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148

(1897) [MARC] Author: Jonas Jonsson Stadling Translator: Will Reason With: Gerda Tirén, Johan Tirén - Tema: Russia
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148

On the Volga.

believers," who was sitting opposite him, and who, with a
paternal smile, looked at the self-satisfied youth, saying half
to himself,

" Youth, youth ! If youth only had understanding, and age
strength," quoting a Eussian proverb.

"Do you know, grandfather," the young fellow chattered on,
" my mother has a little shop of her own, but I have charge of
the business, you know. My father died when I was just a
little brat; it is only three years since I became master of the
house, as it were. Heigho ! how this business life bores me,
grandfather! But then I sleep like a dead man when I come
home at night at nine o’clock. Then I eat my fill of sweet
cakes and pastry, which mother bakes for me, wash it down
with a little tea, and so throw myself into bed and sleep until
eleven or twelve o’clock next morning. It’s no use trying to
wake me before then. Is it a sin to sleep so much,
grandfather ? I can’t help it! it’s 110 use trying. I don’t like it
myself, but I can’t help it."

"Sleep, sleep, my child," replied the old man. "When age
comes on and conscience begins to accuse us of the faults and
thoughtlessness of youth, sleep will flee."

" Well, grandfather, is it a sin to make the sign of the Gross
with three fingers? " he asked, with a roguish smile, jesting with
the old believer, who makes the sign with only two fingers.

"It is not ours to decide upon that matter, my child," said
the old gentleman. " We have to love Jesus Christ our God,
and believe His Word, and leave the rest with God. ’ In every
nation he that feareth Him and doeth righteousness is
acceptable to Him.’"

" You are right," chimed in a middle-aged Tatar, in a mild
voice, who had been sitting on a bench behind us, and now came
forward. " I also believe that. But allow me to ask where it
is written that Christ is God ? In our Koran it stands that He
was only a prophet, and that God is only One."

" I don’t care about your Koran," cried the young man,
flushed with rage. "That is no law to me ; our Orthodox faith
is better than yours ! "

Now my companion interposed, and directed the conversation

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