere？\"heaskedinalarm。
\"Theconshtable！\"
\"Whatdoyouwanthere？\"
\"Ihavecometoask，yourhonor——yousaidthiseveningthatyoudidnotwanttheelder，butIamafraidhemaybeangry。Hetoldmetogotohim。Shouldn’tIgo？\"
\"That’senough，youbotherme，\"saidLyzhinwithvexation，andhecoveredhimselfupagain。
\"Hemaybeangry……I’llgo，yourhonor。Ihopeyouwillbecomfortable，\"andLoshadinwentout。
Inthepassagetherewascoughingandsubduedvoices。Thewitnessesmusthavereturned。
\"We’llletthosepoorbeggarsgetawayearlyto-morrow，……\"
thoughttheexaminingmagistrate；\"we’llbegintheinquestassoonasitisdaylight。\"
Hebegansinkingintoforgetfulnesswhensuddenlytherewerestepsagain，nottimidthistimebutrapidandnoisy。Therewastheslamofadoor，voices，thescratchingofamatch……
\"Areyouasleep？Areyouasleep？\"Dr。Startchenkowasaskinghimhurriedlyandangrilyashestruckonematchafteranother；hewascoveredwithsnow，andbroughtachillairinwithhim。\"Areyouasleep？Getup！LetusgotoVonTaunitz’s。Hehassenthisownhorsesforyou。Comealong。There，atanyrate，youwillhavesupper，andsleeplikeahumanbeing。YouseeIhavecomeforyoumyself。Thehorsesaresplendid，weshallgetthereintwentyminutes。\"
\"Andwhattimeisitnow？\"
\"Aquarterpastten。\"
Lyzhin，sleepyanddiscontented，putonhisfeltoverboots，hisfurlinedcoat，hiscapandhood，andwentoutwiththedoctor。
Therewasnotaverysharpfrost，butaviolentandpiercingwindwasblowinganddrivingalongthestreetthecloudsofsnowwhichseemedtoberacingawayinterror：highdriftswereheapedupalreadyunderthefencesandatthedoorways。Thedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrategotintothesledge，andthewhitecoachmanbentoverthemtobuttonupthecover。Theywerebothhot。
\"Ready！\"
Theydrovethroughthevillage。\"Cuttingafeatheryfurrow，\"
thoughttheexaminingmagistrate，listlesslywatchingtheactionofthetracehorse’slegs。Therewerelightsinallthehuts，asthoughitweretheeveofagreatholiday：thepeasantshadnotgonetobedbecausetheywereafraidofthedeadbody。Thecoachmanpreservedasullensilence，probablyhehadfeltdrearywhilehewaswaitingbytheZemstvohut，andnowhe，too，wasthinkingofthedeadman。
\"AttheVonTaunitz’s，\"saidStartchenko，\"theyallsetuponmewhentheyheardthatyouwerelefttospendthenightinthehut，andaskedmewhyIdidnotbringyouwithme。\"
Astheydroveoutofthevillage，attheturningthecoachmansuddenlyshoutedatthetopofhisvoice：\"Outoftheway！\"
Theycaughtaglimpseofaman：hewasstandinguptohiskneesinthesnow，movingofftheroadandstaringatthehorses。Theexaminingmagistratesawastickwithacrook，andabeardandabag，andhefanciedthatitwasLoshadin，andevenfanciedthathewassmiling。Heflashedbyanddisappeared。
Theroadranatfirstalongtheedgeoftheforest，thenalongabroadforestclearing；theycaughtglimpsesofoldpinesandayoungbirchcopse，andtall，gnarledyoungoaktreesstandingsinglyintheclearingswherethewoodhadlatelybeencut；butsoonitwasallmergedinthecloudsofsnow。Thecoachmansaidhecouldseetheforest；theexaminingmagistratecouldseenothingbutthetracehorse。Thewindblewontheirbacks。
Allatoncethehorsesstopped。
\"Well，whatisitnow？\"askedStartchenkocrossly。
Thecoachmangotdownfromtheboxwithoutawordandbeganrunningroundthesledge，treadingonhisheels；hemadelargerandlargercircles，gettingfurtherandfurtherawayfromthesledge，anditlookedasthoughheweredancing；atlasthecamebackandbegantoturnofftotheright。
\"You’vegotofftheroad，eh？\"askedStartchenko。
\"It’sallri-ight……\"
Thentherewasalittlevillageandnotasinglelightinit。
Againtheforestandthefields。Againtheylosttheroad，andagainthecoachmangotdownfromtheboxanddancedroundthesledge。Thesledgeflewalongadarkavenue，flewswiftlyon。
Andtheheatedtracehorse’shoofsknockedagainstthesledge。
