03-a lost opportunity-第6章
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Instead of running after him; I should have snatched the bunch of
burning straw and throwing it on the ground have stamped it out
with my feet; and then there would have been no fire。〃
〃Ivan;〃 said the old man; 〃death is fast approaching me; and
remember that you also will have to die。 Who did this dreadful
thing? Whose is the sin?〃
Ivan gazed at the noble face of his dying father and was silent。
His heart was too full for utterance。
〃In the presence of God;〃 the old man continued; 〃whose is the
sin?〃
It was only now that the truth began to dawn upon Ivan's mind;
and that he realized how foolish he had acted。 He sobbed
bitterly; and fell on his knees before his father; and; crying
like a child; said:
〃My dear father; forgive me; for Christ's sake; for I am guilty
before God and before you!〃
The old man transferred the lighted candle from his right hand to
the left; and; raising the former to his forehead; tried to make
the sign of the cross; but owing to weakness was unable to do so。
〃Glory to Thee; O Lord! Glory to Thee!〃 he exclaimed; and
turning his dim eyes toward his son; he said: 〃See here;
Ivanushka! Ivanushka; my dear son!〃
〃What; my dear father?〃 Ivan asked。
〃What are you going to do;〃 replied the old man; 〃now that you
have no home?〃
Ivan cried and said: 〃I do not know how we shall live now。〃
The old man closed his eyes and made a movement with his lips; as
if gathering his feeble strength for a final effort。 Slowly
opening his eyes; he whispered:
〃Should you live according to God's commands you will be happy
and prosperous again。〃
The old man was now silent for awhile and then; smiling sadly; he
continued:
〃See here; Ivanushka; keep silent concerning this trouble; and do
not tell who set the village on fire。 Forgive one sin of your
neighbor's; and God will forgive two of yours。〃
Grasping the candle with both hands; Ivan's father heaved a deep
sigh; and; stretching himself out on his back; yielded up the
ghost。
* * * * * * *
Ivan for once accepted his father's advice。 He did not betray
Gavryl; and no one ever learned the origin of the fire。
Ivan's heart became more kindly disposed toward his old enemy;
feeling that much of the fault in connection with this sad affair
rested with himself。
Gavryl was greatly surprised that Ivan did not denounce him
before all the villagers; and at first he stood in much fear of
him; but he soon afterward overcame this feeling。
The two peasants ceased to quarrel; and their families followed
their example。 While they were building new houses; both
families lived beneath the same roof; and when they moved into
their respective homes; Ivan and Gavryl lived on as good terms as
their fathers had done before them。
Ivan remembered his dying father's command; and took deeply to
heart the evident warning of God that A FIRE SHOULD BE
EXTINGUISHED IN THE BEGINNING。 If any one wronged him he did not
seek revenge; but instead made every effort to settle the matter
peaceably。 If any one spoke to him unkindly; he did not answer
in the same way; but replied softly; and tried to persuade the
person not to speak evil。 He taught the women and children of
his household to do the same。
Ivan Scherbakoff was now a reformed man。
He lived well and peacefully; and again became prosperous。
Let us; therefore; have peace; live in brotherly love and
kindness; and we will be happy。