Grandfather's God seemed to be of a different
nature. Sometimes the old man used to come into



176 THE RUSSIANS AND THEIR LANGUAGE

Granny's bedroom before she had finished her
morning prayer. He would listen for a while, and,
later on, grumble sarcastically:

' Haven't I taught you over and over again,
you oak-head, how you should pray ? But you
keep to your own silly way Hke a heretic ! I am
astonished God can stand you.'

' He will understand,' Graimy answered, with
perfect, smiUng conviction. ' He will make it out,
whatever we tell Him.'

God was so near and human to her mind that
once or twice, as the constant quarrelling between
her old husband and his sons grew to an appalling
extent, she even asked Him :

' Lord, Lord, has Thy clear mind failed Thee in
the case of my children V

And, in her usual talks with her grandson, she
once thoughtfully remarked, helping herself from
her snufi-box : ' Methinks, there may be cases when
even He can't make out whose fault it is. He
must be looking and looking down at the earth,
watching us all, and at some odd moments He is
sure to burst into sobs : " Men, men ! My dear,
beloved men! . . . How sorry I feel for you!" . . .'
And she would shed tears, making that God of hers
still nearer to the future author.
