Get out the samovar and have some vodki, and over both forgive and forget each other's sins, promising not to transgress in the future, and advise your women and children to do the same." Ivan heaved a deep sigh but felt easier in his heart, as he thought: "The old man speaks the truth;" yet he was in doubt as to how he would put his father's advice into practice.
The old man, surmising his uncertainty, said to Ivan: "Go, Ivanushka; do not delay.

Extinguish the fire in the beginning, before it grows large, for then it may be impossible." Ivan's father wished to say more to him, but was prevented by the arrival of the women, who came into the room chattering like so many magpies.

They had already heard of Gavryl's sentence, and of how he threatened to set fire to Ivan's house.

They found out all about it, and in telling it to their neighbors added their own versions of the story, with the usual exaggeration.

Meeting in the pasture-ground, they proceeded to quarrel with Gavryl's women.