My father's mind was ready for the reception of such ideas, and he was inspired by the new view of the world which they afforded him.
When he returned to Polotzk he knew what had been wrong with his life before, and he proceeded to remedy it.

He resolved to live, as far as the conditions of existence in Polotzk permitted, the life of a modern man.

And he saw no better place to begin than with the education of the children.

Outwardly he must conform to the ways of his neighbors, just as he must pay tribute to the policeman on the beat; for standing room is necessary to all operations, and social ostracism could ruin him as easily as police persecution.

His children, if he started them right, would not have to bow to the yoke as low as he; his children's children might even be free men.