Page 136 - the-idiot

are not altogether pleasant in this establishment—devil
take it all! You’ll see. At all events keep your tongue to your-
self for TODAY.’
‘I assure you I ‘blabbed’ a great deal less than you seem
to suppose,’ said the prince, with some annoyance. Clearly
the relations between Gania and himself were by no means
improving.
‘Oh I well; I caught it quite hot enough today, thanks to
you. However, I forgive you.’
‘I think you might fairly remember that I was not in any
way bound, I had no reason to be silent about that portrait.
You never asked me not to mention it.’
‘Pfu! what a wretched room this is—dark, and the win-
dow looking into the yard. Your coming to our house is, in
no respect, opportune. However, it’s not MY affair. I don’t
keep the lodgings.’
Ptitsin here looked in and beckoned to Gania, who hast-
ily left the room, in spite of the fact that he had evidently
wished to say something more and had only made the re-
mark about the room to gain time. The prince had hardly
had time to wash and tidy himself a little when the door
opened once more, and another figure appeared.
This was a gentleman of about thirty, tall, broad-
shouldered, and red-haired; his face was red, too, and he
possessed a pair of thick lips, a wide nose, small eyes, rath-
er bloodshot, and with an ironical expression in them; as
though he were perpetually winking at someone. His whole
appearance gave one the idea of impudence; his dress was
shabby.

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