Pagina 256 di 2288

"In another world! Ah, I don't like that other world! I don't

like it," he said, letting his scared eyes rest on his brother's

eyes. "Here one would think that to get out of all the baseness

and the mess, one's own and other people's, would be a good

thing, and yet I'm afraid of death, awfully afraid of death." He

shuddered. "But do drink something. Would you like some

champagne? Or shall we go somewhere? Let's go to the Gypsies! Do

you know I have got so fond of the Gypsies and Russian songs."

His speech had begun to falter, and he passed abruptly from one

subject to another. Konstantin with the help of Masha persuaded

him not to go out anywhere, and got him to bed hopelessly drunk.

Masha promised to write to Konstantin in case of need, and to

persuade Nikolay Levin to go and stay with his brother.

Chapter 26