Pagina 441 di 1294

She looked intently at the bed and the priest; she too was out of

breath with running. At last whispers, some words in the crowd

probably, reached her. She looked down and took a step forward

into the room, still keeping close to the door.

The service was over. Katerina Ivanovna went up to her husband

again. The priest stepped back and turned to say a few words of

admonition and consolation to Katerina Ivanovna on leaving.

"What am I to do with these?" she interrupted sharply and

irritably, pointing to the little ones.

"God is merciful; look to the Most High for succour," the priest

began.

"Ach! He is merciful, but not to us."

"That's a sin, a sin, madam," observed the priest, shaking his

head.

"And isn't that a sin?" cried Katerina Ivanovna, pointing to the

dying man.

"Perhaps those who have involuntarily caused the accident will

agree to compensate you, at least for the loss of his earnings."