“Eh, you. Devil! Drink, but look out--know your business. What can you do? A drunkard will sleep himself sober, a fool--never. Let us understand this much at least, for our own consolation. And did you have a good time with girls, too? Be frank! Are you afraid that I will beat you, or what?” “Yes. There was one on the steamer. I had her there from Perm to Kazan.” “So,” Ignat sighed heavily and said, frowning: “You’ve become defiled rather too soon.” “I am twenty years old. And you yourself told me that in your days fellows married at the age of fifteen,” replied Foma, confused. “Then they married. Very well, then, let us drop the subject. Well, you’ve had dealings with a woman. What of it? A woman is like vaccination, you cannot pass your life without her. As for myself, I cannot play the hypocrite. I began to go around with women when I was younger than you are now. But you must be on your guard with them.” Ignat became pensive and was silent for a long time, sitting motionless, his head bent low on his breast. “Listen, Foma,” he started again, sternly and firmly. “I shall die before long. I am old. Something oppresses my breast. I breathe with difficulty. I’ll die. Then all my affairs will fall on your shoulders. At first your godfather will assist you--mind him! You started quite well; you attended to everything properly; you held the reins firmly in your hands. And though you did squander a big sum of money, it is evident that you did not lose your head. God grant the same in the future. You should know this: business is a living, strong beast; you must manage it ably; you must put a strong bridle on it or it will conquer you. Try to stand above your business. Place yourself so that it will all be under your feet; that each little tack shall be visible to you.” Foma looked at his father’s broad chest, heard his heavy voice and thought to himself: “Oh, but you won’t die so soon!” This thought pleased him and awakened in him a kind, warm feeling for his father. “Rely upon your godfather. He has enough common sense in his head to supply the whole town with it. All he lacks is courage, or he would have risen high. Yes, I tell you my days on earth are numbered. Indeed, it is high time to prepare myself for death; to cast everything aside; to fast, and see to it that people bear me good-will.” “They will!” said Foma with confidence. “If there were but a reason why they should.” “And the lodging-house?” Ignat looked at his son and began to laugh. “Yakov has had time to tell it to you already! The old miser. He must have abused me?” “A little.” Foma smiled. “Of course! Don’t I know him?” “He spoke of it as though it were his own money.” Ignat leaned back in his chair and burst into still louder laughter. “The old raven, eh? That’s quite true. Whether it be his own money or mine, it is all the same to him. There he is trembling now. He has an aim in view, the bald-headed fellow. Can you tell me what it is?”