noon
Forgive Thy servant . '' And suddenly drowning all other sounds , a superhuman , soul-rending cry rang out , and a continuous moan floated softly over the room and died out in the corners , which were filled now with the twilight . Ignat cast stern glances at the ikons , heaved a deep sigh and thought : `` Is it possible that it 's again a daughter ? '' At times he arose , stupidly stood in the middle of the room , and crossed himself in silence , bowing before the ikons ; then he went back to the table , drank the vodka , which had not made him dizzy during these hours , dozed off , and thus passed the whole night and following morning until noon . And then , at last , the midwife came down hastily , crying to him in a thin , joyous voice . `` I congratulate you with a son , Ignat Matveyich ! '' `` You lie ! ''