Sergei's anger had vanished and he began feeling a little sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken and perhaps sick man to work at menial labour in the cold.

Sergei's feelings of sorry and shame:

Sergei, the protagonist of the story "The Beggar," feels sorry and ashamed of himself for several reasons. These emotions arise from his encounter with the beggar and his subsequent actions.

1. Lack of empathy:
Sergei initially lacks empathy towards the beggar. He dismisses the beggar's request for money and treats him with indifference. This lack of compassion and understanding towards the less fortunate makes him feel sorry for his behavior.

2. Realization of his prejudice:
As Sergei interacts with the beggar, he realizes that he had preconceived notions about beggars. He was quick to judge the beggar without considering his circumstances. This realization makes him feel ashamed of his prejudiced thoughts and behavior.

3. Contrast with his own life:
Sergei is a wealthy and successful businessman. He lives a comfortable life and enjoys material possessions. When he compares his own life with the beggar's destitution, he feels a sense of guilt and shame. The stark contrast between their lives makes him question his own values and priorities.

4. Recognizing the beggar's dignity:
As Sergei spends time with the beggar, he realizes that the beggar possesses qualities of dignity and resilience. Despite his poverty, the beggar maintains his self-respect and does not resort to begging forcefully. Sergei feels sorry for underestimating the beggar's strength and ashamed for not acknowledging his dignity earlier.

5. Understanding the power of kindness:
During their conversation, the beggar shares his philosophy of life, emphasizing the importance of kindness and compassion. Sergei realizes that he missed an opportunity to show kindness to someone in need. This realization fills him with regret and a deep sense of shame.

In conclusion, Sergei's feelings of sorry and shame stem from his lack of empathy, realization of his prejudice, comparison with his own life, recognition of the beggar's dignity, and understanding the power of kindness. These emotions prompt him to reflect on his actions and strive to be more compassionate in the future.