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keeping his word for the sake of shame and pride. He quietly takes
all the scolding and curses from Olga because he knows that he is
wrong. He accepts the humiliating jeering from the carters for the
same reason. His will power to reform seems to have been lost to
his addiction but his latent desire to modify himself is finally fuelled
by Olga’s kindness.

This character reminds the readers that hope should not be lost
because even the most depraved recover if they get appropriate
and selfless support.

Sergei:

Sergei is an accomplished and prosperous advocate. He has a
keen eye – he recalls having met Lushkoff earlier. He is a stern,
straight forward man who hates lies. He is short tempered and
reprimands Lushkoff mercilessly for swindling. He believes in hard
work and refuses to give Lushkoff any money unless the later
works for him. He is assertive and makes Lushkoff undertake the
hard task of chopping wood. He does not leave anything to itself
and hence watches Lushkoff cutting wood to make sure that the
drunkard reforms through hard work. He supports the poor beggar
and gives him work every time the latter comes asking for it. He is
also kind because he begins to consider Lushkoff as his Godson.
He is genuinely happy to see a reformed Lushkoff.

Sergei displays just one weak trait and that is his tendency to self –
eulogise. He emphasises his own contribution to reforming
Lushkoff without giving any thought to the possibility of other
factors to have helped the man.

Overall Sergei is a character who is somewhat vain about the good
that he does.

Olga:

Olga is Sergei’s cook. She appears to be ill- tempered but her heart
is full of kindness. She shoves Lushkoff aside with her elbow while
unlocking the shed and angrily bangs the door. She also flings the
axe at his feet and spats angrily. She scolds him, curses him but
also sheds the tears for him and suffers miserably for his sake. She
obeys her master and takes the drunkard, scarecrow of a beggar
that Lushkoff appeared to be, to the woodshed without any
complaints. Outwardly she expresses disgust for Lushkoff but
helps him to reform himself. She is inwardly a gentle and caring
person. She shows human kindness and affection to the beggar.