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"What don't you understand?" said Oblonsky, smiling as brightly

as ever, and picking up a cigarette. He expected some queer

outburst from Levin.

"I don't understand what you are doing," said Levin, shrugging

his shoulders. "How can you do it seriously?"

"Why not?"

"Why, because there's nothing in it."

"You think so, but we're overwhelmed with work."

"On paper. But, there, you've a gift for it," added Levin.

"That's to say, you think there's a lack of something in me?"

"Perhaps so," said Levin. "But all the same I admire your

grandeur, and am proud that I've a friend in such a great person.

You've not answered my question, though," he went on, with a

desperate effort looking Oblonsky straight in the face.