Chapter 11 chapter Ten

"If the lonely wolf cub had known my point of view better, he wouldn't have avoided me. However, some progress has been made, which I wholeheartedly welcome," said Mr. Pierre, who Sitting on one side of the table as usual, with fat calves tightly crossed together, one hand on the tarpaulin seemed to be plucking silent strings.Cincinnatus lay on the bed, propping his head on one hand. "It's just the two of us, and it's raining," continued M. Pierre, "and the weather is ideal for an intimate chat. Let's talk it through once and for all... I get the impression that, You are surprised, even outraged, by the management's attitude towards me, as if I were in a position of privilege - no, no, without arguing, let's get the word out. Allow me to tell you two things. You know we Dear warden (cub, by the way, wasn't exactly fair to him, but we'll save that for another day), you know how sensitive he is, how warm, how easy he is for every novelty And obsession--I think he must have been obsessed with you in the first few days when you came here, so you don't have to feel bad that he is now passionate about me. Let's not be jealous, my friend. Secondly, it is enough Strange, you obviously don't know why I'm in here yet, but once I tell you, you'll understand a lot of things. Sorry, what's that thing on your neck - right here, right here - yes, right here .”

"Where?" Cincinnatus asked blankly, stroking his cervical spine at the same time. M. Pierre came up to him and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Here it is," he said, "but now that I can see it, it's just a shadow. I thought I saw... a watery lump of some kind. You seem to have some discomfort when you turn your head. Does it hurt? You've got a cold ?" "Oh, don't you bother me any more, will you?" said Cincinnatus sadly. "No, just for a moment, my hands are clean—let me touch here. It's like, after all...does it hurt here? What about here?"

He quickly touched Cincinnatus' neck with his small, muscular hand, examining it carefully, and the snorting sound was faintly audible. "It's all right, it's all right," he said at last, moving and patting the back of the patient's neck—"it's just that your neck is so thin—other than that it's all right, except sometimes, you know …Let me see your tongue. The tongue is the mirror of the stomach. Cover it, cover it, it's cold in here. What were we talking about? Let me know." "If you really care about my health," said Cincinnatus, "you can leave me alone. Please go away."

"You mean that you really don't want to hear what I have to say," M. Pierre protested with a smile, "that you are so obstinately convinced of the infallibility of your conclusions—conclusions I don't know—note that, unknown." Cincinnatus was so sad that he said nothing. "But allow me to tell you," continued M. Pierre, still with a certain seriousness, "what was the nature of my crime. I was accused—whether justly or not, that is another matter—I was accused of The charge... of what crime, do you guess?" "Don't be shy, just say it," Cincinnatus said with a sigh of dismay.

"You'll be shocked when you say it. I've been accused of trying to... oh, ungrateful, treacherous friend...I've been accused of trying to help you escape from prison." "Is that true?" Cincinnatus asked. "I never lie," said Monsieur Pierre, with the utmost solemnity. "Perhaps one ought to lie sometimes—that's another matter—perhaps it's foolish to be so honest and end badly—it may be that It is true. But the truth is the truth, and I never lie. I came in at last, my good friend, and it was all for you. I was arrested in the night. Where? Even in Upper Eldberg Right. Yes, I'm from Eldberg. There's a saltworks and an orchard there. If you want to visit me, I'll treat you to a taste of our elderberries (no pun intended - It appears on our sign.) And lo and behold—not in the sign, but in the prison—thy obedient servant was there for three days. And then transferred me here."

"You mean you tried to save me..." said Cincinnatus anxiously. "Whether or not I ever thought of saving you is my business, my dear friend, the cockroach under the hearth. Anyway, that's what I'm charged with—you know, the informer is a young and reckless Bastard, so here I go: 'I stand obsessively before you...' - remember the song? The main evidence against me is a certain sketch of the fort, which supposedly bears my imprint. You see, they assume I have planned every detail of your escape, my little cockroach." "Do they identify you, or...?" Cincinnatus asked.

"What an innocent and sweet little bug he is!" M. Pierre grinned, showing his many teeth. "He wanted everything to be very simple - but God, real life is never like that!" "But I still want to know," said Cincinnatus. "What? Are my judges right? Am I really plotting to rescue you? Shame, shame..." "Is that true?" whispered Cincinnatus. M. Pierre got up and began to walk around the cell. "Let's put this subject aside," he said obediently. "You judge for yourself, suspicious friend. It's either one or the other, but because of you, I'm in. I'll tell you one more thing: we'll also go to the guillotine together."

He continued to circle the cell with silent, brisk steps. He was wearing a prison uniform, and the soft parts of his body trembled slightly. Cincinnatus watched every step of the nimble fat man with frustrated eyes. "Just for fun, I believe you," said Cincinnatus at last, "we might as well see how this turns out. You listen, I believe you. I'll even thank you .” "Oh, why bother—it's not necessary..." said M. Pierre, sitting down at the table again. "I just wanted to give you some insight into the situation. Well now we're all pouring out our hearts, right? I don't know about you, but I want to cry. It's a good feeling. Cry Come out, and let the wholesome tears flow freely."

