Page 743 - the-idiot

‘I don’t know, I don’t know who said it. Come home at
once; come on! I’ll punch Gania’s head myself, if you like—
only come. Oh, where are you off to again?’ The general was
dragging him away towards the door a house near. He sat
down on the step, still holding Colia by the hand.
‘Bend down—bend down your ear. I’ll tell you all—dis-
grace—bend down, I’ll tell you in your ear.’
‘What are you dreaming of?’ said poor, frightened Colia,
stooping down towards the old man, all the same.
‘Le roi de Rome,’ whispered the general, trembling all
over.
‘What? What DO you mean? What roi de Rome?’
‘I-I,’ the general continued to whisper, clinging more and
more tightly to the boy’s shoulder. ‘I—wish—to tell you—
all—MariaMaria Petrovna—Su—Su—Su.......’
Colia broke loose, seized his father by the shoulders, and
stared into his eyes with frenzied gaze. The old man had
grown livid— his lips were shaking, convulsions were pass-
ing over his features. Suddenly he leant over and began to
sink slowly into Colia’s arms.
‘He’s got a stroke!’ cried Colia, loudly, realizing what was
the matter at last.

The Idiot