,:O ,%\LD ,LE>N ,WRIT+ ( ,:OM2 ,PEASANT ,*ILDR5 ( ,US1 OR ,WE ( ,PEASANT ,*ILDR58 

#ahfb 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,NA?AN ,HASKELL ,DOLE 

,TEXT 3 

,9 ! F\R? VOLUME ( ! J\RNAL ,YASNAYA ,POLY ANA  
!RE WAS PR9T$ AMONG ! *ILDR5'S COMPOSI-  
TIONS BY AN $ITORIAL MI/AKE 0,A ,HI/ORY ( H[ A  
BOY WAS FRI<T5$ 9 ,TULA40 ,?IS LITTLE /ORY WAS NOT  
WRITT5 BY A BOY1 BUT WAS MADE UP BY ! TEA*] FROM  
A DREAM :I* HE HAD1 & :I* HE RELAT$ TO !  
BOYS4 ,SOME ( ! READ]S1 :O FOLL[$ ! NUMB]S  
( ,YASNAYA ,POLYANA1 EXPRESS$ !IR D\BTS :E!R  
?IS TALE REALLY BELONG$ TO ! BOY4 ,I HA/5 TO APOL-  
OGIZE TO MY READ]S = ?IS OV]SI<T1 & SEIZE !  
OPPORTUNITY TO REM>K H[ IMPOSSIBLE >E C\NT]FEITS  
9 ?IS CLASS ( WORK4 ,?IS TALE WAS DETECT$1 NOT BE-  
CAUSE IT WAS BETT]1 BUT BECAUSE IT WAS WORSE1 9COMPA-  
RABLY WORSE1 ?AN ALL ! COMPOSITIONS ( ! *ILDR54  
,ALL ! O!R TALES BELONG$ TO ! *ILDR5 !MSELVES4  
,TWO ( !M1 0 ,HE EATS ) Y\R SPOON BUT PUTS Y\R  
EYES \T ) ! H&LE 0 & 0 ,LIFE 9 A ,SOLDI]'S  
,HOME10 W]E WRITT5 9 ! FOLL[+ WAY3  

,! TEA*]'S *IEF >T 9 ! TEA*+ ( LANGUAGE1  
& HIS *IEF EX]CISE ) ?IS 5D 9 VIEW1 AS HE TRA9S  
*ILDR5 TO WRITE COMPOSITIONS1 CONSI/S 9 ! GIV+  
( SUBJECTS2 & NOT SO MU* 9 ! M]E NAM+ (  
!M AS 9 F9D+ V>IETY ( SUBJECTS1 9 9DICAT+ !  
DIM5SIONS ( ! COMPOSITIONS1 & ! PO9T+ \T  
( ELEM5T>Y PROCESSES4  

,MANY ( ! 9TELLIG5T & TAL5T$ S*OL>S W\LD  
WRITE TRA% 2 W\LD WRITE 3  

0 ,! FIRE BROKE \T1 !Y BEGAN TO PULL \T ! ?+S1  
& ,I RAN 9TO ! /REET40  

,& NO?+ ( ANY CONSEQU5CE WAS PRODUC$1 ?\<  
! SUBJECT ( ! COMPOSITION WAS RI*1 & ! DE-  
SCRIPTION ( IT MAY HAVE MADE A DEEP IMPRESSION ON  
! S*OL>S4  

,!Y W\LD MISS ! *IEF ?+ 3 :Y !Y WROTE1  
& :AT WAS ! GOOD ( WRIT+ IT 8 ,!Y DID NOT  
COMPREH5D ! >T ( EXPRESS+ LIFE 9 WORDS1 & !  
FASC9ATION ( ?IS >T4 ,&1 AS ,I HAVE ALREADY SAID 9  
! SECOND NUMB]1 ,I TRI$ MANY DIFF]5T EXP]IM5TS  
9 ! GIV+ ( SUBJECTS4 ,I TRI$ TO GAUGE !IR 9CLI-  
NATIONS1 & GAVE !M EXPLICIT1 >TI/IC1 T\*+1 LUDI-  
CR\S1 OR EPIC !MES = COMPOSITIONS2 BUT ! ?+  
DID NOT WORK4 ,N[ ,I WILL TELL H[ ,I ACCID5TALLY DIS-  
COV]$ ! TRUE ME?OD4  

,= A LONG TIME ! P]USAL ( ,SNEGIREF'S COLLECTION  
( PROV]BS HAS BE5 ONE ( MY FAVORITE1 ,I WILL NOT SAY  
OCCUPATIONS1 BUT PASSIONS4 ,EV]Y PROV]B BR+S UP  
BE=E ME *>ACT]S FROM AMONG ! PEOPLE1 & !IR  
ACTIONS1 ACCORD+ TO ! S5SE ( ! PROV]B4 ,AMONG  
MY IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS ,I HAVE ALWAYS ?\<T ( WRIT+  
A S]IES ( EI!R /ORIES OR PLAYS F\ND$ ON !SE  
PROV]BS4  

,ONCE LA/ W9T]1 AFT] "9 D9N]1 ,I WAS READ+ ,SNE-  
GIREF'S BOOK1 & ,I TOOK ! BOOK ) ME TO S*OOL4  
,! CLASS 9 ! ,RUSSIAN LANGUAGE WAS 9 PROGRESS4  

0 ,N[ WRITE ME SOME?+ ON A PROV]B10 SAID ,I4  

,! BE/ S*OL>S1 ,F$KA1 ,SEMKA1 & ! O!RS1  
PRICK$ UP !IR E>S4  

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN1 'ON A PROV]B'80 0,:AT IS  
?AT 8 0 0 ,TELL US 6 0 W]E ! V>I\S EXCLAMATIONS4  