"This place is awful," said Cincinnatus cautiously. "It's not that bad. By the way, I've long since wanted to reproach you for your attitude to life here. Don't, don't, don't look away, and allow me, as a friend. . . you both Not fair to our good man Rodion, and more importantly to the Lord Warden. Yes - he is not very bright, a little ostentatious, a little flippant - he has no objection to speeches - these are the facts , I don't like him sometimes myself, and of course I can't share my deepest thoughts with him, as you and I do, especially when my heart - pardon me for using the word - is aching. But Whatever his faults, he was a straight, honest, kind man. Yes, a rare kind man - don't you argue - I wouldn't say this if I didn't know it, and I never say unwarranted If so, I have more experience than you, and a deeper understanding of life and people than you. Therefore, when I see you reject Rodrigo Ivanovich with cruel indifference, arrogant contempt When he is outside, I feel very sad. Sometimes I can see this pain in his eyes... Speaking of Rodion, he is rough on the surface, but he is as honest as a big child in his heart. You are so smart, how can you see Won't come out? Oh, I know you're nervous, you're horny—don't move, Cincinnatus—you'll forgive me, but you're wrong, not at all... On the whole, you despise Others... you hardly touch the delicious food we bring you. Well, even if you don't like the food - take my word for it, I know a little gastronomy - but you're dismissive, you know The food is made by people, and people work hard... I know, life here is sometimes boring, you want to go for a walk or play-but why do you only think about yourself, only about your own desires, but Dear and sad Rodrig Ivanovich tried his best to tell you little jokes, why didn't you laugh even once?... He may cry afterwards, and may not sleep at night..."

"Anyhow, your plea is ingenious indeed," said Cincinnatus, "but I'm an expert on dolls. I won't budge." "It's a pity," said M. Pierre in an injured tone. "I think your youth is to blame," he added after a short pause. "No, no, you shouldn't be so unfair..." "Tell me," Cincinnatus asked, "are they keeping you in the dark, too? The key executioner hasn't come yet? Isn't the beheading rally scheduled for tomorrow?" "You shouldn't use words like that," said M. Pierre mysteriously, "and especially not in that tone of voice . — it really surprises me..."

"Please tell me what time it is?" asked Cincinnatus. "On schedule," said Monsieur Pierre evasively, "why all this stupid curiosity? In general... no, you still have a lot to learn--you can't go on like this. So arrogant, why not?" Preconceived..." "But they can really procrastinate..." said Cincinnatus sleepily. "Of course I'm getting used to it... day after day, your mind is always ready - and they'll catch you off guard. Ten days have passed like this and I haven't lost my mind. And of course there's always hope ...indistinct, underwater, so all the more fascinating. You talk about running away...I see, I guess, there's another person involved in this...some indication...but if it's just a hoax , something made up by imitating a human face..." "That is curious," said Monsieur Pierre, "what are these hopes, and who is this saviour?" "Imagine," replied Cincinnatus, "and you—do you want to escape?" "What do you mean by 'escape'? To where?" asked M. Pierre in surprise. Cincinnatus sighed again. "What difference does it make where we run? We may, you and I...but I don't know if you can run fast with your body. Your legs..." "Come, come, what nonsense is this?" said Pierre, wriggling in his chair. "Prison escape is only mentioned in fairy tales. As for your wanting to comment on my posture, you'd better not say it." "I want to sleep," Cincinnatus said. M. Pierre rolled up his right sleeve, revealing a tattoo.Beneath his strangely white skin, his muscles bulged and seemed to roll.Remaining motionless, he grasped the chair with one hand, turned it over, and began to lift slowly.He wobbled a little from the exertion, but he lifted it over his head and then lowered it slowly.It's just a warm-up for him. He covered up his panting, wiped his hands with a red handkerchief, and wiped them carefully for a long time.Meanwhile, the spider, the youngest member of the circus family, performs a simple trick on its web. M. Pierre threw him his handkerchief, screamed in French, and suddenly stood on his head.His round head gradually filled with a beautiful ruddy blood.His left trouser leg slid down, exposing his feet.His upside-down eyes—anyone in this position—looked like octopus eyes. "How about this hand?" he asked, standing on his feet again and straightening his clothes.There was applause in the corridor.Then the clown began to clap alone, while walking lightly and deftly - until he hit the railing. "Well?" repeated M. Pierre. "How's my strength? Is my agility okay? Or haven't you seen enough?" M. Pierre jumped onto the table, stood upside down, and bit the back of the chair with his teeth.The music stopped suddenly and the atmosphere was suffocating.Monsieur Pierre gripped the chair with his teeth and lifted it up.His muscles twitched, his jaw creaked. The door opened gently, and in came - boots on, whip in hand, powdered face, under the blinding purple light of the spotlight - the ringmaster. "Great, unique performance!" he whispered, taking off his black top hat and taking a seat beside Cincinnatus. Something loosened suddenly, Monsieur Pierre let go of the chair in his mouth, rolled somersaults, and stood on the floor again.But obviously not all is well.He immediately covered his mouth with a handkerchief, glanced quickly under the table, and then carefully examined the chair. When he suddenly found what he was looking for, he was so angry that he almost cursed, and tried hard to put his belt embedded in the back of the chair. Hinge brackets come out.The false teeth on the dentures were all exposed, and they were biting the back of the chair like a bulldog's teeth.At this critical juncture, M. Pierre picked up his chair and left without panic. Rodrigo Ivanovitch, noticing anything, was clapping desperately.However, the performance venue remained empty.He looked at Cincinnatus suspiciously, and clapped his hands a few more times, but he had lost his previous enthusiasm. He was slightly surprised and obviously frustrated, and left the box. And so the show ended.