,POLIKU%KA 
,! ,LOT ( A ,WICK$ ,C\RT ,S]VANT 

#ahfb 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TEXT 3 

  

 ,*,A,P,T,] ,I4 

,POLIKEY WAS A C\RT MAN--ONE ( ! /AFF ( S]VANTS BELONG+ TO ! C\RT H\SEHOLD ( A BOY>9IA 7LADY ( ! NOBILITY74 

,HE HELD A V]Y 9SIGNIFICANT POSITION ON ! E/ATE1 & LIV$ 9 A RA!R POOR1 SMALL H\SE ) HIS WIFE & *ILDR54 

,! H\SE WAS BUILT BY ! DECEAS$ NOBLEMAN :OSE WID[ HE /ILL CONT9U$ TO S]VE1 & MAY BE DESCRIB$ AS FOLL[S3 ,! F\R WALLS SURR\ND+ ! ONE IZBA 7ROOM7 W]E BUILT ( /ONE1 & ! 9T]IOR WAS T5 Y>DS SQU>E4 ,A ,RUSSIAN /OVE /OOD 9 ! C5T]1 >\ND :I* WAS A FREE PASSAGE4 ,EA* CORN] WAS F5C$ (F AS A SEP>ATE 5CLOSURE TO ! EXT5T ( SEV]AL FEET1 & ! ONE NE>E/ TO ! DOOR 7! SMALLE/ ( ALL7 WAS KN[N AS 0,POLIKEY'S CORN]40 ,ELSE:]E 9 ! ROOM /OOD ! B$ 7) QUILT1 %EET1 & COTTON PILL[S71 ! CRADLE 7) A BABY LY+ !RE971 & ! ?REE-LEGG$ TABLE1 ON :I* ! MEALS W]E PREP>$ & ! FAMILY WA%+ WAS DONE4 ,AT ! LATT] ALSO ,POLIKEY WAS AT WORK ON ! PREP>ATION ( SOME MAT]IALS = USE 9 HIS PR(ESSION--?AT ( AN AMATEUR VET]9>Y SURGEON4 ,A CALF1 SOME H5S1 ! FAMILY CLO!S & H\SEHOLD UT5SILS1 TOGE!R ) SEV5 P]SONS1 FILL$ ! LITTLE HOME TO ! UTMO/ ( ITS CAPACITY4 ,IT WOIILD 9DE$ HAVE BE5 ALMO/ IMPOSSIBLE = !M TO MOVE >\ND HAD IT NOT BE5 = ! CONV5I5CE ( ! /OVE1 ON :I* SOME ( !M SLEPT AT NI<T1 & :I* S]V$ AS A TABLE 9 ! DAY-TIME4 

,IT SEEM$ H>D TO REALIZE H[ SO MANY P]SONS MANAG$ TO LIVE 9 SU* CLOSE QU>T]S4 

,POLIKEY'S WIFE1 ,AKUL9A1 DID ! WA%+1 SPUN & WOVE1 BLEA*$ H] L951 COOK$ & BAK$1 & F\ND TIME ALSO TO QU>REL & GOSSIP ) H] NEI<BORS4 

,! MON?LY ALL[ANCE ( FOOD :I* !Y RECEIV$ FROM ! NOBLEWOMAN'S H\SE WAS AMPLY SUFFICI5T = ! :OLE FAMILY1 & !RE WAS ALWAYS 5\< MEAL LEFT TO MAKE MA% = ! C[4 ,!IR FUEL !Y GOT FREE1 & LIKEWISE ! FOOD = ! CATTLE4 ,9 ADDITION !Y W]E GIV5 A SMALL PIECE ( L& ON :I* TO RAISE VEGETABLES4 ,!Y HAD A C[1 A CALF1 & A NUMB] ( *ICK5S TO C>E =4 

,POLIKEY WAS EMPLOY$ 9 ! /ABLES TO TAKE C>E ( TWO /ALLIONS1 &1 :5 NECESS>Y1 TO BLE$ ! HORSES & CATTLE & CLEAN !IR HO(S4 

,9 HIS TREATM5T ( ! ANIMALS HE US$ SYR+ES1 PLA/]S1 & V>I\S O!R REM$IES & APPLIANCES ( HIS [N 9V5TION4 ,= !SE S]VICES HE RECEIV$ :ATEV] PROVISIONS W]E REQUIR$ BY HIS FAMILY1 & A C]TA9 SUM ( MONEY--ALL ( :I* W\LD HAVE BE5 SUFFICI5T TO 5ABLE !M TO LIVE COM=TABLY & EV5 HAPPILY1 IF !IR HE>TS HAD NOT BE5 FILL$ ) ! %AD[ ( A GREAT SORR[4 

,?IS %AD[ D>K5$ ! LIVES ( ! 5TIRE FAMILY4 

,POLIKEY1 :ILE Y\NG1 WAS EMPLOY$ 9 A HORSE-BRE$+ E/ABLI%M5T 9 A NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE4 ,! HEAD /ABLEMAN WAS A NOTORI\S HORSE-?IEF1 KN[N F> & WIDE AS A GREAT ROGUE1 :O1 = HIS MANY MISDE$S1 WAS F9ALLY EXIL$ TO ,SIB]IA4 ,UND] HIS 9/RUCTION ,POLIKEY UND]W5T A C\RSE ( TRA9+1 &1 BE+ BUT A BOY1 WAS EASILY 9DUC$ TO P]=M MANY EVIL DE$S4 ,HE BECAME SO EXP]T 9 ! V>I\S K9DS ( WICK$NESS PRACTIC$ BY HIS TEA*] ?AT1 ?\< HE MANY TIMES W\LD GLADLY HAVE AB&ON$ HIS EVIL WAYS1 HE C\LD NOT1 [+ TO ! GREAT HOLD !SE E>LY-=M$ HABITS HAD UPON HIM4 ,HIS FA!R & MO!R DI$ :5 HE WAS BUT A *ILD1 & HE HAD NO ONE TO PO9T \T TO HIM ! PA?S ( VIRTUE4 

,9 ADDITION TO HIS O!R NUM]\S %ORTCOM+S1 ,POLIKEY WAS FOND ( /RONG DR9K4 ,HE ALSO HAD A HABIT ( APPROPRIAT+ O!R PEOPLE'S PROP]TY1 :5 ! OPPORTUNITY (F]$ ( HIS DO+ SO )\T BE+ SE54 ,COLL>-/RAPS1 PADLOCKS1 P]*-BOLTS1 & ?+S EV5 ( GREAT] VALUE BELONG+ TO O!RS F\ND !IR WAY ) REM>KABLE RAPIDITY & 9 GREAT QUANTITIES TO ,POLIKEY'S HOME4 ,HE DID NOT1 H[EV]1 KEEP SU* ?+S = HIS [N USE1 BUT SOLD !M :5EV] HE C\LD F9D A PUR*AS]4 ,HIS PAYM5T CONSI/$ *IEFLY ( :ISKEY1 ?\< SOMETIMES HE RECEIV$ CA%4 

,?IS SORT ( EMPLOYM5T1 AS HIS NEI<BORS SAID1 WAS BO? LI<T & PR(ITABLE2 IT REQUIR$ NEI!R $UCATION NOR LABOR4 ,IT HAD ONE DRAWBACK1 H[EV]1 :I* WAS CALCULAT$ TO RECONCILE HIS VICTIMS TO !IR LOSSES3 ,?\< HE C\LD = A TIME HAVE ALL HIS NE$S SUPPLI$ )\T EXP5D+ EI!R LABOR OR MONEY1 !RE WAS ALWAYS ! POSSIBILITY ( HIS ME?ODS BE+ DISCOV]$2 & ?IS RESULT WAS SURE TO BE FOLL[$ BY A LONG T]M ( IMPRISONM5T4 ,?IS IMP5D+ DANG] MADE LIFE A BURD5 = ,POLIKEY & HIS FAMILY4 

