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Such caps were still to be found at the Subotchevs'. Another distinguishing characteristic of the old world was missing in them; neither Fomishka nor Fimishka were very religious. Fomishka was even a follower of Voltaire, while Fimishka had a mortal dread of the clergy and believed them to be possessed of the evil eye.
"His head is screwed on the right way," he thought. "A cool, steady man, as Fimishka said; a powerful man, of calm, firm strength. He knows what he wants, has confidence in himself, and arouses confidence in others. He has no anxieties and is well-balanced! That is the main thing; he has balance, just what is lacking in me!" Nejdanov ceased speaking and became lost in meditation.
Efimia Pavlovna, darling, we are just going, won't you tell us our fortunes at cards? You are such a good hand at it. Snandulia, do get the cards, please!" Fimishka glanced at her husband, who seemed completely reassured, so she too quieted down. "I have quite forgotten how to tell fortunes, my dear. It is such a long time since I held the cards in my hand."
No one knew what kurpey meant; at least, Markelov knew that the tassel on a Cossack or Circassian cap was called a kurpey, but then how could Fomishka have injured that? But no one dared to question him further. "Well, now that you have shown off," Fimishka remarked suddenly, "I will show off too."
"But there is agony in bliss" Fimishka chimed in. "And passion free from pain there is, Ah! where, where? tell me, tell me this," "Ah! where, where? Tell me, tell me this," Fomisha put in. "Ah! where, where? tell me, tell me this," Fimishka repeated. "Nowhere in all the world, nowhere, Love bringeth grief and black despair," they sang together, "And that, love's gift is everywhere,"
We are both wicked sinners, Pharisees.... We are living on the fat of the land, oh! oh! oh! We ought to be turned out into the street... with a broom in our hands to work for our living! Oh! oh!" At these mournful words Pufka howled louder than ever, while Fimishka screwed up her eyes, opened her lips, drew in a deep breath, ready to retaliate, to speak.
He loveth but to weep anew" and then Fimishka "Yea hearts that love at last are riven As ships that hopelessly have striven For life. To what end were they given?" "To what end were they given?" Fomishka warbled out and waited for Snandulia to play the trill. "To what end were they given?" he repeated, and then they struck up together
Nejdanov exclaimed, "were you ever a hunting man?" "Yes. I was for a time. Once the horse threw me at full gallop and I injured my kurpey. Fimishka got frightened and forbade me; so I have given it up since then." "What did you injure?" Nejdanov asked. "My kurpey," Fomishka repeated, lowering his voice. The visitors looked at one another.
Paklin, but you won't get anything out of it!" and then these sad, aged, dejected eyes! he thought in desperation. And as it says in the scriptures, he "wept bitterly" as he turned his steps towards the oasis, to Fomishka and Fimishka and Snandulia. WHEN Mariana came out of her room that morning she noticed Nejdanov sitting on the couch fully dressed.
But Paklin soon reassured them, introducing Nejdanov, Solomin, and Markelov in turn, as good quiet people, not "governmental." Fomishka and Fimishka had a horror of governmental, that is to say, official people. Snandulia, who appeared at her brother's request, was far more disturbed and agitated than the old couple.
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