Chapter 17 fourteen

"Nastasya Filippovna, I don't know wisecracks, so I talk nonsense!" Fedsenko exclaimed before telling his own story, "If I were like Afanasy Ivan Norwich and Ivan Petrovich are wise, so tonight I'll just sit there like Afanasy Ivanovich and Ivan Petrovich and say nothing. Prince, please High opinion, I always feel that there are many more thieves in the world than non-thieves, and there is not even a gentleman in the world who has never stolen anything in his life. This is my opinion, however, I definitely do not want to draw conclusions from this, everyone They're all thieves, though, to be honest, I sometimes want to come to that conclusion very much. What do you think, sir?"

"Oh, what a stupid thing you are talking about," Darya Alexeyevna interrupted at once, "what nonsense, how can anyone steal anything, and I have never stolen anything." "It's true that you never stole anything, Darya Alexeyevna, but let's have the prince's advice first, and lo and behold he flushed all of a sudden." "I think you're telling the truth, but it's exaggerated," said the prince, blushing for some reason. "And you, duke, have you never stolen?" "Oh! What a ridiculous question! Don't be silly, Mr. Fedsenko." The general got up and complained.

"It's just because you're too embarrassed to talk about it once you get to the point, so you want to get the prince to accompany you. Fortunately, the prince is easy to talk about." Darya Alexeyevna said clearly. "Go on, Fedeshenko, or shut up and don't bother anyone. Your nagging is unbearable," said Nastasya Filippovna hastily and irritatedly. "I'll just say it, Nastasya Filippovna. But since the prince has confessed, and I insist that the prince has confessed, then, for example, if someone else wants to tell the truth at any time." If so, what does he have to say about it (I don't want to name anyone)? As for me, gentlemen, I don't need to say any more: it's a simple matter, but it's asshole and dirty. Still, I'd like to I'm not a thief, I assure you. I stole, but I don't know how. It was two years ago, at Semyon Ivanovich Ishchenko's dacha. On a Sunday, his house After dinner, the men stayed and continued drinking. It occurred to me to ask his daughter, Miss Maria Semyonovna, to come out and play some piano pieces. On the little table where Vanovna used to sew was a green three-rouble note: she had probably taken it out for household use. There was no one in the room. I took the note and put it in I lost my pocket, and what to do with it--I don't know. What the hell got me--I don't know. I just went back and sat down at the table. Up and down, but my mouth kept nagging, telling stories and giggling. Later, I sat next to the ladies to join in the fun. After about half an hour, the master noticed and questioned the maid. They suspected a A maid named Daria. I showed extraordinary curiosity and sympathy at the time. I even remember that when Daria was completely flustered, I talked to her, persuaded her to admit her mistake, and vouched with my head, Maria. Ivanovna will be kind enough to forgive her, and I'm saying this openly in front of everyone. Everyone looks at me, and I feel very proud, because I am talking about justice and morality. At that time, the bill was lying quietly in my pocket. I went to the restaurant and drank all the three rubles that night. I went into the restaurant and asked for a bottle of Lafayette. I never used to Never asked for a bottle of wine like this, and drank it dry, and nothing else. I wanted to spend the money quickly. I didn't feel particularly guilty, either then or later. Next time, I probably won't steal it again It’s up to you. Whether you believe it or not, it’s up to you, I have no intention of commenting. Well, that’s all.”

"But, of course, that's not the worst thing you've done," said Darya Alexeyevna disgustedly. "It's a psychology, not a behavior," Afanasy Ivanovic said. "And what about the maid?" asked Nastasya Filippovna, not concealing her extreme distaste for the matter. "The maid, needless to say, was fired the next day. This is a very strict family." "You just let it go?" "What a good question! Should I turn myself in?" Fedsenko laughed, but he was a little surprised at the general displeasure with which his story was heard.

