Chapter 6 Fragile Heart - 1

Under the same roof, in the same flat, on the same four-story building lived two young colleagues: one named Arkady Ivanovich Nefedevich, the other named Vanessa. Shya Shumkov...Of course, the author feels the need to explain to the readers why one protagonist is called by his full name, with all the surname, first name and paternal title, while the other is called by a small name, in order not to make people think This kind of writing is not serious, too affectionate and casual.However, to achieve this goal, it is necessary to explain the identities, ages, official titles and positions of the characters in advance, and even describe their personalities.Many writers do this.However, in order to avoid similarities (maybe, some people will think this is out of arrogance), the author of this novel decided to start writing directly from the actions of the characters. After this opening remark, the author began to talk.

On New Year's Eve, at about six o'clock, Shumkov came home. Arkady Ivanovitch, who had been lying in bed, woke up.He looked at his friend with half-closed eyes, and saw that he was wearing a suit of smart civilian clothes and a clean corset.Such a dress naturally surprised him. "Where is he going in that way? Besides, he didn't eat lunch at home!" Shumkov had already lit a candle, and Arkady Ivanovitch guessed at once: his friend wanted to Wake him up suddenly. Sure enough, Vasya coughed twice and walked up and down the room twice.He wanted to go to the fire in the corner to smoke, but accidentally dropped the pipe from his hand to the ground.Arkady Ivanov could not help laughing to himself.

"Vasya, put away your tricks!" he began. "Arkasha, are you awake?" "Really, I can't tell, as if I don't think I'm asleep." "Ah, Arkasha! How do you do, dear! Hello, man! Hello, man! ...you don't know what good news I have to tell you, do you? " "I don't know at all. Come here!" Vasya seemed to be waiting for his call, and immediately went over, never expecting that Arkady Ivanovitch would play tricks on him.He grasped Vasya's hands very deftly, twisted them back, pressed Vasya under him, and began to "pinch" him, as they usually say.This, it seemed, gave Arkady Ivanovitch, who was of a jovial nature, immense satisfaction.

"Catch it!" he yelled, "Catch it!" "Arcasha, Arkasha, what are you doing? Let go, for God's sake. Let go, you've got my clothes dirty! . . . " "No need! What do you want clothes for? Why do you trust others so easily and throw yourself into the trap? Tell me, where have you been, and where did you eat lunch?" "Arkasha, for God's sake, let me go!" "Where did you eat?" "That's what I was going to tell you." "Then hurry up and talk!" "You have to let me go first." "No, if you don't tell me, I won't let you go."

"Arkasha, Arkasha! Do you understand, this is not going to work, at any rate!" cried Vasya, who was weak, struggling desperately to break free from his friend's strong grasp. "You know, there is such a thing! . . . " "What's up?……" "Once this kind of thing is said, it will be demeaning, no, you can't say it anyway. Telling it will make people laugh, but in fact this kind of thing is not funny at all, and it is very important. " "Fuck you, don't care if it's important or not! You can figure it out! Tell me quickly, and make me laugh too. As for important things, I don't want to hear them. If you don't tell them, you still have to Are you my friend? Tell me, are you still my friend? Tell me!"

"Alcasha, please forgive me, don't speak!" "I don't want to listen to you..." "Hey, Arkasha!" Vasya began.Lying across the bed, he tried his best to make his words seem important. "Alkasha, well, I'll say it, but..." "But what?" "I'm engaged!" Without saying a word, Arkady Ivanovitch embraced Vasya in his arms like a baby, though Vasya was not short, but rather tall, and only a little thinner.Then she carried him around the room very flexibly, from one corner to another, as if coaxing him to sleep. "Okay, I'll swaddle you, fiancé, right away," he repeated.But when he saw Vasya lying in his hands without moving or saying a word, he immediately realized that the joke seemed too much, so he put Vasya in the middle of the room, Kissed Vasya on the cheek in a most sincere and friendly manner.

"Vasya, are you not angry? . . . " "Arkasha, listen to me..." "Well, it's for New Year's." "I'm nothing. Why are you so crazy, like a bum? How many times have I told you: Arkasha, it's not funny, it's not funny at all!" "Well, you're not angry, are you?" "It's nothing to me. When have I ever been mad at someone! Do you understand, you make me very sad!" "How can I make you feel sorry?" "I came to you because I regard you as a friend. I am full of enthusiasm and want to confide in you and tell you all about my happiness..."

"What happiness? Why don't you tell me?" "Well, I say, I'm getting married!" Vasya answered angrily, because he was really a little angry. "You! You are going to get married! Is this true?" Alkasha screamed desperately, "No, no... What the hell is going on? Again, tears streaming down my face again! ... Vasya, you are my little Vasya, my youngest son, enough is enough!Is there really such a thing? ’ And Arkady Ivanovitch ran up to him again and embraced him. "Hey, do you understand why I want to get married?" Vasya said, "because you are my good friend, I know that. I came to you with joy and joy in my heart, but suddenly I To roll about in bed, to reveal to you all the joy and excitement of my heart without dignity! . . . You understand, Arkasha, "

Vasya continued with a half-smile, "You know how ridiculous, how ridiculous! At this moment I am hardly myself.I can't underestimate the importance of this matter... You still ask me: what's her name?I swear to you: even if you kill me, I won't answer you. " "Yes, Vasya, why are you silent? If you had told me everything sooner, I would not have played such a prank," cried Arkady Ivanovitch, regretting it sincerely. It's time. "Well, come on, come on! You know, I'm... you know it's because I'm kind. You see I'm annoyed now, too, because I can't treat you the way I want to. To tell you, to please you, to cheer you up, to explain it to you well, to make you understand with dignity... Really, Arkasha, I love you very much, and without you I don't think I would be would get married and not even live in this world at all!"

