the witch and other stories(Å®Î×)-µÚ14½Ú
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡48¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡49¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡WITCH¡¡AND¡¡OTHER¡¡STORIES¡¡
peasants£»¡¡men¡¡and¡¡women£»¡¡stood¡¡in¡¡a¡¡crowd¡¡at¡¡the¡¡gate¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡into¡¡the¡¡
garden£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡faces¡¡of¡¡all¡¡were¡¡grave¡£¡¡They¡¡were¡¡the¡¡peasants¡¡who¡¡had¡¡
come¡¡to¡¡greet¡¡them¡¡for¡¡the¡¡holiday£»¡¡but¡¡seeing¡¡the¡¡Lytchkovs£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡
ashamed¡¡and¡¡did¡¡not¡¡go¡¡in¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡next¡¡morning¡¡Elena¡¡Ivanovna¡¡went¡¡with¡¡the¡¡children¡¡to¡¡Moscow¡£¡¡
And¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡rumour¡¡that¡¡the¡¡engineer¡¡was¡¡selling¡¡his¡¡house¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡V¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡peasants¡¡had¡¡long¡¡ago¡¡grown¡¡used¡¡to¡¡the¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bridge£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡
was¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡imagine¡¡the¡¡river¡¡at¡¡that¡¡place¡¡without¡¡a¡¡bridge¡£¡¡The¡¡heap¡¡
of¡¡rubble¡¡left¡¡from¡¡the¡¡building¡¡of¡¡it¡¡had¡¡long¡¡been¡¡overgrown¡¡with¡¡grass£»¡¡
the¡¡navvies¡¡were¡¡forgotten£»¡¡and¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡the¡¡strains¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¨Dubinushka¡¨¡¡
that¡¡they¡¡used¡¡to¡¡sing£»¡¡the¡¡peasants¡¡heard¡¡almost¡¡every¡¡hour¡¡the¡¡sounds¡¡of¡¡
a¡¡passing¡¡train¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡New¡¡Villa¡¡has¡¡long¡¡ago¡¡been¡¡sold£»¡¡now¡¡it¡¡belongs¡¡to¡¡a¡¡government¡¡
clerk¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡comes¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡holidays¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡family£»¡¡
drinks¡¡tea¡¡on¡¡the¡¡terrace£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡goes¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡town¡¡again¡£¡¡He¡¡wears¡¡a¡¡
cockade¡¡on¡¡his¡¡cap£»¡¡he¡¡talks¡¡and¡¡clears¡¡his¡¡throat¡¡as¡¡though¡¡he¡¡were¡¡a¡¡very¡¡
important¡¡official£»¡¡though¡¡he¡¡is¡¡only¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rank¡¡of¡¡a¡¡collegiate¡¡secretary£»¡¡
and¡¡when¡¡the¡¡peasants¡¡bow¡¡he¡¡makes¡¡no¡¡response¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡Obrutchanovo¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡everyone¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡grown¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡older£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Kozov¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡dead¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡
Rodion's¡¡hut¡¡there¡¡are¡¡even¡¡more¡¡children¡£¡¡Volodka¡¡has¡¡grown¡¡a¡¡long¡¡red¡¡
beard¡£¡¡They¡¡are¡¡still¡¡as¡¡poor¡¡as¡¡ever¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡early¡¡spring¡¡the¡¡Obrutchanovo¡¡peasants¡¡were¡¡sawing¡¡wood¡¡near¡¡
the¡¡station¡£¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡work¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡home£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡walked¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡
haste¡¡one¡¡after¡¡the¡¡other¡£¡¡Broad¡¡saws¡¡curved¡¡over¡¡their¡¡shoulders£»¡¡the¡¡sun¡¡
was¡¡reflected¡¡in¡¡them¡£¡¡The¡¡nightingales¡¡were¡¡singing¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bushes¡¡on¡¡the¡¡
bank£»¡¡larks¡¡were¡¡trilling¡¡in¡¡the¡¡heavens¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡quiet¡¡at¡¡the¡¡New¡¡Villa£»¡¡there¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡soul¡¡¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡golden¡¡¡¡¡¡pigeons¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡golden¡¡¡¡¡¡because¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
sunlight¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡streaming¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡flying¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡house¡£¡¡All¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
them¡¡¡¡Rodion£»¡¡the¡¡two¡¡Lytchkovs£»¡¡and¡¡Volodka¡¡¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡the¡¡white¡¡
