Thoughts instinctively arose in the dark depths of Yevsey's soul. He did not realize how they formed themselves, did not feel their secret growth. They appeared suddenly, in perfect array, and frightened him by their unexpected apparition. He endeavored to hide them, to extinguish them for a time, but unsuccessfully. They quietly flashed up again, and shone more clearly, though their light only cast life into still greater obscurity. The frequent conversations about the revolutionists blocked themselves up in his head, creating an insensible sediment in his mind, a thin strata of fresh soil for the growth of puny thoughts. These thoughts disquieted him, and drew him gently to something unknown. CHAPTER XVIII While on his way to Masha to take part in her birthday celebration, the thought occurred to Yevsey: "I am going to get acquainted with the joiner to-day. He's a revolutionist." Yevsey was the first guest to arrive. He gave Masha a string of blue beads, and Anfisa a shell comb. In return for the gifts, with which both were greatly pleased, they treated him to tea and nalivka (a sort of wine made of berries with whiskey or water). Masha prettily arching her full white neck looked into his face with a kind smile. Her glance softly caressed his heart, enlivened and emboldened him. Anfisa poured the tea and said winking her eyes: "Well, merchant, you are our generous donor. When will we celebrate your wedding?" Yevsey trying not to show his embarrassment, said quietly and confidingly: "I cannot decide to get married. It's very hard." "Hard? Oh, you modest man! Marya, do you hear? He says it's hard to get married." Masha smiled in answer to the cook's loud laugh, looking at Klimkov from the corner of her eyes. "Maybe he has his own meaning of hard." "Yes, I have my own meaning," said Yevsey, raising his head. "You see I am thinking of the fact that it is hard to find a person with whom you can live soul to soul, so that the one would not fear the other. It is hard to find a person whom you could believe." Masha sat beside him. He glanced sidewise at her neck and breast, and sighed. "Suppose I were to tell them where I work." He started, frightened by the desire, and with a quick effort he suppressed it. "If a man does not understand life," he continued, raising his voice, "it's better for him to remain alone." "For one person to live all alone is hard, too," said Masha, pouring out another glass of nalivka for him. "Drink." Yevsey longed to speak much and openly. He observed that the women listened to him willingly; and this in conjunction with the two glasses of wine aroused him. But the journalist's servant girl Liza, who came in at that moment also excited, at once usurped the attention of Anfisa and Masha. She was bony and had a cast in one eye. Her hair was handsomely dressed, and she was cleverly gowned. With her sprightly manner she seemed a good forward little girl.