"How dirty it is!" cried Nastasya Filippovna. "Oh! You want to hear the ugliest things told, and you want them to shine, can you? The ugliest things are always very dirty, so let's listen to Ivan Petrovich now. Many things appear on the surface. He looks grand, and wants to put on an appearance of benevolence and morality, all because he has his own carriage. There are many people who have their own carriages...but by what means..." In a word, Fedishenko became more and more angry as he spoke, until finally he got so carried away that he got carried away and said some exaggerated words, and his face was contorted with anger.It is quite possible, however strange, that he told the story hoping for an entirely different acclaim.Such low-taste "miscalculations" and "ingenious boasting," as Totsky said, occurred too often in Federsenko's case, and were perfectly in keeping with his character.

Nastasya Filippovna even trembled with anger, she stared at Fedeshenko, who immediately became frightened and shut his mouth, he was so frightened that he almost trembled. Leng: That's too outrageous. "Let's just stop here and say no more, will you?" asked Afanasy Ivanovitch slyly. "It's my turn. But I want to use the discount given to me, so I won't talk about it." Ptitsyn said decisively. "You don't want to talk?" "I can't tell, Nastasya Filippovna. In short, I think the game is embarrassing." "General, it seems that it will be your turn next," Nastasya Filippovna said to him, "if you don't tell, everyone will follow your example, and we'll be bragging about it." Well, I shall be sorry, because I was going to tell you about an incident in 'My Own History' at the end, but I will tell you after you and Afanasy Ivanovich, because You tell me first, it will give me more courage." She laughed out loud.

"Oh, if you agree to tell," exclaimed the general enthusiastically, "I'd like to tell you the story of my whole life. To tell you the truth, while I was waiting for my turn to tell, I had already prepared an extraordinary story. s story……" "Based on the general's performance, it can be seen that he has used the special pleasure of literary creation to improve his little story." Although he was still a little embarrassed, he still bravely said. , and nodded with a stinging smile in his words. Nastasya Filippovna glanced up at the general, also laughing to herself.But it can be seen that the depression and anger in her heart have become more and more intense.Afanasy Ivanovitch was still more frightened when she heard that she was going to speak too.

