Yes, sir, the thing goes a bit deeper, Semyon Ivanovich observed.
I understand very well, sir, and allow me to observe, Semyon Ivanovich, that I shall by no means agree to lag behind you in the depth of my understanding of things, Ivan Ilyich observed caustically and much too sharply. However, even so I shall make so bold as to observe that you, Stepan Nikiforovich, also have not quite understood me
No, I havent.
And yet I precisely hold to and maintain everywhere the idea that humaneness, and precisely humaneness with subordinates, from clerk to scrivener, from scrivener to household servant, from servant to peasanthumaneness, I say, may serve, so to speak, as the cornerstone of the forthcoming reform and generally toward the renewal of things. Why? Because. Take the syllogism: I am humane, consequently they love me. They love me, therefore they feel trust. They feel trust, therefore they believe; they believe, therefore they love that is, no, I mean to say, if they believe, they will also believe in the reform, understand, so to speak, the very essence of the matter, will, so to speak, embrace each other morally and resolve the whole matter amicably, substantially. Why are you laughing, Semyon Ivanovich? Is it not clear?
Stepan Nikiforovich silently raised his eyebrows; he was surprised.
I think Ive had a bit too much to drink, Semyon Ivanych observed venomously, thats why Im hard of understanding. A certain
darkening of the mind, sir.
Ivan Ilyich winced.
We wont hold out, Stepan Nikiforovich said suddenly, after slight reflection.
That is, how is it we wont hold out? asked Ivan Ilyich, surprised at Stepan Nikiforovichs sudden and fragmentary observation.
Just so, we wont hold out. Stepan Nikiforovich obviously did not wish to expand further.
You dont mean about new wine in new bottles? 8Ivan Ilyich objected, not without irony. Ah, no, sir; I can answer for myself.
At that moment the clock struck half past eleven.
They sit and sit, then up and go, said Semyon Ivanych, preparing to get up from his place. But Ivan Ilyich forestalled him, rising from the table at once and taking his sable hat from the mantelpiece. He looked as if offended.
Well, then, Semyon Ivanych, youll think? said Stepan Nikiforovich, seeing his guests off.
About the apartment, you mean? Ill think, Ill think, sir.
And let me know quickly once you decide.
Still business? Mr. Pralinsky observed amiably, fawning somewhat and playing with his hat. It seemed to him that he was being forgotten.
Stepan Nikiforovich raised his eyebrows and said nothing, as a sign that he was not keeping his guests. Semyon Ivanych hastily took his leave.
Ah well as you wish, then since you dont understand simple amiability, Mr. Pralinsky decided to himself, and somehow with particular independence offered his hand to Stepan Nikiforovich.
In the front hall Ivan Ilyich wrapped himself in his light, expensive fur coat, trying for some reason to ignore Semyon Ivanychs shabby raccoon, and they both started down the stairs.
Our old man seemed offended, Ivan Ilyich said to the silent Semyon Ivanych.
No, why? the other replied calmly and coldly.
The flunky! Ivan Ilyich thought to himself.
They came out on the porch, and Semyon Ivanychs sleigh with its homely gray stallion drove up.
What the devil! Where has Trifon gone with my carriage! Ivan Ilyich cried, not seeing his equipage.
They looked this way and thatno carriage. Stepan Nikiforovichs man had no idea about it. They turned to Varlaam, Semyon Ivanychs coachman, and received the answer that he had been standing there all the while, and the carriage had been there, too, but now they were no more.
A nasty anecdote! said Mr. Shipulenko. Want me to give you a lift?
Scoundrelly folk! Mr. Pralinsky cried in rage. The rascal asked me to let him go to some wedding here on the Petersburg side, some female crony was getting married, devil take her. I strictly forbade him to leave. And now Ill bet hes gone there!
Actually, Varlaam observed, he did go there, sir, and he promised to manage it in just one minute, that is, to be here right on time.
So there! I just knew it! Hell catch it from me!
Youd better give him a couple of good whippings at the police station, then hell follow your orders, Semyon Ivanych said, covering himself with a rug.
Kindly dont trouble yourself, Semyon Ivanych!
So you dont want a lift?
Safe journey, merci.
Semyon Ivanych drove off, and Ivan Ilyich went by foot along the wooden planks, feeling a rather strong irritation.
No, youll catch it from me now, you rogue! Ill go by foot on purpose so that youll feel it, so that youll get scared! Hell come back and find out that the master went by foot blackguard!
Ivan Ilyich had never cursed like that before, but he was very furious, and besides there was a clamor in his head. He was not used to drinking and therefore some five or six glasses worked quickly. But the night was delightful. It was frosty, but unusually calm and windless. The sky was clear, starry. The full moon flooded the earth with a matted silver gleam. It was so good that Ivan Ilyich, having gone some fifty steps, almost forgot his troubles. He was beginning to feel somehow especially pleasant. Besides, tipsy people change impressions quickly. He was even starting to like the plain wooden houses on the deserted street.