Pagina 33 di 1294

"Well," the orator began again stolidly and with even increased

dignity, after waiting for the laughter in the room to subside.

"Well, so be it, I am a pig, but she is a lady! I have the

semblance of a beast, but Katerina Ivanovna, my spouse, is a

person of education and an officer's daughter. Granted, granted,

I am a scoundrel, but she is a woman of a noble heart, full of

sentiments, refined by education. And yet... oh, if only she felt

for me! Honoured sir, honoured sir, you know every man ought to

have at least one place where people feel for him! But Katerina

Ivanovna, though she is magnanimous, she is unjust.... And yet,

although I realise that when she pulls my hair she only does it

out of pity--for I repeat without being ashamed, she pulls my

hair, young man," he declared with redoubled dignity, hearing the

sniggering again--"but, my God, if she would but once.... But no,

no! It's all in vain and it's no use talking! No use talking!