"'No, Astafy Ivanovitch, there's nothing I want, but I—sort of——'
"'What?'
"'I only——'
"'What is it, Emelyanoushka?'
"'Those riding breeches——it was——sort of——I who took them——Astafy Ivanovitch.'
"'Well, God forgive you, Emelyanoushka,' said I, 'you poor, sorrowful creature. Depart in peace.'
"And I was choking myself, sir, and the tears were in my eyes. I turned aside for a moment.
"'Astafy Ivanovitch——'
"I saw Emelyanoushka wanted to tell me something; he was trying to sit up, trying to speak, and mumbling something. He flushed red all over suddenly, looked at me ... then I saw him turn white again, whiter and whiter, and he seemed to sink away all in a minute. His head fell back, he drew one breath and gave up his soul to God."