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'I repeat, if man has no steady principle in which he trusts, no ground on which he can take a firm stand, how can he form a just estimate of the needs, the tendencies and the future of his country? How can he know what he ought to do, if 'I leave you the field, ejaculated Pigasov abruptly, and with a bow he turned away without looking at any one.
But this faith is essential to men; they cannot exist by their sensations alone they are wrong to fear ideas and not to trust in them. Scepticism is always characterised by barrenness and impotence. 'That's all words! muttered Pigasov. 'Perhaps so.
Boncourt, the governess, a dry old maiden lady of sixty, with a false front of black curls under a parti-coloured cap and cotton wool in her ears; in the corner near the door was huddled Bassistoff reading a paper, near him were Petya and Vanya playing draughts, and leaning by the stove, his hands clasped behind his back, was a gentleman of low stature, with a swarthy face covered with bristling grey hair, and fiery black eyes a certain African Semenitch Pigasov.
Pigasov had once said truly of him, that he was like a Chinese idol, his head was constantly overbalancing him.
'I am deeply indebted for the certificate of generosity you confer on my soul, retorted Pigasov. 'As for my condition, there's not much amiss with it, so that even if there were an outlet from it, it might go to the deuce, I shouldn't look for it! 'But that means pardon the expression to prefer the gratification of your own pride to the desire to be and live in the truth.
On the balcony, near Alexandra Pavlovna, was sitting our old friend, Pigasov.
Bassistoff, in his enthusiasm, almost cracked his glass and drained it off at a draught. Alexandra Pavlovna pressed Lezhnyov's hand. 'Why, Mihailo Mihailitch, I did not suspect you were an orator, remarked Pigasov; 'it was equal to Mr. Rudin himself; even I was moved by it. 'I am not at all an orator, replied Lezhnyov, not without annoyance, 'but to move you, I fancy, would be difficult.
Every one, even Pigasov, was delighted at the news he had brought. 'Tell me, please, said Lezhnyov among the rest, 'rumours reached us of a certain Mr. Kortchagin. That was all nonsense, I suppose?
Bassistoff was rolling up pellets of bread and thinking of nothing at all; even Pigasov was silent, and when Darya Mihailovna remarked to him that he had not been very polite to-day, he replied crossly, 'When am I polite? that's not in my line; and smiling grimly he added, 'have a little patience; I am only kvas, you know, du simple Russian kvas; but your Gentleman of the Bedchamber
'Really! retorted Rudin, 'why, but ought not one to give the significance of the facts? 'General propositions, continued Pigasov, 'they're my abomination, these general propositions, theories, conclusions. All that's based on so-called convictions; every one is talking about his convictions, and attaches importance to them, prides himself on them. Ah! And Pigasov shook his fist in the air.
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