,*APT] #c 

#ahihahih 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TEXT 3 

,AT ,C>NIVAL TIME1 9 ! SIX? YE> ( ,S]GIUS'S LIFE AT ! H]MITAGE1 A M]RY COMPANY ( RI* PEOPLE1 M5 & WOM5 FROM A NEI<BOR+ T[N1 MADE UP A TROYKA-P>TY1 AFT] A MEAL ( C>NIVAL-PANCAKES & W9E4 ,! COMPANY CONSI/$ ( TWO LAWY]S1 A WEAL?Y L&[N]1 AN (FIC]1 & F\R LADIES4 ,ONE LADY WAS ! (FIC]'S WIFE1 ANO!R ! WIFE ( ! L&[N]1 ! ?IRD HIS SI/]--A Y\NG GIRL--& ! F\R? A DIVORCEE1 BEAUTIFUL1 RI*1 & ECC5TRIC1 :O AMAZ$ & %OCK$ ! T[N BY H] ESCAPADES4 

,! WEA!R WAS EXCELL5T & ! SN[-COV]$ ROAD SMOO? AS A FLOOR4 ,!Y DROVE SOME SEV5 MILES \T ( T[N1 & !N /OPP$ & CONSULT$ AS TO :E!R !Y %\LD TURN BACK OR DRIVE F>!R4 

',BUT :]E DOES ?IS ROAD LEAD TO8' ASK$ ,MAKOVK9A1 ! BEAUTIFUL DIVORCEE4 

',TO ,TAMBOV1 EI<T MILES FROM H]E1' REPLI$ ONE ( ! LAWY]S1 :O WAS HAV+ A FLIRTATION ) H]4 

',& !N :]E8' 

',!N ON TO ,L----1 PA/ ! ,MONA/]Y4' 

',:]E ?AT ,FA!R ,S]GIUS LIVES8' 

',YES4' 

',KASATSKY1 ! H&SOME H]MIT8' 

',YES4' 

',MESDAMES ET MESSIEURS1 LET US DRIVE ON & SEE ,KASATSKY6 ,WE CAN /OP AT ,TAMBOV & HAVE SOME?+ TO EAT4' 

',BUT WE %\LDN'T GET HOME TO-NI<T6' 

',NEV] M9D1 WE WILL /AY AT ,KASATSKY'S4' 

',WELL1 !RE IS A V]Y GOOD HO/ELRY AT ! ,MONA/]Y4 ,I /AY$ !RE :5 ,I WAS DEF5D+ ,MAKH94' 

',NO1 ,I %ALL SP5D ! NI<T AT ,KASATSKY'S6' 

',IMPOSSIBLE6 ,EV5 Y\R OMNIPOT5CE C\LD NOT ACCOMPLI% ?AT6' 

',IMPOSSIBLE8 ,WILL Y\ BET8' 

',ALL RI<T6 ,IF Y\ SP5D ! NI<T ) HIM1 ! /AKE %ALL BE :ATEV] Y\ LIKE4' 

',A ,D,I,S,C,R,E,T,I,O,N6' 

',BUT ON Y\R SIDE TOO6' 

',YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,LET US DRIVE ON4' 

,VODKA WAS H&$ TO ! DRIV]S1 & ! P>TY GOT \T A BOX ( PIES1 W9E1 & SWEETS = !MSELVES4 ,! LADIES WRAPP$ UP 9 !IR :ITE DOGSK9S4 ,! DRIV]S DISPUT$ AS TO :OSE TROYKA %\LD GO AHEAD1 & ! Y\NGE/1 SEAT+ HIMSELF SIDEWAYS ) A DA%+ AIR1 SWUNG HIS LONG KN\T & %\T$ TO ! HORSES4 ,! TROYKA-BELLS T9KL$ & ! SL$GE-RUNN]S SQUEAK$ OV] ! SN[4 

,! SL$GE SWAY$ H>DLY AT ALL4 ,! %AFT-HORSE1 ) HIS TI<TLY B\ND TAIL UND] HIS DECORAT$ BREE*B&1 GALLOP$ SMOO?LY & BRISKLY2 ! SMOO? ROAD SEEM$ TO RUN RAPIDLY BACKW>DS1 :ILE ! DRIV] DA%+LY %OOK ! RE9S4 ,ONE ( ! LAWY]S & ! (FIC] SITT+ OPPOSITE TALK$ NONS5SE TO ,MAKOVK9A'S NEI<BOR1 BUT ,MAKOVK9A H]SELF SAT MOTIONLESS & 9 ?\<T1 TI<TLY WRAPP$ 9 H] FUR4 ',ALWAYS ! SAME & ALWAYS NA/Y6 ,! SAME R$ %9Y FACES SMELL+ ( W9E & CIG>S6 ,! SAME TALK1 ! SAME ?\<TS1 & ALWAYS AB\T ! SAME ?+S6 ,& !Y >E ALL SATISFI$ & CONFID5T ?AT IT %\LD BE SO1 & WILL GO ON LIV+ LIKE ?AT TILL !Y DIE4 ,BUT ,I CAN'T4 ,IT BORES ME4 ,I WANT SOME?+ ?AT W\LD UPSET IT ALL & TURN IT UPSIDE D[N4 ,SUPPOSE IT HAPP5$ TO US AS TO ?OSE PEOPLE--AT ,S>ATOV WAS IT8--:O KEPT ON DRIV+ & FROZE TO DEA?4444 ,:AT W\LD \R PEOPLE DO8 ,H[ W\LD !Y BEHAVE8 ,BASELY1 = C]TA94 ,EA* = HIMSELF4 ,& ,I TOO %\LD ACT BADLY4 ,BUT ,I AT ANY RATE HAVE BEAUTY4 ,!Y ALL KN[ IT4 ,& H[ AB\T ?AT MONK8 ,IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT HE HAS BECOME 9DIFF]5T TO IT8 ,NO6 ,?AT IS ! ONE ?+ !Y ALL C>E =--LIKE ?AT CADET LA/ AUTUMN4 ,:AT A FOOL HE WAS6' 

