Vassilyevwentintothedrawing-roomandsatdown。Therewereanumberofvisitorsintheroombesideshimandhisfriends：twoinfantryofficers，abald，gray-hairedgentlemaninspectacles，twobeardlessyouthsfromtheinstituteofland-surveying，andaverytipsymanwholookedlikeanactor。AlltheyoungladiesweretakenupwiththesevisitorsandpaidnoattentiontoVassilyev。
Onlyoneofthem，dressed_alaAida，_glancedsidewaysathim，smiled，andsaid，yawning："Adarkonehascome……"
Vassilyev’sheartwasthrobbingandhisfaceburned。Hefeltashamedbeforethesevisitorsofhispresencehere，andhefeltdisgustedandmiserable。Hewastormentedbythethoughtthathe，adecentandlovingman（suchashehadhithertoconsideredhimself），hatedthesewomenandfeltnothingbutrepulsiontowardsthem。Hefeltpityneitherforthewomennorthemusiciansnortheflunkeys。
"ItisbecauseIamnottryingtounderstandthem，"hethought。
"Theyareallmorelikeanimalsthanhumanbeings，butofcoursetheyarehumanbeingsallthesame，theyhavesouls。Onemustunderstandthemandthenjudge……"
"Grisha，don’tgo，waitforus，"theartistshoutedtohimanddisappeared。
Themedicalstudentdisappearedsoonafter。
"Yes，onemustmakeanefforttounderstand，onemustn’tbelikethis……"Vassilyevwentonthinking。
Andhebegangazingateachofthewomenwithstrainedattention，lookingforaguiltysmile。Buteitherhedidnotknowhowtoreadtheirfaces，ornotoneofthesewomenfeltherselftobeguilty；hereadoneveryfacenothingbutablankexpressionofeverydayvulgarboredomandcomplacency。Stupidfaces，stupidsmiles，harsh，stupidvoices，insolentmovements，andnothingelse。Apparentlyeachofthemhadinthepastaromancewithanaccountantbasedonunderclothesforfiftyroubles，andlookedfornoothercharminthepresentbutcoffee，adinnerofthreecourses，wines，quadrilles，sleepingtilltwointheafternoon……
Findingnoguiltysmile，Vassilyevbegantolookwhethertherewasnotoneintelligentface。Andhisattentionwascaughtbyonepale，rathersleepy，exhausted-lookingface……Itwasadarkwoman，notveryyoung，wearingadresscoveredwithspangles；
shewassittinginaneasy-chair，lookingatthefloorlostinthought。Vassilyevwalkedfromonecorneroftheroomtotheother，and，asthoughcasually，satdownbesideher。
"Imustbeginwithsomethingtrivial，"hethought，"andpasstowhatisserious……"
"Whataprettydressyouhave，"andwithhisfingerhetouchedthegoldfringeofherfichu。
"Oh，isit？……"saidthedarkwomanlistlessly。
"Whatprovincedoyoucomefrom？"
"I？Fromadistance……FromTchernigov。"
"Afineprovince。It’snicethere。"
"Anyplaceseemsnicewhenoneisnotinit。"
"It’sapityIcannotdescribenature，"thoughtVassilyev。"I
mighttouchherbyadescriptionofnatureinTchernigov。Nodoubtshelovestheplaceifshehasbeenbornthere。"
"Areyoudullhere？"heasked。
"OfcourseIamdull。"
"Whydon’tyougoawayfromhereifyouaredull？"
"WhereshouldIgoto？Gobeggingorwhat？"
"Beggingwouldbeeasierthanlivinghere。"
Howdoyouknowthat？Haveyoubegged？"
"Yes，whenIhadn’tthemoneytostudy。EvenifIhadn’tanyonecouldunderstandthat。Abeggarisanywayafreeman，andyouareaslave。"
Thedarkwomanstretched，andwatchedwithsleepyeyesthefootmanwhowasbringingatrayfulofglassesandseltzerwater。
"Standmeaglassofporter，"shesaid，andyawnedagain。
"Porter，"thoughtVassilyev。"Andwhatifyourbrotherormotherwalkedinatthismoment？Whatwouldyousay？Andwhatwouldtheysay？Therewouldbeporterthen，Iimagine……"
Allatoncetherewasthesoundofweeping。Fromtheadjoiningroom，fromwhichthefootmanhadbroughttheseltzerwater，afairmanwitharedfaceandangryeyesraninquickly。Hewasfollowedbythetall，stout"madam，"whowasshoutinginashrillvoice：
"Nobodyhasgivenyouleavetoslapgirlsonthecheeks！Wehavevisitorsbetterthanyou，andtheydon’tfight！Impostor！"
Ahubbubarose。Vassilyevwasfrightenedandturnedpale。Inthenextroomtherewasthesoundofbitter，genuineweeping，asthoughofsomeoneinsulted。Andherealizedthattherewererealpeoplelivingherewho，likepeopleeverywhereelse，feltinsulted，suffered，wept，andcriedforhelp。Thefeelingofoppressivehateanddisgustgavewaytoanacutefeelingofpityandangeragainsttheaggressor。Herushedintotheroomwheretherewasweeping。Acrossrowsofbottlesonamarble-toptablehedistinguishedasufferingface，wetwithtears，stretchedouthishandstowardsthatface，tookasteptowardsthetable，butatoncedrewbackinhorror。Theweepinggirlwasdrunk。
Ashemadehiswaythoughthenoisycrowdgatheredaboutthefairman，hisheartsankandhefeltfrightenedlikeachild；anditseemedtohimthatinthisalien，incomprehensibleworldpeoplewantedtopursuehim，tobeathim，topelthimwithfilthywords……Hetoredownhiscoatfromthehatstandandranheadlongdownstairs。
V
