Literature: God Sees the Truth, but Waits (Leo Tolstoy)

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Aksionov was a handsome, fair-haired, curly-headed fellow, full of fun, and very fond of singing.

Aksionov was a handsome, fair-haired, curly-headed fellow, full of fun, and very fond of singing.

When quite a young man he had been given to drink, and was riotous when he had had too much; but after he married he gave up drinking, except now and then.

They had some tea together, and then went to bed in adjoining rooms.

It was not Aksionov's habit to sleep late, and, wishing to travel while it was still cool, he aroused his driver before dawn, and told him to put in the horses.

It was not Aksionov's habit to sleep late, and, wishing to travel while it was still cool, he aroused his driver before dawn, and told him to put in the horses.

It was not Aksionov's habit to sleep late, and, wishing to travel while it was still cool, he aroused his driver before dawn, and told him to put in the horses.

Then he made his way across to the landlord of the inn (who lived in a cottage at the back), paid his bill, and continued his journey.

Aksionov rested awhile in the passage of the inn, then he stepped out into the porch, and, ordering a samovar to be heated, got out his guitar and began to play.

Aksionov rested awhile in the passage of the inn, then he stepped out into the porch, and, ordering a samovar to be heated, got out his guitar and began to play.

Suddenly a troika drove up with tinkling bells and an official alighted, followed by two soldiers.

Suddenly a troika drove up with tinkling bells and an official alighted, followed by two soldiers.

Suddenly a troika drove up with tinkling bells and an official alighted, followed by two soldiers.

He came to Aksionov and began to question him, asking him who he was and whence he came.

But the official went on cross-questioning him and asking him.

Aksionov wondered why he was asked all these questions, but he described all that had happened, and then added, "Why do you cross-question me as if I were a thief or a robber?

We must search your things."

Aksionov tried to answer, but could hardly utter a word, and only stammered: "I--don't know--not mine."

Aksionov tried to answer, but could hardly utter a word, and only stammered: "I--don't know--not mine."

Here is this blood-stained knife in your bag and your face and manner betray you!

But his voice was broken, his face pale, and he trembled with fear as though he went guilty.

But his voice was broken, his face pale, and he trembled with fear as though he went guilty.

As they tied his feet together and flung him into the cart, Aksionov crossed himself and wept.

His money and goods were taken from him, and he was sent to the nearest town and imprisoned there.

Enquiries as to his character were made in Vladimir.

Enquiries as to his character were made in Vladimir.

The merchants and other inhabitants of that town said that in former days he used to drink and waste his time, but that he was a good man.

Then the trial came on: he was charged with murdering a merchant from Ryazan, and robbing him of twenty thousand rubles.

His wife was in despair, and did not know what to believe.

At first she was not allowed to see him; but after much begging, she obtained permission from the officials, and was taken to him.

At first she was not allowed to see him; but after much begging, she obtained permission from the officials, and was taken to him.

When she saw her husband in prison-dress and in chains, shut up with thieves and criminals, she fell down, and did not come to her senses for a long time.

"We must petition the Czar not to let an innocent man perish."

"We must petition the Czar not to let an innocent man perish."

"We must petition the Czar not to let an innocent man perish."

Aksionov did not reply, but only looked downcast.

"So you, too, suspect me!" said Aksionov, and, hiding his face in his hands, he began to weep.

When they were gone, Aksionov recalled what had been said, and when he remembered that his wife also had suspected him, he said to himself, "It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy."

When they were gone, Aksionov recalled what had been said, and when he remembered that his wife also had suspected him, he said to himself, "It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy."

When they were gone, Aksionov recalled what had been said, and when he remembered that his wife also had suspected him, he said to himself, "It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy."

Aksionov was condemned to be flogged and sent to the mines.

So he was flogged with a knot, and when the wounds made by the knot were healed, he was driven to Siberia with other convicts.

So he was flogged with a knot, and when the wounds made by the knot were healed, he was driven to Siberia with other convicts.

All his mirth went; he stooped; he walked slowly, spoke little, and never laughed, but he often prayed.

All his mirth went; he stooped; he walked slowly, spoke little, and never laughed, but he often prayed.

In prison Aksionov learnt to make boots, and earned a little money, with which he bought The Lives of the Saints.

He read this book when there was light enough in the prison; and on Sundays in the prison-church he read the lessons and sang in the choir; for his voice was still good.

The prison authorities liked Aksionov for his meekness, and his fellow-prisoners respected him: they called him "Grandfather," and "The Saint."

The prison authorities liked Aksionov for his meekness, and his fellow-prisoners respected him: they called him "Grandfather," and "The Saint."

When they wanted to petition the prison authorities about anything, they always made Aksionov their spokesman, and when there were quarrels among the prisoners they came to him to put things right, and to judge the matter.

