Catherine, consequently I am a pure-blooded man."

In this family Ignat Gordyeeff's son lived for six years. By the
time he was seven years old Foma was a big-headed, broad-
shouldered boy, seemingly older that his years, both in his size
and in the serious look of his dark, almond-shaped eyes. Quiet,
silent and persistent in his childish desires, he spent all his
days over his playthings, with Mayakin's daughter, Luba, quietly
looked after by one of the kinswomen, a stout, pock-marked old
maid, who was, for some reason or other, nicknamed "Buzya." She
was a dull, somewhat timid creature; and even to the children she
spoke in a low voice, in words of monosyllables. Having devoted
her time to learning prayers, she had no stories to tell Foma.

Foma was on friendly terms with the little girl, but when she
angered or teased him he turned pale, his nostrils became
distended, his eyes stared comically and he beat her audaciously.
She cried, ran to her mother and complained to her, but Antonina
loved Foma and she paid but little attention to her daughter's
complaints, which strengthened the friendship between the
children still more. Foma's day was long and uniform. Getting out
of bed and washing himself, he used to place himself before the
image, and under the whispering of the pock-marked Buzya he
recited long prayers. Then they drank tea and ate many biscuits,
cakes and pies. After tea--during the summer--the children went
to the big palisade, which ran down to a ravine, whose bottom
always looked dark and damp, filling them with terror. The
children were not allowed to go even to the edge of the ravine,
and this inspired in them a fear of it. In winter, from tea time
to dinner, they played in the house when it was very cold