Whereloveis,theregodisalsobyLevTolstoy
InacertaintowntherelivedashoemakernamedMartinAvdeitch.Helived inabasementroomwhichpossessedbutonewindow.Thiswindowlooked ontothestreet,andthroughitaglimpsecouldbecaughtofthepassers-by.It istruethatonlytheirlegscouldbeseen,butthatdidnotmatter,asMartin couldrecognizepeoplebytheirbootsalone.Hehadlivedhereforalong time,andsohadmanyacquaintances.Therewereveryfewpairsofbootsin theneighbourhoodwhichhadnotpassedthroughhishandsatleastonce,if nottwice.Somehehadre-soled,othershehadfittedwithside-pieces,others, again,hehadresewnwheretheyweresplit,orprovidedwithnewtoe-caps. Yes,heoftensawhishandiworkthroughthatwindow.Hewasgivenplenty ofcustom,forhisworklastedwell,hismaterialsweregood,hisprices moderate,andhiswordtobedependedon.Ifhecoulddoajobbyagiven timeitshouldbedone;butifnot,hewouldwarnyoubeforehandratherthan disappointyou.EveryoneknewAvdeitch,andkepthimalwaysbusywith work.Hehadalwaysbeenanuprightman,butwiththeapproachofoldage hehadbegunmorethanevertothinkofhissoul,andtodrawnearertoGod. Hiswifehaddiedwhilehewasstillanapprentice,leavingbehindheralittle boyofthree.Thiswastheironlychild,indeed,forthetwoelderoneshad diedpreviously.AtfirstMartinthoughtofplacingthelittlefellowwitha sisterofhisinthecountry,butchangedhismind,thinking:"MyKapitoshka wouldnotliketogrowupinastrangefamily,soIwillkeephimbyme." ThenAvdeitchfinishedhisapprenticeship,andwenttoliveindependently withhislittleboy.ButGodhadnotseenfittogiveAvdeitchhappinessinhis children.Thelittleboywasjustgrowingupandbeginningtohelphisfather andtobeapleasuretohim,whenhefellill,wasputtobed,anddiedaftera week'sfever.
Martinburiedthelittlefellowandwasinconsolable.Indeed,hewasso inconsolablethathebegantomurmuragainstGod.Hislifeseemedsoempty thatmorethanonceheprayedfordeathandreproachedtheAlmightyfor takingawayhisonlybelovedsoninsteadofhimself,theoldman.Atlasthe ceasedaltogethertogotochurch.
Thenonedaytherecametoseehimanoldman-pilgrim onewhowasnow intheeighthyearofhispilgrimage.TohimAvdeitchtalked,andthenwent ontocomplainofhisgreatsorrow.
-InolongerwishtobeaGod-fearingman,-hesaid.-Ionlywishtodie. ThatisallTaskofGod.Iamalonely,hopelessman.
Andtheoldpilgrimrepliedtohim:
-Youshouldnotspeaklikethat,Martin.Itisnotforustojudgetheactsof God.Wemustrely,notuponourownunderstanding,butupontheDivine wisdom.Godsawfitthatyoursonshoulddieandthatyoushouldlive. Thereforeitmustbebetterso.Ifyoudespair,itisbecauseyouhavewished tolivetoomuchforyourownpleasure.
-Forwhat,then,shouldIlive?-askedMartin.
Andtheoldmanreplied:
-NeedtoliveforGod.ItisHewhogaveyoulife,andthereforeitisHefor whomyoushouldlive.WhenyoucometoliveforHim,youwillceaseto grieve,andeverythingwillbecomeeasytobear.
Martinwassilent.Thenhespokeagain.
-ButhowamItoliveforGod?-heasked.
-AndhowtoliveforGod-Christhasshownustheway,-answeredtheold man.-Canyouread?Ifso,buytheNewTestamentandreadit.Youwill learntherehowtoliveforGod.Itisallshownthere.
