ives."

But no longer did I desire to listen to Kalinin, for the threads which
had drawn me, bound me, to his personality had now parted. All that I
desired to do was to contemplate in silence the sea, while thinking of
some of those subjects which at eventide never fail to stir the soul to
gentle, kindly emotion. Bombers, Kalinin's words continued dripping
into my ear like belated raindrops.

"Nowadays everybody is a busybody. Nowadays everyone inquires of his
fellow-man, 'How is your life ordered?' To which always there is added
didactically, 'But you ought not to live as you are doing. Let me show
you the way.' As though anyone can tell me how best my life may attain
full development, seeing that no one can possibly have such a matter
within his knowledge! Nay, let every man live as best he pleases,
without compulsion. For instance, I have no need of you. In return, it
is not your business either to require or to expect aught of me. And
this I say though Father Vitali says the contrary, and avers that
throughout should man war with the evils of the world."

In the vague, wide firmament a blood-red cluster of clouds was hanging,
and as I contemplated it there occurred to me the thought, "May not
those clouds be erstwhile righteous world-folk who are following an
unseen path across that expanse, and dyeing it red with their good
blood as they go, in order that the earth may be fertilised?"

To right and left of that strip of living flame the sea was of a
curious wine tint, while further off, rather, it was as soft and black
as velvet, and in the remote east sheet-lightning was flashing even as
though some giant hand were fruitlessly endeavouring to strike a match
against the sodden firmament.

Meanwhile Kalinin continued to discourse with enthusiasm on the subject
of Father Vitali, the Labour Superintendent of the monastery of New
Athos, while describing in detail the monk's jovial, clever features
with their pearly teeth and contrasting black and silver beard. In
particular he related how once Vitali had knitted his fine, almost
womanlike eyes, and said in a bass which stressed its "o's":

"On our first arrival here, we found in possession only prehistoric
chaos and demoniacal influence. Everywhere had clinging weeds grown to
rankness; everywhere one found one's feet entangled among bindweed and
other vegetation of the sort. And now see what beauty and joy and
comfort the hand of man has wrought!"

And, having