CONTENTS
THESCHOOLMISTRESS
ANERVOUSBREAKDOWN
MISERY
CHAMPAGNE
AFTERTHETHEATRE
ALADY’SSTORY
INEXILE
THECATTLE-DEALERS
SORROW
ONOFFICIALDUTY
THEFIRST-CLASSPASSENGER
ATRAGICACTOR
ATRANSGRESSION
SMALLFRY
THEREQUIEM
INTHECOACH-HOUSE
PANICFEARS
THEBET
THEHEAD-GARDENER’SSTORY
THEBEAUTIES
THESHOEMAKERANDTHEDEVIL
THESCHOOLMISTRESS
AThalf-pasteighttheydroveoutofthetown。
Thehighroadwasdry，alovelyAprilsunwasshiningwarmly，butthesnowwasstilllyingintheditchesandinthewoods。Winter，dark，long，andspiteful，washardlyover；springhadcomeallofasudden。Butneitherthewarmthnorthelanguidtransparentwoods，warmedbythebreathofspring，northeblackflocksofbirdsflyingoverthehugepuddlesthatwerelikelakes，northemarvelousfathomlesssky，intowhichitseemedonewouldhavegoneawaysojoyfully，presentedanythingneworinterestingtoMaryaVassilyevnawhowassittinginthecart。Forthirteenyearsshehadbeenschoolmistress，andtherewasnoreckoninghowmanytimesduringallthoseyearsshehadbeentothetownforhersalary；andwhetheritwerespringasnow，orarainyautumnevening，orwinter，itwasallthesametoher，andshealways——
invariably——longedforonethingonly，togettotheendofherjourneyasquicklyascouldbe。
Shefeltasthoughshehadbeenlivinginthatpartofthecountryforagesandages，forahundredyears，anditseemedtoherthatshekneweverystone，everytreeontheroadfromthetowntoherschool。Herpastwashere，herpresentwashere，andshecouldimaginenootherfuturethantheschool，theroadtothetownandbackagain，andagaintheschoolandagaintheroad……
Shehadgotoutofthehabitofthinkingofherpastbeforeshebecameaschoolmistress，andhadalmostforgottenit。Shehadoncehadafatherandmother；theyhadlivedinMoscowinabigflatneartheRedGate，butofallthatlifetherewasleftinhermemoryonlysomethingvagueandfluidlikeadream。Herfatherhaddiedwhenshewastenyearsold，andhermotherhaddiedsoonafter……Shehadabrother，anofficer；atfirsttheyusedtowritetoeachother，thenherbrotherhadgivenupansweringherletters，hehadgotoutofthewayofwriting。Ofheroldbelongings，allthatwasleftwasaphotographofhermother，butithadgrowndimfromthedampnessoftheschool，andnownothingcouldbeseenbutthehairandtheeyebrows。
Whentheyhaddrivenacoupleofmiles，oldSemyon，whowasdriving，turnedroundandsaid：
"Theyhavecaughtagovernmentclerkinthetown。Theyhavetakenhimaway。ThestoryisthatwithsomeGermanshekilledAlexeyev，theMayor，inMoscow。"
"Whotoldyouthat？"
"Theywerereadingitinthepaper，inIvanIonov’stavern。"
Andagaintheyweresilentforalongtime。MaryaVassilyevnathoughtofherschool，oftheexaminationthatwascomingsoon，andofthegirlandfourboysshewassendingupforit。Andjustasshewasthinkingabouttheexamination，shewasovertakenbyaneighboringlandownercalledHanovinacarriagewithfourhorses，theverymanwhohadbeenexaminerinherschooltheyearbefore。Whenhecameuptoherherecognizedherandbowed。
"Good-morning，"hesaidtoher。"Youaredrivinghome，I
suppose。"
ThisHanov，amanoffortywithalistlessexpressionandafacethatshowedsignsofwear，wasbeginningtolookold，butwasstillhandsomeandadmiredbywomen。Helivedinhisbighomesteadalone，andwasnotintheservice；andpeopleusedtosayofhimthathedidnothingathomebutwalkupanddowntheroomwhistling，orplaychesswithhisoldfootman。Peoplesaid，too，thathedrankheavily。Andindeedattheexaminationtheyearbeforetheverypapershebroughtwithhimsmeltofwineandscent。Hehadbeendressedallinnewclothesonthatoccasion，andMaryaVassilyevnathoughthimveryattractive，andallthewhileshesatbesidehimshehadfeltembarrassed。Shewasaccustomedtoseefrigidandsensibleexaminersattheschool，whilethisonedidnotrememberasingleprayer，orknowwhattoaskquestionsabout，andwasexceedinglycourteousanddelicate，givingnothingbutthehighestmarks。
"IamgoingtovisitBakvist，"hewenton，addressingMaryaVassilyevna，"butIamtoldheisnotathome。"
Theyturnedoffthehighroadintoaby-roadtothevillage，HanovleadingthewayandSemyonfollowing。Thefourhorsesmovedatawalkingpace，witheffortdraggingtheheavycarriagethroughthemud。Semyontackedfromsidetoside，keepingtotheedgeoftheroad，atonetimethroughasnowdrift，atanotherthroughapool，oftenjumpingoutofthecartandhelpingthehorse。MaryaVassilyevnawasstillthinkingabouttheschool，wonderingwhetherthearithmeticquestionsattheexaminationwouldbedifficultoreasy。AndshefeltannoyedwiththeZemstvoboardatwhichshehadfoundnoonethedaybefore。Howunbusiness-like！