ThesewordssankintoAvdeitch'ssoul.Hewentoutthesameday,boughta large-printcopyoftheNewTestament,andsethimselftoreadit.Atthe beginningAvdeitchhadmeantonlytoreadonfestivaldays,butwhenhe oncebeganhisreadinghefounditsocomfortingtothesoulthathecame nevertoletadaypasswithoutdoingso.Onthesecondoccasionhebecame soengrossedthatallthekerosenewasburntawayinthelampbeforehecould
tearhimselfawayfromthebook.Thushecametoreaditeveryevening,and, themoreheread,themoreclearlydidheunderstandwhatGodrequiredof him,andinwhatwayhecouldliveforGod;sothathisheartgrewever lighterandlighter.Onceuponatime,wheneverhehadlaindowntosleep,he hadbeenusedtomoanandsighashethoughtofhislittleKapitoshka;but nowheonlysaid-"Glorytoyou,OLord!Glorytoyou!Yourwillbedone!"
FromthattimeonwardsAvdeitch'slifebecamecompletelychanged.Oncehe hadbeenusedtogooutonfestivaldaysanddrinkteainatavern,andhadnot deniedhimselfevenanoccasionalglassofvodka.Thishehaddoneinthe companyofabooncompanion,and,althoughnodrunkard,wouldfrequently leavethetaverninanexcitedstateandtalkmuchnonsenseasheshoutedand disputedwiththisfriendofhis.Butnowhehadturnedhisbackonallthis, andhislifehadbecomequietandjoyous.Earlyinthemorninghewouldsit downtohiswork,andlabourthroughhisappointedhours.Thenhewould takethelampdownfromashelf,lightit,andsitdowntoread.Andthemore heread,themoreheunderstood,andtheclearerandhappierhegrewatheart.
IthappenedoncethatMartinhadbeenreadinglate.Hehadbeenreading thoseversesinthesixthchapteroftheGospelofSt.Lukewhichrun:
"Anduntohimthatsmiteththeeontheonecheekofferalsotheother;and himthattakethawaythycloakforbidnottotakethycoatalso.Givetoevery manthataskethofthee;andofhimthattakethawaythygoodsaskthemnot again.Andasyewouldthatmenshoulddotoyou,doyealsotothem likewise."
Then,furtheron,hehadreadthoseverseswheretheLordsays:
“AndwhycallyouMe,Lord,Lord,anddonotthethingswhichIsay?
WhosoevercomestoMeandhearsmysayings,anddoesthem,Iwillshow youtowhomheislike:Heislikeamanwhichbuiltanhouse,anddigged deep,andlaidthefoundationonarock:andwhenthefloodarose,thestorm beatvehementlyuponthathouse,andcouldnotshakeit:foritwasfounded uponarock.Buthethathearsanddoesnot,islikeamanthatwithouta foundationbuiltahouseupontheearth;againstwhichthestreamdidbeat
vehemently,andimmediatelyitfell;andtheruinofthathousewasgreat."
Avdeitchreadthesewords,andfeltgreatlycheeredinsoul.Hetookoffhis spectacles,laidthemonthebook,leanedhiselbowsuponthetable,andgave himselfuptomeditation.Hesethimselftomeasurehisownlifebythose words,andthoughttohimself:
-Ismyhousefoundeduponarockoruponsand?Itiswellifitbeupona rock.YetitseemssoeasytomeasIsitherealone.Imaysoeasilycometo thinkthatIhavedoneallthattheLordhascommandedme,andgrow carelessand-sinagain.YetIwinkeeponstriving,foritisgoodlysotodo. Helpme,OLord.
Thushethought,andwantedtogotobedyethewasloathetotearhimself awayfromthebook.HebegantoreadtheseventhchapterofStLuke,and readonaboutthecenturion,thewidow'sson,andtheanswergiventoJohn's disciples;untilintimehecametothepassagewheretherichPhariseeinvited Jesustohishouse,andthewomanwashedtheLord'sfeetwithhertearsand Hejustifiedher.Sohecametotheforty-fourthverseandread:
"AndHeturnedtothewoman,andsaiduntoSimon,seeyouthiswoman?I enteredintothinehouse,andthougavemenowaterformyfeet:butshehas washedmyfeetwithtears,andwipedthemwiththehairsofherhead.You gavemenokiss,butthiswomansincethetimeIcameinhasnotceasedto kissmyfeet.Youdidnotanointmyheadwithoil;butthiswomanhas anointedmyfeet."
Hereadtheseversesandthought:“Youdidn’tgivemewaterformyfeet, didn’tkiss,didn’tanointmyhead…”
Andonceagainhetookoffhisspectacles,laidthemonthebook,andagain startedtoponder.
