Page 387 - the-idiot

man, if the author is an honourable man, that is an—an in-
sult,’ growled the boxer suddenly, with convulsive jerkings
of his shoulders.
‘In the first place, it is not for you to address me as ‘sir,’
and, in the second place, I refuse to give you any explana-
tion,’ said Ivan Fedorovitch vehemently; and he rose without
another word, and went and stood on the first step of the
flight that led from the verandah to the street, turning his
back on the company. He was indignant with Lizabetha
Prokofievna, who did not think of moving even now.
‘Gentlemen, gentlemen, let me speak at last,’ cried the
prince, anxious and agitated. ‘Please let us understand one
another. I say nothing about the article, gentlemen, except
that every word is false; I say this because you know it as
well as I do. It is shameful. I should be surprised if any one
of you could have written it.’
‘I did not know of its existence till this moment,’ declared
Hippolyte. ‘I do not approve of it.’
‘I knew it had been written, but I would not have advised
its publication,’ said Lebedeff’s nephew, ‘because it is pre-
mature.’
‘I knew it, but I have a right. I... I ... ‘stammered the ‘son
of Pavlicheff.’
‘What! Did you write all that yourself? Is it possible?’
asked the prince, regarding Burdovsky with curiosity.
‘One might dispute your right to ask such questions,’ ob-
served Lebedeff’s nephew.
‘I was only surprised that Mr. Burdovsky should have—
however, this is what I have to say. Since you had already

The Idiot