human
education (as he expressed it) had enervated him. He was ready to exterminate himself in any sort of way at any time.... But others--no.
gpt
The devil only can make him out, his comrades said of him:--
human
--I happened afterward to ask Mísha what evil spirit prompted him, made him indulge in drinking-bouts, risk his life, and so forth. He always had one answer:
gpt
Spleen.
human
But why hast thou spleen?
gpt
Just because I have, good gracious! One comes to himself, recovers his senses, and begins to meditate about poverty, about injustice, about Russia.... Well, and that settles it! Immediately one feels such spleen that he is ready to send a bullet into his forehead! One goes on a carouse instinctively.
human
But why hast thou mixed up Russia with this?
gpt
What else could I do? Nothing!--That's why I am afraid to think.
human
All that--that spleen--comes of thy idleness.
gpt
But I don't know how to do anything, uncle! My dear relative! Here now, if it were a question of taking and staking my life on a card,--losing my all and shooting myself, bang! in the neck!--I can do that!--Here now, tell me what to do, what to risk my life for.--I'll do it this very minute!...
human
But do thou simply live.... Why risk thy life?
gpt
I can't!--You will tell me that I behave recklessly. What else can I do?... One begins to think--and, O Lord, what comes into his head! 'T is only the Germans who think!...
human
A genuine Persian blade! --The officers expressed doubt as to whether it were really genuine. Mísha began to dispute.--
gpt
See here, he exclaimed at last,--
human
What Abdulka? The one who lives in the mountains? The one who is not at peace with us? Abdul-Khan?
gpt
The very man.
human
But he will take thee for a scout, he will place thee in the bug-house,--or he will cut off thy head with that same sabre. And how wilt thou make thy way to him? They will seize thee immediately.
gpt
But I will go to him, nevertheless.
human
We bet that thou wilt not go!
gpt
I take your bet!