m she would say: "Well done, Polikey;
you have shown that you can be honest. Here are three--it may be
five--perhaps ten--rubles for you;" and also she would order tea for
him, and might treat him to vodki--who knows?

The latter thought gave him great pleasure, as he was feeling very cold.

Speaking aloud he said: "What a happy holy-day we can have with ten
rubles! Having so much money, I could pay Nikita the four rubles fifty
kopecks which I owe him, and yet have some left to buy shoes for the
children."

When near the house Polikey began to arrange his clothes, smoothing
down his fur collar, re-tying his sash, and stroking his hair. To do the
latter he had to take off his hat, and when doing so felt in the lining
for the envelope. Quicker and quicker he ran his hand around the lining,
and not finding the money used both hands, first one and then the other.
But the envelope was not to be found.

Polikey was by this time greatly distressed, and his face was white with
fear as he passed his hand through the crown of his old hat. Polikey
stopped the mare and began a diligent search through the wagon and
its contents. Not finding the precious envelope, he felt in all his
pockets--BUT THE MONEY COULD NOT BE FOUND!

Wildly clutching at his hair, he exclaimed: "Batiushka! What will I do
now? What will become of me?" At the same time he realized that he was
near his neighbors' house and could be seen by them; so he turned the
mare around, and, pulling his hat down securely upon his head, he rode
quickly back in search of his lost treasure.

CHAPTER VI.

The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having
seen anything of Polikey. During the afternoon his mistress inquired
many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to
Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned,
saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something
had happened to the mare.

His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to
do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was
to be a holy-day). The children also anxiously awaited their father's
appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain
their impatience. The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in
regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in
what he would bring them from the town.

The only news received by the villa