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After two years, one evening Sergei was standing at the ticket window of

a theatre. He was buying a ticket. He saw Lushkoff standing next to him.

He was well dressed, wore a coat, the collar was made of fur and wore a

cap made of seal’s skin. He was shy as he asked for a ticket of the

gallery seat and paid for it in coins made of copper.

“Lushkoff, is that you?” cried Sergei, recognising in the little man his

former wood-chopper. “How are you? What are you doing? How is

everything with you?”

Sergei recognised Lushkoff and met him. He asked how he was, what

he was doing and how everything was going.

“All right. I am a notary now and am paid thirty-five roubles a month.”

Notary: a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities,

especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents

for use in other jurisdictions

Lushkoff replied that he was fine and was working as a notary. He got

paid 35 Roubles a month.

“Thank Heaven! That‟s fine! I am delighted for your sake. I am very, very

glad, Lushkoff. You see, you are my godson, in a sense. I gave you a

push along the right path, you know. Do you remember what a roasting I

gave you, eh? I nearly had you sinking into the ground at my feet that

day. Thank you, old man, for not forgetting my words.”

Godson: a boy or a man whom one promises to bring up

Roasting: here, scolding

Sergei was glad and thanked God for reforming the beggar. He said that

he considered Lushkoff to be his Godson because it was due to his

scolding that he was a changed man. That day, the beggar had been at