The treacherous brother from the Moscow underworld arrived and moved in. He was a little surly.
Why did you send surly brother asked Pavel's mother in prayer one night. He is not very nice.
He was the nicest person I could send to help you, said the Lord. That's how bad things are. Could you pray for him?
Pray every night and morning with me Pavel, that brother Dmitri won't be treacherous any more.
Where is something to eat? I want egg, said treacherous brother.
I have to go to the bank and grocery store to get more eggs, said Pavel's mother kindly (shaking).
Well get some eggs! ordered Dmitri in a surly voice.
Yes dear, she said. Come Pavel my dear, we're going to the bank.
Now?...
Yes, now, said Mama.
Okay, I'll drive you, said Dmitri, and took them there in his old banger.
Thank you, said Mama.
At the bank they saw the bank manager.
How are things, he asked. Have you found childcare yet?
No, I've published a book actually. I work at home.
Excellent idea. You could work for us if you left Pavel with someone.
Yes, yes! said Mama. Not Dmitri, said Mama to herself.
What's wrong with people from underworld? said Dmitri, laughing.
Oh, oh, I think an older lady would be better - more motherly, said Mama.
Yes, maybe our sister Paulina, suggested Dmitri, thoughtfully.
Yes, exactly what I was thinking, said Mama. She would take good care of you, Pavel, said Mama.
So Pavel spent a few hours a day with Paulina, and Mama went to work for the bank. That way they had groceries and shoe money and so on. : D
Pavel's uncle Dmitri needed a job too and he went to work for the bank as a nightwatchman, because this was a big city. He was on his best behaviour because he wanted to keep the job.
Let's go fishing, he said one day to Pavel.
Yes, fishing! said Pavel.
Well, alright, but I'm coming too, said Mama.
So the three of them went fishing. Why was uncle Dmitri so kind? because he felt the Holy Spirit because he enjoyed his job so much. Mama and Pavel had been praying for him to get job.
How is Papa? said Pavel while they were fishing.
Mama said, Oh don't you worry about Papa. He'll be back in no time. I think.
But uncle Dmitri still had his off moments. He had a dog called Pegasus he bought, but it growled at Pavel when Pavel went to pat it, poor thing, said Mummy. Could you do something about it, Dmitri, please?
No, dog is trained to be tough, said Dmitri nonchalantly.
I want to go out, NOW, said Pavel, teeth gritted like his uncle Dmitri. Mama was very worried because instead of being kind always like his father and Mum, little Pavel was growing more hateful by the hour. She was very kind to Pavel and said, Don't snarl at me, young man, I'm your mother.
Oh, I don't snarl at you? asked Pavel, checking his manners.
No dear, it's not kind, she replied.
And that was the end of that.
Please could we go out, said Pavel.
Now we're going out for a walk to the park to see the swallows. Mind the fort for us, will you Dmitri? asked Mama.
I don't know what you mean, said Dmitri, curtly. Where is fort? (His English wasn't as good as his sisters' yet.) I am just eating bananas.
He ate six bananas.
And would you mind throwing peels in garbage can, please? called Mummy as she and Pavel were leaving.
No way, women's work! said Dmitri. I have to do women's work, he said plodding over and gingerly picking them up and disposing of them. Dmitri was such an oaf sometimes!
To Be Continued
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