Hereshehadbeenaskingthemforthelasttwoyearstodismissthewatchman，whodidnothing，wasrudetoher，andhittheschoolboys；butnoonepaidanyattention。Itwashardtofindthepresidentattheoffice，andwhenonedidfindhimhewouldsaywithtearsinhiseyesthathehadn’tamomenttospare；theinspectorvisitedtheschoolatmostonceinthreeyears，andknewnothingwhateverabouthiswork，ashehadbeenintheExciseDutiesDepartment，andhadreceivedthepostofschoolinspectorthroughinfluence。TheSchoolCouncilmetveryrarely，andtherewasnoknowingwhereitmet；theschoolguardianwasanalmostilliteratepeasant，theheadofatanningbusiness，unintelligent，rude，andagreatfriendofthewatchman’s——andgoodnessknowstowhomshecouldappealwithcomplaintsorinquiries……
"Hereallyishandsome，"shethought，glancingatHanov。
Theroadgrewworseandworse……Theydroveintothewood。
Heretherewasnoroomtoturnround，thewheelssankdeeplyin，watersplashedandgurgledthroughthem，andsharptwigsstruckthemintheface。
"Whataroad！"saidHanov，andhelaughed。
Theschoolmistresslookedathimandcouldnotunderstandwhythisqueermanlivedhere。Whatcouldhismoney，hisinterestingappearance，hisrefinedbearingdoforhimhere，inthismud，inthisGod-forsaken，drearyplace？Hegotnospecialadvantagesoutoflife，andhere，likeSemyon，wasdrivingatajog-trotonanappallingroadandenduringthesamediscomforts。WhylivehereifonecouldliveinPetersburgorabroad？Andonewouldhavethoughtitwouldbenothingforarichmanlikehimtomakeagoodroadinsteadofthisbadone，toavoidenduringthismiseryandseeingthedespaironthefacesofhiscoachmanandSemyon；butheonlylaughed，andapparentlydidnotmind，andwantednobetterlife。Hewaskind，soft，naive，andhedidnotunderstandthiscoarselife，justasattheexaminationhedidnotknowtheprayers。Hesubscribednothingtotheschoolsbutglobes，andgenuinelyregardedhimselfasausefulpersonandaprominentworkerinthecauseofpopulareducation。Andwhatusewerehisglobeshere？
"Holdon，Vassilyevna！"saidSemyon。
Thecartlurchedviolentlyandwasonthepointofupsetting；
somethingheavyrolledontoMaryaVassilyevna’sfeet——itwasherparcelofpurchases。Therewasasteepascentuphillthroughtheclay；hereinthewindingditchesrivuletsweregurgling。
Thewaterseemedtohavegnawedawaytheroad；andhowcouldonegetalonghere！Thehorsesbreathedhard。Hanovgotoutofhiscarriageandwalkedatthesideoftheroadinhislongovercoat。
Hewashot。
"Whataroad！"hesaid，andlaughedagain。"Itwouldsoonsmashupone’scarriage。"
"Nobodyobligesyoutodriveaboutinsuchweather，"saidSemyonsurlily。"Youshouldstayathome。"
"Iamdullathome，grandfather。Idon’tlikestayingathome。"
BesideoldSemyonhelookedgracefulandvigorous，butyetinhiswalktherewassomethingjustperceptiblewhichbetrayedinhimabeingalreadytouchedbydecay，weak，andontheroadtoruin。
Andallatoncetherewasawhiffofspiritsinthewood。MaryaVassilyevnawasfilledwithdreadandpityforthismangoingtohisruinfornovisiblecauseorreason，anditcameintohermindthatifshehadbeenhiswifeorsistershewouldhavedevotedherwholelifetosavinghimfromruin。Hiswife！Lifewassoorderedthatherehewaslivinginhisgreathousealone，andshewaslivinginaGod-forsakenvillagealone，andyetforsomereasonthemerethoughtthatheandshemightbeclosetooneanotherandequalsseemedimpossibleandabsurd。Inreality，lifewasarrangedandhumanrelationswerecomplicatedsoutterlybeyondallunderstandingthatwhenonethoughtaboutitonefeltuncannyandone’sheartsank。
"Anditisbeyondallunderstanding，"shethought，"whyGodgivesbeauty，thisgraciousness，andsad，sweeteyestoweak，unlucky，uselesspeople——whytheyaresocharming。"
"Herewemustturnofftotheright，"saidHanov，gettingintohiscarriage。"Good-by！Iwishyouallthingsgood！"
Andagainshethoughtofherpupils，oftheexamination，ofthewatchman，oftheSchoolCouncil；andwhenthewindbroughtthesoundoftheretreatingcarriagethesethoughtsweremingledwithothers。Shelongedtothinkofbeautifuleyes，oflove，ofthehappinesswhichwouldneverbe……
