human
You look as though you were coming to arrest me,
gpt
I was passing by and thought: 'Suppose I go in and pay my respects to zoology,' said Samoylenko, sitting down at the big table, knocked together by the zoologist himself out of plain boards.
human
Good-morning, holy father, he said to the deacon, who was sitting in the window, copying something.
gpt
I'll stay a minute and then run home to see about dinner. It's time. . . . I'm not hindering you?
human
Not in the least, answered the zoologist, laying out over the table slips of paper covered with small writing.
gpt
We are busy copying.
human
Ah! . . . Oh, my goodness, my goodness! . . . sighed Samoylenko. He cautiously took up from the table a dusty book on which there was lying a dead dried spider, and said:
gpt
Only fancy, though; some little green beetle is going about its business, when suddenly a monster like this swoops down upon it. I can fancy its terror.
human
Yes, I suppose so.
gpt
Is poison given it to protect it from its enemies?
human
Yes, to protect it and enable it to attack.
gpt
To be sure, to be sure. . . . And everything in nature, my dear fellows, is consistent and can be explained, sighed Samoylenko;
human
I don't know what animal you are talking of, said Von Koren;
gpt
Yes, yes, yes. . . . By the way, brother, said Samoylenko carelessly,
human
Very good. There are some very interesting types among the insectivorous mammals. For instance, the mole is said to be useful because he devours noxious insects. There is a story that some German sent William I. a fur coat made of moleskins, and the Emperor ordered him to be reproved for having destroyed so great a number of useful animals. And yet the mole is not a bit less cruel than your little beast, and is very mischievous besides, as he spoils meadows terribly.
gpt
The mole has a powerful thorax, just like the bat, he went on, shutting the box;
human
said Von Koren, dropping his voice,
gpt
And if it were for Laevsky, cried Samoylenko, flaring up,
human
I can't give it to you for Laevsky. I know you like lending people money. You would give it to Kerim, the brigand, if he were to ask you; but, excuse me, I can't assist you in that direction.
gpt
Yes, it is for Laevsky I am asking it, said Samoylenko, standing up and waving his right arm.
human
Yes! For Laevsky! And no one, fiend or devil, has a right to dictate to me how to dispose of my own money. It doesn't suit you to lend it me? No?
gpt
Don't get excited, but be reasonable, said the zoologist.
human
To shower benefits on Mr. Laevsky is, to my thinking, as senseless as to water weeds or to feed locusts.
gpt
To my thinking, it is our duty to help our neighbours!
human
In that case, help that hungry Turk who is lying under the fence! He is a workman and more useful and indispensable than your Laevsky. Give him that hundred-rouble note! Or subscribe a hundred roubles to my expedition!
gpt
Will you give me the money or not? I ask you!
human
Tell me openly: what does he want money for?
gpt
It's not a secret; he wants to go to Petersburg on Saturday.
human
So that is it! Von Koren drawled out.
gpt
Aha! . . . We understand. And is she going with him, or how is it to be?
human
She's staying here for the time. He'll arrange his affairs in Petersburg and send her the money, and then she'll go.
gpt
That's smart! said the zoologist, and he gave a short tenor laugh.
human
Smart, well planned.
gpt
Tell me now honestly: is he tired of her? Yes? tell me: is he tired of her? Yes?
human
Yes,
gpt
How repulsive it is! said Von Koren, and from his face it could be seen that he felt repulsion.
human
One of two things, Alexandr Daviditch: either you are in the plot with him, or, excuse my saying so, you are a simpleton. Surely you must see that he is taking you in like a child in the most shameless way? Why, it's as clear as day that he wants to get rid of her and abandon her here. She'll be left a burden on you. It is as clear as day that you will have to send her to Petersburg at your expense. Surely your fine friend can't have so blinded you by his dazzling qualities that you can't see the simplest thing?
gpt
That's all supposition,
human
Supposition? But why is he going alone instead of taking her with him? And ask him why he doesn't send her off first. The sly beast!
gpt
But it's impossible, he said, recalling the night Laevsky had spent at his house.
human
He is so unhappy!
gpt
What of that? Thieves and incendiaries are unhappy too!
human
Even supposing you are right . . . said Samoylenko, hesitating.
gpt
Let us admit it. . . . Still, he's a young man in a strange place . . . a student. We have been students, too, and there is no one but us to come to his assistance.
human
To help him to do abominable things, because he and you at different times have been at universities, and neither of you did anything there! What nonsense!
gpt
Stop; let us talk it over coolly. I imagine it will be possible to make some arrangement. . . . Samoylenko reflected, twiddling his fingers.
human
I'll give him the money, you see, but make him promise on his honour that within a week he'll send Nadyezhda Fyodorovna the money for the journey.
gpt
And he'll give you his word of honour--in fact, he'll shed tears and believe in it himself; but what's his word of honour worth? He won't keep it, and when in a year or two you meet him on the Nevsky Prospect with a new mistress on his arm, he'll excuse himself on the ground that he has been crippled by civilisation, and that he is made after the pattern of Rudin. Drop him, for God's sake! Keep away from the filth; don't stir it up with both hands!
human
But I shall give him the money all the same. As you please. I can't bring myself to refuse a man simply on an assumption.
gpt
Very fine, too. You can kiss him if you like.
human
Give me the hundred roubles, then,
gpt
I won't.