Eh! When I was of your age I had an easy life, while you are only taking aim.

But then, good fruit does not ripen early." The old man's monotonous speeches soon accomplished what they were intended to do.

Foma listened to them and made clear to himself the aim of life.

He must be better than others, he resolved, and the ambition, kindled by the old man, took deep root in his heart.

It took root within his heart, but did not fill it up, for Foma's relations toward Medinskaya assumed that character, which they were bound to assume.