Leaningagainstthefence，hestoodnearthehousewaitingforhisfriendstocomeout。Thesoundsofthepianosandviolins，gay，reckless，insolent，andmournful，mingledintheairinasortofchaos，andthistangleofsoundsseemedagainlikeanunseenorchestratuningupontheroofs。Ifonelookedupwardsintothedarkness，theblackbackgroundwasallspangledwithwhite，movingspots：itwassnowfalling。Asthesnowflakescameintothelighttheyfloatedroundlazilyintheairlikedown，andstillmorelazilyfelltotheground。ThesnowflakeswhirledthicklyroundVassilyevandhunguponhisbeard，hiseyelashes，hiseyebrows……Thecabmen，thehorses，andthepassers-bywerewhite。
"Andhowcanthesnowfallinthisstreet！"thoughtVassilyev。
"Damnationtakethesehouses！"
Hislegsseemedtobegivingwayfromfatigue，simplyfromhavingrundownthestairs；hegaspedforbreathasthoughhehadbeenclimbinguphill，hisheartbeatsoloudlythathecouldhearit。
Hewasconsumedbyadesiretogetoutofthestreetasquicklyaspossibleandtogohome，butevenstrongerwashisdesiretowaitforhiscompanionsandventuponthemhisoppressivefeeling。
Therewasmuchhedidnotunderstandinthesehouses，thesoulsofruinedwomenwereamysterytohimasbefore；butitwascleartohimthatthethingwasfarworsethancouldhavebeenbelieved。Ifthatsinfulwomanwhohadpoisonedherselfwascalledfallen，itwasdifficulttofindafittingnameforallthesewhoweredancingnowtothistangleofsoundandutteringlong，loathsomesentences。Theywerenotontheroadtoruin，butruined。
"Thereisvice，"hethought，"butneitherconsciousnessofsinnorhopeofsalvation。Theyaresoldandbought，steepedinwineandabominations，whilethey，likesheep，arestupid，indifferent，anddon’tunderstand。MyGod！MyGod！"
Itwascleartohim，too，thateverythingthatiscalledhumandignity，personalrights，theDivineimageandsemblance，weredefiledtotheirveryfoundations——"totheverymarrow，"asdrunkardssay——andthatnotonlythestreetandthestupidwomenwereresponsibleforit。
Agroupofstudents，whitewithsnow，passedhimlaughingandtalkinggaily；one，atallthinfellow，stopped，glancedintoVassilyev’sface，andsaidinadrunkenvoice：
"Oneofus！Abiton，oldman？Aha-ha！Nevermind，haveagoodtime！Don’tbedown-hearted，oldchap！"
HetookVassilyevbytheshoulderandpressedhiscoldwetmustacheagainsthischeek，thenheslipped，staggered，and，wavingbothhands，cried：
"Holdon！Don’tupset！"
Andlaughing，herantoovertakehiscompanions。
Throughthenoisecamethesoundoftheartist’svoice：
"Don’tyoudaretohitthewomen！Iwon’tletyou，damnationtakeyou！Youscoundrels！"
Themedicalstudentappearedinthedoorway。Helookedfromsidetoside，andseeingVassilyev，saidinanagitatedvoice：
"Youhere！Itellyouit’sreallyimpossibletogoanywherewithYegor！Whatafellowheis！Idon’tunderstandhim！Hehasgotupascene！Doyouhear？Yegor！"heshoutedatthedoor。Yegor！"
"Iwon’tallowyoutohitwomen！"theartist’spiercingvoicesoundedfromabove。Somethingheavyandlumberingrolleddownthestairs。Itwastheartistfallingheadlong。Evidentlyhehadbeenpusheddownstairs。
Hepickedhimselfupfromtheground，shookhishat，and，withanangryandindignantface，brandishedhisfisttowardsthetopofthestairsandshouted：
"Scoundrels！Torturers！Bloodsuckers！Iwon’tallowyoutohitthem！Tohitaweak，drunkenwoman！Oh，youbrutes！……"
"Yegor！……Come，Yegor！……"themedicalstudentbeganimploringhim。"IgiveyoumywordofhonorI’llnevercomewithyouagain。OnmywordofhonorIwon’t！"
Littlebylittletheartistwaspacifiedandthefriendswenthomewards。
"Againstmywillanunknownforce，"hummedthemedicalstudent，"hasledmetothesemournfulshores。"
"Beholdthemill，"theartistchimedinalittlelater，"inruinsnow。Whatalotofsnow，HolyMother！Grisha，whydidyougo？Youareafunk，aregularoldwoman。"
Vassilyevwalkedbehindhiscompanions，lookedattheirbacks，andthought：
"Oneoftwothings：eitherweonlyfancyprostitutionisanevil，andweexaggerateit；or，ifprostitutionreallyisasgreatanevilasisgenerallyassumed，thesedearfriendsofmineareasmuchslaveowners，violators，andmurderers，astheinhabitantsofSyriaandCairo，thataredescribedinthe’Neva。’Nowtheyaresinging，laughing，talkingsense，buthaven’ttheyjustbeenexploitinghunger，ignorance，andstupidity？Theyhave——Ihavebeenawitnessofit。Whatistheuseoftheirhumanity，theirmedicine，theirpainting？Thescience，art，andloftysentimentsofthesesoul-destroyersremindmeofthepieceofbaconinthestory。Twobrigandsmurderedabeggarinaforest；theybegansharinghisclothesbetweenthem，andfoundinhiswalletapieceofbacon。’Wellfound，’saidoneofthem，’letushaveabit。’
’Whatdoyoumean？Howcanyou？’criedtheotherinhorror。’Haveyouforgottenthatto-dayisWednesday？’Andtheywouldnoteatit。Aftermurderingaman，theycameoutoftheforestinthefirmconvictionthattheywerekeepingthefast。Inthesamewaythesemen，afterbuyingwomen，gotheirwayimaginingthattheyareartistsandmenofscience……"
