Literature: The Bet (Anton Chekhov)

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IT WAS a dark autumn night.

There had been many clever men there, and there had been interesting conversations.

Among other things they had talked of capital punishment.

The majority of the guests, among whom were many journalists and intellectual men, disapproved of the death penalty.

The majority of the guests, among whom were many journalists and intellectual men, disapproved of the death penalty.

The majority of the guests, among whom were many journalists and intellectual men, disapproved of the death penalty.

They considered that form of punishment out of date, immoral, and unsuitable for Christian States.

They considered that form of punishment out of date, immoral, and unsuitable for Christian States.

In the opinion of some of them the death penalty ought to be replaced everywhere by imprisonment for life.

In the opinion of some of them the death penalty ought to be replaced everywhere by imprisonment for life.

"I don't agree with you," said their host the banker.

"I have not tried either the death penalty or imprisonment for life, but if one may judge _a priori_, the death penalty is more moral and more humane than imprisonment for life.

"I have not tried either the death penalty or imprisonment for life, but if one may judge _a priori_, the death penalty is more moral and more humane than imprisonment for life.

"I have not tried either the death penalty or imprisonment for life, but if one may judge _a priori_, the death penalty is more moral and more humane than imprisonment for life.

Which executioner is the more humane, he who kills you in a few minutes or he who drags the life out of you in the course of many years?"

"Both are equally immoral," observed one of the guests, "for they both have the same object -- to take away life.

"Both are equally immoral," observed one of the guests, "for they both have the same object -- to take away life.

It has not the right to take away what it cannot restore when it wants to."

"The death sentence and the life sentence are equally immoral, but if I had to choose between the death penalty and imprisonment for life, I would certainly choose the second.

"The death sentence and the life sentence are equally immoral, but if I had to choose between the death penalty and imprisonment for life, I would certainly choose the second.

A lively discussion arose.

A lively discussion arose.

A lively discussion arose.

The banker, who was younger and more nervous in those days, was suddenly carried away by excitement; he struck the table with his fist and shouted at the young man:

The banker, who was younger and more nervous in those days, was suddenly carried away by excitement; he struck the table with his fist and shouted at the young man:

I'll bet you two millions you wouldn't stay in solitary confinement for five years."

"If you mean that in earnest," said the young man, "I'll take the bet, but I would stay not five but fifteen years."

The banker, spoilt and frivolous, with millions beyond his reckoning, was delighted at the bet.

The banker, spoilt and frivolous, with millions beyond his reckoning, was delighted at the bet.

The banker, spoilt and frivolous, with millions beyond his reckoning, was delighted at the bet.

To me two millions are a trifle, but you are losing three or four of the best years of your life.

Don't forget either, you unhappy man, that voluntary confinement is a great deal harder to bear than compulsory.

The thought that you have the right to step out in liberty at any moment will poison your whole existence in prison.

The thought that you have the right to step out in liberty at any moment will poison your whole existence in prison.

The thought that you have the right to step out in liberty at any moment will poison your whole existence in prison.

Can it prove that the death penalty is better or worse than imprisonment for life?

It was all nonsensical and meaningless.

On my part it was the caprice of a pampered man, and on his part simple greed for money.

On my part it was the caprice of a pampered man, and on his part simple greed for money.

On my part it was the caprice of a pampered man, and on his part simple greed for money.

It was decided that the young man should spend the years of his captivity under the strictest supervision in one of the lodges in the banker's garden.

It was agreed that for fifteen years he should not be free to cross the threshold of the lodge, to see human beings, to hear the human voice, or to receive letters and newspapers.

It was agreed that for fifteen years he should not be free to cross the threshold of the lodge, to see human beings, to hear the human voice, or to receive letters and newspapers.

It was agreed that for fifteen years he should not be free to cross the threshold of the lodge, to see human beings, to hear the human voice, or to receive letters and newspapers.

He was allowed to have a musical instrument and books, and was allowed to write letters, to drink wine, and to smoke.

He was allowed to have a musical instrument and books, and was allowed to write letters, to drink wine, and to smoke.

By the terms of the agreement, the only relations he could have with the outer world were by a little window made purposely for that object.

He might have anything he wanted -- books, music, wine, and so on -- in any quantity he desired by writing an order, but could only receive them through the window.

He might have anything he wanted -- books, music, wine, and so on -- in any quantity he desired by writing an order, but could only receive them through the window.

The agreement provided for every detail and every trifle that would make his imprisonment strictly solitary, and bound the young man to stay there _exactly_ fifteen years, beginning from twelve o'clock of November 14, 1870, and ending at twelve o'clock of November 14, 1885.