,I HAPP5$ TO OP5 TO ! PROV]B 3 0 ,HE EATS )  
Y\R SPOON & PUTS Y\R EYES \T ) ! HAN-  
DLE40  

0,N[ IMAG9E10 SAID ,I1 0?AT A MUZHIK HAD TAK5  
9 SOME OLD BEGG> 2 & !N1 AFT] ! K9DNESS ?AT  
HE HAD RECEIV$1 ! BEGG> HAD BEGUN TO REVILE HIM1 IT W\LD MEAN ?AT HE HAD EAT5 ) Y\R SPOON &  
PUT \T Y\R EYES ) ! H&LE40  

0 ,WELL1 H[ W\LD Y\ WRITE IT 8 0 SAID ,F$KA & ALL  
! O!RS1 :O HAD PRICK$ UP !IR E>S 2 BUT SUDD5LY  
!Y GAVE IT UP1 P]SUAD$ ?AT ?IS TASK WAS BEYOND  
!IR /R5G?1 & RESUM$ ! WORK ON :I* !Y  
HAD BE5 5GAG$ BE=E4  

0 ,Y\ WRITE IT = US10 SAID ONE ( !M TO ME4  

,ALL W]E BUSY 9 !IR WORK2 ,I TOOK ! P5 &  
9K/&1 & BEGAN TO WRITE4  

0,N[10 SAID ,I1 0:O WILL WRITE IT ! BE/8 & ,I  
WILL TRY ) Y\40  

,I BEGAN ! /ORY :I* IS PR9T$ 9 ! F\R?  
NUMB] ( ,YASNAYA ,POLYANA@5 & WROTE ! FIR/ PAGE4  

,EV]Y UNPREJUDIC$ MAN ) ANY FEEL+ = >T &  
NATIONALITY1 ON READ+ ?IS FIR/ PAGE WRITT5 BY ME1  
& ! FOLL[+ PAGES ( ! /ORY WRITT5 BY !  
S*OL>S !MSELVES1 WILL DI/+UI% ?IS PAGE FROM  
ALL ! O!RS1 LIKE A FLY 9 MILK1 IT IS SO >TIFICIAL1 SO  
FALSE1 & WRITT5 9 SU* A WRET*$ /YLE4 ,IT MU/ BE  
NOT$ ?AT 9 ITS FIR/ =M IT WAS /ILL POOR]1 & HAS  
BE5 MU* IMPROV$1 ?ANKS TO ! SUGGE/IONS ( !  
S*OL>S4  

,F$KA KEPT LOOK+ UP FROM HIS COPY-BOOK AT ME1  
& :5 HIS EYES MET M9E1 HE W\LD SMILE & W9K1  
& SAY1 0 ,WRITE1 WRITE 6 ,I WILL %[ Y\ 6 0  

,IT EVID5TLY 9T]E/$ HIM TO HAVE A GR[N P]SON  
ALSO WRITE A COMPOSITION4 ,AFT]' F9I%+ HIS COMPO-  
SITION1 LESS C>EFULLY & MORE HURRI$LY ?AN USUAL1  
HE LEAN$ OV] ! BACK ( MY >M-*AIR1 & BEGAN  
TO READ OV] MY %\LD]4 ,I C\LD NOT WRITE ANY  
LONG]2 O!RS JO9$ \R GR\P1 & ,I READ AL\D  
:AT ,I HAD WRITT54 ,IT DID NOT PLEASE !M2 NO ONE  
PRAIS$ IT4  

,I WAS MORTIFI$ 2 & 9 ORD] TO SOO! MY LIT]>Y  
VANITY1 ,I BEGAN TO TELL !M MY PLAN ( :AT WAS TO  
FOLL[4 ,AS ,I W5T ON TELL+ !M1 ,I WAS C>RI$ AWAY4  
,I FELT BETT] 9 MY M9D1 & !Y BEGAN TO MAKE  
SUGGE/IONS4  

,ONE SAID ?AT ! OLD MAN %\LD BE A WIZ>D4  

,ANO!R SAID3--  

0,NO2 ?AT IS NOT NECESS>Y2 HE MU/ BE SIMPLY A SOLDI]40  

0,NO2 LET HIM ROB HIS B5EFACTOR40  

0,NO2 ?AT W\LD NOT BE ACCORD+ TO ! PROV]B10 SAID !Y4  

,ALL W]E ?OR\<LY 9T]E/$4 ,IT WAS EVID5TLY SOME?+ NEW & FASC9AT+ = !M TO WAT* ! PROCESS ( COMPOSITION1 & TO TAKE P>T 9 IT4 ,!IR OP9IONS W]E = ! MO/ P>T SIMIL> & JU/1 BO? 9 REG>D TO ! CON/RUCTION ( ! /ORY1 ! DETAILS1  
& ! TRAITS ( ! *>ACT]S4  

,NE>LY ALL TOOK P>T 9 ! COMPOSITION ( ! /ORY1 BUT FROM ! V]Y BEG9N+ ! POSITIVE ,SEMKA /OOD \T ) ESPECIAL CLE>NESS BY ! >TI/IC %>PNESS ( HIS DESCRIPTION1 & ,F$KA BY ! TRU? ( HIS POETIC DEL9EATIONS1 & MORE ?AN ALL BY ! VIVIDNESS &  
=CE ( HIS IMAG9ATION4 ,!IR /RICTURES W]E TO SU* A DEGREE GIV5 ADVIS$LY1 & ) REASON1 ?AT MORE ?AN ONCE1 :5 ,I >GU$ ) !M1 ,I WAS OBLIG$ TO YIELD4  

