Vassushka, one of the hangers-on in his house, entered the room
next to Ignat's and began to pray in a loud whisper:

"God, our Lord, descend from the skies in Thy benevolence, born
of the Holy Virgin. Thou dost divine the helplessness of human
creatures. Forgive Thy servant."

And suddenly drowning all other sounds, a superhuman, soul-
rending cry rang out, and a continuous moan floated softly over the
room and died out in the corners, which were filled now with the
twilight. Ignat cast stern glances at the ikons, heaved a deep
sigh and thought:

"Is it possible that it's again a daughter?"

At times he arose, stupidly stood in the middle of the room, and
crossed himself in silence, bowing before the ikons; then he went
back to the table, drank the vodka, which had not made him dizzy
during these hours, dozed off, and thus passed the whole night
and following morning until noon.

And then, at last, the midwife came down hastily, crying to him
in a thin, joyous voice.

"I congratulate you with a son, Ignat Matveyich!"

"You lie!" said he in a dull voice. "What's the matter with you,
batushka!" Heaving a sigh with all the strength of his massive
chest, Ignat went down on his knees, and clasping his hands