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There was a time when I used to envy the flies. There are creatures, I thought, who live happily in the world. But one night I heard a fly singing out under a spider's claws. So, thought I, even they have their troubles. What can be done, Fedia? But mind you never forget what you have said to me. And now leave me leave me."
He never cried, but he sometimes evinced a savage obstinacy. At those times no one could do any thing with him. Fedia did not love a single one of the persons by whom he was surrounded. Alas for that heart which has not loved in youth! Such did Ivan Petrovich find him when he returned; and, without losing time he at once began to apply his system to him.
"And Elena Mikhailovna?" "Lenochka is in the garden also. Have you any news?" "Rather!" replied the visitor, slowly screwing up his eyes, and protruding his lips. "Hm! here is a piece of news, if you please, and a very startling one, too. Fedor Ivanovich Lavretsky has arrived." "Fedia!" exclaimed Marfa Timofeevna. "You're inventing, are you not?" "Not at all. I have seen him with my own eyes."
When Fedia reached the age of sixteen, Ivan Petrovich considered it a duty to inspire him in good time with contempt for the female sex and so the young Spartan, with the first down beginning to appear upon his lips, timid in feeling, but with a body full of blood, and strength, and energy, already tried to seem careless, and cold, and rough. Meanwhile time passed by.
Ivan Petrovich was at that time amusing himself in Paris, having retired from the service soon after the year 1815. On receiving the news of his father's death, he determined to return to Russia. The organization of his property had to be considered. Besides, according to Glafira's letter, Fedia had finished his twelfth year; and the time had come for taking serious thought about his education.
A few days before her death, when she could no longer rise from her bed, she told her husband in the presence of the priest, while her dying eyes swam with timid tears, that she wished to see her daughter-in-law, and to bid her farewell, and to bless her grandson. Half dead with fright, Malania Sergievna entered her father-in-law's study, a nurse carrying Fedia behind her.
Well, then, give me your word that you are going to behave like an honorable man." "Certainly. But why do you ask that?" "I know why, perfectly well. But now, good-bye, my dear. Thank you for coming to see me; but remember what I have said, Fedia; and now give me a kiss. Ah, my dear, your burden is heavy to bear, I know that. But no one finds his a light one.
She is up-stairs in her room," answered Maria Dmitrievna. "You can ask for her." Lavretsky went up-stairs. He found Marfa Timofeevna also at cards. She was playing at Durachki with Nastasia Carpovna. Roska barked at him, but both the old ladies received him cordially. Marfa Timofeevna seemed in special good humor. "Ah, Fedia!" she said, "do sit down, there's a good fellow.
"I want to have a little more chat with you," she said, "about our poor Fedia, and to ask for your advice." Gedeonovsky smiled and bowed, took up with two fingers his hat, on the brim of which his gloves were neatly laid out, and retired with Maria Dmitrievna. Panshine and Eliza remained in the room. She fetched the sonata, and spread it out. Both sat down to the piano in silence.
"Is she seriously inclined?" "Yes, Fedia, very much so. More than you or I, Fedia." "And do you mean to say you are not seriously inclined?" lisped Nastasia Carpovna. "If you have not gone to the early mass to-day, you will go to the later one." "Not a bit of it. Thou shalt go alone. I've grown lazy, my mother," answered Marfa Timofeevna. "I am spoiling myself terribly with tea drinking."
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