the witch and other stories-第22章

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playing。　Foaming　Don　wine　was　brought　in　tall　wine…glasses；　and
Elizarov；　a　carpenter　who　did　jobs　by　contract；　a　tall；　gaunt　old
man　with　eyebrows　so　bushy　that　his　eyes　could　scarcely　be　seen；
said；　addressing　the　happy　pair：

〃Anisim　and　you；　my　child；　love　one　another；　live　in　God's　way；
little　children；　and　the　Heavenly　Mother　will　not　abandon　you。〃

He　leaned　his　face　on　the　old　father's　shoulder　and　gave　a　sob。

〃Grigory　Petrovitch；　let　us　weep；　let　us　weep　with　joy！〃　he　said
in　a　thin　voice；　and　then　at　once　burst　out　laughing　in　a　loud
bass　guffaw。　〃Ho…ho…ho！　This　is　a　fine　daughter…in…law　for　you
too！　Everything　is　in　its　place　in　her；　all　runs　smoothly；　no
creaking；　the　mechanism　works　well；　lots　of　screws　in　it。〃


He　was　a　native　of　the　Yegoryevsky　district；　but　had　worked　in
the　factories　in　Ukleevo　and　the　neighborhood　from　his　youth　up；
and　had　made　it　his　home。　He　had　been　a　familiar　figure　for　years
as　old　and　gaunt　and　lanky　as　now；　and　for　years　he　had　been
nicknamed　〃Crutch。〃　Perhaps　because　he　had　been　for　forty　years
occupied　in　repairing　the　factory　machinery　he　judged　everybody
and　everything　by　its　soundness　or　its　need　of　repair。　And　before
sitting　down　to　the　table　he　tried　several　chairs　to　see　whether
they　were　solid；　and　he　touched　the　smoked　fish　also。

After　the　Don　wine；　they　all　sat　down　to　the　table。　The　visitors
talked；　moving　their　chairs。　The　singers　were　singing　in　the
outer　room。　The　band　was　playing；　and　at　the　same　time　the
peasant　women　in　the　yard　were　singing　their　songs　all　in　chorus
　and　there　was　an　awful；　wild　medley　of　sounds　which　made　one
giddy。

Crutch　turned　round　in　his　chair　and　prodded　his　neighbours　with
his　elbows；　prevented　people　from　talking；　and　laughed　and　cried
alternately。

〃Little　children；　little　children；　little　children；〃　he　muttered
rapidly。　〃Aksinya　my　dear；　Varvara　darling；　we　will　live　all　in
peace　and　harmony；　my　dear　little　axes。　。　。　。〃

He　drank　little　and　was　now　only　drunk　from　one　glass　of　English
bitters。　The　revolting　bitters；　made　from　nobody　knows　what；
intoxicated　everyone　who　drank　it　as　though　it　had　stunned　them。
Their　tongues　began　to　falter。

The　local　clergy；　the　clerks　from　the　factories　with　their　wives；
the　tradesmen　and　tavern…keepers　from　the　other　villages　were
present。　The　clerk　and　the　elder　of　the　rural　district　who　had
served　together　for　fourteen　years；　and　who　had　during　all　that
time　never　signed　a　single　document　for　anybody　nor　let　a　single
person　out　of　the　local　court　without　deceiving　or　insulting　him；
were　sitting　now　side　by　side；　both　fat　and　well…fed；　and　it
seemed　as　though　they　were　so　saturated　in　injustice　and
falsehood　that　even　the　skin　of　their　faces　was　somehow　peculiar；
fraudulent。　The　clerk's　wife；　a　thin　woman　with　a　squint；　had
brought　all　her　children　with　her；　and　like　a　bird　of　prey　looked
aslant　at　the　plates　and　snatched　anything　she　could　get　hold　of
to　put　in　her　own　or　her　children's　pockets。

Lipa　sat　as　though　turned　to　stone；　still　with　the　same
expression　as　in　church。　Anisim　had　not　said　a　single　word　to　her
since　he　had　made　her　acquaintance；　so　that　he　did　not　yet　know
the　sound　of　her　voice；　and　now；　sitting　beside　her；　he　remained
mute　and　went　on　drinking　bitters；　and　when　he　got　drunk　he　began
talking　to　the　aunt　who　was　sitting　opposite：

〃I　have　a　friend　called　Samorodov。　A　peculiar　man。　He　is　by　rank
an　honorary　citizen；　and　he　can　talk。　But　I　know　him　through　and
through；　auntie；　and　he　feels　it。　Pray　join　me　in　drinking　to　the
health　of　Samorodov；　auntie！〃

Varvara；　worn　out　and　distracted；　walked　round　the　table　pressing
the　guests　to　eat；　and　was　evidently　pleased　that　there　were　so
many　dishes　and　that　everything　was　so　lavish　　no　one　could
disparage　them　now。　The　sun　set；　but　the　dinner　went　on：　the
guests　were　beyond　knowing　what　they　were　eating　or　drinking；　it
was　impossible　to　distinguish　what　was　said；　and　only　from　time
to　time　when　the　band　subsided　some　peasant　woman　could　be　heard
shouting：