',IVAN ,NIKOLAEVI*6' %E SAID AL\D4 

',:AT >E Y\R COMM&S8' 

',H[ OLD IS HE8' 

',:O8' 

',KASATSKY4' 

',OV] =TY1 ,I %\LD ?9K4' 

',& DOES HE RECEIVE ALL VISITORS8' 

',YES1 EV]YBODY1 BUT NOT ALWAYS4' 

',COV] UP MY FEET4 ,NOT LIKE ?AT--H[ CLUMSY Y\ >E6 ,NO6 ,MORE1 MORE--LIKE ?AT6 ,BUT Y\ NE$ NOT SQUEEZE !M6' 

,SO !Y CAME TO ! =E/ :]E ! CELL WAS4 

,MAKOVK9A GOT \T ( ! SL$GE1 & TOLD !M TO DRIVE ON4 ,!Y TRI$ TO DISSUADE H]1 BUT %E GREW IRRITABLE & ORD]$ !M TO GO ON4 

,:5 ! SL$GES HAD GONE %E W5T UP ! PA? 9 H] :ITE DOGSK9 COAT4 ,! LAWY] GOT \T & /OPP$ TO WAT* H]4 

,IT WAS ,FA!R ,S]GIUS'S SIX? YE> AS A RECLUSE1 & HE WAS N[ =TY-N9E4 ,HIS LIFE 9 SOLITUDE WAS H>D--NOT ON ACC\NT ( ! FA/S & ! PRAY]S 7!Y W]E NO H>D%IP TO HIM7 BUT ON ACC\NT ( AN 9N] CONFLICT HE HAD NOT AT ALL ANTICIPAT$4 ,! S\RCES ( ?AT CONFLICT W]E TWO3 D\BTS1 & ! LU/ ( ! FLE%4 ,& !SE TWO 5EMIES ALWAYS APPE>$ TOGE!R4 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT !Y W]E TWO FOES1 BUT 9 REALITY !Y W]E ONE & ! SAME4 ,AS SOON AS D\BT WAS GONE SO WAS ! LU/FUL DESIRE4 ,BUT ?9K+ !M TO BE TWO DIFF]5T FI5DS HE F\<T !M SEP>ATELY4 

',O MY ,GOD1 MY ,GOD6' ?\<T HE4 ',:Y DO/ ?\ NOT GRANT ME FAI?8 ,!RE IS LU/1 ( C\RSE3 EV5 ! SA9TS HAD TO FI<T ?AT--,SA9T ,AN?ONY & O!RS4 ,BUT !Y HAD FAI?1 :ILE ,I HAVE MOM5TS1 H\RS1 & DAYS1 :5 IT IS ABS5T4 ,:Y DOES ! :OLE WORLD1 ) ALL ITS DELI<TS1 EXI/ IF IT IS S9FUL & MU/ BE R5\NC$8 ,:Y HA/ ,?\ CREAT$ ?IS TEMPTATION8 ,TEMPTATION8 ,IS IT NOT RA!R A TEMPTATION ?AT ,I WI% TO AB&ON ALL ! JOYS ( E>? & PREP>E SOME?+ = MYSELF !RE :]E P]HAPS !RE IS NO?+8' ,& HE BECAME HORRIFI$ & FILL$ ) DISGU/ AT HIMSELF4 ',VILE CREATURE6 ,& IT IS Y\ :O WI% TO BECOME A SA9T6' HE UPBRAID$ HIMSELF1 & HE BEGAN TO PRAY4 ,BUT AS SOON AS HE />T$ TO PRAY HE SAW HIMSELF VIVIDLY AS HE HAD BE5 AT ! ,MONA/]Y1 9 A MAJE/IC PO/ 9 BIRETTA & MANTLE1 & HE %OOK HIS HEAD4 ',NO1 ?AT IS NOT RI<T4 ,IT IS DECEPTION4 ,I MAY DECEIVE O!RS1 BUT NOT MYSELF OR ,GOD4 ,I AM NOT A MAJE/IC MAN1 BUT A PITIABLE & RIDICUL\S ONE6' ,& HE ?REW BACK ! FOLDS ( HIS CASSOCK & SMIL$ AS HE LOOK$ AT HIS ?9 LEGS 9 !IR UND]CLO?+4 

