"It is time for me to die, that's what, my darling."
"God be with you, Alexyéi Sergyéitch! Why so?"
"This is why. In the first place, one must show moderation; and more than that; I was looking at my legs a little while ago … they were strange legs—and that settles it!—I looked at my hands—-and those were strange also! I looked at my belly—and the belly belonged to some one else!—Which signifies that I am devouring some other person's life.[45] Send for the priest; and in the meanwhile, lay me on my bed, from which I shall not rise again."
Malánya Pávlovna was in utter consternation, but she put the old man to bed, and sent for the priest. Alexyéi Sergyéitch made his confession, received the holy communion, took leave of the members of his household, and began to sink into a stupor. Malánya Pávlovna was sitting beside his bed.
"Alexis!" she suddenly shrieked, "do not frighten me, do not close thy dear eyes! Hast thou any pain?"
The old man looked at his wife.—"No, I have no pain … but I find it … rather difficult … difficult to breathe." Then, after a brief pause:—"Malániushka," he said, "now life has galloped past—but dost thou remember our wedding … what a fine young couple we were?"
"We were, my beauty, Alexis my incomparable one!"
Again the old man remained silent for a space.
"And shall we meet again in the other world, Malániushka?"
"I shall pray to God that we may, Alexis."—And the old woman burst into tears.