"Now, you dear, dear man, you just arrange it for me, arrange it so
that I can work in this movement. I'll go everywhere for you! I'll
keep going summer and winter, down to my very grave, a pilgrim for
the sake of truth. Why, isn't that a splendid lot for a woman like
me? The wanderer's life is a good life. He goes about through the
world, he has nothing, he needs nothing except bread, no one abuses
him, and so quietly, unnoticed, he roves over the earth. And so
I'll go, too; I'll go to Andrey, to Pasha, wherever they live."
She was seized with sadness when she saw herself homeless, begging
for alms, in the name of Christ, at the windows of the village cottages.
Nikolay took her hand gently, and stroked it with his warm hand.
Then, looking at the watch, he said:
"We'll speak about that later. You are taking a dangerous burden
upon your shoulders. You must consider very carefully what you
intend doing."
"My dear man, what have I to consider? What have I to live for
if not for this cause? Of what use am I to anybody? A tree grows,
it gives shade; it's split into wood, and it warms people. Even
a mere dumb tree is helpful to life, and I am a human being.
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