Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XV. Later Sects
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of money to the village. There he bought a new izba and
returned to his old work—and his old drinking habits.
Ustini had an “evangelical” neighbour, on whom he
showered all possible scoffing and mockery. He could swear
that at the religious meetings held in the house of this Stundist
he had seen people with pigs’ heads, who, nevertheless, howled
like dogs; he had seen it and heard it himself. He had also
seen devils with curling locks like those of the Jewish
saloonkeeper, coming to these meetings with small bags full of golden
grain. Every time he passed the Stundist’s house, returning
from the saloon, he would shout, “Hallo, Stundist! Hallo, the
devil’s godfather! Give me a couple of your golden
grains!”
One night very late, as Ustim was on his way home with a
bottle of brandy in his hand and a considerable quantity of
spirits in his head, he saw a light in his neighbour’s house.
In a twinkling he broke through the door and entered the
izba, which was full of people. They were in the act of
singing a hymn, but on his unceremonious entrance all became
silent.
“Halt! Silence!” shouted Ustim, imitating the tones of
a commanding officer. Then he began to sing one of his vulgar
songs, and to dance.
One of the Stundist’s sisters, a young woman with a pale face
and great expressive eyes, gazed steadily at Ustim, and then
glanced round the circle of those present. Her body began to
shake as with an ague, her lips quivered, and the muscles of
her face twitched. Suddenly she fell on her knees, all but
Ustim following her example. “O Thou merciful God,”
cried the young woman, “O Jesus our Saviour, how long
wilt Thou leave us weak without Thy help? How long shall
we wander as sheep without a shepherd, as fatherless, motherless
children? See, Lord, how we are scattered over the whole
earth! See how weak and feeble, sinful and guilty we are
before Thee. Lord, uphold us, give us power, make us able
to fulfil Thy holy bidding; lead us, Saviour, in the narrow way,
and not the broad! Oh, open our eyes that we may see in
what darkness we are! Uplift our hearts that we may love
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