,!N HE DROPP$ ! FOLDS ( ! CASSOCK AGA9 & BEGAN READ+ ! PRAY]S1 MAK+ ! SIGN ( ! CROSS & PRO/RAT+ HIMSELF4 ',CAN IT BE ?AT ?IS C\* WILL BE MY BI]8' HE READ4 ,& IT SEEM$ AS IF A DEVIL :ISP]$ TO HIM3 ',A SOLIT>Y C\* IS ITSELF A BI]4 ,FALSEHOOD6' ,& 9 IMAG9ATION HE SAW ! %\LD]S ( A WID[ ) :OM HE HAD LIV$4 ,HE %OOK HIMSELF1 & W5T ON READ+4 ,HAV+ READ ! PRECEPTS HE TOOK UP ! ,GOSPELS1 OP5$ ! BOOK1 & HAPP5$ ON A PASSAGE HE (T5 REPEAT$ & KNEW BY HE>T3 ',LORD1 ,I BELIEVE4 ,HELP ?\ MY UNBELIEF6'--& HE PUT AWAY ALL ! D\BTS ?AT HAD >IS54 ,AS ONE REPLACES AN OBJECT ( 9SECURE EQUILIBRIUM1 SO HE C>EFULLY REPLAC$ HIS BELIEF ON ITS %AKY P$E/AL & C>EFULLY /EPP$ BACK FROM IT SO AS NOT TO %AKE OR UPSET IT4 ,! BL9K]S W]E ADJU/$ AGA9 & HE FELT TRANQUILIZ$1 & REPEAT+ HIS *ILDHOOD'S PRAY]3 ',LORD1 RECEIVE ME1 RECEIVE ME6' HE FELT NOT M]ELY AT EASE1 BUT ?RILL$ & JOYFUL4 ,HE CROSS$ HIMSELF & LAY D[N ON ! B$D+ ON HIS N>R[ B5*1 TUCK+ HIS SUMM] CASSOCK UND] HIS HEAD4 ,HE FELL ASLEEP AT ONCE1 & 9 HIS LI<T SLUMB] HE SEEM$ TO HE> ! T9KL+ ( SL$GE BELLS4 ,HE DID NOT KN[ :E!R HE WAS DREAM+ OR AWAKE1 BUT A KNOCK AT ! DOOR >\S$ HIM4 ,HE SAT UP1 DI/RU/+ HIS S5SES1 BUT ! KNOCK WAS REPEAT$4 ,YES1 IT WAS A KNOCK CLOSE AT H&1 AT HIS DOOR1 & ) IT ! S\ND ( A WOMAN'S VOICE4 

',MY ,GOD6 ,CAN IT BE TRUE1 AS ,I HAVE READ 9 ! ,LIVES ( ! ,SA9TS1 ?AT ! DEVIL TAKES ON ! =M ( A WOMAN8 ,YES--IT IS A WOMAN'S VOICE4 ,& A T5D]1 TIMID1 PLEASANT VOICE4 ,PHUI6' ,& HE SPAT TO EXORCIZE ! DEVIL4 ',NO1 IT WAS ONLY MY IMAG9ATION1' HE ASSUR$ HIMSELF1 & HE W5T TO ! CORN] :]E HIS LECT]N /OOD1 FALL+ ON HIS KNEES 9 ! REGUL> & HABITUAL MANN] :I* ( ITSELF GAVE HIM CONSOLATION & SATISFACTION4 ,HE SANK D[N1 HIS HAIR HANG+ OV] HIS FACE1 & PRESS$ HIS HEAD1 ALREADY GO+ BALD 9 FRONT1 TO ! COLD DAMP /RIP ( DRUGGET ON ! DRAFTY FLOOR4 ,HE READ ! PSALM OLD ,FA!R ,PIMON HAD TOLD HIM W>D$ (F TEMPTATION4 ,HE EASILY RAIS$ HIS LI<T & EMACIAT$ BODY ON HIS /RONG S9EWY LEGS & TRI$ TO CONT9UE SAY+ HIS PRAY]S1 BUT 9/EAD ( DO+ SO HE 9VOLUNT>ILY /RA9$ HIS HE>+4 ,HE WI%$ TO HE> MORE4 ,ALL WAS QUIET4 ,FROM ! CORN] ( ! RO( REGUL> DROPS CONT9U$ TO FALL 9TO ! TUB BEL[4 ,\TSIDE WAS A MI/ & FOG EAT+ 9TO ! SN[ ?AT LAY ON ! GR\ND4 ,IT WAS /ILL1 V]Y /ILL4 ,& SUDD5LY !RE WAS A RU/L+ AT ! W9D[ & A VOICE--?AT SAME T5D]1 TIMID VOICE1 :I* C\LD ONLY BELONG TO AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN--SAID3 

