Summary

In the tavern, Marya and Semyon find a group of peasants drinking. They are somewhat rowdy, and their attitude alternates between curt and welcoming when interacting with Marya. The peasants then each shake Marya’s hand before leaving. Later, as Semyon and Marya continue on their journey and leave the town of Nizhneye Gorodistche, Semyon remarks that Nizhneye Gorodistche planned to build a school recently. However, rumor stated that the school staff and administrators merely embezzled the money allocated for the construction of the school. Marya finds the story impossible to believe and says so. Semyon says that he is merely reporting what he has heard people say.

Marya then thinks bitterly about how the local peasants believe her salary should be about one-fourth of what it is now. They also incorrectly believe that Marya embezzles money. Marya does not embezzle, but she...