n fashion; in other words, it is conducted abominably. But it is a
splendid business, nevertheless. If it were managed properly it would be
a most profitable gold mine."

"Foma does absolutely nothing. Everything is in father's hands."

"Yes? That's fine."

"Do you know, sometimes it occurs to me that his thoughtful frame of
mind--that these words of his are sincere, and that he can be very
decent. But I cannot reconcile his scandalous life with his words and
arguments. I cannot do it under any circumstances!"

"It isn't even worthwhile to bother about it. The stripling and lazy
bones seeks to justify his laziness."

"No. You see, at times he is like a child. He was particularly so
before."

"Well, that's what I have said: he's a stripling. Is it worth while
talking about an ignoramus and a savage, who wishes to remain an
ignoramus and a savage, and does not conceal the fact? You see: he
reasons as the bear in the fable bent the shafts."

"You are very harsh."

"Yes, I am harsh! People require that. We Russians are all desperately
loose. Happily, life is so arranged that, whether we will it or not, we
gradually brace up. Dreams are for the lads and maidens, but for serious
people there is serious business."

"Sometimes I feel very sorry for Foma. What will become of him?"

"That does not concern me. I believe that nothing in particular will
become of him--neither good nor bad. The insipid fellow will squander
his money away, and will be ruined. What else? Eh, the deuce take him!
Such people as he is are rare nowadays. Now the merchant knows the power
of education. And he, that foster-brother of yours, he will go to ruin."

"That's true, sir!" said Foma, opening the door and appearing on the
threshold.

Pale, with knitted brow and quivering lips, he stared straight into
Taras's face and said in a dull voice: "True! I will go to ruin
and--amen! The sooner the better!"

Lubov sprang up from the chair with frightened face, and ran up to
Taras, who stood calmly in the middle of the room, with his hands thrust
in his pockets.

"Foma! Oh! Shame! You have been eavesdropping. Oh, Foma!" said she in
confusion.

"Keep quiet, you lamb!" said Foma to her.

"Yes, eavesdropping is wrong!" ejaculated Taras, slowly, without lifting
from Foma his look of contempt.

"Let it be wrong!" said Foma, with a wave of the hand. "Is it my fault
that the truth can be learned by eavesdropping only?"

"Go away, Foma, please!"