"Gentlemen, I have done some injurious things in my life, gentlemen, as anyone has done," began the general, "but it is very strange that the short story I am about to tell has my own Think it's one of the ugliest things I've ever done in my life. But, let's face it, feel guilty about it. But then again, it's a shitty thing to do: I was just a warrant officer, in the army Well, you know, a warrant officer: first, full of blood, and second, poor pay. At that time I hired an orderly named Niki Fore, who took great care of my housework and took care of my house. A man who lived frugally, washed, sewed, and even went about stealing what he could get his hands on to support his family, was a loyal, honest, and reliable man. Needless to say, I was very strict with him. , but also fair. At one time we were stationed in a small town. Outside the town, I was given a flat to live with a widowed retired second lieutenant's wife. The second lieutenant's widow was an old woman, not eighty years old. If so, it must be nearly eighty at least. Her house is old and dilapidated, a wooden house, and because she is poor, she can't even hire a maid. But the main thing and the worst thing is that her family used to have The population was prosperous and related, but as the years passed, some died, others lived abroad, and others forgot the old woman, whose husband died about forty-five years ago. Before that, there was a niece who lived with her for several years. The niece was a hunchback and was said to be as fierce as an old hag. She even bit the old woman's finger once, but then even the woman died, so only the old woman was left. I left the old woman alone and lived alone for three years. I was bored living in her house, plus she had nothing to do with her. In the end, she stole a cock from me The truth of this matter is still unknown, but no one else would do this kind of thing except her. I had a fight with her about the cock, and it was a big fight, but it happened to be an opportunity at this time. As soon as I applied, Let me move to another house, also outside the city, but in the opposite direction, this is a merchant's house, with a prosperous population. I still remember that the merchant has a big beard. I am very happy with Nikifor and left the old woman angrily. About three days later, when I came back from the coaching grounds, Nikifor reported to me: 'Sir, we shouldn't have left that big soup bowl at the former landlady's house. , and now there are no soup pots.’ Needless to say, I was surprised: ‘What’s the matter, how can our soup pots stay in the landlord’s house?’ Surprised Nikki Fore went on to report that when we moved , the landlady wouldn't give him back our soup-bowl, because I broke hers, so she took ours to pay for hers, and this, she said, was still I brought it up myself. She was so vile, needless to say, it made me very angry. My blood boiled, I jumped up, and I ran away. When I found the old woman, I was already angry, so to speak. Confused. I saw her in the outhouse, sitting alone in the corner, as if hiding behind the wallIn the corner, as if afraid of being exposed to the sun, one hand supported his cheek.Immediately I raged at her, and I said: 'You bastard, you old bastard! 'Anyway, he gave her a bad swearing with our Russian swear words.Looking at her again, she looked a bit strange: she was sitting, facing me, her eyes were wide open, she didn't answer a word, and her eyes were so weird, so weird, as if her body was still shaking.Finally, I calmed down, looked at her intently, and asked her a few words, but she still didn't answer a word.I stood hesitant for a while, the flies were buzzing, the sun was setting, and there was silence, and at last I left the place in great panic.Before I got to the door of the house, I was asked to see the major, and later I went to the company headquarters, so when I returned home, it was already very late.Nikifor's first words upon seeing me were: 'Do you know, sir, that our landlady is dead. ''When did you die? ''This