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"Have you ever seen any of that kind?" asked Tchelkache, looking ironically at him, and thinking that this honest boy must be very stupid. "No, I've never seen any; but I've heard them spoken of." "Do you like them?" "Why not? They are fearless and free." "Do you feel the need of freedom? Do you like freedom?" "How could I help liking it?
You'll be thanked, on the contrary, when it's learned what you've done. There, take it! No one'll know what you've done and yet it deserves some reward! Here it is!" Gavrilo saw that Tchelkache was laughing, and he felt relieved. He held the money tightly in his hand. "Brother! Will you forgive me? Won't you do it? Say?" he supplicated tearfully.
These clouds were slowly advancing, their enormous, heavy masses, terrifying in the darkness, ready to crush man with their weight. All was cold, black and of evil omen. Gavrilo was afraid. This fear was greater than that imposed on him by Tchelkache; it clasped Gavrilo's breast in a tight embrace, squeezed him to a helpless mass and riveted him to the boat's bench. Perfect silence reigned.
It's according to what we do and take. You may perhaps receive five rubles. Do you understand?" But now that it was a question of money, the peasant wanted a clear understanding and exacted perfect frankness on the part of his master. He again became distrustful and suspicious. "That's scarcely to my mind, friend. I must have those five rubles in my hand how." Tchelkache humored him.
Everything resounded sadly like the lullaby of a mother who has lost all hope for the happiness of her son. Tchelkache, with parted lips, raised his head and gazed around him . . . and murmuring a few words, lay down again. He was the first to awaken, starting up uneasily; then suddenly quieting down he looked at Gavrilo, who was still sleeping.
They crossed, forming a net that soon shut off the distance on land and water. For a long time there was nothing to be seen but the rain and this long body lying on the sand beside the sea . . . But suddenly, behold Gavrilo coming from out the rain, running; he flew like a bird. He went up to Tchelkache, fell upon his knees before him, and tried to turn him over.
Take it, brother, I beg of you! I implore you, take it! I don't know where to put all this money; relieve me, here!" Tchelkache handed Gavrilo several ten ruble notes. The other took them with a shaking hand, dropped the oars and proceeded to conceal his booty in his blouse, screwing up his eyes greedily, and breathing noisily as though he were drinking something hot.
It is always disagreeable to see a person whom we consider our inferior like, or dislike, the same things that we do and to be compelled to admit that in that respect they are our equals. The lad gazed at Tchelkache and felt that he had found his master. "Why . . ." said he; "I consent. I'm willing. It's work that I'm looking for. It's all the same to me whether I work with you or someone else.
Tchelkache thrust his hand into his waistcoat pocket, withdrew the package of bills, put one of them in his pocket and threw all the rest at Gavrilo. "Take that and be off!" "I cannot take it . . . I cannot! Forgive me!" "Take it, I tell you!" roared Tchelkache, rolling his eyes frightfully. "Pardon me!
He tried to kick Gavrilo, prostrated by grief, but failed, and would have fallen if Gavrilo hadn't supported him with his shoulders. Tchelkache's face was now on a level with Gavrilo's. Both were pale, wretched and terrifying. "Fie!" Tchelkache spat in the wide opened eyes of his employe. The other humbly wiped them with his sleeve, and murmured: "Do what you will . . . I'll not say one word.