,*APT] #e 
,A ,SP>K ,NEGLECT$ ,BURNS ! ,H\SE 

#aifaif 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,TEXT 3 

',!N CAME ,PET]1 & SAID TO HIM1 ,LORD1 H[ (T %ALL MY BRO!R S9 AGA9/ ME1 & ,I =GIVE HIM8 UNTIL SEV5 TIMES8 ,JESUS SAI? UNTO HIM1 ,I SAY NOT UNTO !E1 ,UNTIL SEV5 TIMES2 BUT1 ,UNTIL SEV5TY TIMES SEV54 ,!RE=E IS ! K+DOM ( HEAV5 LIK5$ UNTO A C]TA9 K+1 :I* W\LD MAKE A RECKON+ ) HIS S]VANTS4 ,& :5 HE HAD BEGUN TO RECKON1 ONE WAS BR\<T UNTO HIM1 :I* [$ HIM T5 ?\S& TAL5TS4 ,BUT =ASMU* AS HE HAD NOT :]E) TO PAY1 HIS LORD COMM&$ HIM TO BE SOLD1 & HIS WIFE1 & *ILDR51 & ALL ?AT HE HAD1 & PAYM5T TO BE MADE4 ,! S]VANT !RE=E FELL D[N & WOR%IP$ HIM1 SAY+1 ,LORD1 HAVE PATI5CE ) ME1 & ,I WILL PAY !E ALL4 ,& ! LORD ( ?AT S]VANT1 BE+ MOV$ ) COMPASSION1 RELEAS$ HIM1 & =GAVE HIM ! DEBT4 ,BUT ?AT S]VANT W5T \T1 & F\ND ONE ( HIS FELL[-S]VANTS1 :I* [$ HIM A HUNDR$ P5CE3 & HE LAID HOLD ON HIM1 & TOOK HIM BY ! ?ROAT SAY+1 ,PAY :AT ?\ [E/4 ,SO HIS FELL[-S]VANT FELL D[N & BES\<T HIM1 SAY+1 ,HAVE PATI5CE ) ME1 & ,I WILL PAY !E4 ,& HE W\LD NOT3 BUT W5T & CA/ HIM 9TO PRISON1 TILL HE %\LD PAY ?AT :I* WAS DUE4 ,SO :5 HIS FELL[-S]VANTS SAW :AT WAS DONE1 !Y W]E EXCE$+ SORRY1 & CAME & TOLD UNTO !IR LORD ALL ?AT WAS DONE4 ,!N HIS LORD CALL$ HIM UNTO HIM1 & SAI? TO HIM1 ,?\ WICK$ S]VANT1 ,I =GAVE !E ALL ?AT DEBT1 BECAUSE ?\ BES\<TE/ ME3 %\LDE/ NOT ?\ ALSO HAVE HAD M]CY ON ?Y FELL[-S]VANT1 EV5 AS ,I HAD M]CY ON !E8 ,& HIS LORD WAS WRO?1 & DELIV]$ HIM TO ! TORM5TORS1 TILL HE %\LD PAY ALL ?AT WAS DUE4 ,SO %ALL ALSO MY HEAV5LY ,FA!R DO UNTO Y\1 IF YE =GIVE NOT EV]Y ONE HIS BRO!R FROM Y\R HE>TS4'--,MATT4 XVIII4 #b#a-#c#e4 

,!RE ONCE LIV$ 9 A VILLAGE A PEASANT NAM$ ,IVAN ,/*]BAK(4 ,HE WAS COM=TABLY (F1 9 ! PRIME ( LIFE1 ! BE/ WORK] 9 ! VILLAGE1 & HAD ?REE SONS ALL ABLE TO WORK4 ,! ELDE/ WAS M>RI$1 ! SECOND AB\T TO M>RY1 & ! ?IRD WAS A BIG LAD :O C\LD M9D ! HORSES & WAS ALREADY BEG9N+ TO PL[4 ,IVAN'S WIFE WAS AN ABLE & ?RIFTY WOMAN1 & !Y W]E =TUNATE 9 HAV+ A QUIET1 H>D-WORK+ DAU<T]-9-LAW4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ TO PREV5T ,IVAN & HIS FAMILY FROM LIV+ HAPPILY4 ,!Y HAD ONLY ONE IDLE M\? TO FE$2 ?AT WAS ,IVAN'S OLD FA!R1 :O SUFF]$ FROM A/HMA & HAD BE5 LY+ ILL ON ! TOP ( ! BRICK OV5 = SEV5 YE>S4 ,IVAN HAD ALL HE NE$$3 ?REE HORSES & A COLT1 A C[ ) A CALF1 & FIFTE5 %EEP4 ,! WOM5 MADE ALL ! CLO?+ = ! FAMILY1 BESIDES HELP+ 9 ! FIELDS1 & ! M5 TILL$ ! L&4 ,!Y ALWAYS HAD GRA9 5\< ( !IR [N TO LA/ OV] BEYOND ! NEXT H>VE/ & SOLD 5\< OATS TO PAY ! TAXES & MEET !IR O!R NE$S4 ,SO ,IVAN & HIS *ILDR5 MI<T HAVE LIV$ QUITE COM=TABLY HAD IT NOT BE5 = A FEUD BETWE5 HIM & HIS NEXT-DOOR NEI<BOR1 ,LIMP+ ,GABRIEL1 ! SON ( ,GORDEY ,IVAN(4 

,AS LONG AS OLD ,GORDEY WAS ALIVE & ,IVAN'S FA!R WAS /ILL ABLE TO MANAGE ! H\SEHOLD1 ! PEASANTS LIV$ AS NEI<BORS %\LD4 ,IF ! WOM5 ( EI!R H\SE HAPP5$ TO WANT A SIEVE OR A TUB1 OR ! M5 REQUIR$ A SACK1 OR IF A C>T-:EEL GOT BROK5 & C\LD NOT BE M5D$ AT ONCE1 !Y US$ TO S5D TO ! O!R H\SE1 & HELP$ EA* O!R 9 NEI<BORLY FA%ION4 ,:5 A CALF /RAY$ 9TO ! NEI<BOR'S ?RA%+-GR\ND !Y W\LD JU/ DRIVE IT \T1 & ONLY SAY1 ',DON'T LET IT GET 9 AGA92 \R GRA9 IS LY+ !RE4' ,& SU* ?+S AS LOCK+ UP ! B>NS & \?\SES1 HID+ ?+S FROM ONE ANO!R1 OR BACKBIT+ W]E NEV] ?\<T ( 9 ?OSE DAYS4 

 ,?AT WAS 9 ! FA!RS' TIME4 ,:5 ! SONS CAME TO BE AT ! HEAD ( ! FAMILIES1 EV]Y?+ *ANG$4 

,IT ALL BEGAN AB\T A TRIFLE4 

,IVAN'S DAU<T]-9-LAW HAD A H5 ?AT BEGAN LAY+ RA!R E>LY 9 ! SEASON1 & %E />T$ COLLECT+ ITS EGGS = ,EA/]4 ,EV]Y DAY %E W5T TO ! C>T-%$1 & F\ND AN EGG 9 ! C>T2 BUT ONE DAY ! H51 PROBABLY FRI<T5$ BY ! *ILDR51 FLEW ACROSS ! F5CE 9TO ! NEI<BOR'S Y>D & LAID ITS EGG !RE4 ,! WOMAN HE>D ! CACKL+1 BUT SAID TO H]SELF3 ',I HAVE NO TIME N[2 ,I MU/ TIDY UP = ,SUNDAY4 ,I'LL FET* ! EGG LAT] ON4' ,9 ! EV5+ %E W5T TO ! C>T1 BUT F\ND NO EGG !RE4 ,%E W5T & ASK$ H] MO!R-9-LAW & BRO!R-9-LAW :E!R !Y HAD TAK5 ! EGG4 ',NO1' !Y HAD NOT2 BUT H] Y\NGE/ BRO!R-9-LAW1 ,T>AS1 SAID3 ',Y\R ,BIDDY LAID ITS EGG 9 ! NEI<BOR'S Y>D4 ,IT WAS !RE %E WAS CACKL+1 & %E FLEW BACK ACROSS ! F5CE FROM !RE4' 