',LET ME 91 = ,*RI/'S SAKE6' 

,IT SEEM$ AS ?\< HIS BLOOD HAD ALL RU%$ TO HIS HE>T & SETTL$ !RE4 ,HE C\LD H>DLY BREA!4 ',LET ,GOD >ISE & LET HIS 5EMIES BE SCATT]$444' 

',BUT ,I AM NOT A DEVIL6' ,IT WAS OBVI\S ?AT ! LIPS ?AT UTT]$ ?IS W]E SMIL+4 ',I AM NOT A DEVIL1 BUT ONLY A S9FUL WOMAN :O HAS LO/ H] WAY1 NOT FIGURATIVELY BUT LIT]ALLY6' ,%E LAU<$4 ',I AM FROZ5 & BEG = %ELT]4' 

,HE PRESS$ HIS FACE TO ! W9D[1 BUT ! LITTLE ICON-LAMP WAS REFLECT$ BY IT & %ONE ON ! :OLE PANE4 ,HE PUT HIS H&S TO BO? SIDES ( HIS FACE & PE]$ BETWE5 !M4 ,FOG1 MI/1 A TREE1 &--JU/ OPPOSITE HIM--%E H]SELF4 ,YES1 !RE1 A FEW 9*ES FROM HIM1 WAS ! SWEET1 K9DLY FRI<T5$ FACE ( A WOMAN 9 A CAP & A COAT ( LONG :ITE FUR1 LEAN+ T[>DS HIM4 ,!IR EYES MET ) 9/ANT RECOGNITION3 NOT ?AT !Y HAD EV] KN[N ONE ANO!R1 !Y HAD NEV] MET BE=E1 BUT BY ! LOOK !Y EX*ANG$ !Y--& HE P>TICUL>LY--FELT ?AT !Y KNEW & UND]/OOD ONE ANO!R4 ,AFT] ?AT GLANCE TO IMAG9E H] TO BE A DEVIL & NOT A SIMPLE1 K9DLY1 SWEET1 TIMID WOMAN1 WAS IMPOSSIBLE4 

',:O >E Y\8 ,:Y HAVE Y\ COME8' HE ASK$4 

',DO PLEASE OP5 ! DOOR6' %E REPLI$1 ) CAPRICI\S AU?ORITY4 ',I AM FROZ54 ,I TELL Y\ ,I HAVE LO/ MY WAY4' 

',BUT ,I AM A MONK--A H]MIT4' 

',OH1 DO PLEASE OP5 ! DOOR--OR DO Y\ WI% ME TO FREEZE UND] Y\R W9D[ :ILE Y\ SAY Y\R PRAY]S8' 

',BUT H[ HAVE Y\444' 

',I %AN'T EAT Y\4 ,= ,GOD'S SAKE LET ME 96 ,I AM QUITE FROZ54' 

,%E REALLY DID FEEL AFRAID1 & SAID ?IS 9 AN ALMO/ TE>FUL VOICE4 

,HE /EPP$ BACK FROM ! W9D[ & LOOK$ AT AN ICON ( ! ,SAVIOR 9 ,HIS CR[N ( ?ORNS4 ',LORD1 HELP ME6 ,LORD1 HELP ME6' HE EXCLAIM$1 CROSS+ HIMSELF & B[+ L[4 ,!N HE W5T TO ! DOOR1 & OP5+ IT 9TO ! T9Y POR*1 FELT = ! HOOK ?AT FA/5$ ! \T] DOOR & BEGAN TO LIFT IT4 ,HE HE>D /EPS \TSIDE4 ,%E WAS COM+ FROM ! W9D[ TO ! DOOR4 ',AH6' %E SUDD5LY EXCLAIM$1 & HE UND]/OOD ?AT %E HAD /EPP$ 9TO ! PUDDLE ?AT ! DRIPP+ FROM ! RO( HAD =M$ AT ! ?RE%OLD4 ,HIS H&S TREMBL$1 & HE C\LD NOT RAISE ! HOOK ( ! TI<TLY CLOS$ DOOR4 

',OH1 :AT >E Y\ DO+8 ,LET ME 96 ,I AM ALL WET4 ,I AM FROZ56 ,Y\ >E ?9K+ AB\T SAV+ Y\R S\L & >E LETT+ ME FREEZE TO DEA?444' 

,HE J]K$ ! DOOR T[>DS HIM1 RAIS$ ! HOOK1 & )\T CONSID]+ :AT HE WAS DO+1 PU%$ IT OP5 ) SU* =CE ?AT IT /RUCK H]4 

',OH--,P,>,D,O,N6' HE SUDD5LY EXCLAIM$1 REV]T+ COMPLETELY TO HIS OLD MANN] ) LADIES4 

,%E SMIL$ ON HE>+ ?AT ,P,>,D,O,N4 ',HE IS NOT QUITE SO T]RIBLE1 AFT] ALL1' %E ?\<T4 ',IT'S ALL RI<T4 ,IT IS Y\ :O MU/ P>DON ME1' %E SAID1 /EPP+ PA/ HIM4 ',I %\LD NEV] HAVE V5TUR$1 BUT SU* AN EXTRAORD9>Y CIRCUM/ANCE444' 