,SU* A SETBACK 9DE$ V]Y NE>LY HAPP5$ TO ,POLIKEY E>LY 9 HIS C>E]4 ,HE M>RI$ :ILE /ILL YOIMG1 & ,GOD GAVE HIM MU* HAPP9ESS4 ,HIS WIFE1 :O WAS A %EPH]D'S DAU<T]1 WAS A /RONG1 9TELLIG5T1 H>D-WORK+ WOMAN4 ,%E BORE HIM MANY *ILDR51 EA* ( :OM WAS SAID TO BE BETT] ?AN ! PREC$+ ONE4 

,POLIKEY /ILL CONT9U$ TO /EAL1 BUT ONCE WAS CAU<T ) SOME SMALL >TICLES BELONG+ TO O!RS 9 HIS POSSESSION4 ,AMONG !M WAS A PAIR ( LEA!R RE9S1 ! PROP]TY ( ANO!R PEASANT1 :O BEAT HIM SEV]ELY & REPORT$ HIM TO HIS MI/RESS4 

,FROM ?AT TIME ON ,POLIKEY WAS AN OBJECT ( SUSPICION1 & HE WAS TWICE AGA9 DETECT$ 9 SIMIL> ESCAPADES4 ,BY ?IS TIME ! PEOPLE BEGAN TO ABUSE HIM1 & ! CL]K ( ! C\RT ?REAT5$ TO RECRUIT HIM 9TO ! >MY AS A SOLDI] 7:I* IS REG>D$ BY ! PEASANTS AS A GREAT PUNI%M5T & DISGRACE74 ,HIS NOBLE MI/RESS SEV]ELY REPRIM&$ HIM2 HIS WIFE WEPT FROM GRIEF = HIS D[NFALL1 & EV]Y?+ W5T FROM BAD TO WORSE4 

,POLIKEY1 NOT)/&+ HIS WEAKNESS1 WAS A GOOD-NATUR$ SORT ( MAN1 BUT HIS LOVE ( /RONG DR9K HAD SO OV]COME EV]Y MORAL 9/9CT ?AT AT TIMES HE WAS SC>CELY RESPONSIBLE = HIS ACTIONS4 ,?IS HABIT HE VA9LY 5DEAVOR$ TO OV]COME4 ,IT (T5 HAPP5$ ?AT :5 HE RETURN$ HOME 9TOXICAT$1 HIS WIFE1 LOS+ ALL PATI5CE1 R\NDLY CURS$ HIM & CRUELLY BEAT HIM4 ,AT TIMES HE W\LD CRY LIKE A *ILD1 & BEMOAN HIS FATE1 SAY+3 0,UN=TUNATE MAN ?AT ,I AM1 :AT %ALL ,I DO8 ,LET MY EYES BUR/ 9TO PIECES IF ,I DO NOT =EV] GIVE UP ! VILE HABIT6 ,I WILL NOT AGA9 T\* VODKI40 

,9 SPITE ( ALL HIS PROMISES ( RE=M1 BUT A %ORT P]IOD 7P]HAPS A MON?7 W\LD ELAPSE :5 ,POLIKEY W\LD AGA9 MY/]I\SLY DISAPPE> FROM HIS HOME & BE LO/ = SEV]AL DAYS ON A SPREE4 

0,FROM :AT S\RCE DOES HE GET ! MONEY HE SP5DS SO FREELY80 ! NEI<BORS 9QUIR$ ( EA* O!R1 AS !Y SADLY %OOK !IR HEADS4 

,ONE ( HIS MO/ IM=TUNATE EXPLOITS 9 ! MATT] ( /EAL+ WAS 9 CONNECTION ) A CLOCK :I* BELONG$ TO ! E/ATE ( HIS MI/RESS4 ,! CLOCK /OOD 9 ! PRIVATE (FICE ( ! NOBLEWOMAN1 & WAS SO OLD AS TO HAVE \TLIV$ ITS USEFULNESS1 & WAS SIMPLY KEPT AS AN HEIRLOOM4 ,IT SO HAPP5$ ?AT ,POLIKEY W5T 9TO ! (FICE ONE DAY :5 NO ONE WAS PRES5T BUT HIMSELF1 &1 SEE+ ! OLD CLOCK1 IT SEEM$ TO POSSESS A PECULI> FASC9ATION = HIM1 & HE SPE$ILY TRANSF]R$ IT TO HIS P]SON4 ,HE C>RI$ IT TO A T[N NOT F> FROM ! VILLAGE1 :]E HE V]Y READILY F\ND A PUR*AS]4 

,AS IF PURPOSELY TO SECURE HIS PIMI%M5T1 IT HAPP5$ ?AT ! /OREKEEP] TO :OM HE SOLD IT PROV$ TO BE A RELATIVE ( ONE ( ! C\RT S]VANTS1 & :O1 :5 HE VISIT$ HIS FRI5D ON ! NEXT HOLIDAY1 RELAT$ ALL AB\T HIS PUR*ASE ( ! CLOCK4 

,AN 9VE/IGATION WAS IMM$IATELY 9/ITUT$1 & ALL ! DETAILS ( ,POLIKEY'S TRANSACTION W]E BR\<T TO LI<T & REPORT$ TO HIS NOBLE MI/RESS4 ,HE WAS CALL$ 9TO H] PRES5CE1 &1 :5 CONFRONT$ ) ! /ORY ( ! !FT1 BROKE D[N & CONFESS$ ALL4 ,HE FELL ON HIS KNEES BE=E ! NOBLEWOMAN & PLEAD ) H] = M]CY4 ,! K9DHE>T$ LADY LECTUR$ HIM AB\T ,GOD1 ! SALVATION ( HIS S\L1 & HIS FUTURE LIFE4 ,%E TALK$ TO HIM ALSO AB\T ! MIS]Y & DISGRACE HE BR\<T UPON HIS FAMILY1 & ALTOGE!R SO WORK$ UPON HIS FEEL+S ?AT HE CRI$ LIKE A *ILD4 ,9 CONCLUSION HIS K9D MI/RESS SAID3 0,I WILL =GIVE Y\ ?IS TIME ON ! CONDITION ?AT Y\ PROMISE FAI?FULLY TO RE=M1 & NEV] AGA9 TO TAKE :AT DOES NOT BELONG TO Y\40 

,POLIKEY1 /ILL WEEP+1 REPLI$3 0,I WILL NEV] /EAL AGA9 9 ALL MY LIFE1 & IF ,I BREAK MY PROMISE MAY ! E>? OP5 & SWALL[ ME UP1 & LET MY BODY BE BURN$ ) R$-HOT IRONS60 

88LI888 RETURN$ TO HIS HOME1 & ?R[+ HIMSELF ON ! OV5 SP5T ! 5TIRE DAY WEEP+ & REPEAT+ ! PROMISE MADE TO HIS MI/RESS4 

,FROM ?AT TIME ON HE WAS NOT AGA9 CAU<T /EAL+1 BUT HIS LIFE BECAME EXTREMELY SAD1 = HE WAS REG>D$ ) SUSPICION BY EV]Y ONE & PO9T$ TO AS A ?IEF4 

,:5 ! TIME CAME >\ND = SECUR+ RECRUITS = ! >MY1 ALL ! PEASANTS S+L$ \T ,POLIKEY AS ! FIR/ TO BE TAK54 ,! SUP]9T5D5T WAS ESPECIALLY ANXI\S TO GET RID ( HIM1 & W5T TO HIS MI/RESS TO 9DUCE H] TO HAVE HIM S5T AWAY4 ,! K9DHE>T$ & M]CIFUL WOMAN1 REMEMB]+ ! PEASANT'S REP5TANCE1 REFUS$ TO GRANT ! SUP]9T5D5T'S REQUE/1 & TOLD HIM HE MU/ TAKE SOME O!R MAN 9 HIS /EAD4 

