Page 885 - the-idiot

shall not sell my property; I shall wait. Enterprise is better
than money, and there, sir, you have my whole system of
economy, if you wish!’ He addressed the prince, who warm-
ly commended his sentiments, though Lebedeff whispered
in his ear that this gentleman, who talked so much of his
‘property,’ had never had either house or home.
Nearly an hour passed thus, and when tea was over the
visitors seemed to think that it was time to go. As they
went out, the doctor and the old gentleman bade Muish-
kin a warm farewell, and all the rest took their leave with
hearty protestations of goodwill, dropping remarks to the
effect that ‘it was no use worrying,’ and that ‘perhaps all
would turn out for the best,’ and so on. Some of the younger
intruders would have asked for champagne, but they were
checked by the older ones. When all had departed, Keller
leaned over to Lebedeff, and said:
‘With you and me there would have been a scene. We
should have shouted and fought, and called in the po-
lice. But he has simply made some new friends—and such
friends, too! I know them!’
Lebedeff, who was slightly intoxicated, answered with a
sigh:
‘Things are hidden from the wise and prudent, and re-
vealed unto babes. I have applied those words to him before,
but now I add that God has preserved the babe himself from
the abyss, He and all His saints.’
At last, about half-past ten, the prince was left alone. His
head ached. Colia was the last to go, after having helped
him to change his wedding clothes. They parted on affec-

The Idiot