Hiswife？Itwascoldinthemorning，therewasnoonetoheatthestove，thewatchmandisappeared；thechildrencameinassoonasitwaslight，bringinginsnowandmudandmakinganoise：itwasallsoinconvenient，socomfortless。Herabodeconsistedofonelittleroomandthekitchencloseby。Herheadachedeverydayafterherwork，andafterdinnershehadheart-burn。Shehadtocollectmoneyfromtheschool-childrenforwoodandforthewatchman，andtogiveittotheschoolguardian，andthentoentreathim——thatoverfed，insolentpeasant——forGod’ssaketosendherwood。Andatnightshedreamedofexaminations，peasants，snowdrifts。Andthislifewasmakinghergrowoldandcoarse，makingherugly，angular，andawkward，asthoughsheweremadeoflead。Shewasalwaysafraid，andshewouldgetupfromherseatandnotventuretositdowninthepresenceofamemberoftheZemstvoortheschoolguardian。Andsheusedformal，deferentialexpressionswhenshespokeofanyoneofthem。Andnoonethoughtherattractive，andlifewaspassingdrearily，withoutaffection，withoutfriendlysympathy，withoutinterestingacquaintances。Howawfulitwouldhavebeeninherpositionifshehadfalleninlove！
"Holdon，Vassilyevna！"
Againasharpascentuphill……
Shehadbecomeaschoolmistressfromnecessity，withoutfeelinganyvocationforit；andshehadneverthoughtofavocation，ofservingthecauseofenlightenment；anditalwaysseemedtoherthatwhatwasmostimportantinherworkwasnotthechildren，norenlightenment，buttheexaminations。Andwhattimehadsheforthinkingofvocation，ofservingthecauseofenlightenment？
Teachers，badlypaiddoctors，andtheirassistants，withtheirterriblyhardwork，havenoteventhecomfortofthinkingthattheyareservinganideaorthepeople，astheirheadsarealwaysstuffedwiththoughtsoftheirdailybread，ofwoodforthefire，ofbadroads，ofillnesses。Itisahard-working，anuninterestinglife，andonlysilent，patientcart-horseslikeMaryVassilyevnacouldputupwithitforlong；
thelively，nervous，impressionablepeoplewhotalkedaboutvocationandservingtheideaweresoonwearyofitandgaveupthework。
Semyonkeptpickingoutthedriestandshortestway，firstbyameadow，thenbythebacksofthevillagehuts；butinoneplacethepeasantswouldnotletthempass，inanotheritwasthepriest’slandandtheycouldnotcrossit，inanotherIvanIonovhadboughtaplotfromthelandownerandhaddugaditchroundit。Theykepthavingtoturnback。
TheyreachedNizhneyeGorodistche。Nearthetavernonthedung-strewnearth，wherethesnowwasstilllying，therestoodwagonsthathadbroughtgreatbottlesofcrudesulphuricacid。
Therewereagreatmanypeopleinthetavern，alldrivers，andtherewasasmellofvodka，tobacco，andsheepskins。Therewasaloudnoiseofconversationandthebangingoftheswing-door。
Throughthewall，withoutceasingforamoment，camethesoundofaconcertinabeingplayedintheshop。MaryaVassilyevnasatdownanddranksometea，whileatthenexttablepeasantsweredrinkingvodkaandbeer，perspiringfromtheteatheyhadjustswallowedandthestiflingfumesofthetavern。
"Isay，Kuzma！"voiceskeptshoutinginconfusion。"Whatthere！"
"TheLordblessus！""IvanDementyitch，Icantellyouthat！"
"Lookout，oldman！"
Alittlepock-markedmanwithablackbeard，whowasquitedrunk，wassuddenlysurprisedbysomethingandbeganusingbadlanguage。
"Whatareyouswearingat，youthere？"Semyon，whowassittingsomewayoff，respondedangrily。"Don’tyouseetheyounglady？"
"Theyounglady！"someonemimickedinanothercorner。
"Swinishcrow！"
"Wemeantnothing……"saidthelittlemaninconfusion。"Ibegyourpardon。Wepaywithourmoneyandtheyoungladywithhers。
Good-morning！"
"Good-morning，"answeredtheschoolmistress。
"Andwethankyoumostfeelingly。"
MaryaVassilyevnadrankherteawithsatisfaction，andshe，too，beganturningredlikethepeasants，andfelltothinkingagainaboutfirewood，aboutthewatchman……
"Stay，oldman，"sheheardfromthenexttable，"it’stheschoolmistressfromVyazovye……Weknowher；she’sagoodyounglady。"
"She’sallright！"
Theswing-doorwascontinuallybanging，somecomingin，othersgoingout。MaryaVassilyevnasaton，thinkingallthetimeofthesamethings，whiletheconcertinawentonplayingandplaying。
Thepatchesofsunshinehadbeenonthefloor，thentheypassedtothecounter，tothewall，anddisappearedaltogether；
sobythesunitwaspastmidday。Thepeasantsatthenexttableweregettingreadytogo。Thelittleman，somewhatunsteadily，wentuptoMaryaVassilyevnaandheldouthishandtoher；
followinghisexample，theothersshookhands，too，atparting，andwentoutoneafteranother，andtheswing-doorsqueakedandslammedninetimes。
"Vassilyevna，getready，"Semyoncalledtoher。
Theysetoff。Andagaintheywentatawalkingpace。
"AlittlewhilebacktheywerebuildingaschoolhereintheirNizhneyeGorodistche，"saidSemyon，turninground。"Itwasawickedthingthatwasdone！"
"Why，what？"
"Theysaythepresidentputathousandinhispocket，andtheschoolguardiananotherthousandinhis，andtheteacherfivehundred。"
"Thewholeschoolonlycostathousand。It’swrongtoslanderpeople，grandfather。That’sallnonsense。"