evening, about an hour and a half ago. ' That is to say, she died just as I was scolding her.It took me by surprise, and to tell you the truth, I was so terrified that I almost fainted.I think about it all the time, and even dream about her at night.Of course I'm not superstitious, and I don't believe in omens, but on the third day I went to the church for the funeral.In a word, the longer time passes, the more I think about it.It's not that there is nothing to worry about, anyway, sometimes when I think about it, I feel bad.How did I end up thinking about it?Mainly: First, a woman, so to speak, is a so-called human being, that is, a so-called benevolent creature in contemporary times. She has lived, and lived for a long time, and finally lived to the age of seventy or eighty.Once upon a time, she also had children, a husband, a family, and relatives, all of which were around her, so to speak, joyously, all of which could also be said to be the smile of life, but all of a sudden—all gone, all gone Disintegrated, leaving her alone, like... a fly that has been cursed by people since the beginning of the world.So in the end, God led her soul back to the west.On a quiet summer evening, with the afterglow of the setting sun, our old lady flew away from the world—of course, it is impossible that this story does not contain the intention of admonishing good and punishing evil.At this very moment, instead of shedding tears of farewell, a young, full-blooded warrant officer, with his hands on his hips, was domineering, and sent her off the ground with Russian-style curses for losing a soup bowl. Let her fly away from the world!I was definitely wrong, and although I have come to disregard my actions as the years have passed and my personality has changed, I still feel guilty.So I repeat, I am even surprised, besides, if I am wrong, it is not all my fault: why should she think of dying at this moment?Needless to say, there can only be one excuse: what I did was partly a psychological act, and yet, nonetheless, I could not be at ease until about fifteen years ago, when I put two often ill The crooked old women were sent to a nursing home, and I was responsible for supporting them. The purpose was to enable them to live a comfortable life for the rest of their lives.I also want to leave a sum of money behind me to support those lonely old people forever.Well, that's all.I repeat, I may have done many wrong things in my life, but in good conscience I consider this one of the ugliest things I have ever done. "

"The general didn't tell the ugliest thing about him, but he told a great thing he did in his life. The general lied to me Fedsenko!" Fedsenko concluded. "Honestly, General, I never thought you'd have such a good heart, not without regrets," said Nastasya Filippovna casually. "Sorry? Then why?" the general asked with a friendly smile, and drank the champagne in his glass with a sense of pride. But now it was Afanasy Ivanovich's turn to speak, and he made preparations.It was supposed that he would never refuse to speak like Ivan Petrovitch did, and for some reason everyone waited for him with special curiosity, while at the same time stealing glances at Nastasya Filippovna's face.Afanasy Ivanovich, with a pomp that perfectly matched his grand appearance, began in a low, kindly voice to tell a "lovely story" of his own (by the way : He is tall, tall, with a bald forehead and slightly spotted temples. He has a rather fat body, but his cheeks are rosy, but his muscles are slightly loose, and he has false teeth. His clothes are loose and elegant, and he wears underwear It is also very elegant. It is amazing to look at his fat, round, white hands. On the index finger of his right hand he also wears an expensive diamond ring.), Nastasia Faye During the whole time that he was telling the story, Lipovna gazed intently at the pattern on the ruff of her sleeve and pinched it lightly with the two fingers of her left hand, so that she did not once look up at the narrator. people.

