human
There is another point, said Laevsky, shaking his head.
gpt
Only it is between ourselves. I'm concealing it from Nadyezhda Fyodorovna for the time. . . . Don't let it out before her. . . . I got a letter the day before yesterday, telling me that her husband has died from softening of the brain.
human
The Kingdom of Heaven be his! sighed Samoylenko.
gpt
Why are you concealing it from her?
human
To show her that letter would be equivalent to 'Come to church to be married.' And we should first have to make our relations clear. When she understands that we can't go on living together, I will show her the letter. Then there will be no danger in it.
gpt
Do you know what, Vanya, said Samoylenko, and a sad and imploring expression came into his face, as though he were going to ask him about something very touching and were afraid of being refused.
human
Marry her, my dear boy!
gpt
Why?
human
Do your duty to that splendid woman! Her husband is dead, and so Providence itself shows you what to do!
gpt
But do understand, you queer fellow, that it is impossible. To marry without love is as base and unworthy of a man as to perform mass without believing in it.
human
But it's your duty to.
gpt
Why is it my duty?
human
Because you took her away from her husband and made yourself responsible for her.
gpt
But now I tell you in plain Russian, I don't love her!
human
Well, if you've no love, show her proper respect, consider her wishes. . . .
gpt
Laevsky mimicked him.
human
As though she were some Mother Superior! . . . You are a poor psychologist and physiologist if you think that living with a woman one can get off with nothing but respect and consideration. What a woman thinks most of is her bedroom.
gpt
Vanya, Vanya!
human
You are an elderly child, a theorist, while I am an old man in spite of my years, and practical, and we shall never understand one another. We had better drop this conversation. Mustapha! Laevsky shouted to the waiter.
gpt
What's our bill?
human
No, no . . . the doctor cried in dismay, clutching Laevsky's arm.
gpt
It is for me to pay. I ordered it. Make it out to me,