"Idon’tknow，……Ionlytellyouwhatfolkssay。"
ButitwasclearthatSemyondidnotbelievetheschoolmistress。
Thepeasantsdidnotbelieveher。Theyalwaysthoughtshereceivedtoolargeasalary，twenty-oneroublesamonth（fivewouldhavebeenenough），andthatofthemoneythatshecollectedfromthechildrenforthefirewoodandthewatchmanthegreaterpartshekeptforherself。Theguardianthoughtthesameasthepeasants，andhehimselfmadeaprofitoffthefirewoodandreceivedpaymentsfromthepeasantsforbeingaguardian——
withouttheknowledgeoftheauthorities。
Theforest，thankGod！wasbehindthem，andnowitwouldbeflat，opengroundallthewaytoVyazovye，andtherewasnotfartogonow。Theyhadtocrosstheriverandthentherailwayline，andthenVyazovyewasinsight。
"Whereareyoudriving？"MaryaVassilyevnaaskedSemyon。"Taketheroadtotherighttothebridge。"
"Why，wecangothiswayaswell。It’snotdeepenoughtomatter。"
"Mindyoudon’tdrownthehorse。"
"What？"
"Look，Hanovisdrivingtothebridge，"saidMaryaVassilyevna，seeingthefourhorsesfarawaytotheright。"Itishe，I
think。"
"Itis。Sohedidn’tfindBakvistathome。Whatapig-headedfellowheis。Lordhavemercyuponus！He’sdrivenoverthere，andwhatfor？It’sfullytwomilesnearerthisway。"
Theyreachedtheriver。Inthesummeritwasalittlestreameasilycrossedbywading。ItusuallydriedupinAugust，butnow，afterthespringfloods，itwasariverfortyfeetinbreadth，rapid，muddy，andcold；onthebankandrightuptothewatertherewerefreshtracksofwheels，soithadbeencrossedhere。
"Goon！"shoutedSemyonangrilyandanxiously，tuggingviolentlyatthereinsandjerkinghiselbowsasabirddoesitswings。"Goon！"
Thehorsewentonintothewateruptohisbellyandstopped，butatoncewentonagainwithaneffort，andMaryaVassilyevnawasawareofakeenchillinessinherfeet。
"Goon！"she，too，shouted，gettingup。"Goon！"
Theygotoutonthebank。
"Nicemessitis，Lordhavemercyuponus！"mutteredSemyon，settingstraighttheharness。"It’saperfectplaguewiththisZemstvo……"
Hershoesandgolosheswerefullofwater，thelowerpartofherdressandofhercoatandonesleevewerewetanddripping：thesugarandflourhadgotwet，andthatwasworstofall，andMaryaVassilyevnacouldonlyclaspherhandsindespairandsay：
Oh，Semyon，Semyon！Howtiresomeyouarereally！……"
Thebarrierwasdownattherailwaycrossing。Atrainwascomingoutofthestation。MaryaVassilyevnastoodatthecrossingwaitingtillitshouldpass，andshiveringalloverwithcold。
Vyazovyewasinsightnow，andtheschoolwiththegreenroof，andthechurchwithitscrossesflashingintheeveningsun：andthestationwindowsflashedtoo，andapinksmokerosefromtheengine……anditseemedtoherthateverythingwastremblingwithcold。
Herewasthetrain；thewindowsreflectedthegleaminglightlikethecrossesonthechurch：itmadehereyesachetolookatthem。
Onthelittleplatformbetweentwofirst-classcarriagesaladywasstanding，andMaryaVassilyevnaglancedatherasshepassed。Hermother！Whataresemblance！Hermotherhadhadjustsuchluxurianthair，justsuchabrowandbendofthehead。Andwithamazingdistinctness，forthefirsttimeinthosethirteenyears，thererosebeforehermindavividpictureofhermother，herfather，herbrother，theirflatinMoscow，theaquariumwithlittlefish，everythingtothetiniestdetail；sheheardthesoundofthepiano，herfather’svoice；shefeltasshehadbeenthen，young，good-looking，well-dressed，inabrightwarmroomamongherownpeople。Afeelingofjoyandhappinesssuddenlycameoverher，shepressedherhandstohertemplesinanecstacy，andcalledsoftly，beseechingly：
"Mother！"
Andshebegancrying，shedidnotknowwhy。JustatthatinstantHanovdroveupwithhisteamoffourhorses，andseeinghimsheimaginedhappinesssuchasshehadneverhad，andsmiledandnoddedtohimasanequalandafriend，anditseemedtoherthatherhappiness，hertriumph，wasglowingintheskyandonallsides，inthewindowsandonthetrees。Herfatherandmotherhadneverdied，shehadneverbeenaschoolmistress，itwasalong，tedious，strangedream，andnowshehadawakened……
"Vassilyevna，getin！"
Andatonceitallvanished。Thebarrierwasslowlyraised。MaryaVassilyevna，shiveringandnumbwithcold，gotintothecart。Thecarriagewiththefourhorsescrossedtherailwayline；Semyonfollowedit。Thesignalmantookoffhiscap。
"AndhereisVyazovye。Hereweare。"
ANERVOUSBREAKDOWN
AMEDICALstudentcalledMayer，andapupiloftheMoscowSchoolofPainting，Sculpture，andArchitecturecalledRybnikov，wentoneeveningtoseetheirfriendVassilyev，alawstudent，andsuggestedthatheshouldgowiththemtoS。Street。ForalongtimeVassilyevwouldnotconsenttogo，butintheendheputonhisgreatcoatandwentwiththem。
