"Very well, Saveliitch," said I. "Give me half what you have there, and
keep the rest for yourself. I am about to start for Fort Belogorsk."
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," cried my good follower, in a
tremulous voice; "do you not fear God? How do you mean to travel now
that all the roads be blocked by the robbers? At least, take pity on
your parents if you have none on yourself. Where do you wish to go?
Wherefore? Wait a bit, the troops will come and take all the robbers.
Then you can go to the four winds."
My resolution was fixed.
"It is too late to reflect," I said to the old man. "I must go; it is
impossible for me not to go. Do not make yourself wretched, Saveliitch.
God is good; we shall perhaps meet again. Mind you be not ashamed to
spend my money; do not be a miser. Buy all you have need of, even if you
pay three times the value of things. I make you a present of the money
if in three days' time I be not back."
"What's that you're saying, sir?" broke in Saveliitch; "that I shall
consent to let you go alone? Why, don't dream of asking me to do so. If
you have resolved to go I will e'en go along with you, were it on foot;
but I will not forsake you. That I should stay snugly behind a stone
wall! Why, I should be mad! Do as you please, sir, but I do not leave
you.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133