Arkady Ivanovitch was a particularly sensitive man, and he cried and laughed at Vasya's words.Vasya, too, cried for a while, and laughed for a while.The two embraced again, forgetting the unhappiness just now to Jiutianyunwai. "What's the matter, what's the matter? Tell me all about it, Vasya! Forgive me, my brother, I was shocked, completely stunned, as if struck by lightning, God! !” cried Arkady Ivanovitch, and even looked unsuspectingly into Vasya’s face, “no, brother, no, you made it up, you dreamed it up, you Lying!" But.When he noticed that Vasya's face was glowing, and that he was definitely going to get married, and the sooner the better, he threw himself on the bed, and began to somersault on the bed with joy, making the walls tremble with such fuss. like.

"Vasya, sit here!" he cried, sitting at last on the bed. "Brother, I really don't know where to start!" The two were so excited that they looked at each other, looking at each other. "Who is she, Vasya?" "The Artemyevs! . . . " said Vasya, his voice weak with happiness. "No?" "Well, I whispered about them in your ear before, and then I stopped, but you didn't pay any attention to it. Oh, Arkasha, what an effort it took me to hide it from you! I Afraid, afraid to say! My God, my God! I thought everything could be messed up, but you know, I'm in love! You see, that's what happened. He started to talk, but because of excitement, he stopped talking from time to time. "She once had a fiancé, who was suddenly sent somewhere on a business trip a year ago for unknown reasons.I know him too, there is such a man, may God be with him!Alas, as soon as he went, there was no news and he disappeared.So they waited, waited, what did this mean? ... Four months ago, he suddenly got married and came back, and he never went to their house at all.rough! mean!No one came out to speak for them!She cried all the time, she kept crying, it was poor, so I fell in love with her... Besides, I loved her a long time ago, and I have always loved her without changing!At this time, I started to comfort her and visit her often...Really, I don't know how this happened, but she fell in love with me.A week ago, I couldn't help it, I cried, wept, wept, and I told her everything, I said I loved her, everything! ... But she said, 'I am ready to love you myself, Vasily Petrovitch, but I am a poor girl, don't laugh at me, I dare not love anyone. 'Well, bro, you get it!do you understand? ... We were instantly and verbally engaged.I thought over and over again, thinking about it, and I said: "How can I tell my mother?"She said: 'It's difficult, you wait and see. She is afraid that she will not hand me over to you yet. 'As she spoke, she cried herself.I didn't tell her today, so I went to tell the old lady.Lizanka knelt before her, and I knelt too... well, she gave us her blessing.Alcasha, Alcasha! You are my kin and we will live together.No!I will never be separated from you no matter what. " "Vasya, whatever I think of you, I don't believe it, somehow I don't believe it, I swear to you! Indeed, I always feel... Listen, why are you getting married?... How come I don't know, huh? Really, Vasya, I have to confess to you, man, I thought of getting married myself. But now you're going to get married, it's the same anyway! Well, I wish you Happiness, may you be happy! ..." "My dear brother, my heart is sweet and my heart is light..." said Vasya. He stood up excitedly and strode up and down the room. "Isn't it true? Isn't it true? Don't you feel the same way? We're going to be poor, of course, but we're going to be happy. You know it's not a dream, you know our happiness Not copied from a book, we will be truly happy!  …” "Vasya, Vasya, listen to me!" "What?" said Vasya, standing before Arkady Ivanovitch. "I have an idea, but I seem a little afraid to tell you!  … Please forgive me and address my doubts.What will you do for a living in the future? You know, I am very happy that you are getting married, of course I am very happy, and I am so happy that I can't control it, but what will you live on in the future?ah? " "Oh, my God, my God! What's the matter with you, Arkasha!" said Vasya, looking at Nefedevich with amazement. "Do you really think so? When I told the old lady everything clearly, the old lady agreed to my marriage proposal without thinking for two minutes.You should ask, what do they live on?You know, three people are only five hundred rubles a year, because after the death of the old lady's wife, the whole pension is so much.She has to live, plus the old lady, and a little brother, and the little brother has to use the money to pay for school fees.You see that's how they live!Only you and I are capitalists compared to them!You see, if the next year is a good one, maybe I can save up to seven hundred rubles! " "Listen, Vasya. Forgive me. I... I keep thinking, if only this thing wouldn't be spoiled, seven hundred rubles? Only three hundred..." "Three hundred! . . . Where is Yulian Mastakovich? Have you forgotten?" "Julian Mastakovich! Brother, you know it's not certain. It's not as sure as a salary of three hundred rubles, where every ruble is a constant friend. Of course Luo, Julian Mastakovich, can even be said to be a great person. I respect and understand him. It is not unreasonable for him to have such a high status. I like him because he likes you and gives You pay, he could have given up the money, and just sent himself an official, but you will agree with yourself, Vasya... Listen to me again, I am not talking nonsense. I I don't think I can find a pen like yours in the whole of Petersburg, and I am ashamed of your handwriting," said Nefedevich with some admiration, "but, God bless you, don't Accident! What if he doesn't like you, what if you don't like him, what if his business goes out of business, what if he finds someone else? Anyway, is there such a thing as a rare possibility? You know Well, even Yulian Mastakovitch may be there, or he may be gone! Vasya . . . " "Listen, Arkasha, you know that if this happens, the ceiling will come down over us..." "Well, of course, of course...it doesn't matter to me..." "No, listen to me, listen to me, you can tell he's going to get me off somehow... No, just listen, listen. You know I've been hardworking and loyal Duty, you know he is a good man, and today, Arkasha, he paid me back thirty silver rubles!" "Really, Vasya? Is it your reward?" "What a reward! Out of his own pocket. He said, man, you ain't paid for five months, take it if you want! And he said, 'Thank you, thank you! I'm satisfied...'Really! 'He said, you can't work for me for nothing! 'real!That's what he said.Tears are coming out of my eyes, Arkasha.Oh God! "Vasya, listen, have you finished writing those documents..." "No...it's not finished yet." "Va... Sika! My angel! What have you been doing?" "Arkady, listen, it's all right, there are still two days left, I'll have time..." "Why didn't you copy it?..." "Okay, here's copying, look, here's copying! You're looking at me with such a dejected look, it's turning my insides upside down, and my heart is hurting! Why? You're always torturing me like this Me! I yelled at every turn: "Oh! Tell me, what is going on? Well, I will finish it, I will finish it..." "What if you can't finish?" cried Arkady, jumping up, "he gave you money today! You're going to be married soon. . . . ..." "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter," Shumkov also yelled, "I'll sit down and write now, I'll sit down and copy right away, nothing special!" "How can you be so sloppy about this! Vasika?" "Oh, Arkasha! Can I sit still? Was I like this before? I can't sit still even in the office because my heart can't take it... oops!oops!I will sit all night tonight, another all night tomorrow, and another all night the day after tomorrow, and I will definitely be able to finish writing! ..." "Are there many left?" "Don't get in my way, for God's sake, don't get in my way, shut up! ..." Arkady Ivanovitch crept up to the bed and sat down.Then he suddenly wanted to get up, but remembering that it would interfere with the copying, he was compelled to sit down again, although he was too excited to do so.It could be seen that the news just now had shaken him extremely, and the initial joy had not had