,*APT] #d 
,:AT ,M5 ,LIVE ,BY 

#aifaif 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,TEXT 3 

',WE KN[ ?AT WE HAVE PASS$ \T ( DEA? 9TO LIFE1 BECAUSE WE LOVE ! BRE?R54 ,HE ?AT LOVE? NOT ABIDE? 9 DEA?4'--#a ,EPI/LE ,/4 ,JOHN III4 #a#d4 

',:OSO HA? ! WORLD'S GOODS1 & BEHOLDE? HIS BRO!R 9 NE$1 & %UTTE? UP HIS COMPASSION FROM HIM1 H[ DO? ! LOVE ( ,GOD ABIDE 9 HIM8 ,MY LITTLE *ILDR51 LET US NOT LOVE 9 WORD1 NEI!R ) ! TONGUE2 BUT 9 DE$ & TRU?4'--III4 #a#g-#a#h4 

',LOVE IS ( ,GOD2 & EV]Y ONE ?AT LOVE? IS BEGOTT5 ( ,GOD1 & KN[E? ,GOD4 ,HE ?AT LOVE? NOT KN[E? NOT ,GOD2 = ,GOD IS LOVE4'-IV4 #g-#h4 

',NO MAN HA? BEHELD ,GOD AT ANY TIME2 IF WE LOVE ONE ANO!R1 ,GOD ABIDE? 9 US4'--IV4 #a#b4 

',GOD IS LOVE2 & HE ?AT ABIDE? 9 LOVE ABIDE? 9 ,GOD1 & ,GOD ABIDE? 9 HIM4'--IV4 #a#f4 

',IF A MAN SAY1 ,I LOVE ,GOD1 & HATE? HIS BRO!R1 HE IS A LI>2 = HE ?AT LOVE? NOT HIS BRO!R :OM HE HA? SE51 H[ CAN HE LOVE ,GOD :OM HE HA? NOT SE58'--IV4 #b4 

I 

,A %OEMAK] NAM$ ,SIMON1 :O HAD NEI!R H\SE NOR L& ( HIS [N1 LIV$ ) HIS WIFE & *ILDR5 9 A PEASANT'S HUT1 & E>N$ HIS LIV+ BY HIS WORK4 ,WORK WAS *EAP1 BUT BREAD WAS DE>1 & :AT HE E>N$ HE SP5T = FOOD4 ,! MAN & HIS WIFE HAD BUT ONE %EEPSK9 COAT BETWE5 !M = W9T] WE>1 & EV5 ?AT WAS TORN TO TATT]S1 & ?IS WAS ! SECOND YE> HE HAD BE5 WANT+ TO BUY %EEP-SK9S = A NEW COAT4 ,BE=E W9T] ,SIMON SAV$ UP A LITTLE MONEY3 A ?REE-RUBLE NOTE LAY HIDD5 9 HIS WIFE'S BOX1 & FIVE RUBLES & TW5TY KOPECKS.<#a.> W]E [$ HIM BY CU/OM]S 9 ! VILLAGE4 

,SO ONE MORN+ HE PREP>$ TO GO TO ! VILLAGE TO BUY ! %EEP-SK9S4 ,HE PUT ON OV] HIS %IRT HIS WIFE'S WADD$ NANKE5 JACKET1 & OV] ?AT HE PUT HIS [N CLO? COAT4 ,HE TOOK ! ?REE-RUBLE NOTE 9 HIS POCKET1 CUT HIMSELF A /ICK TO S]VE AS A /AFF1 & />T$ (F AFT] BREAKFA/4 ',I'LL COLLECT ! FIVE RUBLES ?AT >E DUE TO ME1' ?\<T HE1 'ADD ! ?REE ,I HAVE GOT1 & ?AT WILL BE 5\< TO BUY %EEP-SK9S = ! W9T] COAT4' 

,HE CAME TO ! VILLAGE & CALL$ AT A PEASANT'S HUT1 BUT ! MAN WAS NOT AT HOME4 ,! PEASANT'S WIFE PROMIS$ ?AT ! MONEY %\LD BE PAID NEXT WEEK1 BUT %E W\LD NOT PAY IT H]SELF4 ,!N ,SIMON CALL$ ON ANO!R PEASANT1 BUT ?IS ONE SWORE HE HAD NO MONEY1 & W\LD ONLY PAY TW5TY KOPECKS :I* HE [$ = A PAIR ( BOOTS ,SIMON HAD M5D$4 ,SIMON !N TRI$ TO BUY ! %EEP-SK9S ON CR$IT1 BUT ! DEAL] W\LD NOT TRU/ HIM4 

',BR+ Y\R MONEY1' SAID HE1 '!N Y\ MAY HAVE Y\R PICK ( ! SK9S4 ,WE KN[ :AT DEBT-COLLECT+ IS LIKE4' 

,SO ALL ! BUS9ESS ! %OEMAK] DID WAS TO GET ! TW5TY KOPECKS = BOOTS HE HAD M5D$1 & TO TAKE A PAIR ( FELT BOOTS A PEASANT GAVE HIM TO SOLE ) LEA!R4 

,SIMON FELT D[NHE>T$4 ,HE SP5T ! TW5TY KOPECKS ON VODKA1 & />T$ HOMEW>D )\T HAV+ B\<T ANY SK9S4 ,9 ! MORN+ HE HAD FELT ! FRO/2 BUT N[1 AFT] DR9K+ ! VODKA1 HE FELT W>M1 EV5 )\T A %EEP-SK9 COAT4 ,HE TRUDG$ ALONG1 /RIK+ HIS /ICK ON ! FROZ5 E>? ) ONE H&1 SW++ ! FELT BOOTS ) ! O!R1 & TALK+ TO HIMSELF4 

 ',I'M QUITE W>M1' SAID HE1 '?\< ,I HAVE NO %EEP-SK9 COAT4 ,I'VE HAD A DROP1 & IT RUNS ?R\< ALL MY VE9S4 ,I NE$ NO %EEP-SK9S4 ,I GO ALONG & DON'T WORRY AB\T ANY?+4 ,?AT'S ! SORT ( MAN ,I AM6 ,:AT DO ,I C>E8 ,I CAN LIVE )\T %EEP-SK9S4 ,I DON'T NE$ !M4 ,MY WIFE WILL FRET1 TO BE SURE4 ,&1 TRUE 5\<1 IT IS A %AME2 ONE WORKS ALL DAY LONG1 & !N DOES NOT GET PAID4 ,/OP A BIT6 ,IF Y\ DON'T BR+ ?AT MONEY ALONG1 SURE 5\< ,I'LL SK9 Y\1 BLESS$ IF ,I DON'T4 ,H['S ?AT8 ,HE PAYS TW5TY KOPECKS AT A TIME6 ,:AT CAN ,I DO ) TW5TY KOPECKS8 ,DR9K IT--?AT'S ALL ONE CAN DO6 ,H>D UP1 HE SAYS HE IS6 ,SO HE MAY BE--BUT :AT AB\T ME8 ,Y\ HAVE H\SE1 & CATTLE1 & EV]Y?+2 ,I'VE ONLY :AT ,I /& UP 96 ,Y\ HAVE CORN ( Y\R [N GR[+2 ,I HAVE TO BUY EV]Y GRA94 ,DO :AT ,I WILL1 ,I MU/ SP5D ?REE RUBLES EV]Y WEEK = BREAD ALONE4 ,I COME HOME & F9D ! BREAD ALL US$ UP1 & ,I HAVE TO =K \T ANO!R RUBLE & A HALF4 ,SO JU/ PAY UP :AT Y\ [E1 & NO NONS5SE AB\T IT6' 

,BY ?IS TIME HE HAD NE>LY REA*$ ! %R9E AT ! B5D ( ! ROAD4 ,LOOK+ UP1 HE SAW SOME?+ :ITI% BEH9D ! %R9E4 ,! DAYLI<T WAS FAD+1 & ! %OEMAK] PE]$ AT ! ?+ )\T BE+ ABLE TO MAKE \T :AT IT WAS4 ',!RE WAS NO :ITE /ONE H]E BE=E4 ,CAN IT BE AN OX8 ,IT'S NOT LIKE AN OX4 ,IT HAS A HEAD LIKE A MAN1 BUT IT'S TOO :ITE2 & :AT C\LD A MAN BE DO+ !RE8' 

,HE CAME CLOS]1 SO ?AT IT WAS CLE>LY VISIBLE4 ,TO HIS SURPRISE IT REALLY WAS A MAN1 ALIVE OR DEAD1 SITT+ NAK$1 LEAN+ MOTIONLESS AGA9/ ! %R9E4 ,T]ROR SEIZ$ ! %OEMAK]1 & HE ?\<T1 ',SOME ONE HAS KILL$ HIM1 /RIPP$ HIM1 & LEFT HIM H]E4 ,IF ,I M$DLE ,I %ALL SURELY GET 9TO TR\BLE4' 

,SO ! %OEMAK] W5T ON4 ,HE PASS$ 9 FRONT ( ! %R9E SO ?AT HE C\LD NOT SEE ! MAN4 ,:5 HE HAD GONE SOME WAY1 HE LOOK$ BACK1 & SAW ?AT ! MAN WAS NO LONG] LEAN+ AGA9/ ! %R9E1 BUT WAS MOV+ AS IF LOOK+ T[>DS HIM4 ,! %OEMAK] FELT MORE FRI<T5$ ?AN BE=E1 & ?\<T1 ',%ALL ,I GO BACK TO HIM1 OR %ALL ,I GO ON8 ,IF ,I GO NE> HIM SOME?+ DREADFUL MAY HAPP54 ,:O KN[S :O ! FELL[ IS8 ,HE HAS NOT COME H]E = ANY GOOD4 ,IF ,I GO NE> HIM HE MAY JUMP UP & ?ROTTLE ME1 & !RE WILL BE NO GETT+ AWAY4 ,OR IF NOT1 HE'D /ILL BE A BURD5 ON ONE'S H&S4 ,:AT C\LD ,I DO ) A NAK$ MAN8 ,I C\LDN'T GIVE HIM MY LA/ CLO!S4 ,HEAV5 ONLY HELP ME TO GET AWAY6' 

