saying, "Don't weep, for God's sake, don't weep! For over there—God knows best."
The Cossack who had been addressed as Dorosch was full of curiosity, and addressed many questions to the philosopher Thomas. "I should like to know," he said, "what you learn in your seminary; do you learn the same things as the deacon reads to us in church, or something else?"
"Don't ask," said the consoler; "let them learn what they like. God knows what is to happen; God knows everything."
"No, I will know," answered Dorosch, "I will know what is written in their books; perhaps it is something quite different from that in the deacon's book."
"O good heavens!" said the other, "why all this talk? It is God's will, and one cannot change God's arrangements."
"But I will know everything that is written; I will enter the seminary too, by heaven I will! Do you think perhaps I could not learn? I will learn everything, everything."
"Oh, heavens!" exclaimed the consoler, and let his head sink on the table, for he could no longer hold it upright.
The other Cossacks talked about the nobility, and why there was a moon in the sky.
When the philosopher Thomas saw the state they were in, he determined to profit by it, and