,*,A,P,T,] ,I,I4 

,ONE EV5+ ,POLIKEY WAS SITT+ ON HIS B$ BESIDE ! TABLE1 PREP>+ SOME M$IC9E = ! CATTLE1 :5 SUDD5LY ! DOOR WAS ?R[N WIDE OP51 & ,AKSIUTKA1 A Y\NG GIRL FROM ! C\RT1 RU%$ 94 ,ALMO/ \T ( BREA?1 %E SAID3 0,MY MI/RESS HAS ORD]$ Y\1 ,POLIKEY ,ILLIT* .<SON ( ,ILIA.>1 TO COME UP TO ! C\RT AT ONCE60 

,! GIRL WAS /&+ & /ILL BREA?+ HEAVILY FROM H] LATE EX]TION AS %E CONT9U$3 0,EGOR ,MIKHAILOVIT*1 ! SUP]9T5D5T1 HAS BE5 TO SEE \R LADY AB\T HAV+ Y\ DRAFT$ 9TO ! >MY1 &1 ,POLIKEY ,ILLIT*1 Y\R NAME WAS M5TION$ AMONG O!RS4 ,\R LADY HAS S5T ME TO TELL Y\ TO COME UP TO ! C\RT IMM$IATELY40 

,AS SOON AS ,AKSIUTKA HAD DELIV]$ H] MESSAGE %E LEFT ! ROOM 9 ! SAME ABRUPT MANN] 9 :I* %E HAD 5T]$4 

,AKUL9A1 )\T SAY+ A WORD1 GOT UP & BR\<T H] HUSB&'S BOOTS TO HIM4 ,!Y W]E POOR1 WORN-\T ?+S :I* SOME SOLDI] HAD GIV5 HIM1 & HIS WIFE DID NOT GLANCE AT HIM AS %E H&$ !M TO HIM4 

0,>E Y\ GO+ TO *ANGE Y\R %IRT1 ,ILLIT*80 %E ASK$1 AT LA/4 

0,NO10 REPLI$ ,POLIKEY4 

,AKUL9A DID NOT ONCE LOOK AT HIM ALL ! TIME HE WAS PUTT+ ON HIS BOOTS & PREP>+ TO GO TO ! C\RT4 ,P]HAPS1 AFT] ALL1 IT WAS BETT] ?AT %E DID NOT DO SO4 ,HIS FACE WAS V]Y PALE & HIS LIPS TREMBL$4 ,HE SL[LY COMB$ HIS HAIR & WAS AB\T TO DEP>T )\T SAY+ A WORD1 :5 HIS WIFE /OPP$ HIM TO >RANGE ! RIBBON ON HIS %IRT1 &1 AFT] TOY+ A LITTLE ) HIS COAT1 %E PUT HIS HAT ON = HIM & HE LEFT ! LITTLE HOME4 

,POLIKEY'S NEXT-DOOR NEI<BORS W]E A JO9] & HIS WIFE4 ,A ?9 P>TITION ONLY SEP>AT$ ! TWO FAMILIES1 & EA* C\LD HE> :AT ! O!R SAID & DID4 ,SOON AFT] ,POLIKEY'S DEP>TURE A WOMAN WAS HE>D TO SAY3 0,WELL1 ,POLIKEY ,ILLIT*1 SO Y\R MI/RESS HAS S5T = Y\60 

,! VOICE WAS ?AT ( ! JO9]'S WIFE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! P>TITION4 ,AKUL9A & ! WOMAN HAD QU>REL$ ?AT MORN+ AB\T SOME TRIFL+ ?+ DONE BY ONE ( ,POLIKEY'S *ILDR51 & IT AF=D$ H] ! GREATE/ PLEASURE TO LE>N ?AT H] NEI<BOR HAD BE5 SUMMON$ 9TO ! PRES5CE ( HIS NOBLE MI/RESS4 ,%E LOOK$ UPON SU* A CIRCUM/ANCE AS A BAD OM54 ,%E CONT9U$ TALK+ TO H]SELF & SAID3 0,P]HAPS %E WANTS TO S5D HIM TO ! T[N TO MAKE SOME PUR*ASES = H] H\SEHOLD4 ,I DID NOT SUPPOSE %E W\LD SELECT SU* A FAI?FUL MAN AS Y\ >E TO P]=M SU* A S]VICE = H]4 ,IF IT %\LD PROVE ?AT %E DOES WANT TO S5D Y\ TO ! NEXT T[N1 JU/ BUY ME A QU>T]-P\ND ( TEA4 ,WILL Y\1 ,POLIKEY ,ILLIT*80 

,POOR ,AKUL9A1 ON HE>+ ! JO9]'S WIFE TALK+ SO UNK9DLY ( H] HUSB&1 C\LD H>DLY SUPPRESS ! TE>S1 &1 ! TIRADE CONT9U+1 %E AT LA/ BECAME ANGRY1 & WI%$ %E C\LD 9 SOME WAY PUNI% H]4 

,=GETT+ H] NEI<BOR'S UNK9DNESS1 H] ?\<TS SOON TURN$ 9 ANO!R DIRECTION1 & GLANC+ AT H] SLEEP+ *ILDR5 %E SAID TO H]SELF ?AT !Y MI<T SOON BE ORPHANS & %E H]SELF A SOLDI]'S WID[4 ,?IS ?\<T GREATLY DI/RESS$ H]1 & BURY+ H] FACE 9 H] H&S %E SEAT$ H]SELF ON ! B$1 :]E SEV]AL ( H] PROG5Y W]E FA/ ASLEEP4 ,PRES5TLY A LITTLE VOICE 9T]RUPT$ H] M$ITATIONS BY CRY+ \T1 0,MAMU%KA .<LITTLE MO!R.>1 Y\ >E CRU%+ ME10 & ! *ILD PULL$ H] NI<TDRESS FROM UND] H] MO!R'S >MS4 

,AKUL9A1 ) H] HEAD /ILL RE/+ ON H] H&S1 SAID3 0,P]HAPS IT W\LD BE BETT] IF WE ALL %\LD DIE4 ,I ONLY SEEM TO HAVE BR\<T Y\ 9TO ! WORLD TO SUFF] SORR[ & MIS]Y40 

,UNABLE LONG] TO CONTROL H] GRIEF1 %E BUR/ 9TO VIOL5T WEEP+1 :I* S]V$ TO 9CREASE ! AMUSEM5T ( ! JO9]'S WIFE1 :O HAD NOT =GOTT5 ! MORN+'S SQUABBLE1 & %E LAU<$ L\DLY AT H] NEI<BOR'S WOE4 

,*,A,P,T,] ,I,I,I4 

,AB\T HALF AN H\R HAD PASS$ :5 ! Y\NGE/ *ILD BEGAN TO CRY & ,AKUL9A >OSE TO FE$ IT ,%E HAD BY ?IS TIME CEAS$ TO WEEP1 & AFT] FE$+ ! 9FANT %E AGA9 FELL 9TO H] OLD POSITION1 ) H] FACE BURI$ 9 H] H&S4 ,%E WAS V]Y PALE1 BUT ?IS ONLY 9CREAS$ H] BEAUTY4 ,AFT] A TIME %E RAIS$ H] HEAD1 & />+ AT ! BURN+ C&LE %E BEGAN TO QUE/ION H]SELF AS TO :Y %E HAD M>RI$1 & AS TO ! REASON ?AT ! ,CZ> REQUIR$ SO MANY SOLDI]S4 

,PRES5TLY %E HE>D /EPS \TSIDE1 & KNEW ?AT H] HUSB& WAS RETURN+4 ,%E HURRI$LY WIP$ AWAY ! LA/ TRACES ( H] TE>S AS %E >OSE TO LET HIM PASS 9TO ! C5T] ( ! ROOM4 

,POLIKEY MADE HIS APPE>ANCE ) A LOOK ( TRIUMPH ON HIS FACE1 ?REW HIS HAT ON ! B$1 & HA/ILY REMOV$ HIS COAT2 BUT NOT A WORD DID HE UTT]4 