Heknewnothingoffallenwomenexceptbyhearsayandfrombooks，andhehadneverinhislifebeeninthehousesinwhichtheylive。Heknewthatthereareimmoralwomenwho，underthepressureoffatalcircumstances——environment，badeducation，poverty，andsoon——areforcedtoselltheirhonorformoney。
Theyknownothingofpurelove，havenochildren，havenocivilrights；theirmothersandsistersweepoverthemasthoughtheyweredead，sciencetreatsofthemasanevil，menaddressthemwithcontemptuousfamiliarity。Butinspiteofallthat，theydonotlosethesemblanceandimageofGod。Theyallacknowledgetheirsinandhopeforsalvation。Ofthemeansthatleadtosalvationtheycanavailthemselvestothefullestextent。
Society，itistrue，willnotforgivepeopletheirpast，butinthesightofGodSt。MaryofEgyptisnolowerthantheothersaints。WhenithadhappenedtoVassilyevinthestreettorecognizeafallenwomanassuch，byherdressorhermanners，ortoseeapictureofoneinacomicpaper，healwaysrememberedastoryhehadonceread：ayoungman，pureandself-sacrificing，lovesafallenwomanandurgeshertobecomehiswife；she，consideringherselfunworthyofsuchhappiness，takespoison。
VassilyevlivedinoneofthesidestreetsturningoutofTverskoyBoulevard。Whenhecameoutofthehousewithhistwofriendsitwasabouteleveno’clock。Thefirstsnowhadnotlongfallen，andallnaturewasunderthespellofthefreshsnow。
Therewasthesmellofsnowintheair，thesnowcrunchedsoftlyunderthefeet；theearth，theroofs，thetrees，theseatsontheboulevard，everythingwassoft，white，young，andthismadethehouseslookquitedifferentfromthedaybefore；thestreetlampsburnedmorebrightly，theairwasmoretransparent，thecarriagesrumbledwithadeepernote，andwiththefresh，light，frostyairafeelingstirredinthesoulakintothewhite，youthful，featherysnow。"Againstmywillanunknownforce，"
hummedthemedicalstudentinhisagreeabletenor，"hasledmetothesemournfulshores。"
"Beholdthemill……"theartistsecondedhim，"inruinsnow……"
"Beholdthemill……inruinsnow，"themedicalstudentrepeated，raisinghiseyebrowsandshakinghisheadmournfully。
Hepaused，rubbedhisforehead，tryingtorememberthewords，andthensangaloud，sowellthatpassers-bylookedround：
"HereinolddayswhenIwasfree，Love，free，unfettered，greetedme。"
Thethreeofthemwentintoarestaurantand，withouttakingofftheirgreatcoats，drankacoupleofglassesofvodkaeach。Beforedrinkingthesecondglass，Vassilyevnoticedabitofcorkinhisvodka，raisedtheglasstohiseyes，andgazedintoitforalongtime，screwinguphisshortsightedeyes。Themedicalstudentdidnotunderstandhisexpression，andsaid：
"Come，whylookatit？Nophilosophizing，please。Vodkaisgivenustobedrunk，sturgeontobeeaten，womentobevisited，snowtobewalkedupon。Foroneeveninganywaylivelikeahumanbeing！"
"ButIhaven’tsaidanything……"saidVassilyev，laughing。"AmIrefusingto？"
Therewasawarmthinsidehimfromthevodka。Helookedwithsoftenedfeelingsathisfriends，admiredthemandenviedthem。
Inthesestrong，healthy，cheerfulpeoplehowwonderfullybalancedeverythingis，howfinishedandsmoothiseverythingintheirmindsandsouls！Theysing，andhaveapassionforthetheatre，anddraw，andtalkagreatdeal，anddrink，andtheydon’thaveheadachesthedayafter；theyarebothpoeticalanddebauched，bothsoftandhard；theycanwork，too，andbeindignant，andlaughwithoutreason，andtalknonsense；theyarewarm，honest，self-sacrificing，andasmenareinnowayinferiortohimself，Vassilyev，whowatchedovereverystephetookandeverywordheuttered，whowasfastidiousandcautious，andreadytoraiseeverytrifletothelevelofaproblem。Andhelongedforoneeveningtoliveashisfriendsdid，toopenout，tolethimselfloosefromhisowncontrol。Ifvodkahadtobedrunk，hewoulddrinkit，thoughhisheadwouldbesplittingnextmorning。Ifheweretakentothewomenhewouldgo。Hewouldlaugh，playthefool，gailyrespondtothepassingadvancesofstrangersinthestreet……
Hewentoutoftherestaurantlaughing。Helikedhisfriends——
oneinacrushedbroad-brimmedhat，withanaffectationofartisticuntidiness；theotherinasealskincap，amannotpoor，thoughheaffectedtobelongtotheBohemiaoflearning。Helikedthesnow，thepalestreetlamps，thesharpblacktracksleftinthefirstsnowbythefeetofthepassers-by。Helikedtheair，andespeciallythatlimpid，tender，naive，asitwerevirginaltone，whichcanbeseeninnatureonlytwiceintheyear——wheneverythingiscoveredwithsnow，andinspringonbrightdaysandmoonlighteveningswhentheicebreaksontheriver。