,SO ! %OEMAK] HURRI$ ON1 LEAV+ ! %R9E BEH9D HIM--:5 SUDD5LY HIS CONSCI5CE SMOTE HIM1 & HE /OPP$ 9 ! ROAD4 

',:AT >E Y\ DO+1 ,SIMON8' SAID HE TO HIMSELF4 ',! MAN MAY BE DY+ ( WANT1 & Y\ SLIP PA/ AFRAID4 ,HAVE Y\ GR[N SO RI* AS TO BE AFRAID ( ROBB]S8 ,AH1 ,SIMON1 %AME ON Y\6' 

,SO HE TURN$ BACK & W5T UP TO ! MAN4 

II 

,SIMON APPROA*$ ! /RANG]1 LOOK$ AT HIM1 & SAW ?AT HE WAS A Y\NG MAN1 FIT1 ) NO BRUISES ON HIS BODY1 ONLY EVID5TLY FREEZ+ & FRI<T5$1 & HE SAT !RE LEAN+ BACK )\T LOOK+ UP AT ,SIMON1 AS IF TOO FA9T TO LIFT HIS EYES4 ,SIMON W5T CLOSE TO HIM1 & !N ! MAN SEEM$ TO WAKE UP4 ,TURN+ HIS HEAD1 HE OP5$ HIS EYES & LOOK$ 9TO ,SIMON'S FACE4 ,?AT ONE LOOK WAS 5\< TO MAKE ,SIMON FOND ( ! MAN4 ,HE ?REW ! FELT BOOTS ON ! GR\ND1 UNDID HIS SA%1 LAID IT ON ! BOOTS1 & TOOK (F HIS CLO? COAT4 

',IT'S NOT A TIME = TALK+1' SAID HE4 ',COME1 PUT ?IS COAT ON AT ONCE6' ,& ,SIMON TOOK ! MAN BY ! ELB[S & HELP$ HIM TO RISE4 ,AS HE /OOD !RE1 ,SIMON SAW ?AT HIS BODY WAS CLEAN & 9 GOOD CONDITION1 HIS H&S & FEET %APELY1 & HIS FACE GOOD & K9D4 ,HE ?REW HIS COAT OV] ! MAN'S %\LD]S1 BUT ! LATT] C\LD NOT F9D ! SLEEVES4 ,SIMON GUID$ HIS >MS 9TO !M1 & DRAW+ ! COAT WELL ON1 WRAPP$ IT CLOSELY AB\T HIM1 TY+ ! SA% R\ND ! MAN'S WAI/4 

 ,SIMON EV5 TOOK (F HIS TORN CAP TO PUT IT ON ! MAN'S HEAD1 BUT !N HIS [N HEAD FELT COLD1 & HE ?\<T3 ',I'M QUITE BALD1 :ILE HE HAS LONG CURLY HAIR4' ,SO HE PUT HIS CAP ON HIS [N HEAD AGA94 ',IT WILL BE BETT] TO GIVE HIM SOME?+ = HIS FEET1' ?\<T HE2 & HE MADE ! MAN SIT D[N1 & HELP$ HIM TO PUT ON ! FELT BOOTS1 SAY+1 ',!RE1 FRI5D1 N[ MOVE AB\T & W>M Y\RSELF4 ,O!R MATT]S CAN BE SETTL$ LAT] ON4 ,CAN Y\ WALK8' 

,! MAN /OOD UP & LOOK$ K9DLY AT ,SIMON1 BUT C\LD NOT SAY A WORD4 

',:Y DON'T Y\ SPEAK8' SAID ,SIMON4 ',IT'S TOO COLD TO /AY H]E2 WE MU/ BE GETT+ HOME4 ,!RE N[1 TAKE MY /ICK1 & IF Y\'RE FEEL+ WEAK1 LEAN ON ?AT4 ,N[ /EP \T6' 

,! MAN />T$ WALK+1 & MOV$ EASILY1 NOT LAGG+ BEH9D4 

,AS !Y W5T ALONG1 ,SIMON ASK$ HIM1 ',& :]E DO Y\ BELONG TO8' 

',I'M NOT FROM !SE P>TS4' 

',I ?\<T AS MU*4 ,I KN[ ! FOLKS H]EAB\TS4 ,BUT1 H[ DID Y\ COME TO BE !RE BY ! %R9E8' 

',I CANNOT TELL4' 

',HAS SOME ONE BE5 ILL-TREAT+ Y\8' 

',NO ONE HAS ILL-TREAT$ ME4 ,GOD HAS PUNI%$ ME4' 

',( C\RSE ,GOD RULES ALL4 ,/ILL1 Y\'LL HAVE TO F9D FOOD & %ELT] SOME:]E4 ,:]E DO Y\ WANT TO GO TO8' 

',IT IS ALL ! SAME TO ME4' 

,SIMON WAS AMAZ$4 ,! MAN DID NOT LOOK LIKE A ROGUE1 & HE SPOKE G5TLY1 BUT YET HE GAVE NO ACC\NT ( HIMSELF4 ,/ILL ,SIMON ?\<T1 ',:O KN[S :AT MAY HAVE HAPP5$8' ,& HE SAID TO ! /RANG]3 ',WELL !N1 COME HOME ) ME1 & AT LEA/ W>M Y\RSELF A:ILE4' 

,SO ,SIMON WALK$ T[>DS HIS HOME1 & ! /RANG] KEPT UP ) HIM1 WALK+ AT HIS SIDE4 ,! W9D HAD RIS5 & ,SIMON FELT IT COLD UND] HIS %IRT4 ,HE WAS GETT+ OV] HIS TIPS9ESS BY N[1 & BEGAN TO FEEL ! FRO/4 ,HE W5T ALONG SNIFFL+ & WRAPP+ HIS WIFE'S COAT R\ND HIM1 & HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF3 ',!RE N[--TALK AB\T %EEP-SK9S6 ,I W5T \T = %EEP-SK9S & COME HOME )\T EV5 A COAT TO MY BACK1 & :AT IS MORE1 ,I'M BR++ A NAK$ MAN ALONG ) ME4 ,MATRYONA WON'T BE PLEAS$6' ,& :5 HE ?\<T ( HIS WIFE HE FELT SAD2 BUT :5 HE LOOK$ AT ! /RANG] & REMEMB]$ H[ HE HAD LOOK$ UP AT HIM AT ! %R9E1 HIS HE>T WAS GLAD4 

III 

,SIMON'S WIFE HAD EV]Y?+ READY E>LY ?AT DAY4 ,%E HAD CUT WOOD1 BR\<T WAT]1 F$ ! *ILDR51 EAT5 H] [N MEAL1 & N[ %E SAT ?9K+4 ,%E WOND]$ :5 %E \<T TO MAKE BREAD3 N[ OR TO-MORR[8 ,!RE WAS /ILL A L>GE PIECE LEFT4 

',IF ,SIMON HAS HAD SOME D9N] 9 T[N1' ?\<T %E1 '& DOES NOT EAT MU* = SUPP]1 ! BREAD WILL LA/ \T ANO!R DAY4' 

,%E WEI<$ ! PIECE ( BREAD 9 H] H& AGA9 & AGA91 & ?\<T3 ',I WON'T MAKE ANY MORE TO-DAY4 ,WE HAVE ONLY 5\< FL\R LEFT TO BAKE ONE BAT*4 ,WE CAN MANAGE TO MAKE ?IS LA/ \T TILL ,FRIDAY4' 

,SO ,MATRYONA PUT AWAY ! BREAD1 & SAT D[N AT ! TABLE TO PAT* H] HUSB&'S %IRT4 ,:ILE %E WORK$ %E ?\<T H[ H] HUSB& WAS BUY+ SK9S = A W9T] COAT4 

',IF ONLY ! DEAL] DOES NOT *EAT HIM4 ,MY GOOD MAN IS MU* TOO SIMPLE2 HE *EATS NOBODY1 BUT ANY *ILD CAN TAKE HIM 94 ,EI<T RUBLES IS A LOT ( MONEY--HE %\LD GET A GOOD COAT AT ?AT PRICE4 ,NOT TANN$ SK9S1 BUT /ILL A PROP] W9T] COAT4 ,H[ DIFFICULT IT WAS LA/ W9T] TO GET ON )\T A W>M COAT4 ,I C\LD NEI!R GET D[N TO ! RIV]1 NOR GO \T ANY:]E4 ,:5 HE W5T \T HE PUT ON ALL WE HAD1 & !RE WAS NO?+ LEFT = ME4 ,HE DID NOT />T V]Y E>LY TO-DAY1 BUT /ILL IT'S TIME HE WAS BACK4 ,I ONLY HOPE HE HAS NOT GONE ON ! SPREE6' 

,H>DLY HAD ,MATRYONA ?\<T ?IS1 :5 /EPS W]E HE>D ON ! ?RE%OLD1 & SOME ONE 5T]$4 ,MATRYONA /UCK H] NE$LE 9TO H] WORK & W5T \T 9TO ! PASSAGE4 ,!RE %E SAW TWO M53 ,SIMON1 & ) HIM A MAN )\T A HAT1 & WE>+ FELT BOOTS4 