One day a fresh gang of convicts came to the prison.

In the evening the old prisoners collected round the new ones and asked them what towns or villages they came from, and what they were sentenced for.

In the evening the old prisoners collected round the new ones and asked them what towns or villages they came from, and what they were sentenced for.

Among the rest Aksionov sat down near the newcomers, and listened with downcast air to what was said.

One of the new convicts, a tall, strong man of sixty, with a closely-cropped grey beard, was telling the others what be had been arrested for.

"Well, friends," he said, "I only took a horse that was tied to a sledge, and I was arrested and accused of stealing.

I said I had only taken it to get home quicker, and had then let it go; besides, the driver was a personal friend of mine.

Aksionov raised his head and said: "Tell me, Semyonich, do you know anything of the merchants Aksionov of Vladimir?

Aksionov did not like to speak of his misfortune.

But Aksionov only said, "Well, well--I must have deserved it!"

He would have said no more, but his companions told the newcomers how Aksionov came to be in Siberia; how some one had killed a merchant, and had put the knife among Aksionov's things, and Aksionov had been unjustly condemned.

When Makar Semyonich heard this, he looked at Aksionov, slapped his own knee, and exclaimed, "Well, this is wonderful!

When Makar Semyonich heard this, he looked at Aksionov, slapped his own knee, and exclaimed, "Well, this is wonderful!

The others asked him why he was so surprised, and where he had seen Aksionov before; but Makar Semyonich did not reply.

These words made Aksionov wonder whether this man knew who had killed the merchant; so he said, "Perhaps, Semyonich, you have heard of that affair, or maybe you've seen me before?"

It would surely have woke you up."

He felt terribly unhappy, and all sorts of images rose in his mind.

Then he saw his children, quite little, as they: were at that time: one with a little cloak on, another at his mother's breast.

He saw, in his mind, the place where he was flogged, the executioner, and the people standing around; the chains, the convicts, all the twenty-six years of his prison life, and his premature old age.

He saw, in his mind, the place where he was flogged, the executioner, and the people standing around; the chains, the convicts, all the twenty-six years of his prison life, and his premature old age.

The thought of it all made him so wretched that he was ready to kill himself.

"And it's all that villain's doing!" thought Aksionov.

And his anger was so great against Makar Semyonich that he longed for vengeance, even if he himself should perish for it.

He kept repeating prayers all night, but could get no peace.

A fortnight passed in this way.

Aksionov could not sleep at night, and was so miserable that he did not know what to do.

One night as he was walking about the prison he noticed some earth that came rolling out from under one of the shelves on which the prisoners slept.

Suddenly Makar Semyonich crept out from under the shelf, and looked up at Aksionov with frightened face.

Aksionov tried to pass without looking at him, but Makar seized his hand and told him that he had dug a hole under the wall, getting rid of the earth by putting it into his high-boots, and emptying it out every day on the road when the prisoners were driven to their work.

Aksionov tried to pass without looking at him, but Makar seized his hand and told him that he had dug a hole under the wall, getting rid of the earth by putting it into his high-boots, and emptying it out every day on the road when the prisoners were driven to their work.

He drew his hand away, saying, "I have no wish to escape, and you have no need to kill me; you killed me long ago!

Next day, when the convicts were led out to work, the convoy soldiers noticed that one or other of the prisoners emptied some earth out of his boots.

The Governor came and questioned all the prisoners to find out who had dug the hole.

They all denied any knowledge of it.

They all denied any knowledge of it.

Makar Semyonich stood as if he were quite unconcerned, looking at the Governor and not so much as glancing at Aksionov.

He thought, "Why should I screen him who ruined my life?

Let him pay for what I have suffered.

But if I tell, they will probably flog the life out of him, and maybe I suspect him wrongly.

"Well, old man," repeated the Governor, "tell me the truth: who has been digging under the wall?"

He peered through the darkness and recognised Makar.

Go away, or I will call the guard!"

Makar Semyonich bent close over Aksionov, and whispered, "Ivan Dmitrich, forgive me!"

Makar Semyonich slid off the bed-shelf and knelt upon the ground.

I will confess that it was I who killed the merchant, and you will be released and can go to your home."

I will confess that it was I who killed the merchant, and you will be released and can go to your home."

"When they flogged me with the knot it was not so hard to bear as it is to see you now ... yet you had pity on me, and did not tell.

For Christ's sake forgive me, wretch that I am!"

And he began to sob.

And at these words his heart grew light, and the longing for home left him.

He no longer had any desire to leave the prison, but only hoped for his last hour to come.

In spite of what Aksionov had said, Makar Semyonich confessed, his guilt.

In spite of what Aksionov had said, Makar Semyonich confessed, his guilt.