Ferdyshchenko also slept at Lebedev's; he left at seven.
The general is always at Lebedev's; he also left just now . . . Lebedev may come to see you presently; he's been looking for you, I don't know why, he asked twice.
Shall I let him in or not, since you're going to bed?
I'm also going to sleep.
Ah, yes, there's something I might tell you; the general surprised me earlier: Burdovsky woke me up after six for my turn on duty, even almost at six; I stepped out for a minute and suddenly met the general, still so drunk that he didn't recognize me; stood in front of me like a post; the moment he came to his senses, he simply fell on me: 'How's the sick boy?' he says.
'I was on my way to find out about the sick boy . . .' I reported to him, well—this and that.
'That's all fine,' he says, 'but I was on my way, mainly, which is why I got up, to warn you; I have reasons to think that not everything can be said in front of Mr. Ferdyshchenko, and . . . one must restrain oneself.'
Can you understand that, Prince?"
"Really?
However . . . it's all the same to us."
"Yes, undoubtedly it's all the same, we're not Masons!26 So that I even wondered why the general was coming at night on purpose to wake me up for that."
"Ferdyshchenko left, you say?"
"At seven. He stopped to see me on his way; I was on duty!
He said he was going to spend the rest of the night at Vilkin's—there's this drunk named Vilkin!
Well, I'm going!
And here is Lukyan Timofeich . . . The prince wants to sleep, Lukyan Timofeich; about-face!"
"Just for one minute, my much-esteemed Prince, on a certain matter which is significant in my eyes," the entering Lebedev said in a half-whisper, stiffly and in a sort of heartfelt tone, and bowed gravely.
He had just returned and had not even had time to stop at his own quarters, so that he still had his hat in his hand.
His face was preoccupied and had a special, extraordinary tinge of personal dignity.
The prince invited him to sit down.
"You asked for me twice?
Perhaps you're still worried about yesterday's . . ."
"About that boy yesterday, you mean, Prince?
Oh, no, sir; yesterday my thoughts were in disarray . . . but today I no longer intend to countercarrate your intentions in any way."
"Counter . . . what did you say?"
"I said countercarrate; it's a French word,27 like many other words that have entered the Russian language; but I don't especially insist on it."
"What is it with you today, Lebedev, you're so grave and decorous, and enunciate so distinctly," the prince smiled.
"Nikolai Ardalionovich!" Lebedev addressed Kolya in an all but affectionate voice, "having to inform the prince of a matter essentially of concern ..."
"Ah, yes, naturally, naturally, it's none of my business!
Goodbye, Prince!" Kolya left at once.
"I like the child for his quick wits," Lebedev said, looking at his back, "a nimble boy, though an importunate one.
It is a great misfortune that I have experienced, my much-esteemed Prince, yesterday evening or today at dawn ... I hesitate to specify the exact time."
"What is it?"
"The disappearance of four hundred roubles from my side pocket, my much-esteemed Prince; I've been marked!" Lebedev added with a sour smile.
"You lost four hundred roubles?
That's a pity."
"And especially if one is a poor man who lives nobly by his own labor."
"Of course, of course. How did it happen?"
"On account of wine, sir.
I am turning to you as to providence, my much-esteemed Prince.
I received the sum of four hundred roubles in silver from a debtor yesterday at five o'clock in the afternoon and came here by train.
I had the wallet in my pocket.
Having changed from my uniform28 into a frock coat, I transferred the money to the frock coat, with a view to keeping it with me, counting on handing it over that same evening on a certain request ... as I was expecting an agent."
"By the way, Lukyan Timofeich, is it true that you put a notice in the newspaper that you lend money for gold and silver objects?"
"Through an agent; my name wasn't mentioned, nor was my address.
Having insignificant capital and in view of my growing family, you must agree that an honest percentage . . ."
"Well, yes, yes; I merely wanted to know; excuse me for interrupting."
"The agent did not come.
Meanwhile the unfortunate young man was brought; I was already under the influence, after dinner; those guests came, we had . . . tea, and ... I waxed merry, to my undoing.
And when, at a late hour, this Keller came and announced your celebration and your orders about the champagne, I, my dear and much-esteemed Prince, having a heart (which you have probably noticed by now, for I deserve it), having a heart which is, I do not say sensitive, but grateful, and I am proud of it—I, for the greater solemnity of the impending meeting and in expectation of personally offering my congratulations, decided to go and exchange my old rags for my uniform, which I had taken off on my return, and so I did, as you probably noticed, Prince, seeing me in my uniform all evening.