,MATRYONA NOTIC$ AT ONCE ?AT H] HUSB& SMELT ( SPIRITS4 ',!RE N[1 HE HAS BE5 DR9K+1' ?\<T %E4 ,& :5 %E SAW ?AT HE WAS COATLESS1 HAD ONLY H] JACKET ON1 BR\<T NO P>CEL1 /OOD !RE SIL5T1 & SEEM$ A%AM$1 H] HE>T WAS READY TO BREAK ) DISAPPO9TM5T4 ',HE HAS DRUNK ! MONEY1' ?\<T %E1 '& HAS BE5 ON ! SPREE ) SOME GOOD-=-NO?+ FELL[ :OM HE HAS BR\<T HOME ) HIM4' 

,MATRYONA LET !M PASS 9TO ! HUT1 FOLL[$ !M 91 & SAW ?AT ! /RANG] WAS A Y\NG1 SLI<T MAN1 WE>+ H] HUSB&'S COAT4 ,!RE WAS NO %IRT TO BE SE5 UND] IT1 & HE HAD NO HAT4 ,HAV+ 5T]$1 HE /OOD NEI!R MOV+1 NOR RAIS+ HIS EYES1 & ,MATRYONA ?\<T3 ',HE MU/ BE A BAD MAN--HE'S AFRAID4' 

,MATRYONA FR[N$1 & /OOD BESIDE ! OV5 LOOK+ TO SEE :AT !Y W\LD DO4 

,SIMON TOOK (F HIS CAP & SAT D[N ON ! B5* AS IF ?+S W]E ALL RI<T4 

',COME1 ,MATRYONA2 IF SUPP] IS READY1 LET US HAVE SOME4' 

,MATRYONA MUTT]$ SOME?+ TO H]SELF & DID NOT MOVE1 BUT /AY$ :]E %E WAS1 BY ! OV54 ,%E LOOK$ FIR/ AT ! ONE & !N AT ! O!R ( !M1 & ONLY %OOK H] HEAD4 ,SIMON SAW ?AT HIS WIFE WAS ANNOY$1 BUT TRI$ TO PASS IT (F4 ,PRET5D+ NOT TO NOTICE ANY?+1 HE TOOK ! /RANG] BY ! >M4 

',SIT D[N1 FRI5D1' SAID HE1 '& LET US HAVE SOME SUPP]4' 

,! /RANG] SAT D[N ON ! B5*4 

',HAV5'T Y\ COOK$ ANY?+ = US8' SAID ,SIMON4 

,MATRYONA'S ANG] BOIL$ OV]4 ',I'VE COOK$1 BUT NOT = Y\4 ,IT SEEMS TO ME Y\ HAVE DRUNK Y\R WITS AWAY4 ,Y\ W5T TO BUY A %EEP-SK9 COAT1 BUT COME HOME )\T SO MU* AS ! COAT Y\ HAD ON1 & BR+ A NAK$ VAGABOND HOME ) Y\4 ,I HAVE NO SUPP] = DRUNK>DS LIKE Y\4' 

 ',?AT'S 5\<1 ,MATRYONA4 ,DON'T WAG Y\R TONGUE )\T REASON4 ,Y\ HAD BETT] ASK :AT SORT ( MAN----' 

',& Y\ TELL ME :AT Y\'VE DONE ) ! MONEY8' 

,SIMON F\ND ! POCKET ( ! JACKET1 DREW \T ! ?REE-RUBLE NOTE1 & UNFOLD$ IT4 

',H]E IS ! MONEY4 ,TRIFON( DID NOT PAY1 BUT PROMISES TO PAY SOON4' 

,MATRYONA GOT /ILL MORE ANGRY2 HE HAD B\<T NO %EEP-SK9S1 BUT HAD PUT HIS ONLY COAT ON SOME NAK$ FELL[ & HAD EV5 BR\<T HIM TO !IR H\SE4 

,%E SNAT*$ UP ! NOTE FROM ! TABLE1 TOOK IT TO PUT AWAY 9 SAFETY1 & SAID3 ',I HAVE NO SUPP] = Y\4 ,WE CAN'T FE$ ALL ! NAK$ DRUNK>DS 9 ! WORLD4' 

',!RE N[1 ,MATRYONA1 HOLD Y\R TONGUE A BIT4 ,FIR/ HE> :AT A MAN HAS TO SAY----' 

',MU* WISDOM ,I %ALL HE> FROM A DRUNK5 FOOL4 ,I WAS RI<T 9 NOT WANT+ TO M>RY Y\-A DRUNK>D4 ,! L95 MY MO!R GAVE ME Y\ DRANK2 & N[ Y\'VE BE5 TO BUY A COAT--& HAVE DRUNK IT1 TOO6' 

,SIMON TRI$ TO EXPLA9 TO HIS WIFE ?AT HE HAD ONLY SP5T TW5TY KOPECKS2 TRI$ TO TELL H[ HE HAD F\ND ! MAN--BUT ,MATRYONA W\LD NOT LET HIM GET A WORD 94 ,%E TALK$ N9ETE5 TO ! DOZ51 & DRAGG$ 9 ?+S ?AT HAD HAPP5$ T5 YE>S BE=E4 

,MATRYONA TALK$ & TALK$1 & AT LA/ %E FLEW AT ,SIMON & SEIZ$ HIM BY ! SLEEVE4 

',GIVE ME MY JACKET4 ,IT IS ! ONLY ONE ,I HAVE1 & Y\ MU/ NE$S TAKE IT FROM ME & WE> IT Y\RSELF4 ,GIVE IT H]E1 Y\ MANGY DOG1 & MAY ! DEVIL TAKE Y\4' 

,SIMON BEGAN TO PULL (F ! JACKET1 & TURN$ A SLEEVE ( IT 9SIDE \T2 ,MATRYONA SEIZ$ ! JACKET & IT BUR/ ITS SEAMS4 ,%E SNAT*$ IT UP1 ?REW IT OV] H] HEAD & W5T TO ! DOOR4 ,%E MEANT TO GO \T1 BUT /OPP$ UNDECID$--%E WANT$ TO WORK (F H] ANG]1 BUT %E ALSO WANT$ TO LE>N :AT SORT ( A MAN ! /RANG] WAS4 

  

IV 

,MATRYONA /OPP$ & SAID3 ',IF HE W]E A GOOD MAN HE W\LD NOT BE NAK$4 ,:Y1 HE HASN'T EV5 A %IRT ON HIM4 ,IF HE W]E ALL RI<T1 Y\ W\LD SAY :]E Y\ CAME ACROSS ! FELL[4' 

',?AT'S JU/ :AT ,I AM TRY+ TO TELL Y\1' SAID ,SIMON4 ',AS ,I CAME TO ! %R9E ,I SAW HIM SITT+ ALL NAK$ & FROZ54 ,IT ISN'T QUITE ! WEA!R TO SIT AB\T NAK$6 ,GOD S5T ME TO HIM1 OR HE W\LD HAVE P]I%$4 ,:AT WAS ,I TO DO8 ,H[ DO WE KN[ :AT MAY HAVE HAPP5$ TO HIM8 ,SO ,I TOOK HIM1 CLO!D HIM1 & BR\<T HIM ALONG4 ,DON'T BE SO ANGRY1 ,MATRYONA4 ,IT IS A S94 ,REMEMB]1 WE ALL MU/ DIE ONE DAY4' 

,ANGRY WORDS ROSE TO ,MATRYONA'S LIPS1 BUT %E LOOK$ AT ! /RANG] & WAS SIL5T4 ,HE SAT ON ! $GE ( ! B5*1 MOTIONLESS1 HIS H&S FOLD$ ON HIS KNEES1 HIS HEAD DROOP+ ON HIS BREA/1 HIS EYES CLOS$1 & HIS BR[S KNIT AS IF 9 PA94 ,MATRYONA WAS SIL5T3 & ,SIMON SAID3 ',MATRYONA1 HAVE Y\ NO LOVE ( ,GOD8' 

,MATRYONA HE>D !SE WORDS1 & AS %E LOOK$ AT ! /RANG]1 SUDD5LY H] HE>T S(T5$ T[>DS HIM4 ,%E CAME BACK FROM ! DOOR1 & GO+ TO ! OV5 %E GOT \T ! SUPP]4 ,SETT+ A CUP ON ! TABLE1 %E P\R$ \T SOME KVAS.<#b.>4 ,!N %E BR\<T \T ! LA/ PIECE ( BREAD1 & SET \T A KNIFE & SPOONS4 

',EAT1 IF Y\ WANT TO1' SAID %E4 

,SIMON DREW ! /RANG] TO ! TABLE4 

',TAKE Y\R PLACE1 Y\NG MAN1' SAID HE4 

,SIMON CUT ! BREAD1 CRUMBL$ IT 9TO ! BRO?1 & !Y BEGAN TO EAT4 ,MATRYONA SAT AT ! CORN] ( ! TABLE1 RE/+ H] HEAD ON H] H& & LOOK+ AT ! /RANG]4 

,& ,MATRYONA WAS T\*$ ) PITY = ! /RANG]1 & BEGAN TO FEEL FOND ( HIM4 ,& AT ONCE ! /RANG]'S FACE LIT UP2 HIS BR[S W]E NO LONG] B5T1 HE RAIS$ HIS EYES & SMIL$ AT ,MATRYONA4 

,:5 !Y HAD F9I%$ SUPP]1 ! WOMAN CLE>$ AWAY ! ?+S & BEGAN QUE/ION+ ! /RANG]4 ',:]E >E Y\ FROM8' SAID %E4 

',I AM NOT FROM !SE P>TS4' 

',BUT H[ DID Y\ COME TO BE ON ! ROAD8' 

',I MAY NOT TELL4' 

',DID SOME ONE ROB Y\8' 

',GOD PUNI%$ ME4' 

',& Y\ W]E LY+ !RE NAK$8' 