"Againstmywillanunknownforce，Hasledmetothesemournfulshores，"
hehummedinanundertone。
Andthetuneforsomereasonhauntedhimandhisfriendsalltheway，andallthreeofthemhummeditmechanically，notintimewithoneanother。
Vassilyev’simaginationwaspicturinghow，inanothertenminutes，heandhisfriendswouldknockatadoor；howbylittledarkpassagesanddarkroomstheywouldstealintothewomen；
how，takingadvantageofthedarkness，hewouldstrikeamatch，wouldlightupandseethefaceofamartyrandaguiltysmile。
Theunknown，fairordark，wouldcertainlyhaveherhairdownandbewearingawhitedressing-jacket；shewouldbepanic-strickenbythelight，wouldbefearfullyconfused，andwouldsay："ForGod’ssake，whatareyoudoing！Putitout！"Itwouldallbedreadful，butinterestingandnew。
II
ThefriendsturnedoutofTrubnoySquareintoGratchevka，andsoonreachedthesidestreetwhichVassilyevonlyknewbyreputation。Seeingtworowsofhouseswithbrightlylightedwindowsandwide-opendoors，andhearinggaystrainsofpianosandviolins，soundswhichfloatedoutfromeverydoorandmingledinastrangechaos，asthoughanunseenorchestraweretuningupinthedarknessabovetheroofs，Vassilyevwassurprisedandsaid：
"Whatalotofhouses！"
"That’snothing，"saidthemedicalstudent。"InLondontherearetentimesasmany。Thereareaboutahundredthousandsuchwomenthere。"
Thecabmenweresittingontheirboxesascalmlyandindifferentlyasinanyothersidestreet；thesamepassers-bywerewalkingalongthepavementasinotherstreets。Noonewashurrying，noonewashidinghisfaceinhiscoat-collar，nooneshookhisheadreproachfully……Andinthisindifferencetothenoisychaosofpianosandviolins，tothebrightwindowsandwide-opendoors，therewasafeelingofsomethingveryopen，insolent，reckless，anddevil-may-care。Probablyitwasasgayandnoisyattheslave-marketsintheirday，andpeople’sfacesandmovementsshowedthesameindifference。
"Letusbeginfromthebeginning，"saidtheartist。
Thefriendswentintoanarrowpassagelightedbyalampwithareflector。Whentheyopenedthedooramaninablackcoat，withanunshavenfacelikeaflunkey’s，andsleepy-lookingeyes，gotuplazilyfromayellowsofainthehall。Theplacesmeltlikealaundrywithanodorofvinegarinaddition。Adoorfromthehallledintoabrightlylightedroom。Themedicalstudentandtheartiststoppedatthisdoorand，craningtheirnecks，peepedintotheroom。
"Buonasera，signori，rigolleto——hugenotti——traviata！"begantheartist，withatheatricalbow。
"Havanna——tarakano——pistoleto！"saidthemedicalstudent，pressinghiscaptohisbreastandbowinglow。
Vassilyevwasstandingbehindthem。Hewouldhavelikedtomakeatheatricalbowandsaysomethingsilly，too，butheonlysmiled，feltanawkwardnessthatwaslikeshame，andwaitedimpatientlyforwhatwouldhappennext。
Alittlefairgirlofseventeenoreighteen，withshorthair，inashortlight-bluefrockwithabunchofwhiteribbononherbosom，appearedinthedoorway。
"Whydoyoustandatthedoor？"shesaid。"Takeoffyourcoatsandcomeintothedrawing-room。"
Themedicalstudentandtheartist，stilltalkingItalian，wentintothedrawing-room。Vassilyevfollowedthemirresolutely。
"Gentlemen，takeoffyourcoats！"theflunkeysaidsternly；"youcan’tgoinlikethat。"
Inthedrawing-roomtherewas，besidesthegirl，anotherwoman，verystoutandtall，withaforeignfaceandbarearms。Shewassittingnearthepiano，layingoutagameofpatienceonherlap。
Shetooknonoticewhateverofthevisitors。
"Wherearetheotheryoungladies？"askedthemedicalstudent。
"Theyarehavingtheirtea，"saidthefairgirl。"Stepan，"shecalled，"goandtelltheyoungladiessomestudentshavecome！"
Alittlelaterathirdyoungladycameintotheroom。Shewaswearingabrightreddresswithbluestripes。Herfacewaspaintedthicklyandunskillfully，herbrowwashiddenunderherhair，andtherewasanunblinking，frightenedstareinhereyes。
Asshecamein，shebeganatoncesingingsomesonginacoarse，powerfulcontralto。Afterherafourthappeared，andafterherafifth……
InallthisVassilyevsawnothingneworinteresting。Itseemedtohimthatthatroom，thepiano，thelooking-glassinitscheapgiltframe，thebunchofwhiteribbon，thedresswiththebluestripes，andtheblankindifferentfaces，hehadseenbeforeandmorethanonce。Ofthedarkness，thesilence，thesecrecy，theguiltysmile，ofallthathehadexpectedtomeethereandhaddreaded，hesawnotrace。