,AKUL9A1 UNABLE TO RE/RA9 H] IMPATI5CE1 ASK$1 0,WELL1 :AT DID %E WANT ) Y\80 

0,P%AW60 HE REPLI$1 0IT IS V]Y WELL KN[N ?AT ,POLIKU%KA IS CONSID]$ ! WOR/ MAN 9 ! VILLAGE2 BUT :5 IT COMES TO BUS9ESS ( IMPORTANCE1 :O IS SELECT$ !N8 ,:Y1 ,POLIKU%KA1 ( C\RSE40 

0,:AT K9D ( BUS9ESS80 ,AKUL9A TIMIDLY 9QUIR$4 

,BUT ,POLIKEY WAS 9 NO HURRY TO ANSW] H] QUE/ION4 ,HE LI<T$ HIS PIPE ) A V]Y IMPOS+ AIR1 & SPIT SEV]AL TIMES ON ! FLOOR BE=E HE REPLI$4 

,/ILL RETA9+ HIS POMP\S MANN]1 HE SAID1 0,%E HAS ORD]$ ME TO GO TO A C]TA91 M]*ANT 9 ! T[N & COLLECT A CONSID]ABLE SUM ( MONEY40 

0,Y\ TO COLLECT MONEY80 QUE/ION$ ,AKUL9A4 

,POLIKEY ONLY %OOK HIS HEAD & SMIL$ SIGNIFICANTLY1 SAY+3 

0',Y\1' ! MI/RESS SAID TO ME1 '>E A MAN RE/+ UND] A GRAVE SUSPICION--A MAN :O IS CONSID]$ UNSAFE TO TRU/ 9 ANY CAPACITY2 BUT ,I HAVE FAI? 9 Y\1 & WILL 5TRU/ Y\ ) ?IS IMPORTANT BUS9ESS ( M9E 9 PREF]5CE TO ANY ONE ELSE4'0 

,POLIKEY RELAT$ ALL ?IS 9 A L\D VOICE1 SO ?AT HIS NEI<BOR MI<T HE> :AT HE HAD TO SAY4 

0',Y\ PROMIS$ ME TO RE=M1' MY NOBLE MI/RESS SAID TO ME1 '& ,I WILL BE ! FIR/ TO %[ Y\ H[ MU* FAI? ,I HAVE 9 Y\R PROMISE4 ,I WANT Y\ TO RIDE 9TO T[N1 &1 GO+ TO ! PR9CIPAL M]*ANT !RE1 COLLECT A SUM ( MONEY FROM HIM & BR+ IT TO ME4' ,I SAID TO MY MI/RESS3 ',EV]Y?+ Y\ ORD] %ALL BE DONE4 ,I WILL ONLY TOO GLADLY OBEY Y\R SLI<TE/ WI%4' ,!N MY MI/RESS SAID3 ',DO Y\ UND]/&1 ,POLIKEY1 ?AT Y\R FUTURE LOT DEP5DS UPON ! FAI?FUL P]=MANCE ( ?IS DUTY ,I IMPOSE UPON Y\8' ,I REPLI$3 ',YES1 ,I UND]/& EV]Y?+1 & FEEL ?AT ,I WILL SUCCE$ 9 P]=M+ ACCEPTABLY ANY TASK :I* Y\ MAY IMPOSE UPON ME4 ,I HAVE BE5 ACCUS$ ( EV]Y K9D ( EVIL DE$ ?AT IT IS POSSIBLE TO *>GE A MAN )1 BUT ,I HAVE NEV] DONE ANY?+ S]I\SLY WRONG AGA9/ Y\1 Y\R HONOR4' ,9 ?IS WAY ,I TALK$ TO \R MI/RESS UNTIL ,I SUCCE$$ 9 CONV9C+ H] ?AT MY REP5TANCE WAS S9C]E1 & %E BECAME GREATLY S(T5$ T[>D ME1 SAY+1 ',IF Y\ >E SUCCESSFUL ,I WILL GIVE Y\ ! FIR/ PLACE AT ! C\RT4'0 

0,& H[ MU* MONEY >E Y\ TO COLLECT80 9QUIR$ ,AKUL9A4 

0,FIFTE5 HUNDR$ RUBLES10 C>ELESSLY ANSW]$ ,POLIKEY4 

,AKUL9A SADLY %OOK H] HEAD AS %E ASK$1 0,:5 >E Y\ TO />T80 

0,%E ORD]$ ME TO LEAVE H]E TO-MORR[10 ,POLIKEY REPLI$4 ',TAKE ANY HORSE Y\ PLEASE1' %E SAID4 ',COME TO ! (FICE1 & ,I WILL SEE Y\ !RE & WI% Y\ ,GOD-SPE$ ON Y\R J\RNEY4'0 

0,GLORY TO ,!E1 8 ,LORD60 SAID ,AKUL9A1 AS %E >OSE & MADE ! SIGN ( ! CROSS4 0,GOD1 ,I AM SURE1 WILL BLESS Y\1 ,ILLIT*10 %E ADD$1 9 A :ISP]1 SO ?AT ! PEOPLE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! P>TITION C\LD NOT HE> :AT %E SAID1 ALL ! :ILE HOLD+ ON TO HIS SLEEVE4 0,ILLIT*10 %E CRI$ AT LA/1 EXCIT$LY1 0= ,GOD'S SAKE PROMISE ME ?AT Y\ WILL NOT T\* A DROP ( VODKI4 ,TAKE AN OA? BE=E ,GOD1 & KISS ! CROSS1 SO ?AT ,I MAY BE SURE ?AT Y\ WILL NOT BREAK YOIIR PROMISE60 

,POLIKEY REPLI$ 9 MO/ CONTEMPTU\S TONES3 0,DO Y\ ?9K ,I WILL D>E TO T\* VODKI :5 ,I %ALL HAVE SU* A L>GE SUM ( MONEY 9 MY 888RE80 

0,AKUL9A1 HAVE A CLEAN %IRT READY = ! MORN+10 W]E HIS P>T+ WORDS = ! NI<T4 

,SO ,POLIKEY & HIS WIFE W5T TO SLEEP 9 A HAPPY FRAME ( M9D & FULL ( BRI<T DREAMS = ! FUTURE4 

,*,A,P,T,] ,I,V4 

,V]Y E>LY ! NEXT MORN+1 ALMO/ BE=E ! />S HAD HIDD5 !MSELVES FROM VIEW1 !RE WAS SE5 /&+ BE=E ,POLIKEY'S HOME A L[ WAGON1 ! SAME 9 :I* ! SUP]9T5D5T HIMSELF US$ TO RIDE2 & H>NESS$ TO IT WAS A L>GE-BON$1 D>K-BR[N M>E1 CALL$ = SOME UNKN[N REASON BY ! NAME ( ,B>ABAN 7DRUM74 ,ANIUTKA1 ,POLIKEY'S ELDE/ DAU<T]1 9 SPITE ( ! HEAVY RA9 & ! COLD W9D :I* WAS BL[+1 /OOD \TSIDE B>EFOOT$ & HELD 7NOT )\T SOME FE>7 ! RE9S 9 ONE H&1 :ILE ) ! O!R %E 5DEAVOR$ TO KEEP H] GRE5 & YELL[ OV]COAT W\ND >\ND H] BODY1 & ALSO TO HOLD ,POLIKEY'S %EEPSK9 COAT4 

,9 ! H\SE !RE W]E ! GREATE/ NOISE & CONFUSION4 ,! MORN+ WAS /ILL SO D>K ?AT ! LITTLE DAYLI<T !RE WAS FAIL$ TO P5ETRATE ?R\< ! BROK5 PANES ( GLASS1 ! W9D[ BE+ /UFF$ 9 MANY PLACES ) RAGS & PAP] TO EXCLUDE ! COLD AIR4 