',YES1 NAK$ & FREEZ+4 ,SIMON SAW ME & HAD PITY ON ME4 ,HE TOOK (F HIS COAT1 PUT IT ON ME & BR\<T ME H]E4 ,& Y\ HAVE F$ ME1 GIV5 ME DR9K1 & %[N PITY ON ME4 ,GOD WILL REW>D Y\6' 

,MATRYONA ROSE1 TOOK FROM ! W9D[ ,SIMON'S OLD %IRT %E HAD BE5 PAT*+1 & GAVE IT TO ! /RANG]4 ,%E ALSO BR\<T \T A PAIR ( TR\S]S = HIM4 

',!RE1' SAID %E1 ',I SEE Y\ HAVE NO %IRT4 ,PUT ?IS ON1 & LIE D[N :]E Y\ PLEASE1 9 ! L(T OR ON ! OV5.<#c.>4' 

,! /RANG] TOOK (F ! COAT1 PUT ON ! %IRT1 & LAY D[N 9 ! L(T4 ,MATRYONA PUT \T ! C&LE1 TOOK ! COAT1 & CLIMB$ TO :]E H] HUSB& LAY4 

,MATRYONA DREW ! SKIRTS ( ! COAT OV] H] & LAY D[N1 BUT C\LD NOT SLEEP2 %E C\LD NOT GET ! /RANG] \T ( H] M9D4 

,:5 %E REMEMB]$ ?AT HE HAD EAT5 !IR LA/ PIECE ( BREAD & ?AT !RE WAS NONE = TO-MORR[1 & ?\<T ( ! %IRT & TR\S]S %E HAD GIV5 AWAY1 %E FELT GRIEV$2 BUT :5 %E REMEMB]$ H[ HE HAD SMIL$1 H] HE>T WAS GLAD4 

,LONG DID ,MATRYONA LIE AWAKE1 & %E NOTIC$ ?AT ,SIMON ALSO WAS AWAKE--HE DREW ! COAT T[>DS HIM4 

',SIMON6' 

 ',WELL8' 

',Y\ HAVE HAD ! LA/ ( ! BREAD1 & ,I HAVE NOT PUT ANY TO RISE4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT WE %ALL DO TO-MORR[4 ,P]HAPS ,I CAN BORR[ SOME ( NEI<BOR ,M>?A4' 

',IF WE'RE ALIVE WE %ALL F9D SOME?+ TO EAT4' 

,! WOMAN LAY /ILL A:ILE1 & !N SAID1 ',HE SEEMS A GOOD MAN1 BUT :Y DOES HE NOT TELL US :O HE IS8' 

',I SUPPOSE HE HAS HIS REASONS4' 

',SIMON6' 

',WELL8' 

',WE GIVE2 BUT :Y DOES NOBODY GIVE US ANY?+8' 

,SIMON DID NOT KN[ :AT TO SAY2 SO HE ONLY SAID1 ',LET US /OP TALK+1' & TURN$ OV] & W5T TO SLEEP4 

V 

,9 ! MORN+ ,SIMON AWOKE4 ,! *ILDR5 W]E /ILL ASLEEP2 HIS WIFE HAD GONE TO ! NEI<BOR'S TO BORR[ SOME BREAD4 ,! /RANG] ALONE WAS SITT+ ON ! B5*1 DRESS$ 9 ! OLD %IRT & TR\S]S1 & LOOK+ UPW>DS4 ,HIS FACE WAS BRI<T] ?AN IT HAD BE5 ! DAY BE=E4 

,SIMON SAID TO HIM1 ',WELL1 FRI5D2 ! BELLY WANTS BREAD1 & ! NAK$ BODY CLO!S4 ,ONE HAS TO WORK = A LIV+4 ,:AT WORK DO Y\ KN[8' 

',I DO NOT KN[ ANY4' 

,?IS SURPRIS$ ,SIMON1 BUT HE SAID1 ',M5 :O WANT TO LE>N CAN LE>N ANY?+4' 

',M5 WORK1 & ,I WILL WORK ALSO4' 

',:AT IS Y\R NAME8' 

',MI*AEL4' 

',WELL1 ,MI*AEL1 IF Y\ DON'T WI% TO TALK AB\T Y\RSELF1 ?AT IS Y\R [N AFFAIR2 BUT Y\'LL HAVE TO E>N A LIV+ = Y\RSELF4 ,IF Y\ WILL WORK AS ,I TELL Y\1 ,I WILL GIVE Y\ FOOD & %ELT]4' 

',MAY ,GOD REW>D Y\6 ,I WILL LE>N4 ,%[ ME :AT TO DO4' 

 ,SIMON TOOK Y>N1 PUT IT R\ND HIS ?UMB & BEGAN TO TWI/ IT4 

',IT IS EASY 5\<--SEE6' 

,MI*AEL WAT*$ HIM1 PUT SOME Y>N R\ND HIS [N ?UMB 9 ! SAME WAY1 CAU<T ! KNACK1 & TWI/$ ! Y>N ALSO4 

,!N ,SIMON %[$ HIM H[ TO WAX ! ?READ4 ,?IS ALSO ,MI*AEL MA/]$4 ,NEXT ,SIMON %[$ HIM H[ TO TWI/ ! BRI/LE 91 & H[ TO SEW1 & ?IS1 TOO1 ,MI*AEL LE>N$ AT ONCE4 

,:ATEV] ,SIMON %[$ HIM HE UND]/OOD AT ONCE1 & AFT] ?REE DAYS HE WORK$ AS IF HE HAD SEWN BOOTS ALL HIS LIFE4 ,HE WORK$ )\T /OPP+1 & ATE LITTLE4 ,:5 WORK WAS OV] HE SAT SIL5TLY1 LOOK+ UPW>DS4 ,HE H>DLY W5T 9TO ! /REET1 SPOKE ONLY :5 NECESS>Y1 & NEI!R JOK$ NOR LAU<$4 ,!Y NEV] SAW HIM SMILE1 EXCEPT ?AT FIR/ EV5+ :5 ,MATRYONA GAVE !M SUPP]4 

VI 

,DAY BY DAY & WEEK BY WEEK ! YE> W5T R\ND4 ,MI*AEL LIV$ & WORK$ ) ,SIMON4 ,HIS FAME SPREAD TILL PEOPLE SAID ?AT NO ONE SEW$ BOOTS SO NEATLY & /RONGLY AS ,SIMON'S WORKMAN1 ,MI*AEL2 & FROM ALL ! DI/RICT R\ND PEOPLE CAME TO ,SIMON = !IR BOOTS1 & HE BEGAN TO BE WELL (F4 

,ONE W9T] DAY1 AS ,SIMON & ,MI*AEL SAT WORK+1 A C>RIAGE ON SL$GE-RUNN]S1 ) ?REE HORSES & ) BELLS1 DROVE UP TO ! HUT4 ,!Y LOOK$ \T ( ! W9D[2 ! C>RIAGE /OPP$ AT !IR DOOR1 A F9E S]VANT JUMP$ D[N FROM ! BOX & OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,A G5TLEMAN 9 A FUR COAT GOT \T & WALK$ UP TO ,SIMON'S HUT4 ,UP JUMP$ ,MATRYONA & OP5$ ! DOOR WIDE4 ,! G5TLEMAN /OOP$ TO 5T] ! HUT1 & :5 HE DREW HIMSELF UP AGA9 HIS HEAD NE>LY REA*$ ! CEIL+1 & HE SEEM$ QUITE TO FILL HIS 5D ( ! ROOM4 

,SIMON ROSE1 B[$1 & LOOK$ AT ! G5TLEMAN ) A/ONI%M5T4 ,HE HAD NEV] SE5 ANY ONE LIKE HIM4 ,SIMON HIMSELF WAS LEAN1 ,MI*AEL WAS ?91 & ,MATRYONA WAS DRY AS A BONE1 BUT ?IS MAN WAS LIKE SOME ONE FROM ANO!R WORLD3 R$-FAC$1 BURLY1 ) A NECK LIKE A BULL'S1 & LOOK+ ALTOGE!R AS IF HE W]E CA/ 9 IRON4 

,! G5TLEMAN PUFF$1 ?REW (F HIS FUR COAT1 SAT D[N ON ! B5*1 & SAID1 ',:I* ( Y\ IS ! MA/] BOOTMAK]8' 

',I AM1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY1' SAID ,SIMON1 COM+ =W>D4 

,!N ! G5TLEMAN %\T$ TO HIS LAD1 ',HEY1 ,F$KA1 BR+ ! LEA!R6' 

,! S]VANT RAN 91 BR++ A P>CEL4 ,! G5TLEMAN TOOK ! P>CEL & PUT IT ON ! TABLE4 

',UNTIE IT1' SAID HE4 ,! LAD UNTI$ IT4 

,! G5TLEMAN PO9T$ TO ! LEA!R4 

',LOOK H]E1 %OEMAK]1' SAID HE1 'DO Y\ SEE ?IS LEA!R8' 

',YES1 Y\R HONOR4' 

',BUT DO Y\ KN[ :AT SORT ( LEA!R IT IS8' 

,SIMON FELT ! LEA!R & SAID1 ',IT IS GOOD LEA!R4' 

',GOOD1 9DE$6 ,:Y1 Y\ FOOL1 Y\ NEV] SAW SU* LEA!R BE=E 9 Y\R LIFE4 ,IT'S ,G]MAN1 & CO/ TW5TY RUBLES4' 

,SIMON WAS FRI<T5$1 & SAID1 ',:]E %\LD ,I EV] SEE LEA!R LIKE ?AT8' 

',JU/ SO6 ,N[1 CAN Y\ MAKE IT 9TO BOOTS = ME8' 

',YES1 Y\R ,EXCELL5CY1 ,I CAN4' 