Heretherewasafearfulroaringsoundfromthetrees，andnothingcouldbeseen，asthoughtheywereflyingonintospace；
andallatoncetheglaringlightattheentranceandthewindowsflashedupontheireyes，andtheyheardthegood-natured，drawn-outbarkingofdogs。Theyhadarrived。
Whiletheyweretakingofftheirfurcoatsandtheirfeltbootsbelow，\"UnPetitVerredeClicquot\"wasbeingplayeduponthepianooverhead，andtheycouldhearthechildrenbeatingtimewiththeirfeet。Immediatelyongoingintheywereawareofthesnugwarmthandspecialsmelloftheoldapartmentsofamansionwhere，whatevertheweatheroutside，lifeissowarmandcleanandcomfortable。
\"That’scapital！\"saidVonTaunitz，afatmanwithanincrediblythickneckandwithwhiskers，asheshooktheexaminingmagistrate’shand。\"That’scapital！Youareverywelcome，delightedtomakeyouracquaintance。Wearecolleaguestosomeextent，youknow。AtonetimeIwasdeputyprosecutor；butnotforlong，onlytwoyears。Icameheretolookaftertheestate，andhereIhavegrownold——anoldfogey，infact。Youareverywelcome，\"hewenton，evidentlyrestraininghisvoicesoasnottospeaktooloud；hewasgoingupstairswithhisguests。\"Ihavenowife，she’sdead。Buthere，Iwillintroducemydaughters，\"
andturninground，heshouteddownthestairsinavoiceofthunder：\"TellIgnattohavethesledgereadyateighto’clockto-morrowmorning。\"
Hisfourdaughters，youngandprettygirls，allwearinggraydressesandwiththeirhairdoneupinthesamestyle，andtheircousin，alsoyoungandattractive，withherchildren，wereinthedrawingroom。Startchenko，whoknewthemalready，beganatoncebeggingthemtosingsomething，andtwooftheyoungladiesspentalongtimedeclaringtheycouldnotsingandthattheyhadnomusic；thenthecousinsatdowntothepiano，andwithtremblingvoices，theysangaduetfrom\"TheQueenofSpades。\"Again\"UnPetitVerredeClicquot\"wasplayed，andthechildrenskippedabout，beatingtimewiththeirfeet。AndStartchenkoprancedabouttoo。Everybodylaughed。
Thenthechildrensaidgood-nightandwentofftobed。Theexaminingmagistratelaughed，dancedaquadrille，flirted，andkeptwonderingwhetheritwasnotalladream？ThekitchenoftheZemstvohut，theheapofhayinthecorner，therustleofthebeetles，therevoltingpoverty-strickensurroundings，thevoicesofthewitnesses，thewind，thesnowstorm，thedangerofbeinglost；andthenallatoncethissplendid，brightlylightedroom，thesoundsofthepiano，thelovelygirls，thecurly-headedchildren，thegay，happylaughter——suchatransformationseemedtohimlikeafairytale，anditseemedincrediblethatsuchtransitionswerepossibleatthedistanceofsometwomilesinthecourseofonehour。Anddrearythoughtspreventedhimfromenjoyinghimself，andhekeptthinkingthiswasnotlifehere，butbitsoflifefragments，thateverythingherewasaccidental，thatonecoulddrawnoconclusionsfromit；andheevenfeltsorryforthesegirls，whowerelivingandwouldendtheirlivesinthewilds，inaprovincefarawayfromthecenterofculture，wherenothingisaccidental，buteverythingisinaccordancewithreasonandlaw，andwhere，forinstance，everysuicideisintelligible，sothatonecanexplainwhyithashappenedandwhatisitssignificanceinthegeneralschemeofthings。Heimaginedthatifthelifesurroundinghimhereinthewildswerenotintelligibletohim，andifhedidnotseeit，itmeantthatitdidnotexistatall。
AtsuppertheconversationturnedonLesnitsky\"Heleftawifeandchild，\"saidStartchenko。\"Iwouldforbidneurasthenicsandallpeoplewhosenervoussystemisoutofordertomarry，Iwoulddeprivethemoftherightandpossibilityofmultiplyingtheirkind。Tobringintotheworldnervous，invalidchildrenisacrime。\"
\"Hewasanunfortunateyoungman，\"saidVonTaunitz，sighinggentlyandshakinghishead。\"Whatalotonemustsufferandthinkaboutbeforeonebringsoneselftotakeone’sownlife，……ayounglife！Suchamisfortunemayhappeninanyfamily，andthatisawful。Itishardtobearsuchathing，insufferable……\"
