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On examining the complaint the district-attorney would not consider it,
as by that time the injured woman was walking about and as well as ever.
Thus again Ivan was disappointed in obtaining his revenge, and, not
being satisfied with the district-attorney's decision, had the case
transferred to the court, where he used all possible means to push his
suit. To secure the favor of the starshina (village mayor) he made him
a present of half a gallon of sweet vodki; and to the mayor's pisar
(
secretary) also he gave presents. By this means he succeeded in
securing a verdict against Gavryl. The sentence was that Gavryl was to
receive twenty lashes on his bare back, and the punishment was to be
administered in the yard which surrounded the court-house.
When Ivan heard the sentence read he looked triumphantly at Gavryl to
see what effect it would produce on him. Gavryl turned very white on
hearing that he was to be treated with such indignity, and turning his
back on the assembly left the room without uttering a word.
Ivan followed him out, and as he reached his horse he heard Gavryl
saying: "Very well; my spine will burn from the lashes, but something
will burn with greater fierceness in Ivan's household before long."
Ivan, on hearing these words, instantly returned to the court, and going
up to the judges said: "Oh! just judges, he threatens to burn my house
and all it contains."
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