"What makes this task easier for me," began Afanasy Ivanovitch, "is that I insist on telling the worst thing I've done in my life, instead of just talking about something. That being the case, there was no need to hesitate: my conscience and the memory in my heart immediately suggested what I should say. I painfully admit that I have committed countless indiscreet... frivolities in my life, but one of them is still It still weighs heavily on my heart. It happened about twenty years ago. I went to the country to visit Platon Ordantsev. His wife came to celebrate several festive seasons in winter. At this time, it happened to coincide with Anfisa Alexeyevna’s birthday, so it was decided to hold two balls. At that time, Dumas’s wonderful and moving novel La dame aux cam The lias is very popular and famous in high society. This is an epic. In my opinion, this epic is immortal and will never go out of style. In the provinces, all the ladies appreciate this book very much, at least those who read it People who have read this novel are full of praise. The beauty of the story, the original and unique arrangement of the protagonist's fate, the fascinating world described in detail, and finally the wonderful details that can be seen everywhere in the book (such as the alternate use of red and white Camellia and other plots), in a word, all these beautiful and moving details put together almost caused a sensation. Camellia was very fashionable at the time, everyone wanted to get camellia, everyone was looking for camellia. I ask you: In a small county , in order to go to the ball, everyone wants camellias, even if there are not many balls, how many camellias can I get? At that time, there was a poor man named Petya Volkhovskoy, who was very interested in Anfisa A. Lekseyevna is lovesick. Really, I don't know if there is any interest between them, I mean, I don't know, is there any hope of him ever being able to catch up with her? The poor wretch I was in a hurry to get a few camellias to go to Anfisa Alexeyevna's ball before dark. Someone heard that Sotskaya, the guest of honor from Petersburg, was brought by the governor's wife. Countess and Sophia Bespalova will certainly bring some bouquets of white camellias. Anfisa Alexeyevna wants to get a bouquet of black camellias for the sake of showing off. Poor Platon is sent He was so busy running here and there, exhausted, who called him a husband. He promised to get a bouquet, but it was easier said than done. On the day before the ball, a bouquet of camellias was bought by a surnamed Metishenva, Katerina Alexandrovna got there first and snatched it away. Metisheva was at odds with Anfisa Alexeyevna, they were bitter rivals. Needless to say, another outburst of temper , passed out again, and Platon was gone. Obviously, if Petya could go somewhere and get back a bouquet of camellias at this interesting time, then his good business might go a long way. In this case A woman's gratitude is inexhaustible. He was running around like a madman, but this was, of course, impossible. Suddenly, at eleven o'clock the night before the birthday and the ball, I was in Oldentsev'sHe met him at the house of the neighbor Maria Petrovna Zubkova.He is beaming. 'What happened to you? ''found it!Have! ''I said boy, you surprised me!Where did you find it?How did you find it? ''In Yekshaisk (there is such a small town only twenty versts away from us, but it does not belong to our county).There was a businessman there named Trepalov, a bearded, rich man, who lived with his wife, and they had no children, so they raised some canaries.The two of them are obsessed with flowers, and there are camellias in his house. ''Come on, I'm not sure about this, what should I do if I don't give it? ''I just knelt down to him, and if he didn't give it, I couldn't afford to kneel for a long time.Don't leave if you don't achieve your goal! ''When are you going? ''Early tomorrow morning, five o'clock. ''Well, God bless you! '—you know, I'm so happy for him.I went back to the Oldentsevs.In the end, it was past one o'clock, but I still think about it.Already wanting to go to bed, a very weird idea popped up suddenly!Immediately I knelt in the kitchen, woke up the coachman Savely, gave him fifteen rubles, and said, 'The carriage will be harnessed in half an hour! 'After half an hour, needless to say, the car has parked at the gate.I was told that Anfisa Alexeyevna was suffering from migraines, a fever, and talking nonsense. ——I got in the car and set off.After four o'clock, I was already in a big car shop in Yekshayk.Just wait until dawn, just wait until dawn.After six o'clock, I was already at Trepalov's house.I said so and asked: 'Do you have camellia?Uncle, my good uncle, help me, save me, I will kneel down for you! ’ I saw that old man, tall, white-bearded and white-haired, stern-faced—terrible. 'No, no, not at all!No! 'I plopped down on my knees to him!Just like that, I got on all fours and couldn't get up. 'You can do it, uncle, you can do it, uncle! 'I begged hard. 'This is a matter of life and death! ' I called to him. 'Since this is the case, you can take it, I have convinced you. 'I immediately cut a lot of black camellias!It's so beautiful. He has a small flower house full of camellias.The old man couldn't help sighing.I took out a hundred rubles. 'No, sir, you can't scold me in that way. ’ I said: ‘Since your old man refuses to accept it, please donate the one hundred rubles to the hospital here to improve the life and food of the patients. ’ He said: ‘That is another matter, sir, it is a good deed, a noble charity.In order to keep you safe, I will hand it over for you. 'I like this Russian old man very much, he can be said to be a typical native Russian, de la vraie souche.I was overjoyed because the flag was a success, and I went back home immediately.I made a detour back so as not to meet Petya on the way.I sent someone to deliver the flowers as soon as I got back.And sent it just as Anfisa Alexeyevna was about to wake up, you can imagine her ecstasy, gratitude and tears of gratitude at that time!Platon, who was still downcast and dead like a dead man yesterday, was so moved that he fell on my chest and wept loudly.Alas, this has been the case with all husbands since the introduction of... the legal institution of marriage!Having said that, I dare not add oil and vinegar, or make rash remarks.Since that episode, however, poor Petya's good deed has come to an end.I thought at first that he would kill me when he found out, and I was even ready to fight.But an unbelievable thing happened: he fainted, talked nonsense before dark, and had a high fever before dawn.He was weeping like a child, and he was convulsed.A month later, as soon as he recovered, he asked to be transferred to the Caucasus.This love affair was a sensation, and later, he was killed in the Crimea, and the case was dismissed.At that time, his brother Stepan Volkhovskoy was the commander of the regiment, and he galloped on the battlefield with outstanding achievements.To tell you the truth, I have been condemned by my conscience since then, and I have been restless for many years: Why did I beat him like this?If I fell in love with that lady myself, it would be all right.You know, this is actually just making trouble, nothing more than trying to show courtesy.If I hadn't snatched the bunch of flowers he was about to get, who knows, maybe he is still alive and happy, maybe he has achieved great success, and he would never think of fighting the Turks. "