Andallthegirlslistenedinsilencewithgravefaces，lookingattheirfather。Lyzhinfeltthathe，too，mustsaysomething，buthecouldn’tthinkofanything，andmerelysaid：
\"Yes，suicideisanundesirablephenomenon。\"
Hesleptinawarmroom，inasoftbedcoveredwithaquiltunderwhichtherewerefinecleansheets，butforsomereasondidnotfeelcomfortable：perhapsbecausethedoctorandVonTaunitzwere，foralongtime，talkingintheadjoiningroom，andoverheadheheard，throughtheceilingandinthestove，thewindroaringjustasintheZemstvohut，andasplaintivelyhowling：\"Oo-oo-oo-oo！\"
VonTaunitz’swifehaddiedtwoyearsbefore，andhewasstillunabletoresignhimselftohislossand，whateverhewastalkingabout，alwaysmentionedhiswife；andtherewasnotraceofaprosecutorleftabouthimnow。
\"IsitpossiblethatImaysomedaycometosuchacondition？\"
thoughtLyzhin，ashefellasleep，stillhearingthroughthewallhishost’ssubdued，asitwerebereaved，voice。
Theexaminingmagistratedidnotsleepsoundly。Hefelthotanduncomfortable，anditseemedtohiminhissleepthathewasnotatVonTaunitz’s，andnotinasoftcleanbed，butstillinthehayattheZemstvohut，hearingthesubduedvoicesofthewitnesses；hefanciedthatLesnitskywascloseby，notfifteenpacesaway。Inhisdreamsherememberedhowtheinsuranceagent，black-hairedandpale，wearingdustyhighboots，hadcomeintothebookkeeper’soffice。\"Thisisourinsuranceagent……\"
ThenhedreamedthatLesnitskyandLoshadintheconstablewerewalkingthroughtheopencountryinthesnow，sidebyside，supportingeachother；thesnowwaswhirlingabouttheirheads，thewindwasblowingontheirbacks，buttheywalkedon，singing：Wegoon，andon，andon……\"
Theoldmanwaslikeamagicianinanopera，andbothofthemweresingingasthoughtheywereonthestage：
\"Wegoon，andon，andon！……Youareinthewarmth，inthelightandsnugness，butwearewalkinginthefrostandthestorm，throughthedeepsnow……Weknownothingofease，weknownothingofjoy……Webearalltheburdenofthislife，yoursandours……Oo-oo-oo！Wegoon，andon，andon……\"
Lyzhinwokeandsatupinbed。Whataconfused，baddream！Andwhydidhedreamoftheconstableandtheagenttogether？Whatnonsense！AndnowwhileLyzhin’sheartwasthrobbingviolentlyandhewassittingonhisbed，holdinghisheadinhishands，itseemedtohimthattherereallywassomethingincommonbetweenthelivesoftheinsuranceagentandtheconstable。Don’ttheyreallygosidebysideholdingeachotherup？Sometieunseen，butsignificantandessential，existedbetweenthem，andevenbetweenthemandVonTaunitzandbetweenallmen——allmen；inthislife，evenintheremotestdesert，nothingisaccidental，everythingisfullofonecommonidea，everythinghasonesoul，oneaim，andtounderstandititisnotenoughtothink，itisnotenoughtoreason，onemusthavealso，itseems，thegiftofinsightintolife，agiftwhichisevidentlynotbestowedonall。
Andtheunhappymanwhohadbrokendown，whohadkilledhimself——the\"neurasthenic，\"asthedoctorcalledhim——andtheoldpeasantwhospenteverydayofhislifegoingfromonemantoanother，wereonlyaccidental，wereonlyfragmentsoflifeforonewhothoughtofhisownlifeasaccidental，butwerepartsofoneorganism——marvelousandrational——foronewhothoughtofhisownlifeaspartofthatuniversalwholeandunderstoodit。
SothoughtLyzhin，anditwasathoughtthathadlonglainhiddeninhissoul，andonlynowitwasunfoldedbroadlyandclearlytohisconsciousness。
Helaydownandbegantodropasleep；andagaintheyweregoingalongtogether，singing：\"Wegoon，andon，andon……Wetakefromlifewhatishardestandbitterestinit，andweleaveyouwhatiseasyandjoyful；andsittingatsupper，youcancoldlyandsensiblydiscusswhywesufferandperish，andwhywearenotassoundandassatisfiedasyou。\"