',IF Y\ PLEASE6' HE UTT]$1 & /OOD ASIDE TO LET H] PASS HIM4 ,A /RONG SMELL ( F9E SC5T1 :I* HE HAD LONG NOT 5C\NT]$1 /RUCK HIM4 ,%E W5T ?R\< ! LITTLE POR* 9TO ! CELL :]E HE LIV$4 ,HE CLOS$ ! \T] DOOR )\T FA/5+ ! HOOK1 & /EPP$ 9 AFT] H]4 

',LORD ,JESUS ,*RI/1 ,SON ( ,GOD1 HAVE M]CY ON ME A S9N]6 ,LORD1 HAVE M]CY ON ME A S9N]6' HE PRAY$ UNCEAS+LY1 NOT M]ELY TO HIMSELF BUT 9VOLUNT>ILY MOV+ HIS LIPS4 ',IF Y\ PLEASE6' HE SAID TO H] AGA94 ,%E /OOD 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM1 MOI/URE DRIPP+ FROM H] TO ! FLOOR AS %E LOOK$ HIM OV]4 ,H] EYES W]E LAU<+4 

',=GIVE ME = HAV+ DI/URB$ Y\R SOLITUDE4 ,BUT Y\ SEE :AT A POSITION ,I AM 94 ,IT ALL CAME AB\T FROM \R />T+ FROM T[N = A SL$GE-DRIVE1 & MY MAK+ A BET ?AT ,I W\LD WALK BACK BY MYSELF FROM ! ,VOROBEVKA TO ! T[N4 ,BUT !N ,I LO/ MY WAY1 & IF ,I HAD NOT HAPP5$ TO COME UPON Y\R CELL444' ,%E BEGAN LY+1 BUT HIS FACE CONFUS$ H] SO ?AT %E C\LD NOT CONT9UE1 BUT BECAME SIL5T4 ,%E HAD NOT EXPECT$ HIM TO BE AT ALL SU* AS HE WAS4 ,HE WAS NOT AS H&SOME AS %E HAD IMAG9$1 BUT WAS NEV]!LESS BEAUTIFUL 9 H] EYES3 HIS GRAYI% HAIR & BE>D1 SLI<TLY CURL+1 HIS F9E1 REGUL> NOSE1 & HIS EYES LIKE GL[+ COAL :5 HE LOOK$ AT H]1 MADE A /RONG IMPRESSION ON H]4 

,HE SAW ?AT %E WAS LY+4 

',YES444 SO1' SAID HE1 LOOK+ AT H] & AGA9 L[]+ HIS EYES4 ',I WILL GO 9 !RE1 & ?IS PLACE IS AT Y\R DISPOSAL4' 

,& TAK+ D[N ! LITTLE LAMP1 HE LIT A C&LE1 & B[+ L[ TO H] W5T 9TO ! SMALL CELL BEYOND ! P>TITION1 & %E HE>D HIM BEG9 TO MOVE SOME?+ AB\T !RE4 ',PROBABLY HE IS B>RICAD+ HIMSELF 9 FROM ME6' %E ?\<T ) A SMILE1 & ?R[+ (F H] :ITE DOGSK9 CLOAK %E TRI$ TO TAKE (F H] CAP1 :I* HAD BECOME 5TANGL$ 9 H] HAIR & 9 ! WOV5 K]*IEF %E WAS WE>+ UND] IT4 ,%E HAD NOT GOT AT ALL WET :5 /&+ UND] ! W9D[1 & HAD SAID SO ONLY AS A PRETEXT TO GET HIM TO LET H] 94 ,BUT %E REALLY HAD /EPP$ 9TO ! PUDDLE AT ! DOOR1 & H] LEFT FOOT WAS WET UP TO ! ANKLE & H] OV]%OE FULL ( WAT]4 ,%E SAT D[N ON HIS B$--A B5* ONLY COV]$ BY A BIT ( C>PET--& BEGAN TO TAKE (F H] BOOTS4 ,! LITTLE CELL SEEM$ TO H] *>M+4 ,! N>R[ LITTLE ROOM1 SOME SEV5 FEET BY N9E1 WAS AS CLEAN AS GLASS4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ 9 IT BUT ! B5* ON :I* %E WAS SITT+1 ! BOOK-%ELF ABOVE IT1 & A LECT]N 9 ! CORN]4 ,A %EEPSK9 COAT & A CASSOCK HUNG ON NAILS BY ! DOOR4 ,ABOVE ! LECT]N WAS ! LITTLE LAMP & AN ICON ( ,*RI/ 9 ,HIS CR[N ( ?ORNS4 ,! ROOM SMELT /RANGELY ( P]SPIRATION & ( E>?4 ,IT ALL PLEAS$ H]--EV5 ?AT SMELL4 ,H] WET FEET1 ESPECIALLY ONE ( !M1 W]E UNCOM=TABLE1 & %E QUICKLY BEGAN TO TAKE (F H] BOOTS & /OCK+S )\T CEAS+ TO SMILE1 PLEAS$ NOT SO MU* AT HAV+ A*IEV$ H] OBJECT AS BECAUSE %E P]CEIV$ ?AT %E HAD ABA%$ ?AT *>M+1 /RANGE1 /RIK+1 & ATTRACTIVE MAN4 ',HE DID NOT RESPOND1 BUT :AT ( ?AT8' %E SAID TO H]SELF4 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,OR H[ DOES ONE CALL Y\8' 

