Pavel stood in the doorway listening to the melancholy speech, and
when the mother had finished he said with a smile:

"Yes, people are sorry creatures; but when I came to recognize that
there is truth in the world, people became better." He smiled again
and added: "I do not know how it happened myself! From childhood
I feared everybody; as I grew up I began to hate everybody, some
for their meanness, others--well, I do not know why--just so! And
now I see all the people in a different way. I am grieved for
them all! I cannot understand it; but my heart turned softer when
I recognized that there is truth in men, and that not all are to
blame for their foulness and filth."

He was silent as if listening to something within himself. Then
he said in a low voice and thoughtfully:

"That's how truth lives."

She looked at him tenderly.

"May God protect you!" she sighed. "It is a dangerous change that
has come upon you."

When he had fallen asleep, the mother rose carefully from her bed
and came gently into her son's room. Pavel's swarthy, resolute,
stern face was clearly outlined against the white pillow. Pressing
her hand to her bosom, the mother stood at his bedside. Her lips
moved mutely, and great tears rolled down her cheeks.