“I have begged you not to gather mushrooms in the park and near the yard, but to leave them for my wife and children, but your girls come before daybreak and there is not a mushroom left.⁠ ⁠… Whether one asks you or not it makes no difference. Entreaties, and friendliness, and persuasion I see are all useless.”

He fixed his indignant eyes on Rodion and went on:

“My wife and I behaved to you as human beings, as to our equals, and you? But what’s the use of talking! It will end by our looking down upon you. There is nothing left!”

And making an effort to restrain his anger, not to say too much, he turned and went on.

On getting home Rodion said his prayer, took off his boots, and sat down beside his wife.

“Yes⁠ ⁠…” he began with a sigh. “We were walking along just now, and Mr. Kutcherov met us.⁠ ⁠… Yes.⁠ ⁠… He saw the girls at daybreak⁠ ⁠… ‘Why don’t they bring mushrooms,’⁠ ⁠… he said ‘to my wife and children?’ he said.⁠ ⁠… And then he looked at me and he said: ‘I and my wife will look after you,’ he said. I wanted to fall down at his feet, but I hadn’t the courage.⁠ ⁠… God give him health⁠ ⁠… God bless him!⁠ ⁠…”

Stephania crossed herself and sighed.

“They are kind, simple-hearted people,” Rodion went on. “ ‘We shall look after you.’⁠ ⁠… He promised me that before everyone. In our old age⁠ ⁠… it wouldn’t be a bad thing.⁠ ⁠… I should always pray for them.⁠ ⁠… Holy Mother, bless them.⁠ ⁠…”