[Foma Gordyeff by Maxim Gorky]@TWC D-Link bookFoma Gordyeff CHAPTER III 67/119
Foma Ignatyich! We are going to a big city.
Are there not plenty of women of her kind ?" "Well, keep quiet!" said Foma, sternly. "I will keep quiet, but this isn't right!" "What ?" "This very wantonness of ours.
Our steamer is perfect, clean--and suddenly there is a woman there! And if it were at least the right sort of a woman! But as it is, she merely bears the name of woman." Foma frowned insinuatingly and addressed the captain, imperiously emphasizing his words: "Yefim, I want you to bear it in mind, and to tell it to everybody here, that if anyone will utter an obscene word about her, I'll strike him on the head with a log of wood!" "How terrible!" said Yefim, incredulously, looking into the master's face with curiosity.
But he immediately made a step backward.
Ignat's son, like a wolf, showed his teeth, the apples of his eyes became wider, and he roared: "Laugh! I'll show you how to laugh!" Though Yefim lost courage, he nevertheless said with dignity: "Although you, Foma Ignatyich, are the master, yet as I was told, 'Watch, Yefim,' and then I am the captain here." "The captain ?" cried Foma, shuddering in every limb and turning pale. "And who am I ?" "Well, don't bawl! On account of such a trifle as a woman." Red spots came out on Foma's pale face, he shifted from one foot to the other, thrust his hands into the pockets of his jacket with a convulsive motion and said in a firm and even voice: "You! Captain! See here, say another word against me--and you go to the devil! I'll put you ashore! I'll get along as well with the pilot! Understand? You cannot command me.
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