,IT WAS MY IDEA ?AT ACCURACY 9 COMPOSITION1 & ! CLOSE FITT+ ( ! ?\<T TO ! PROV]B1 %\LD 5T] 9TO ! /ORY2 !Y1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 C>$ ONLY = >TI/IC ACCURACY4  

,= EXAMPLE1 ,I WANT$ ! PEASANT :O TOOK ! OLD BEGG> 9TO HIS H\SE TO REGRET HIS K9DLY ACTION2 !Y FELT ?AT ?IS WAS AN IMPOSSIBILITY1 & !Y BR\<T 9TO ! ACTION A VIX5I% WOMAN4  

,I SAID3--  

0,! PEASANT AT FIR/ FELT SORRY = ! BEGG>1 BUT AFT]W>DS FELT SORRY ?AT HE HAD GIV5 HIS BREAD40  

,F$KA REPLI$ ?AT SU* A ?+ W\LD BE ABSURD4  

0,FROM ! V]Y FIR/ HE DID NOT LI/5 TO HIS WIFE1 & SURELY AFT]W>DS HE W\LD NOT YIELD TO H]60  

0,BUT :AT SORT ( A MAN IS HE 9 Y\R IDEA80 ,I ASK$4  

0,HE IS LIKE ,UNCLE ,TIM(EI10 SAID ,F$KA1 SMIL+2 0HIS BE>D IS RA!R ?91 HE GOES TO *UR*1 & HE KEEPS BEES40  

0,GOOD-NATUR$ BUT OB/9ATE80 ,I SUGGE/$4  

0,YES10 SAID ,F$KA2 0?AT'S ! REASON HE WILL NOT HE$ HIS WIFE40  

,FROM ! MOM5T :5 !Y 9TRODUC$ ! OLD MAN ! COMPOSITION BEGAN 9 LIVELY E>NE/4 ,H]E = ! FIR/ TIME1 EVID5TLY1 !Y BEGAN TO FEEL ! DELI<T ( PUTT+ >TI/IC WORK 9TO WORDS4 ,9 ?IS RESPECT ,SEMKA WAS P>TICUL>LY BRILLIANT2 ! MO/ LIFELIKE DETAILS FOLL[$ ONE ANO!R4 ,! SOLIT>Y FAULT :I* MI<T BE *>G$ AGA9/ HIM WAS ?IS3 ?AT !SE DETAILS PICTUR$ ONLY ! PRES5T MOM5T1 & HAD NO RELATION%IP TO ! G5]AL IDEA ( ! /ORY4 ,I DID NOT HURRY !M1 BUT RA!R URG$ !M TO GO SL[1 & NOT TO =GET :AT !Y HAD SAID4  

,IT SEEM$ AS IF ,SEMKA SAW & DESCRIB$ :AT W5T ON BE=E HIS EYES3 ! FROZ51 SN[-COV]$ B>K %OES1 & ! MUD :I* DRIPP$ D[N FROM !M AS !Y ?AW$ \T1 & ! BISCUITS 9TO :I* !Y DRI$ :5 ! WOMAN PUT !M 9TO ! OV54  

,F$KA1 ON ! O!R H&1 SAW ONLY ?OSE P>TICUL>S :I* >\S$ 9 HIM SU* A S5TIM5T AS HE W\LD HAVE EXP]I5C$ AT ! SI<T ( A REAL P]SON4 ,F$KA SAW ! SN[ :I* HAD /UCK TO ! OLD MAN'S LEG-WRAPP]S1.<#a.> & HE FELT ! FEEL+ ( PITY :I* 9SPIR$ ! PEASANT TO SAY3--  

0,LORD6 H[ CAN HE WALK60  

,F$KA W5T SO F> AS TO EXPRESS 9 PANTOMIME ! MANN] 9 :I* ! PEASANT SAID !SE WORDS2 WAV+ HIS H& & %AK+ HIS HEAD4 ,HE SAW ! OLD MAN'S ?91 TATT]$ CLOAK1 & HIS TORN %IRT1 UND] :I* %[$ HIS EMACIAT$ BODY WET ) MELT+ SN[4 ,HE IMAG9$ ! WOMAN1 AS %E GRUMBL+LY OBEY$ H] HUSB&'S COMM&1 & PULL$ (F HIS LAPTI1 & ! OLD MAN'S PITIFUL GROAN MUTT]$ ?R\< HIS  
TEE?3--  

0,EASY1 LITTLE MO!R2.<#b.> MY FEET >E SORE !RE60  

,SEMKA WANT$ OBJECTIVE PICTURES ABOVE ALL1--! LAPTI1 ! ?9 CLOAK1 ! OLD MAN1 ! PEASANT WOMAN1 )\T MU* ( ANY CONNECTION AMONG !M2 ,F$KA WANT$ TO EXPRESS ! FEEL+ ( PITY ) :I* HE HIMSELF WAS FILL$4  

,HE W5T ON TO SPEAK ( H[ ! OLD MAN W\LD BE GIV5 HIS SUPP]2 H[ HE W\LD FALL SICK 9 ! NI<T2 H[ AFT]W>DS 9 ! FIELD HE W\LD TEA* ! BOY HIS LETT]S1 SO ?AT ,I WAS OBLIG$ TO TELL HIM NOT TO HURRY & NOT TO =GET :AT HE HAD SAID4 ,HIS EYES GLEAM$ ) UN%$ TE>S2 HIS DIRTY1 ?9 H&S CONTRACT$ N]V\SLY2 HE WAS IMPATI5T1 & KEPT SPURR+ ME ON3 0,HAVE Y\ WRITT5 IT8 HAVE Y\ WRITT5 IT80 HE KEPT ASK+ ME4  

