30 ADVENTURES IN IDEALISM 



peasant's isbah, he approached the ikon, and cut off 

 the legs and pierced the eyes of a picture of St. Nicholas 

 that hung on the wall. This was a crime against re- 

 ligion unpardonable, especially when committed by a 

 Jewish boy. In any other part of Russia such an act 

 would have immediately led to a Pogrom. As it was 

 the peasant swore vengeance. He was a very bitter 

 and quarrelsome man, so we had reason to be anxious. 

 Unhappily, too, a few days later, his little daughter, 

 a child of six, became sick and died. Before she fell 

 ill, she had had a childish quarrel with our nephew, and 

 he had given her a spanking. And now she was dead. 

 The peasant 'had, seemingly, sufficient reason for a 

 deep grudge against us. 



While the funeral was in full progress and my hus- 

 band entered the house to offer our condolences, the 

 father of the girl stood up, and amid a dead silence 

 exclaimed, pointing at my husband: 



"His nephew, the Jew, killed my child!" 



The situation was critical, but one of the oldest and 

 most respected men among them rose and said: 



"Michailich, have you a heart? Have you no fear 

 of God? This is not the time to wrangle. Besides, 

 we all know Gregory Konstantinovich too well and 

 know what he has done and is doing for all of us to 

 lay blame to him. What troubles are you brewing? If 

 his nephew did wrong, we will see to it later. Let us 

 proceed, and do not let us defame the holy services of 

 the funeral further." 



