Page 79 - the-idiot

ing over the question of relationship it turned out that the
prince was very well up in the matter and knew his pedigree
off by heart. It was found that scarcely any connection ex-
isted between himself and Mrs. Epanchin, but the talk, and
the opportunity of conversing about her family tree, grati-
fied the latter exceedingly, and she rose from the table in
great good humour.
‘Let’s all go to my boudoir,’ she said, ‘and they shall bring
some coffee in there. That’s the room where we all assemble
and busy ourselves as we like best,’ she explained. ‘Alex-
andra, my eldest, here, plays the piano, or reads or sews;
Adelaida paints landscapes and portraits (but never finish-
es any); and Aglaya sits and does nothing. I don’t work too
much, either. Here we are, now; sit down, prince, near the
fire and talk to us. I want to hear you relate something. I
wish to make sure of you first and then tell my old friend,
Princess Bielokonski, about you. I wish you to know all the
good people and to interest them. Now then, begin!’
‘Mamma, it’s rather a strange order, that!’ said Adelaida,
who was fussing among her paints and paint-brushes at the
easel. Aglaya and Alexandra had settled themselves with
folded hands on a sofa, evidently meaning to be listeners.
The prince felt that the general attention was concentrated
upon himself.
‘I should refuse to say a word if I were ordered to tell a
story like that!’ observed Aglaya.
‘Why? what’s there strange about it? He has a tongue.
Why shouldn’t he tell us something? I want to judge wheth-
er he is a good story-teller; anything you like, prince-how

The Idiot