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'You just tell me, on your conscience, do you love me or not? That's what I want to know, once for all. 'Ah, what a one you are, Ivan Afanasiitch.... Well, then, of course. 'If you love me, how was it you didn't come to see me yesterday? Had you no time? Well, you might have sent to find out if I were ill, as I didn't turn up. But it's little you cared.
'So you were making an appointment with him in the morning at the window eh? eh? 'He asked me to come. 'And so you went.... Thanks very much, my girl, thanks very much! Pyetushkov made Vassilissa a low bow. 'But, Ivan Afanasiitch, you're maybe fancying ... 'You'd better not talk to me! And a pretty fool I am! There's nothing to make an outcry for! You may make friends with any one you like.
Vassilissa went to the window and sat down in silence. While Onisim was busy getting a light in the anteroom, Pyetushkov stood motionless at the other window, staring into the street. Onisim came in, with the candle in his hands, was beginning to grumble ... Ivan Afanasiitch turned quickly round: 'Go along, he said to him. Onisim stood still in the middle of the room.
They'd amuse themselves a bit, to be sure ... why shouldn't they ... they'd amuse themselves, and then drop it.... They may well say, Fall in love with Old Nick, and you'll think him a beauty. Ivan Afanasiitch merely writhed. 'Well, it's really like this, Ivan Afanasiitch.
'But why do I ask you? pursued Bublitsyn, disappearing in a cloud of smoke, 'you're not the man to notice, don't you know, Ivan Afanasiitch! Goodness knows what you do to occupy yourself, Ivan Afanasiitch! 'The same as you do, Pyetushkov replied with some vexation, in a drawling voice. 'Oh no, Ivan Afanasiitch, not a bit of it.... How can you say so? 'Well, why not? 'Nonsense, nonsense.
'Sit down, Vassilissa, Ivan Afanasiitch began again: 'thanks for coming. Excuse my being ... what shall I say? ... not quite fit to be seen. I couldn't foresee, couldn't really, you'll own that yourself. Come, sit down, see here, on the sofa ... So ... I'm expressing myself all right, I think. Vassilissa sat down. 'Well, good day to you, Ivan Afanasiitch pursued.
His lips were twitching spasmodically. 'You are kindly welcome, sir, responded Praskovia Ivanovna in the proper sing-song, and with a bow. 'Always delighted to see a guest. Pyetushkov took courage a little. 'I have long wished, you know, to have the pleasure of making your acquaintance, Praskovia Ivanovna. 'Much obliged to you, Ivan Afanasiitch. Followed a silence.
Onisim did not leave his side all night. Towards morning Pyetushkov fell asleep, but he did not sleep long. At seven o'clock he got up from the sofa, pale, dishevelled, and exhausted, and asked for tea. Onisim with amazing eagerness and speed brought the samovar. 'Ivan Afanasiitch, he began at last, in a timid voice, 'your honour is not angry with me?
Here again, with Vassilissa ... why couldn't you ... 'But what are you thinking about, Onisim, Pyetushkov interrupted miserably. 'I know what I'm thinking about. But there I'd better let you alone! What can you do? Only fancy ... there you ... Ivan Afanasiitch got up.
You might at least have turned me away yourself but through your aunt, through that fat female! Why, the only joy I had in life was you. I'm a homeless man, you know, a poor lonely creature! Who is there now to be kind to me? who says a kind word to me? I'm utterly alone. Stript bare as a crow. You ask this ... Ivan Afanasiitch began to cry.
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