,AKUL9A CEAS$ FROM H] COOK+ = A :ILE & HELP$ TO GET ,POLIKEY READY = ! J\RNEY4 ,MO/ ( ! *ILDR5 W]E /ILL 9 B$1 V]Y LIKELY AS A PROTECTION AGA9/ ! COLD1 = ,AKUL9A HAD TAK5 AWAY ! BIG OV]COAT :I* USUALLY COV]$ !M & HAD SUB/ITUT$ A %AWL ( H] [N4 ,POLIKEY'S %IRT WAS ALL READY1 NICE & CLEAN1 BUT HIS %OES BADLY NE$$ REPAIR+1 & ?IS FACT CAUS$ HIS DEVOT$ WIFE MU* ANXIETY4 ,%E TOOK FROM H] [N FEET ! ?ICK WOOL5 /OCK+S %E WAS WE>+1 & GAVE !M TO ,POLIKEY4 ,%E !N BEGAN TO REPAIR HIS %OES1 PAT*+ UP ! HOLES SO AS TO PROTECT HIS FEET FROM DAMPNESS4 

,:ILE ?IS WAS GO+ ON HE WAS SITT+ ON ! SIDE ( ! B$ ) HIS FEET DANGL+ OV] ! $GE1 & TRY+ TO TURN ! SA% :I* CONF9$ HIS COAT AT ! WAI/4 ,HE WAS ANXI\S TO LOOK AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE1 & HE DECL>$ HIS SA% LOOK$ LIKE A DIRTY ROPE4 

,ONE ( HIS DAU<T]S1 5VELOP$ 9 A %EEPSK9 COAT1 WAS S5T TO A NEI<BOR'S H\SE TO BORR[ A HAT4 

,)9 ,POLIKEY'S HOME ! GREATE/ CONFUSION REIGN$1 = ! C\RT S]VANTS W]E CON/ANTLY >RIV+ ) 9NUM]ABLE SMALL ORD]S :I* !Y WI%$ ,POLIKEY TO EXECUTE = !M 9 T[N4 ,ONE WANT$ NE$LES1 ANO!R TEA1 ANO!R TOBACCO1 & LA/ CAME ! JO9]'S WIFE1 :O BY ?IS TIME HAD PREP>$ H] SAMOV>1 &1 ANXI\S TO MAKE UP ! QU>REL ( ! PREVI\S DAY1 BR\<T ! TRAVEL] A CUP ( TEA4 

,NEI<BOR ,NIKITA REFUS$ ! LOAN ( ! HAT1 SO ! OLD ONE HAD TO BE PAT*$ UP = ! OCCASION4 ,?IS OCCUPI$ SOME TIME1 AS !RE W]E MANY HOLES 9 IT4 

,F9ALLY ,POLIKEY WAS ALL READY1 & JUMP+ ON ! WAGON />T$ ON HIS J\RNEY1 AFT] FIR/ MAK+ ! SIGN ( ! CROSS4 

,AT ! LA/ MOM5T HIS LITTLE BOY1 ,MI%KA1 RAN TO ! DOOR1 BEGG+ TO BE GIV5 A %ORT RIDE2 & !N HIS LITTLE DAU<T]1 ,MA%KA1 APPE>$ ON ! SC5E & PLEAD$ ?AT %E1 TOO1 MI<T HAVE A RIDE1 DECL>+ ?AT %E W\LD BE QUITE W>M 5\< )\T FURS4 

,POLIKEY /OPP$ ! HORSE ON HE>+ ! *ILDR51 & ,AKUL9A PLAC$ !M 9 ! WAGON1 TOGE!R ) TWO O!RS BELONG+ TO A NEI<BOR--ALL ANXI\S TO HAVE A %ORT RIDE4 

,AS ,AKUL9A HELP$ ! LITTLE ONES 9TO ! WAGON %E TOOK OCCASION TO REM9D ,POLIKEY ( ! SOLEMN PROMISE HE HAD MADE H] NOT TO T\* A DROP ( VODKI DUR+ ! J\RNEY4 

,POLIKEY DROVE ! *ILDR5 AS F> AS ! BLACKSMI?'S PLACE1 :]E HE LET !M \T ( ! WAGON1 TELL+ !M !Y MU/ RETURN HOME4 ,HE !N >RANG$ HIS CLO?+1 &1 SETT+ HIS HAT FIRMLY ON HIS HEAD1 />T$ HIS HORSE ON A TROT4 

,! TWO *ILDR51 ,MI%KA & ,MA%KA1 BO? B>EFOOT$1 />T$ RUNN+ AT SU* A RAPID PACE ?AT A /RANGE DOG FROM ANO!R VILLAGE1 SEE+ !M FLY+ OV] ! ROAD1 DROPP$ HIS TAIL BETWE5 HIS LEGS & RAN HOME SQUEAL+4 

,! WEA!R WAS V]Y COLD1 A %>P CUTT+ W9D BL[+ CONT9U\SLY2 BUT ?IS DID NOT DI/URB ,POLIKEY1 :OSE M9D WAS 5GROSS$ ) PLEASANT ?\<TS4 ,AS HE RODE ?R\< ! W9TRY BLA/S HE KEPT REPEAT+ TO HIMSELF3 0,SO ,I AM ! MAN !Y WANT$ TO S5D TO ,SIB]IA1 & :OM !Y ?REAT5$ TO 5ROLL AS A SOLDI]--! SAME MAN :OM EV]Y ONE ABUS$1 & SAID HE WAS LAZY1 & :O WAS PO9T$ \T AS A ?IEF & GIV5 ! MEANE/ WORK ON ! E/ATE TO DO6 ,N[ ,I AM GO+ TO RECEIVE A L>GE SUM ( MONEY1 = :I* MY MI/RESS IS S5D+ ME BECAUSE %E TRU/S ME4 ,I AM ALSO RID+ 9 ! SAME WAGON ?AT ! SUP]9T5D5T HIMSELF USES :5 HE IS RID+ AS A REPRES5TATIVE ( ! C\RT4 ,I HAVE ! SAME H>NESS1 LEA!R HORSE-COLL>1 RE9S1 & ALL ! O!R GE>40 

,POLIKEY1 FILL$ ) PRIDE AT ?\<T ( ! MISSION ) :I* HE HAD BE5 5TRU/$1 DREW HIMSELF UP ) AN AIR ( PRIDE1 &1 FIX+ HIS OLD HAT MORE FIRMLY ON HIS HEAD1 BUTTON$ HIS COAT TI<TLY AB\T HIM & URG$ HIS HORSE TO GREAT] SPE$4 

0,JU/ TO ?9K10 HE CONT9U$2 0,I %ALL HAVE 9 MY POSSESSION ?REE ?\S& HALF-RUBLES .<! PEASANT MANN] ( SPEAK+ ( MONEY SO AS TO MAKE IT APPE> A L>G] SUM ?AN IT REALLY IS.>1 & WILL C>RY !M 9 MY BOSOM4 ,IF ,I WI%$ TO ,I MI<T RUN AWAY TO ,ODESSA 9/EAD ( TAK+ ! MONEY TO MY MI/RESS4 ,BUT NO2 ,I WILL NOT DO ?AT4 ,I WILL SURELY C>RY ! MONEY /RAI<T TO ! ONE :O HAS BE5 K9D 5\< TO TRU/ ME40 

,:5 ,POLIKEY REA*$ ! FIR/ KABAK 7TAV]N7 HE F\ND ?AT FROM LONG HABIT ! M>E WAS NATURALLY TURN+ H] HEAD T[>D IT2 BUT HE W\LD NOT ALL[ H] TO /OP1 ?\< MONEY HAD BE5 GIV5 HIM TO PUR*ASE BO? FOOD & DR9K4 ,/RIK+ ! ANIMAL A %>P BL[ ) ! :IP1 HE PASS$ BY ! TAV]N4 ,! P]=MANCE WAS REPEAT$ :5 HE REA*$ ! NEXT KABAK1 :I* LOOK$ V]Y 9VIT+2 BUT HE RESOLUTELY SET HIS FACE AGA9/ 5T]+1 & PASS$ ON4 