,! WOMAN W5T & LOOK$ AT ! H54 ,!RE %E WAS ON ! P]* ) ! O!R BIRDS1 H] EYES JU/ CLOS+ READY TO GO TO SLEEP4 ,! WOMAN WI%$ %E C\LD HAVE ASK$ ! H5 & GOT AN ANSW] FROM H]4 

,!N %E W5T TO ! NEI<BOR'S1 & ,GABRIEL'S MO!R CAME \T TO MEET H]4 

',:AT DO Y\ WANT1 Y\NG WOMAN8' 

',:Y1 ,GRANNY1 Y\ SEE1 MY H5 FLEW ACROSS ?IS MORN+4 ,DID %E NOT LAY AN EGG H]E8' 

',WE NEV] SAW ANY?+ ( IT4 ,! ,LORD BE ?ANK$1 \R [N H5S />T$ LAY+ LONG AGO4 ,WE COLLECT \R [N EGGS & HAVE NO NE$ ( O!R PEOPLE'S6 ,& WE DON'T GO LOOK+ = EGGS 9 O!R PEOPLE'S Y>DS1 LASS6' 

,! Y\NG WOMAN WAS (F5D$1 & SAID MORE ?AN %E %\LD HAVE DONE4 ,H] NEI<BOR ANSW]$ BACK ) 9T]E/1 & ! WOM5 BEGAN ABUS+ EA* O!R4 ,IVAN'S WIFE1 :O HAD BE5 TO FET* WAT]1 HAPP5+ TO PASS JU/ !N1 JO9$ 9 TOO4 ,GABRIEL'S WIFE RU%$ \T1 & BEGAN REPROA*+ ! Y\NG WOMAN ) ?+S ?AT HAD REALLY HAPP5$ & ) O!R ?+S ?AT NEV] HAD HAPP5$ AT ALL4 ,!N A G5]AL UPRO> COMM5C$1 ALL %\T+ AT ONCE1 TRY+ TO GET \T TWO WORDS AT A TIME1 & NOT *OICE WORDS EI!R4 

',Y\'RE ?IS6' & ',Y\'RE ?AT6' ',Y\'RE A ?IEF6' & ',Y\'RE A SLUT6' & ',Y\'RE />V+ Y\R OLD FA!R-9-LAW TO DEA?6' & ',Y\'RE A GOOD-=-NO?+6' & SO ON4 

',& Y\'VE MADE A HOLE 9 ! SIEVE ,I L5T Y\1 Y\ JADE6 ,& IT'S \R YOKE Y\'RE C>RY+ Y\R PAILS ON--Y\ JU/ GIVE BACK \R YOKE6' 

,!N !Y CAU<T HOLD ( ! YOKE1 & SPILL$ ! WAT]1 SNAT*$ (F ONE ANO!R'S %AWLS1 & BEGAN FI<T+4 ,GABRIEL1 RETURN+ FROM ! FIELDS1 /OPP$ TO TAKE HIS WIFE'S P>T4 ,\T RU%$ ,IVAN & HIS SON & JO9$ 9 ) ! RE/4 ,IVAN WAS A /RONG FELL[1 HE SCATT]$ ! :OLE LOT ( !M1 & PULL$ A H&FUL ( HAIR \T ( ,GABRIEL'S BE>D4 ,PEOPLE CAME TO SEE :AT WAS ! MATT]1 & ! FI<T]S W]E SEP>AT$ ) DIFFICULTY4 

,?AT WAS H[ IT ALL BEGAN4 

,GABRIEL WRAPP$ ! HAIR TORN FROM HIS BE>D 9 A PAP]1 & W5T TO ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT TO HAVE ! LAW ( ,IVAN4 ',I DIDN'T GR[ MY BE>D1' SAID HE1 '= POCKM>K$ ,IVAN TO PULL IT \T6' ,& HIS WIFE W5T BRAGG+ TO ! NEI<BORS1 SAY+ !Y'D HAVE ,IVAN CONDEMN$ & S5T TO ,SIB]IA4 ,& SO ! FEUD GREW4 

,! OLD MAN1 FROM :]E HE LAY ON ! TOP ( ! OV51 TRI$ FROM ! V]Y FIR/ TO P]SUADE !M TO MAKE PEACE1 BUT !Y W\LD NOT LI/54 ,HE TOLD !M1 ',IT'S A /UPID ?+ Y\ >E AFT]1 *ILDR51 PICK+ QU>RELS AB\T SU* A PALTRY MATT]4 ,JU/ ?9K6 ,! :OLE ?+ BEGAN AB\T AN EGG4 ,! *ILDR5 MAY HAVE TAK5 IT--WELL1 :AT MATT]8 ,:AT'S ! VALUE ( ONE EGG8 ,GOD S5DS 5\< = ALL6 ,& SUPPOSE Y\R NEI<BOR DID SAY AN UNK9D WORD--PUT IT RI<T2 %[ H] H[ TO SAY A BETT] ONE6 ,IF !RE HAS BE5 A FI<T--WELL1 SU* ?+S WILL HAPP52 WE'RE ALL S9N]S1 BUT MAKE IT UP1 & LET !RE BE AN 5D ( IT6 ,IF Y\ NURSE Y\R ANG] IT WILL BE WORSE = Y\ Y\RSELVES4' 

,BUT ! Y\NG] FOLK W\LD NOT LI/5 TO ! OLD MAN4 ,!Y ?\<T HIS WORDS W]E M]E S5SELESS DOTAGE4 ,IVAN W\LD NOT HUMBLE HIMSELF BE=E HIS NEI<BOR4 

',I NEV] PULL$ HIS BE>D1' HE SAID1 'HE PULL$ ! HAIR \T HIMSELF4 ,BUT HIS SON HAS BUR/ ALL ! FA/5+S ON MY %IRT1 & TORN IT4 4MW-P>S]-\TPUT 4N[RAP14MW-P>S]-\TPUT 4N[RAP A3BE=E14MW-P>S]-\TPUT 4N[RAP 4SELFL9K3BE=E_<:ITE-SPACE3N[RAP_>4 4 4 ,LOOK AT IT6' 

,& ,IVAN ALSO W5T TO LAW4 ,!Y W]E TRI$ BY ! ,JU/ICE ( ! ,PEACE & BY ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT4 ,:ILE ALL ?IS WAS GO+ ON1 ! C\PL+-P9 ( ,GABRIEL'S C>T DISAPPE>$4 ,GABRIEL'S WOM5FOLK ACCUS$ ,IVAN'S SON ( HAV+ TAK5 IT4 ,!Y SAID3 ',WE SAW HIM 9 ! NI<T GO PA/ \R W9D[1 T[>DS ! C>T2 & A NEI<BOR SAYS HE SAW HIM AT ! PUB1 (F]+ ! P9 TO ! L&LORD4' 

