Maria Vassilievna thought that she might as well tell the priest what was the matter.  Michael Vedensky was a widower, and a very ambitious man.  A year ago he had met Mitia Smokovnikov’s father in society, and had had a discussion with him on religion.  Smokovnikov had beaten him decisively on all points; indeed, he had made him appear quite ridiculous.  Since that time the priest had decided to pay special attention to Smokovnikov’s son; and, finding him as indifferent to religious matters as his father was, he began to persecute him, and even brought about his failure in examinations.

When Maria Vassilievna told him what young Smokovnikov had done to her, Vedensky could not help feeling an inner satisfaction.  He saw in the boy’s conduct a proof of the utter wickedness of those who are not guided by the rules of the Church.  He decided to take advantage of this great opportunity of warning unbelievers of the perils that threatened them.  At all events, he wanted to persuade himself that this was the only motive that guided him in the course he had resolved to take.  But at the bottom of his heart he was only anxious to get his revenge on the proud atheist.

“Yes, it is very sad indeed,” said Father Michael, toying with the cross he was wearing over his priestly robes, and passing his hands over its polished sides.  “I am very glad you have given me your confidence.  As a servant of the Church I shall admonish the young man—­of course with the utmost kindness.  I shall certainly do it in the way that befits my holy office,” said Father Michael to himself, really thinking that he had forgotten the ill-feeling the boy’s father had towards him.  He firmly believed the boy’s soul to be the only object of his pious care.

The next day, during the divinity lesson which Father Michael was giving to Mitia Smokovnikov’s class, he narrated the incident of the forged coupon, adding that the culprit had been one of the pupils of the school.  “It was a very wicked thing to do,” he said; “but to deny the crime is still worse.  If it is true that the sin has been committed by one of you, let the guilty one confess.”  In saying this, Father Michael looked sharply at Mitia Smokovnikov.  All the boys, following his glance, turned also to Mitia, who blushed, and felt extremely ill at ease, with large beads of perspiration on his face.  Finally, he burst into tears, and ran out of the classroom.  His mother, noticing his trouble, found out the truth, ran at once to the photographer’s shop, paid over the twelve roubles and fifty kopeks to Maria Vassilievna, and made her promise to deny the boy’s guilt.  She further implored Mitia to hide the truth from everybody, and in any case to withhold it from his father.

Accordingly, when Fedor Mihailovich had heard of the incident in the divinity class, and his son, questioned by him, had denied all accusations, he called at once on the head of the school, told him what had happened, expressed his indignation at Father Michael’s conduct, and said he would not let matters remain as they were.