time to boil over him.He glanced at Shumkov, and Shumkov looked at him, smiled at him, and raised a finger in a threatening gesture.Then frowned horribly (as if all his strength and the success of his work depended on it) and stared straight at the page. As if he hadn't overcome his excitement, he changed the nibs one after another, sat on the chair and turned around, and after he settled down, he began to copy again, but his hands were trembling and he couldn't continue writing. "Arcasha! I told them about you," he cried suddenly, as if he had just remembered. "Is that so?" cried Arkady. "I was going to ask! Oh!" "Well! I thought I told you everything! You see, it's all my own fault. I thought that I would never speak until I finished writing the four chapters, but I completely forgot.I always think of you and them.Dude, I can't seem to write anymore, I keep thinking about you..." Vasya smiled slightly. There was a moment of silence. "Bah! What a bad nib!" cried Shumkov, rapping the nib on the table angrily.He then grabbed another nib. "Vasya! Listen! One word..." "Hey, hurry up, this is the last time." "You still have a lot to copy?" "Oh, man!..." Vasya frowned, as if nothing in the world was more dreadful and fatal than this question. "A lot, too many!" "You know, I had an idea..." "what idea?" "No, there is no more, let's write!" "Hey, what's the idea? What?" "It's past six o'clock, Vasika!" At this moment Nefedevich smiled and gave Vasya a sly wink, but he was still a little timid, not knowing how Vasya would react to this. "Well, what did you say?" said Vasya, who had completely stopped copying, looked him in the eyes, and even turned pale with waiting. "Do you know what it is?" "For God's sake, what do you say?" "Do you know what it is? You are very excited and can't do much... Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, I see, I see you listen to it!" Nefideyevi Qi was so happy that he jumped up from the bed and said.He interrupted Vasika, who was speaking, trying to prevent him from retorting. "First you need to quiet down, you need to cheer up, isn't that right?" "Arkasha! Arkasha!" cried Vasya, jumping up from the armchair, "I'm going to sit on him all night, really all night!" "Yes, yes! But you'll be asleep by daylight..." "I won't fall asleep, not at all..." "No, no, no! Of course you'll fall asleep, and you'll go to bed at five. I'll call you at eight. Tomorrow is a holiday, and you can sit down and write all day...and then have another night .By the way, do you have a lot left?..." "Look, that's all!..." Vasya, trembling with joy and anticipation, pointed to a notebook. "Look! That's all..." "Listen, man, it's not much..." "My dear, there are still there," said Vasya, looking timidly at Nefedevich, as if the question of whether or not to go to the festival depended entirely on him. "How many?" "Two... printed sheets..." "Well, what's this? Hey, listen, we've got time to finish it, we've got time!" "Alcasha," "Listen, Vasya! It's almost New Year's Day, everyone is reuniting, you and I are just two homeless people... Woo! Vaska!..." Nefedevich put his arms around Vasya, holding him tightly in his arms like a lion. "Arkady, it's decided!" "Vasika, that was what I was going to say just now. Look, Vaska, what a fool you are! Listen, listen! You know . . . " Arkady stopped with his mouth open, because he was too happy to speak. Vasya grasped his shoulders, looked into his eyes, moved his mouth, as if he wanted to finish the sentence for Arkady. "Okay!" he finally said. "Introduce me to them today!" "Arkady! Let's go over there for tea! What do you know? What do you know? We won't even sit until New Year's, we'll leave earlier!" cried Vasya, really inspired. "That's two hours, no more and no less!..." "And then we'll meet again when we're done writing!..." "Vasika!" "Arkady!" In three minutes Arkady was in his dress.Vasya just washed and did not change his clothes, because he was still busy copying. They hurried out into the street, each happier than the other.They headed towards Kolomna from the Petersburg side.Arkady Ivanovitch walked vigorously and vigorously, and