Page:Korolenko - Makar's Dream and Other Stories.djvu/63

Rh When all had been told, the old Toyon turned to Father Ivan and said:

"Bring hither the book."

Makar saw from this that Father Ivan was secretary to the Toyon, and was annoyed that the other had given him no friendly hint of the fact.

Father Ivan brought the great book, opened it, and began to read.

"Just look and see how many poles are inscribed there," said the old Toyon.

Father Ivan looked and answered sorrowfully:

"He added a round three thousand to his reckoning."

"It's a lie!" shouted Makar vehemently. "He must be wrong because he was a drunkard and died a wicked death!"

"Be quiet!" commanded the Toyon. "Did he charge you more than was fair for christenings and weddings? Did he ever press you for tithes?"

"Why waste words?" answered Makar.

"You see," the Toyon said, "I know without assistance from you that he was fond of drink—"

And the old Toyon lost his temper. "Read his sins from the book now; he is a cheat, and I can't believe his words!" he cried to Father Ivan.

Meanwhile the servants were heaping into the golden bowl all Makar's poles, and his wood, and his ploughing, and all his work. And there proved to be so much that the golden bowl sank, and the