I began to rummage in all my pockets…. Neither purse, nor watch, nor even handkerchief did I find…. I had taken nothing with me.
And the beggar still waited … and extended his hand, which swayed and trembled feebly.
Bewildered, confused, I shook that dirty, tremulous hand heartily….
"Blame me not, brother; I have nothing, brother."
The beggar man fixed his swollen eyes upon me; his blue lips smiled—and in his turn he pressed my cold fingers.
"Never mind, brother," he mumbled. "Thanks for this also, brother.—This also is an alms, brother."
I understood that I had received an alms from my brother.
February, 1878.
"THOU SHALT HEAR THE JUDGMENT OF THE DULLARD…." Púshkin
"Thou shalt hear the judgment of the dullard…." Thou hast always spoken the truth, thou great writer of ours; thou hast spoken it this time, also.