His brother’s old boots were soon worn out, and his master scolded him for going about in tatters with his toes sticking out.  He ordered another pair to be bought for him in the market.  Alyosha was delighted with his new boots, but was angry with his feet when they ached at the end of the day after so much running about.  And then he was afraid that his father would be annoyed when he came to town for his wages, to find that his master had deducted the cost of the boots.

In the winter Alyosha used to get up before daybreak.  He would chop the wood, sweep the yard, feed the cows and horses, light the stoves, clean the boots, prepare the samovars and polish them afterwards; or the clerk would get him to bring up the goods; or the cook would set him to knead the bread and clean the saucepans.  Then he was sent to town on various errands, to bring the daughter home from school, or to get some olive oil for the old mother.  “Why the devil have you been so long?” first one, then another, would say to him.  Why should they go?  Alyosha can go.  “Alyosha!  Alyosha!” And Alyosha ran here and there.  He breakfasted in snatches while he was working, and rarely managed to get his dinner at the proper hour.  The cook used to scold him for being late, but she was sorry for him all the same, and would keep something hot for his dinner and supper.

At holiday times there was more work than ever, but Alyosha liked holidays because everybody gave him a tip.  Not much certainly, but it would amount up to about sixty kopeks [1s 2d]—­his very own money.  For Alyosha never set eyes on his wages.  His father used to come and take them from the merchant, and only scold Alyosha for wearing out his boots.

When he had saved up two roubles [4s], by the advice of the cook he bought himself a red knitted jacket, and was so happy when he put it on, that he couldn’t close his mouth for joy.  Alyosha was not talkative; when he spoke at all, he spoke abruptly, with his head turned away.  When told to do anything, or asked if he could do it, he would say yes without the smallest hesitation, and set to work at once.

Alyosha did not know any prayer; and had forgotten what his mother had taught him.  But he prayed just the same, every morning and every evening, prayed with his hands, crossing himself.

He lived like this for about a year and a half, and towards the end of the second year a most startling thing happened to him.  He discovered one day, to his great surprise, that, in addition to the relation of usefulness existing between people, there was also another, a peculiar relation of quite a different character.  Instead of a man being wanted to clean boots, and go on errands and harness horses, he is not wanted to be of any service at all, but another human being wants to serve him and pet him.  Suddenly Alyosha felt he was such a man.