"ThatPhariseemust’vebeenlikeI,"-hethoughttohimself.-"Ialsomust’ve thoughtonlyofmyownneeds.Ithoughtonlyofdrinkingtea,andstayingin comfort,-butneverofaguest’sneeds.Iwasmindfulonlyofmyself,andnot ofmyguest.Andwhoistheguest?Why,eventheLordHimself!If,then,He
shouldcometovisitme,shouldIreceiveHimthesameway?"
And,leaningforwarduponhiselbows,hewasasleepalmostbeforehewas awareofit.
-Martin!-someoneseemedtobreatheinhisear.Hestartedfromhissleep.
-Whoisthere?-hesaid.Heturnedandlookedtowardsthedoor,butcould seenoone.Againhebentforwardoverthetable.Thensuddenlyheheardthe words:
-Martin,Martin!Lookintothestreettomorrow,I’llcomeover.
Martinrousedhimself,gotupfromthechair,andrubbedhiseyes.Hedidnot knowwhetheritwasdreamingorawakethathehadheardthesewords,but heturnedoutthelampandwenttobed.
ThenextmorningAvdeitchrosebeforedaylightandsaidhisprayers.Then hemadeupthestove,gotreadysomecabbagesoupandporridge,lightedthe samovar,slunghisleatherapronabouthim,andsatdowntohisworkinthe window.Hesatandworkedhard,yetallthetimehisthoughtswerecentred uponlastnight.Hewasintwoideasaboutthevision.
Atonemomenthewouldthinkthatitmusthavebeenhisfancy,whilethe nextmomenthewouldfindhimselfconvincedthathehadreallyheardthe voice."Yes,itmusthavebeenso,"heconcluded.
AsMartinsatthusbythewindowhekeptlookingoutofitasmuchas working.Wheneverapairofbootspassedwithwhichhewasacquaintedhe wouldbenddowntoglanceupwardsthroughthewindowandseetheir owner'sfaceaswell.Thedoorkeeperpassedinnewfeltboots,andthena water-carrier.Next,anoldsoldier,aveteranofNicholas'army,inold, patchedboots,andcarryingashovelinhishands,haltedclosebythe window.Avdeitchknewhimbyhisboots.HisnamewasStepanitch,andhe waskeptbyaneighbouringtradesmanoutofcharity,hisdutiesbeingtohelp thedoorkeeper.HebegantoclearawaythesnowfrominfrontofAvdeitch's window,whiletheshoemakerlookedathimandthenresumedhiswork.
-IthinkImustbegettingintomyoldage,-thoughtAvdeitchwithasmile.JustbecauseStepanitchbeginsclearingawaythesnowIatoncejumptothe conclusionthatChristisabouttovisitme.Yes,Iamgrowingfoolishnow, oldgreybeardthatIam.
Yethehadhardlymadeadozenstitchesbeforehewascraninghisneckagain tolookoutofthewindow.HecouldseethatStepanitchhadplacedhisshovel againstthewall,andwasrestingandtryingtowarmhimselfalittle.
“Heisevidentlyanoldmannowandbroken,”-thoughtAvdeitchtohimself. "Heisnotstrongenoughtoclearawaysnow.Wouldhelikesometea,I wonder?Thatremindsmethatthesamovarmustbereadynow."Hemade fasthisawlinhisworkandgotup.Placingthesamovaronthetable,he brewedthetea,andthentappedwithhisfingeronthewindow-pane. Stepanitchturnedroundandapproached.Avdeitchbeckonedtohim,andthen wenttoopenthedoor.
-Comeinandwarmyourself,-hesaid.-Youmustbefrozen.
-Christbewithyou!-answeredStepanitch.-Yes,mybonesarealmost cracking.
Stepanitchcamein,shookthesnowoffhimself,and,thoughtotteringonhis feet,tookpainstowipethemcarefully,thathemightnotdirtythefloor.
-Donottroubleaboutwipingthat,-saidAvdeitch.-Iwillwipeyourboots myself.Itispartofmybusinessinthistrade.Comeoverhereandsitdown, andhaveateatodrink.
AndAvdeitchpouredouttwoglasses,andofferedonetohisguest;after whichheemptiedhisownintothesaucer,andblewuponittocoolit.
Stepanitchdrankhisglass,turnedtheglassupsidedown,placedhiscrust uponit,andstartedtothankhishost.Butitwasplainthathewantedanother one.
-Youhavesomemore,-saidAvdeitch,andrefilledhisguest'stumblerand
hisown.Yet,inspiteofhimself,hehadnosoonerdrunkhisteathanhe foundhimselflookingoutintothestreetagain.