〃They　have　sucked　the　blood　out　of　us；　the　Herods；　a　pest　on
them！〃

In　the　evening　they　danced　to　the　band。　The　Hrymin　Juniors　came；
bringing　their　wine；　and　one　of　them；　when　dancing　a　quadrille；
held　a　bottle　in　each　hand　and　a　wineglass　in　his　mouth；　and　that
made　everyone　laugh。　In　the　middle　of　the　quadrille　they　suddenly
crooked　their　knees　and　danced　in　a　squatting　position；　Aksinya
in　green　flew　by　like　a　flash；　stirring　up　a　wind　with　her　train。
Someone　trod　on　her　flounce　and　Crutch　shouted：

〃Aie；　they　have　torn　off　the　panel！　Children！〃

Aksinya　had　naive　grey　eyes　which　rarely　blinked；　and　a　naive
smile　played　continually　on　her　face。　And　in　those　unblinking
eyes；　and　in　that　little　head　on　the　long　neck；　and　in　her
slenderness　there　was　something　snake…like；　all　in　green　but　for
the　yellow　on　her　bosom；　she　looked　with　a　smile　on　her　face　as　a
viper　looks　out　of　the　young　rye　in　the　spring　at　the　passers…by；
stretching　itself　and　lifting　its　head。　The　Hrymins　were　free　in
their　behaviour　to　her；　and　it　was　very　noticeable　that　she　was
on　intimate　terms　with　the　elder　of　them。　But　her　deaf　husband
saw　nothing；　he　did　not　look　at　her；　he　sat　with　his　legs　crossed
and　ate　nuts；　cracking　them　so　loudly　that　it　sounded　like　pistol
shots。

But；　behold；　old　Tsybukin　himself　walked　into　the　middle　of　the
room　and　waved　his　handkerchief　as　a　sign　that　he；　too；　wanted　to
dance　the　Russian　dance；　and　all　over　the　house　and　from　the
crowd　in　the　yard　rose　a　roar　of　approbation：

〃_He's_　going　to　dance！　_He_　himself！〃

Varvara　danced；　but　the　old　man　only　waved　his　handkerchief　and
kicked　up　his　heels；　but　the　people　in　the　yard；　propped　against
one　another；　peeping　in　at　the　windows；　were　in　raptures；　and　for
the　moment　forgave　him　everything　　his　wealth　and　the　wrongs　he
had　done　them。

〃Well　done；　Grigory　Petrovitch！〃　was　heard　in　the　crowd。　〃That's
right；　do　your　best！　You　can　still　play　your　part！　Ha…ha！〃

It　was　kept　up　till　late；　till　two　o'clock　in　the　morning。
Anisim；　staggering；　went　to　take　leave　of　the　singers　and
bandsmen；　and　gave　each　of　them　a　new　half…rouble。　His　father；
who　was　not　staggering　but　still　seemed　to　be　standing　on　one
leg；　saw　his　guests　off；　and　said　to　each　of　them：

〃The　wedding　has　cost　two　thousand。〃

As　the　party　was　breaking　up；　someone　took　the　Shikalovo
innkeeper's　good　coat　instead　of　his　own　old　one；　and　Anisim
suddenly　flew　into　a　rage　and　began　shouting：

〃Stop；　I'll　find　it　at　once；　I　know　who　stole　it；　stop。〃

He　ran　out　into　the　street　and　pursued　someone。　He　was　caught；
brought　back　home　and　shoved；　drunken；　red　with　anger；　and　wet；
into　the　room　where　the　aunt　was　undressing　Lipa；　and　was　locked
in。

IV

Five　days　had　passed。　Anisim；　who　was　preparing　to　go；　went
upstairs　to　say　good…bye　to　Varvara。　All　the　lamps　were　burning
before　the　ikons；　there　was　a　smell　of　incense；　while　she　sat　at
the　window　knitting　a　stocking　of　red　wool。

〃You　have　not　stayed　with　us　long；〃　she　said。　〃You've　been　dull；
I　dare　say。　Oh；　tut；　tut。　We　live　comfortably；　we　have　plenty　of
everything。　We　celebrated　your　wedding　properly；　in　good　style；
your　father　says　it　came　to　two　thousand。　In　fact　we　live　like
merchants；　only　it's　dreary。　We　treat　the　people　very　badly。　My
heart　aches；　my　dear；　how　we　treat　them；　my　goodness！　Whether　we
exchange　a　horse　or　buy　something　or　hire　a　labourer　　it's
cheating　in　everything。　Cheating　and　cheating。　The　Lenten　oil　in
the　shop　is　bitter；　rancid；　the　people　have　pitch　that　is　better。
But　surely；　tell　me　pray；　couldn't　we　sell　good　oil？〃

