rcoat, all stained with tar, a pair of dark
mittens stuck from his belt, and his head was covered with a shaggy fur
cap.

"Are you well? Have they let you out of prison, Pavel? So, how are
you, Nilovna?"

"Why, you? How glad I am to see you!"

Slowly removing his overclothes, Rybin said:

"Yes, I've turned muzhik again. You're gradually turning gentlemen,
and I am turning the other way. That's it!"

Pulling his ticking shirt straight, he passed through the room,
examined it attentively, and remarked:

"You can see your property has not increased, but you've grown richer
in books. So! That's the dearest possession, books are, it's true.
Well, tell me how things are going with you."

"Things are going forward," said Pavel.

"Yes," said Rybin.

"We plow and we sow,
All high and low,
Boasting is cheap,
But the harvest we reap,
A feast we'll make,
And a rest we'll take."

"Will you have some tea?" asked the mother.

"Yes, I'll have some tea, and I'll take a sip of vodka, too; and if
you'll give me something to eat, I won't decline it, either. I am glad
to see you--that's what!"

"How's the world wagging with you, Mikhail Ivanych?" Pavel inquired,
taking a seat opposite Rybin.

"So, so. Fairly well. I settled at Edilgeyev. Have you ever heard of
Edilgeyev? It's a fine village. There are two fairs a year there;
over two thousand inhabitants. The people are an evil pack. There's no
land. It's leased out in lots. Poor soil!"

"Do you talk to them?" asked Pavel, becoming animated.

"I don't keep mum. You know I have all your leaflets with me. I
grabbed them away from here--thirty-four of them. But I carry on my
propaganda chiefly with the Bible. You can get something out of it.
It's a thick book. It's a government book. It's published by the Holy
Synod. It's easy to believe!" He gave Pavel a wink, and continued
with a laugh: "But that's not enough! I have come here to you to get
books. Yefim is here, too. We are transporting tar; and so we turned
aside to stop at your house. You stock me up with books before Yefim
comes. He doesn't have to know too much!"

"Mother," said Pavel, "go get some books! They'll know what to give
you. Tell them it's for the country."

"All right. The samovar will be ready in a moment, and then I'll go."

"You have gone into this movement, too, Nilovna?" asked Rybin with a
smile. "Very well. We have lots of ea