cted Saveliitch so much that he clasped his hands and stood
bowed down mute and motionless.

"What are you doing there like a post?" I cried out, angrily.

Saveliitch was in tears.

"Oh! my dear master Peter," stammered he, with trembling voice, "do not
kill me with grief. Oh my light, listen to me, an old man; write to
that brigand that you were jesting, that we never had so much money. A
hundred roubles! God of goodness! Tell him thy parents strictly forbade
thee to play for any thing but nuts."

"Silence," said I, with severity, "give the money or I'll chase you out
of the room."

Saveliitch looked at me with agony, and went for the money. I pitied the
good old man, but I wanted to emancipate myself, and prove that I was no
longer a child. Saveliitch sent the money to Zourine, and then hastened
our departure from that cursed inn.

I left Simbirsk with a troubled conscience; a secret remorse oppressed
me. I took no leave of my teacher, not dreaming that I should ever meet
him again.

II. THE GUIDE.

My reflections during the journey were not very agreeable. According to
the value of money at that time my loss was of some importance. I could
not but admit to myself that my conduct at the inn at Simbirsk had been
very silly, and I felt guilty toward Saveliitch. The old man was seated
on the front of the vehicle in dull silence; from time to time turning
his head and coughing a cough of ill humor. I had firmly resolved to
make friends with him, but I did not know which way to begin. At last I
said to him, "Come, come Saveliitch, let us put an end to this; I know I
was wrong; I was a fool yesterday, and offended you without cause, but
I promise to listen to you in future. Come, do not be angry, let us make
friends!"

"Ah! My dear Peter," said he with a sigh, "I am angry with myself. It's
I who was wrong in every thing. How could I have left you alone at
the inn? How could it have been avoided? The devil had a hand in it! I
wanted to go and see the deacon's wife, who is my god-mother, and as the
proverb says: 'I left the house and fell into the prison.'"

What a misfortune! what a misfortune! How can I appear before the eyes
of my masters? What will they say, when they shall hear that their child
is a drunkard and a gambler. To console dear old Saveliitch, I gave
him my word, that for the future I would not dispose of single kopeck
without his consent. Little by little he became calm, which did not,
ho