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"No; he did not curse you at all. He appeared to be the only silent one among them. Mikhayeff is a very wise moujik, and he surprises me very much. At his actions all the other peasants seemed amazed." "What did he do?" "He did something remarkable. He was diligently ploughing, and as I approached him I heard some one singing very sweetly.
"Some of them declared that your back should be broken." Simeonovitch appeared to enjoy this immensely, for he laughed outright. "We shall see whose back will be the first to be broken," said he. "Was that Tishka's opinion? While I did not suppose they would say anything good about me, I did not expect such curses and threats. And Peter Mikhayeff was that fool cursing me too?"
I did not say anything to him, but, on approaching the other moujiks, I found that they were laughing and making sport of their silent companion. 'It is a great sin to plough on Easter Monday, they said. 'You could not get absolution from your sin if you were to pray all your life." "And did Mikhayeff make no reply?"
Peter Mikhayeff alone had sufficient courage to dismount and approach the prostrate form, his companions riding around the village and entering by way of the back yards. Peter closed the dead man's eyes, after which he put the body in a wagon and took it home.
As Peter was not without sympathizers among the peasants, the poor serfs were consequently divided into two groups: the followers of Vasili and those who held the views of Mikhayeff. On Easter Sunday no work was done.
In my presence he fixed the plough, shaking it violently, but the bright little object between the colters remained undisturbed." "And what did Mikhayeff say?" "He said nothing except when, on seeing me, he gave me the holy-day salutation, after which he went on his way singing and ploughing as before.
If, therefore, we are to suffer at all, let it be in the interests of the people and they will thank us for it. If we remain quiet any longer a flogging will be our only reward. You are talking nonsense, Mikhayeff. Why don't you think of the sin we shall be committing if we work during the Easter holidays for you will refuse to work then yourself?"
If not, let us perish, for it can make no difference to us now." This despairing programme, however, met with considerable opposition from a peaceably-inclined man named Peter Mikhayeff. "Brethren," said he, "you are contemplating a grievous sin. The taking of human life is a very serious matter.
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