,HE WAS DESPOTICALLY IRRITAT$ ) ALL ! O!RS2 HE WANT$ TO BE ! ONLY ONE TO SPEAK1--NOT TO SPEAK AS M5 TALK BUT TO SPEAK AS !Y WRITE1--9 O!R WORDS TO EXPRESS >TI/ICALLY 9 WORDS ! IMAGES ( FEEL+2 = EXAMPLE1 HE W\LD NOT P]MIT ! WORDS TO BE *ANG$  
AB\T1 BUT WAS V]Y P>TICUL> AB\T !IR ORD]4 

,HIS S\L AT ?IS TIME WAS S(T5$ & /IRR$ BY ! S5TIM5T ( PITY1--?AT IS1 LOVE1--& IT PICTUR$ EV]Y OBJECT 9 AN >TI/IC =M1 & TOOK EXCEPTION TO EV]Y?+ ?AT DID NOT CORRESPOND TO HIS IDEA ( ET]NAL BEAUTY & H>MONY4  

,AS SOON AS ,SEMKA WAS DRAWN 9TO DESCRIB+ 9CONGRU\S DETAILS AB\T ! LAMBS HUDDL$ 9 ! CORN] NE> ! DOOR1 OR ANY?+ ( ! SORT1 ,F$KA W\LD BECOME VEX$ & SAY3--  

0,HO1 Y\2 Y\ >E TALK+ TWADDLE40  

,I NE$$ ONLY TO SUGGE/ ANY?+1--= EXAMPLE1 :AT WAS ! PEASANT DO+ :ILE HIS WIFE W5T (F TO H] NEI<BOR'S1.<#c.>--& ,F$KA'S IMAG9ATION W\LD IMM$IATELY CON/RUCT A PICTURE ( LAMBS BLEAT+ NE> ! DOOR1 & ! OLD MAN SI<+1 & ! LAD ,S]OZHA DELIRI\S2 ,I HAD ONLY TO SUGGE/ SOME >TIFICIAL & FALSE DETAIL 9 ! PICTURE1 & HE W\LD BECOME ANGRY 9/ANTLY1 & DECL>E ) IRRITATION ?AT IT WAS NOT NECESS>Y4  

,= 9/ANCE1 ,I PROPOS$ ?AT HE DESCRIBE ! PEASANT'S EXT]NAL APPE>ANCE2 HE AGRE$3 BUT MY PROPOSAL ?AT HE %\LD DESCRIBE :AT ! PEASANT ?\<T :ILE HIS WIFE WAS GONE TO H] NEI<BOR'S IMM$IATELY BR\<T UP 9 HIS M9D ?IS IDEA3--  

0,EKH6 WOMAN6 IF Y\ %\LD MEET ! DEAD ,SAVOSKA1 HE W\LD TE> Y\R HAIR \T40  

,& HE SAID ?IS 9 SU* A WE>Y & CALMLY NATURALLY S]I\S1 & AT ! SAME TIME GOOD-NATUR$1 TONE ( VOICE1 LEAN+ HIS HEAD ON HIS H&1 ?AT ! *ILDR5 W5T 9TO A GALE ( LAU<T]4  

,! *IEF CONDITION ( EV]Y >T--! FEEL+ ( PROPORTION--WAS EXTRAORD9>ILY DEVELOP$ 9 HIM4 ,HE WAS :OLLY UPSET BY ANY SUP]FLU\S SUGGE/ION MADE BY ANY ( ! BOYS4 ,HE TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO DIRECT ! CON/RUCTION ( ?IS /ORY 9 SU* A DESPOTIC WAY1 & ) SU* A JU/ CLAIM TO BE DESPOTIC1 ?AT V]Y SOON ! BOYS W5T HOME1 & HE ALONE WAS LEFT ) ,SEMKA1 :O DID NOT GIVE WAY TO HIM1 ?\< HE WORK$ 9 A DIFF]5T MANN]4  

,WE WORK$ FROM SEV5 TO ELEV5 O'CLOCK2 ! *ILDR5 FELT NEI!R HUNG] NOR WE>9ESS1 & !Y W]E REALLY 9DIGNANT ) ME :5 ,I /OPP$ WRIT+2 !N !Y TRI$ TO TAKE TURNS 9 WRIT+ BY !MSELVES1 BUT !Y SOON DESI/$--! ?+ DID NOT WORK4  

,H]E = ! FIR/ TIME ,F$KA ASK$ ME :AT MY NAME WAS4 ,WE LAU<$ AT HIM1 BECAUSE HE DID NOT KN[4  

0,I KN[10 SAID HE1 0H[ TO ADDRESS Y\2 BUT :AT DO !Y CALL Y\R E/ATE NAME8.<#d.> ,Y\ KN[ WE HAVE ! ,FOKANUI*EF FAMILY1 ! ,ZABREFS1 ! ,Y]MIL9AS40  

,I TOLD HIM4  

0,& >E WE GO+ TO BE PR9T$80 HE ASK$1  

0,YES40  

0,!N IT MU/ BE PR9T$3 ,! WORK ( ,MAK>(1 ,MOROZ(1 & ,TOL/OY60  

,HE WAS EXCIT$ = A LONG TIME1 & C\LD NOT SLEEP2 & ,I CANNOT REPRES5T ! FEEL+ ( EXCITEM5T1 ( PLEASURE1 ( PA91 & ALMO/ ( REMORSE :I* ,I EXP]I5C$ 9 ! C\RSE ( ?AT EV5+4 ,I FELT ?AT  

