"
"No. You see, at times he is like a child. He was particularly so
before."
"Well, that's what I have said: he's a stripling. Is it worth
while talking about an ignoramus and a savage, who wishes to
remain an ignoramus and a savage, and does not conceal the fact?
You see: he reasons as the bear in the fable bent the shafts."
"You are very harsh."
"Yes, I am harsh! People require that. We Russians are all
desperately loose. Happily, life is so arranged that, whether we
will it or not, we gradually brace up. Dreams are for the lads
and maidens, but for serious people there is serious business."
"Sometimes I feel very sorry for Foma. What will become of him?"
"That does not concern me. I believe that nothing in particular
will become of him--neither good nor bad. The insipid fellow will
squander his money away, and will be ruined. What else? Eh, the
deuce take him! Such people as he is are rare nowadays. Now the
merchant knows the power of education. And he, that foster-
brother of yours, he will go to ruin."
"That's true, sir!" said Foma, opening the door and appearing on
the threshold.
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