by his steps alone one could see his immense joy at Vasya who was getting better and better.Vasya took smaller steps, but without losing his dignity.On the contrary, Arkady Ivanovich had never seen Vasya so radiant, and he seemed to have a little more respect for Vasya at this moment. This defect (Vasya's body was a little crooked), which had always aroused deep sympathy in Arkady Ivanovitch's good heart, now made Arkady Ivanovitch even more sympathetic to him. Deep love and sympathy.Of course Vaska was well deserved for the special feeling of pity his friend felt for him at the moment.The happiness made Arkady Ivanovitch almost cry, but he restrained himself. "Where are you going, where are you going, Vasya? This is closer!" he screamed when he saw that Vasya was going to turn in the direction of the Vofineshensky Church. "Shut up, Arkasha, shut up! . . . " "Go to the right, closer, Vasya." "Arkasha! Do you know?" Vasya began mysteriously, his voice weak with joy. "Do you know? I want to bring Lizaka a little present..." "what gift?" "Dude, there's an old lady Leroux around the corner here, and she's got a nice shop!" "Oh, okay!" "A bonnet, baby, a bonnet, I saw a lovely little bonnet today. I asked, and they said it was called a maneau lesco in French. It's wonderful! The strap is Cherry color, if it is not expensive...Alkasha, even if it is expensive, I will buy one!..." ①The heroine of the novel of the same name by the French writer Marcel Prevot (1697-1763). "I think you are better than all poets, Vasya! Let us go! . . . " They ran for a while and were in the store two minutes later.They were greeted by a dark-eyed, curly-haired Frenchwoman.As soon as she saw her customers, she became so happy and happy at once, like them, and even happier than them. Vasya was so delighted that he even wanted to give Madame Léroux a good kiss. "Arkasha!" he whispered after glancing at all the beautiful wares in the wooden cabinets on the big table in the shop. "How wonderful! What is this thing? what is this?Look, have you seen this small thing? said Vasya in a low voice, pointing to a lovely little hair-cap, though not the one he had intended to buy, for he had taken his fancy from a long way off on another well-known fashionable little hat at the other end. He Staring at the hat, it can be said that he seems to be afraid that others will take it away, steal it, or worry that it will fly into the air and deliberately not fall into his hands. "Look at this one," said Arkady Ivanovitch, pointing to one, "it seems to me the best one." "Well, Arkasha! You are indeed worthy of praise, and I especially appreciate your taste!" Vasya said this, obviously expressing his favor for Arkasha cunningly. "Your hair cap is so beautiful, come here quickly!" "Boy, which one is better?" "Come here and see!" "This one?" said Arkady suspiciously. But Vasya could not restrain himself any longer, and took the hat from the wooden stand.The hat seemed to have found a buyer after it had been neglected for a long time, and it was so happy that it suddenly flew off the wooden shelf automatically.Its strips and folds and lace rustled.Arkady Ivanovitch suddenly let out an exclamation of admiration from his strong chest.Even Madame Leroux smiled approvingly at Vasya.Madame Leroux maintained her undoubted dignity and superiority of taste throughout the selection process of her customers, and kept silent only out of polite considerations.But everything about her, the eyes, the gestures, the smile seemed to say: Yes! You made the right choice, and you are well-deserved of the happiness to come! "But you are hiding and coquettish!" Vasya yelled, transferring all his feelings to the cute little cap. "You hide on purpose, cunning little liar, my darling!" and kissed it, but only the air around it, for he was afraid of touching his beloved. "True deeds and virtues are always kept so secret," added Arkady cheerfully.It was a humorous phrase he had picked up from a satirical tabloid he had read this morning. "Well, Vasya, how is it?" "Hurrah, Arcasha! You have spoken wisecracks today, and I prophesy you, as they say, you will win