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destroyed his heaps of rye? Who dragged him into court?--and yet you
try to put all the blame on his shoulders. You are behaving very badly
yourself, and for that reason you are wrong. I did not act in such a
manner, and certainly I never taught you to do so. I lived in peace with
Gavryl's father all the time we were neighbors. We were always the best
of friends. If he was without flour his wife would come to me and say,
'Diadia Frol [Grandfather], we need flour.' I would then say: 'My good
woman, go to the warehouse and take as much as you want.' If he had no
one to care for his horses I would say, 'Go, Ivanushka [diminutive of
Ivan], and help him to care for them.' If I required anything I would go
to him and say, 'Grandfather Gordey, I need this or that,' and he would
always reply, 'Take just whatever you want.' By this means we passed an
easy and peaceful life. But what is your life compared with it? As the
soldiers fought at Plevna, so are you and Gavryl fighting all the time,
only that your battles are far more disgraceful than that fought at
Plevna."
The old man went on: "And you call this living! and what a sin it
all is! You are a peasant, and the head of the house; therefore, the
responsibility of the trouble rests with you. What an example you set
your wife and children by constantly quarrelling with your neighbor!
Only a short time since your little boy, Taraska, was cursing his aunt
Arina, and his mother only laughed at it, saying, 'What a bright child
he is!' Is that right? You are to blame for all this. You should think
of the salvation of your soul. Is that the way to do it? You say one
unkind word to me and I will reply with two. You will give me one slap
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