Page 1161 - the-brothers-karamazov

The prosecutor bent over to the President in obvious
dismay. The two other judges communicated in agitated
whispers. Fetyukovitch pricked up his ears as he listened:
the hall was hushed in expectation. The President seemed
suddenly to recollect himself.
‘Witness, your words are incomprehensible and impos-
sible here. Calm yourself, if you can, and tell your story...
if you really have something to tell. How can you confirm
your statement... if indeed you are not delirious?’
‘That’s just it. I have no proof. That cur Smerdyakov won’t
send you proofs from the other world... in an envelope. You
think of nothing but envelopes — one is enough. I’ve no
witnesses... except one, perhaps,’ he smiled thoughtfully.
‘Who is your witness?’
‘He has a tail, your excellency, and that would be irreg-
ular! Le diable n’existe point! Don’t pay attention: he is a
paltry, pitiful devil,’ he added suddenly. He ceased laughing
and spoke as it were, confidentially. ‘He is here somewhere,
no doubt — under that table with the material evidence on
it, perhaps. Where should he sit if not there? You see, listen
to me. I told him I don’t want to keep quiet, and he talk-
ed about the geological cataclysm... idiocy! Come, release
the monster... he’s been singing a hymn. That’s because his
heart is light! It’s like a drunken man in the street bawling
how ‘Vanka went to Petersburg,’ and I would give a quadril-
lion quadrillions for two seconds of joy. You don’t know me!
Oh, how stupid all this business is! Come, take me instead
of him! I didn’t come for nothing.... Why, why is everything
so stupid?..’

11 0 The Brothers Karamazov