great applause among the women. Madame Leroux, Madame Leroux!" "What are your orders?" "My dear Madame Leroux!" Madame Lelou glanced at Arkady Ivanovitch, and immediately smiled indulgently. "You won't believe how much I love you at this moment... Allow me to kiss you..." Vasya really kissed the landlady. One must be resolute for the time being to preserve all one's dignity, lest one should lose face after a similar debauchery.But I am sure of this: there must be that natural, unaffected elegance and politeness that Madame Leroux showed when she accepted Vasya's passionate kisses.She forgave Vasya, how well she showed her intelligence and self-restraint in such a situation!Is it okay to be angry with Vasya? "Mrs. Leroux, how much?" "Five rubles in silver," she answered, straightening her dress, with a new smile. "And this one, Madame Lelou?" asked Arkady Ivanovitch, pointing to the one he had chosen. "Eight rubles in silver!" "Well, wait a minute! Well, wait a minute! Madame Leroux, which one is better, more beautiful, more lovely? Which one is more like you?" "That one is more splendid, but the one you choose is c'est plusco Aquet." "Okay, just buy this one!" Madame Leroux took out a piece of thin, thin paper, wrapped it around the hat, and fastened it with a pin.But this piece of paper seems to be lighter with the hat wrapped than it was before the hat was wrapped.Vasya picked up the bag carefully, hardly daring to breathe.She bowed to Madame Leroux, said a few words of thanks to her, and left the shop. "I'm a viveur, Arkasha, I'm a born optimist!" Vasya shouted, laughing, and at the same time a nervous, faint laugh that was barely audible.He ran past all the pedestrians at once, suspecting that they would crump his extremely precious little hair hat! "Listen to me, Arkady, listen to me!" After a while he began to speak, and there was something very smug and cheerful in his voice. "Arkady, how happy I am, how happy I am! . . . " "Vasika! I am happy too, my dear!" ①②French: Optimist French: Refined "No, Alcazar, no, your love for me is infinite, I know that. But you can't understand one percent of my mood at this moment.My heart is full of passion, I am full of passion!Alcasha!I deserve this happiness!I have a deep feeling for this, why you love me so much," he said in a voice full of silent sobs, "tell me what I have done!Just look at how many people there are, how many tears, how much pain, how many mediocre lives without festivals!But me!But I have such a girl to love, and I... You will see her soon, and you will have enough appreciation for her noble heart yourself.I came from a humble background, but now I have earned a part-time job and have an independent income—salary.I was born with physical limitations, and my body is a little crooked. You see, she just fell in love with me.Julian Mastakovitch was so considerate, so interested, so polite to me today.He seldom talked to me, but today he came up to me and said: 'Hey, Vasya (he really calls me Vasya), you should eat and play for the holidays, right? '"'Yes, yes, my lord, but I have work to do,' and I took courage to add, 'perhaps I'll play and have fun, my lord!' So that said. He gave me a little money right away and said something to me afterward. Man, I was crying, real tears, like he was touched, and he patted me on the shoulder and said, 'Take Let's keep this current feeling forever...'" Vasya fell silent suddenly.Arkady Ivanovitch turned away, also took out his handkerchief, and wiped away a tear. "And, and..." went on Vasya, "I have never told you that, Arkady... Arkady! Your friendship to me has made me very happy, I can't live without you. No, no, don't say anything, Arkasha! Let me hold your hand, let me thank...thank... you! ..." Vasya couldn't finish speaking again. Arkady Ivanovich wanted to hug Vasya directly by the neck, but they were crossing the street, and almost in their ears screamed "Come on, go on!" Shocked and excited, he quickly ran to the sidewalk.Arkady Ivanovitch was even pleased about it. It was only because of the special circumstances at this time that he was willing to express his gratitude to