to drive anywhere; what do we want with a bridge? If we have to, we can
cross by the boat."

Someone from the yard outside knocked at the window so violently that it
seemed to shake the whole hut.

"Is Volodka at home?" he heard the voice of the younger Lytchkov.
"Volodka, come out, come along."

Volodka jumped down off the stove and began looking for his cap.

"Don't go, Volodka," said Rodion diffidently. "Don't go with them, son.
You are foolish, like a little child; they will teach you no good; don't
go!"

"Don't go, son," said Stepanida, and she blinked as though about to shed
tears. "I bet they are calling you to the tavern."

"'To the tavern,'" Volodka mimicked.

"You'll come back drunk again, you currish Herod," said Lukerya, looking
at him angrily. "Go along, go along, and may you burn up with vodka, you
tailless Satan!"

"You hold your tongue," shouted Volodka.

"They've married me to a fool, they've ruined me, a luckless orphan,
you red-headed drunkard..." wailed Lukerya, wiping her face with a hand
covered with dough. "I wish I had never set eyes on you."