together again on Good Friday in Vasily's outhouse, and again began talking the matter over.
"If he forgets God," they said, "and will do such things, it is but right and just to slay him. Let us fall upon him all at once."
Petr Mikhaev was also with them. A man of peace was the muzhik, Petr Mikhaev, and he entered not into the counsels of the muzhiks. Mikhaev came thither, heard their words, and then said:
"My brethren, ye are planning a great sin. To kill a soul 'tis a great matter. 'Tis an easy thing to destroy another's soul, but how about one's own? He does evil, then evil awaits him: Ye, my brethren, must suffer patiently."
Vasily was very wroth at these words.
"You say 'tis a sin to kill a msxi. Of course it is a sin, but what sort of a man, I ask? It is a sin to kill a good man, but such a dog as this God Himself bids us kill. A mad dog that injures people ought to be killed. It would be a greater sin not to kill him. He is always worrying people! And we are to suffer it! I suppose we ought to say 'thank you' too! What! stand gaping at him while he ill-uses us! Thy words are empty words, Mikhyeich.[1] What! is it not a less crime to kill him than all to go out working on the feast of Christ? You surely won't go yourself!"
And Mikhyeich replied:
"Why should I not go?" said he, "I will go working and ploughing. 'Tis not my doing, but God
- ↑ Familiar diminutive.
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