Page 286 - the-idiot

that when you choose, you can be business-like. . I . I have
very little time to spare, and if you ... By the way—excuse
me—what is your Christian name? I have forgotten it.’
‘Ti-Ti-Timofey.’
‘And?’
‘Lukianovitch.’
Everyone in the room began to laugh.
‘He is telling lies!’ cried the nephew. ‘Even now he can-
not speak the truth. He is not called Timofey Lukianovitch,
prince, but Lukian Timofeyovitch. Now do tell us why you
must needs lie about it? Lukian or Timofey, it is all the same
to you, and what difference can it make to the prince? He
tells lies without the least necessity, simply by force of habit,
I assure you.’
‘Is that true?’ said the prince impatiently.
‘My name really is Lukian Timofeyovitch,’ acknowl-
edged Lebedeff, lowering his eyes, and putting his hand on
his heart.
‘Well, for God’s sake, what made you say the other?’
‘To humble myself,’ murmured Lebedeff.
‘What on earth do you mean? Oh I if only I knew where
Colia was at this moment!’ cried the prince, standing up, as
if to go.
‘I can tell you all about Colia,’ said the young man
‘Oh! no, no!’ said Lebedeff, hurriedly.
‘Colia spent the night here, and this morning went after
his father, whom you let out of prison by paying his debts—
Heaven only knows why! Yesterday the general promised to
come and lodge here, but he did not appear. Most probably