The Diary of a Superfluous Man, and Other Stories

"He will not do it, Naúm Ivánitch, believe me. Believe me, you yourself will be more at ease so – for, you see, there will be inquiries – the court – you surely know what I mean."

"Well, and what about the court? I have nothing to fear from the court…"

"Dear little father, Naúm Ivánitch, how can you help fearing the court?.."

"Eh, stop that; I see that thou art drunk early, and to-day is a feast-day, to boot."

Efrém suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, fell to weeping.

"I am drunk, but I 'm speaking the truth," – he blurted out. – "But do you release him, in honour of Christ's festival."

"Come, let 's be starting, cry-baby."

And Naúm went out on the porch…

"Forgive him for Avdótya Aréfyevna's sake," – said Efrém, following him.

Naúm approached the cellar, and threw the door wide open. Efrém, with timorous curiosity, craned his neck from behind Naúm's back, and with difficulty made out Akím in one corner of the shallow cellar. The former wealthy householder, the man respected in all the countryside, was sitting with pinioned arms on the straw, like a criminal… On hearing the noise, he raised his head… He seemed to have grown frightfully thin in the last two days, especially during the last night – his sunken eyes were hardly visible beneath his lofty brow, yellow as wax, his parched lips had turned dark … his whole face had undergone a change, and assumed a strange expression: both harsh and terrified.

"Get up and come out," – said Naúm.

Akím rose, and stepped across the threshold.

"Akím Semyónitch," – roared Efrém, – "thou hast ruined thyself, my dear man!"

Akím glanced at him in silence.

"If I had known why thou didst ask for liquor, I would n't have given it to thee; indeed, I would n't! I do believe I would have drunk it all myself! Ekh, Naúm Ivánitch," – added Efrém, seizing Naúm by the hand; – "have mercy on him, let him go!"

"Thou 'rt joking," – retorted Naúm, with a grin. – "Come out, there," – he added, again addressing Akím… "What art thou waiting for?"

"Naúm Ivánoff,"… began Akím.

"What?"

"Naúm Ivánoff," – repeated Akím; – "listen; I am guilty; I wanted to punish thee myself; but God must judge between thou and me. Thou hast taken everything from me, thou knowest that thyself – everything, to the very last morsel. – Now thou canst ruin me, and this is all I have to say to thee: If thou wilt release me now – well! let things stand! do thou possess everything! I agree, and wish thee all success. And I say to thee, as in the presence of God: If thou dost release me – thou shalt not regret it. God bless thee!"

Akím shut his eyes, and ceased speaking.

"Certainly, certainly," – retorted Naúm; – "as though one could trust thee!"

"But thou canst, by God, thou canst!" – said Efrém; "really, thou canst. I 'm ready to go bail for Akím Semyónitch with my head – come now, really!"

"Nonsense!" – exclaimed Naúm. – "Let 's be off!"

Akím looked at him.

"As thou wilt, Naúm Ivánitch. Thou hast the power. Only, thou art taking a great deal on thy soul. All right, if thou art impatient, – let us start…"

Naúm, in his turn, darted a keen glance at Akím. "But it really would be better," – he thought to himself, "to let him go to the devil! Otherwise, folks will devour me alive. There 'll be no living for Avdótya."… While Naúm was reasoning with himself no one uttered a single word. The labourer on the cart, who could see everything through the gate, merely shook his head and slapped the reins on the horse's back. The other two labourers stood on the porch and also maintained silence.

"Come, listen to me, old man," – began Naúm; – "if I let thee go, – and I forbid these fine fellows" (he nodded his head in the direction of the labourers) "to blab; shall we be quits, thou and I – thou understandest me – quits … hey?"

"Possess everything, I say."

"Thou wilt not consider me in thy debt?"

"Thou wilt not be in debt to me, neither shall I be in debt to thee." Again Naúm was silent for a space.

"Well, take thy oath on that!"

"I do, as God is holy," – replied Akím.

"Here goes then, although I know beforehand that I shall repent of it," – remarked Naúm. – "But so be it! Give me your hands."

Akím turned his back toward him; Naúm began to unbind him.

"Look out, old man," – he added, as he slipped the rope over his wrists: – "remember, I have spared thee; be careful!"

"You 're a dear, Naúm Ivánitch," – stammered the deeply-moved Efrém. – "The Lord will be merciful to you!"

Akím stretched out his chilled and swollen arms, and was starting for the gate…

All of a sudden Naúm "turned Jewish," as the expression is – evidently, he was sorry that he had released Akím…

"Thou hast taken an oath, look out," – he shouted after him.

Akím turned round, and surveying the house with an embracing glance, said sadly: – "Possess thou everything, forever, undisturbed … farewell."

And he stepped quietly into the street, accompanied by Efrém. Naúm waved his hand, ordered the cart to be unharnessed, and went back into the house.

"Whither away, Akím Semyónitch? Art not thou coming to my house?" – exclaimed Efrém, – perceiving that Akím turned to the right from the highway.

"No, Efrémushka, thanks," – replied Akím… "I will go and see what my wife is doing."

"Thou canst see later on… But now thou must for joy .. thou knowest …"

"No, thanks, Efrém… I 've had enough as it is. Farewell." – And Akím walked away without looking behind him.

"Eka! He has had enough as it is!" – ejaculated the astounded chanter; – "and I have taken my oath on his behalf! Well, I did n't expect this," – he added with vexation, – "after I had vouched for him. Phew!"

He remembered that he had forgotten to take his knife and pot, and returned to the inn… Naúm gave orders that his things should be delivered to him, but it never entered his head to entertain him. Thoroughly enraged and completely sober he presented himself at home.

"Well, what?" – his wife asked him; – "didst thou find him?"

"Did I find him?" – retorted Efrém; – "certainly I found him; there are thy utensils for thee."

"Akím?" – inquired his wife, with special emphasis.