Page:Emma Goldman - The Social Significance of the Modern Drama - 1914.djvu/303

 Luka tries also to imbue Natasha and Vaska with new faith. They marvel at his goodness. In simplicity of heart Luka gives his philosophy of life.

Luka.. I am good, you say. But you see, there must be some one to be good. . . . We must have pity on mankind.... Have pity while there is still time, believe me it is very good. I was once, for example, employed as a watchman, at a country place which belonged to an engineer, not far from the city of Tomsk, in Siberia. The house stood in the middle of the forest, an out-of-the-way location. . . and it was winter and I was all alone in the country house. It was beautiful there. . . magnificent! And once ... I heard them scrambling up! Natasha. Thieves!

Luka.. Yes. They crept higher and I took my rifle and went outside. I looked up: two men. . . as they were opening a window and so busy that they did not see anything of me at all. I cried to them: " Heh there, . . . get out of that ". . . and would' you think it, they fell on me with a hand ax. . . . I warned them—"Halt," I cried, "or else I fire" then I aimed first at one and then at the other. They fell on their knees, saying, " Pardon us." I was pretty hot. . . on account of the hand ax, you remember. You devils," I cried, "I told you to clear out and you didn't and now," I said, "one of you go into the brush. and get a switch." It was done. " And now," I commanded, " one Of, you stretch out on the ground, and the other thrash