So on the following day we started.  We slung wallets over our shoulders, took staves in our hands, and set forth.  For seven whole days we trudged on, and all the while the weather favoured us, and was even downright wonderful!  There was neither sultry heat nor rain; the flies did not bite, the dust did not make us itch.  And every day my Yakoff acquired a better aspect.  I must tell you that Yakoff had not been in the habit of seeing that one in the open air, but had felt him behind him, close to his back, or his shadow had seemed to be gliding alongside, which troubled my son greatly.  But on this occasion nothing of that sort happened, and nothing made its appearance.  We talked very little together ... but how greatly at our ease we felt—­especially I!  I saw that my poor boy was coming to life again.  I cannot describe to you, my dear sir, what my feelings were then.—­Well, we reached Voronezh at last.  We cleaned up ourselves and washed ourselves, and went to the cathedral, to the holy man.  For three whole days we hardly left the temple.  How many prayer-services we celebrated, how many candles we placed before the holy pictures!  And everything was going well, everything was fine; the days were devout, the nights were tranquil; my Yakoff slept like an infant.  He began to talk to me of his own accord.  He would ask:  “Dost thou see nothing, father dear?” and smile.  “No, I see nothing,” I would answer.—­What more could be demanded?  My gratitude to the saint was unbounded.

Three days passed; I said to Yakoff:  “Well, now, dear son, the matter has been set in order; there’s a festival in our street.  One thing remains to be done; do thou make thy confession and receive the communion; and then, with God’s blessing, we will go our way, and after having got duly rested, and worked a bit on the farm to increase thy strength, thou mayest bestir thyself and find a place—­and Marfa Savishna will certainly help us in that,” I said.

“No,” said Yakoff, “why should we trouble her?  But I will take her a ring from Mitrofany’s hand.”

Thereupon I was greatly encouraged.  “See to it,” I said, “that thou takest a silver ring, not a gold one,—­not a wedding-ring!”

My Yakoff flushed up and merely repeated that it was not proper to trouble her, but immediately assented to all the rest.—­We went to the cathedral on the following day; my Yakoff made his confession, and prayed so fervently before it!  And then he went forward to take the communion.  I was standing a little to one side, and did not feel the earth under me for joy....  It is no sweeter for the angels in heaven!  But as I look—­what is the meaning of that?—­My Yakoff has received the communion, but does not go to sip the warm water and wine![25] He is standing with his back to me....  I go to him.

“Yakoff,” I say, “why art thou standing here?”