Page 276 - the-idiot

someone to see you! Look here! … a gentleman to speak
to you! … Well, it’s not my fault!’ and the cook turned and
went away red with anger.
Lebedeff started, and at sight of the prince stood like a
statue for a moment. Then he moved up to him with an in-
gratiating smile, but stopped short again.
‘Prince! ex-ex-excellency!’ he stammered. Then sud-
denly he ran towards the girl with the infant, a movement
so unexpected by her that she staggered and fell back, but
next moment he was threatening the other child, who was
standing, still laughing, in the doorway. She screamed, and
ran towards the kitchen. Lebedeff stamped his foot angrily;
then, seeing the prince regarding him with amazement, he
murmured apologetically—‘Pardon to show respect! … he-
he!’
‘ You are quite wrong …’ began the prince.
‘At once … at once … in one moment!’
He rushed like a whirlwind from the room, and Muish-
kin looked inquiringly at the others.
They were all laughing, and the guest joined in the cho-
rus.
‘He has gone to get his coat,’ said the boy.
‘How annoying!’ exclaimed the prince. ‘I thought … Tell
me, is he …’
‘You think he is drunk?’ cried the young man on the sofa.
‘ Not in the least. He’s only had three or four small glasses,
perhaps five; but what is that? The usual thing!’
As the prince opened his mouth to answer, he was inter-
rupted by the girl, whose sweet face wore an expression of