The Elder dives straight In the midst of the people; He asks himself wildly, "Now, what's to be done?" He makes for the edge Of the crowd, where are sitting The journeying strangers; His voice is like honey: "Come one of you forward; 310 You see, you are strangers, He wouldn't touch _you_." But they are not anxious To face the Pomyeshchick, Although they would gladly Have helped the poor peasants. He's mad, the old Barin, So what's to prevent him From beating them too? "Well, you go, Roman," 320 Say the two brothers Goobin, "_You_ love the Pomyeshchicks." "I'd rather you went, though!" And each is quite willing To offer the other. Then Klim looses patience; "Now, Vlasuchka, help us! Do something to save us! I'm sick of the thing!" "Yes! Nicely you lied there!" 330 "Oho!" says Klim sharply, "What lies did I tell? And shan't we be choked In the grip of the Barins Until our last day When we lie in our coffins? When we get to Hell, too, Won't they be there waiting To set us to work?" "What kind of a job 340 Would they find for us there, Klim?" "To stir up the fire While they boil in the pots!" The others laugh loudly. The sons of the Barin Come hurrying to them; "How foolish you are, Klim! Our father has sent us, He's terribly angry That you are so long, 350 And don't bring the offender." "We can't bring him, Barin; A stranger he is, From St. Petersburg province, A very rich peasant; The devil has sent him To us, for our sins! He can't understand us, And things here amuse him; He couldn't help laughing." 360 "Well, let him alone, then. Cast lots for a culprit, We'll pay him. Look here!" He offers five roubles. Oh, no. It won't tempt them. "Well, run to the Barin, And say that the fellow Has hidden himself." "But what when to-morrow comes? Have you forgotten 370 Petrov, how we punished The innocent peasant?" "Then what's to be done?" "Give me the five roubles! You trust me, I'll save you!" Exclaims the sharp woman, The Elder's sly gossip. She runs from the peasants Lamenting and groaning, And flings herself straight 380 At the feet of the Barin: