or what reason, then, should you now demand the third part
of everything? It would be unjust to Ivan and his sister."

"Yes," said Simeon; "but he is a fool, and she was born dumb. What need
have they of anything?"

"See what Ivan will say."

Ivan's reply was: "Well, let him take his share."

Simeon took the portion allotted to him, and went again to serve in the
army.

Tarras also met with success. He became rich and married a merchant's
daughter, but even this failed to satisfy his desires, and he also went
to his father and said, "Give me my share."

The old man, however, refused to comply with his request, saying: "You
had no hand in the accumulation of our property, and what our household
contains is the result of Ivan's hard work. It would be unjust," he
repeated, "to Ivan and his sister."

Tarras replied: "But he does not need it. He is a fool, and cannot
marry, for no one will have him; and sister does not require anything,
for she was born dumb." Turning then to Ivan he continued: "Give me half
the grain you have, and I will not touch the implements or fishing-nets;
and from the cattle I will take only the dark mare, as she is not fit to
plow."

Ivan laughed and said: "Well, I will go and arrange matters so that
Tarras may have his share," whereupon Tarras took the brown mare with
the grain to town, leaving Ivan with one old horse to work on as before
and support his father, mother, and sister.

CHAPTER II.

It was disappointing to the Stary Tchert (Old Devil) that the brothers
did not quarrel over the division of the property, and that they
separated peacefully; and he cried out, calling his three small devils
(Tchertionki).

"See here," said he, "there are living three brothers--Simeon the
soldier, Tarras-Briukhan, and Ivan the Fool. It is necessary that
they should quarrel. Now they live peacefully, and enjoy each other's
hospitality. The Fool spoiled all my plans. Now you three go and work
with them in such a manner that they will be ready to tear each other's
eyes out. Can you do this?"

"We can," they replied.

"How will you accomplish it?"

"In this way: We will first ruin them to such an extent that they will
have nothing to eat, and we will then gather them together in one place
where we are sure that they will fight."

"Very well; I see you understand your business. Go, and do not return to
me until you have created a feud between the three brothers--or I will
skin you alive."