',:AT DO Y\ WANT8' REPLI$ A QUIET VOICE4 

',PLEASE =GIVE ME = DI/URB+ Y\R SOLITUDE1 BUT REALLY ,I C\LD NOT HELP IT4 ,I %\LD SIMPLY HAVE FALL5 ILL4 ,& ,I DON'T KN[ ?AT ,I %AN'T N[4 ,I AM ALL WET & MY FEET >E LIKE ICE4' 

',P>DON ME1' REPLI$ ! QUIET VOICE4 ',I CANNOT BE ( ANY ASSI/ANCE TO Y\4' 

',I W\LD NOT HAVE DI/URB$ Y\ IF ,I C\LD HAVE HELP$ IT4 ,I AM ONLY H]E TILL DAYBREAK4' 

,HE DID NOT REPLY & %E HE>D HIM MUTT]+ SOME?+1 PROBABLY HIS PRAY]S4 

',Y\ WILL NOT BE COM+ 9 H]E8' %E ASK$1 SMIL+4 ',= ,I MU/ UNDRESS TO DRY MYSELF4' 

,HE DID NOT REPLY1 BUT CONT9U$ TO READ HIS PRAY]S4 

',YES1 ?AT IS A MAN6' ?\<T %E1 GETT+ H] DRIPP+ BOOT (F ) DIFFICULTY4 ,%E TUGG$ AT IT1 BUT C\LD NOT GET IT (F4 ,! ABSURDITY ( IT /RUCK H] & %E BEGAN TO LAU< ALMO/ 9AUDIBLY4 ,BUT KN[+ ?AT HE W\LD HE> H] LAU<T] & W\LD BE MOV$ BY IT JU/ AS %E WI%$ HIM TO BE1 %E LAU<$ L\D]1 & H] LAU<T]--GAY1 NATURAL1 & K9DLY--REALLY ACT$ ON HIM JU/ 9 ! WAY %E WI%$4 

',YES1 ,I C\LD LOVE A MAN LIKE ?AT--SU* EYES & SU* A SIMPLE NOBLE FACE1 & PASSIONATE TOO DESPITE ALL ! PRAY]S HE MUTT]S6' ?\<T %E4 ',Y\ CAN'T DECEIVE A WOMAN 9 !SE ?+S4 ,AS SOON AS HE PUT HIS FACE TO ! W9D[ & SAW ME1 HE UND]/OOD & KNEW4 ,! GLIMM] ( IT WAS 9 HIS EYES & REMA9$ !RE4 ,HE BEGAN TO LOVE ME & DESIR$ ME4 ,YES--DESIR$6' SAID %E1 GETT+ H] OV]%OE & H] BOOT (F AT LA/ & />T+ TO TAKE (F H] /OCK+S4 ,TO REMOVE ?OSE LONG /OCK+S FA/5$ ) ELA/IC IT WAS NECESS>Y TO RAISE H] SKIRTS4 ,%E FELT EMB>RASS$ & SAID3 

',DON'T COME 96' 

,BUT !RE WAS NO REPLY FROM ! O!R SIDE ( ! WALL4 ,! /EADY MUTT]+ CONT9U$ & ALSO A S\ND ( MOV+4 

',HE IS PRO/RAT+ HIMSELF TO ! GR\ND1 NO D\BT1' ?\<T %E4 ',BUT HE WON'T B[ HIMSELF \T ( IT4 ,HE IS ?9K+ ( ME JU/ AS ,I AM ?9K+ ( HIM4 ,HE IS ?9K+ ( !SE FEET ( M9E ) ! SAME FEEL+ ?AT ,I HAVE6' ,& %E PULL$ (F H] WET /OCK+S & PUT H] FEET UP ON ! B5*1 PRESS+ !M UND] H]4 ,%E SAT A :ILE LIKE ?AT ) H] >MS R\ND H] KNEES & LOOK+ P5SIVELY BE=E H]4 ',BUT IT IS A DES]T1 H]E 9 ?IS SIL5CE4 ,NO ONE W\LD EV] KN[4444' 

,%E ROSE1 TOOK H] /OCK+S OV] TO ! /OVE1 & HUNG !M ON ! DAMP]4 ,IT WAS A QUE] DAMP]1 & %E TURN$ IT AB\T1 & !N1 /EPP+ LI<TLY ON H] B>E FEET1 RETURN$ TO ! B5* & SAT D[N !RE AGA9 ) H] FEET UP4 