-Areyouexpectinganyone?-askedhisguest.
-Am amIexpectinganyone?Well,totellthetruth,yes.Thatistosay,I am,andIamnot.Thefactisthatsomewordshavegotfixedinmymemory. WhetheritwasavisionornotIcannottell,butatallevents,myoldfriend,I wasreadingintheGospelslastnightaboutOurFather-Christ,andhowHe walkedonthisearthandsuffered.YouhaveheardofHim,haveyounot?
-Yes,yes,IhaveheardofHim,-answeredStepanitch,-butweareignorant folkanddonotknowourletters.
-Well,IwasreadingofhowHewalkedonthisearth,andhowHewentto visitaPharisee,andyetreceivednowelcomefromhimatthedoor.AllthisI readlastnight,myfriend,andthenfelltothinkingaboutit tothinkinghow somedayItoomightfailtopayOurFather-Christduehonour.“Suppose,”-I thoughttomyself,-“Hecametomeortoanyonelikeme?Shouldwe,like thegreatlordSimon,notknowhowtoreceiveHimandnotgoouttomeet Him?”ThusIthought,andfellasleepwhereIsat.ThenasIsatsleepingthere Iheardsomeonecallmyname;andasIraisedmyselfthevoicewenton(as thoughitwerethevoiceofsomeonewhisperinginmyear):“Watchthoufor metomorrow,forIamcomingtovisityou.”Itsaidthattwice.Andsothose wordshavegotintomyhead,and,foolishthoughIknowittobe,Ikeep expectingHim-theFather-everymoment.
Stepanitchnoddedandsaidnothing,butemptiedhisglassandlaiditaside. NeverthelessAvdeitchtookandrefilledit.
-Drinkitupforyourhealth,-hesaid.-Youknow,Ioftenthinkthatwhen OurFatherwalkedonthisearth,therewasneveraman,howeverhumble, whomHedespised,andhowitwaschieflyamongthecommonpeoplethat Hedwelt.ItwasalwayswiththemthatHewalked;itwasfromamongthem fromamongsuchmenasyouandI-fromamongsinnersandworkingfolk -thatHechoseHisdisciples.“Whosoever,”-Hesaid,-“shallexalthimself, thesameshallbeabased;andwhosoevershallabasehimself,thesameshall
beexalted”“You,”-Hesaidagain,-“callmeLord;yetwillIwashyour feet.”“Whosoever,”-Hesaid,-“wouldbechiefamongyou,lethimbethe servantofall.Because,”-Hesaid,-“blessedarethelowly,thepeacemakers, themerciful,andthecharitable.”
Stepanitchhadforgottenallabouthistea.Hewasanoldman,andhistears cameeasily.Hesatandlistened,withthetearsrollingdownhischeeks.
-Oh,butyoumustdrinkyourtea,-saidAvdeitch;yetStepanitchonly crossedhimselfandsaidthethanksgiving,afterwhichhepushedhisglass awayandrose.
-Ithankyou,MartinAvdeitch,-hesaid.-Youhavetakenmein,andfed bothsoulandbody.
-You’reverywelcome,comeagainanothertime,Iamgladofaguest,repliedAvdeitch.
SoStepanitchdeparted,whileMartinpouredoutthelastoftheteaanddrank it.Thenhecleanedthecrockery,andsatdownagaintohisworkbythe window tothestitchingofaback-piece.Hestitchedaway,yetkepton lookingthroughthewindow lookingforChrist,asitwere andever thinkingofChristandHisworks.Indeed,Christ'smanysayingswerenever absentfromAvdeitch'smind.
Twosoldierspassedthewindow,theoneinmilitaryboots,andtheotherin civilian.Next,therecameaneighbouringhouseholder,inpolishedgoloshes; thenabakerwithabasket.Allofthempassedon.Presentlyawomanin woollenstockingsandroughcountryshoesapproachedthewindow,and haltednearthebuttressoutsideit.Avdeitchpeeredupatherfromunderthe lintelofhiswindow,andcouldseethatshewasaplain-looking,poorlydressedwomanandhadachildinherarms.Itwasinordertomufflethe childupmoreclosely littlethoughshehadtodoitwith! thatshehad stoppednearthebuttressandwasnowstandingtherewithherbacktothe wind.Herclothingwasraggedandfitonlyforsummer,andevenfrom behindhiswindow-panesAvdeitchcouldhearthechildcryingmiserablyand itsmothervainlytryingtosootheit.Avdeitchrose,wenttothedoor,climbed
thesteps,andcriedout:
-Goodwoman,goodwoman!
