except drunkards and lazy men; but, on learning my object, he asked
me for a five-kopek piece to buy a drink, and ran off to the tavern.
I too entered the tavern to see Ivan Fedotitch, and commission him to
distribute the money which I had left. The tavern was full; gayly-
dressed, intoxicated girls were flitting in and out; all the tables
were occupied; there were already a great many drunken people, and in
the small room the harmonium was being played, and two persons were
dancing. Out of respect to me, Ivan Fedotitch ordered that the dance
should be stopped, and seated himself with me at a vacant table. I
said to him, that, as he knew his tenants, would not he point out to
me the most needy among them; that I had been entrusted with the
distribution of a little money, and, therefore, would he indicate the
proper persons? Good-natured Ivan Fedotitch (he died a year later),
although he was pressed with business, broke away from it for a time,
in order to serve me. He meditated, and was evidently undecided. An
elderly waiter heard us, and joined the conference.

They began to discuss the claims of persons, some of whom I knew, but
still they could not come to any agreement. "The Paramonovna,"
suggested the waiter. "Yes, that would do. Sometimes she has
nothing to eat. Yes, but then she tipples."--"Well, what of that?
That makes no difference."--"Well, Sidoron Ivanovitch has children.
He would do." But Ivan Fedotitch had his doubts about Sidoron
Ivanovitch also. "Akulina shall have some. There, now, give
something to the blind." To this I responded. I saw him at once.
He was a blind old man of eighty years, without kith or kin. It
seemed as though no condition could be more painful, and I went
immediately to see him. He was lying on a feather-bed, on a high
bedstead, drunk; and, as he did not see me, he was scolding his
comparatively youthful female companion in a frightful bass voice,