"You refer to your brother. But he was not sent by the Commune, but the
master sent him because of his good-for-nothingness; so he's no excuse
for you."
Gerásim had no chance to say another word, for the tall, yellow Feódor
Melnitchnui leaning forward began to speak in a gloomy tone:--
"Well, masters send whomever they please; then let the Commune make the
best of it. The Commune tells your son to go; and if you don't like it,
ask the mistress: she has the right to command me or any of my children
to wear the uniform. A fine law!" said he bitterly; and, again waving
his hand, took his former place.
The red-haired Román, whose son had been drafted, lifted his head, and
said, "That's so, that's so," and sat down morosely on the step.
But there were many other voices that also joined suddenly in the
hubbub. Besides those who stood in the background and talked about
their affairs, there were the babblers, who did not forget their duty.
"Certainly, O orthodox Commune," said the little Zhidkof, slightly
varying Dutlofs words, "it is necessary to decide according to
Christianity; according to Christianity, my brethren, it is necessary
to decide."
"It is necessary to decide on our consciences, my dearly beloved
friend," said the good-natured Khrapkof, slightly varying Kopilof's
words, and taking hold of Dutlofs sheepskin coat; "it is according to
the will of our lady, and not the decision of the Commune."
"Indeed, how is that?" exclaimed several.
"What's that drunken fellow barking about?" retorted Rézun. "Did you
get me drunk, or was it your son whom they have found rolling round
in the road, and does he dare to fling at me about drink? I tell you,
brethren, we must act more wisely. If you want to let Dutlof off,
though he is not of those who have two grown men, then name some one
who has only one son; but he will laugh at us."
"Let Dutlof go. What's to be said?"
"Of course. We must cast lots for the men of large family[9] first,"
said several voices.
"Just as the mistress commands. Yégor Mikháiluitch said she wanted to
send one of the household servants," said some one's voice.
This observation raised a great hubbub; but it quickly subsided, and
single individuals again got the floor.
Ignat, who, according to Rerun's remark, had been found drunk in the
street, began to accuse Rézun of having stolen a saw of some passing
carpenter, and of having beaten his wife almost to death during a
drunken spree.
Rézun replied that he beat his wife when he was sober as well as when
he was drunk, and very little anyway; and this made every one laugh.
Referring to the saw he suddenly lost his temper, and pressing nearer
to Ignat began to question him:--
"Who was it stole the saw?"
"You did," replied the strong Ignat, boldly advancing still nearer to
him.
"Who stole it? Wasn't it yourself?"
"No, you!" screamed Ignat.
After the saw, they disputed about the stealing of a horse, then of
some bags of oats, then of some vegetables from the fields, then of
some dead body. And such strange things both muzhíks said of each
other, that if the hundredth part of their mutual charges had been
true, it would have been incumbent on the authorities according to law
to send both of them instanter to Siberia at the least.
Dutlof meantime sought another kind of protection. His son's outburst
had not been pleasing to him; in order to restrain him he said, "It's a
sin! it's no use, I tell you." And he himself went to work to show that
the men whose sons lived under the same roof with their fathers were no
more to be put in the category of those liable to the subscription than
those whose sons lived on separate farms: and he referred to Stárostin.
Stárostin smiled slightly, gave a snort, and, stroking his beard after
the manner of the well-to-do muzhík, he replied that it was as it
seemed fit to her ladyship; his son would go, of course, if she ordered
him to go.
As regarded divided families, Gerásim also demolished Dutlofs
arguments, remarking that it was far better not to allow families to
live apart, as it had been in the time of the old bárin; that "at the
end of summer it isn't the time to get strawberries" (that is, it was
too late to talk about it); that now it wasn't the time to send those
who were the sole protection of their families.
"Do we set up separate establishments just for the fun of it? Why
shouldn't we get some advantage for it?" asked some of those who had
left their fathers' houses; and the babblers took the same side.
"Well, hire a substitute if you don't like it. You can afford it," said
Rézun to Dutlof.
Dutlof in despair buttoned up his kaftan, and turned to the other
muzhíks.
"You seem to know a good deal about my affairs," he replied viciously.
"Here comes Yégor with word from the mistress."
[Footnote 6: A game somewhat like "snap the whip."]
[Footnote 7: _yamshchík._]
[Footnote 8: _sotsky,_ centurion; an officer chosen by the Commune.]
[Footnote 9: _troïniki:_ a peasant family with _three_ able-bodied
men.]