Whattheyweresinginghadoccurredtohismindbefore，butthethoughtwassomewhereinthebackgroundbehindhisotherthoughts，andflickeredtimidlylikeafarawaylightinfoggyweather。Andhefeltthatthissuicideandthepeasant’ssufferingslayuponhisconscience，too；toresignhimselftothefactthatthesepeople，submissivetotheirfate，shouldtakeuptheburdenofwhatwashardestandgloomiestinlife——howawfulitwas！Toacceptthis，andtodesireforhimselfalifefulloflightandmovementamonghappyandcontentedpeople，andtobecontinuallydreamingofsuch，meansdreamingoffreshsuicidesofmencrushedbytoilandanxiety，orofmenweakandoutcastwhompeopleonlytalkofsometimesatsupperwithannoyanceormockery，withoutgoingtotheirhelp……Andagain：
\"Wegoon，andon，andon……\"asthoughsomeonewerebeatingwithahammeronhistemples。
Hewokeearlyinthemorningwithaheadache，rousedbyanoise；
inthenextroomVonTaunitzwassayingloudlytothedoctor：
\"It’simpossibleforyoutogonow。Lookwhat’sgoingonoutside。
Don’targue，youhadbetteraskthecoachman；hewon’ttakeyouinsuchweatherforamillion。\"
\"Butit’sonlytwomiles，\"saidthedoctorinanimploringvoice。
\"Well，ifitwereonlyhalfamile。Ifyoucan’t，thenyoucan’t。
Directlyyoudriveoutofthegatesitisperfecthell，youwouldbeofftheroadinaminute。Nothingwillinducemetoletyougo，youcansaywhatyoulike。\"
\"It’sboundtobequietertowardsevening，\"saidthepeasantwhowasheatingthestove。
AndinthenextroomthedoctorbegantalkingoftherigorousclimateanditsinfluenceonthecharacteroftheRussian，ofthelongwinterswhich，bypreventingmovementfromplacetoplace，hindertheintellectualdevelopmentofthepeople；andLyzhinlistenedwithvexationtotheseobservationsandlookedoutofwindowatthesnowdriftswhichwerepiledonthefence。Hegazedatthewhitedustwhichcoveredthewholevisibleexpanse，atthetreeswhichbowedtheirheadsdespairinglytorightandthentoleft，listenedtothehowlingandthebanging，andthoughtgloomily：
\"Well，whatmoralcanbedrawnfromit？It’sablizzardandthatisallaboutit……\"
Atmiddaytheyhadlunch，thenwanderedaimlesslyaboutthehouse；theywenttothewindows。
\"AndLesnitskyislyingthere，\"thoughtLyzhin，watchingthewhirlingsnow，whichracedfuriouslyroundandrounduponthedrifts。\"Lesnitskyislyingthere，thewitnessesarewaiting……\"
Theytalkedoftheweather，sayingthatthesnowstormusuallylastedtwodaysandnights，rarelylonger。Atsixo’clocktheyhaddinner，thentheyplayedcards，sang，danced；atlasttheyhadsupper。Thedaywasover，theywenttobed。
Inthenight，towardsmorning，itallsubsided。Whentheygotupandlookedoutofwindow，thebarewillowswiththeirweaklydroopingbrancheswerestandingperfectlymotionless；itwasdullandstill，asthoughnaturenowwereashamedofitsorgy，ofitsmadnights，andthelicenseithadgiventoitspassions。Thehorses，harnessedtandem，hadbeenwaitingatthefrontdoorsincefiveo’clockinthemorning。Whenitwasfullydaylightthedoctorandtheexaminingmagistrateputontheirfurcoatsandfeltboots，and，sayinggood-bytotheirhost，wentout。
Atthestepsbesidethecoachmanstoodthefamiliarfigureoftheconstable，IlyaLoshadin，withanoldleatherbagacrosshisshoulderandnocaponhishead，coveredwithsnowallover，andhisfacewasredandwetwithperspiration。Thefootmanwhohadcomeouttohelpthegentlemenandcovertheirlegslookedathimsternlyandsaid：
\"Whatareyoustandingherefor，youolddevil？Getaway！\"
\"Yourhonor，thepeopleareanxious，\"saidLoshadin，smilingnaivelyalloverhisface，andevidentlypleasedatseeingatlastthepeoplehehadwaitedforsolong。\"Thepeopleareveryuneasy，thechildrenarecrying……Theythought，yourhonor，thatyouhadgonebacktothetownagain。Showustheheavenlymercy，ourbenefactors！……\"
Thedoctorandtheexaminingmagistratesaidnothing，gotintothesledge，anddrovetoSyrnya。
