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to think how grateful his mistress would be to him； and in his
excited imagination he saw the five rubles he was so sure of
receiving。
Once more he examined the hat to see that the money was safe； and
finding everything all right he put on his hat and pulled it well
down over his ears； smiling all the while at his own thoughts。
Akulina had carefully sewed all the holes in the hat； but it
burst out in other places owing to Polikey's removing it so
often。
In the darkness he did not notice the new rents； and tried to
push the envelope further under the lining； and in doing so
pushed one corner of it through the plush。
The sun was getting high in the heavens； and Polikey having slept
but little the previous night and feeling its warm rays fell fast
asleep； after first pressing his hat more firmly on his head。 By
this action he forced the envelope still further through the
plush； and as he rode along his head bobbed up and down。
Polikey did not awake till he arrived near his own house； and his
first act was to put his hand to his head to learn if his hat was
all right。 Finding that it was in its place； he did not think it
necessary to examine it and see that the money was safe。
Touching the mare gently with the whip she started into a trot；
and as he rode along he arranged in his own mind how much he was
to receive。 With the air of a man already holding a high
position at the court； he looked around him with an expression of
lofty scorn on his face。
As he neared his house he could see before him the one room which
constituted their humble home； and the joiner's wife next door
carry… ing her rolls of linen。 He saw also the office of the
court and his mistress's house； where he hoped he would be able
presently to prove that he was an honest； trustworthy man。
He reasoned with himself that any person can be abused by lying
tongues； but when his mistress would see him she would say： 〃Well
done； Polikey； you have shown that you can be honest。 Here are
threeit may be fiveperhaps tenrubles for you；〃 and also she
would order tea for him； and might treat him to vodkiwho knows？
The latter thought gave him great pleasure； as he was feeling
very cold。
Speaking aloud he said： 〃What a happy holy…day we can have with
ten rubles！ Having so much money； I could pay Nikita the four
rubles fifty kopecks which I owe him； and yet have some left to
buy shoes for the children。〃
When near the house Polikey began to arrange his clothes；
smoothing down his fur collar； re…tying his sash； and stroking
his hair。 To do the latter he had to take off his hat； and when
doing so felt in the lining for the envelope。 Quicker and
quicker he ran his hand around the lining； and not finding the
money used both hands； first one and then the other。 But the
envelope was not to be found。
Polikey was by this time greatly distressed； and his face was
white with fear as he passed his hand through the crown of his
old hat。 Polikey stopped the mare and began a diligent search
through the wagon and its contents。 Not finding the precious
envelope； he felt in all his pocketsBUT THE MONEY COULD NOT BE
FOUND！
Wildly clutching at his hair； he exclaimed： 〃Batiushka！ What
will I do now？ What will become of me？〃 At the same time he
realized that he was near his neighbors' house and could be seen
by them； so he turned the mare around； and； pulling his hat down
securely upon his head； he rode quickly back in search of his
lost treasure。
CHAPTER VI。
The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski
having seen anything of Polikey。 During the afternoon his
mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts； and sent
Aksiutka frequently to Akulina； who each time sent back word that
Polikey had not yet returned； saying also that perhaps the
merchant had kept him； or that something had happened to the
mare。
His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart； and was scarcely
able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next
day （which was to be a holy…day）。 The children also anxiously
awaited their father's appearance； and； though for different
reasons； could hardly restrain their impatience。 The noblewoman
and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself；
while the children were interested most in what he would bring
them from the town。
The only news received by the villagers during the day concerning
Polikey was to the effect that neighboring peasants had seen him
running up and down the road and asking every one he met if he or
she had found an envelope。
One of them had seen him also walking by the side of his
tired…out horse。 〃I thought；〃 said he； 〃that the man was drunk；
and had not fed his horse for two daysthe animal looked so
exhausted。〃
Unable to sleep； and with her heart palpitating at every sound；
Akulina lay awake all night vainly awaiting Polikey's return。
When the cock crowed the third time she was obliged to get up to
attend to the fire。 Day was just dawning and the church…bells
had begun to ring。 Soon all the children were also up； but there
was still no tidings of the missing husband and father。
In the morning the chill blasts of winter entered their humble
home； and on looking out they saw that the houses； fields； and
roads were thickly covered with snow。 The day was clear and
cold； as if befitting the holy…day they were about to celebrate。
They were able to see a long distance from the house； but no one
was in sight。
Akulina was busy baking cakes； and had it not been for the joyous
shouts of the children she would not have known that Polikey was
coming up the road； for a few minutes later he came in with a
bundle in his hand and walked quietly to his corner。 Akulina
noticed that he was very pale and that his face bore an
expression of sufferingas if he would like to have cried but
could not do so。 But she did not stop to study it； but excitedly
inquired： 〃What！ Illitch； is everything all right with you？〃
He slowly muttered something； but his wife could not understand
what he said。
〃What！〃 she cried out； 〃have you been to see our mistress？〃
Polikey still sat on the bed in his corner； glaring wildly about
him； and smiling bitterly。 He did not reply for a long time； and
Akulina again cried：
〃Eh？ Illitch！ Why don't you answer me？ Why don't you speak？〃
Finally he said： 〃Akulina； I delivered the money to our mistress；
and oh； how she thanked me！〃 Then he suddenly looked about him；
with an anxious； startled air； and with a sad smile on his lips。
Two things in the room seemed to engross the most of his
attention： the baby in the cradle； and the rope which was
attached to the ladder。 Approaching the cradle； he began with
his thin fingers quickly to untie the knot in the rope by which
the two were connected。 After untying it he stood for a few
moments looking silent