Page 467 - the-idiot

‘In the eyes of the world I am sure that I have no cause for
pride or self-esteem. I am much too insignificant for that.
But what may be so to other men’s eyes is not so to yours. I
am convinced that you are better than other people. Dok-
torenko disagrees with me, but I am content to differ from
him on this point. I will never accept one single copeck
from you, but you have helped my mother, and I am bound
to be grateful to you for that, however weak it may seem. At
any rate, I have changed my opinion about you, and I think
right to inform you of the fact; but I also suppose that there
can be no further inter course between us ’ ANTIP BUR-
DOVSKY.
‘P.S.—The two hundred roubles I owe you shall certainly
be repaid in time.’
‘How extremely stupid!’ cried Mrs. Epanchin, giving back
the letter abruptly. ‘It was not worth the trouble of reading.
Why are you smiling?’
‘Confess that you are pleased to have read it.’
‘What! Pleased with all that nonsense! Why, cannot you
see that they are all infatuated with pride and vanity?’
‘He has acknowledged himself to be in the wrong. Don’t
you see that the greater his vanity, the more difficult this ad-
mission must have been on his part? Oh, what a little child
you are, Lizabetha Prokofievna!’
‘Are you tempting me to box your ears for you, or what?’
‘Not at all. I am only proving that you are glad about the
letter. Why conceal your real feelings? You always like to
do it.’
‘Never come near my house again!’ cried Mrs. Epanchin,

The Idiot