,AB\T NOON HE >RIV$ AT HIS DE/9ATION1 & GETT+ D[N FROM ! WAGON APPROA*$ ! GATE ( ! M]*ANT'S H\SE :]E ! S]VANTS ( ! C\RT ALWAYS /OPP$4 ,OP5+ IT HE L$ ! M>E ?R\<1 & 7AFT] UNH>NESS+ H]7 F$ H]4 ,?IS DONE1 HE NEXT 5T]$ ! H\SE & HAD D9N] ) ! M]*ANT'S WORK+M51 & TO !M HE RELAT$ :AT AN IMPORTANT MISSION HE HAD BE5 S5T ON1 MAK+ HIMSELF V]Y AMUS+ BY ! POMP\S AIR :I* HE ASSUM$4 ,D9N] OV]1 HE C>RI$ A LETT] TO ! M]*ANT :I* ! NOBLEWOMAN HAD GIV5 HIM TO DELIV]4 

,! M]*ANT1 KN[+ ?OR\<LY ! REPUTATION :I* ,POLIKEY BORE1 FELT D\BTFUL ( TRU/+ HIM ) SO MU* MONEY1 & SOME:AT ANXI\SLY 9QUIR$ IF HE REALLY HAD RECEIV$ ORD]S TO C>RY SO MANY RUBLES4 

,POLIKEY TRI$ TO APPE> (F5D$ AT ?IS QUE/ION1 BUT DID NOT SUCCE$1 & HE ONLY SMIL$4 

,! M]*ANT1 AFT] READ+ ! LETT] A SECOND TIME & BE+ CONV9C$ ?AT ALL WAS RI<T1 GAVE ,POLIKEY ! MONEY1 :I* HE PUT 9 HIS BOSOM = SAFE-KEEP+4 

,ON HIS WAY TO ! H\SE HE DID NOT ONCE /OP AT ANY ( ! %OPS HE PASS$4 ,! CLO?+ E/ABLI%M5TS POSSESS$ NO ATTRACTIONS = HIM1 & AFT] HE HAD SAFELY PASS$ !M ALL HE /OOD = A MOM5T1 FEEL+ V]Y PLEAS$ ?AT HE HAD BE5 ABLE TO )/& TEMPTATION1 & !N W5T ON HIS WAY4 

0,I HAVE MONEY 5\< TO BUY UP EV]Y?+10 HE SAID2 0BUT ,I WILL NOT DO SO40 

,! NUM]\S COMMISSIONS :I* HE HAD RECEIV$ COMPELL$ HIM TO GO TO ! BAZA>4 ,!RE HE B\<T ONLY :AT HAD BE5 ORD]$1 BUT HE C\LD NOT RESI/ ! TEMPTATION TO ASK ! PRICE ( A V]Y H&SOME %EEP-SK9 COAT :I* ATTRACT$ HIS ATT5TION4 ,! M]*ANT TO :OM HE SPOKE LOOK$ AT ,POLIKEY & SMIL$1 NOT BELIEV+ ?AT HE HAD SUFFICI5T MONEY TO PUR*ASE SU* AN EXP5SIVE COAT4 ,BUT ,POLIKEY1 PO9T+ TO HIS BREA/1 SAID ?AT HE C\LD BUY \T ! :OLE %OP IF HE WI%$ TO4 ,HE !REUPON ORD]$ ! %OP-KEEP] TO TAKE HIS MEASURE4 ,HE TRI$ ! COAT ON & LOOK$ HIMSELF OV] C>EFULLY1 TE/+ ! QUALITY & BL[+ UPON ! HAIR TO SEE ?AT NONE ( IT CAME \T4 ,F9ALLY1 HEAV+ A DEEP SI<1 HE TOOK IT (F4 

0,! PRICE IS TOO HI<10 HE SAID4 0,IF Y\ C\LD LET ME HAVE IT = FIFTE5 RUBLES--0 

,BUT ! M]*ANT CUT HIM %ORT BY SNAT*+ ! COAT FROM HIM & ?R[+ IT ANGRILY TO ONE SIDE4 

,POLIKEY LEFT ! BAZA> & RETURN$ TO ! M]*ANT'S H\SE 9 HI< SPIRITS4 

,AFT] SUPP] HE W5T \T & F$ ! M>E1 & PREP>$ EV]Y?+ = ! NI<T4 ,RETURN+ TO ! H\SE HE GOT UP ON ! /OVE TO RE/1 & :ILE !RE HE TOOK \T ! 5VELOPE :I* CONTA9$ ! MONEY & LOOK$ LONG & E>NE/LY AT IT4 ,HE C\LD NOT READ1 BUT ASK$ ONE ( ?OSE PRES5T TO TELL HIM :AT ! WRIT+ ON ! 5VELOPE MEANT4 ,IT WAS SIMPLY ! ADDRESS & ! ANN\NCEM5T ?AT IT CONTA9$ FIFTE5 HUNDR$ RUBLES4 

,! 5VELOPE WAS MADE ( COMMON PAP] & WAS SEAL$ ) D>K-BR[N SEAL+ WAX4 ,!RE WAS ONE L>GE SEAL 9 ! C5T] & F\R SMALL] ONES AT ! CORN]S4 ,POLIKEY CONT9U$ TO EXAM9E IT C>EFULLY1 EV5 9S]T+ HIS F+] TILL HE T\*$ ! CRISP NOTES4 ,HE APPE>$ TO TAKE A *ILDI% DELI<T 9 HAV+ SO MU* MONEY 9 HIS POSSESSION4 

,HAV+ F9I%$ HIS EXAM9ATION1 HE PUT ! 5VELOPE 9SIDE ! L9+ ( HIS OLD BATT]$ HAT1 & PLAC+ BO? UND] HIS HEAD HE W5T TO SLEEP2 BUT DUR+ ! NI<T HE FREQU5TLY AWOKE & ALWAYS FELT TO KN[ IF ! MONEY WAS SAFE4 ,EA* TIME ?AT HE F\ND ?AT IT WAS SAFE HE REJOIC$ AT ! ?\<T ?AT HE1 ,POLIKEY1 ABUS$ & REG>D$ BY EV]Y ONE AS A ?IEF1 WAS 5TRU/$ ) ! C>E ( SU* A L>GE SUM ( MONEY1 & ALSO ?AT HE WAS AB\T TO RETURN ) IT QUITE AS SAFELY AS ! SUP]9T5D5T HIMSELF C\LD HAVE DONE4 

,*,A,P,T,] ,V4 

,BE=E DAWN ! NEXT MORN+ ,POLIKEY WAS UP1 & AFT] H>NESS+ ! M>E & LOOK+ 9 HIS HAT TO SEE ?AT ! MONEY WAS ALL RI<T1 HE />T$ ON HIS RETURN J\RNEY4 

,MANY TIMES ON ! WAY ,POLIKEY TOOK (F HIS HAT TO SEE ?AT ! MONEY WAS SAFE4 ,ONCE HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 0,I ?9K ?AT P]HAPS IT W\LD BE BETT] IF ,I %\LD PUT IT 9 MY BOSOM40 ,?IS W\LD NECESSITATE ! IMTY+ ( HIS SA%1 SO HE DECID$ TO KEEP IT /ILL 9 HIS HAT1 OR UNTIL HE %\LD HAVE MADE HALF ! J\RNEY1 :5 HE W\LD BE COMPELL$ TO /OP TO FE$ HIS HORSE & TO RE/4 

,HE SAID TO HIMSELF3 0,! L9+ IS NOT SEWN 9 V]Y /RONGLY & ! 5VELOPE MI<T FALL \T1 SO ,I ?9K ,I HAD BETT] NOT TAKE (F MY HAT UNTIL ,I REA* HOME40 

,! MONEY WAS SAFE--AT LEA/1 SO IT SEEM$ TO HIM--& HE BEGAN TO ?9K H[ GRATEFUL HIS MI/RESS W\LD BE TO HIM1 & 9 HIS EXCIT$ IMAG9ATION HE SAW ! FIVE RUBLES HE WAS SO SURE ( RECEIV+4 

,ONCE MORE HE EXAM9$ ! HAT TO SEE ?AT ! MONEY WAS SAFE1 & F9D+ EV]Y?+ ALL RI<T HE PUT ON HIS HAT & PULL$ IT WELL D[N OV] HIS E>S1 SMIL+ ALL ! :ILE AT HIS [N ?\<TS4 