,SO !Y W5T TO LAW AB\T ?AT4 ,& AT HOME NOT A DAY PASS$ )\T A QU>REL OR EV5 A FI<T4 ,! *ILDR51 TOO1 ABUS$ ONE ANO!R1 HAV+ LE>N$ TO DO SO FROM !IR ELD]S2 & :5 ! WOM5 HAPP5$ TO MEET BY ! RIV]-SIDE1 :]E !Y W5T TO R9SE ! CLO!S1 !IR >MS DID NOT DO AS MU* WR++ AS !IR TONGUES DID NAGG+1 & EV]Y WORD WAS A BAD ONE4 

,AT FIR/ ! PEASANTS ONLY SL&]$ ONE ANO!R2 BUT AFT]W>DS !Y BEGAN 9 REAL E>NE/ TO SNAT* ANY?+ ?AT LAY H&Y1 & ! *ILDR5 FOLL[$ !IR EXAMPLE4 ,LIFE BECAME H>D] & H>D] = !M4 ,IVAN ,/*]BAK( & ,LIMP+ ,GABRIEL KEPT SU+ ONE ANO!R AT ! ,VILLAGE ,ASSEMBLY1 & AT ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT1 & BE=E ! ,JU/ICE ( ! ,PEACE UNTIL ALL ! JUDGES W]E TIR$ ( !M4 ,N[ ,GABRIEL GOT ,IVAN F9$ OR IMPRISON$2 !N ,IVAN DID AS MU* TO ,GABRIEL2 & ! MORE !Y SPIT$ EA* O!R ! ANGRI] !Y GREW--LIKE DOGS ?AT ATTACK ONE ANO!R & GET MORE & MORE FURI\S ! LONG] !Y FI<T4 ,Y\ /RIKE ONE DOG FROM BEH9D1 & IT ?9KS IT'S ! O!R DOG BIT+ HIM1 & GETS /ILL FI]C]4 ,SO !SE PEASANTS3 !Y W5T TO LAW1 & ONE OR O!R ( !M WAS F9$ OR LOCK$ UP1 BUT ?AT ONLY MADE !M MORE & MORE ANGRY ) EA* O!R4 ',WAIT A BIT1' !Y SAID1 '& ,I'LL MAKE Y\ PAY = IT4' ,& SO IT W5T ON = SIX YE>S4 ,ONLY ! OLD MAN LY+ ON ! TOP ( ! OV5 KEPT TELL+ !M AGA9 & AGA93 ',*ILDR51 :AT >E Y\ DO+8 ,/OP ALL ?IS PAY+ BACK2 KEEP TO Y\R WORK1 & DON'T BE> MALICE--IT WILL BE BETT] = Y\4 ,! MORE Y\ BE> MALICE1 ! WORSE IT WILL BE4' 

,BUT !Y W\LD NOT LI/5 TO HIM4 

,9 ! SEV5? YE>1 AT A W$D+1 ,IVAN'S DAU<T]-9-LAW HELD ,GABRIEL UP TO %AME1 ACCUS+ HIM ( HAV+ BE5 CAU<T HORSE-/EAL+4 ,GABRIEL WAS TIPSY1 & UNABLE TO CONTA9 HIS ANG]1 GAVE ! WOMAN SU* A BL[ ?AT %E WAS LAID UP = A WEEK2 & %E WAS PREGNANT AT ! TIME4 ,IVAN WAS DELI<T$4 ,HE W5T TO ! MAGI/RATE TO LODGE A COMPLA9T4 ',N[ ,I'LL GET RID ( MY NEI<BOR6 ,HE WON'T ESCAPE IMPRISONM5T1 OR EXILE TO ,SIB]IA4' ,BUT ,IVAN'S WI% WAS NOT FULFILL$4 ,! MAGI/RATE DISMISS$ ! CASE4 ,! WOMAN WAS EXAM9$1 BUT %E WAS UP & AB\T & %[$ NO SIGN ( ANY 9JURY4 ,!N ,IVAN W5T TO ! ,JU/ICE ( ! ,PEACE1 BUT HE REF]R$ ! BUS9ESS TO ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT4 ,IVAN BE/IRR$ HIMSELF3 TREAT$ ! CL]K & ! ,ELD] ( ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT TO A GALLON ( LIQUOR & GOT ,GABRIEL CONDEMN$ TO BE FLOGG$4 ,! S5T5CE WAS READ \T TO ,GABRIEL BY ! CL]K3 ',! ,C\RT DECREES ?AT ! PEASANT ,GABRIEL ,GORDEYEF %ALL RECEIVE TW5TY LA%ES ) A BIR* ROD AT ! ,DI/RICT ,C\RT4' 

,IVAN TOO HE>D ! S5T5CE READ1 & LOOK$ AT ,GABRIEL TO SEE H[ HE W\LD TAKE IT4 ,GABRIEL GREW AS PALE AS A %EET1 & TURN$ R\ND & W5T \T 9TO ! PASSAGE4 ,IVAN FOLL[$ HIM1 MEAN+ TO SEE TO ! HORSE1 & HE OV]HE>D ,GABRIEL SAY1 ',V]Y WELL6 ,HE WILL HAVE MY BACK FLOGG$3 ?AT WILL MAKE IT BURN2 BUT SOME?+ ( HIS MAY BURN WORSE ?AN ?AT6' 

,HE>+ !SE WORDS1 ,IVAN AT ONCE W5T BACK 9TO ! ,C\RT1 & SAID3 ',UPRI<T JUDGES6 ,HE ?REAT5S TO SET MY H\SE ON FIRE6 ,LI/53 HE SAID IT 9 ! PRES5CE ( WITNESSES6' 

 ,GABRIEL WAS RECALL$4 ',IS IT TRUE ?AT Y\ SAID ?IS8' 

',I HAV5'T SAID ANY?+4 ,FLOG ME1 S9CE Y\ HAVE ! P[]4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT ,I ALONE AM TO SUFF]1 & ALL = BE+ 9 ! RI<T1 :ILE HE IS ALL[$ TO DO AS HE LIKES4' 

,GABRIEL WI%$ TO SAY SOME?+ MORE1 BUT HIS LIPS & HIS *EEKS QUIV]$1 & HE TURN$ T[>DS ! WALL4 ,EV5 ! (FICIALS W]E FRI<T5$ BY HIS LOOKS4 ',HE MAY DO SOME MIS*IEF TO HIMSELF OR TO HIS NEI<BOR1' ?\<T !Y4 

,!N ! OLD ,JUDGE SAID3 ',LOOK H]E1 MY M52 Y\'D BETT] BE REASONABLE & MAKE IT UP4 ,WAS IT RI<T ( Y\1 FRI5D ,GABRIEL1 TO /RIKE A PREGNANT WOMAN8 ,IT WAS LUCKY IT PASS$ (F SO WELL1 BUT ?9K :AT MI<T HAVE HAPP5$6 ,WAS IT RI<T8 ,Y\ HAD BETT] CONFESS & BEG HIS P>DON1 & HE WILL =GIVE Y\1 & WE WILL ALT] ! S5T5CE4' 