The agreement provided for every detail and every trifle that would make his imprisonment strictly solitary, and bound the young man to stay there _exactly_ fifteen years, beginning from twelve o'clock of November 14, 1870, and ending at twelve o'clock of November 14, 1885.

The slightest attempt on his part to break the conditions, if only two minutes before the end, released the banker from the obligation to pay him two millions.

The slightest attempt on his part to break the conditions, if only two minutes before the end, released the banker from the obligation to pay him two millions.

The slightest attempt on his part to break the conditions, if only two minutes before the end, released the banker from the obligation to pay him two millions.

The slightest attempt on his part to break the conditions, if only two minutes before the end, released the banker from the obligation to pay him two millions.

The slightest attempt on his part to break the conditions, if only two minutes before the end, released the banker from the obligation to pay him two millions.

For the first year of his confinement, as far as one could judge from his brief notes, the prisoner suffered severely from loneliness and depression.

For the first year of his confinement, as far as one could judge from his brief notes, the prisoner suffered severely from loneliness and depression.

For the first year of his confinement, as far as one could judge from his brief notes, the prisoner suffered severely from loneliness and depression.

For the first year of his confinement, as far as one could judge from his brief notes, the prisoner suffered severely from loneliness and depression.

He refused wine and tobacco.

Wine, he wrote, excites the desires, and desires are the worst foes of the prisoner; and besides, nothing could be more dreary than drinking good wine and seeing no one.

Wine, he wrote, excites the desires, and desires are the worst foes of the prisoner; and besides, nothing could be more dreary than drinking good wine and seeing no one.

In the first year the books he sent for were principally of a light character; novels with a complicated love plot, sensational and fantastic stories, and so on.

In the first year the books he sent for were principally of a light character; novels with a complicated love plot, sensational and fantastic stories, and so on.

In the first year the books he sent for were principally of a light character; novels with a complicated love plot, sensational and fantastic stories, and so on.

In the first year the books he sent for were principally of a light character; novels with a complicated love plot, sensational and fantastic stories, and so on.

In the first year the books he sent for were principally of a light character; novels with a complicated love plot, sensational and fantastic stories, and so on.

In the second year the piano was silent in the lodge, and the prisoner asked only for the classics.

In the fifth year music was audible again, and the prisoner asked for wine.

In the second half of the sixth year the prisoner began zealously studying languages, philosophy, and history.

In the course of four years some six hundred volumes were procured at his request.

In the course of four years some six hundred volumes were procured at his request.

In the course of four years some six hundred volumes were procured at his request.

It was during this period that the banker received the following letter from his prisoner:

If they find not one mistake I implore you to fire a shot in the garden.

If they find not one mistake I implore you to fire a shot in the garden.

That shot will show me that my efforts have not been thrown away.

The geniuses of all ages and of all lands speak different languages, but the same flame burns in them all.

The geniuses of all ages and of all lands speak different languages, but the same flame burns in them all.

Oh, if you only knew what unearthly happiness my soul feels now from being able to understand them!"

Oh, if you only knew what unearthly happiness my soul feels now from being able to understand them!"

The prisoner's desire was fulfilled.

Then after the tenth year, the prisoner sat immovably at the table and read nothing but the Gospel.

It seemed strange to the banker that a man who in four years had mastered six hundred learned volumes should waste nearly a year over one thin book easy of comprehension.

It seemed strange to the banker that a man who in four years had mastered six hundred learned volumes should waste nearly a year over one thin book easy of comprehension.

Theology and histories of religion followed the Gospels.

Theology and histories of religion followed the Gospels.

In the last two years of his confinement the prisoner read an immense quantity of books quite indiscriminately.

There were notes in which he demanded at the same time books on chemistry, and a manual of medicine, and a novel, and some treatise on philosophy or theology.

There were notes in which he demanded at the same time books on chemistry, and a manual of medicine, and a novel, and some treatise on philosophy or theology.

There were notes in which he demanded at the same time books on chemistry, and a manual of medicine, and a novel, and some treatise on philosophy or theology.

There were notes in which he demanded at the same time books on chemistry, and a manual of medicine, and a novel, and some treatise on philosophy or theology.

There were notes in which he demanded at the same time books on chemistry, and a manual of medicine, and a novel, and some treatise on philosophy or theology.

His reading suggested a man swimming in the sea among the wreckage of his ship, and trying to save his life by greedily clutching first at one spar and then at another.

His reading suggested a man swimming in the sea among the wreckage of his ship, and trying to save his life by greedily clutching first at one spar and then at another.

"To-morrow at twelve o'clock he will regain his freedom.

If I do pay him, it is all over with me: I shall be utterly ruined."

If I do pay him, it is all over with me: I shall be utterly ruined."

Fifteen years before, his millions had been beyond his reckoning; now he was afraid to ask himself which were greater, his debts or his assets.

