Page 144 - the-idiot

an eyewitness, and was also on the commission of inqui-
ry. Everything proved that it was really he, the very same
soldier Kolpakoff who had been given the usual military fu-
neral to the sound of the drum. It is of course a most curious
case—nearly an impossible one. I recognize that ... but—‘
‘Father, your dinner is ready,’ said Varvara at this point,
putting her head in at the door.
‘Very glad, I’m particularly hungry. Yes, yes, a strange co-
incidence—almost a psychological—‘
‘Your soup’ll be cold; do come.’
‘Coming, coming ‘ said the general. ‘Son of my old
friend—‘ he was heard muttering as he went down the pas-
sage.
‘You will have to excuse very much in my husband, if
you stay with us,’ said Nina Alexandrovna; ‘but he will not
disturb you often. He dines alone. Everyone has his little
peculiarities, you know, and some people perhaps have
more than those who are most pointed at and laughed at.
One thing I must beg of you-if my husband applies to you
for payment for board and lodging, tell him that you have
already paid me. Of course anything paid by you to the gen-
eral would be as fully settled as if paid to me, so far as you
are concerned; but I wish it to be so, if you please, for con-
venience’ sake. What is it, Varia?’
Varia had quietly entered the room, and was holding out
the portrait of Nastasia Philipovna to her mother.
Nina Alexandrovna started, and examined the photo-
graph intently, gazing at it long and sadly. At last she looked
up inquiringly at Varia.

1