[Foma Gordyeff by Maxim Gorky]@TWC D-Link book
Foma Gordyeff

CHAPTER I
10/31

Then he sat for a long time gloomy and lost in thought, and now and again stared at the priest.
Suddenly his eyes began to laugh, and he said: "Aren't you a liar, drunkard ?" The priest silently made the sign of the cross and lowered his head on his breast.
"It is the truth!" said one of the company, confirming the priest's words.
"True?
Very well!" shouted Ignat, and, striking the table with his fist, he addressed himself to the priest: "Eh, you! Sell me your daughter! How much will you take ?" The priest shook his head and shrank back.
"One thousand!" The company giggled, seeing that the priest was shrinking as though cold water was being poured on him.
"Two!" roared Ignat, with flashing eyes.
"What's the matter with you?
How is it ?" muttered the priest, stretching out both hands to Ignat.
"Three!" "Ignat Matveyich!" cried the priest, in a thin, ringing voice.

"For God's sake! For Christ's sake! Enough! I'll sell her! For her own sake I'll sell her!" In his sickly, sharp voice was heard a threat to someone, and his eyes, unnoticed by anybody before, flashed like coals.

But the intoxicated crowd only laughed at him foolishly.
"Silence!" cried Ignat, sternly, straightening himself to his full length and flashing his eyes.
"Don't you understand, devils, what's going on here?
It's enough to make one cry, while you giggle." He walked up to the priest, went down on his knees before him, and said to him firmly: "Father now you see what a rascal I am.

Well, spit into my face!" Something ugly and ridiculous took place.

The priest too, knelt before Ignat, and like a huge turtle, crept around near his feet, kissed his knees and muttered something, sobbing.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books