,!N ! G5TLEMAN %\T$ AT HIM3 ',Y\ CAN1 CAN Y\8 ,WELL1 REMEMB] :OM Y\ >E TO MAKE !M =1 & :AT ! LEA!R IS4 ,Y\ MU/ MAKE ME BOOTS ?AT WILL WE> = A YE>1 NEI!R LOS+ %APE NOR COM+ UNSEWN4 ,IF Y\ CAN DO IT1 TAKE ! LEA!R & CUT IT UP2 BUT IF Y\ CAN'T1 SAY SO4 ,I W>N Y\ N[ IF Y\R BOOTS BECOME UNSEWN OR LOSE %APE )9 A YE>1 ,I WILL HAVE Y\ PUT 9 PRISON4 ,IF !Y DON'T BUR/ OR LOSE %APE = A YE> ,I WILL PAY Y\ T5 RUBLES = Y\R WORK4' 

,SIMON WAS FRI<T5$1 & DID NOT KN[ :AT TO SAY4 ,HE GLANC$ AT ,MI*AEL & NUDG+ HIM ) HIS ELB[1 :ISP]$3 ',%ALL ,I TAKE ! WORK8' 

,MI*AEL NODD$ HIS HEAD AS IF TO SAY1 ',YES1 TAKE IT4' 

,SIMON DID AS ,MI*AEL ADVIS$1 & UND]TOOK TO MAKE BOOTS ?AT W\LD NOT LOSE %APE OR SPLIT = A :OLE YE>4 

,CALL+ HIS S]VANT1 ! G5TLEMAN TOLD HIM TO PULL ! BOOT (F HIS LEFT LEG1 :I* HE /RET*$ \T4 

',TAKE MY MEASURE6' SAID HE4 

,SIMON /IT*$ A PAP] MEASURE SEV5TE5 9*ES LONG1 SMOO!D IT \T1 KNELT D[N1 WIP$ HIS H&S WELL ON HIS APRON SO AS NOT TO SOIL ! G5TLEMAN'S SOCK1 & BEGAN TO MEASURE4 ,HE MEASUR$ ! SOLE1 & R\ND ! 9/EP1 & BEGAN TO MEASURE ! CALF ( ! LEG1 BUT ! PAP] WAS TOO %ORT4 ,! CALF ( ! LEG WAS AS ?ICK AS A BEAM4 

',M9D Y\ DON'T MAKE IT TOO TI<T 9 ! LEG4' 

,SIMON /IT*$ ON ANO!R /RIP ( PAP]4 ,! G5TLEMAN TWIT*$ HIS TOES AB\T 9 HIS SOCK1 LOOK+ R\ND AT ?OSE 9 ! HUT1 & AS HE DID SO HE NOTIC$ ,MI*AEL4 

',:OM HAVE Y\ !RE8' ASK$ HE4 

',?AT IS MY WORKMAN4 ,HE WILL SEW ! BOOTS4' 

',M9D1' SAID ! G5TLEMAN TO ,MI*AEL1 'REMEMB] TO MAKE !M SO ?AT !Y WILL LA/ ME A YE>4' 

,SIMON ALSO LOOK$ AT ,MI*AEL1 & SAW ?AT ,MI*AEL WAS NOT LOOK+ AT ! G5TLEMAN1 BUT WAS GAZ+ 9TO ! CORN] BEH9D ! G5TLEMAN1 AS IF HE SAW SOME ONE !RE4 ,MI*AEL LOOK$ & LOOK$1 & SUDD5LY HE SMIL$1 & HIS FACE BECAME BRI<T]4 

',:AT >E Y\ GR9N+ AT1 Y\ FOOL8' ?UND]$ ! G5TLEMAN4 ',Y\ HAD BETT] LOOK TO IT ?AT ! BOOTS >E READY 9 TIME4' 

',!Y %ALL BE READY 9 GOOD TIME1' SAID ,MI*AEL4 

',M9D IT IS SO1' SAID ! G5TLEMAN1 & HE PUT ON HIS BOOTS & HIS FUR COAT1 WRAPP$ ! LATT] R\ND HIM1 & W5T TO ! DOOR4 ,BUT HE =GOT TO /OOP1 & /RUCK HIS HEAD AGA9/ ! L9TEL4 

,HE SWORE & RUBB$ HIS HEAD4 ,!N HE TOOK HIS SEAT 9 ! C>RIAGE & DROVE AWAY4 

 ,:5 HE HAD GONE1 ,SIMON SAID3 ',!RE'S A FIGURE ( A MAN = Y\6 ,Y\ C\LD NOT KILL HIM ) A MALLET4 ,HE ALMO/ KNOCK$ \T ! L9TEL1 BUT LITTLE H>M IT DID HIM4' 

,& ,MATRYONA SAID3 ',LIV+ AS HE DOES1 H[ %\LD HE NOT GR[ /RONG8 ,DEA? ITSELF CAN'T T\* SU* A ROCK AS ?AT4' 

VII 

,!N ,SIMON SAID TO ,MI*AEL3 ',WELL1 WE HAVE TAK5 ! WORK1 BUT WE MU/ SEE WE DON'T GET 9TO TR\BLE OV] IT4 ,! LEA!R IS DE>1 & ! G5TLEMAN HOT-TEMP]$4 ,WE MU/ MAKE NO MI/AKES4 ,COME1 Y\R EYE IS TRU] & Y\R H&S HAVE BECOME NIMBL] ?AN M9E1 SO Y\ TAKE ?IS MEASURE & CUT \T ! BOOTS4 ,I WILL F9I% (F ! SEW+ ( ! VAMPS4' 

,MI*AEL DID AS HE WAS TOLD4 ,HE TOOK ! LEA!R1 SPREAD IT \T ON ! TABLE1 FOLD$ IT 9 TWO1 TOOK A KNIFE & BEGAN TO CUT \T4 

,MATRYONA CAME & WAT*$ HIM CUTT+1 & WAS SURPRIS$ TO SEE H[ HE WAS DO+ IT4 ,MATRYONA WAS ACCU/OM$ TO SEE+ BOOTS MADE1 & %E LOOK$ & SAW ?AT ,MI*AEL WAS NOT CUTT+ ! LEA!R = BOOTS1 BUT WAS CUTT+ IT R\ND4 

,%E WI%$ TO SAY SOME?+1 BUT %E ?\<T TO H]SELF3 ',P]HAPS ,I DO NOT UND]/& H[ G5TLEM5'S BOOTS %\LD BE MADE4 ,I SUPPOSE ,MI*AEL KN[S MORE AB\T IT--& ,I WON'T 9T]F]E4' 

,:5 ,MI*AEL HAD CUT UP ! LEA!R1 HE TOOK A ?READ & BEGAN TO SEW NOT ) TWO 5DS1 AS BOOTS >E SEWN1 BUT ) A S+LE 5D1 AS = S(T SLIPP]S4 

,AGA9 ,MATRYONA WOND]$1 BUT AGA9 %E DID NOT 9T]F]E4 ,MI*AEL SEW$ ON /EADILY TILL NOON4 ,!N ,SIMON ROSE = D9N]1 LOOK$ >\ND1 & SAW ?AT ,MI*AEL HAD MADE SLIPP]S \T ( ! G5TLEMAN'S LEA!R4 

',AH1' GROAN$ ,SIMON1 & HE ?\<T1 ',H[ IS IT ?AT ,MI*AEL1 :O HAS BE5 ) ME A :OLE YE> & NEV] MADE A MI/AKE BE=E1 %\LD DO SU* A DREADFUL ?+8 ,! G5TLEMAN ORD]$ HI< BOOTS1 WELT$1 ) :OLE FRONTS1 & ,MI*AEL HAS MADE S(T SLIPP]S ) S+LE SOLES1 & HAS WA/$ ! LEA!R4 ,:AT AM ,I TO SAY TO ! G5TLEMAN8 ,I CAN NEV] REPLACE LEA!R SU* AS ?IS4' 

,& HE SAID TO ,MI*AEL1 ',:AT >E Y\ DO+1 FRI5D8 ,Y\ HAVE RU9$ ME6 ,Y\ KN[ ! G5TLEMAN ORD]$ HI< BOOTS1 BUT SEE :AT Y\ HAVE MADE6' 

,H>DLY HAD HE BEGUN TO REBUKE ,MI*AEL1 :5 'RAT-TAT' W5T ! IRON R+ ?AT HUNG AT ! DOOR4 ,SOME ONE WAS KNOCK+4 ,!Y LOOK$ \T ( ! W9D[2 A MAN HAD COME ON HORSEBACK1 & WAS FA/5+ HIS HORSE4 ,!Y OP5$ ! DOOR1 & ! S]VANT :O HAD BE5 ) ! G5TLEMAN CAME 94 

',GOOD DAY1' SAID HE4 

',GOOD DAY1' REPLI$ ,SIMON4 ',:AT CAN WE DO = Y\8' 

',MY MI/RESS HAS S5T ME AB\T ! BOOTS4' 

',:AT AB\T ! BOOTS8' 

',:Y1 MY MA/] NO LONG] NE$S !M4 ,HE IS DEAD4' 

',IS IT POSSIBLE8' 

',HE DID NOT LIVE TO GET HOME AFT] LEAV+ Y\1 BUT DI$ 9 ! C>RIAGE4 ,:5 WE REA*$ HOME & ! S]VANTS CAME TO HELP HIM ALI<T1 HE ROLL$ OV] LIKE A SACK4 ,HE WAS DEAD ALREADY1 & SO /IFF ?AT HE C\LD H>DLY BE GOT \T ( ! C>RIAGE4 ,MY MI/RESS S5T ME H]E1 SAY+3 0,TELL ! BOOTMAK] ?AT ! G5TLEMAN :O ORD]$ BOOTS ( HIM & LEFT ! LEA!R = !M NO LONG] NE$S ! BOOTS1 BUT ?AT HE MU/ QUICKLY MAKE S(T SLIPP]S = ! CORPSE4 ,WAIT TILL !Y >E READY1 & BR+ !M BACK ) Y\40 ,?AT IS :Y ,I HAVE COME4' 

