And if anyone secretly speaks ill of a man like that, give it no heed.
Spit at his insinuations—that's the long and short of it."
"In such cases the precepts of Christianity recommend forgiveness."
"Yes, forgive also.
That's what I always do. If someone speaks ill of me, I forgive him and even pray to God for him.
He is the gainer because a prayer on his behalf goes to Heaven, and I, too, am the gainer, for after I have prayed I forget about the whole matter."
"That's correct. Nothing lightens one's heart as much as a prayer.
Sorrow and anger, and even ailment, all run before it as does the darkness of night before the sun."
"Well, thank God, then.
And we should always conduct ourselves so that our life is like a candle in a lantern—seen from every side. Then we will not be misjudged, for there will be no cause.
Take us, for example. We sat down here a while ago, have been chatting and talking things over—who could find fault with us?
And now let us go and pray to the Lord, and then—to bed.
And tomorrow we shall rise again. Isn't that so, father?"
Yudushka rose noisily, shoving his chair aside in sign that the conversation was at an end.
The priest also rose and made ready to raise his arm to bless, but Porfiry Vladimirych, as an indication of special favor, caught the priest's hand and pressed it in his own.
"So he was christened Vladimir, father?" said Yudushka, shaking his head sadly in the direction of Yevpraksia's room.
"In honor of the saintly Prince Vladimir, sir."
"Well, God be praised.
She is a good and faithful servant, but as to intelligence—well, she hasn't much of it.
That's why they fall into adultery."
_____ CHAPTER III
The whole of the next day Porfiry Vladimirych remained in his study, praying to God for guidance.
On the third day he emerged for morning tea, not in his dressing gown, as usual, but in full holiday attire, the way he always dressed when he intended to transact important business.
His face was pale, but radiated inner serenity; a benign smile played upon his lips; his eyes looked kindly and all-forgiving. The tip of his nose was slightly red with elation.
He drank his three glasses of tea in silence, and between gulps moved his lips, folded his hands, and looked at the ikon as if, in spite of yesterday's vigil, he still expected speedy aid and intercession from it.
Finally he sent for Ulita, and while waiting for her, kneeled again before the ikon, that he might once more strengthen himself by communion with God, and also that Ulita might see plainly that what was about to happen was not his doing, but the work of God.
Ulita, however, as soon as she glanced at Yudushka, perceived there was treachery in the depth of his soul.
"Well, now I have prayed to God," began Porfiry Vladimirych, and in token of obedience to His holy will, he lowered his head and spread his arms.
"That's fine," answered Ulita, but her voice expressed such deep comprehension that Yudushka involuntarily raised his eyes.
She stood before him in her usual pose, one hand upon her breast, the other supporting her chin. But her face sparkled with suppressed laughter.
Yudushka shook his head in sign of Christian reproach.
"I suppose God bestowed His grace upon you," continued Ulita, unperturbed by his gesture of warning.
"You always blaspheme," Yudushka blustered. "How many times have I warned you with kindness, and you are the same as ever.
Yours is an evil tongue, a malicious tongue."
"It seems to me I haven't said anything. Generally when people have prayed to God, it means that God's grace is visited upon them."
"That's just it—'it seems!'
But why do you prate about all that 'seems' to you? Why don't you learn how to hold your tongue when necessary?
I am talking business and she—'it seems to me!'"
Instead of replying Ulita shifted from one foot to the other, as if to indicate that she knew everything Porfiry Vladimirych had to tell her by heart.
"Listen to me, you!" Yudushka began. "I prayed to the Lord all day yesterday, and to-day too, and—look at it from whatever angle you wish—we've got to provide for Volodka."
"Of course, you've got to provide for him.
He is not a puppy, I dare say. You can't throw him into a pond."
"Wait a while! Let me say a word. You plague.
So this is what I say. Take it any way you please, we've got to provide for Volodka.
First, we must do it out of consideration for Yevpraksia and then we've got to make a man of him."
Porfiry Vladimirych glanced at Ulita in the hope that she might show her willingness to have a good long chat with him, but she took the matter plainly and even cynically.
"You mean me to take him to the foundling asylum?" she asked, looking straight at him.
"Oh, oh," exclaimed Yudushka, "you are very quick to decide.
Oh, Ulita, Ulita! You always do things in a hurry and without due consideration. You're always ready to say something rash.
How do you know? Maybe I don't intend to send him to the foundling asylum.