"Here, kind people, give ear unto the words of King David," said
the pilgrim, and shaking his head, began to read distinctly:
"'Lead me, Oh Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies;
make thy way straight before my face. For there is no
faithfulness in their mouths; their inward part is very
wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with
their tongue. Destroy thou them, 0h God; let them fall by their
own counsels.'"
"Eight! seven!" Like moans these exclamations resounded in the
distance.
The steamer began to hiss angrily, and slackened its speed. The
noise of the hissing of the steam deafened the pilgrim's words,
and Foma saw only the movement of his lips.
"Get off!" a loud, angry shout was heard. "It's my place!"
"Yours?"
"Here you have yours!"
"I'll rap you on the jaw; then you'll find your place. What a
lord!"
"Get away!"
An uproar ensued. The peasants who were listening to the pilgrim
turned their heads toward the direction where the row was going
on, and the pilgrim heaved a sigh and became silent.
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