Page:The way of Martha and the way of Mary (1915).djvu/93

Rh another. Russia offers to the world glorious paradoxes:—

"As a substitute for success it offers failure.

"As a substitute for fine clothes it offers rags; and for fine mansions it offers taverns and log-cabins.

"As a substitute for rich men it offers beggars.

"Instead of the march music of Progress it offers the choir dance of the Mystery.

"Instead of Progress itself it offers Communion."

I told them my belief that Russia is the hope of Europe, that we are all looking to her, that she is the living East, the pole of mysticism, in opposition to America, the living West, the pole of materialism. This pleased the Bogoiskateli very much. They made quite sure it was not simply a compliment, and then one of them added:—

"Yes, Russia is the hope of Europe, and Moscow is the hope of Russia." And another, an Old Believer, added to that:—

"And beyond the Preobrazhenskaya Zastava is the hope of Moscow"—it is there that the Old Believers have a vast and important settlement.

At half-past six the discussion broke up in the central part of the tavern and was left to be prolonged in separate groups. Perhaps later it again became general. I went out, and eight who accompanied me suggested that we go to another tavern two streets off and drink another glass of tea. This we did, and the talk went on and on as it goes on