Page 371 - the-idiot

suming you at this moment,’ he concluded grandiloquently.
‘Oh! if you will sell it, very good—and thank you. You
shall not be a loser! But for goodness’ sake, don’t twist about
like that, sir! I have heard of you; they tell me you are a very
learned person. We must have a talk one of these days. You
will bring me the books yourself?’
‘With the greatest respect ... and ... and veneration,’ re-
plied Lebedeff, making extraordinary grimaces.
‘Well, bring them, with or without respect, provided
always you do not drop them on the way; but on the con-
dition,’ went on the lady, looking full at him, ‘that you do
not cross my threshold. I do not intend to receive you today.
You may send your daughter Vera at once, if you like. I am
much pleased with her.’
‘Why don’t you tell him about them?’ said Vera impatient-
ly to her father. ‘They will come in, whether you announce
them or not, and they are beginning to make a row. Lef
Nicolaievitch,’—she addressed herself to the prince—‘four
men are here asking for you. They have waited some time,
and are beginning to make a fuss, and papa will not bring
them in.’
‘Who are these people?’ said the prince.
‘They say that they have come on business, and they are
the kind of men, who, if you do not see them here, will fol-
low you about the street. It would be better to receive them,
and then you will get rid of them. Gavrila Ardalionovitch
and Ptitsin are both there, trying to make them hear rea-
son.’
‘Pavlicheff’s son! It is not worth while!’ cried Lebedeff.

0 The Idiot