"Listen！"hesaidsharplyandangrily。"Whydoyoucomehere？Isitpossible——isitpossibleyoudon’tunderstandhowhorribleitis？Yourmedicalbookstellyouthateveryoneofthesewomendiesprematurelyofconsumptionorsomething；arttellsyouthatmorallytheyaredeadevenearlier。Everyoneofthemdiesbecauseshehasinhertimetoentertainfivehundredmenonanaverage，letussay。Eachoneofthemiskilledbyfivehundredmen。Youareamongthosefivehundred！Ifeachofyouinthecourseofyourlivesvisitsthisplaceorotherslikeittwohundredandfiftytimes，itfollowsthatonewomaniskilledforeverytwoofyou！Can’tyouunderstandthat？Isn’tithorribletomurder，twoofyou，threeofyou，fiveofyou，afoolish，hungrywoman！Ah！isn’titawful，myGod！"
"Iknewitwouldendlikethat，"theartistsaidfrowning。"Weoughtnottohavegonewiththisfoolandass！Youimagineyouhavegrandnotionsinyourheadnow，ideas，don’tyou？No，it’sthedevilknowswhat，butnotideas。Youarelookingatmenowwithhatredandrepulsion，butItellyouit’sbetteryoushouldsetuptwentymorehouseslikethosethanlooklikethat。
There’smoreviceinyourexpressionthaninthewholestreet！
Comealong，Volodya，lethimgotothedevil！He’safoolandanass，andthat’sall……"
"Wehumanbeingsdomurdereachother，"saidthemedicalstudent。
"It’simmoral，ofcourse，butphilosophizingdoesn’thelpit。
Good-by！"
AtTrubnoySquarethefriendssaidgood-byandparted。Whenhewasleftalone，Vassilyevstroderapidlyalongtheboulevard。Hefeltfrightenedofthedarkness，ofthesnowwhichwasfallinginheavyflakesontheground，andseemedasthoughitwouldcoverupthewholeworld；hefeltfrightenedofthestreetlampsshiningwithpalelightthroughthecloudsofsnow。Hissoulwaspossessedbyanunaccountable，faint-heartedterror。Passers-bycametowardshimfromtimetotime，buthetimidlymovedtooneside；itseemedtohimthatwomen，nonebutwomen，werecomingfromallsidesandstaringathim……
"It’sbeginning，"hethought，"Iamgoingtohaveabreakdown。"
VI
Athomehelayonhisbedandsaid，shudderingallover："Theyarealive！Alive！MyGod，thosewomenarealive！"
Heencouragedhisimaginationinallsortsofwaystopicturehimselfthebrotherofafallenwoman，orherfather；thenafallenwomanherself，withherpaintedcheeks；anditallmovedhimtohorror。
Itseemedtohimthathemustsettlethequestionatonceatallcosts，andthatthisquestionwasnotonethatdidnotconcernhim，butwashisownpersonalproblem。Hemadeanimmenseeffort，repressedhisdespair，and，sittingonthebed，holdinghisheadinhishands，beganthinkinghowonecouldsaveallthewomenhehadseenthatday。Themethodforattackingproblemsofallkindswas，ashewasaneducatedman，wellknowntohim。And，howeverexcitedhewas，hestrictlyadheredtothatmethod。Herecalledthehistoryoftheproblemanditsliterature，andforaquarterofanhourhepacedfromoneendoftheroomtotheothertryingtorememberallthemethodspracticedatthepresenttimeforsavingwomen。HehadverymanygoodfriendsandacquaintanceswholivedinlodgingsinPetersburg……Amongthemwereagoodmanyhonestandself-sacrificingmen。Someofthemhadattemptedtosavewomen……
"Allthesenotverynumerousattempts，"thoughtVassilyev，"canbedividedintothreegroups。Some，afterbuyingthewomanoutofthebrothel，tookaroomforher，boughtherasewing-machine，andshebecameasemptress。Andwhetherhewantedtoornot，afterhavingboughtherouthemadeherhismistress；thenwhenhehadtakenhisdegree，hewentawayandhandedherintothekeepingofsomeotherdecentmanasthoughshewereathing。
Andthefallenwomanremainedafallenwoman。Others，afterbuyingherout，tookalodgingapartforher，boughttheinevitablesewing-machine，andtriedteachinghertoread，preachingatherandgivingherbooks。Thewomanlivedandsewedaslongasitwasinterestingandanoveltytoher，thengettingbored，beganreceivingmenonthesly，orranawayandwentbackwhereshecouldsleeptillthreeo’clock，drinkcoffee，andhavegooddinners。Thethirdclass，themostardentandself-sacrificing，hadtakenabold，resolutestep。Theyhadmarriedthem。Andwhentheinsolentandspoilt，orstupidandcrushedanimalbecameawife，theheadofahousehold，andafterwardsamother，itturnedherwholeexistenceandattitudetolifeupsidedown，sothatitwashardtorecognizethefallenwomanafterwardsinthewifeandthemother。Yes，marriagewasthebestandperhapstheonlymeans。"
"Butitisimpossible！"Vassilyevsaidaloud，andhesankuponhisbed。"I，tobeginwith，couldnotmarryone！Todothatonemustbeasaintandbeunabletofeelhatredorrepulsion。ButsupposingthatI，themedicalstudent，andtheartistmasteredourselvesanddidmarrythem——supposetheywereallmarried。
