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 the clean, well-washed close-stool, "come hither, if you please, and help me."

Gerasim came.

"Lift me up. It is hard for me alone, and I have sent Dmitry away."

Gerasim came. With his strong arms, just as lightly as he had walked, he embraced Ivan Il'ich skilfully, lifted him up softly, and, holding him up, with the other hand he readjusted his pantaloons, and would have set him down again. But Ivan Il'ich begged him to carry him to the divan. Gerasim without an effort, and as if he scarce held him, led him, almost carrying him to the divan, and sat him down upon it.

"Thanks, how well and cleverly you do everything."

Gerasim smiled again and would have gone away, but Ivan Il'ich liked to be with him so much that he did not want to dismiss him.

"Push that chair yonder close up to me, if you please. No, that one there—under my legs. I feel easier when my legs are raised."

Gerasim brought the chair, placed it in position without knocking it against anything, and placed Ivan Il'ich's feet upon it. It seemed to Ivan Il'ich that he felt much easier ever since Gerasim had raised his feet higher.

"I feel easier when my feet are higher," said Ivan Il'ich. " Place that cushion there under me."

Gerasim did so. Again he raised Ivan Il'ich's feet and placed the cushion. Again Ivan Il'ich felt better so long as Gerasim held up his feet.