them. His son Iakov came to seek him and to procure work for himself
for a season. He had the true soul of a peasant.

Later he falls, like the others, under the spell of this easy, free
life, and one feels that Iakov will never more return to the village.


In Gorky's eyes, his work is tainted by a capital vice. It is unsuited
to producing the joy that quickens. Humanity has forgotten joy; what
has he done beyond pitying or rallying suffering? . . . These
reflections haunt him, and this doubt of his beneficent efficacy
imparts extreme sadness to his genius.

IVAN STRANNIK.




CONTENTS

Preface
Twenty-Six and One
Tchelkache
Malva




Twenty-Six and One