,! CL]K HE>D !SE WORDS1 & REM>K$3 ',?AT'S IMPOSSIBLE UND] ,/ATUTE #a#a#g4 ,AN AGREEM5T BETWE5 ! P>TIES NOT HAV+ BE5 >RIV$ AT1 A DECISION ( ! ,C\RT HAS BE5 PRON\NC$ & MU/ BE EXECUT$4' 

,BUT ! ,JUDGE W\LD NOT LI/5 TO ! CL]K4 

',KEEP Y\R TONGUE /ILL1 MY FRI5D1' SAID HE4 ',! FIR/ ( ALL LAWS IS TO OBEY ,GOD1 ,:O LOVES PEACE4' ,& ! ,JUDGE BEGAN AGA9 TO P]SUADE ! PEASANTS1 BUT C\LD NOT SUCCE$4 ,GABRIEL W\LD NOT LI/5 TO HIM4 

',I %ALL BE FIFTY NEXT YE>1' SAID HE1 '& HAVE A M>RI$ SON1 & HAVE NEV] BE5 FLOGG$ 9 MY LIFE1 & N[ ?AT POCKM>K$ ,IVAN HAS HAD ME CONDEMN$ TO BE FLOGG$1 & AM ,I TO GO & ASK HIS =GIV5ESS8 ,NO2 ,I'VE BORNE 5\<4 4 4 4 ,IVAN %ALL HAVE CAUSE TO REMEMB] ME6' 

,AGA9 ,GABRIEL'S VOICE QUIV]$1 & HE C\LD SAY NO MORE1 BUT TURN$ R\ND & W5T \T4 

,IT WAS SEV5 MILES FROM ! ,C\RT TO ! VILLAGE1 & IT WAS GETT+ LATE :5 ,IVAN REA*$ HOME4 ,HE UNH>NESS$ HIS HORSE1 PUT IT UP = ! NI<T1 & 5T]$ ! COTTAGE4 ,NO ONE WAS !RE4 ,! WOM5 HAD ALREADY GONE TO DRIVE ! CATTLE 91 & ! Y\NG FELL[S W]E NOT YET BACK FROM ! FIELDS4 ,IVAN W5T 91 & SAT D[N1 ?9K+4 ,HE REMEMB]$ H[ ,GABRIEL HAD LI/5$ TO ! S5T5CE1 & H[ PALE HE HAD BECOME1 & H[ HE HAD TURN$ TO ! WALL2 & ,IVAN'S HE>T GREW HEAVY4 ,HE ?\<T H[ HE HIMSELF W\LD FEEL IF HE W]E S5T5C$1 & HE PITI$ ,GABRIEL4 ,!N HE HE>D HIS OLD FA!R UP ON ! OV5 C\<1 & SAW HIM SIT UP1 L[] HIS LEGS1 & SCRAMBLE D[N4 ,! OLD MAN DRAGG$ HIMSELF SL[LY TO A SEAT1 & SAT D[N4 ,HE WAS QUITE TIR$ \T ) ! EX]TION1 & C\<$ A LONG TIME TILL HE HAD CLE>$ HIS ?ROAT4 ,!N1 LEAN+ AGA9/ ! TABLE1 HE SAID3 ',WELL1 HAS HE BE5 CONDEMN$8' 

',YES1 TO TW5TY /ROKES ) ! RODS1' ANSW]$ ,IVAN4 

,! OLD MAN %OOK HIS HEAD4 

',A BAD BUS9ESS1' SAID HE4 ',Y\ >E DO+ WRONG1 ,IVAN6 ,AH6 IT'S V]Y BAD--NOT = HIM SO MU* AS = Y\RSELF6 4 4 4 ,WELL1 !Y'LL FLOG HIM3 BUT WILL ?AT DO Y\ ANY GOOD8' 

',HE'LL NOT DO IT AGA91' SAID ,IVAN4 

',:AT IS IT HE'LL NOT DO AGA98 ,:AT HAS HE DONE WORSE ?AN Y\8' 

',:Y1 ?9K ( ! H>M HE HAS DONE ME6' SAID ,IVAN4 ',HE NE>LY KILL$ MY WIFE1 & N[ HE'S ?REAT5+ TO BURN US UP4 ,AM ,I TO ?ANK HIM = IT8' 

,! OLD MAN SI<$1 & SAID3 ',Y\ GO AB\T ! WIDE WORLD1 ,IVAN1 :ILE ,I AM LY+ ON ! OV5 ALL !SE YE>S1 SO Y\ ?9K Y\ SEE EV]Y?+1 & ?AT ,I SEE NO?+4 4 4 4 ,AH1 LAD6 ,IT'S Y\ ?AT DON'T SEE2 MALICE BL9DS Y\4 ,O!RS' S9S >E BE=E Y\R EYES1 BUT Y\R [N >E BEH9D Y\R BACK4 0,HE'S ACT$ BADLY60 ,:AT A ?+ TO SAY6 ,IF HE W]E ! ONLY ONE TO ACT BADLY1 H[ C\LD /RIFE EXI/8 ,IS /RIFE AMONG M5 EV] BR$ BY ONE ALONE8 ,/RIFE IS ALWAYS BETWE5 TWO4 ,HIS BADNESS Y\ SEE1 BUT Y\R [N Y\ DON'T4 ,IF HE W]E BAD1 BUT Y\ W]E GOOD1 !RE W\LD BE NO /RIFE4 ,:O PULL$ ! HAIR \T ( HIS BE>D8 ,:O SPOIL$ HIS HAY/ACK8 ,:O DRAGG$ HIM TO ! LAW C\RT8 ,YET Y\ PUT IT ALL ON HIM6 ,Y\ LIVE A BAD LIFE Y\RSELF1 ?AT'S :AT IS WRONG6 ,IT'S NOT ! WAY ,I US$ TO LIVE1 LAD1 & IT'S NOT ! WAY ,I TAU<T Y\4 ,IS ?AT ! WAY HIS OLD FA!R & ,I US$ TO LIVE8 ,H[ DID WE LIVE8 ,:Y1 AS NEI<BORS %\LD6 ,IF HE HAPP5$ TO RUN \T ( FL\R1 ONE ( ! WOM5 W\LD COME ACROSS3 0,UNCLE ,TROL1 WE WANT SOME FL\R40 0,GO TO ! B>N1 DE>10 ,I'D SAY3 0TAKE :AT Y\ NE$40 ,IF HE'D NO ONE TO TAKE HIS HORSES TO PA/URE1 0,GO1 ,IVAN10 ,I'D SAY1 0& LOOK AFT] HIS HORSES40 ,& IF ,I WAS %ORT ( ANY?+1 ,I'D GO TO HIM4 0,UNCLE ,GORDEY10 ,I'D SAY1 0,I WANT SO-&-SO60 0,TAKE IT ,UNCLE ,TROL60 ,?AT'S H[ IT WAS BETWE5 US1 & WE HAD AN EASY TIME ( IT4 ,BUT N[8 4 4 4 ,?AT SOLDI] ! O!R DAY WAS TELL+ US AB\T ! FI<T AT ,PLEVNA.<#a.>4 ,:Y1 !RE'S W> BETWE5 Y\ WORSE ?AN AT ,PLEVNA6 ,IS ?AT LIV+8 4 4 4 ,:AT A S9 IT IS6 ,Y\ >E A MAN & MA/] ( ! H\SE2 IT'S Y\ :O WILL HAVE TO ANSW]4 ,:AT >E Y\ TEA*+ ! WOM5 & ! *ILDR58 ,TO SN>L & SNAP8 ,:Y1 ! O!R DAY Y\R ,T>ASKA--?AT GRE5HORN--WAS SWE>+ AT NEI<BOR ,IR5A1 CALL+ H] NAMES2 & HIS MO!R LI/5$ & LAU<$4 ,IS ?AT RI<T8 ,IT IS Y\ WILL HAVE TO ANSW]4 ,?9K ( Y\R S\L4 ,IS ?IS ALL AS IT %\LD BE8 ,Y\ ?R[ A WORD AT ME1 & ,I GIVE Y\ TWO 9 RETURN2 Y\ GIVE ME A BL[1 & ,I GIVE Y\ TWO4 ,NO1 LAD6 ,*RI/1 :5 ,HE WALK$ ON E>?1 TAU<T US FOOLS SOME?+ V]Y DIFF]5T4 4 4 4 ,IF Y\ GET A H>D WORD FROM ANY ONE1 KEEP SIL5T1 & HIS [N CONSCI5CE WILL ACCUSE HIM4 ,?AT IS :AT \R ,LORD TAU<T4 ,IF Y\ GET A SLAP1 TURN ! O!R *EEK4 0,H]E1 BEAT ME1 IF ?AT'S :AT ,I DES]VE60 ,& HIS [N CONSCI5CE WILL REBUKE HIM4 ,HE WILL S(T51 & WILL LI/5 TO Y\4 ,?AT'S ! WAY ,HE TAU<T US1 NOT TO BE PR\D6 4 4 4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ SPEAK8 ,ISN'T IT AS ,I SAY8' 

