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"But what do I want with her?"

"Ach, I can't make you understand! You see, you are made for each

other! I have often been reminded of you!... You'll come to it in

the end! So does it matter whether it's sooner or later? There's

the feather-bed element here, brother--ach! and not only that!

There's an attraction here--here you have the end of the world,

an anchorage, a quiet haven, the navel of the earth, the three

fishes that are the foundation of the world, the essence of

pancakes, of savoury fish-pies, of the evening samovar, of soft

sighs and warm shawls, and hot stoves to sleep on--as snug as

though you were dead, and yet you're alive--the advantages of

both at once! Well, hang it, brother, what stuff I'm talking,

it's bedtime! Listen. I sometimes wake up at night; so I'll go in

and look at him. But there's no need, it's all right. Don't you

worry yourself, yet if you like, you might just look in once,

too. But if you notice anything--delirium or fever--wake me at

once. But there can't be...."