FROM ?IS TIME A NEW WORLD ( JOYS & SORR[S HAD BE5 REVEAL$ TO ,F$KA1--! WORLD ( >T2 IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ,I WAS WITNESS+ :AT NO ONE HAS ! RI<T TO SEE1--! UNFOLD+ ( ! MY/]I\S FL[] ( POESY4  

,TO ME IT WAS BO? T]RIBLE & DELI<TFUL2 JU/ AS IF A TREASURE-SEEK] %\LD F9D ! LADY-F]N 9 BLOOM4  

,! PLEASURE CONSI/$ = ME 9 SUDD5LY1 UNEX-  
PECT$LY1 DISCOV]+ ! PHILOSOPH]'S /ONE1 = :I*  
,I HAD BE5 VA9LY SEEK+ = TWO YE>S -- ! >T (  
EXPRESS+ ?\<T4  

,IT WAS T]RIBLE1 BECAUSE ?IS >T W\LD BR+ NEW  
DEM&S & A :OLE WORLD ( DESIRES 9COMPATIBLE  
) ! SPH]E 9 :I* ! PUPILS LIVE -- OR SO IT  
SEEM$ TO ME AT ! FIR/ MOM5T4  

,!RE C\LD BE NO MI/AKE4 ,?IS WAS NOT *ANCE1  
BUT CONSCI\S1 CREATIVE G5IUS4 ,I BEG ! READ] TO  
P]USE ! FIR/ *APT] ( ! /ORY1 & NOTICE !  
ABUNDANT T\*ES ( TRUE CREATIVE TAL5T SCATT]$  
?R\< IT4 ,= EXAMPLE1 ! SC5E :]E ! WOMAN  
COMPLA9S ANGRILY ( H] HUSB& TO H] NEI<BOR1 &  
YET ?IS WOMAN1 = :OM ! AU?OR FEELS A LIVELY ANTIP-  
A?Y1 BUR/S 9TO TE>S :5 ! NEI<BOR REM9DS H]  
( ! BREAK+ UP ( H] HOME4  

,= ! AU?OR :O WRITES ) ! 9TELLECT &  
MEMORY ALONE A QU>RELSOME WOMAN W\LD BE CREAT$  
ONLY AS A FOIL = ! PEASANT 3 FROM SIMPLE DESIRE TO TOR-  
M5T H] HUSB& %E W\LD HAVE NECESS>ILY CALL$  
9 ! NEI<BOR4 ,BUT 9 ,F$KA ! >TI/IC FEEL+ WAS  
EXPRESS$ 9 ! WOMAN ALSO1 & SO %E WEEPS1 &  
FE>S1 & SUFF]S 2 9 HIS EYES %E IS NOT TO BLAME4  

,AFT]W>DS !RE IS A LITTLE SIDE-PLAY1 :5 ! NEI<-  
BOR PUTS ON ! WOMAN'S CLOAK @5 2 ,I REMEMB] ?AT ,I  
WAS SO EXTREMELY /RUCK BY IT ?AT ,I ASK$ HIM1 0 ,:Y  
! WOMAN S CLOAK 4 0  

,NOT ONE ( US HAD SUGGE/$ TO ,F$KA ! IDEA (  
HAV+ ! NEI<BOR PUT ON ! WOMAN'S CLOAK4  

,HE REP,H$ 3 --  

0 ,:Y1 IT'S MORE LIFE,HKE40  

,:5 ,I ASK$ HIM1 0 ,MI<T WE NOT SAY ?AT HE PUT  
ON ! HUSB&'S CLOAK 8 0 HE REPLI$1 0 ,NO 2 IT IS BETT]  
TO HAVE ! WIFE'S40  

@5 ,%UBYONKA4  

,& 9 V]Y FACT ?IS T\* IS EXTRAORD9>Y4 ,AT FIR/  
Y\ DO NOT SEE :Y IT %\LD BE ! WOMAN'S CLOAK1 BUT  
AT ! SAME TIME Y\ FEEL ?AT IT IS ADMIRABLE -- ?AT IT  
C\LD NOT BE O!RWISE4  

,EV]Y >TI/IC PHRASE1 :E!R IT BELONGS TO A ,GOE!  
OR A ,F$KA1 IS DI/+UI%$ FROM ONE :I* IS NOT >TIS-  
TIC BY ! SIMPLE FACT ?AT IT CALLS UP AN 9NUM]ABLE  
?RONG ( ?\<TS1 REPRES5TATIONS1 & ILLU/RATIONS4  

,! NEI<BOR1 9 ! WOMAN'S CLOAK1 IRRESI/IBLY SUG-  
GE/S ! PICTURE ( A FEEBLE1 N>R[-*E/$ PEASANT1  
JU/ AS 9 ALL PROBABILITY HE WAS4 ,! WOMAN'S CLOAK1  
?R[N D[N ON ! B5*1 & !RE=E COM+ FIR/  
TO H&1 BR+S UP BE=E Y\ A P]FECT PICTURE ( A  
PEASANT'S E/ABH%M5T ON A W9T]'S EV5+4 ,AT !  
M]E M5TION ( ! CLOAK !RE >ISE 9VOLUNT>ILY BE-  
=E Y\R EYES ! LATE H\R1 AT ! TIME :5 ! PEASANT1  
UNDRESS$ = ! NI<T1 IS SITT+ BE=E HIS SPL9T]1  
& ! WOM51 COM+ & GO+ 9 !IR H\SEWORK1  
-- GETT+ WAT] & FE$+ ! CATTLE1 -- & ALL ?AT  
EXT]NAL DISORD] 9 ! PEASANT'S MODE ( LIFE1 :]E  
NOT A S+LE P]SON HAS A G>M5T ?AT IS P>TICUL>LY  
HIS1 & NOT A S+LE ?+ HAS ITS PROP] PLACE4  

