Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/176

 and young, good and bad, honest and thieves — in one word, all — respected him and knew his worth. The town and neighbourhood had not one man who would do this benefactor a wrong, or even think of such. When he left his house his doors and windows lay open, for he knew that the most abandoned thief would not offend him. Sometimes, following his work of mercy, he crossed hills and forests full of hungry vagabonds. But he felt at ease. Once indeed by night when he returned from a sick-bed he was attacked by robbers in a wood. But when they saw his face they took off their caps respectfully and offered him food. When he said that he was not hungry they gave him a warm cloak and led him safe to town, happy that Fate had sent them a chance to show their gratitude to their benefactor. And, further — you can imagine it — my grandmother added that even horses, cows, and dogs knew him, and showed their joy when they saw him,

“But one fine day this man, whose holiness, it seemed, guarded him from all evil, whom even robbers respected — one fine day this man was found murdered. Bloody, with battered skull, he lay in a ravine, and his pale face expressed amazement. Yes; not fear, but merely surprise was his feeling when he saw his executioner before him. You can imagine the grief of the people of the town and neighbourhood! ‘What man,’ they asked themselves in despair, ‘what