,IVAN SAT SIL5T & LI/5$4 

,! OLD MAN C\<$1 & HAV+ ) DIFFICULTY CLE>$ HIS ?ROAT1 BEGAN AGA93 ',Y\ ?9K ,*RI/ TAU<T US WRONG8 ,:Y1 IT'S ALL = \R [N GOOD4 ,JU/ ?9K ( Y\R E>?LY LIFE2 >E Y\ BETT] (F1 OR WORSE1 S9CE ?IS ,PLEVNA BEGAN AMONG Y\8 ,JU/ RECKON UP :AT Y\'VE SP5T ON ALL ?IS LAW BUS9ESS--:AT ! DRIV+ BACKW>DS & =W>DS & Y\R FOOD ON ! WAY HAVE CO/ Y\6 ,:AT F9E FELL[S Y\R SONS HAVE GR[N2 Y\ MI<T LIVE & GET ON WELL2 BUT N[ Y\R MEANS >E LESS5+4 ,& :Y8 ,ALL BECAUSE ( ?IS FOLLY2 BECAUSE ( Y\R PRIDE4 ,Y\ \<T TO BE PL[+ ) Y\R LADS1 & DO ! S[+ Y\RSELF2 BUT ! FI5D C>RIES Y\ (F TO ! JUDGE1 OR TO SOME PETTIFOGG] OR O!R4 ,! PL[+ IS NOT DONE 9 TIME1 NOR ! S[+1 & MO!R E>? CAN'T BE> PROP]LY4 ,:Y DID ! OATS FAIL ?IS YE>8 ,:5 DID Y\ S[ !M8 ,:5 Y\ CAME BACK FROM T[N6 ,& :AT DID Y\ GA98 ,A BURD5 = Y\R [N %\LD]S4 4 4 4 ,EH1 LAD1 ?9K ( Y\R [N BUS9ESS6 ,WORK ) Y\R BOYS 9 ! FIELD & AT HOME1 & IF SOME ONE (F5DS Y\1 =GIVE HIM1 AS ,GOD WI%$ Y\ TO4 ,!N LIFE WILL BE EASY1 & Y\R HE>T WILL ALWAYS BE LI<T4' 

,IVAN REMA9$ SIL5T4 

',IVAN1 MY BOY1 HE> Y\R OLD FA!R6 ,GO & H>NESS ! ROAN1 & GO AT ONCE TO ! ,GOV]NM5T (FICE2 PUT AN 5D TO ALL ?IS AFFAIR !RE2 & 9 ! MORN+ GO & MAKE IT UP ) ,GABRIEL 9 ,GOD'S NAME1 & 9VITE HIM TO Y\R H\SE = TO-MORR['S HOLIDAY' 7IT WAS ! EVE ( ! ,VIRG9'S ,NATIVITY74 ',HAVE TEA READY1 & GET A BOTTLE ( VODKA & PUT AN 5D TO ?IS WICK$ BUS9ESS1 SO ?AT !RE %\LD NOT BE ANY MORE ( IT 9 FUTURE1 & TELL ! WOM5 & *ILDR5 TO DO ! SAME4' 

,IVAN SI<$1 & ?\<T1 ',:AT HE SAYS IS TRUE1' & HIS HE>T GREW LI<T]4 ,ONLY HE DID NOT KN[ H[1 N[1 TO BEG9 TO PUT MATT]S RI<T4 

,BUT AGA9 ! OLD MAN BEGAN1 AS IF HE HAD GUESS$ :AT WAS 9 ,IVAN'S M9D4 

',GO1 ,IVAN1 DON'T PUT IT (F6 ,PUT \T ! FIRE BE=E IT SPREADS1 OR IT WILL BE TOO LATE4' 

 ,! OLD MAN WAS GO+ TO SAY MORE1 BUT BE=E HE C\LD DO SO ! WOM5 CAME 91 *ATT]+ LIKE MAGPIES4 ,! NEWS ?AT ,GABRIEL WAS S5T5C$ TO BE FLOGG$1 & ( HIS ?REAT TO SET FIRE TO ! H\SE1 HAD ALREADY REA*$ !M4 ,!Y HAD HE>D ALL AB\T IT & ADD$ TO IT SOME?+ ( !IR [N1 & HAD AGA9 HAD A R[1 9 ! PA/URE1 ) ! WOM5 ( ,GABRIEL'S H\SEHOLD4 ,!Y BEGAN TELL+ H[ ,GABRIEL'S DAU<T]-9-LAW ?REAT5$ A FRE% ACTION3 ,GABRIEL HAD GOT ! RI<T SIDE ( ! EXAM9+ MAGI/RATE1 :O W\LD N[ TURN ! :OLE AFFAIR UPSIDE D[N2 & ! S*OOLMA/] WAS WRIT+ \T ANO!R PETITION1 TO ! ,CZ> HIMSELF ?IS TIME1 AB\T ,IVAN2 & EV]Y?+ WAS 9 ! PETITION--ALL AB\T ! C\PL+-P9 & ! KIT*5-G>D5--SO ?AT HALF ( ,IVAN'S HOME/EAD W\LD BE !IRS SOON4 ,IVAN HE>D :AT !Y W]E SAY+1 & HIS HE>T GREW COLD AGA91 & HE GAVE UP ! ?\<T ( MAK+ PEACE ) ,GABRIEL4 