Whatwouldbetheresult？TheresultwouldbethatwhilehereinMoscowtheywerebeingmarried，someSmolenskaccountantwouldbedebauchinganotherlot，andthatlotwouldbestreamingheretofillthevacantplaces，togetherwithothersfromSaratov，Nizhni-Novgorod，Warsaw……AndwhatisonetodowiththehundredthousandinLondon？What’sonetodowiththoseinHamburg？"
Thelampinwhichtheoilhadburntdownbegantosmoke。
Vassilyevdidnotnoticeit。Hebeganpacingtoandfroagain，stillthinking。Nowheputthequestiondifferently：whatmustbedonethatfallenwomenshouldnotbeneeded？Forthat，itwasessentialthatthemenwhobuythemanddothemtodeathshouldfeelalltheimmoralityoftheirshareinenslavingthemandshouldbehorrified。Onemustsavethemen。
"Onewon’tdoanythingbyartandscience，thatisclear……"
thoughtVassilyev。"Theonlywayoutofitismissionarywork。"
Andhebegantodreamhowhewouldthenexteveningstandatthecornerofthestreetandsaytoeverypasser-by："Whereareyougoingandwhatfor？HavesomefearofGod！"
Hewouldturntotheapatheticcabmenandsaytothem："Whyareyoustayinghere？Whyaren’tyourevolted？Whyaren’tyouindignant？IsupposeyoubelieveinGodandknowthatitisasin，thatpeoplegotohellforit？Whydon’tyouspeak？Itistruethattheyarestrangerstoyou，butyouknoweventheyhavefathers，brotherslikeyourselves……"
OneofVassilyev’sfriendshadoncesaidofhimthathewasatalentedman。Thereareallsortsoftalents——talentforwriting，talentforthestage，talentforart；buthehadapeculiartalent——atalentfor_humanity_。Hepossessedanextraordinarilyfinedelicatescentforpainingeneral。Asagoodactorreflectsinhimselfthemovementsandvoiceofothers，soVassilyevcouldreflectinhissoulthesufferingsofothers。
Whenhesawtears，hewept；besideasickman，hefeltsickhimselfandmoaned；ifhesawanactofviolence，hefeltasthoughhehimselfwerethevictimofit，hewasfrightenedasachild，andinhisfrightrantohelp。Thepainofothersworkedonhisnerves，excitedhim，rousedhimtoastateoffrenzy，andsoon。
WhetherthisfriendwererightIdon’tknow，butwhatVassilyevexperiencedwhenhethoughtthisquestionwassettledwassomethinglikeinspiration。Hecriedandlaughed，spokealoudthewordsthatheshouldsaynextday，feltaferventloveforthosewhowouldlistentohimandwouldstandbesidehimatthecornerofthestreettopreach；hesatdowntowriteletters，madevowstohimself……
Allthiswaslikeinspirationalsofromthefactthatitdidnotlastlong。Vassilyevwassoontired。ThecasesinLondon，inHamburg，inWarsaw，weigheduponhimbytheirmassasamountainweighsupontheearth；hefeltdispirited，bewildered，inthefaceofthismass；herememberedthathehadnotagiftforwords，thathewascowardlyandtimid，thatindifferentpeoplewouldnotbewillingtolistenandunderstandhim，alawstudentinhisthirdyear，atimidandinsignificantperson；thatgenuinemissionaryworkincludednotonlyteachingbutdeeds……
Whenitwasdaylightandcarriageswerealreadybeginningtorumbleinthestreet，Vassilyevwaslyingmotionlessonthesofa，staringintospace。Hewasnolongerthinkingofthewomen，norofthemen，norofmissionarywork。Hiswholeattentionwasturneduponthespiritualagonywhichwastorturinghim。Itwasadull，vague，undefinedanguishakintomisery，toanextremeformofterrorandtodespair。Hecouldpointtotheplacewherethepainwas，inhisbreastunderhisheart；buthecouldnotcompareitwithanything。Inthepasthehadhadacutetoothache，hehadhadpleurisyandneuralgia，butallthatwasinsignificantcomparedwiththisspiritualanguish。Inthepresenceofthatpainlifeseemedloathsome。Thedissertation，theexcellentworkhehadwrittenalready，thepeopleheloved，thesalvationoffallenwomen——everythingthatonlythedaybeforehehadcaredaboutorbeenindifferentto，nowwhenhethoughtofthemirritatedhiminthesamewayasthenoiseofthecarriages，thescurryingfootstepsofthewaitersinthepassage，thedaylight……Ifatthatmomentsomeonehadperformedagreatdeedofmercyorhadcommittedarevoltingoutrage，hewouldhavefeltthesamerepulsionforbothactions。
Ofallthethoughtsthatstrayedthroughhismindonlytwodidnotirritatehim：onewasthatateverymomenthehadthepowertokillhimself，theotherthatthisagonywouldnotlastmorethanthreedays。Thislastheknewbyexperience。
Afterlyingforawhilehegotupand，wringinghishands，walkedabouttheroom，notasusualfromcornertocorner，butroundtheroombesidethewalls。Ashepassedheglancedathimselfinthelooking-glass。Hisfacelookedpaleandsunken，histempleslookedhollow，hiseyeswerebigger，darker，morestaring，asthoughtheybelongedtosomeoneelse，andtheyhadanexpressionofinsufferablementalagony。
Atmiddaytheartistknockedatthedoor。
"Grigory，areyouathome？"heasked。
Gettingnoanswer，hestoodforaminute，pondered，andansweredhimselfinLittleRussian："Nay。TheconfoundedfellowhasgonetotheUniversity。"