,!RE WAS COMPLETE SIL5CE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! P>TITION4 ,%E LOOK$ AT ! T9Y WAT* ?AT HUNG R\ND H] NECK4 ,IT WAS TWO O'CLOCK4 ',\R P>TY %\LD RETURN AB\T ?REE6' ,%E HAD NOT MORE ?AN AN H\R BE=E H]4 ',WELL1 AM ,I TO SIT LIKE ?IS ALL ALONE8 ,:AT NONS5SE6 ,I DON'T WANT TO4 ,I WILL CALL HIM AT ONCE4' 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS1 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,S]GEY ,DMITRI*6 ,PR9CE ,KASATSKY6' 

,BEYOND ! P>TITION ALL WAS SIL5T4 

',LI/56 ,?IS IS CRUEL4 ,I W\LD NOT CALL Y\ IF IT W]E NOT NECESS>Y4 ,I AM ILL4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT IS ! MATT] ) ME6' %E EXCLAIM$ 9 A TONE ( SUFF]+4 ',OH6 ,OH6' %E GROAN$1 FALL+ BACK ON ! B5*4 ,& /RANGE TO SAY %E REALLY FELT ?AT H] /R5G? WAS FAIL+1 ?AT %E WAS BECOM+ FA9T1 ?AT EV]Y?+ 9 H] A*$1 & ?AT %E WAS %IV]+ ) FEV]4 

',LI/56 ,HELP ME6 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT IS ! MATT] ) ME4 ,OH6 ,OH6' ,%E UNFA/5$ H] DRESS1 EXPOS+ H] BREA/1 & LIFT$ H] >MS1 B>E TO ! ELB[4 ',OH6 ,OH6' 

,ALL ?IS TIME HE /OOD ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! P>TITION & PRAY$4 ,HAV+ F9I%$ ALL ! EV5+ PRAY]S1 HE N[ /OOD MOTIONLESS1 HIS EYES LOOK+ AT ! 5D ( HIS NOSE1 & M5TALLY REPEAT$ ) ALL HIS S\L3 ',LORD ,JESUS ,*RI/1 ,SON ( ,GOD1 HAVE M]CY UPON ME6' 

,BUT HE HAD HE>D EV]Y?+4 ,HE HAD HE>D H[ ! SILK RU/L$ :5 %E TOOK (F H] DRESS1 H[ %E /EPP$ ) B>E FEET ON ! FLOOR1 & HAD HE>D H[ %E RUBB$ H] FEET ) H] H&4 ,HE FELT HIS [N WEAKNESS1 & ?AT HE MI<T BE LO/ AT ANY MOM5T4 ,?AT WAS :Y HE PRAY$ UNCEAS+LY4 ,HE FELT RA!R AS ! H]O 9 ! FAIRY-TALE MU/ HAVE FELT :5 HE HAD TO GO ON & ON )\T LOOK+ R\ND4 ,SO ,S]GIUS HE>D & FELT ?AT DANG] & DE/RUCTION W]E !RE1 HOV]+ ABOVE & >\ND HIM1 & ?AT HE C\LD ONLY SAVE HIMSELF BY NOT LOOK+ 9 ?AT DIRECTION = AN 9/ANT4 ,BUT SUDD5LY ! DESIRE TO LOOK SEIZ$ HIM4 ,AT ! SAME 9/ANT %E SAID3 

',?IS IS 9HUMAN4 ,I MAY DIE4444' 

',YES1 ,I WILL GO TO H]1 BUT LIKE ! ,SA9T :O LAID ONE H& ON ! ADULT]ESS & ?RU/ HIS O!R 9TO ! BRAZI]4 ,BUT !RE IS NO BRAZI] H]E4' ,HE LOOK$ R\ND4 ,! LAMP6 ,HE PUT HIS F+] OV] ! FLAME & FR[N$1 PREP>+ HIMSELF TO SUFF]4 ,& = A RA!R LONG TIME1 AS IT SEEM$ TO HIM1 !RE WAS NO S5SATION1 BUT SUDD5LY--HE HAD NOT YET DECID$ :E!R IT WAS PA9FUL 5\<--HE WRI!D ALL OV]1 J]K$ HIS H& AWAY1 & WAV$ IT 9 ! AIR4 ',NO1 ,I CAN'T /& ?AT6' 

',= ,GOD'S SAKE COME TO ME6 ,I AM DY+6 ,OH6' 

',WELL--%ALL ,I P]I%8 ,NO1 NOT SO6' 

',I WILL COME TO Y\ DIRECTLY1' HE SAID1 & HAV+ OP5$ HIS DOOR1 HE W5T )\T LOOK+ AT H] ?R\< ! CELL 9TO ! POR* :]E HE US$ TO *OP WOOD4 ,!RE HE FELT = ! BLOCK & = AN AX :I* LEAN$ AGA9/ ! WALL4 