,9 A F>M/EAD !RE IS ALWAYS PL5TY = ! MA/] TO DO4 ,IVAN DID NOT /OP TO TALK TO ! WOM51 BUT W5T \T TO ! ?RE%+-FLOOR & TO ! B>N4 ,BY ! TIME HE HAD TIDI$ UP !RE1 ! SUN HAD SET & ! Y\NG FELL[S HAD RETURN$ FROM ! FIELD4 ,!Y HAD BE5 PL[+ ! FIELD = ! W9T] CROPS ) TWO HORSES4 ,IVAN MET !M1 QUE/ION$ !M AB\T !IR WORK1 HELP$ TO PUT EV]Y?+ 9 ITS PLACE1 SET A TORN HORSE-COLL> ASIDE TO BE M5D$1 & WAS GO+ TO PUT AWAY SOME /AKES UND] ! B>N1 BUT IT HAD GR[N QUITE DUSK1 SO HE DECID$ TO LEAVE !M :]E !Y W]E TILL NEXT DAY4 ,!N HE GAVE ! CATTLE !IR FOOD1 OP5$ ! GATE1 LET \T ! HORSES ,T>AS WAS TO TAKE TO PA/URE = ! NI<T1 & AGA9 CLOS$ ! GATE & B>R$ IT4 ',N[1' ?\<T HE1 ',I'LL HAVE MY SUPP]1 & !N TO B$4' ,HE TOOK ! HORSE-COLL> & 5T]$ ! HUT4 ,BY ?IS TIME HE HAD =GOTT5 AB\T ,GABRIEL & AB\T :AT HIS OLD FA!R HAD BE5 SAY+ TO HIM4 ,BUT1 JU/ AS HE TOOK HOLD ( ! DOOR-H&LE TO 5T] ! PASSAGE1 HE HE>D HIS NEI<BOR ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! F5CE CURS+ SOMEBODY 9 A HO>SE VOICE3 ',:AT ! DEVIL IS HE GOOD =8' ,GABRIEL WAS SAY+4 ',HE'S ONLY FIT TO BE KILL$6' ,AT !SE WORDS ALL ,IVAN'S =M] BITT]NESS T[>DS HIS NEI<BOR RE-AWOKE4 ,HE /OOD LI/5+ :ILE ,GABRIEL SCOLD$1 &1 :5 HE /OPP$1 ,IVAN W5T 9TO ! HUT4 

,!RE WAS A LI<T 9SIDE2 HIS DAU<T]-9-LAW SAT SP9N+1 HIS WIFE WAS GETT+ SUPP] READY1 HIS ELDE/ SON WAS MAK+ /RAPS = B>K %OES1 HIS SECOND SAT NE> ! TABLE ) A BOOK1 & ,T>AS WAS GETT+ READY TO GO \T TO PA/URE ! HORSES = ! NI<T4 ,EV]Y?+ 9 ! HUT W\LD HAVE BE5 PLEASANT & BRI<T1 BUT = ?AT PLAGUE--A BAD NEI<BOR6 

,IVAN 5T]$1 SULL5 & CROSS2 ?REW ! CAT D[N FROM ! B5*1 & SCOLD$ ! WOM5 = PUTT+ ! SLOP-PAIL 9 ! WRONG PLACE4 ,HE FELT DESPOND5T1 & SAT D[N1 FR[N+1 TO M5D ! HORSE-COLL>4 ,GABRIEL'S WORDS KEPT R++ 9 HIS E>S3 HIS ?REAT AT ! LAW C\RT1 & :AT HE HAD JU/ BE5 %\T+ 9 A HO>SE VOICE AB\T SOME ONE :O WAS 'ONLY FIT TO BE KILL$4' 

,HIS WIFE GAVE ,T>AS HIS SUPP]1 &1 HAV+ EAT5 IT1 ,T>AS PUT ON AN OLD %EEPSK9 & ANO!R COAT1 TI$ A SA% R\ND HIS WAI/1 TOOK SOME BREAD ) HIM1 & W5T \T TO ! HORSES4 ,HIS ELDE/ BRO!R WAS GO+ TO SEE HIM (F1 BUT ,IVAN HIMSELF ROSE 9/EAD1 & W5T \T 9TO ! POR*4 ,IT HAD GR[N QUITE D>K \TSIDE1 CL\DS HAD GA!R$1 & ! W9D HAD RIS54 ,IVAN W5T D[N ! /EPS1 HELP$ HIS BOY TO M\NT1 />T$ ! FOAL AFT] HIM1 & /OOD LI/5+ :ILE ,T>AS RODE D[N ! VILLAGE & WAS !RE JO9$ BY O!R LADS ) !IR HORSES4 ,IVAN WAIT$ UNTIL !Y W]E ALL \T ( HE>+4 ,AS HE /OOD !RE BY ! GATE HE C\LD NOT GET ,GABRIEL'S WORDS \T ( HIS HEAD3 ',M9D ?AT SOME?+ ( Y\RS DOES NOT BURN WORSE6' 

',HE IS DESP]ATE1' ?\<T ,IVAN4 ',EV]Y?+ IS DRY1 & IT'S W9DY WEA!R BESIDES4 ,HE'LL COME UP AT ! BACK SOME:]E1 SET FIRE TO SOME?+1 & BE (F4 ,HE'LL BURN ! PLACE & ESCAPE SCOT FREE1 ! VILLA96 4 4 4 ,!RE N[1 IF ONE C\LD BUT CAT* HIM 9 ! ACT1 HE'D NOT GET (F !N6' ,& ! ?\<T FIX$ ITSELF SO FIRMLY 9 HIS M9D ?AT HE DID NOT GO UP ! /EPS BUT W5T \T 9TO ! /REET & R\ND ! CORN]4 ',I'LL JU/ WALK R\ND ! BUILD+S2 :O CAN TELL :AT HE'S AFT]8' ,& ,IVAN1 /EPP+ S(TLY1 PASS$ \T ( ! GATE4 ,AS SOON AS HE REA*$ ! CORN]1 HE LOOK$ R\ND ALONG ! F5CE1 & SEEM$ TO SEE SOME?+ SUDD5LY MOVE AT ! OPPOSITE CORN]1 AS IF SOME ONE HAD COME \T & DISAPPE>$ AGA94 ,IVAN /OPP$1 & /OOD QUIETLY1 LI/5+ & LOOK+4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS /ILL2 ONLY ! LEAVES ( ! WILL[S FLUTT]$ 9 ! W9D1 & ! /RAWS ( ! ?AT* RU/L$4 ,AT FIR/ IT SEEM$ PIT* D>K1 BUT1 :5 HIS EYES HAD GR[N US$ TO ! D>KNESS1 HE C\LD SEE ! F> CORN]1 & A PL[ ?AT LAY !RE1 & ! EAVES4 ,HE LOOK$ A :ILE1 BUT SAW NO ONE4 

',I SUPPOSE IT WAS A MI/AKE1' ?\<T ,IVAN2 'BUT /ILL ,I WILL GO R\ND1' & ,IVAN W5T /EAL?ILY ALONG BY ! %$4 ,IVAN /EPP$ SO S(TLY 9 HIS B>K %OES ?AT HE DID NOT HE> HIS [N FOOT/EPS4 ,AS HE REA*$ ! F> CORN]1 SOME?+ SEEM$ TO FL>E UP = A MOM5T NE> ! PL[ & TO VANI% AGA94 ,IVAN FELT AS IF /RUCK TO ! HE>T2 & HE /OPP$4 ,H>DLY HAD HE /OPP$1 :5 SOME?+ FL>$ UP MORE BRI<TLY 9 ! SAME PLACE1 & HE CLE>LY SAW A MAN ) A CAP ON HIS HEAD1 CR\*+ D[N1 ) HIS BACK T[>DS HIM1 LI<T+ A BUN* ( /RAW HE HELD 9 HIS H&4 ,IVAN'S HE>T FLUTT]$ )9 HIM LIKE A BIRD4 ,/RA9+ EV]Y N]VE1 HE APPROA*$ ) GREAT /RIDES1 H>DLY FEEL+ HIS LEGS UND] HIM4 ',AH1' ?\<T ,IVAN1 'N[ HE WON'T ESCAPE6 ,I'LL CAT* HIM 9 ! ACT6' 

