On entering the study, Porfiry left the door ajar and instead of seating himself and asking his son to be seated, he began pacing the room, as if instinctively feeling that the matter was delicate and it would be easier to discuss it while walking.
The expression of one's face may be more easily concealed, and if the conversation takes a disagreeable turn it may be more readily cut off, and the door half ajar makes it possible to appeal to witnesses; for mother dear and Yevpraksia were sure to come into the dining-room before long to have tea.
"Papa," blurted out Petenka, "I lost some crown money at cards."
Yudushka said nothing, but his lips quivered, and he immediately fell to muttering, as was his habit.
"I lost three thousand," explained Petenka, "and if I don't return the money the day after tomorrow, there may be very disagreeable consequences for me."
"Well, refund the money," said Porfiry Vladimirych affably.
Father and son made a few turns around the room in silence.
Petenka wished to make further explanations, but felt a lump rising in his throat.
"Yes, but where am I to get the money from?" he said at last.
"My dear friend, I don't know your resources.
Pay it back from the resources you figured on when you gambled crown money away."
"You know very well that in such cases people forget about their resources."
"I don't know a thing, my friend.
I never played cards, except with mother, when I play fool to amuse the old woman.
And please don't drag me into this dirty business, and let's go and have tea.
We'll have tea and sit around, maybe we'll talk about something, but, for the Lord's sake, not about that."
Yudushka started to make for the door and into the dining-room, but Petenka stopped him.
"Look here," he said, "I have to get out of this predicament somehow."
Yudushka grinned and stared at Petenka.
"Yes, my dear, you have to," he agreed.
"Then help me."
"Ah, that's a different matter.
You have to get out of the difficulty somehow, to be sure, but how to get out of it—well, that's none of my business."
"But why don't you want to help me?"
"First, because I have no money to cover up your dastardly deeds, and secondly because the entire matter does not concern me in the least.
You knew how to get in, then know how to get out.
The cat likes fish, then let her wet her feet.
You see, my boy, that's just what I said at the start, that if your request is a proper one——"
"I know.
You've got a lot of words on the tip of your tongue."
"Wait, save your impudent remarks, and let me say what I wish to say.
That they are not mere words I'll prove to you in a minute. So, as I said a while ago, if your request is a proper, a sensible one, all right, my boy. I am always ready to satisfy you.
But if you come to me with an unreasonable request, I am very sorry, I have no money for stuff and nonsense. No sir, never.
And you won't get any—you may as well be sure of it.
And don't dare tell me I use mere words. My words are mighty near deeds."
"But think what will become of me."
"Whatever pleases God, that will happen," answered Yudushka, slightly lifting up his arms and looking sideways at the ikon.
Father and son again made a few turns across the room.
Yudushka paced reluctantly, as if in complaint that his son was holding him in captivity.
Petenka, his arms akimbo, followed him, biting his moustache and smiling nervously.
"I am your last son," he said. "Don't forget that."
"My boy, God bereft Job of everything, and Job did not complain, but only said: 'God hath given and God hath taken away—may thy will be done, oh, Lord!'
So, my boy."
"In the Bible it was God that took, and here you take away from yourself.
Volodya——"
"Oh, well, you are talking nonsense."
"No, it isn't nonsense, it's the truth.
Everybody knows that Volodya——"
"No, no, no!
I don't want to listen to your preposterous remarks.