Trembling with fear, the priest walked up to the intoxicated
merchant with timid steps and remained standing opposite him.

"Sit down beside me!" said Ignat, taking the frightened priest by
the hand and seating him next to himself. "You are a very near
man to me. I am also a rascal! You, because of need; I, because
of wantonness. I am a rascal because of grief! Understand?"

"I understand," said the priest, softly. All the company were
giggling.

"Do you know now what I am?"

"I do."

"Well, say, 'You are a rascal, Ignat!'"

The priest could not do it. He looked with terror at the huge
figure of Ignat and shook his head negatively. The company's
laughter was now like the rattling of thunder. Ignat could not
make the priest abuse him. Then he asked him:

"Shall I give you money?"

"Yes," quickly answered the priest.

"And what do you need it for?"

He did not care to answer. Then Ignat seized him by the collar,
and shook out of his dirty lips the following speech, which he