Afanasy Ivanovitch closed his mouth in the same dignified and solemn tone as when he had begun.It was noticed that Nastasya Filippovna's eyes seemed to gleam in a peculiar way, and her lips even trembled when Afanasy Ivanovitch had finished speaking.Everyone looked at them both curiously. "You lied to Fedeshenko again! How hard it is to deceive me! Oh, you've been deceived!" cried Fedeshenko in a tearful voice, knowing that at this moment he could and should make jokes. "Who told you to be ignorant? Learn from wise men!" stopped him, almost triumphantly, Darya Alexeyevna (Totsky's loyal old friend and accomplice. ). "You're right, Afanasy Ivanovich, that Petit jeu is really boring, and this game should be over," said Nastasya Filippovna carelessly. After the story I promised to tell, let's play cards." "But the story you promised to tell should be told first!" the general agreed enthusiastically. "Prince," Nastasya Filippovna said to him abruptly and unexpectedly, "the general and Afanasy Ivanovich are old friends of mine, and they both want to Let me marry. Please tell me your opinion: should I marry or not? I will do what you say." Afanasy Ivanovich turned pale, and the general was dumbfounded.Everyone widened their eyes and stretched their necks.Ganya froze in place. "Marry... whom?" asked the prince in a barely audible voice. "To Gavrila Ardalionovitch Ivolkin," Nastasya Filippovna went on, in a voice still decisive, but distinct. There was silence for a moment, and after a few seconds, the prince seemed to be trying to speak, but could not, as if something very heavy was pressing on his chest. "No——no...don't marry!" he finally whispered, breathing heavily. "That's it! Gavrila Ardalionovitch!" she said to him with dignity and as if triumphantly, "you heard the prince's decision? Well, that's my answer, let's just blow the matter up." Blow it forever!" "Nastasya Filippovna!" said Afanasy Ivanovitch in a trembling voice. "Nastasya Filippovna!" said the general in a persuasive but alarmed voice. Everyone was shocked, and the crowd was in an uproar. "What's the matter, gentlemen?" she continued, gazing at her visitor as if in amazement, "why are you so alarmed? Look at all your faces!" "But... Nastasya Filippovna, don't you forget," Totsky stammered, "that you promised...and voluntarily, that you should be more or less pitiful... ...it's so embarrassing for me, and... of course, it's embarrassing, but... anyway, now, at this moment, and in front of... in front of everyone, it's all like this... with such a Petit jeu To end a serious matter, a lifelong matter of reputation and affection... This matter is of great importance..." "I don't understand you, Afanasy Ivanovitch; you've got nothing right. First, what do you mean 'in public'? Aren't we among close friends? What does this have to do with Petit jeu? I do want to tell an extraordinary story of mine, look, I'm not done; isn't the story bad? Then why do you say 'not serious'? Isn't it serious Did you hear that, I said to the duke 'do what you say' and if he said 'yes' I would have agreed right away, but he said 'no' so I said no. Big deal of my life Hanging on such a thin strand of hair, can there be anything more serious than this?" "But Duke, what does this have to do with the Duke? What the hell is the Duke?" the general muttered. The Duke possessed such an annoying authority, and he almost couldn't help but get angry. "The duke is the first person I have ever trusted in my life. I trust him as I would trust a honest and honest man. He trusts me as soon as he sees me, and so I trust him." "Nastasia Filippovna was very kind to me...and I can only express my gratitude for her kindness," said Ganya, pale at last, in a trembling voice, "of course, It should be so...but...the duke...the duke got involved..." "You want seventy-five thousand rubles, don't you?" Nastasya Filippovna interrupted him abruptly. "Do you want to say that? Come on, you must! Ah! Fanasy Ivanovich, I forgot to add: You can take back the seventy-five thousand rubles, to tell you the truth, I set you free, you don’t need a penny, I give you nothing. That’s enough! You should also breathe a sigh of relief Already! Nine years and three months! Tomorrow - start a new page, and today is my birthday, I have the final say, this is the first time in my life! General, you give your string of pearls Take it back to your wife, here, take it. From tomorrow onwards, I will completely move out of the house. From now on, gentlemen, there will be no more parties." After she finished speaking, she stood up suddenly, as if she was about to leave. "Nastasya Filippovna! Nastasya Filippovna!" shouted from all sides.Everyone was commotion, everyone got up from their seats; everyone surrounded her, everyone listened uncomfortably to these excited, feverish, crazy words; everyone felt that something was wrong, but no one could understand, no one could Unable to understand the mystery.At that moment there was suddenly a loud, violent rattle of the doorbell, as if it had been yanked this morning to enter Ganetchka's house. "Ah! It's time for the end! At last it's half past eleven!" cried Nastasya Filippovna. "Sit down, everyone, it's the end!" After saying this, she sat down first, with a strange smile on her mouth.She sat, saying nothing, watching the door, waiting anxiously. "Rogozhin and a hundred thousand rubles, no doubt," murmured Ptitsyn to himself.