Fifteen years before, his millions had been beyond his reckoning; now he was afraid to ask himself which were greater, his debts or his assets.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

Desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange, wild speculation and the excitability whic h he could not get over even in advancing years, had by degrees led to the decline of his fortune and the proud, fearless, self-confident millionaire had become a banker of middling rank, trembling at every rise and fall in his investments.

"Cursed bet!" muttered the old man, clutching his head in despair "Why didn't the man die?

"Cursed bet!" muttered the old man, clutching his head in despair "Why didn't the man die?

"Cursed bet!" muttered the old man, clutching his head in despair "Why didn't the man die?

He will take my last penny from me, he will marry, will enjoy life, will gamble on the Exchange; while I shall look at him with envy like a beggar, and hear from him every day the same sentence: 'I am indebted to you for the happiness of my life, let me help you!'

He will take my last penny from me, he will marry, will enjoy life, will gamble on the Exchange; while I shall look at him with envy like a beggar, and hear from him every day the same sentence: 'I am indebted to you for the happiness of my life, let me help you!'

He will take my last penny from me, he will marry, will enjoy life, will gamble on the Exchange; while I shall look at him with envy like a beggar, and hear from him every day the same sentence: 'I am indebted to you for the happiness of my life, let me help you!'

The one means of being saved from bankruptcy and disgrace is the death of that man!"

The one means of being saved from bankruptcy and disgrace is the death of that man!"

The banker strained his eyes, but could see neither the earth nor the white statues, nor the lodge, nor the trees.

The banker strained his eyes, but could see neither the earth nor the white statues, nor the lodge, nor the trees.

Evidently the watchman had sought shelter from the weather, and was now asleep somewhere either in the kitchen or in the greenhouse.

Evidently the watchman had sought shelter from the weather, and was now asleep somewhere either in the kitchen or in the greenhouse.

"If I had the pluck to carry out my intention," thought the old man, "Suspicion would fall first upon the watchman."

"If I had the pluck to carry out my intention," thought the old man, "Suspicion would fall first upon the watchman."

"If I had the pluck to carry out my intention," thought the old man, "Suspicion would fall first upon the watchman."

He felt in the darkness for the steps and the door, and went into the entry of the lodge.

Then he groped his way into a little passage and lighted a match.

Then he groped his way into a little passage and lighted a match.

There was a bedstead with no bedding on it, and in the corner there was a dark cast-iron stove.

The seals on the door leading to the prisoner's rooms were intact.

When the match went out the old man, trembling with emotion, peeped through the little window.

The banker tapped at the window with his finger, and the prisoner made no movement whatever in response.

The rusty lock gave a grating sound and the door creaked.

The rusty lock gave a grating sound and the door creaked.

At the table a man unlike ordinary people was sitting motionless.

He was a skeleton with the skin drawn tight over his bones, with long curls like a woman's and a shaggy beard.

His face was yellow with an earthy tint in it, his cheeks were hollow, his back long and narrow, and the hand on which his shaggy head was propped was so thin and delicate that it was dreadful to look at it.

His face was yellow with an earthy tint in it, his cheeks were hollow, his back long and narrow, and the hand on which his shaggy head was propped was so thin and delicate that it was dreadful to look at it.

His face was yellow with an earthy tint in it, his cheeks were hollow, his back long and narrow, and the hand on which his shaggy head was propped was so thin and delicate that it was dreadful to look at it.

His hair was already streaked with silver, and seeing his emaciated, aged-looking face, no one would have believed that he was only forty.

His hair was already streaked with silver, and seeing his emaciated, aged-looking face, no one would have believed that he was only forty.

"Poor creature!" thought the banker, "he is asleep and most likely dreaming of the millions.

"Poor creature!" thought the banker, "he is asleep and most likely dreaming of the millions.

And I have only to take this half-dead man, throw him on the bed, stifle him a little with the pillow, and the most conscientious expert would find no sign of a violent death.

And I have only to take this half-dead man, throw him on the bed, stifle him a little with the pillow, and the most conscientious expert would find no sign of a violent death.

And I have only to take this half-dead man, throw him on the bed, stifle him a little with the pillow, and the most conscientious expert would find no sign of a violent death.

"To-morrow at twelve o'clock I regain my freedom and the right to associate with other men, but before I leave this room and see the sunshine, I think it necessary to say a few words to you.

With a clear conscience I tell you, as before God, who beholds me, that I despise freedom and life and health, and all that in your books is called the good things of the world.

With a clear conscience I tell you, as before God, who beholds me, that I despise freedom and life and health, and all that in your books is called the good things of the world.

With a clear conscience I tell you, as before God, who beholds me, that I despise freedom and life and health, and all that in your books is called the good things of the world.