Everythingwasordinary，prosaic，anduninteresting。Onlyonethingfaintlystirredhiscuriosity——theterrible，asitwereintentionallydesigned，badtastewhichwasvisibleinthecornices，intheabsurdpictures，inthedresses，inthebunchofribbons。Therewassomethingcharacteristicandpeculiarinthisbadtaste。
"Howpoorandstupiditallis！"thoughtVassilyev。"WhatisthereinallthistrumperyIseenowthatcantemptanormalmanandexcitehimtocommitthehorriblesinofbuyingahumanbeingforarouble？Iunderstandanysinforthesakeofsplendor，beauty，grace，passion，taste；butwhatistherehere？Whatistherehereworthsinningfor？But……onemustn’tthink！"
"Beardy，treatmetosomeporter！"saidthefairgirl，addressinghim。
Vassilyevwasatonceovercomewithconfusion。
"Withpleasure，"hesaid，bowingpolitely。"Onlyexcuseme，madam，I……Iwon’tdrinkwithyou。Idon’tdrink。
Fiveminuteslaterthefriendswentoffintoanotherhouse。
"Whydidyouaskforporter？"saidthemedicalstudentangrily。
"Whatamillionaire！Youhavethrownawaysixroublesfornoreasonwhatever——simplywaste！"
"Ifshewantsit，whynotletherhavethepleasure？"saidVassilyev，justifyinghimself。
"Youdidnotgivepleasuretoher，buttothe’Madam。’Theyaretoldtoaskthevisitorstostandthemtreatbecauseitisaprofittothekeeper。"
"Beholdthemill……"hummedtheartist，"inruinsnow……"
Goingintothenexthouse，thefriendsstoppedinthehallanddidnotgointothedrawing-room。Here，asinthefirsthouse，afigureinablackcoat，withasleepyfacelikeaflunkey’s，gotupfromasofainthehall。Lookingatthisflunkey，athisfaceandhisshabbyblackcoat，Vassilyevthought："WhatmustanordinarysimpleRussianhavegonethroughbeforefateflunghimdownasaflunkeyhere？Wherehadhebeenbeforeandwhathadhedone？Whatwasawaitinghim？Washemarried？Wherewashismother，anddidsheknowthathewasaservanthere？"
AndVassilyevcouldnothelpparticularlynoticingtheflunkeyineachhouse。Inoneofthehouses——hethoughtitwasthefourth——therewasalittlespare，frail-lookingflunkeywithawatch-chainonhiswaistcoat。Hewasreadinganewspaper，andtooknonoticeofthemwhentheywentin。LookingathisfaceVassilyev，forsomereason，thoughtthatamanwithsuchafacemightsteal，mightmurder，mightbearfalsewitness。Butthefacewasreallyinteresting：abigforehead，grayeyes，alittleflattenednose，thincompressedlips，andablanklystupidandatthesametimeinsolentexpressionlikethatofayoungharrierovertakingahare。Vassilyevthoughtitwouldbenicetotouchthisman’shair，toseewhetheritwassoftorcoarse。Itmustbecoarselikeadog’s。
III
Havingdrunktwoglassesofporter，theartistbecamesuddenlytipsyandgrewunnaturallylively。
"Let’sgotoanother！"hesaidperemptorily，wavinghishands。"I
willtakeyoutothebestone。"
Whenhehadbroughthisfriendstothehousewhichinhisopinionwasthebest，hedeclaredhisfirmintentionofdancingaquadrille。Themedicalstudentgrumbledsomethingabouttheirhavingtopaythemusiciansarouble，butagreedtobehis_vis-a-vis_。Theybegandancing。
Itwasjustasnastyinthebesthouseasintheworst。Heretherewerejustthesamelooking-glassesandpictures，thesamestylesofcoiffureanddress。Lookingroundatthefurnishingoftheroomsandthecostumes，Vassilyevrealizedthatthiswasnotlackoftaste，butsomethingthatmightbecalledthetaste，andeventhestyle，ofS。Street，whichcouldnotbefoundelsewhere——somethingintentionalinitsugliness，notaccidental，butelaboratedinthecourseofyears。Afterhehadbeenineighthouseshewasnolongersurprisedatthecolorofthedresses，atthelongtrains，thegaudyribbons，thesailordresses，andthethickpurplishrougeonthecheeks；hesawthatitallhadtobelikethis，thatifasingleoneofthewomenhadbeendressedlikeahumanbeing，oriftherehadbeenonedecentengravingonthewall，thegeneraltoneofthewholestreetwouldhavesuffered。
"Howunskillfullytheysellthemselves！"hethought。"Howcantheyfailtounderstandthatviceisonlyalluringwhenitisbeautifulandhidden，whenitwearsthemaskofvirtue？Modestblackdresses，palefaces，mournfulsmiles，anddarknesswouldbefarmoreeffectivethanthisclumsytawdriness。Stupidthings！
Iftheydon’tunderstanditofthemselves，theirvisitorsmightsurelyhavetaughtthem……"
AyoungladyinaPolishdressedgedwithwhitefurcameuptohimandsatdownbesidehim。
"Younicedarkman，whyaren’tyoudancing？"sheasked。"Whyareyousodull？"
"Becauseitisdull。"
"TreatmetosomeLafitte。Thenitwon’tbedull。"
Vassilyevmadenoanswer。Hewassilentforalittle，andthenasked：
"Whattimedoyougettosleep？"
"Atsixo’clock。"
"Andwhattimedoyougetup？"
"Sometimesattwoandsometimesatthree。"
"Andwhatdoyoudowhenyougetup？"
"Wehavecoffee，andatsixo’clockwehavedinner。"