,MI*AEL GA!R$ UP ! REMNANTS ( ! LEA!R2 ROLL$ !M UP1 TOOK ! S(T SLIPP]S HE HAD MADE1 SLAPP$ !M TOGE!R1 WIP$ !M D[N ) HIS APRON1 & H&$ !M & ! ROLL ( LEA!R TO ! S]VANT1 :O TOOK !M & SAID3 ',GOOD-BYE1 MA/]S1 & GOOD DAY TO Y\6' 

  

VIII 

,ANO!R YE> PASS$1 & ANO!R1 & ,MI*AEL WAS N[ LIV+ HIS SIX? YE> ) ,SIMON4 ,HE LIV$ AS BE=E4 ,HE W5T NO:]E1 ONLY SPOKE :5 NECESS>Y1 & HAD ONLY SMIL$ TWICE 9 ALL ?OSE YE>S--ONCE :5 ,MATRYONA GAVE HIM FOOD1 & A SECOND TIME :5 ! G5TLEMAN WAS 9 !IR HUT4 ,SIMON WAS MORE ?AN PLEAS$ ) HIS WORKMAN4 ,HE NEV] N[ ASK$ HIM :]E HE CAME FROM1 & ONLY FE>$ LE/ ,MI*AEL %\LD GO AWAY4 

,!Y W]E ALL AT HOME ONE DAY4 ,MATRYONA WAS PUTT+ IRON POTS 9 ! OV52 ! *ILDR5 W]E RUNN+ ALONG ! B5*ES & LOOK+ \T ( ! W9D[2 ,SIMON WAS SEW+ AT ONE W9D[1 & ,MI*AEL WAS FA/5+ ON A HEEL AT ! O!R4 

,ONE ( ! BOYS RAN ALONG ! B5* TO ,MI*AEL1 LEANT ON HIS %\LD]1 & LOOK$ \T ( ! W9D[4 

',LOOK1 ,UNCLE ,MI*AEL6 ,!RE IS A LADY ) LITTLE GIRLS6 ,%E SEEMS TO BE COM+ H]E4 ,& ONE ( ! GIRLS IS LAME4' 

,:5 ! BOY SAID ?AT1 ,MI*AEL DROPP$ HIS WORK1 TURN$ TO ! W9D[1 & LOOK$ \T 9TO ! /REET4 

,SIMON WAS SURPRIS$4 ,MI*AEL NEV] US$ TO LOOK \T 9TO ! /REET1 BUT N[ HE PRESS$ AGA9/ ! W9D[1 />+ AT SOME?+4 ,SIMON ALSO LOOK$ \T1 & SAW ?AT A WELL-DRESS$ WOMAN WAS REALLY COM+ TO HIS HUT1 LEAD+ BY ! H& TWO LITTLE GIRLS 9 FUR COATS & WOOL5 %AWLS4 ,! GIRLS C\LD H>DLY BE TOLD ONE FROM ! O!R1 EXCEPT ?AT ONE ( !M WAS CRIPPL$ 9 H] LEFT LEG & WALK$ ) A LIMP4 

,! WOMAN /EPP$ 9TO ! POR* & 5T]$ ! PASSAGE4 ,FEEL+ AB\T = ! 5TRANCE %E F\ND ! LAT*1 :I* %E LIFT$1 & OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,%E LET ! TWO GIRLS GO 9 FIR/1 & FOLL[$ !M 9TO ! HUT4 

',GOOD DAY1 GOOD FOLK6' 

',PRAY COME 91' SAID ,SIMON4 ',:AT CAN WE DO = Y\8' 

 ,! WOMAN SAT D[N BY ! TABLE4 ,! TWO LITTLE GIRLS PRESS$ CLOSE TO H] KNEES1 AFRAID ( ! PEOPLE 9 ! HUT4 

',I WANT LEA!R %OES MADE = !SE TWO LITTLE GIRLS1 = SPR+4' 

',WE CAN DO ?AT4 ,WE NEV] HAVE MADE SU* SMALL %OES1 BUT WE CAN MAKE !M2 EI!R WELT$ OR TURNOV] %OES1 L95 L9$4 ,MY MAN1 ,MI*AEL1 IS A MA/] AT ! WORK4' 

,SIMON GLANC$ AT ,MI*AEL & SAW ?AT HE HAD LEFT HIS WORK & WAS SITT+ ) HIS EYES FIX$ ON ! LITTLE GIRLS4 ,SIMON WAS SURPRIS$4 ,IT WAS TRUE ! GIRLS W]E PRETTY1 ) BLACK EYES1 PLUMP1 & ROSY-*EEK$1 & !Y WORE NICE K]*IEFS & FUR COATS1 BUT /ILL ,SIMON C\LD NOT UND]/& :Y ,MI*AEL %\LD LOOK AT !M LIKE ?AT--JU/ AS IF HE HAD KN[N !M BE=E4 ,HE WAS PUZZL$1 BUT W5T ON TALK+ ) ! WOMAN1 & >RANG+ ! PRICE4 ,HAV+ FIX$ IT1 HE PREP>$ ! MEASURE4 ,! WOMAN LIFT$ ! LAME GIRL ON TO H] LAP & SAID3 ',TAKE TWO MEASURES FROM ?IS LITTLE GIRL4 ,MAKE ONE %OE = ! LAME FOOT & ?REE = ! S\ND ONE4 ,!Y BO? HAVE ! SAME SIZ$ FEET4 ,!Y >E TW9S4' 

,SIMON TOOK ! MEASURE &1 SPEAK+ ( ! LAME GIRL1 SAID3 ',H[ DID IT HAPP5 TO H]8 ,%E IS SU* A PRETTY GIRL4 ,WAS %E BORN SO8' 

',NO1 H] MO!R CRU%$ H] LEG4' 

,!N ,MATRYONA JO9$ 94 ,%E WOND]$ :O ?IS WOMAN WAS1 & :OSE ! *ILDR5 W]E1 SO %E SAID3 ',>E NOT Y\ !IR MO!R !N8' 

',NO1 MY GOOD WOMAN2 ,I AM NEI!R !IR MO!R NOR ANY RELATION TO !M4 ,!Y W]E QUITE /RANG]S TO ME1 BUT ,I ADOPT$ !M4' 

',!Y >E NOT Y\R *ILDR5 & YET Y\ >E SO FOND ( !M8' 

',H[ CAN ,I HELP BE+ FOND ( !M8 ,I F$ !M BO? AT MY [N BREA/S4 ,I HAD A *ILD ( MY [N1 BUT ,GOD TOOK HIM4 ,I WAS NOT SO FOND ( HIM AS ,I N[ AM ( !M4' 

',!N :OSE *ILDR5 >E !Y8' 

  

IX 

,! WOMAN1 HAV+ BEGUN TALK+1 TOLD !M ! :OLE /ORY4 

',IT IS AB\T SIX YE>S S9CE !IR P>5TS DI$1 BO? 9 ONE WEEK3 !IR FA!R WAS BURI$ ON ! ,TUESDAY1 & !IR MO!R DI$ ON ! ,FRIDAY4 ,!SE ORPHANS W]E BORN ?REE DAYS AFT] !IR FA!R'S DEA?1 & !IR MO!R DID NOT LIVE ANO!R DAY4 ,MY HUSB& & ,I W]E !N LIV+ AS PEASANTS 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,WE W]E NEI<BORS ( !IRS1 \R Y>D BE+ NEXT TO !IRS4 ,!IR FA!R WAS A LONELY MAN2 A WOOD-CUTT] 9 ! =E/4 ,:5 FELL+ TREES ONE DAY1 !Y LET ONE FALL ON HIM4 ,IT FELL ACROSS HIS BODY & CRU%$ HIS B[ELS \T4 ,!Y H>DLY GOT HIM HOME BE=E HIS S\L W5T TO ,GOD2 & ?AT SAME WEEK HIS WIFE GAVE BIR? TO TW9S--!SE LITTLE GIRLS4 ,%E WAS POOR & ALONE2 %E HAD NO ONE1 Y\NG OR OLD1 ) H]4 ,ALONE %E GAVE !M BIR?1 & ALONE %E MET H] DEA?4' 