"For fifteen years I have been intently studying earthly life.

"For fifteen years I have been intently studying earthly life.

It is true I have not seen the earth nor men, but in your books I have drunk fragrant wine, I have sung songs, I have hunted stags and wild boars in the forests, have loved women.

Beauties as ethereal as clouds, created by the magic of your poets and geniuses, have visited me at night, and have whispered in my ears wonderful tales that have set my brain in a whirl.

Beauties as ethereal as clouds, created by the magic of your poets and geniuses, have visited me at night, and have whispered in my ears wonderful tales that have set my brain in a whirl.

Beauties as ethereal as clouds, created by the magic of your poets and geniuses, have visited me at night, and have whispered in my ears wonderful tales that have set my brain in a whirl.

Beauties as ethereal as clouds, created by the magic of your poets and geniuses, have visited me at night, and have whispered in my ears wonderful tales that have set my brain in a whirl.

Beauties as ethereal as clouds, created by the magic of your poets and geniuses, have visited me at night, and have whispered in my ears wonderful tales that have set my brain in a whirl.

Beauties as ethereal as clouds, created by the magic of your poets and geniuses, have visited me at night, and have whispered in my ears wonderful tales that have set my brain in a whirl.

In your books I have climbed to the peaks of Elburz and Mont Blanc, and from there I have seen the sun rise and have watched it at evening flood the sky, the ocean, and the mountain-tops with gold and crimson.

In your books I have climbed to the peaks of Elburz and Mont Blanc, and from there I have seen the sun rise and have watched it at evening flood the sky, the ocean, and the mountain-tops with gold and crimson.

I have watched from there the lightning flashing over my head and cleaving the storm-clouds.

I have watched from there the lightning flashing over my head and cleaving the storm-clouds.

I have heard the singing of the sirens, and the strains of the shepherds' pipes; I have touched the wings of comely devils who flew down to converse with me of God.

I have heard the singing of the sirens, and the strains of the shepherds' pipes; I have touched the wings of comely devils who flew down to converse with me of God.

I have heard the singing of the sirens, and the strains of the shepherds' pipes; I have touched the wings of comely devils who flew down to converse with me of God.

I have heard the singing of the sirens, and the strains of the shepherds' pipes; I have touched the wings of comely devils who flew down to converse with me of God.

In your books I have flung myself into the bottomless pit, performed miracles, slain, burned towns, preached new religions, conquered whole kingdoms.

In your books I have flung myself into the bottomless pit, performed miracles, slain, burned towns, preached new religions, conquered whole kingdoms.

In your books I have flung myself into the bottomless pit, performed miracles, slain, burned towns, preached new religions, conquered whole kingdoms.

In your books I have flung myself into the bottomless pit, performed miracles, slain, burned towns, preached new religions, conquered whole kingdoms.

"Your books have given me wisdom.

All that the unresting thought of man has created in the ages is compressed into a small compass in my brain.

All that the unresting thought of man has created in the ages is compressed into a small compass in my brain.

I know that I am wiser than all of you.

It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage.

It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage.

It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage.

It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage.

It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage.

You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.

You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.

You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.

You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.

You would marvel if, owing to strange events of some sorts, frogs and lizards suddenly grew on apple and orange trees instead of fruit, or if roses began to smell like a sweating horse; so I marvel at you who exchange heaven for earth.

You would marvel if, owing to strange events of some sorts, frogs and lizards suddenly grew on apple and orange trees instead of fruit, or if roses began to smell like a sweating horse; so I marvel at you who exchange heaven for earth.

You would marvel if, owing to strange events of some sorts, frogs and lizards suddenly grew on apple and orange trees instead of fruit, or if roses began to smell like a sweating horse; so I marvel at you who exchange heaven for earth.

"To prove to you in action how I despise all that you live by, I renounce the two millions of which I once dreamed as of paradise and which now I despise.

"To prove to you in action how I despise all that you live by, I renounce the two millions of which I once dreamed as of paradise and which now I despise.

To deprive myself of the right to the money I shall go out from here five hours before the time fixed, and so break the compact.

To deprive myself of the right to the money I shall go out from here five hours before the time fixed, and so break the compact.

At no other time, even when he had lost heavily on the Stock Exchange, had he felt so great a contempt for himself.

Next morning the watchmen ran in with pale faces, and told him they had seen the man who lived in the lodge climb out of the window into the garden, go to the gate, and disappear.

The banker went at once with the servants to the lodge and made sure of the flight of his prisoner.

To avoid arousing unnecessary talk, he took from the table the writing in which the millions were renounced, and when he got home locked it up in the fireproof safe.

To avoid arousing unnecessary talk, he took from the table the writing in which the millions were renounced, and when he got home locked it up in the fireproof safe.