Page 777 - the-idiot

I shall dream of it all night now. Why did you say anything
about it?’
Aglaya looked blackly at him.
‘Do you know what, I had better not come at all tomor-
row! I’ll plead sick-list and stay away,’ said the prince, with
decision.
Aglaya stamped her foot, and grew quite pale with an-
ger.
Oh, my goodness! Just listen to that! ‘Better not come,’
when the party is on purpose for him! Good Lord! What a
delightful thing it is to have to do with such a—such a stu-
pid as you are!’
‘Well, I’ll come, I’ll come,’ interrupted the prince, hastily,
‘and I’ll give you my word of honour that I will sit the whole
evening and not say a word.’
‘I believe that’s the best thing you can do. You said you’d
‘plead sick-list’ just now; where in the world do you get hold
of such expressions? Why do you talk to me like this? Are
you trying to irritate me, or what?’
‘Forgive me, it’s a schoolboy expression. I won’t do it
again. I know quite well, I see it, that you are anxious on my
account (now, don’t be angry), and it makes me very happy
to see it. You wouldn’t believe how frightened I am of mis-
behaving somehow, and how glad I am of your instructions.
But all this panic is simply nonsense, you know, Aglaya! I
give you my word it is; I am so pleased that you are such a
child, such a dear good child. How CHARMING you can
be if you like, Aglaya.’
Aglaya wanted to be angry, of course, but suddenly some

The Idiot