,?IS ONE EXPRESSION1 0 ,HE PUT ON ! TVOMANS CLOAK1  
DEF9ES ! :OLE *>ACT] ( ! 5VIRONM5T 9 :I*  
! ACTION PASSES1 & ?IS PHRASE WAS NOT DISCOV]$  
ACCID5TALLY1 BUT *OS5 DELIB]ATELY4  

,I /ILL REMEMB] VIVIDLY H[ HIS IMAG9ATION CONJUR$  
UP ! WORDS SPOK5 BY ! PEASANT :5 HE F\ND !  
PAP] & C\LD NOT READ IT 3 --  

0 ,IF MY ,S]OZHA H]E KNEW H[ TO READ1 HE W\LD  
JUMP UP1 TE> ! PAP] \T ( MY H&S1 READ IT ALL  
?R\<1 & TELL ME :O ?IS OLD MAN IS40  

,9 ?IS WAY WE CAN SEE ! RELATION BETWE5 !  
LABOR+ MAN & ! BOOK :I* HE HOLDS 9 HIS SUN-  
BURN$ H&S 2 ?IS WOR?Y MAN1 ) HIS PATRI>*AL1  
PI\S 9CL9ATIONS1 SEEMS TO /& BE=E Y\4 ,Y\ FEEL  
?AT ! AU?OR HAS A DEEP LOVE = HIM1 & HAS !RE-  
=E COMPLETELY UND]/OOD HIM1 SO AS TO SUGGE/ TO HIM  
IMM$IATELY AFT] ?IS HIS DIGRESSION AB\T SU* TIMES  
HAV+ N[ PASS$ & ! DANG] ( ! S\L BE+ LO/4  

,! IDEA ( ! DREAM WAS SUGGE/$ BY ME1 BUT !  
9TRODUCTION ( ! GOAT ) W\ND$ LEGS WAS ,F$KA'S1  
& HE WAS P>TICUL>LY DELI<T$ ) IT4 ,& !  
PEASANT'S M$ITATIONS AT ! TIME :5 HIS BACK WAS BE-  
G9N+ TO IT*1 & ! PICTURE ( ! QUIET NI<T1 -- ALL  
( ?IS WAS ! F>!/ REMOV$ FROM ACCID5TAL 3 9 ALL  
!SE T\*ES CAN BE FELT SU* A CONSCI\S1 >TI/IC  
P[]  

,I /ILL REMEMB] ?AT AT ! TIME ( ! MUZHIK'S GO+  
TO SLEEP1 ,I PROPOS$ TO MAKE HIM ?9K ( ! FUTURE ( HIS  
SON & ( ! SON'S FUTURE RELATIONS ) ! OLD MAN1  
?AT ! OLD MAN %\LD TEA* ,S]OZHA HIS LETT]S1 & SO  
ON4 ,F$KA FR[N$ & SAID 3 0 ,YES1 YES1 V]Y GOOD10  
BUT IT WAS EVID5T ?AT ?IS PROPOSITION DID NOT PLEASE  
HIM1 & TWICE HE =GOT IT4 ,! S5SE ( PROPORTION WAS  
AS /RONG 9 HIM AS 9 ANY WRIT] ,I KN[ -- ! SAME  
S5SE ( PROPORTION AS R>E >TI/S OBTA9 ) GREAT LABOR  
& PA9S1 9 ALL ITS PRIMITIVE /R5G? LIV$ 9 HIS UN-  
CONTAM9AT$ *ILDI% S\L4  

,I PUT AN 5D1 TO ! LESSON BECAUSE ,I WAS TOO MU*  
EXCIT$4  

0 ,:AT IS ! MATT] 8 :AT MAKES Y\ SO PALE 8  
,TRULY Y\ >E N'T WELL1 >E Y\ 8 0 MY COMPANION ASK$  
( ME4  

,9 FACT1 ONLY TWO OR ?REE TIMES 9 MY LIFE HAD ,I EV]  
EXP]I5C$ SU* A P[]FUL EMOTION AS ,I HAD ?AT  
EV5+1 & IT WAS LONG BE=E ,I C\LD GIVE A RATIONAL  
ACC\NT TO MYSELF ( :AT ,I HAD EXP]I5C$4 ,I WAS  
UNEASY1 & FELT AS IF ,I HAD BE5 CRIM9ALLY SPY+  
?R\< A GLASS1 9TO A HIVE1 AT ! LABORS ( ! BEES1  
HIDD5 FROM MORTAL GAZE4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ,I HAD  
DONE A WRONG TO ! PEASANT LAD'S PURE1 9NOC5T S\L4  
,I HAD AN UNEASY FEEL+ AS IF ,I HAD BE5 5GAG$ 9 A  
SACRILEGE4  

,I REMEMB]$ *ILDR5 :OM IDLE & DEBAU*$ OLD  
M5 COMPELL$ TO DISPLAY !MSELVES & TO PRES5T  
VOLUPTU\S PICTURES SO AS TO /IR !IR FRIGID & 5-  
FEEBL$ IMAG9ATIONS1 & AT ! SAME TIME ,I FELT A KE5  
DELI<T1 SU* AS A MAN MU/ FEEL :O HAS WITNESS$  
SOME?+ ?AT NO ONE HAS EV] SE5 BE=E4  