',IMM$IATELY6' HE SAID1 & TAK+ UP ! AX ) HIS RI<T H& HE LAID ! =EF+] ( HIS LEFT H& ON ! BLOCK1 SWUNG ! AX1 & /RUCK ) IT BEL[ ! SECOND JO9T4 ,! F+] FLEW (F MORE LI<TLY ?AN A /ICK ( SIMIL> ?ICKNESS1 & B\ND+ UP1 TURN$ OV] ON ! $GE ( ! BLOCK & !N FELL TO ! FLOOR4 

,HE HE>D IT FALL BE=E HE FELT ANY PA91 BUT BE=E HE HAD TIME TO BE SURPRIS$ HE FELT A BURN+ PA9 & ! W>M? ( FL[+ BLOOD4 ,HE HA/ILY WRAPP$ ! /UMP 9 ! SKIRT ( HIS CASSOCK1 & PRESS+ IT TO HIS HIP W5T BACK 9TO ! ROOM1 & /&+ 9 FRONT ( ! WOMAN1 L[]$ HIS EYES & ASK$ 9 A L[ VOICE3 ',:AT DO Y\ WANT8' 

,%E LOOK$ AT HIS PALE FACE & HIS QUIV]+ LEFT *EEK1 & SUDD5LY FELT A%AM$4 ,%E JUMP$ UP1 SEIZ$ H] FUR CLOAK1 & ?R[+ IT R\ND H] %\LD]S1 WRAPP$ H]SELF UP 9 IT4 

',I WAS 9 PA9444 ,I HAVE CAU<T COLD444 ,I444 ,FA!R ,S]GIUS444 ,I444' 

,HE LET HIS EYES1 %9+ ) A QUIET LI<T ( JOY1 RE/ UPON H]1 & SAID3 

',DE> SI/]1 :Y DID Y\ WI% TO RU9 Y\R IMMORTAL S\L8 ,TEMPTATIONS MU/ COME 9TO ! WORLD1 BUT WOE TO HIM BY :OM TEMPTATION COMES4 ,PRAY ?AT ,GOD MAY =GIVE US6' 

,%E LI/5$ & LOOK$ AT HIM4 ,SUDD5LY %E HE>D ! S\ND ( SOME?+ DRIPP+4 ,%E LOOK$ D[N & SAW ?AT BLOOD WAS FL[+ FROM HIS H& & D[N HIS CASSOCK4 

',:AT HAVE Y\ DONE TO Y\R H&8' ,%E REMEMB]$ ! S\ND %E HAD HE>D1 & SEIZ+ ! LITTLE LAMP RAN \T 9TO ! POR*4 ,!RE ON ! FLOOR %E SAW ! BLOODY F+]4 ,%E RETURN$ ) H] FACE PAL] ?AN HIS & WAS AB\T TO SPEAK TO HIM1 BUT HE SIL5TLY PASS$ 9TO ! BACK CELL & FA/5$ ! DOOR4 

',=GIVE ME6' %E SAID4 ',H[ CAN ,I ATONE = MY S98' 

',GO AWAY4' 

',LET ME TIE UP Y\R H&4' 

',GO AWAY FROM H]E4' 

,%E DRESS$ HURRI$LY & SIL5TLY1 & :5 READY SAT WAIT+ 9 H] FURS4 ,! SL$GE-BELLS W]E HE>D \TSIDE4 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS1 =GIVE ME6' 

',GO AWAY4 ,GOD WILL =GIVE4' 

',FA!R ,S]GIUS6 ,I WILL *ANGE MY LIFE4 ,DO NOT =SAKE ME6' 

',GO AWAY4' 

',=GIVE ME--& GIVE ME Y\R BLESS+6' 

',9 ! NAME ( ! ,FA!R & ( ! ,SON & ( ! ,HOLY ,<O/6'--%E HE>D HIS VOICE FROM BEH9D ! P>TITION4 ',GO6' 

,%E BUR/ 9TO SOBS & LEFT ! CELL4 ,! LAWY] CAME =W>D TO MEET H]4 

',WELL1 ,I SEE ,I HAVE LO/ ! BET4 ,IT CAN'T BE HELP$4 ,:]E WILL Y\ SIT8' 

',IT IS ALL ! SAME TO ME4' 

,%E TOOK A SEAT 9 ! SL$GE1 & DID NOT UTT] A WORD ALL ! WAY HOME4 

,A YE> LAT] %E 5T]$ A CONV5T AS A NOVICE1 & LIV$ A /RICT LIFE UND] ! DIRECTION ( ! H]MIT ,>S5Y1 :O WROTE LETT]S TO H] AT LONG 9T]VALS4 

70,FA!R ,S]GIUS10 BY ,LEO ,TOL/OY1 TRANSLAT$ BY ,L\ISE & ,AYLM] ,MAUDE1 WRITT5 BETWE5 #ahi & #ahih & FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#a#a47 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahig 3 ,*APT] #c -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,MAY #a#e1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #c -- ,ADD$4 

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