Sheheardhimandturnedround.
-Whyneedyoustandthereinthecoldwithyourbaby?-Hewenton.-Come intomyroom,whereitiswarm,andwhereyouwillbeabletowrapthebaby upmorecomfortablythanyoucandohere.Yes,comeinwithyou.
Thewomanwassurprisedtoseeanoldmaninaleatherapronandwith spectaclesuponhisnosecallingouttoher,yetshefollowedhimdownthe steps,andtheyenteredhisroom.Theoldmanledhertothebedstead.
-Yousitdownhere,mygoodwoman,-hesaid.-Youwillbenearthestove, andcanwarmyourselfandfeedyourbaby.
-Ah,butIhavenomilkleftinmybreast,-shereplied.-Ihavehadnothing toeatthismorning.-Neverthelesssheputthechildtosuck.
Avdeitchnoddedhisheadapprovingly,wenttothetableforsomebreadand abasin,andopenedthestovedoor.Fromthestovehetookandpouredsome soupintothebasin,anddrewoutalsoabowlofporridge.Thelatter, however,wasnotyetboiling,sohesetoutonlythesoup,afterfirstlayingthe tablewithacloth.
-Sitdownandeat,mygoodwoman,-hesaid,-whileIholdyourbaby.I havehadlittleonesofmyown,andknowhowtonursethem.
Thewomancrossedherselfandsatdown,whileAvdeitchseatedhimself uponthebedsteadwiththebaby.Hesmackedhislipsatitonceortwice,but madeapoorshowofit,forhehadnoteethleft.Consequentlythebabywent oncrying.Thenhebethoughthimofhislinger,whichhewriggledtoandfro towardsthebaby'smouthandbackagain without,however,actually touchingthelittleone'slips,sincethefingerwasblackenedwithworkand stickywithshoemaker'swax.Thebabycontemplatedthefingerandgrew quiet thenactuallysmiled.Avdeitchwasdelighted.Meanwhilethewoman
hadbeeneatinghermeal,andnowshetoldhim,unasked,whoshewasand whithershewasgoing.
-Iamasoldier'swife,-shesaid,-butmyhusbandwassenttoadistant stationeightmonthsago,andIhaveheardnothingofhimsince.AtfirstIgot aplaceascook,butwhenthebabycametheysaidtheycouldnotdowithit anddismissedme.Thatwasthreemonthsago,andIhavegotnothingsince, andhavespentallmysavings.Itriedtogettakenasawetnurse,butnoone wouldhaveme,forthe}'saidIwastoothin.Ihavejustbeentoseea tradesman'swifewhereourgrandmotherisinservice.Shehadpromisedto takemeon,andIquitethoughtthatshewould,butwhenIarrivedto-dayshe toldmetocomeagainnextweek.Shelivesalongwayfromhere,andIam quitewornoutandhavetiredmybabyfornothing.ThankHeaven,however, mylandladyisgoodtome,andgivesmeshelterforChrist'ssake.Otherwise Ishouldnothaveknownhowtobearitall.
Avdeitchsighedandsaid:
-Buthaveyounothingwarmtowear?
-Ah,sir,-repliedthewoman,-althoughitisthetimeforwarmclothesIhad topawnmylastshawlyesterdayfortwogrivenki.
Thenthewomanreturnedtothebedsteadtotakeherbaby,whileAvdeitch roseandwenttoacupboard.Thereherummagedabout,andpresently returnedwithanoldjacket.
-Here,-hesaid.-Itisapooroldthing,butitwillservetocoveryou.
Thewomanlookedatthejacket,andthenattheoldman.Thenshetookthe jacketandburstintotears.Avdeitchturnedaway,andwentcreepingunder thebedstead,whenceheextractedaboxandpretendedtorummageaboutin itforafewmoments;afterwhichhesatdownagainbeforethewoman.
Thenthewomansaidtohim:"IthankyouinChrist'sname,good grandfather.SurelyitwasHeHimselfwhosentmetoyourwindow. OtherwiseIshouldhaveseenmybabyperishwiththecold.WhenIfirst
cameoutthedaywaswarm,butnowithasbeguntofreeze.ButHe,ourdear Father,hadplacedyouinyourwindow,thatyoumightseemeinmybitter plightandhavecompassionuponme.