,IT WAS LONG BE=E ,I C\LD EXPLA9 ! IMPRESSION  
:I* ,I HAD RECEIV$1 ?\< ,I WAS CONSCI\S ?AT IT  
WAS ONE ( ?OSE :I* 9 MATURE LIFE LIFT A MAN TO A  
HI<] /AGE ( EXI/5CE1 & COMPEL HIM TO R5\NCE  
! OLD1 & GIVE HIMSELF UNRES]V$LY TO ! NEW4  

,! NEXT DAY ,I C\LD NOT BELIEVE 9 ! REALITY ( !  
EXP]I5CE ?R\< :I* ,I HAD PASS$ ?AT EV5+4  
,IT SEEM$ TO ME QUITE TOO /RANGE ?AT A HALF-$UCAT$  
PEASANT LAD HAD SUDD5LY DEVELOP$ A CONSCI\S1 >TI/IC  
P[]1 SU* AS ,GOE!1 ) ALL HIS MEASURELESS HEI<T  
( DEVELOPM5T1 WAS UNABLE TO ATTA94 ,IT SEEM$ TO ME1  
TOO1 /RANGE ?AT ,I1 ! AU?OR ( 0 ,*ILDHOOD10 :O HAVE  
N[ GA9$ A C]TA9 SUCCESS & REPUTATION = >TI/IC  
TAL5T 9 ! LIT]>Y CIRCLES ( ,RUSSIA1 ?AT ,I1 9 !  
MATT] ( >T1 WAS NOT ONLY UNABLE TO GUIDE OR AID ?IS  
ELEV5-YE>-OLD ,F$KA1 & ,SEMKA1 BUT ?AT B>ELY1 --  
& ?AT ONLY 9 A HAPPY MOM5T ( EXCITEM5T1 --  
C\LD ,I FOLL[ !M & COMPREH5D !M4 ,IT SEEM$  
TO ME SO /RANGE1 ?AT ,I C\LD NOT BELIEVE 9 :AT HAD  
HAPP5$ ! EV5+ BE=E4  

,ON ! NEXT DAY WE OCCUPI$ \RSELVES ) ! CON-  
T9UATION ( ! TALE4 ,:5 ,I ASK$ ,F$KA :E!R HE  
HAD ?\<T \T ! SEQUEL & H[1 HE MADE NO REPLY1@5  
BUT WAV+ HIS H&S SIMPLY SAID 3 --  

0 ,I KN[1 ,I KN[ 6 ,:O WILL WRITE IT80  

,WE BEGAN TO WRITE ! CONT9UATION1 & AGA91 AS F>  
AS ! *ILDR5 W]E CONC]N$1 ) ! SAME S5SE (  
>TI/IC TRU?1 PROPORTION1 & 5?USIASM4  

,:5 ! LESSON WAS HALF DONE1 ,I WAS COMPELL$ TO  
LEAVE !M4 ,!Y CONT9U$ )\T ME & WROTE TWO  
PAGES AS BEAUTIFULLY1 AS SYMPA!TICALLY1 AS G5U9ELY1  
AS ! FIR/4 ,!SE PAGES W]E ONLY A LITTLE POOR] 9  
DETAILS1 & !SE DETAILS W]E SOMETIMES NOT 9TRODUC$  
) P]FECT SKILL 2 !RE W]E ALSO TWO REPETITIONS4 ,ALL  
?IS EVID5TLY >OSE FROM ! FACT ?AT ! ME*ANISM (  
COMPOSITION TR\BL$ !M4 ,ON ! ?IRD DAY IT WAS !  
SAME4  

,DUR+ !SE LESSONS O!R BOYS W]E FREQU5TLY  
PRES5T1 & KN[+ ! SPIRIT & IDEA ( ! /ORY1  
!Y MADE SUGGE/IONS & ADD$ !IR G5U9E /ROKES4  
,SEMKA W5T AWAY & /AY$ AWAY4 ,ONLY ,F$KA KEPT  
ON ) ! /ORY FROM BEG9N+ TO 5D1 & ACT$ AS  
C5SOR ON ALL ! *ANGES PROPOS$4  

,!RE C\LD BE NO D\BT ?AT ?IS SUCCESS IS A MATT]  
( *ANCE 3 WE EVID5TLY /RUCK ACCID5TALLY ON ?AT  
ME?OD :I* WAS MORE NATURAL & MORE /IMULAT+  
?AN ?OSE WE HAD TRI$ HI!RTO4 ,BUT ALL ?IS WAS TOO  
UNUSUAL1 & ,I DID NOT BELIEVE 9 :AT WAS GO+ ON BE-  
=E MY EYES4 ,SOME?+ :I* SEEM$ LIKE AN EXTRAOR-  
D9>Y *ANCE WAS REQUIR$ TO DISSIPATE MY D\BTS4  

,I HAD BE5 AWAY = SEV]AL DAYS1 & ! /ORY RE-  
MA9$ UNF9I%$4 ,! MANUSCRIPT -- ?REE L>GE %EETS  
FULLY WRITT5 OV] -- WAS LEFT 9 ! ROOM ( ! TEA*]  
TO :OM ,I HAD BE5 %[+ IT4  

,JU/ BE=E MY DEP>TURE1 :ILE ,I WAS 5GAG$ )  
! COMPOSITION1 A NEW PUPIL :O HAD COME HAD BE5  
%[+ ! *ILDR5 ! >T ( MAK+ FLY-FLAPP]S \T  
( PAP]1 & ?R\<\T ! :OLE S*OOL1 AS IS APT TO  
BE ! CASE1 HAD COME A TIME ( FLY-FLAPP]S1 TAK+ !  
PLACE ( SN[-BALL TIME1 :I* 9 ITS TURN HAD TAK5 !  
PLACE ( C>V$ /ICKS4  

