|
||||||||
Sensible advice from a sensible young man. Am I to understand that you only agreed with her from compassion for her invalid state, because you didnt want to irritate her by contradiction? Oh no, not at all. I was quite serious in what I said, Alyosha declared stoutly. To be serious about it is impossible, unthinkable, and in the first place I shall never be at home to you again, and I shall take her away, you may be sure of that. But why? asked Alyosha. Its all so far off. We may have to wait another year and a half. Ah, Alexey Fyodorovitch, thats true, of course, and youll have time to quarrel and separate a thousand times in a year and a half. But I am so unhappy! Though its such nonsense, its a great blow to me. I feel like Famusov in the last scene of Sorrow from Wit. You are Tchatsky and she is Sofya, and, only fancy, Ive run down to meet you on the stairs, and in the play the fatal scene takes place on the staircase. I heard it all; I almost dropped. So this is the explanation of her dreadful night and her hysterics of late! It means love to the daughter but death to the mother. I might as well be in my grave at once. And a more serious matter still, what is this letter she has written? Show it me at once, at once! No, theres no need. Tell me, how is Katerina Ivanovna now? I must know. She still lies in delirium; she has not regained consciousness. Her aunts are here; but they do nothing but sigh and give themselves airs. Herzenstube came, and he was so alarmed that I didnt know what to do for him. I nearly sent for a doctor to look after him. He was driven home in my carriage. And on the top of it all, you and this letter! Its true nothing can happen for a year and a half. In the name of all thats holy in the name of your dying elder, show me that letter, Alexey Fyodorovitch. Im her mother. Hold it in your hand, if you like, and I will read it so. No, I wont show it to you. Even if she sanctioned it, I wouldnt I am coming to-morrow, and if you like, we can talk over many things, but now good-bye! And Alyosha ran downstairs and into the street. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||