Andhewentaway。Vassilyevlaydownonthebedand，thrustinghisheadunderthepillow，begancryingwithagony，andthemorefreelyhistearsflowedthemoreterriblehismentalanguishbecame。Asitbegantogetdark，hethoughtoftheagonizingnightawaitinghim，andwasovercomebyahorribledespair。Hedressedquickly，ranoutofhisroom，and，leavinghisdoorwideopen，fornoobjectorreason，wentoutintothestreet。Withoutaskinghimselfwhereheshouldgo，hewalkedquicklyalongSadovoyStreet。
Snowwasfallingasheavilyasthedaybefore；itwasthawing。
Thrustinghishandsintohissleeves，shudderingandfrightenedatthenoises，atthetrambells，andatthepassers-by，VassilyevwalkedalongSadovoyStreetasfarasSuharevTower；thentotheRedGate；fromthereheturnedofftoBasmannyaStreet。Hewentintoatavernanddrankoffabigglassofvodka，butthatdidnotmakehimfeelbetter。WhenhereachedRazgulyaheturnedtotheright，andstrodealongsidestreetsinwhichhehadneverbeenbeforeinhislife。HereachedtheoldbridgebywhichtheYauzarunsgurgling，andfromwhichonecanseelongrowsoflightsinthewindowsoftheRedBarracks。Todistracthisspiritualanguishbysomenewsensationorsomeotherpain，Vassilyev，notknowingwhattodo，cryingandshuddering，undidhisgreatcoatandjacketandexposedhisbarechesttothewetsnowandthewind。Butthatdidnotlessenhissufferingeither。
Thenhebentdownovertherailofthebridgeandlookeddownintotheblack，yeastyYauza，andhelongedtoplungedownheadforemost；notfromloathingforlife，notforthesakeofsuicide，butinordertobruisehimselfatleast，andbyonepaintoeasetheother。Buttheblackwater，thedarkness，thedesertedbankscoveredwithsnowwereterrifying。Heshiveredandwalkedon。HewalkedupanddownbytheRedBarracks，thenturnedbackandwentdowntoacopse，fromthecopsebacktothebridgeagain"No，home，home！"hethought。"AthomeIbelieveit’sbetter……"
Andhewentback。Whenhereachedhomehepulledoffhiswetcoatandcap，beganpacingroundtheroom，andwentonpacingroundandroundwithoutstoppingtillmorning。
VII
Whennextmorningtheartistandthemedicalstudentwentintohim，hewasmovingabouttheroomwithhisshirttorn，bitinghishandsandmoaningwithpain。
"ForGod’ssake！"hesobbedwhenhesawhisfriends，"takemewhereyouplease，dowhatyoucan；butforGod’ssake，savemequickly！Ishallkillmyself！"
Theartistturnedpaleandwashelpless。Themedicalstudent，too，almostshedtears，butconsideringthatdoctorsoughttobecoolandcomposedineveryemergencysaidcoldly：
"It’sanervousbreakdown。Butit’snothing。Letusgoatoncetothedoctor。"
"Whereveryoulike，onlyforGod’ssake，makehaste"
"Don’texciteyourself。Youmusttryandcontrolyourself。"
TheartistandthemedicalstudentwithtremblinghandsputVassilyev’scoatandhatonandledhimoutintothestreet。
"MihailSergeyitchhasbeenwantingtomakeyouracquaintanceforalongtime，"themedicalstudentsaidontheway。"Heisaverynicemanandthoroughlygoodathiswork。Hetookhisdegreein1882，andhehasanimmensepracticealready。Hetreatsstudentsasthoughhewereonehimself。"
"Makehaste，makehaste！……"Vassilyevurged。
MihailSergeyitch，astout，fair-haireddoctor，receivedthefriendswithpolitenessandfrigiddignity，andsmiledonlyononesideofhisface。
"RybnikovandMayerhavespokentomeofyourillnessalready，"
hesaid。"Verygladtobeofservicetoyou。Well？Sitdown，I
beg……"
HemadeVassilyevsitdowninabigarmchairnearthetable，andmovedaboxofcigarettestowardshim。
"Nowthen！"hebegan，strokinghisknees。"Letusgettowork……Howoldareyou？"
Heaskedquestionsandthemedicalstudentansweredthem。HeaskedwhetherVassilyev’sfatherhadsufferedfromcertainspecialdiseases，whetherhedranktoexcess，whetherhewereremarkableforcrueltyoranypeculiarities。Hemadesimilarinquiriesabouthisgrandfather，mother，sisters，andbrothers。
Onlearningthathismotherhadabeautifulvoiceandsometimesactedonthestage，hegrewmoreanimatedatonce，andasked：
"Excuseme，butdon’tyouremember，perhaps，yourmotherhadapassionforthestage？"
Twentyminutespassed。Vassilyevwasannoyedbythewaythedoctorkeptstrokinghiskneesandtalkingofthesamething。
"SofarasIunderstandyourquestions，doctor，"hesaid，"youwanttoknowwhethermyillnessishereditaryornot。Itisnot。"
ThedoctorproceededtoaskVassilyevwhetherhehadhadanysecretvicesasaboy，orhadreceivedinjuriestohishead；
whetherhehadhadanyaberrations，anypeculiarities，orexceptionalpropensities。Halfthequestionsusuallyaskedbydoctorsoftheirpatientscanbeleftunansweredwithouttheslightestilleffectonthehealth，butMihailSergeyitch，themedicalstudent，andtheartistalllookedasthoughifVassilyevfailedtoansweronequestionallwouldbelost。Ashereceivedanswers，thedoctorforsomereasonnotedthemdownonaslipofpaper。OnlearningthatVassilyevhadtakenhisdegreeinnaturalscience，andwasnowstudyinglaw，thedoctorpondered。
"Hewroteafirst-ratepieceoforiginalworklastyear，……"
saidthemedicalstudent。
