And it was unjust of him to condemn the fig tree.

Was it of its own will that it was barren of fruit?
Neither is the soul barren of good of its own accord.

Have I sown the evil in it myself?
Of course not!" The two voices hummed continuously in the room, as if clutching at each other and wrestling in exciting play.

Pavel walked hurriedly up and down the room; the floor cracked under his feet.

When he spoke all other sounds were drowned by his voice; but above the slow, calm flow of Rybin's dull utterance were heard the strokes of the pendulum and the low creaking of the frost, as of sharp claws scratching the walls of the house.
"I will speak to you in my own way, in the words of a stoker.