Then he would also understand what they wanted, and would find his own place among them.
"Don't I understand," said Mayakin, more gently, seeing Foma lost in thought, and assuming that he was reflecting on his words--"I understand that you want happiness for yourself.

Well, my friend, it is not to be easily seized.

You must seek happiness even as they search for mushrooms in the wood, you must bend your back in search of it, and finding it, see whether it isn't a toad-stool." "So you will set me free ?" asked Foma, suddenly lifting his head, and Mayakin turned his eyes away from his fiery look.
"Father! at least for a short time! Let me breathe, let me step aside from everything!" entreated Foma.

"I will watch how everything goes on.
And then--if not--I shall become a drunkard." "Don't talk nonsense.

Why do you play the fool ?" cried Mayakin, angrily.
"Very well, then!" replied Foma, calmly.