"Ibegyourpardon，butdon’tinterruptme；youpreventmefromconcentrating，"saidthedoctor，andhesmiledononesideofhisface。"Though，ofcourse，thatdoesenterintothediagnosis。
Intenseintellectualwork，nervousexhaustion……Yes，yes……Anddoyoudrinkvodka？"hesaid，addressingVassilyev。
"Veryrarely。"
Anothertwentyminutespassed。Themedicalstudentbegantellingthedoctorinalowvoicehisopinionastotheimmediatecauseoftheattack，anddescribedhowthedaybeforeyesterdaytheartist，Vassilyev，andhehadvisitedS。Street。
Theindifferent，reserved，andfrigidtoneinwhichhisfriendsandthedoctorspokeofthewomenandthatmiserablestreetstruckVassilyevasstrangeintheextreme……
"Doctor，tellmeonethingonly，"hesaid，controllinghimselfsoasnottospeakrudely。"Isprostitutionanevilornot？"
"Mydearfellow，whodisputesit？"saidthedoctor，withanexpressionthatsuggestedthathehadsettledallsuchquestionsforhimselflongago。"Whodisputesit？"
"Youareamentaldoctor，aren’tyou？"Vassilyevaskedcurtly。
"Yes，amentaldoctor。"
"Perhapsallofyouareright！"saidVassilyev，gettingupandbeginningtowalkfromoneendoftheroomtotheother。
"Perhaps！Butitallseemsmarveloustome！ThatIshouldhavetakenmydegreeintwofacultiesyoulookuponasagreatachievement；becauseIhavewrittenaworkwhichinthreeyearswillbethrownasideandforgotten，Iampraiseduptotheskies；
butbecauseIcannotspeakoffallenwomenasunconcernedlyasofthesechairs，Iambeingexaminedbyadoctor，Iamcalledmad，Iampitied！"
Vassilyevforsomereasonfeltallatonceunutterablysorryforhimself，andhiscompanions，andallthepeoplehehadseentwodaysbefore，andforthedoctor；heburstintotearsandsankintoachair。
Hisfriendslookedinquiringlyatthedoctor。Thelatter，withtheairofcompletelycomprehendingthetearsandthedespair，offeelinghimselfaspecialistinthatline，wentuptoVassilyevand，withoutaword，gavehimsomemedicinetodrink；andthen，whenhewascalmer，undressedhimandbegantoinvestigatethedegreeofsensibilityoftheskin，thereflexactionoftheknees，andsoon。
AndVassilyevfelteasier。Whenhecameoutfromthedoctor’shewasbeginningtofeelashamed；therattleofthecarriagesnolongerirritatedhim，andtheloadathisheartgrewlighterandlighterasthoughitweremeltingaway。Hehadtwoprescriptionsinhishand：onewasforbromide，onewasformorphia……Hehadtakenalltheseremediesbefore。
Inthestreethestoodstilland，sayinggood-bytohisfriends，draggedhimselflanguidlytotheUniversity。
MISERY
"TowhomshallItellmygrief？"
THEtwilightofevening。Bigflakesofwetsnowarewhirlinglazilyaboutthestreetlamps，whichhavejustbeenlighted，andlyinginathinsoftlayeronroofs，horses’backs，shoulders，caps。IonaPotapov，thesledge-driver，isallwhitelikeaghost。Hesitsontheboxwithoutstirring，bentasdoubleasthelivingbodycanbebent。Ifaregularsnowdriftfellonhimitseemsasthougheventhenhewouldnotthinkitnecessarytoshakeitoff……Hislittlemareiswhiteandmotionlesstoo。Herstillness，theangularityofherlines，andthestick-likestraightnessofherlegsmakeherlooklikeahalfpennygingerbreadhorse。Sheisprobablylostinthought。
Anyonewhohasbeentornawayfromtheplough，fromthefamiliargraylandscapes，andcastintothisslough，fullofmonstrouslights，ofunceasinguproarandhurryingpeople，isboundtothink。
ItisalongtimesinceIonaandhisnaghavebudged。Theycameoutoftheyardbeforedinnertimeandnotasinglefareyet。Butnowtheshadesofeveningarefallingonthetown。Thepalelightofthestreetlampschangestoavividcolor，andthebustleofthestreetgrowsnoisier。
"SledgetoVyborgskaya！"Ionahears。"Sledge！"
Ionastarts，andthroughhissnow-plasteredeyelashesseesanofficerinamilitaryovercoatwithahoodoverhishead。
"ToVyborgskaya，"repeatstheofficer。"Areyouasleep？ToVyborgskaya！"
IntokenofassentIonagivesatugatthereinswhichsendscakesofsnowflyingfromthehorse’sbackandshoulders。Theofficergetsintothesledge。Thesledge-driverclickstothehorse，craneshisnecklikeaswan，risesinhisseat，andmorefromhabitthannecessitybrandisheshiswhip。Themarecranesherneck，too，crooksherstick-likelegs，andhesitatinglysetsof……
"Whereareyoushoving，youdevil？"Ionaimmediatelyhearsshoutsfromthedarkmassshiftingtoandfrobeforehim。"Wherethedevilareyougoing？Keeptother-right！"
"Youdon’tknowhowtodrive！Keeptotheright，"saystheofficerangrily。
Acoachmandrivingacarriageswearsathim；apedestriancrossingtheroadandbrushingthehorse’snosewithhisshoulderlooksathimangrilyandshakesthesnowoffhissleeve。Ionafidgetsontheboxasthoughheweresittingonthorns，jerkshiselbows，andturnshiseyesaboutlikeonepossessedasthoughhedidnotknowwherehewasorwhyhewasthere。
"Whatrascalstheyallare！"saystheofficerjocosely。"Theyaresimplydoingtheirbesttorunupagainstyouorfallunderthehorse’sfeet。Theymustbedoingitonpurpose。"
