human
We Telyégins, [32] he said,
gpt
Things were freer then, more seemly, I assure you on my honour! But ever since the year one thousand and eight hundred (why precisely from that year he did not explain),
human
Come, if thou art a Frenchman, then keep a lap-dog. Thou runnest, thou skippest hither and thither, and it follows thee, with its tail in the air ... but of what use is it to fellows like me? --He was very neat and exacting. He never spoke of the Empress Katherine otherwise than with enthusiasm, and in a lofty, somewhat bookish style:
gpt
She was a demi-god, not a human being!--Only contemplate yon smile, my good sir, he was wont to add, pointing at the Lampi portrait,
human
--And thereupon he would impart anecdotes from the life of Katherine such as it has never been my lot to read or hear anywhere. Here is one of them. Alexyéi Sergyéitch did not permit the slightest hint at the failings of the great Empress.
gpt
Yes, and in conclusion, he cried:
human
And she, cried Alexyéi Sergyéitch, again with rapture,
gpt
(here the old man's voice generally broke) ...
human
What's the use of talking about old times? --he said ...
gpt
Well, and how about Potyómkin?
human
Potyómkin, Grigóry Alexándritch, was a statesman, a theologian, a nursling of Katherine's, her offspring, one must say.... But enough of that, my little sir!
gpt
yet he did not like it when a hare ran across his path, and it was not quite agreeable for him to meet a priest.[34] He was very respectful to ecclesiastical persons, nevertheless, and asked their blessing, and even kissed their hand every time, but he talked with them reluctantly.--
human
They emit a very strong odour, he explained;