the forged coupon()-第5章
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left the court with a heavy sigh。
The whole thing seemed to have ended well for Eugene Mihailovich
and the yard…porter Vassily。 But only in appearance。 Something had
happened which was not noticed by any one； but which was much more
important than all that had been exposed to view。
Vassily had left his village and settled in town over two years ago。 As
time went on he sent less and less money to his father； and he did not ask
his wife； who remained at home； to join him。 He was in no need of her； he
could in town have as many wives as he wished； and much better ones too
than that clumsy； village…bred woman。 Vassily； with each recurring year；
became more and more familiar with the ways of the town people；
forgetting the conventions of a country life。 There everything was so
vulgar； so grey； so poor and untidy。 Here； in town； all seemed on the
contrary so refined； nice； clean； and rich； so orderly too。 And he became
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THE FORGED COUPONAnd Other Stories
more and more convinced that people in the country live just like wild
beasts； having no idea of what life is； and that only life in town is real。 He
read books written by clever writers； and went to the performances in the
Peoples' Palace。 In the country； people would not see such wonders even
in dreams。 In the country old men say： 〃Obey the law； and live with your
wife； work； don't eat too much； don't care for finery；〃 while here； in town；
all the clever and learned peoplethose； of course； who know what in
reality the law isonly pursue their own pleasures。 And they are the better
for it。
Previous to the incident of the forged coupon； Vassily could not
actually believe that rich people lived without any moral law。 But after
that； still more after having perjured himself； and not being the worse for it
in spite of his fears on the contrary； he had gained ten roubles out of it
Vassily became firmly convinced that no moral laws whatever exist； and
that the only thing to do is to pursue one's own interests and pleasures。
This he now made his rule in life。 He accordingly got as much profit as he
could out of purchasing goods for lodgers。 But this did not pay all his
expenses。 Then he took to stealing； whenever chance offered money and
all sorts of valuables。 One day he stole a purse full of money from
Eugene Mihailovich； but was found out。 Eugene Mihailovich did not hand
him over to the police； but dismissed him on the spot。
Vassily had no wish whatever to return home to his village； and
remained in Moscow with his sweetheart； looking out for a new job。 He
got one as yard…porter at a grocer's； but with only small wages。 The next
day after he had entered that service he was caught stealing bags。 The
grocer did not call in the police； but gave him a good thrashing and turned
him out。 After that he could not find work。 The money he had left was
soon gone； he had to sell all his clothes and went about nearly in rags。
His sweetheart left him。 But notwithstanding； he kept up his high spirits；
and when the spring came he started to walk home。
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THE FORGED COUPONAnd Other Stories
IX
PETER NIKOLAEVICH SVENTIZKY； a short man in black
spectacles （he had weak eyes； and was threatened with complete
blindness）； got up； as was his custom； at dawn of day； had a cup of tea； and
putting on his short fur coat trimmed with astrachan； went to look after the
work on his estate。
Peter Nikolaevich had been an official in the Customs； and had gained
eighteen thousand roubles during his service。 About twelve years ago he
quitted the servicenot quite of his own accord： as a matter of fact he had
been compelled to leaveand bought an estate from a young landowner
who had dissipated his fortune。 Peter Nikolaevich had married at an earlier
period； while still an official in the Customs。 His wife； who belonged to
an old noble family； was an orphan； and was left without money。 She was
a tall； stoutish； good…looking woman。 They had no children。 Peter
Nikolaevich had considerable practical talents and a strong will。 He was
the son of a Polish gentleman； and knew nothing about agriculture and
land management； but when he acquired an estate of his own； he managed
it so well that after fifteen years the waste piece of land； consisting of
three hundred acres； became a model estate。 All the buildings； from the
dwelling…house to the corn stores and the shed for the fire engine were
solidly built； had iron roofs； and were painted at the right time。 In the tool
house carts； ploughs； harrows； stood in perfect order； the harness was well
cleaned and oiled。 The horses were not very big； but all home…bred； grey；
well fed； strong and devoid of blemish。
The threshing machine worked in a roofed barn； the forage was kept in
a separate shed； and a paved drain was made from the stables。 The cows
were home…bred； not very large； but giving plenty of milk； fowls were also
kept in the poultry yard； and the hens were of a special kind； laying a great
quantity of eggs。 In the orchard the fruit trees were well whitewashed
and propped on poles to enable them to grow straight。 Everything was
looked aftersolid； clean； and in perfect order。 Peter Nikolaevich rejoiced
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THE FORGED COUPONAnd Other Stories
in the perfect condition of his estate； and was proud to have achieved it
not by oppressing the peasants； but； on the contrary； by the extreme
fairness of his dealings with them。
Among the nobles of his province he belonged to the advanced party；
and was more inclined to liberal than conservative views； always taking
the side of the peasants against those who were still in favour of serfdom。
〃Treat them well； and they will be fair to you；〃 he used to say。 Of course；
he did not overlook any carelessness on the part of those who worked on
his estate； and he urged them on to work if they were lazy； but then he
gave them good lodging； with plenty of good food； paid their wages
without any delay； and gave them drinks on days of festival。
Walking cautiously on the melting snowfor the time of the year was
FebruaryPeter Nikolaevich passed the stables； and made his way to the
cottage where his workmen were lodged。 It was still dark； the darker
because of the dense fog； but the windows of the cottage were lighted。
The men had already got up。 His intention was to urge them to begin
work。 He had arranged that they should drive out to the forest and bring
back the last supply of firewood he needed before spring。
〃What is that？〃 he thought； seeing the door of the stable wide open。
〃Hallo； who is there？〃
No answer。 Peter Nikolaevich stepped into the stable。 It was dark；
the ground was soft under his feet； and the air smelt of dung； on the rig
