The Brothers Karamazovrupted already, and much of that is due to our carelessness
and indifference. But God will save His people, for Russia
is great in her humility. I dream of seeing, and seem to see
clearly already, our future. It will come to pass that even
the most corrupt of our rich will end by being ashamed of
his riches before the poor, and the poor, seeing his humil-
ity, will understand and give way before him, will respond
joyfully and kindly to his honourable shame. Believe me
that it will end in that; things are moving to that. Equal-
ity is to be found only in the spiritual dignity of man, and
that will only be understood among us. If we were broth-
ers, there would be fraternity, but before that they will never
agree about the division of wealth. We preserve the image
of Christ, and it will shine forth like a precious diamond to
the whole world. So may it be, so may it be!
Fathers and teachers, a touching incident befell me once.
In my wanderings I met in the town of K. my old orderly,
Afanasy. It was eight years since I had parted from him. He
chanced to see me in the market-place, recognised me, ran
up to me, and how delighted he was! He simply pounced on
me: ‘Master dear, is it you? Is it really you I see?’ He took me
home with him.
He was no longer in the army, he was married and al-
ready had two little children. He and his wife earned their
living as costermongers in the market-place. His room was
poor, but bright and clean. He made me sit down, set the
samovar, sent for his wife, as though my appearance were a
festival for them. He brought me his children: ‘Bless them,
Father.’