"Andwhatdoyouhavefordinner？"
"Usuallysoup，beefsteak，anddessert。Ourmadamkeepsthegirlswell。Butwhydoyouaskallthis？"
"Oh，justtotalk……"
Vassilyevlongedtotalktotheyoungladyaboutmanythings。Hefeltanintensedesiretofindoutwhereshecamefrom，whetherherparentswereliving，andwhethertheyknewthatshewashere；
howshehadcomeintothishouse；whethershewerecheerfulandsatisfied，orsadandoppressedbygloomythoughts；whethershehopedsomedaytogetoutofherpresentposition……Buthecouldnotthinkhowtobeginorinwhatshapetoputhisquestionssoasnottoseemimpertinent。Hethoughtforalongtime，andasked：
"Howoldareyou？"
"Eighty，"theyoungladyjested，lookingwithalaughattheanticsoftheartistashedanced。
Allatoncesheburstoutlaughingatsomething，andutteredalongcynicalsentenceloudenoughtobeheardbyeveryone。
Vassilyevwasaghast，andnotknowinghowtolook，gaveaconstrainedsmile。Hewastheonlyonewhosmiled；alltheothers，hisfriends，themusicians，thewomen，didnotevenglancetowardshisneighbor，butseemednottohaveheardher。
"StandmesomeLafitte，"hisneighborsaidagain。
Vassilyevfeltarepulsionforherwhitefurandforhervoice，andwalkedawayfromher。Itseemedtohimhotandstifling，andhisheartbeganthrobbingslowlybutviolently，likeahammer——
one！two！three！
"Letusgoaway！"hesaid，pullingtheartistbyhissleeve。
"Waitalittle；letmefinish。"
Whiletheartistandthemedicalstudentwerefinishingthequadrille，toavoidlookingatthewomen，Vassilyevscrutinizedthemusicians。Arespectable-lookingoldmaninspectacles，ratherlikeMarshalBazaine，wasplayingthepiano；ayoungmanwithafairbeard，dressedinthelatestfashion，wasplayingtheviolin。Theyoungmanhadafacethatdidnotlookstupidnorexhausted，butintelligent，youthful，andfresh。Hewasdressedfancifullyandwithtaste；heplayedwithfeeling。Itwasamysteryhowheandtherespectable-lookingoldmanhadcomehere。Howwasittheywerenotashamedtosithere？Whatweretheythinkingaboutwhentheylookedatthewomen？
Iftheviolinandthepianohadbeenplayedbymeninrags，lookinghungry，gloomy，drunken，withdissipatedorstupidfaces，thenonecouldhaveunderstoodtheirpresence，perhaps。Asitwas，Vassilyevcouldnotunderstanditatall。Herecalledthestoryofthefallenwomanhehadonceread，andhethoughtnowthatthathumanfigurewiththeguiltysmilehadnothingincommonwithwhathewasseeingnow。Itseemedtohimthathewasseeingnotfallenwomen，butsomedifferentworldquiteapart，alientohimandincomprehensible；ifhehadseenthisworldbeforeonthestage，orreadofitinabook，hewouldnothavebelievedinit……
Thewomanwiththewhitefurburstoutlaughingagainandutteredaloathsomesentenceinaloudvoice。Afeelingofdisgusttookpossessionofhim。Heflushedcrimsonandwentoutoftheroom。
"Waitaminute，wearecomingtoo！"theartistshoutedtohim。
IV
"Whileweweredancing，"saidthemedicalstudent，astheyallthreewentoutintothestreet，"Ihadaconversationwithmypartner。Wetalkedaboutherfirstromance。He，thehero，wasanaccountantatSmolenskwithawifeandfivechildren。Shewasseventeen，andshelivedwithherpapaandmamma，whosoldsoapandcandles。"
"Howdidhewinherheart？"askedVassilyev。
"Byspendingfiftyroublesonunderclothesforher。Whatnext！"
"Soheknewhowtogethispartner’sstoryoutofher，"thoughtVassilyevaboutthemedicalstudent。"ButIdon’tknowhowto。"
"Isay，Iamgoinghome！"hesaid。
"Whatfor？"
"BecauseIdon’tknowhowtobehavehere。Besides，Iambored，disgusted。Whatisthereamusinginit？Iftheywerehumanbeings——buttheyaresavagesandanimals。Iamgoing；doasyoulike。"
"Come，Grisha，Grigory，darling……"saidtheartistinatearfulvoice，huggingVassilyev，"comealong！Let’sgotoonemoretogetheranddamnationtakethem！……Pleasedo，Grisha！"
TheypersuadedVassilyevandledhimupastaircase。Inthecarpetandthegiltbanisters，intheporterwhoopenedthedoor，andinthepanelsthatdecoratedthehall，thesameS。Streetstylewasapparent，butcarriedtoagreaterperfection，moreimposing。
"Ireallywillgohome！"saidVassilyevashewastakingoffhiscoat。
"Come，come，dearboy，"saidtheartist，andhekissedhimontheneck。"Don’tbetiresome……Gri-gri，beagoodcomrade！Wecametogether，wewillgobacktogether。Whatabeastyouare，really！"
"Icanwaitforyouinthestreet。Ithinkit’sloathsome，really！"
"Come，come，Grisha……Ifitisloathsome，youcanobserveit！Doyouunderstand？Youcanobserve！"
"Onemusttakeanobjectiveviewofthings，"saidthemedicalstudentgravely。
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