Foma examined them in company with his father, but was still unsatisfied and returned to the steamer gloomy and fatigued.
"Tomorrow we shall be in Astrakhan," said Ignat one day.
"And is it just the same as the other cities ?" "Of course.

How else should it be ?" "And what is beyond Astrakhan ?" "The sea.

The Caspian Sea it is called." "And what is there ?" "Fishes, queer fellow! What else can there be in the water ?" "There's the city Kitezh standing in the water." "That's a different thing! That's Kitezh.

Only righteous people live there." "And are there no righteous cities on the sea ?" "No," said Ignat, and, after a moment's silence, added: "The sea water is bitter and nobody can drink it." "And is there more land beyond the sea ?" "Certainly, the sea must have an end.

It is like a cup." "And are there cities there too ?" "Again cities.