Ionalooksashisfareandmoveshislips……Apparentlyhemeanstosaysomething，butnothingcomesbutasniff。
"What？"inquirestheofficer。
Ionagivesawrysmile，andstraininghisthroat，bringsouthuskily："Myson……er……mysondiedthisweek，sir。"
"H’m！Whatdidhedieof？"
Ionaturnshiswholebodyroundtohisfare，andsays：
"Whocantell！Itmusthavebeenfromfever……Helaythreedaysinthehospitalandthenhedied……God’swill。"
"Turnround，youdevil！"comesoutofthedarkness。"Haveyougonecracked，youolddog？Lookwhereyouaregoing！"
"Driveon！driveon！……"saystheofficer。"Weshan’tgettheretillto-morrowgoingonlikethis。Hurryup！"
Thesledge-drivercraneshisneckagain，risesinhisseat，andwithheavygraceswingshiswhip。Severaltimeshelooksroundattheofficer，butthelatterkeepshiseyesshutandisapparentlydisinclinedtolisten。PuttinghisfaredownatVyborgskaya，Ionastopsbyarestaurant，andagainsitshuddleduponthebox……Againthewetsnowpaintshimandhishorsewhite。Onehourpasses，andthenanother……
Threeyoungmen，twotallandthin，oneshortandhunchbacked，comeup，railingateachotherandloudlystampingonthepavementwiththeirgoloshes。
"Cabby，tothePoliceBridge！"thehunchbackcriesinacrackedvoice。"Thethreeofus，……twentykopecks！"
Ionatugsatthereinsandclickstohishorse。Twentykopecksisnotafairprice，buthehasnothoughtsforthat。Whetheritisaroubleorwhetheritisfivekopecksdoesnotmattertohimnowsolongashehasafare……Thethreeyoungmen，shovingeachotherandusingbadlanguage，gouptothesledge，andallthreetrytositdownatonce。Thequestionremainstobesettled：Whicharetositdownandwhichoneistostand？Afteralongaltercation，ill-temper，andabuse，theycometotheconclusionthatthehunchbackmuststandbecauseheistheshortest。
"Well，driveon，"saysthehunchbackinhiscrackedvoice，settlinghimselfandbreathingdownIona’sneck。"Cutalong！Whatacapyou’vegot，myfriend！Youwouldn’tfindaworseoneinallPetersburg……"
"He-he！……he-he！……"laughsIona。"It’snothingtoboastof！"
"Well，then，nothingtoboastof，driveon！Areyougoingtodrivelikethisalltheway？Eh？ShallIgiveyouoneintheneck？"
"Myheadaches，"saysoneofthetallones。"AttheDukmasovs’
yesterdayVaskaandIdrankfourbottlesofbrandybetweenus。"
"Ican’tmakeoutwhyyoutalksuchstuff，"saystheothertalloneangrily。"Youlielikeabrute。"
"Strikemedead，it’sthetruth！……"
"It’saboutastrueasthatalousecoughs。"
"He-he！"grinsIona。"Me-er-rygentlemen！"
"Tfoo！thedeviltakeyou！"criesthehunchbackindignantly。
"Willyougeton，youoldplague，orwon’tyou？Isthatthewaytodrive？Giveheronewiththewhip。Hangitall，giveitherwell。"
Ionafeelsbehindhisbackthejoltingpersonandquiveringvoiceofthehunchback。Hehearsabuseaddressedtohim，heseespeople，andthefeelingoflonelinessbeginslittlebylittletobelessheavyonhisheart。Thehunchbackswearsathim，tillhechokesoversomeelaboratelywhimsicalstringofepithetsandisoverpoweredbyhiscough。HistallcompanionsbegintalkingofacertainNadyezhdaPetrovna。Ionalooksroundatthem。Waitingtillthereisabriefpause，helooksroundoncemoreandsays：
"Thisweek……er……my……er……sondied！"
"Weshallalldie，……"saysthehunchbackwithasigh，wipinghislipsaftercoughing。"Come，driveon！driveon！Myfriends，I
simplycannotstandcrawlinglikethis！Whenwillhegetusthere？"
"Well，yougivehimalittleencouragement……oneintheneck！"
"Doyouhear，youoldplague？I’llmakeyousmart。Ifonestandsonceremonywithfellowslikeyouonemayaswellwalk。Doyouhear，youolddragon？Ordon’tyoucareahangwhatwesay？"
AndIonahearsratherthanfeelsaslaponthebackofhisneck。
"He-he！……"helaughs。"Merrygentlemen……Godgiveyouhealth！"
"Cabman，areyoumarried？"asksoneofthetallones。
"I？Hehe！Me-er-rygentlemen。Theonlywifeformenowisthedampearth……He-ho-ho！……Thegravethatis！……Heremyson’sdeadandIamalive……It’sastrangething，deathhascomeinatthewrongdoor……Insteadofcomingformeitwentformyson……"
AndIonaturnsroundtotellthemhowhissondied，butatthatpointthehunchbackgivesafaintsighandannouncesthat，thankGod！theyhavearrivedatlast。Aftertakinghistwentykopecks，Ionagazesforalongwhileaftertherevelers，whodisappearintoadarkentry。Againheisaloneandagainthereissilenceforhim……Themiserywhichhasbeenforabriefspaceeasedcomesbackagainandtearshisheartmorecruellythanever。WithalookofanxietyandsufferingIona’seyesstrayrestlesslyamongthecrowdsmovingtoandfroonbothsidesofthestreet：
canhenotfindamongthosethousandssomeonewhowilllistentohim？Butthecrowdsflitbyheedlessofhimandhismisery……
Hismiseryisimmense，beyondallbounds。IfIona’sheartweretoburstandhismiserytoflowout，itwouldfloodthewholeworld，itseems，butyetitisnotseen。Ithasfoundahiding-placeinsuchaninsignificantshellthatonewouldnothavefounditwithacandlebydaylight……
