Page:Dostoevsky - The Idiot, Collected Edition, 1916.djvu/42

money, too, if only a little, but you wont be angry with me, prince, if I tell you that you'd be better off without pocket-money, and, indeed, without any money in your pocket. I speak from the impression I have of you. But as your purse is quite empty now, allow me to lend you twenty-five roubles for you immediate expenses. You can repay me afterwards, of course, and if you are as sincere and genuine a person as you appear to be, no misunderstandings can arise between us. I have a motive for interesting myself in your welfare; you will know of it later. You see I am perfectly straightforward with you. I hope, Ganya, you've nothing against the prince's being installed in your house?"

"Oh, quite the contrary. And my mother will be delighted," Ganya assented politely and obligingly.

"You've only one room let, I think. That, what's his name... Ferd... ter..."

"Ferdyshtchenko."

"Oh, yes. I don't like your Ferdyshtchenko, he is a dirty clown. And I can't understand why Nastasya Filippovna encourages him so? Is he really a relation of hers?"

"Oh, no, that's only a joke! There's not a trace of relationship."

"Well, hang him! Well, prince, are you satisfied?"

"Thank you, general, you have been very kind to me, especially as I haven't even asked for help; I don't say that fro pride; I really didn't know where to lay my head. It's true Rogozhin invited me just now."

"Rogozhin? Oh, no, I would advise you as a father, or, if you prefer, as a friend, to forget Mr. Rogozhin. And altogether I would advise you to stick to the family with which you are entering."

"Since you are so kind," began the prince, "I have one piece of business. I have received the news..."

"Excuse me," broke in the general, "I haven't a minute more now. I'll go and tell Lizaveta Prokofyevna about you; if she wishes to see you at once (I will try to give her a good impression of you; you bear her name. If she doesn't wish to, there's nothing for it, some other time perhaps. And you, Ganya, look through these accounts meantime, Fedoseyev and I have been struggling with them. You mustn't forget to include them."

The general went out, and so Myshkin did not succeed in telling him about the business which he had four times essayed to speak