,IVAN WAS /ILL SOME DI/ANCE (F1 :5 SUDD5LY HE SAW A BRI<T LI<T1 BUT NOT 9 ! SAME PLACE AS BE=E1 & NOT A SMALL FLAME4 ,! ?AT* HAD FL>$ UP AT ! EAVES1 ! FLAMES W]E REA*+ UP TO ! RO(1 &1 /&+ B5EA? IT1 ,GABRIEL'S :OLE FIGURE WAS CLE>LY VISIBLE4 

,LIKE A HAWK SWOOP+ D[N ON A L>K1 ,IVAN RU%$ AT ,LIMP+ ,GABRIEL4 ',N[ ,I'LL HAVE HIM2 HE %AN'T ESCAPE ME6' ?\<T ,IVAN4 ,BUT ,GABRIEL MU/ HAVE HE>D HIS /EPS1 & 7H[EV] HE MANAG$ IT7 GLANC+ R\ND1 HE SCUTTL$ AWAY PA/ ! B>N LIKE A H>E4 

 ',Y\ %AN'T ESCAPE6' %\T$ ,IVAN1 D>T+ AFT] HIM4 

,JU/ AS HE WAS GO+ TO SEIZE ,GABRIEL1 ! LATT] DODG$ HIM2 BUT ,IVAN MANAG$ TO CAT* ! SKIRT ( ,GABRIEL'S COAT4 ,IT TORE RI<T (F1 & ,IVAN FELL D[N4 ,HE RECOV]$ HIS FEET1 & %\T+1 ',HELP6 ,SEIZE HIM6 ,?IEVES6 ,MURD]6' RAN ON AGA94 ,BUT MEAN:ILE ,GABRIEL HAD REA*$ HIS [N GATE4 ,!RE ,IVAN OV]TOOK HIM & WAS AB\T TO SEIZE HIM1 :5 SOME?+ /RUCK ,IVAN A /UNN+ BL[1 AS ?\< A /ONE HAD HIT HIS TEMPLE1 QUITE DEAF5+ HIM4 ,IT WAS ,GABRIEL :O1 SEIZ+ AN OAK W$GE ?AT LAY NE> ! GATE1 HAD /RUCK \T ) ALL HIS MI<T4 

,IVAN WAS /UNN$2 SP>KS FLEW BE=E HIS EYES1 !N ALL GREW D>K & HE /AGG]$4 ,:5 HE CAME TO HIS S5SES ,GABRIEL WAS NO LONG] !RE3 IT WAS AS LI<T AS DAY1 & FROM ! SIDE :]E HIS HOME/EAD WAS1 SOME?+ RO>$ & CRACKL$ LIKE AN 5G9E AT WORK4 ,IVAN TURN$ R\ND & SAW ?AT HIS BACK %$ WAS ALL ABLAZE1 & ! SIDE %$ HAD ALSO CAU<T FIRE1 & FLAMES & SMOKE & BITS ( BURN+ /RAW MIX$ ) ! SMOKE1 W]E BE+ DRIV5 T[>DS HIS HUT4 

',:AT IS ?IS1 FRI5DS8 4 4 4' CRI$ ,IVAN1 LIFT+ HIS >MS & /RIK+ HIS ?I<S4 ',:Y1 ALL ,I HAD TO DO WAS JU/ TO SNAT* IT \T FROM UND] ! EAVES & TRAMPLE ON IT6 ,:AT IS ?IS1 FRI5DS8 4 4 4' HE KEPT REPEAT+4 ,HE WI%$ TO %\T1 BUT HIS BREA? FAIL$ HIM2 HIS VOICE WAS GONE4 ,HE WANT$ TO RUN1 BUT HIS LEGS W\LD NOT OBEY HIM1 & GOT 9 EA* O!R'S WAY4 ,HE MOV$ SL[LY1 BUT AGA9 /AGG]$ & AGA9 HIS BREA? FAIL$4 ,HE /OOD /ILL TILL HE HAD REGA9$ BREA?1 & !N W5T ON4 ,BE=E HE HAD GOT R\ND ! BACK %$ TO REA* ! FIRE1 ! SIDE %$ WAS ALSO ALL ABLAZE2 & ! CORN] ( ! HUT & ! COV]$ GATEWAY HAD CAU<T FIRE AS WELL4 ,! FLAMES W]E LEAP+ \T ( ! HUT1 & IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET 9TO ! Y>D4 ,A L>GE CR[D HAD COLLECT$1 BUT NO?+ C\LD BE DONE4 ,! NEI<BORS W]E C>RY+ !IR BELONG+S \T ( !IR [N H\SES1 & DRIV+ ! CATTLE \T ( !IR [N %$S4 ,AFT] ,IVAN'S H\SE1 ,GABRIEL'S ALSO CAU<T FIRE1 !N1 ! W9D RIS+1 ! FLAMES SPREAD TO ! O!R SIDE ( ! /REET & HALF ! VILLAGE WAS BURNT D[N4 

,AT ,IVAN'S H\SE !Y B>ELY MANAG$ TO SAVE HIS OLD FA!R2 & ! FAMILY ESCAP$ 9 :AT !Y HAD ON2 EV]Y?+ ELSE1 EXCEPT ! HORSES ?AT HAD BE5 DRIV5 \T TO PA/URE = ! NI<T1 WAS LO/2 ALL ! CATTLE1 ! F[LS ON !IR P]*ES1 ! C>TS1 PL[S1 & H>R[S1 ! WOM5'S TRUNKS ) !IR CLO!S1 & ! GRA9 9 ! GRAN>IES--ALL W]E BURNT UP6 

,AT ,GABRIEL'S1 ! CATTLE W]E DRIV5 \T1 & A FEW ?+S SAV$ FROM HIS H\SE4 

,! FIRE LA/$ ALL NI<T4 ,IVAN /OOD 9 FRONT ( HIS HOME/EAD & KEPT REPEAT+1 ',:AT IS ?IS8 4 4 4 ,FRI5DS6 4 4 4 ,ONE NE$ ONLY HAVE PULL$ IT \T & TRAMPL$ ON IT6' ,BUT :5 ! RO( FELL 91 ,IVAN RU%$ 9TO ! BURN+ PLACE1 & SEIZ+ A *>R$ BEAM1 TRI$ TO DRAG IT \T4 ,! WOM5 SAW HIM1 & CALL$ HIM BACK2 BUT HE PULL$ \T ! BEAM1 & WAS GO+ 9 AGA9 = ANO!R :5 HE LO/ HIS FOOT+ & FELL AMONG ! FLAMES4 ,!N HIS SON MADE HIS WAY 9 AFT] HIM & DRAGG$ HIM \T4 ,IVAN HAD S+$ HIS HAIR & BE>D & BURNT HIS CLO!S & SCOR*$ HIS H&S1 BUT HE FELT NO?+4 ',HIS GRIEF HAS /UPEFI$ HIM1' SAID ! PEOPLE4 ,! FIRE WAS BURN+ ITSELF \T1 BUT ,IVAN /ILL /OOD REPEAT+3 ',FRI5DS6 4 4 4 ,:AT IS ?IS8 4 4 4 ,ONE NE$ ONLY HAVE PULL$ IT \T6' 

