0 The Brothers Karamazov
whole world by it, and expiate not only your own sins but
the sins of others.’
He signed her three times with the cross, took from his
own neck a little ikon and put it upon her. She bowed down
to the earth without speaking.
He got up and looked cheerfully at a healthy peasant
woman with a tiny baby in her arms.
‘From Vyshegorye, dear Father.’
‘Five miles you have dragged yourself with the baby.
What do you want?’
‘I’ve come to look at you. I have been to you before — or
have you forgotten? You’ve no great memory if you’ve for-
gotten me. They told us you were ill. Thinks I, I’ll go and see
him for myself. Now I see you, and you’re not ill! You’ll live
another twenty years. God bless you! There are plenty to
pray for you; how should you be ill?’
‘I thank you for all, daughter.’
‘By the way, I have a thing to ask, not a great one. Here
are sixty copecks. Give them, dear Father, to someone poor-
er than me. I thought as I came along, better give through
him. He’ll know whom to give to.’
‘Thanks, my dear, thanks! You are a good woman. I love
you. I will do so certainly. Is that your little girl?’
‘My little girl, Father, Lizaveta.’
‘May the Lord bless you both, you and your babe Liza-
veta! You have gladdened my heart, mother. Farewell, dear
children, farewell, dear ones.’
He blessed them all and bowed low to them.