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Visit
The elder sister visited the younger sister to boast of life in town. Younger sister deended her way of life as a the peasant wife of Pahom. Both continued to make points of each others lifestyle. -
Pahom's wish
The peasant husband Pahom agreed with the complaint of his wife that he had no time to enjoy life just time to work the land. He thought to himself "If I had more land, I would not fear the devil himself." -
The Devil
The devil was near by and thought "we will have a tussle.I will give you land enough; and by means of that land, I will get you into my power." -
Land Lady
The land lady hired a steward to manage her estate. He charged a fine each time an animal wondwered on to the estate. -
Estate Sale
The estate was for sale, other peasants bought some acreage. Pahom wanted some also. He managed to buy 40 acres and he was happy. -
Neighbor troubles
One year later, Pahom paid off his debts. The peasants nearby started allowing their animals to wander on his land. He asked them to stop. Finally he charged Simon with stealing trees and went to court for justice. Judges acquited Simon. Pahom was furious and accused the judges of taking bribes. -
Talk of burning
There was talk of burning Pahom's place. He had thought peasants would move and he could buy their land. He was unhappy. -
Stranger stops by
A peasant passing through the village happened to tell Pahom about fertile land beyond volga. Just join the Commune and get 25 acres. During the summer, he went to check it out. Very interested and by Autumn, he had sold everything and planned to move in the spring. -
On the road again
Pahom moved money and family to buy land at the new location. He was allowed 125 acres, but all of it was connected. He was content here for 3 years and planned to buy more land from another peasant for 1500 rubles. -
Another deal
A land dealer came to the area and was telling Pahom about the land of the bashkirs that could be bought for less than two pence/acre. -
Journey to Bashkirs
Pahom left his wife to look after their land and started toward the land of the Bashkirs. He and the dealer traveled for 1 week. -
Paul begins to bargain
Pahom began to bargain with the Bashkirs in the best tent with plenty of food. He presented some gifts, Suddenly, the Chief arrived and was given the best dressing gown and 5 pounds of tea. Pahom wanted this land. -
Chief presents the deal
Pahom and the Chief continued to bargain. The deal is always the same; 1000 rubles a day. Pahom did not understand. We sell it by the day. As much as you can go around in a day is yours. You must return to the starting point before sundown or lose your 1000 rubles. -
The Dream
Pahom was given a feather bed for sleeping; but he kept thinking of the land. After falling asleep, he had a dream about the Chief laughing at him, no it was the dealer, no it was the dealer, no the peasant from Volga, no it was the devil chuckling at a man prostate on the ground with only wearing trousers and a shirt. He saw that the man was dead and that it was himself. He awoke horror-struck facing the devil. -
Time to buy
Before daylight, they all gathered for breakfast, then left for the hillock. Pahom and Chief marked the starting point and Pahom and his servant started marking the trail with a spade. They walked and walked and marked some holes. The day wore on and the sun grew hotter. Pahom was greedy and did not start back when he should have. The race to get to the fur hat and money exhausted him and the dream came true. He died. The devil won. -
Irony
His servant buried him in an ordinary grave only six feet long, thus ironically answering the question posed in the title of the story.