,AKUL9A HAD C>EFULLY SEW$ ALL ! HOLES 9 ! HAT1 BUT IT BUR/ \T 9 O!R PLACES [+ TO ,POLIKEY'S REMOV+ IT SO (T54 

,9 ! D>KNESS HE DID NOT NOTICE ! NEW R5TS1 & TRI$ TO PU% ! 5VELOPE FUR!R UND] ! L9+1 & 9 DO+ SO PU%$ ONE CORN] ( IT ?R\< ! PLU%4 

,! SUN WAS GETT+ HI< 9 ! HEAV5S1 & ,POLIKEY HAV+ SLEPT BUT LITTLE ! PREVI\S NI<T & FEEL+ ITS W>M RAYS FELL FA/ ASLEEP1 AFT] FIR/ PRESS+ HIS HAT MORE FIRMLY ON HIS HEAD4 ,BY ?IS ACTION HE =C$ ! 5VELOPE /ILL FUR!R ?R\< ! PLU%1 & AS HE RODE ALONG HIS HEAD BOBB$ UP & D[N4 

,POLIKEY DID NOT AWAKE TILL HE >RIV$ NE> HIS [N H\SE1 & HIS FIR/ ACT WAS TO PUT HIS H& TO HIS HEAD TO LE>N IF HIS HAT WAS ALL RI<T4 ,F9D+ ?AT IT WAS 9 ITS PLACE1 HE DID NOT ?9K IT NECESS>Y TO EXAM9E IT & SEE ?AT ! MONEY WAS SAFE4 ,T\*+ ! M>E G5TLY ) ! :IP %E />T$ 9TO A TROT1 & AS HE RODE ALONG HE >RANG$ 9 HIS [N M9D H[ MU* HE WAS TO RECEIVE4 ,) ! AIR ( A MAN ALREADY HOLD+ A HI< POSITION AT ! C\RT1 HE LOOK$ >\ND HIM ) AN EXPRESSION ( L(TY SCORN ON HIS FACE4 

,AS HE NE>$ HIS H\SE HE C\LD SEE BE=E HIM ! ONE ROOM :I* CON/ITUT$ !IR HUMBLE HOME1 & ! JO9]'S WIFE NEXT DOOR C>RY+ H] ROLLS ( L954 ,HE SAW ALSO ! (FICE ( ! C\RT & HIS MI/RESS'S H\SE1 :]E HE HOP$ HE W\LD BE ABLE PRES5TLY TO PROVE ?AT HE WAS AN HONE/1 TRU/WOR?Y MAN4 

,HE REASON$ ) HIMSELF ?AT ANY P]SON CAN B8 ABUS$ BY LY+ TONGUES1 BUT :5 HIS MI/RESS W\LD SEE HIM %E W\LD SAY3 0,WELL DONE1 ,POLIKEY2 Y\ HAVE %[N ?AT Y\ CAN BE HONE/4 ,H]E >E ?REE--IT MAY BE FIVE--P]HAPS T5--RUBLES = Y\20 & ALSO %E W\LD ORD] TEA = HIM1 & MI<T TREAT HIM TO VODKI--:O KN[S8 ,! LATT] ?\<T GAVE HIM GREAT PLEASURE1 AS HE WAS FEEL+ V]Y COLD4 

,SPEAK+ AL\D HE SAID3 0,:AT A HAPPY HOLY-DAY WE CAN HAVE ) T5 RUBLES6 ,HAV+ SO MU* MONEY1 ,I C\LD PAY ,NIKITA ! F\R RUBLES FIFTY KOPECKS :I* ,I [E HIM1 & YET HAVE SOME LEFT TO BUY %OES = ! *ILDR540 

,:5 NE> ! H\SE ,POLIKEY BEGAN TO >RANGE HIS CLO!S1 SMOO?+ D[N HIS FUR COLL>1 RE-TY+ HIS SA%1 & /ROK+ HIS HAIR4 ,TO DO ! LATT] HE HAD TO TAKE (F HIS HAT1 & :5 DO+ SO FELT 9 ! L9+ = ! 5VELOPE4 ,QUICK] & QUICK] HE RAN HIS H& >\ND ! L9+1 & NOT F9D+ ! MONEY US$ BO? H&S1 FIR/ ONE & !N ! O!R4 ,BUT ! 5VELOPE WAS NOT TO BE F\ND4 

,POLIKEY WAS BY ?IS TIME GREATLY DI/RESS$1 & HIS FACE WAS :ITE ) FE> AS HE PASS$ HIS H& ?R\< ! CR[N ( HIS OLD HAT4 ,POLIKEY /OPP$ ! M>E & BEGAN A DILIG5T SE>* ?R\< ! WAGON & ITS CONT5TS4 ,NOT F9D+ ! PRECI\S 5VELOPE1 HE FELT 9 ALL HIS POCKETS--BUT ! MONEY C\LD NOT BE F\ND6 

,WILDLY CLUT*+ AT HIS HAIR1 HE EXCLAIM$3 0,BATIU%KA6 ,:AT WILL ,I DO N[8 ,:AT WILL BECOME ( ME80 ,AT ! SAME TIME HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE WAS NE> HIS NEI<BORS' H\SE & C\LD BE SE5 BY !M2 SO HE TURN$ ! M>E >\ND1 &1 PULL+ HIS HAT D[N SECURELY UPON HIS HEAD1 HE RODE QUICKLY BACK 9 SE>* ( HIS LO/ TREASURE4 

,*,A,P,T,] ,V,I4 

,! :OLE DAY PASS$ )\T ANY ONE 9 ! VILLAGE ( ,POKROVSKI HAV+ SE5 ANY?+ ( ,POLIKEY4 ,DUR+ ! AFT]NOON HIS MI/RESS 9QUIR$ MANY TIMES AS TO HIS :]EAB\TS1 & S5T ,AKSIUTKA FREQU5TLY TO ,AKUL9A1 :O EA* TIME S5T BACK WORD ?AT ,POLIKEY HAD NOT YET RETURN$1 SAY+ ALSO ?AT P]HAPS ! M]*ANT HAD KEPT HIM1 OR ?AT SOME?+ HAD HAPP5$ ! M>E4 

,HIS POOR WIFE FELT A HEAVY LOAD UPON H] HE>T1 & WAS SC>CELY ABLE TO DO H] H\SEWORK & PUT EV]Y?+ 9 ORD] = ! NEXT DAY 7:I* WAS TO BE A HOLY-DAY74 ,! *ILDR5 ALSO ANXI\SLY AWAIT$ !IR FA!R'S APPE>ANCE1 &1 ?\< = DIFF]5T REASONS1 C\LD H>DLY RE/RA9 !IR IMPATI5CE4 ,! NOBLEWOMAN & ,AKUJ9A W]E CONC]N$ ONLY 9 REG>D TO ,POLIKEY HIMSELF1 :ILE ! *ILDR5 W]E 9T]E/$ MO/ 9 :AT HE W\LD BR+ !M FROM ! T[N4 

,! ONLY NEWS RECEIV$ BY ! VILLAG]S DUR+ ! DAY CONC]N+ ,POLIKEY WAS TO ! EFFECT ?AT NEI<BOR+ PEASANTS HAD SE5 HIM RUNN+ UP & D[N ! ROAD & ASK+ EV]Y ONE HE MET IF HE OR %E HAD F\ND AN 5VELOPE4 

,ONE ( !M HAD SE5 HIM ALSO WALK+ BY ! SIDE ( HIS TIR$-\T HORSE4 0,I ?\<T10 SAID HE1 0?AT ! MAN WAS DRUNK1 & HAD NOT F$ HIS HORSE = TWO DAYS--! ANIMAL LOOK$ SO EXHAU/$40 