〃Every　man　to　his　job；　mamma。〃

〃But　you　know　we　all　have　to　die？　Oy；　oy；　really　you　ought　to
talk　to　your　father　。　。　。　！〃

〃Why；　you　should　talk　to　him　yourself。〃

〃Well；　well；　I　did　put　in　my　word；　but　he　said　just　what　you　do：
'Every　man　to　his　own　job。'　Do　you　suppose　in　the　next　world
they'll　consider　what　job　you　have　been　put　to？　God's　judgment　is
just。〃

〃Of　course　no　one　will　consider；〃　said　Anisim；　and　he　heaved　a
sigh。　〃There　is　no　God；　anyway；　you　know；　mamma；　so　what
considering　can　there　be？〃

Varvara　looked　at　him　with　surprise；　burst　out　laughing；　and
clasped　her　hands。　Perhaps　because　she　was　so　genuinely　surprised
at　his　words　and　looked　at　him　as　though　he　were　a　queer　person；
he　was　confused。

〃Perhaps　there　is　a　God；　only　there　is　no　faith。　When　I　was　being
married　I　was　not　myself。　Just　as　you　may　take　an　egg　from　under
a　hen　and　there　is　a　chicken　chirping　in　it；　so　my　conscience　was
beginning　to　chirp　in　me；　and　while　I　was　being　married　I　thought
all　the　time　there　was　a　God！　But　when　I　left　the　church　it　was
nothing。　And　indeed；　how　can　I　tell　whether　there　is　a　God　or
not？　We　are　not　taught　right　from　childhood；　and　while　the　babe
is　still　at　his　mother's　breast　he　is　only　taught　'every　man　to
his　own　job。'　Father　does　not　believe　in　God；　either。　You　were
saying　that　Guntorev　had　some　sheep　stolen。　。　。　。　I　have　found
them；　it　was　a　peasant　at　Shikalovo　stole　them；　he　stole　them；
but　father's　got　the　fleeces　。　。　。　so　that's　all　his　faith
amounts　to。〃

Anisim　winked　and　wagged　his　head。

〃The　elder　does　not　believe　in　God；　either；〃　he　went　on。　〃And　the
clerk　and　the　deacon；　too。　And　as　for　their　going　to　church　and
keeping　the　fasts；　that　is　simply　to　prevent　people　talking　ill
of　them；　and　in　case　it　really　may　be　true　that　there　will　be　a
Day　of　Judgment。　Nowadays　people　say　that　the　end　of　the　world
has　come　because　people　have　grown　weaker；　do　not　honour　their
parents；　and　so　on。　All　that　is　nonsense。　My　idea；　mamma；　is　that
all　our　trouble　is　because　there　is　so　little　conscience　in
people。　I　see　through　things；　mamma；　and　I　understand。　If　a　man
has　a　stolen　shirt　I　see　it。　A　man　sits　in　a　tavern　and　you　fancy
he　is　drinking　tea　and　no　more；　but　to　me　the　tea　is　neither　here
nor　there；　I　see　further；　he　has　no　conscience。　You　can　go　about
the　whole　day　and　not　meet　one　man　with　a　conscience。　And　the
whole　reason　is　that　they　don't　know　whether　there　is　a　God　or
not。　。　。　。　Well；　good…bye；　mamma；　keep　alive　and　well；　don't
remember　evil　against　me。〃

Anisim　bowed　down　at　Varvara's　feet。

〃I　thank　you　for　everything；　mamma；〃　he　said。　〃You　are　a　great
gain　to　our　family。　You　are　a　very　ladylike　woman；　and　I　am　very
pleased　with　you。〃

Much　moved；　Anisim　went　out；　but　returned　again　and　said：

〃Samorodov　has　got　me　mixed　up　in　something：　I　shall　either　make
my　fortune　or　come　to　grief。　If　anything　happens；　then　you　must
comfort　my　father；　mamma。〃

〃Oh；　nonsense；　don't　you　worry；　tut；　tut；　tut。　。　。　God　is
merciful。　And；　Anisim；　you　should　be　affectionate　to　your　wife；
instead　of　giving　each　other　sulky　looks　as　you　do；　you　might
smile　at　least。〃

〃Yes；　she　is　rather　a　queer　one；〃　said　Anisim；　and　he　gave　a
sigh。　〃She　does　not　understand　anything；　she　never　speaks。　She　is
very　young；　let　her　grow　up。〃

A　tall；　sleek　white　stallion　was　already　standing　at　the　front
door；　harnessed　to　the　chaise。

Old　Tsybukin　jumped　in　jauntily　with　a　run　and　took　the　reins。
Anisim　kissed　Varvara；　Aksinya；　and　his　brother。　On　the　steps
Lipa；　too；　was　standing；