Do you understand ?" "Of course, I do!" exclaimed Foma.
When his godfather spoke of the functionaries, Foma reminded himself of the people that were present at the dinner; he recalled the brisk secretary, and a thought flashed through his mind that this stout little man has in all probability an income of no more than a thousand roubles a year, while he, Foma, has a million.

But that man lives so easily and freely, while he, Foma, does not know how to live, is indeed abashed to live.

This comparison and his godfather's speech roused in him a whirl of thoughts, but he had time to grasp and express only one of them: "Indeed, do we work for the sake of money only?
What's the use of money if it can give us no power ?" "Aha!" said Mayakin, winking his eyes.
"Eh!" exclaimed Foma, offended.

"How about my father?
Have you spoken to him ?" "I spoke to him for twenty years." "Well, how about him ?" "My words did not reach him.

The crown of your father's head was rather thick.