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106
Spring Scenes in Samara. 98
times the dead lie unburied for days, because their friends
cannot pay what he asks. A baptism or wedding may be more
easily postponed, but in the end the peasants have to give in.
Where sectarians are numerous it is most difficult for the
priest to get so much, but the police are on his side, and he
can get them harassed, imprisoned, or even banished.
Take as an illustration the following conversation between
peasants, telling of their different priests. One narrates how,
in the village of F–■, a peasant went to the priest to arrange
for his wedding. " Ten roubles," demands the priest. The
peasant haggles about it. " Well, you shall have it for five
then, not a copeck less." Three roubles are offered, on the
plea of poverty, but the pope will not give way for a long time ;
at last, however, he agrees, and on the appointed day they meet
for the ceremony.
The priest begins. According to Russian custom the couple
should be conducted round the anctloj or reading-desk three
times, but the priest stops after the first round. "Little
father," says the bridegroom, " according to law thou shouldst
take us three times round the desk." " Three times for three
roubles ! " exclaims the priest. " One is enough for thee."
Then the bridegroom notices that the priest does not hold
the crown over their heads, according to custom, and says,
" Little Father, why dost thou marry us without a crown ? "
" Wilt thou, then, have a crown also for three roubles ? Thou,
are jesting, little brother. This will do." At the end the
priest should give the couple a little wine, but none is
forthcoming. The peasant stretches out his hand for some, saying,
" A little wine, little father ! " " So," shrieks the priest " thou
wouldst have wine, too, for three roubles, thou little rascal! "
Nor is any given. So the edifying ceremony ends.
The other peasants shook their heads, saying, " Voj, voj,"
such a " hatuschha " (little father).
" With us," begins another, " the priest is better in that
respect; he does not gnaw the flesh from our bones, but–"
"What then ? "
The peasant shuts his eyes and shakes his head.
"Does he drink?"
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