"Naúm Ivánoff,"--repeated Akím;--"listen; I am guilty; I wanted to punish thee myself; but God must judge between thou and me. Thou hast taken everything from me, thou knowest that thyself--everything, to the very last morsel.--Now thou canst ruin me, and this is all I have to say to thee: If thou wilt release me now--well! let things stand! do thou possess everything! I agree, and wish thee all success. And I say to thee, as in the presence of God: If thou dost release me--thou shalt not regret it. God bless thee!" Akím shut his eyes, and ceased speaking. "Certainly, certainly,"--retorted Naúm;--"as though one could trust thee!" "But thou canst, by God, thou canst!"--said Efrém; "really, thou canst. I 'm ready to go bail for Akím Semyónitch with my head--come now, really!" "Nonsense!"--exclaimed Naúm.--"Let 's be off!" Akím looked at him. "As thou wilt, Naúm Ivánitch. Thou hast the power. Only, thou art taking a great deal on thy soul. All right, if thou art impatient,--let us start...." Naúm, in his turn, darted a keen glance at Akím. "But it really would be better,"--he thought to himself, "to let him go to the devil! Otherwise, folks will devour me alive. There 'll be no living for Avdótya.".... While Naúm was reasoning with himself no one uttered a single word. The labourer on the cart, who could see everything through the gate, merely shook his head and slapped the reins on the horse's back. The other two labourers stood on the porch and also maintained silence. "Come, listen to me, old man,"--began Naúm;--"if I let thee go,--and I forbid these fine fellows" (he nodded his head in the direction of the labourers) "to blab; shall we be quits, thou and I--thou understandest me--quits .... hey?" "Possess everything, I say." "Thou wilt not consider me in thy debt?" "Thou wilt not be in debt to me, neither shall I be in debt to thee." Again Naúm was silent for a space. "Well, take thy oath on that!" "I do, as God is holy,"--replied Akím. "Here goes then, although I know beforehand that I shall repent of it,"--remarked Naúm.--"But so be it! Give me your hands." Akím turned his back toward him; Naúm began to unbind him. "Look out, old man,"--he added, as he slipped the rope over his wrists:--"remember, I have spared thee; be careful!" "You 're a dear, Naúm Ivánitch,"--stammered the deeply-moved Efrém.--"The Lord will be merciful to you!" Akím stretched out his chilled and swollen arms, and was starting for the gate.... All of a sudden Naúm "turned Jewish," as the expression is--evidently, he was sorry that he had released Akím.... "Thou hast taken an oath, look out,"--he shouted after him. Akím turned round, and surveying the house with an embracing glance, said sadly:--"Possess thou everything, forever, undisturbed .... farewell." And he stepped quietly into the street, accompanied by Efrém. Naúm waved his hand, ordered the cart to be unharnessed, and went back into the house.