',! NEXT MORN+ ,I W5T TO SEE H]1 BUT :5 ,I 5T]$ ! HUT1 %E1 POOR ?+1 WAS ALREADY />K & COLD4 ,9 DY+ %E HAD ROLL$ ON TO ?IS *ILD & CRU%$ H] LEG4 ,! VILLAGE FOLK CAME TO ! HUT1 WA%$ ! BODY1 LAID H] \T1 MADE A C(F91 & BURI$ H]4 ,!Y W]E GOOD FOLK4 ,! BABIES W]E LEFT ALONE4 ,:AT WAS TO BE DONE ) !M8 ,I WAS ! ONLY WOMAN !RE :O HAD A BABY AT ! TIME4 ,I WAS NURS+ MY FIR/-BORN--EI<T WEEKS OLD4 ,SO ,I TOOK !M = A TIME4 ,! PEASANTS CAME TOGE!R1 & ?\<T & ?\<T :AT TO DO ) !M2 & AT LA/ !Y SAID TO ME3 0,= ! PRES5T1 ,M>Y1 Y\ HAD BETT] KEEP ! GIRLS1 & LAT] ON WE WILL >RANGE :AT TO DO = !M40 ,SO ,I NURS$ ! S\ND ONE AT MY BREA/1 BUT AT FIR/ ,I DID NOT FE$ ?IS CRIPPL$ ONE4 ,I DID NOT SUPPOSE %E W\LD LIVE4 ,BUT !N ,I ?\<T TO MYSELF1 :Y %\LD ! POOR 9NOC5T SUFF]8 ,I PITI$ H]1 & BEGAN TO FE$ H]4 ,& SO ,I F$ MY [N BOY & !SE TWO--! ?REE ( !M--AT MY [N BREA/4 ,I WAS Y\NG & /RONG1 & HAD GOOD FOOD1 & ,GOD GAVE ME SO MU* MILK ?AT AT TIMES IT EV5 OV]FL[$4 ,I US$ SOMETIMES TO FE$ TWO AT A TIME1 :ILE ! ?IRD WAS WAIT+4 ,:5 ONE HAD 5\< ,I NURS$ ! ?IRD4 ,& ,GOD SO ORD]$ IT ?AT !SE GREW UP1 :ILE MY [N WAS BURI$ BE=E HE WAS TWO YE>S OLD4 ,& ,I HAD NO MORE *ILDR51 ?\< WE PROSP]$4 ,N[ MY HUSB& IS WORK+ = ! CORN M]*ANT AT ! MILL4 ,! PAY IS GOOD1 & WE >E WELL (F4 ,BUT ,I HAVE NO *ILDR5 ( MY [N1 & H[ LONELY ,I %\LD BE )\T !SE LITTLE GIRLS6 ,H[ CAN ,I HELP LOV+ !M6 ,!Y >E ! JOY ( MY LIFE6' 

,%E PRESS$ ! LAME LITTLE GIRL TO H] ) ONE H&1 :ILE ) ! O!R %E WIP$ ! TE>S FROM H] *EEKS4 

,& ,MATRYONA SI<$1 & SAID3 ',! PROV]B IS TRUE ?AT SAYS1 0,ONE MAY LIVE )\T FA!R OR MO!R1 BUT ONE CANNOT LIVE )\T ,GOD40' 

,SO !Y TALK$ TOGE!R1 :5 SUDD5LY ! :OLE HUT WAS LI<T$ UP AS ?\< BY SUMM] LI<TN+ FROM ! CORN] :]E ,MI*AEL SAT4 ,!Y ALL LOOK$ T[>DS HIM & SAW HIM SITT+1 HIS H&S FOLD$ ON HIS KNEES1 GAZ+ UPW>DS & SMIL+4 

X 

,! WOMAN W5T AWAY ) ! GIRLS4 ,MI*AEL ROSE FROM ! B5*1 PUT D[N HIS WORK1 & TOOK (F HIS APRON4 ,!N1 B[+ L[ TO ,SIMON & HIS WIFE1 HE SAID3 ',F>EWELL1 MA/]S4 ,GOD HAS =GIV5 ME4 ,I ASK Y\R =GIV5ESS1 TOO1 = ANY?+ DONE AMISS4' 

,& !Y SAW ?AT A LI<T %ONE FROM ,MI*AEL4 ,& ,SIMON ROSE1 B[$ D[N TO ,MI*AEL1 & SAID3 ',I SEE1 ,MI*AEL1 ?AT Y\ >E NO COMMON MAN1 & ,I CAN NEI!R KEEP Y\ NOR QUE/ION Y\4 ,ONLY TELL ME ?IS3 H[ IS IT ?AT :5 ,I F\ND Y\ & BR\<T Y\ HOME1 Y\ W]E GLOOMY1 & :5 MY WIFE GAVE Y\ FOOD Y\ SMIL$ AT H] & BECAME BRI<T]8 ,!N :5 ! G5TLEMAN CAME TO ORD] ! BOOTS1 Y\ SMIL$ AGA9 & BECAME BRI<T] /ILL8 ,& N[1 :5 ?IS WOMAN BR\<T ! LITTLE GIRLS1 Y\ SMIL$ A ?IRD TIME1 & HAVE BECOME AS BRI<T AS DAY8 ,TELL ME1 ,MI*AEL1 :Y DOES Y\R FACE %9E SO1 & :Y DID Y\ SMILE ?OSE ?REE TIMES8' 

,& ,MI*AEL ANSW]$3 ',LI<T %9ES FROM ME BECAUSE ,I HAVE BE5 PUNI%$1 BUT N[ ,GOD HAS P>DON$ ME4 ,& ,I SMIL$ ?REE TIMES1 BECAUSE ,GOD S5T ME TO LE>N ?REE TRU?S1 & ,I HAVE LE>N$ !M4 ,ONE ,I LE>N$ :5 Y\R WIFE PITI$ ME1 & ?AT IS :Y ,I SMIL$ ! FIR/ TIME4 ,! SECOND ,I LE>N$ :5 ! RI* MAN ORD]$ ! BOOTS1 & !N ,I SMIL$ AGA94 ,& N[1 :5 ,I SAW ?OSE LITTLE GIRLS1 ,I LE>N$ ! ?IRD & LA/ TRU?1 & ,I SMIL$ ! ?IRD TIME4' 

,& ,SIMON SAID1 ',TELL ME1 ,MI*AEL1 :AT DID ,GOD PUNI% Y\ =8 & :AT W]E ! ?REE TRU?S8 ?AT ,I1 TOO1 MAY KN[ !M4' 

,& ,MI*AEL ANSW]$3 ',GOD PUNI%$ ME = DISOBEY+ ,HIM4 ,I WAS AN ANGEL 9 HEAV5 & DISOBEY$ ,GOD4 ,GOD S5T ME TO FET* A WOMAN'S S\L4 ,I FLEW TO E>?1 & SAW A SICK WOMAN LY+ ALONE1 :O HAD JU/ GIV5 BIR? TO TW9 GIRLS4 ,!Y MOV$ FEEBLY AT !IR MO!R'S SIDE1 BUT %E C\LD NOT LIFT !M TO H] BREA/4 ,:5 %E SAW ME1 %E UND]/OOD ?AT ,GOD HAD S5T ME = H] S\L1 & %E WEPT & SAID3 0,ANGEL ( ,GOD6 ,MY HUSB& HAS JU/ BE5 BURI$1 KILL$ BY A FALL+ TREE4 ,I HAVE NEI!R SI/]1 NOR AUNT1 NOR MO!R3 NO ONE TO C>E = MY ORPHANS4 ,DO NOT TAKE MY S\L6 ,LET ME NURSE MY BABES1 FE$ !M1 & SET !M ON !IR FEET BE=E ,I DIE4 ,*ILDR5 CANNOT LIVE )\T FA!R OR MO!R40 ,& ,I HE>K5$ TO H]4 ,I PLAC$ ONE *ILD AT H] BREA/ & GAVE ! O!R 9TO H] >MS1 & RETURN$ TO ! ,LORD 9 HEAV54 ,I FLEW TO ! ,LORD1 & SAID3 0,I C\LD NOT TAKE ! S\L ( ! MO!R4 ,H] HUSB& WAS KILL$ BY A TREE2 ! WOMAN HAS TW9S1 & PRAYS ?AT H] S\L MAY NOT BE TAK54 ,%E SAYS3 ',LET ME NURSE & FE$ MY *ILDR51 & SET !M ON !IR FEET4 ,*ILDR5 CANNOT LIVE )\T FA!R OR MO!R4' ,I HAVE NOT TAK5 H] S\L40 ,& ,GOD SAID3 0,GO--TAKE ! MO!R'S S\L1 & LE>N ?REE TRU?S3 ,LE>N ,:AT DWELLS 9 MAN1 ,:AT IS NOT GIV5 TO MAN1 & ,:AT M5 LIVE BY4 ,:5 ?\ HA/ LE>N$ !SE ?+S1 ?\ %ALT RETURN TO HEAV540 ,SO ,I FLEW AGA9 TO E>? & TOOK ! MO!R'S S\L4 ,! BABES DROPP$ FROM H] BREA/S4 ,H] BODY ROLL$ OV] ON ! B$ & CRU%$ ONE BABE1 TWI/+ ITS LEG4 ,I ROSE ABOVE ! VILLAGE1 WI%+ TO TAKE H] S\L TO ,GOD2 BUT A W9D SEIZ$ ME1 & MY W+S DROOP$ & DROPP$ (F4 ,H] S\L ROSE ALONE TO ,GOD1 :ILE ,I FELL TO E>? BY ! ROADSIDE4' 

XI 

,& ,SIMON & ,MATRYONA UND]/OOD :O IT WAS ?AT HAD LIV$ ) !M1 & :OM !Y HAD CLO!D & F$4 ,& !Y WEPT ) AWE & ) JOY4 ,& ! ANGEL SAID3 ',I WAS ALONE 9 ! FIELD1 NAK$4 ,I HAD NEV] KN[N HUMAN NE$S1 COLD & HUNG]1 TILL ,I BECAME A MAN4 ,I WAS FAMI%$1 FROZ51 & DID NOT KN[ :AT TO DO4 ,I SAW1 NE> ! FIELD ,I WAS 91 A %R9E BUILT = ,GOD1 & ,I W5T TO IT HOP+ TO F9D %ELT]4 ,BUT ! %R9E WAS LOCK$1 & ,I C\LD NOT 5T]4 ,SO ,I SAT D[N BEH9D ! %R9E TO %ELT] MYSELF AT LEA/ FROM ! W9D4 ,EV5+ DREW ON4 ,I WAS HUNGRY1 FROZ51 & 9 PA94 ,SUDD5LY ,I HE>D A MAN COM+ ALONG ! ROAD4 ,HE C>RI$ A PAIR ( BOOTS1 & WAS TALK+ TO HIMSELF4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME S9CE ,I BECAME A MAN ,I SAW ! MORTAL FACE ( A MAN1 & HIS FACE SEEM$ T]RIBLE TO ME & ,I TURN$ FROM IT4 ,& ,I HE>D ! MAN TALK+ TO HIMSELF ( H[ TO COV] HIS BODY FROM ! COLD 9 W9T]1 & H[ TO FE$ WIFE & *ILDR54 ,& ,I ?\<T3 0,I AM P]I%+ ( COLD & HUNG]1 & H]E IS A MAN ?9K+ ONLY ( H[ TO CLO! HIMSELF & HIS WIFE1 & H[ TO GET BREAD = !MSELVES4 ,HE CANNOT HELP ME4 ,:5 ! MAN SAW ME HE FR[N$ & BECAME /ILL MORE T]RIBLE1 & PASS$ ME BY ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,I DESPAIR$2 BUT SUDD5LY ,I HE>D HIM COM+ BACK4 ,I LOOK$ UP1 & DID NOT RECOGNIZE ! SAME MAN3 BE=E1 ,I HAD SE5 DEA? 9 HIS FACE2 BUT N[ HE WAS ALIVE1 & ,I RECOGNIZ$ 9 HIM ! PRES5CE ( ,GOD4  

