Page 356 - the-idiot

how this poor old man, usually half drunk, was moved by
the recollection.
‘I remember—I remember it all!’ he cried. ‘I was
captain then. You were such a lovely little thing—Nina Al-
exandrovna!—Gania, listen! I was received then by General
Epanchin.’
‘Yes, and look what you have come to now!’ interrupted
Mrs. Epanchin. ‘However, I see you have not quite drunk
your better feelings away. But you’ve broken your wife’s
heart, sir—and instead of looking after your children, you
have spent your time in public-houses and debtors’ prisons!
Go away, my friend, stand in some corner and weep, and
bemoan your fallen dignity, and perhaps God will forgive
you yet! Go, go! I’m serious! There’s nothing so favourable
for repentance as to think of the past with feelings of re-
morse!’
There was no need to repeat that she was serious. The
general, like all drunkards, was extremely emotional and
easily touched by recollections of his better days. He rose
and walked quietly to the door, so meekly that Mrs. Ep-
anchin was instantly sorry for him.
‘Ardalion Alexandrovitch,’ she cried after him, ‘wait a
moment, we are all sinners! When you feel that your con-
science reproaches you a little less, come over to me and
we’ll have a talk about the past! I dare say I am fifty times
more of a sinner than you are! And now go, go, good-bye,
you had better not stay here!’ she added, in alarm, as he
turned as though to come back.
‘Don’t go after him just now, Colia, or he’ll be vexed, and