My love, or perhaps myself. All I know is that one fine day she went away and left me.
Any enemies? I mean is there anyone whom you particularly dislike, whom you hate?
God, I say--the one whom you call your Saviour.
Don't dare speak that way! You've gone out of your mind!
Ah! I touched your sensitive spot, did I?
I thought you were a gentle dove, but you have a tongue like a snake's. _(He imitates the movements of a snake's tongue with his finger)_
Good Lord! How dare you, how can you speak like that of the Saviour? Why, one dares not look at him. Why have you come here?
_[Kondraty appears at the door of the tavern, looks around, and enters quietly._
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!
Amen! You're very late, my gracious lord!
I did the will of him who sent me. I was picking young little cucumbers for the Father Superior. He has them made into a dainty dish which he loves dearly for an appetizer. My, what infernal heat! I was in pools of perspiration before I got through.
You see, here is a monk. He likes a drink. His cussing vocabulary isn't bad. He is no fool, and as to women--
Don't embarrass the young lady, Mr. Tropinin. In the presence of a lady--
And furthermore, he doesn't believe in God.
I don't like such jokes. What have you come here for?
For nothing that concerns you. You had better have a talk with him. He is a chap that possesses a great deal of curiosity. He's not a fool, either, but knows what's what.
To my regret I must admit it's true. I have the unenviable fortune of being known as a man who does not observe the outer forms of conduct. It is on account of that characteristic I was fired from my position as government clerk, and it's on that account I am now frequently condemned to live for weeks on nothing but bread and water. I cannot act in secret. I am open and above-board. In fact, I fairly cry aloud whatever I do. For example, the circumstances under which I met you, Mr. Tropinin, are such that I am ashamed to recall them.
I was lying in a mud puddle in all my dignity, like a regular hog.
But I am not ashamed to speak of it; first, because many people saw it, and of course nobody took the trouble to get me out of it except Savva Yegorovich, and secondly, because I regard this as my cross.