Avdeitchsmiledandsaid:
-Hedidindeedplacemethere:yet,mypoorwoman,itwasforaspecial purposethatIwaslookingout.
Thenhetoldhisguest,thesoldier'swife,ofhisvision,andhowhehadheard avoiceforetellingthatto-daytheLordHimselfwouldcometovisithim.
-Thatmayverywellbe,-saidthewomanassherose,tookthejacket,and wrappedherbabyinit.
Thenshesalutedhimoncemoreandthankedhim.
-Also,takethisinChrist'sname,-saidAvdeitch,andgaveheratwogrivenkapiecewithwhichtobuyherselfashawl.Thewomancrossed herself,andhelikewise.Thenheledhertothedooranddismissedher.
WhenshehadgoneAvdeitchatealittlesoup,washedupthecrockeryagain, andresumedhiswork.
Allthetime,though,hekepthiseyeuponthewindow,andassoonasevera shadowfellacrossithewouldlookuptoseewhowaspassing.
Acquaintancesofhiscamepast,andpeoplewhomhedidnotknow,yetnever anyoneveryparticular.
Thensuddenlyhesawsomething.Oppositehiswindowtherehadstoppedan oldpedlar-woman,withabasketofapples.Onlyafewoftheapples, however,remained,sothatitwasclearthatshewasalmostsoldout.Overher shoulderwasslungasackofshavings,whichshemusthavegatherednear somenewbuildingasshewasgoinghome.Apparently,hershoulderhad beguntoacheundertheirweight,andshethereforewishedtoshiftthemto theotherone.Todothis,shebalancedherbasketofapplesonthetopofa post,loweredthesacktothepavement,andbeganshakingupitscontents.As
shewasdoingthis,aboyinaraggedcapappearedfromsomewhere,seized anapplefromthebasket,andtriedtomakeoff.Buttheoldwoman,whohad beenonherguard,managedtoturnandseizetheboybythesleeve,and althoughhestruggledandtriedtobreakaway,sheclungtohimwithboth hands,snatchedhiscapoff,andfinallygraspedhimbythehair.Thereupon theyoungsterbegantoshoutandabusehiscaptor.Avdeitchdidnotstopto makefasthisawl,butthrewhisworkdownuponthefloor,rantothedoor, andwentstumblingupthesteps losinghisspectaclesashedidso.Out intothestreetheran,wheretheoldwomanwasstillclutchingtheboybythe hairandthreateningtotakehimtothepolice,whiletheboy,forhispart,was strugglingintheendeavourtofreehimself.
-Inevertookit,-hewassaying.-Whatareyoubeatingmefor?Letmego.
Avdeitchtriedtopartthemashetooktheboybythehandandsaid:
-Lethimgo,mygoodwoman.PardonhimforChrist'ssake.
-Yes,Iwillpardonhim.-Sheretorted,-butnotuntilhehastastedanew birch-rod.Imeantotaketheyoungrascaltothepolice.
ButAvdeitchstillintercededforhim.
-Lethimgo,mygoodwoman,-hesaid.-Hewillneverdoitagain.Lethim goforChrist'ssake.
Theoldwomanreleasedtheboy,whowasformakingoffatoncehadnot Avdeitchstoppedhim.
-Youmustbegtheoldwoman'spardon,-hesaid,-andneverdosuchathing again.Isawyoutaketheapple.
Theboyburstoutcrying,andbeggedtheoldwoman'spardonasAvdeitch commanded.
-There,there,-saidAvdeitch.-NowIwillgiveyouone.Hereyouare,
AndAvdeitchtookanapplefromthebasketandhandedittotheboy.
-Iwillpayyouforit,mygoodwoman,-headded.
-Yes,butyouspoiltheyoungrascalbydoingthat,-sheobjected.-Heought tohavereceivedarewardthatwouldhavemadehimgladtostandfora week.
-All,mygooddame,mygooddame,-exclaimedAvdeitch.-Thatmaybe ourwayofrewarding,butitisnotGod's.Ifthisboyoughttohavebeen whippedfortakingtheapple,oughtnotwealsotoreceivesomethingforour sins?
Theoldwomanwassilent.
