Page 236 - the-idiot

is not really true: that you would crawl all the way to the
other end of the town, on hands and knees, for three rou-
bles?’
‘Yes, he would!’ said Rogojin, quietly, but with an air of
absolute conviction.
‘H’m! and he receives a good salary, I’m told. Well, what
should you get but disgrace and misery if you took a wife
you hated into your family (for I know very well that you do
hate me)? No, no! I believe now that a man like you would
murder anyone for money— sharpen a razor and come up
behind his best friend and cut his throat like a sheep—I’ve
read of such people. Everyone seems money-mad nowadays.
No, no! I may be shameless, but you are far worse. I don’t say
a word about that other—‘
‘Nastasia Philipovna, is this really you? You, once so
refined and delicate of speech. Oh, what a tongue! What
dreadful things you are saying,’ cried the general, wringing
his hands in real grief.
‘I am intoxicated, general. I am having a day out, you
know—it’s my birthday! I have long looked forward to this
happy occasion. Daria Alexeyevna, you see that nosegay-
man, that Monsieur aux Camelias, sitting there laughing
at us?’
‘I am not laughing, Nastasia Philipovna; I am only listen-
ing with all my attention,’ said Totski, with dignity.
‘Well, why have I worried him, for five years, and never
let him go free? Is he worth it? He is only just what he ought
to be— nothing particular. He thinks I am to blame, too.
He gave me my education, kept me like a countess. Money—