So you say that these houses are for the poor, for beggars, consequently, in accordance with Christ's commandment.
Very well! But who is the beggar?
The beggar is a man, forced by fate to remind us of Christ; he is a brother of Christ; he is the bell of the Lord and he rings in life to rouse our conscience, to arouse the satiety of the flesh of man.

He stands by the window and sings out: 'For the sake of Christ!' and by his singing he reminds us of Christ, of His holy commandment to help the neighbour.

But men have so arranged their life that it is impossible for them to act according to the teachings of Christ, and Jesus Christ has become altogether unnecessary to us.

Not one time, but perhaps a hundred thousand times have we turned Him over to the cross, and yet we cannot drive Him altogether out of life, because His poor brethren sing His Holy name on the streets and thus remind us of Him.

And now we have arranged to lock up these beggars in separate houses that they should not walk around on the streets and should not rouse our conscience.
"Cle-ver!" whispered Foma, amazed, staring fixedly at his godfather.
"Aha!" exclaimed Mayakin, his eyes beaming with triumph.
"How is it that my father did not think of this ?" asked Foma, uneasily.
"Just wait! Listen further, it is still worse.