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go to Nevsky, where there are far more people of good society, and we shall be noticed at once. Lida knows My Village only, nothing but My Village, and everyone sings that. We must sing something far more genteel. Well, have you thought of anything, Polenka? If only youd help your mother! My memorys quite gone, or I should have thought of something. We really cant sing An Hussar. Ah, let us sing in French, Cinq sous, I have taught it you, I have taught it you. And as it is in French, people will see at once that you are children of good family, and that will be much more touching. You might sing Marlborough sen va-t-en guerre, for thats quite a childs song and is sung as a lullaby in all the aristocratic houses. Ne sait quand reviendra she began singing. But no, better sing Cinq sous. Now, Kolya, your hands on your hips, make haste, and you, Lida, keep turning the other way, and Polenka and I will sing and clap our hands! Pour monter notre menage. (Cough-cough-cough!) Set your dress straight, Polenka, its slipped down on your shoulders, she observed, panting from coughing. Now its particularly necessary to behave nicely and genteelly, that all may see that you are well-born children. I said at the time that the bodice should be cut longer, and made of two widths. It was your fault, Sonia, with your advice to make it shorter, and now you see the child is quite deformed by it. Why, youre all crying again! Whats the matter, stupids? Come, Kolya, begin. Make haste, make haste! Oh, what an unbearable child! Cinq sous, cinq sous. A policeman again! What do you want? A policeman was indeed forcing his way through the crowd. But at that moment a gentleman in civilian uniform and an overcoata solid-looking official of about fifty with a decoration on his neck (which delighted Katerina Ivanovna and had its effect on the policeman) approached and without a word handed her a green three-rouble note. His face wore a look of genuine sympathy. Katerina Ivanovna took it and gave him a polite, even ceremonious, bow. I thank you, honoured sir, she began loftily. The causes that have induced us (take the money, Polenka: you see there are generous and honourable people who are ready to help a poor gentlewoman in distress). You see, honoured sir, these orphans of good familyI might even say of aristocratic connectionsand that wretch of a general sat eating grouse and stamped at my disturbing him. Your excellency, I said, protect the orphans, for you knew my late husband, Semyon Zaharovitch, and on the very day of his death the basest of scoundrels slandered his only daughter. That policeman again! Protect me, she cried to the official. Why is that policeman edging up to me? We have only just run away from one of them. What do you want, fool? Its forbidden in the streets. You mustnt make a disturbance. Its youre making a disturbance. Its just the same as if I were grinding an organ. What business is it of yours? You have to get a licence for an organ, and you havent got one, and in that way you collect a crowd. Where do you lodge? What, a license? wailed Katerina Ivanovna. I buried my husband to-day. What need of a license? Calm yourself, madam, calm yourself, began the official. Come along; I will escort you. This is no place for you in the crowd. You are ill. |
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