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The old man, surmising his uncertainty, said to Ivan: "Go, Ivanushka; do
not delay. Extinguish the fire in the beginning, before it grows large,
for then it may be impossible."
Ivan's father wished to say more to him, but was prevented by the
arrival of the women, who came into the room chattering like so many
magpies. They had already heard of Gavryl's sentence, and of how he
threatened to set fire to Ivan's house. They found out all about it, and
in telling it to their neighbors added their own versions of the
story, with the usual exaggeration. Meeting in the pasture-ground, they
proceeded to quarrel with Gavryl's women. They related how the latter's
daughter-in-law had threatened to secure the influence of the manager of
a certain noble's estate in behalf of his friend Gavryl; also that the
school-teacher was writing a petition to the Czar himself against Ivan,
explaining in detail his theft of the perchbolt and partial destruction
of Gavryl's garden--declaring that half of Ivan's land was to be given
to them.
Ivan listened calmly to their stories, but his anger was soon aroused
once more, when he abandoned his intention of making peace with Gavryl.
As Ivan was always busy about the household, he did not stop to speak to
the wrangling women, but immediately left the room, directing his steps
toward the barn. Before getting through with his work the sun had set
and the boys had returned from their plowing. Ivan met them and asked
about their work, helping them to put things in order and leaving the
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