Vasya and express his forgiveness.He would have been very angry about it.He felt that so far he had done too little for Vasya.And Vasya even felt a little ashamed when he began to express his gratitude for the little things he had done!But the whole life was still ahead, and there was a long way to go, and Arkady Ivanovitch breathed a sigh of relief when he thought about it. ... The family had almost stopped waiting for the two of them.The proof is that they have sat down to tea.Ah, indeed, old people sometimes have a sharper eye than young people, especially frizzy ones.You know Lizanka was telling everyone with the utmost seriousness just now that they would not be coming. "It won't come, mother. My heart feels it: they won't come." But her mother kept saying that she felt exactly the opposite: he would come, he would come running, He has nothing to do now, let alone New Year's Eve!Lizanka hadn't expected it at all when she opened the door, she couldn't believe her eyes, she was choking with tension as she greeted them, her heart pounding like a newly caught little bird.She was as red as a little cherry, and she was like a cherry.My goodness, what a surprise!A happy "ah?" flew out of her mouth. "Liar! You are my darling!" she screamed, hugging Vasya's neck... But you can imagine her astonishment, her sudden shame: Arkady Ivanovich was standing right behind Vasya, he was a little panicked, and seemed to want to hide behind Vasya.It should be admitted that he always felt uncomfortable with women, even very uncomfortable, and even once... I'll talk about that later.Put yourself in his shoes, there's nothing ridiculous here.He was standing in the hall in overshoes, overcoat, and a hood with large ears, which he had hastily taken off.A poorly braided yellow scarf was wound very carelessly about the neck, and for the better effect it was tied at the back.所有这些东西都需要解开来，尽快地脱下，才能比较方便地与人见面，因为没有一个人不希望体体面面地与人相见的。可是这时的瓦夏却令人丧气、讨厌，尽管他还是那个可爱、善良的瓦夏，但毕竟令人讨厌、残忍！ “你看，”他嚷叫道：“丽扎卡这就是我的阿尔卡季！怎么样？他是我最好的朋友，你快拥抱他、吻吻他吧，丽扎卡，先吻一吻，将来更了解以后，你自己会热烈地吻他的……”唔，怎么样？我问你，阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇当时该怎么办好？围巾他还只解下一半呢！真的我有时甚至为瓦夏的过份热情而感到难过，当然，这表示他的心地善良，但……叫人感到多不自在，多难堪啊！ 最终他们走进来了。老太太能和阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇认识，感到说不出的高兴。他已经听过他不少的情况，她…… 但她没有把话说完。房里响亮地响起的一声'啊呀'，就把她说了一半的话打断了。Oh my God!丽扎卡站在突然打开的一顶包发帽前，极其天真的抄起两只小手，微笑着……我的天啊，为什么列卢太太的店里没有一顶更好的包发帽呢！ 哎呀，我的天哪！您到哪里去找到更好的包发小帽呢？这顶已经很不错了！您哪里还能找到更好的呢？我这是认真说的！情人们的这种态度，甚到引起过我某种程度的愤怒，使我感到有点难过。好吧，你们自己看看吧，先生们，看看有什么东西比这顶象征爱情的小包发帽更好呢！好，你们仔细看看吧……不，不，我的责备是多余的。他们都已同意我的看法：这是一时的迷误，短暂的糊涂，感情的冲动。我准备原谅他们……您还是看看吧……先生们，请你们要原谅我老是说包发小帽：它是网状纱做的，非常轻巧，一条宽宽的樱桃色带子，包着花边，穿过帽顶和摺子之间，后面还有两条又宽又长的带子，一直垂到后脑下面，垂到脖子上……只是需要把整个小帽稍稍戴到后脑勺上，好，您就瞧吧，瞧完以后，我再来问您！ ……我发现您没有看！ ……您好像看不看都无所谓！您朝另一个方向仔细看看吧……您会看到有两颗珍珠似的大眼泪煞那间出现在黑如松脂的小眼睛里，在长长的睫毛上颤抖了一会儿，然后滴落到与其说是列卢太太的艺术品的网状纱上，不如说是在空气中……于是我又感到伤心，因为这两滴眼泪水根本不是为包发小帽而流出来的！ ……No! 在我看来，送这种东西作为礼品，需要保持冷静。只有那样才能真正地珍视它！先生们，我承认我总是在为包发小帽讲话！ 瓦夏和丽扎卡，老太太和阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇坐了下来，开始交谈了。阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇的表现十分得体。我很高兴给他以正确的评价。甚至很难料到他会如此。他三言两语提到瓦夏以后，非常及时地就谈起他的恩人尤利安·马斯塔科维奇来了。他的话说得很聪明，很巧妙，使得谈话一个小时还没谈完。需要看到的是阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇多么巧妙，多么有分寸地提到了尤利安·马斯塔科维奇的某些特点，而这些特点与瓦夏有着直接或者间接的关系。因此连老太太也听得出了神，简直听入迷了。她自己也承认这一点。她故意把瓦夏叫到一旁，告诉他说他的朋友是一个顶好、顶好、顶可爱的青年人，主要是一位这么认真、严肃的青年人。瓦夏高兴得几乎哈哈大笑。他想起了严肃的阿尔卡沙前不久还在床上折腾过他一刻钟呢！后来老太太给瓦夏使了个眼色，叫他跟着她悄悄地、小心翼翼地走到另一间房里去。应该说，她这么做对丽扎卡有点不好。由于过度兴奋，老太太不自觉地违背了丽扎卡的意愿，突然想起来要把丽扎卡为瓦夏准备的新年礼物，偷偷地拿给瓦夏看。这是一个用小珠子和金丝线缝成的钱包，上面有个很精美的图案：一面绘的是一只极其迅速地奔跑的鹿，神态非常自然，栩栩如生，妙极了！另一面是一位著名将军的肖象，也是绘得神形毕肖，像极了。瓦夏高兴的神情，我就不说了。与此同时，客厅里的时间，也没有白过。丽扎卡迳直走到阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇的身旁。她抓起他的两手，正在向他道谢。阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇马上猜到了：她是谈她最最珍贵的瓦夏。丽扎卡深为感动。她已听说过，阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇是她未婚夫真挚的朋友，他很喜欢瓦夏，常常关照他，时时处处给他出主意，想办法，她，丽扎卡实在不能不对他表示感谢。她无法控制她的感激之情，她希望阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇最终会喜欢她，即便是像喜欢瓦夏的一半也好。后来她开始详详细细地询问，瓦夏是否珍惜自己的健康，对于他的性格暴躁、不善于知人论世，表示出某种耽心，她说她将按照宗教的要求，随时关照他，保护和抚慰他，最后，她希望阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇不仅不抛弃他们，而且甚至和他们生活在一起。 “我们三个人将像一个人一样生活！”