ThenAvdeitchrelatedtohertheparableofthemasterwhoabsolvedhis servantfromthegreatdebtwhichheowedhim,whereupontheservant departedandtookhisowndebtorbythethroat.Theoldwomanlistened,and alsotheboy.
-Godhascommandedustopardononeanother,-wentonAvdeitch,-orHe willnotpardonus.Weoughttopardonallmen,andespeciallythe thoughtless.
Theoldwomanshookherheadandsighed.
-Yes,thatmaybeso,-shesaid,-buttheseyoungrascalsaresospoilt already!
-Thenitisforus,theirelders,toteachthembetter,-hereplied.
-ThatiswhatI’msaying,-rejoinedtheoldwoman.–Ihadsevenofchildren myself,buthaveonlyonedaughterleftnow.
AndshewentontotellAvdeitchwheresheandherdaughterlived,andhow theylived,andhowmanygrandchildrenshehad.
-Ihaveonlysuchstrengthasyousee,-shesaid,-yetIworkhard,formy
heartgoesouttomygrandchildren thebonnylittlethingsthattheyare!No childrencouldruntomeetmeastheydo.Aksintka,forinstance,willgoto nooneelse.“Grandmother,”-shecries,-“deargrandmother,sweetheart"andtheoldwomanbecamethoroughlysoftened.-Everyoneknowswhat boysare,-sheaddedpresently,referringtotheculprit.–MayGodgowith him!
Shewasraisingthesacktohershouldersagainwhentheboyjumpedforward andsaid:
-Nay,letmecarryit,grandmother.Itwillbeallonmywayhome.
Theoldwomannoddedassent,gaveupthesacktotheboy,andwentaway withhimdownthestreet.ShehadquiteforgottentoaskAvdeitchforthe moneyfortheapple.Hestoodlookingafterthem,andobservinghowthey weretalkingtogetherastheywent.
Havingseenthemgo,hereturnedtohisroom,findinghisspectacles unbroken onthestepsashedescendedthem.Oncemorehetookuphisawl andfelltowork,buthaddonelittlebeforehefounditdifficulttodistinguish thestitches,andthelamp-lighterhadpassedonhisrounds."Itoomustlight up,"-hethoughttohimself.Sohetrimmedthelamp,hungitup,and resumedhiswork.Hefinishedonebootcompletely,andthenturneditover tolookatit.Itwasallgoodwork.Thenhelaidasidehistools,sweptupthe cuttings,roundedoffthestitchesandlooseends,andcleanedhisawl.Next heliftedthelampdown,placeditonthetable,andtookhisTestamentfrom theshelf.Hehadintendedopeningthebookattheplacewhichhehad markedlastnightwithastripofleather,butitopeneditselfatanother instead.Theinstantitdidso,hisvisionoflastnightcamebacktohis memory,and,asinstantly,hethoughtheheardamovementbehindhimasof someonemovingtowardshim.Helookedroundandsawintheshadowofa darkcornerwhatappearedtobefigures-figuresofpersonsstandingthere, yetcouldnotdistinguishthemclearly.Thenthevoicewhisperedinhisear:
-Martin,Martin,doyounotrecognizeme?
-Recognizewho?-saidAvdeitch.
-Me,-whisperedthevoiceagain.–thisisI,-andStepanitchsteppedfrom thedarkcomer,smiledandthen,likethefadingofalittlecloud,hewasgone.
-ItisI,-whisperedthevoiceagain andtheresteppedfromthesamecorner thewomanwithherbaby.Shesmiled,andthebabysmiled,andtheywere gone.
-AnditisI,-whisperedthevoiceagain-andtheresteppedforththeold womanandtheboywiththeapple.Theysmiled,andweregone.
JoyfilledthesoulofMartinAvdeitch,hecrossedhimself,putonhis spectacles,andsethimselftoreadtheTestamentattheplacewhereithad opened.Atthetopofthepageheread:
-ForIwasahungry,andyougavememeat:Iwasthirsty,andyougaveme drink:Iwasastranger,andyoutookmein…
Andfurtherdownthepageheread:
-Inasmuchasyouhavedoneituntooneoftheleastofthesebrethren,you havedoneituntome.(Matthew25)
ThenAvdeitchunderstoodthatthevisiondidn’tdeceivehim,itdidcome true,andthathisSaviourhad,inverytruth,visitedhimthatday,andthathe hadreceivedHim.