,UNABLE TO SLEEP1 & ) H] HE>T PALPITAT+ AT EV]Y S\ND1 ,AKUL9A LAY AWAKE ALL NI<T VA9LY AWAIT+ ,POLIKEY'S RETURN4 ,:5 ! COCK CR[$ ! ?IRD TIME %E WAS OBLIG$ TO GET UP TO ATT5D TO ! FIRE4 ,DAY WAS JU/ DAWN+ & ! *UR*-BELLS HAD BEGUN TO R+4 ,SOON ALL ! *ILDR5 W]E ALSO UP1 BUT !RE WAS /ILL NO TID+S ( ! MISS+ HUSB& & FA!R4 

,9 ! MORN+ ! *ILL BLA/S ( W9T] 5T]$ !IR HUMBLE HOME1 & ON LOOK+ \T !Y SAW ?AT ! H\SES1 FIELDS1 & ROADS W]E ?ICKLY COV]$ ) SN[4 ,! DAY WAS CLE> & COLD1 AS IF BEFITT+ ! HOLY-DAY !Y W]E AB\T TO CELEBRATE4 ,!Y W]E ABLE TO SEE A LONG DI/ANCE FROM ! H\SE1 BUT NO ONE WAS 9 SI<T4 

,AKUL9A WAS BUSY BAK+ CAKES1 & HAD IT NOT BE5 = ! JOY\S %\TS ( ! *ILDR5 %E W\LD NOT HAVE KN[N ?AT ,POLIKEY WAS COM+ UP ! ROAD1 = A FEW M9UTES LAT] HE CAME 9 ) A BUNDLE 9 HIS H& & WALK$ QUIETLY TO HIS CORN]4 ,AKUL9A NOTIC$ ?AT HE WAS V]Y PALE & ?AT HIS FACE BORE AN EXPRESSION ( SUFF]+--AS IF HE W\LD LIKE TO HAVE CRI$ BUT C\LD NOT DO SO4 ,BUT %E DID NOT /OP TO /UDY IT1 BUT EXCIT$LY 9QUIR$3 0,:AT6 ,ILLIT*1 IS EV]Y?+ ALL RI<T ) Y\80 

,HE SL[LY MUTT]$ SOME?+1 BUT HIS WIFE C\LD NOT UND]/& :AT HE SAID4 

0,:AT60 %E CRI$ \T1 0HAVE Y\ BE5 TO SEE \R MI/RESS80 

,POLIKEY /ILL SAT ON ! B$ 9 HIS CORN]1 GL>+ WILDLY AB\T HIM1 & SMIL+ BITT]LY4 ,HE DID NOT REPLY = A LONG TIME1 & ,AKUL9A AGA9 CRI$3 

0,EH8 ,ILLIT*6 ,:Y DON'T Y\ ANSW] ME8 ,:Y DON'T Y\ SPEAK80 

,F9ALLY HE SAID3 0,AKUL9A1 ,I DELIV]$ ! MONEY TO \R MI/RESS2 & OH1 H[ %E ?ANK$ ME60 ,!N HE SUDD5LY LOOK$ AB\T HIM1 ) AN ANXI\S1 />TL$ AIR1 & ) A SAD SMILE ON HIS LIPS4 ,TWO ?+S 9 ! ROOM SEEM$ TO 5GROSS ! MO/ ( HIS ATT5TION3 ! BABY 9 ! CRADLE1 & ! ROPE :I* WAS ATTA*$ TO ! LADD]4 ,APPROA*+ ! CRADLE1 HE BEGAN ) HIS ?9 F+]S QUICKLY TO UNTIE ! KNOT 9 ! ROPE BY :I* ! TWO W]E CONNECT$4 ,AFT] UNTY+ IT HE /OOD = A FEW MOM5TS LOOK+ SIL5TLY AT ! BABY4 

,AKUL9A DID NOT NOTICE ?IS PROCE$+1 & ) H] CAKES ON ! BO>D W5T TO PLACE !M 9 A CORN]4 

,POLIKEY QUICKLY HID ! ROPE B5EA? HIS COAT1 & AGA9 SEAT$ HIMSELF ON ! B$4 

0,:AT IS IT ?AT TR\BLES Y\1 ,ILLIT*80 9QUIR$ ,AKUL9A4 0,Y\ >E NOT Y\RSELF40 

0,I HAVE NOT SLEPT10 HE ANSW]$4 

,SUDD5LY A D>K %AD[ CROSS$ ! W9D[1 & A M9UTE LAT] ! GIRL ,AKSIUTKA QUICKLY 5T]$ ! ROOM1 EXCLAIM+3 

0,! BOY>9IA COMM&S Y\1 ,POLIKEY ,ILLIT*1 TO COME TO H] ?IS MOM5T60 

,POLIKEY LOOK$ FIR/ AT ,AKUL9A & !N AT ! GIRL4 

0,?IS MOM5T60 HE CRI$4 0,:AT MORE IS WANT$80 

,HE SPOKE ! LA/ S5T5CE SO S(TLY ?AT ,AKUL9A BECAME QUIET$ 9 H] M9D1 ?9K+ ?AT P]HAPS !IR MI/RESS 9T5D$ TO REW>D H] HUSB&4 

0,SAY ?AT ,I WILL COME IMM$IATELY10 HE SAID4 ,BUT ,POLIKEY FAIL$ TO FOLL[ ! GIRL1 & W5T 9/EAD TO ANO!R PLACE4 

,FROM ! POR* ( HIS H\SE !RE WAS A LADD] REA*+ TO ! ATTIC4 ,>RIV+ AT ! FOOT ( ! LADD] ,POLIKEY LOOK$ >\ND HIM1 & SEE+ NO ONE AB\T1 HE QUICKLY ASC5D$ TO ! G>RET4 

 "9 

,MEAN:ILE ! GIRL HAD REA*$ H] MI/RESS'S H\SE4 

0,:AT DOES IT MEAN ?AT ,POLIKEY DOES NOT COME80 SAID ! NOBLEWOMAN IMPATI5TLY4 0,:]E CAN HE BE8 ,:Y DOES HE NOT COME AT ONCE80 

,AKSIUTKA FLEW AGA9 TO HIS H\SE & DEM&$ TO SEE ,POLIKEY4 

0,HE W5T A LONG TIME AGO10 ANSW]$ ,AKUL9A1 & LOOK+ >\ND ) AN EXPRESSION ( FE> ON H] FACE1 %E ADD$1 0,HE MAY HAVE FALL5 ASLEEP SOME:]E ON ! WAY40 

,AB\T ?IS TIME ! JO9]'S WIFE1 ) HAIR UNKEMPT & CLO!S B$RAGGL$1 W5T UP TO ! L(T TO GA!R ! L95 :I* %E HAD PREVI\SLY PUT !RE TO DRY4 ,SUDD5LY A CRY ( HORROR WAS HE>D1 & ! WOMAN1 ) H] EYES CLOS$1 & CRAZ$ BY FE>1 RAN D[N ! LADD] LIKE A CAT4 

0,ILLIT*10 %E CRI$1 0HAS HANG$ HIMSELF60 

,POOR ,AKUL9A RAN UP ! LADD] BE=E ANY ( ! PEOPLE1 :O HAD GA!R$ FROM ! SURR\ND+ H\SES1 C\LD PREV5T H]4 ,) A L\D %RIEK %E FELL BACK AS IF DEAD1 & W\LD SURELY HAVE BE5 KILL$ HAD NOT ONE ( ! SPECTATORS SUCCE$$ 9 CAT*+ H] 9 HIS >MS4 

,BE=E D>K ! SAME DAY A PEASANT ( ! VILLAGE1 :ILE RETURN+ FROM ! T[N1 F\ND ! 5VELOPE CONTA9+ ,POLIKEY'S MONEY ON ! ROADSIDE1 & SOON AFT] DELIV]$ IT TO ! BOY>9IA4 

7,S\RCE3 ,TRANSLAT$ BY ,ADOLPHUS ,NORRAIK[47 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahfa 3 ,POLIKU%KA -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #a#e1 #bba 3 ,POLIKU%KA -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,POLIKU%KA -- ,UPDAT$4 

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