,HE CAME UP TO ME1 CLO!D ME1 TOOK ME ) HIM1 & BR\<T ME TO HIS HOME4 ,I 5T]$ ! H\SE2 A WOMAN CAME TO MEET US & BEGAN TO SPEAK4 ,! WOMAN WAS /ILL MORE T]RIBLE ?AN ! MAN HAD BE52 ! SPIRIT ( DEA? CAME FROM H] M\?2 ,I C\LD NOT BREA! = ! /5* ( DEA? ?AT SPREAD >\ND H]4 ,%E WI%$ TO DRIVE ME \T 9TO ! COLD1 & ,I KNEW ?AT IF %E DID SO %E W\LD DIE4 ,SUDD5LY H] HUSB& SPOKE TO H] ( ,GOD1 & ! WOMAN *ANG$ AT ONCE4 ,& :5 %E BR\<T ME FOOD & LOOK$ AT ME1 ,I GLANC$ AT H] & SAW ?AT DEA? NO LONG] DWELT 9 H]2 %E HAD BECOME ALIVE1 & 9 H] TOO ,I SAW ,GOD4 

',!N ,I REMEMB]$ ! FIR/ LESSON ,GOD HAD SET ME3 0,LE>N :AT DWELLS 9 MAN40 ,& ,I UND]/OOD ?AT 9 MAN DWELLS ,LOVE6 ,I WAS GLAD ?AT ,GOD HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO %[ ME :AT ,HE HAD PROMIS$1 & ,I SMIL$ = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,BUT ,I HAD NOT YET LE>N$ ALL4 ,I DID NOT YET KN[ ,:AT IS NOT GIV5 TO MAN1 & ,:AT M5 LIVE BY4 

',I LIV$ ) Y\1 & A YE> PASS$4 ,A MAN CAME TO ORD] BOOTS ?AT %\LD WE> = A YE> )\T LOS+ %APE OR CRACK+4 ,I LOOK$ AT HIM1 & SUDD5LY1 BEH9D HIS %\LD]1 ,I SAW MY COMRADE--! ANGEL ( DEA?4 ,NONE BUT ME SAW ?AT ANGEL2 BUT ,I KNEW HIM1 & KNEW ?AT BE=E ! SUN SET HE W\LD TAKE ?AT RI* MAN'S S\L4 ,& ,I ?\<T TO MYSELF1 0,! MAN IS MAK+ PREP>ATIONS = A YE>1 & DOES NOT KN[ ?AT HE WILL DIE BE=E EV5+40 ,& ,I REMEMB]$ ,GOD'S SECOND SAY+1 0,LE>N :AT IS NOT GIV5 TO MAN40 

',:AT DWELLS 9 MAN ,I ALREADY KNEW4 ,N[ ,I LE>N$ :AT IS NOT GIV5 HIM4 ,IT IS NOT GIV5 TO MAN TO KN[ HIS [N NE$S4 ,& ,I SMIL$ = ! SECOND TIME4 ,I WAS GLAD TO HAVE SE5 MY COMRADE ANGEL--GLAD ALSO ?AT ,GOD HAD REVEAL$ TO ME ! SECOND SAY+4 

',BUT ,I /ILL DID NOT KN[ ALL4 ,I DID NOT KN[ ,:AT M5 LIVE BY4 ,& ,I LIV$ ON1 WAIT+ TILL ,GOD %\LD REVEAL TO ME ! LA/ LESSON4 ,9 ! SIX? YE> CAME CAME ! GIRL-TW9S ) ! WOMAN2 & ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! GIRLS1 & HE>D H[ !Y HAD BE5 KEPT ALIVE4 ,HAV+ HE>D ! /ORY1 ,I ?\<T1 0,!IR MO!R BES\<T ME = ! *ILDR5'S SAKE1 & ,I BELIEV$ H] :5 %E SAID ?AT *ILDR5 CANNOT LIVE )\T FA!R OR MO!R2 BUT A /RANG] HAS NURS$ !M1 & HAS BR\<T !M UP40 ,& :5 ! WOMAN %[$ H] LOVE = ! *ILDR5 ?AT W]E NOT H] [N1 & WEPT OV] !M1 ,I SAW 9 H] ! LIV+ ,GOD & UND]/OOD ,:AT M5 LIVE BY4 ,& ,I KNEW ?AT ,GOD HAD REVEAL$ TO ME ! LA/ LESSON1 & HAD =GIV5 MY S94 ,& !N ,I SMIL$ = ! ?IRD TIME4' 

XII 

,& ! ANGEL'S BODY WAS B>$1 & HE WAS CLO!D 9 LI<T SO ?AT EYE C\LD NOT LOOK ON HIM2 & HIS VOICE GREW L\D]1 AS ?\< IT CAME NOT FROM HIM BUT FROM HEAV5 ABOVE4 ,& ! ANGEL SAID3 

',I HAVE LE>N$ ?AT ALL M5 LIVE NOT BY C>E = !MSELVES BUT BY LOVE4 

',IT WAS NOT GIV5 TO ! MO!R TO KN[ :AT H] *ILDR5 NE$$ = !IR LIFE4 ,NOR WAS IT GIV5 TO ! RI* MAN TO KN[ :AT HE HIMSELF NE$$4 ,NOR IS IT GIV5 TO ANY MAN TO KN[ :E!R1 :5 EV5+ COMES1 HE WILL NE$ BOOTS = HIS BODY OR SLIPP]S = HIS CORPSE4 

',I REMA9$ ALIVE :5 ,I WAS A MAN1 NOT BY C>E ( MYSELF1 BUT BECAUSE LOVE WAS PRES5T 9 A PASS]BY1 & BECAUSE HE & HIS WIFE PITI$ & LOV$ ME4 ,! ORPHANS REMA9$ ALIVE NOT BECAUSE ( !IR MO!R'S C>E1 BUT BECAUSE !RE WAS LOVE 9 ! HE>T ( A WOMAN A /RANG] TO !M1 :O PITI$ & LOV$ !M4 ,& ALL M5 LIVE NOT BY ! ?\<T !Y SP5D ON !IR [N WELF>E1 BUT BECAUSE LOVE EXI/S 9 MAN4 

',I KNEW BE=E ?AT ,GOD GAVE LIFE TO M5 & DESIRES ?AT !Y %\LD LIVE2 N[ ,I UND]/OOD MORE ?AN ?AT4 

',I UND]/OOD ?AT ,GOD DOES NOT WI% M5 TO LIVE AP>T1 & !RE=E HE DOES NOT REVEAL TO !M :AT EA* ONE NE$S = HIMSELF2 BUT HE WI%ES !M TO LIVE UNIT$1 & !RE=E REVEALS TO EA* ( !M :AT IS NECESS>Y = ALL4 

',I HAVE N[ UND]/OOD ?AT ?\< IT SEEMS TO M5 ?AT !Y LIVE BY C>E = !MSELVES1 9 TRU? IT IS LOVE ALONE BY :I* !Y LIVE4 ,HE :O HAS LOVE1 IS 9 ,GOD1 & ,GOD IS 9 HIM1 = ,GOD IS LOVE4' 

,& ! ANGEL SANG PRAISE TO ,GOD1 SO ?AT ! HUT TREMBL$ AT HIS VOICE4 ,! RO( OP5$1 & A COLUMN ( FIRE ROSE FROM E>? TO HEAV54 ,SIMON & HIS WIFE & *ILDR5 FELL TO ! GR\ND4 ,W+S APPE>$ UPON ! ANGEL'S %\LD]S1 & HE ROSE 9TO ! HEAV5S4 

,& :5 ,SIMON CAME TO HIMSELF ! HUT /OOD AS BE=E1 & !RE WAS NO ONE 9 IT BUT HIS [N FAMILY4 

#a#h#h#a4  

 4MW-P>S]-\TPUT 4W/-SMALLREFS_<FONT-SIZE3#h#c.02CLE>3BO?2L9E-HEI<T3#a4#b#e_> 
8 ,ONE HUNDR$ KOPECKS MAKE A RUBLE4 ,! KOPECK IS WOR? AB\T A F>?+4 

8 ,A NON-9TOXICAT+ DR9K USUALLY MADE FROM RYE-MALT & RYE-FL\R4 

8 ,! BRICK OV5 9 A ,RUSSIAN PEASANT'S HUT IS USUALLY BUILT SO AS TO LEAVE A FLAT TOP1 L>GE 5\< TO LIE ON1 = ?OSE :O WANT TO SLEEP 9 A W>M PLACE4 

,FROM 3 ,WIKIS\RCE4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aie 3 ,*APT] #d -- ,PUBLICATION4 

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