,9 ! MORN+ ! VILLAGE ,ELD]'S SON CAME TO FET* ,IVAN4 

',DADDY ,IVAN1 Y\R FA!R IS DY+6 ,HE HAS S5T = Y\ TO SAY GOOD-BYE4' 

,IVAN HAD =GOTT5 AB\T HIS FA!R1 & DID NOT UND]/& :AT WAS BE+ SAID TO HIM4 

',:AT FA!R8' HE SAID4 ',:OM HAS HE S5T =8' 

',HE S5T = Y\1 TO SAY GOOD-BYE2 HE IS DY+ 9 \R COTTAGE6 ,COME ALONG1 DADDY ,IVAN1' SAID ! ,ELD]'S SON1 PULL+ HIM BY ! >M2 & ,IVAN FOLL[$ ! LAD4 

,:5 HE WAS BE+ C>RI$ \T ( ! HUT1 SOME BURN+ /RAW HAD FALL5 ON TO ! OLD MAN & BURNT HIM1 & HE HAD BE5 TAK5 TO ! VILLAGE ,ELD]'S 9 ! F>!R P>T ( ! VILLAGE1 :I* ! FIRE DID NOT REA*4 

,:5 ,IVAN CAME TO HIS FA!R1 !RE WAS ONLY ! ,ELD]'S WIFE 9 ! HUT1 BESIDES SOME LITTLE *ILDR5 ON ! TOP ( ! OV54 ,ALL ! RE/ W]E /ILL AT ! FIRE4 ,! OLD MAN1 :O WAS LY+ ON A B5* HOLD+ A WAX C&LE.<#b.> 9 HIS H&1 KEPT TURN+ HIS EYES T[>DS ! DOOR4 ,:5 HIS SON 5T]$1 HE MOV$ A LITTLE4 ,! OLD WOMAN W5T UP TO HIM & TOLD HIM ?AT HIS SON HAD COME4 ,HE ASK$ TO HAVE HIM BR\<T NE>]4 ,IVAN CAME CLOS]4 

',:AT DID ,I TELL Y\1 ,IVAN8' BEGAN ! OLD MAN4 ',:O HAS BURNT D[N ! VILLAGE8' 

',IT WAS HE1 FA!R6' ,IVAN ANSW]$4 ',I CAU<T HIM 9 ! ACT4 ,I SAW HIM %OVE ! FIREBR& 9TO ! ?AT*4 ,I MI<T HAVE PULL$ AWAY ! BURN+ /RAW & /AMP$ IT \T1 & !N NO?+ W\LD HAVE HAPP5$4' 

',IVAN1' SAID ! OLD MAN1 ',I AM DY+1 & Y\ 9 Y\R TURN WILL HAVE TO FACE DEA?4 ,:OSE IS ! S98' 

,IVAN GAZ$ AT HIS FA!R 9 SIL5CE1 UNABLE TO UTT] A WORD4 

',N[1 BE=E ,GOD1 SAY :OSE IS ! S98 ,:AT DID ,I TELL Y\8' 

,ONLY !N ,IVAN CAME TO HIS S5SES & UND]/OOD IT ALL4 ,HE SNIFF$ & SAID1 ',M9E1 FA!R6' ,& HE FELL ON HIS KNEES BE=E HIS FA!R1 SAY+1 ',=GIVE ME1 FA!R2 ,I AM GUILTY BE=E Y\ & BE=E ,GOD4' 

,! OLD MAN MOV$ HIS H&S1 *ANG$ ! C&LE FROM HIS RI<T H& TO HIS LEFT1 & TRI$ TO LIFT HIS RI<T H& TO HIS =EHEAD TO CROSS HIMSELF1 BUT C\LD NOT DO IT1 & /OPP$4 

',PRAISE ! ,LORD6 ,PRAISE ! ,LORD6' SAID HE1 & AGA9 HE TURN$ HIS EYES T[>DS HIS SON4 

 ',IVAN6 ,I SAY1 ,IVAN6' 

',:AT1 FA!R8' 

',:AT MU/ Y\ DO N[8' 

,IVAN WAS WEEP+4 

',I DON'T KN[ H[ WE >E TO LIVE N[1 FA!R6' HE SAID4 

,! OLD MAN CLOS$ HIS EYES1 MOV$ HIS LIPS AS IF TO GA!R /R5G?1 & OP5+ HIS EYES AGA91 SAID3 ',Y\'LL MANAGE4 ,IF Y\ OBEY ,GOD'S WILL1 Y\'LL MANAGE6' ,HE PAUS$1 !N SMIL$1 & SAID3 ',M9D1 ,IVAN6 ,DON'T TELL :O />T$ ! FIRE6 ,HIDE ANO!R MAN'S S91 & ,GOD WILL =GIVE TWO ( Y\RS6' ,& ! OLD MAN TOOK ! C&LE 9 BO? H&S &1 FOLD+ !M ON HIS BREA/1 SI<$1 /RET*$ \T1 & DI$4 

,IVAN DID NOT SAY ANY?+ AGA9/ ,GABRIEL1 & NO ONE KNEW :AT HAD CAUS$ ! FIRE4 

,& ,IVAN'S ANG] AGA9/ ,GABRIEL PASS$ AWAY1 & ,GABRIEL WOND]$ ?AT ,IVAN DID NOT TELL ANYBODY4 ,AT FIR/ ,GABRIEL FELT AFRAID1 BUT AFT] A:ILE HE GOT US$ TO IT4 ,! M5 LEFT (F QU>REL+1 & !N !IR FAMILIES LEFT (F ALSO4 ,:ILE REBUILD+ !IR HUTS1 BO? FAMILIES LIV$ 9 ONE H\SE2 & :5 ! VILLAGE WAS REBUILT & !Y MI<T HAVE MOV$ F>!R AP>T1 ,IVAN & ,GABRIEL BUILT NEXT TO EA* O!R1 & REMA9$ NEI<BORS AS BE=E4 

,!Y LIV$ AS GOOD NEI<BORS %\LD4 ,IVAN ,/*]BAK( REMEMB]$ HIS OLD FA!R'S COMM& TO OBEY ,GOD'S LAW1 & QU5* A FIRE AT ! FIR/ SP>K2 & IF ANY ONE DOES HIM AN 9JURY HE N[ TRIES NOT TO REV5GE HIMSELF1 BUT RA!R TO SET MATT]S RI<T AGA92 & IF ANY ONE GIVES HIM A BAD WORD1 9/EAD ( GIV+ A WORSE 9 RETURN1 HE TRIES TO TEA* ! O!R NOT TO USE EVIL WORDS2 & SO HE TEA*ES HIS WOM5FOLK & *ILDR54 ,& ,IVAN ,/*]BAK( HAS GOT ON HIS FEET AGA91 & N[ LIVES BETT] EV5 ?AN HE DID BE=E4 

#a#h#h#e4  

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8 ,A T[N 9 ,BULG>IA1 ! SC5E ( FI]CE & PROLONG$ FI<T+ BETWE5 ! ,TURKS & ! ,RUSSIANS 9 ! W> ( #a#h#g#g4 

8 ,WAX C&LES >E MU* US$ 9 ! S]VICES ( ! ,RUSSIAN ,*UR*1 & IT IS USUAL TO PLACE ONE 9 ! H& ( A DY+ MAN1 ESPECIALLY :5 HE RECEIVES UNCTION4 

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
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