horses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡ponies£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fireworks£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡boat¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lanterns£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡
remembered¡¡how¡¡the¡¡engineer's¡¡wife£»¡¡so¡¡beautiful¡¡and¡¡so¡¡grandly¡¡dressed£»¡¡
had¡¡come¡¡into¡¡the¡¡village¡¡and¡¡talked¡¡to¡¡them¡¡in¡¡such¡¡a¡¡friendly¡¡way¡£¡¡And¡¡it¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡49¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡50¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡WITCH¡¡AND¡¡OTHER¡¡STORIES¡¡
seemed¡¡as¡¡though¡¡all¡¡that¡¡had¡¡never¡¡been£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡like¡¡a¡¡dream¡¡or¡¡a¡¡fairy¡¡¡
tale¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡trudged¡¡¡¡¡¡along£»¡¡tired¡¡out£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡mused¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡went¡£¡¡¡¡¡£¡¡¡¡¡£¡¡¡¡¡£¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡
village£»¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡mused£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡good£»¡¡¡¡quiet£»¡¡¡¡sensible£»¡¡¡¡fearing¡¡¡¡¡¡God£»¡¡
and¡¡Elena¡¡Ivanovna£»¡¡too£»¡¡was¡¡quiet£»¡¡kind£»¡¡and¡¡gentle£»¡¡it¡¡made¡¡one¡¡sad¡¡to¡¡
look¡¡at¡¡her£»¡¡but¡¡why¡¡had¡¡they¡¡not¡¡got¡¡on¡¡together£¿¡¡Why¡¡had¡¡they¡¡parted¡¡
like¡¡¡¡¡¡enemies£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡How¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡mist¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡shrouded¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡
what¡¡¡¡¡¡mattered¡¡¡¡¡¡most£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡damage¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡
cattle£»¡¡¡¡¡¡bridles£»¡¡¡¡¡¡pincers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡trivial¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡
remembered¡¡them£»¡¡seemed¡¡so¡¡nonsensical£¿¡¡How¡¡was¡¡it¡¡that¡¡with¡¡the¡¡new¡¡
owner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡lived¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡peace£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡bad¡¡¡¡¡¡terms¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
engineer£¿¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡not¡¡knowing¡¡what¡¡answer¡¡to¡¡make¡¡to¡¡these¡¡questions¡¡they¡¡were¡¡
all¡¡silent¡¡except¡¡Volodka£»¡¡who¡¡muttered¡¡something¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡is¡¡it£¿¡¨¡¡Rodion¡¡asked¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡¡¡¡¡lived¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bridge¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Volodka¡¡¡¡¡¡gloomily¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡¡¡¡¡lived¡¡
without¡¡a¡¡bridge£»¡¡and¡¡did¡¡not¡¡ask¡¡for¡¡one¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡and¡¡we¡¡don't¡¡want¡¡it¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡silence¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡drooping¡¡
heads¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡50¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡51¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡WITCH¡¡AND¡¡OTHER¡¡STORIES¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡DREAMS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Two¡¡peasant¡¡constables¡¡¡¡one¡¡a¡¡stubby£»¡¡black¡bearded¡¡individual¡¡with¡¡
such¡¡¡¡¡¡exceptionally¡¡¡¡¡¡short¡¡¡¡¡¡legs¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡
seemed¡¡as¡¡though¡¡his¡¡legs¡¡began¡¡much¡¡lower¡¡down¡¡than¡¡in¡¡other¡¡people£»¡¡
the¡¡other£»¡¡long£»¡¡thin£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡straight¡¡as¡¡a¡¡stick£»¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡scanty¡¡beard¡¡of¡¡dark¡¡
reddish¡¡colour¡¡¡¡were¡¡escorting¡¡to¡¡the¡¡district¡¡town¡¡a¡¡tramp¡¡who¡¡refused¡¡
to¡¡remember¡¡his¡¡name¡£¡¡The¡¡first¡¡waddled¡¡along£»¡¡looking¡¡from¡¡side¡¡to¡¡side£»¡¡
chewing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡straw£»¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sleeve£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡slapping¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
haunches¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡humming£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡altogether¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡careless¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡frivolous¡¡¡¡¡¡air£»¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡other£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡spite¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡lean¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡narrow¡¡¡¡¡¡shoulders£»¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡solid£»¡¡
grave£»¡¡and¡¡substantial£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lines¡¡and¡¡expression¡¡of¡¡his¡¡whole¡¡figure¡¡he¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡priests¡¡¡¡¡¡among¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Old¡¡¡¡¡¡Believers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡warriors¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡
painted¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡fashioned¡¡¡¡¡¡ikons¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨For¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡wisdom¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡added¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
forehead¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡bald¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡increased¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡resemblance¡¡
referred¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡called¡¡¡¡¡¡Andrey¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ptaha£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡second¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nikandr¡¡
Sapozhnikov¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡man¡¡they¡¡were¡¡escorting¡¡did¡¡not¡¡in¡¡the¡¡least¡¡correspond¡¡with¡¡the¡¡
conception¡¡everyone¡¡has¡¡of¡¡a¡¡tramp¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡a¡¡frail¡¡little¡¡man£»¡¡weak¡¡and¡¡
sickly¡looking£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡small£»¡¡¡¡¡¡colourless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡extremely¡¡¡¡¡¡indefinite¡¡¡¡¡¡features¡£¡¡
His¡¡¡¡¡¡eyebrows¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡scanty£»¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡expression¡¡¡¡¡¡mild¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡submissive£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
scarcely¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡trace¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡moustache£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡thirty¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡
along¡¡¡¡¡¡timidly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡bent¡¡¡¡¡¡forward£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡thrust¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡sleeves¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡
collar¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡shabby¡¡¡¡cloth¡¡¡¡¡¡overcoat£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡peasant's£»¡¡
was¡¡turned¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡very¡¡brim¡¡of¡¡his¡¡cap£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡only¡¡his¡¡little¡¡red¡¡nose¡¡
ventured¡¡to¡¡peep¡¡out¡¡into¡¡the¡¡light¡¡of¡¡day¡£¡¡He¡¡spoke¡¡in¡¡an¡¡ingratiating¡¡tenor£»¡¡
continually¡¡coughing¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡very£»¡¡very¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡believe¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡a¡¡
tramp¡¡concealing¡¡his¡¡surname¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡more¡¡like¡¡an¡¡unsuccessful¡¡priest's¡¡
son£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡stricken¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡reduced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡beggary£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡clerk¡¡¡¡¡¡discharged¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡
drunkenness£»¡¡a¡¡merchant's¡¡son¡¡or¡¡nephew¡¡who¡¡had¡¡tried¡¡his¡¡feeble¡¡powers¡¡
in¡¡a¡¡theatrical¡¡career£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡now¡¡going¡¡home¡¡to¡¡play¡¡the¡¡last¡¡act¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
parable¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡prodigal¡¡¡¡¡¡son£»¡¡¡¡¡¡perhaps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡judging¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dull¡¡¡¡¡¡patience¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
which¡¡he¡¡struggled¡¡with¡¡the¡¡hopeless¡¡autumn¡¡mud£»¡¡he¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡a¡¡