Ionaseesahouse-porterwithaparcelandmakesuphismindtoaddresshim。
"Whattimewillitbe，friend？"heasks。
"Goingonforten……Whyhaveyoustoppedhere？Driveon！"
Ionadrivesafewpacesaway，bendshimselfdouble，andgiveshimselfuptohismisery。Hefeelsitisnogoodtoappealtopeople。Butbeforefiveminuteshavepassedhedrawshimselfup，shakeshisheadasthoughhefeelsasharppain，andtugsatthereins……Hecanbearitnolonger。
"Backtotheyard！"hethinks。"Totheyard！"
Andhislittlemare，asthoughsheknewhisthoughts，fallstotrotting。AnhourandahalflaterIonaissittingbyabigdirtystove。Onthestove，onthefloor，andonthebenchesarepeoplesnoring。Theairisfullofsmellsandstuffiness。Ionalooksatthesleepingfigures，scratcheshimself，andregretsthathehascomehomesoearly……
"Ihavenotearnedenoughtopayfortheoats，even，"hethinks。
"That’swhyIamsomiserable。Amanwhoknowshowtodohiswork，……whohashadenoughtoeat，andwhosehorsehashadenoughtoeat，isalwaysatease……"
Inoneofthecornersayoungcabmangetsup，clearshisthroatsleepily，andmakesforthewater-bucket。
"Wantadrink？"Ionaaskshim。
"Seemsso。"
"Mayitdoyougood……Butmysonisdead，mate……Doyouhear？Thisweekinthehospital……It’saqueerbusiness……"
Ionalookstoseetheeffectproducedbyhiswords，butheseesnothing。Theyoungmanhascoveredhisheadoverandisalreadyasleep。Theoldmansighsandscratcheshimself……Justastheyoungmanhadbeenthirstyforwater，hethirstsforspeech。
Hissonwillsoonhavebeendeadaweek，andhehasnotreallytalkedtoanybodyyet……Hewantstotalkofitproperly，withdeliberation……Hewantstotellhowhissonwastakenill，howhesuffered，whathesaidbeforehedied，howhedied……Hewantstodescribethefuneral，andhowhewenttothehospitaltogethisson’sclothes。HestillhashisdaughterAnisyainthecountry……Andhewantstotalkabouthertoo……Yes，hehasplentytotalkaboutnow。Hislisteneroughttosighandexclaimandlament……Itwouldbeevenbettertotalktowomen。Thoughtheyaresillycreatures，theyblubberatthefirstword。
"Let’sgooutandhavealookatthemare，"Ionathinks。"Thereisalwaystimeforsleep……You’llhavesleepenough，nofear……"
Heputsonhiscoatandgoesintothestableswherehismareisstanding。Hethinksaboutoats，abouthay，abouttheweather……Hecannotthinkabouthissonwhenheisalone……Totalkabouthimwithsomeoneispossible，buttothinkofhimandpicturehimisinsufferableanguish……
"Areyoumunching？"Ionaaskshismare，seeinghershiningeyes。
"There，munchaway，munchaway……Sincewehavenotearnedenoughforoats，wewilleathay……Yes，……Ihavegrowntoooldtodrive……Mysonoughttobedriving，notI……
Hewasarealcabman……Heoughttohavelived……"
Ionaissilentforawhile，andthenhegoeson：
"That’showitis，oldgirl……KuzmaIonitchisgone……
Hesaidgood-bytome……Hewentanddiedfornoreason……Now，supposeyouhadalittlecolt，andyouwereownmothertothatlittlecolt……Andallatoncethatsamelittlecoltwentanddied……You’dbesorry，wouldn’tyou？……"
Thelittlemaremunches，listens，andbreathesonhermaster’shands。Ionaiscarriedawayandtellsherallaboutit。
CHAMPAGNE
AWAYFARER’SSTORY
INtheyearinwhichmystorybeginsIhadajobatalittlestationononeofoursouthwesternrailways。WhetherIhadagayoradulllifeatthestationyoucanjudgefromthefactthatforfifteenmilesroundtherewasnotonehumanhabitation，notonewoman，notonedecenttavern；andinthosedaysIwasyoung，strong，hot-headed，giddy，andfoolish。TheonlydistractionIcouldpossiblyfindwasinthewindowsofthepassengertrains，andinthevilevodkawhichtheJewsdruggedwiththorn-apple。Sometimestherewouldbeaglimpseofawoman’sheadatacarriagewindow，andonewouldstandlikeastatuewithoutbreathingandstareatituntilthetrainturnedintoanalmostinvisiblespeck；oronewoulddrinkallonecouldoftheloathsomevodkatillonewasstupefiedanddidnotfeelthepassingofthelonghoursanddays。Uponme，anativeofthenorth，thesteppeproducedtheeffectofadesertedTatarcemetery。Inthesummerthesteppewithitssolemncalm，themonotonouschurofthegrasshoppers，thetransparentmoonlightfromwhichonecouldnothide，reducedmetolistlessmelancholy；
andinthewintertheirreproachablewhitenessofthesteppe，itscolddistance，longnights，andhowlingwolvesoppressedmelikeaheavynightmare。Therewereseveralpeoplelivingatthestation：mywifeandI，adeafandscrofuloustelegraphclerk，andthreewatchmen。Myassistant，ayoungmanwhowasinconsumption，usedtogofortreatmenttothetown，wherehestayedformonthsatatime，leavinghisdutiestometogetherwiththerightofpocketinghissalary。Ihadnochildren，nocakewouldhavetemptedvisitorstocomeandseeme，andIcouldonlyvisitotherofficialsontheline，andthatnooftenerthanonceamonth。
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