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"Of course it is. Such boredom, my dear, that one doesn't know

what to do with oneself."

"How can you be bored, prince? There's so much that's interesting

now in Germany," said Marya Yevgenyevna.

"But I know everything that's interesting: the plum soup I know,

and the pea sausages I know. I know everything."

"No, you may say what you like, prince, there's the interest of

their institutions," said the colonel.

"But what is there interesting about it? They're all as pleased

as brass halfpence. They've conquered everybody, and why am I to

be pleased at that? I haven't conquered anyone; and I'm obliged

to take off my own boots, yes, and put them away too; in the

morning, get up and dress at once, and go to the dining-room to

drink bad tea! How different it is at home! You get up in no

haste, you get cross, grumble a little, and come round again.

You've time to think things over, and no hurry."

"But time's money, you forget that," said the colonel.