,! FLY-FLAPP] TIME LA/$ DUR+ MY ABS5CE4  
,SEMKA & ,F$KA1 :O BELONG$ TO ! *OIR1 US$ TO  
GO TO ! TEA*]'S ROOM TO S+1 & !Y W\LD SP5D  
:OLE EV5+S & SOMETIMES :OLE NI<TS !RE4  

,9 ! 9T]VALS & DUR+ ! TIME ( S++1 (  
OC\RSE1 ! FLY-FLAPP]S W]E 9 FULL SW+1 & EV]Y  
AVAILABLE PIECE ( PAP] :I* FELL 9TO !IR H&S WAS  
TURN$ 9TO A FLY-FLAPP]4 ,! TEA*] W5T TO SUPP]  
& =GOT TO CAUTION ! *ILDR5 NOT TO T\* !  
PAP]S ON HIS TABLE1 & SO ! MANUSCRIPT CONTA9+  
! WORK ( ,MAK>(1 ,MOROZ(1 & ,TOL/( WAS TURN$  
9TO FLY-FLAPP]S4  

,ON ! NE4_*T DAY1 BE=E S*OOL1 ! SLAPP+ HAD BE-  
COME SU* A NUISANCE TO ! PUPILS !MSELVES1 ?AT !Y  
!MSELVES DECL>$ A G5]AL P]SECUTION ON FLY-FLAPP]S 2  
) A %\T & A RU% ! FLY-FLAPP]S W]E ALL COLLECT$1  
& ) G5]AL 5?USIASM FLUNG 9TO ! LI<T$ /OVE4  

,! TIME ( FLY-FLAPP]S WAS 5D$1 BUT ) IT \R  
MANUSCRIPT HAD ALSO GONE TO RU94  

,NEV] WAS ANY LOSS MORE SEV]E = ME TO BE> ?AN  
?AT ( ?OSE ?REE WRITT5 %EETS4 ,I WAS 9 DESPAIR4  

,WR++ MY H&S1 ,I W5T TO WORK TO REWRITE !  
/ORY1 BUT ,I C\LD NOT =GET ! LOSS ( IT1 & 9VOLUN-  
T>ILY ,I KEPT HEAP+ REPROA*ES ON ! TEA*]1 & !  
MANUFACTUR]S ( ! FLY-FLAPP]S4  

,H]E ,I CANNOT RESI/ OBS]V+ 9 ?IS CONNECTION ?AT  
AS ! RESULT ( ?IS EXT]NAL DISORD] & P]FECT FREE-  
DOM AMONG ! S*OL>S1 :I* HAVE FURNI%$ DECOR\S  
AMUSEM5T = ,MR4 ,M>K(1 9 ! ,RUSSIAN ,MESS5G]1  
& ,MR4 ,GLYEB(1 9 ! J\RNAL ,$UCATION1 )\T !  
SLI<TE/ TR\BLE1 & )\T HAV+ TO USE ?REATS OR  
CUNN+1 ,I LE>N$ ALL ! DETAILS ( ! COMPLICAT$  
HI/ORY ( ! MANUSCRIPT TURN$ 9TO FLY-FLAPP]S1 & (  
ITS CREMATION4  

,SEMKA & ,F$KA SAW ?AT ,I WAS DI/URB$1 &  
?\<1 EVID5TLY1 !Y DID NOT KN[ ! REASON1 !Y  
SEEM$ TO BE V]Y SYMPA!TIC2 ,F$KA AT LA/ TIMIDLY  
PROPOS$ TO ME TO REWRITE ! /ORY4  

0 ,BY Y\RSELVES 4-0 0 ,I ASK$2 0,I CANNOT HELP ANY 9 IT40  

0 ,SEMKA & ,I WILL COME & SP5D ! NI<T AT Y\R  
H\SE10 REP,U$ ,F$KA4  

,& 9DE$1 AFT] ! LESSONS1 !Y CAME TO MY H\SE  
AB\T N9E O'CLOCK & LOCK$ !MSELVES 9 MY LIBR>Y4  
,I WAS NOT A LITTLE DELI<T$ ?AT AFT] SOME GIGGL+1  
!Y BECAME QUIET1 & AT TWELVE O'CLOCK :5 ,I W5T  
TO ! DOOR1 ,I HE>D M]ELY !IR L[ CONV]SATION &  
! SCRAT*+ ( ! P54 ,ONLY ONCE !Y ASK$ ME  
AB\T SOME?+ ?AT HAD BE5 9 ! =M] COPY1 &  
WANT$ MY OP9ION ON ! QUE/ION1 -- ,HAD ! PEASANT  
HUNT$ = HIS WALLET BE=E OR AFT] HIS WIFE W5T TO  
! NEI<BOR'S 4'  

,I TOLD !M IT MADE NO DIFF]5CE4  

,AT TWELVE O'CLOCK ,I TAPP$ AT ! DOOR & W5T 94  

,F$KA1 9 A NEW :ITE %UBKA ) BLACK FUR TRIM-  
M+1 WAS SITT+ BURI$ 9 ! EASY-*AIR1 ) HIS LEGS  
CROSS$ & HIS BU%Y LITTLE HEAD RE/+ ON ONE H&1  
:ILE HIS O!R PLAY$ ) ! SCISSORS4 ,HIS BIG BLACK  
EYES1 GLEAM9