她怀着极其幼稚的兴奋心情大声嚷道。 但是，必须动身的时候到了。当然，他们拚命挽留，但瓦夏坚决表示：不行。阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇也出来证实，的确不行。他们自然追问为什么，瓦夏马上公开，说尤利安·马斯塔科维奇交给他一件急事，需要后天早晨完成，要命的是这件事不仅没有完成，而且甚至根本没有动手。老太太一听，不禁叫了一声'啊呀'，丽扎卡则简直吓坏了。她惊慌失措，甚至要赶瓦夏快走。但最后的一吻根本没有因此而减色，虽然短了点，仓促了点，但却因此而显得更加热烈，更加亲切。最后他们分手告别，两个朋友便动身回家去了。 刚刚走到大街上，他们两个马上就开始相互倾吐自己得到的印象。事情也应该如此。阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇对丽扎卡简直喜欢得要死，这一点不告诉幸运儿瓦夏本人还能告诉什么人呢？他正是这么做了。他没有感到羞愧，而是立刻向瓦夏承认这一切。瓦夏哈哈大笑，简直高兴得要命。他甚至表示这根本不是多余，而且今后他们会成为更好的朋友。“你猜中了我的心，瓦夏，”阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇说道，“对！我爱她，就像爱你一样。她也将是我的天使，就像是你的一样。 你们的幸福也传到了我的身上，也温暖着我。她也将是我的女当家，瓦夏，我的幸福也将握在她的手中。她怎么待你，也让她怎么待我就是了。对，我对你的友情，也就是对她的友情。在我的心目中，你们现在是不可分割的。只是我原本只有你一个朋友，现在我有两个了……”阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇由于感情过于激动，说不下去了。他的话也深深地打动了瓦夏的心。问题是瓦夏从来没有料想到阿尔卡季会说出这样一番话来。一般地说阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇不善于言辞，也根本不爱好幻想。可现在他却立刻浮想联翩，投进了最快活、最新颖、最为色彩斑斓的幻想之中！“我将保护你们俩，安慰你们，”他又说了起来。“第一，瓦夏，我将为你所有的孩子洗礼，一个也不漏过；其次，也要为你，瓦夏的前途奔忙。要制办家俱，租赁住房，让她，还有你和我，都得有一个单间。 你知道吗，瓦夏，明天我就跑去看门牌号码。三间……不，两间我们就够了。我甚至在想，我今天说的尽是胡说八道，钱会弄得到的，没问题！我一望见她的眼睛，我就盘算好了，钱是够用的。一切都为了她！哎呀，我们一定好好工作！瓦夏，现在可以冒冒险，付它个二十五卢布的房租钱。老兄，房子就是一切！有了几间好房子……人就马上变得快活起来，也就会有美丽的幻想出现！其次，丽扎卡将作为我们共同的出纳，一个多余的戈比也不用！现在就让我跑到酒馆里去！你把我当成什么人呢？我怎么也不会去的！这里还会有点额外的收入和奖赏，因为我们一定会勤奋工作的，就像老牛耕地一样拚命地干！ ……喂，你想象一下，”阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇的声音由于高兴而变得无力了，“说不定会出人意料地给我们三十或二十五个卢布呢！ ……你知道，不管它是不是奖赏，都得买包发帽、围巾、袜子！她一定会给我织一条围巾的，你看，我的这一条多不好看，黄黄的，多讨厌，它今天使我出尽了洋相！瓦夏，你今天真好，把我介绍给他们，可我却尴尬极了……问题还不全在这里！你看见了没有，今天的用费全由我负责！我不是要给你送点小小的礼品吗？这是一种荣幸，也是你给我的一点面子……你知道，我的赏钱是跑不了的：难道把它交给斯科罗霍多夫吗？它在这个高个子的口袋里也不会放多久。老兄，我给你买银匙子，漂亮的刀子，不是银质的，而是顶好顶好的刀子。 ”“还要买一件坎肩，给自己用的，我不是要当男傧相吗？不过你现在得在我这儿呆着，好好地呆着，由我管着你，老兄，今天、明天，整夜我都带着棍子站着看守你，强迫你干活：快点干完，快点干完，老兄，快干呀！以后我们就幸福了：我们玩洛托牌去！ ……每天晚上我们都将坐在一起，唔，真好！Phew, what the hell!恼火的是我帮不上你的忙。本想替你把活都干完就好了……为什么我们的笔迹不一样呢？ " “是呀！”瓦夏回答说，“是呀！要抓紧才行。我想，现在快十一点了，得抓紧干……干起来！”说完以后，瓦夏老是一会儿微笑，一会儿又热情洋溢地插上几句，打断对方友好情谊的发泄，总而言之，他显得欢欣鼓舞，但他突然变得温和起来，不再说话了。他几乎是在街上跑着走的。似乎有一个什么沉重的思想，突然使他发热的脑袋冷却下来了，似乎他的整个心脏都紧缩起来了。 阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇甚至开始感到不安了。他迅速提出的问题，几乎没有得到瓦夏的回答。瓦夏有时用一两句话搪塞一下，有时则发出往往是与事情全然无关的感叹。“瓦夏，你到底出什么事啦？”阿尔卡季奇·伊凡诺维奇好不容易赶上他嚷道，“难道你这么不安吗？……”“哎呀，老兄，别扯淡啦！”瓦夏回答时甚至有点恼火。“瓦夏，别泄气，算了，”阿尔卡季打断了他的话，“再说我多次见过你在更短的时间里抄写过更多的东西……你怕什么！你简直是天才！至少你还可以加快书写的速度，这又不是拿去铅印的。你来得及的！…… 你现在这么激动，心不在焉，写起来会吃力得多……”瓦夏没有回答，或者含含糊糊自言自语。两个人怀着惊慌的心情，跑到了家里。 瓦夏马上坐下来抄写。阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇平静下来，轻轻地脱去衣服，躺到床上，两眼一直盯着瓦夏……“他怎么啦？”他自言自语，同时望着瓦夏变白的脸庞、他发红的眼睛和他每个动作中表现出来的焦躁不安。“他的手也在抖动……呸，你真是！要不要劝他睡一两个小时呢，就是把烦恼睡过去也好嘛。”瓦夏刚刚写完一页，他抬起两只眼睛，无意之中望了阿尔卡季一眼，马上垂下眼帘，又拿起笔来。 “听我说吧，瓦夏，”阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇突然开口说话，“你稍稍睡一会儿不是更好吗？你看，你简直像打摆子似的……” 瓦夏很生气地，甚至很凶恶地望了望阿尔卡季，没有回答。 “你听着，瓦夏，你到底要对自己怎么办呀？” 瓦夏马上醒悟过来了。 “喝点茶好吗，阿尔卡沙？”他说道。 “怎么？为什么？” “可以提神！我不想睡觉，我不去睡觉！我要一直写下去。 现在喝点茶休息休息，最困难的时刻就会过去的。 " “好，瓦夏老兄，太妙了！正是应该这样，我本想提议这么干呢。我感到惊讶的是为什么我的脑袋就没想到。不过，你知道吗？玛夫娜是不会起来的，她无论如何是不会醒来的……” "right……" “没关系！”阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇赤着脚从床上跳下来，嚷道。“我自己去烧茶炊。难道我是头一回干吗？……” 阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇跑进厨房，开始摆弄茶炊。瓦夏则仍在抄写。阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇穿好衣服，除了放好茶炊之外，还跑到面包店里买点吃的，让瓦夏好消夜。一刻钟以后，茶炊摆到了桌子上。于是他们开始喝茶，但话却总是谈不起来。瓦夏老是心不在焉。 “你看，”他似乎清醒过来，终于开始说话了，“明天还得出去拜年呢……” “你根本不必去。” “不，老兄，不行，”瓦夏说道…… “我代你签个名就行了……你去干吗呢？你明天干活吧！ 今天你就照我说的办，写到五点，然后睡一觉。不然，你明天会像什么人呢？我八点正一定叫你……” “你明天代我签名好吗？”瓦夏说道，他已经有点同意了。 “有什么不好呢？于今大家都这么干！……” “我怕……” "What are you afraid of?" “你知道，别人那里倒没有什么，可尤利安·马斯塔科维奇，阿尔卡沙，他是我的恩人，万一他发现是别人的笔迹……” “他会发现！唔，你怎么啦，瓦什卡！他会发现吗？…… 你知道，你的名字我签得多像，那个钩钩我都写得像极了。你算了吧！谁会发现呢？ ..." 瓦夏没有回答，匆匆忙忙把自己的杯子喝干了……后来他怀疑地摇了摇头。 “瓦夏，亲爱的！要是我们成功有多好啊！瓦夏，你怎么啦？你简直把我吓坏了！你知道我现在也不会躺下，瓦夏，我会睡不着的。你让我看看，你还剩下多少？” 瓦夏望了他一眼，吓得阿尔卡季·伊凡诺维奇的心都翻过来了，舌头也转不动了。 “瓦夏！你怎么啦？你出什么事啦？干吗这么看着我？” “阿尔卡季，我明天一定要去给尤利安·马斯塔科维奇拜年。” “好，你去吧！”阿尔卡季边说边望着他，两只眼睛睁得大大的，心里怀着焦急的期待。 “瓦夏，你听我说，快点写吧！我不会给你出馊主意害你，确实是这样！尤利安·马斯塔科维奇说过多次，他说他最喜欢的是你书写的清楚！只有斯科罗普廖辛才喜欢书写清楚加秀美，像字帖一样，因为他好想方设法把写好的东西借去不还，送回家去给孩子们蒙着写，因为他这个牛皮大王买不起字帖。可是，尤利安·马斯塔科维奇却只是说，却只是要求：清楚、清楚、再清楚！……你还怕什么呢！真的，瓦夏，我不知道如何对你说……我甚至害怕……你的愁苦简直要了我的命！” “没关系，没关系！”瓦夏说着说着就疲倦得倒在椅子上。 阿尔卡季惊慌起来了。 “你要不要喝点水呢？瓦夏！瓦夏！” “够了，够了，”瓦夏紧握着他的手说道，“我没有什么。 我只是不知道为什么感到很忧伤，阿尔卡季。我甚至连自己也说不出是什么原因。你听着，你最好谈点别的什么，不要给我提起……”