fanatical¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡monk£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wandering¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡Russian¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡monastery¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡another£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡51¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡52¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡WITCH¡¡AND¡¡OTHER¡¡STORIES¡¡
continually¡¡seeking¡¡¡¨a¡¡peaceful¡¡life£»¡¡free¡¡from¡¡sin£»¡¨¡¡and¡¡not¡¡finding¡¡it¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡travellers¡¡had¡¡been¡¡a¡¡long¡¡while¡¡on¡¡their¡¡way£»¡¡but¡¡they¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡
be¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡small¡¡¡¡¡¡patch¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡ground¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡front¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡
stretched¡¡¡¡¡¡thirty¡¡¡¡feet¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡muddy¡¡¡¡black¡brown¡¡¡¡¡¡mud£»¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same£»¡¡
and¡¡wherever¡¡one¡¡looked¡¡further£»¡¡an¡¡impenetrable¡¡wall¡¡of¡¡white¡¡fog¡£¡¡They¡¡
went¡¡on¡¡and¡¡on£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡remained¡¡the¡¡same£»¡¡the¡¡wall¡¡was¡¡no¡¡nearer£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡patch¡¡on¡¡which¡¡they¡¡walked¡¡seemed¡¡still¡¡the¡¡same¡¡patch¡£¡¡They¡¡got¡¡
a¡¡glimpse¡¡of¡¡a¡¡white£»¡¡clumsy¡looking¡¡stone£»¡¡a¡¡small¡¡ravine£»¡¡or¡¡a¡¡bundle¡¡of¡¡
hay¡¡dropped¡¡by¡¡a¡¡passer¡by£»¡¡the¡¡brief¡¡glimmer¡¡of¡¡a¡¡great¡¡muddy¡¡puddle£»¡¡or£»¡¡
suddenly£»¡¡a¡¡shadow¡¡with¡¡vague¡¡outlines¡¡would¡¡come¡¡into¡¡view¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡
them£»¡¡the¡¡nearer¡¡they¡¡got¡¡to¡¡it¡¡the¡¡smaller¡¡and¡¡darker¡¡it¡¡became£»¡¡nearer¡¡still£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wayfarers¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡slanting¡¡¡¡¡¡milestone¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
number¡¡¡¡¡¡rubbed¡¡¡¡¡¡off£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wretched¡¡¡¡¡¡birch¡tree¡¡¡¡¡¡drenched¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡bare¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
wayside¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡beggar¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡birch¡tree¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡whisper¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡
remained¡¡of¡¡its¡¡yellow¡¡leaves£»¡¡one¡¡leaf¡¡would¡¡break¡¡off¡¡and¡¡float¡¡lazily¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡ground¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡And¡¡then¡¡again¡¡fog£»¡¡mud£»¡¡the¡¡brown¡¡grass¡¡at¡¡the¡¡edges¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡road¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡grass¡¡¡¡¡¡hung¡¡¡¡¡¡dingy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡unfriendly¡¡¡¡¡¡tears¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
tears¡¡of¡¡soft¡¡joy¡¡such¡¡as¡¡the¡¡earth¡¡weeps¡¡at¡¡welcoming¡¡the¡¡summer¡¡sun¡¡and¡¡
parting¡¡from¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡such¡¡as¡¡she¡¡gives¡¡to¡¡drink¡¡at¡¡dawn¡¡to¡¡the¡¡corncrakes£»¡¡
quails£»¡¡and¡¡graceful£»¡¡long¡beaked¡¡crested¡¡snipes¡£¡¡The¡¡travellers'¡¡feet¡¡stuck¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡heavy£»¡¡clinging¡¡mud¡£¡¡Every¡¡step¡¡cost¡¡an¡¡effort¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Andrey¡¡¡¡¡¡Ptaha¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhat¡¡¡¡¡¡excited¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡kept¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡round¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
tramp¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡trying¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡understand¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡live£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sober¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡fail¡¡¡¡to¡¡
remember¡¡his¡¡name¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡are¡¡an¡¡orthodox¡¡Christian£»¡¡aren't¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡tramp¡¡answered¡¡mildly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨H'm¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡then¡¡you've¡¡been¡¡christened£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»