Virgin Soil

n Paklin jumped up, and rushing across to Nej

tand still. “Do you know who he is? He’s quite a celebrity, a

of him,” Nejdanov

up his arms

to do things, to turn the whole world upside down, and are living outside this very

e true. We certainly do not go amongst the enemy, but are

ted, in his turn. “Talking of ene

versteh’n Muss im D

I

versteh’n Muss im

in the forest, I must first find out his haunts. You talked of coming in contact with the people just now. My dear boy! In 1862 the Poles formed their r

would you h

ntinued; “they were mangled to pieces and died in ecstasy. We, also, have

ejdanov almost screamed at him. “Wo

arms and put his

n’t say anything about it. I know you don’t like it being mentioned. I know it is not very excitin

to me,” he replied,

e Ostrodumov! They are very honest, worthy folk, but so hopelessly stupid! You need only look at our friend. The very soles of his boots are not like those w

mov before me!” Nejdanov burst out. “He we

it in that sense

ing his voice, “I think it very praiseworthy on his part, and what is more, he is capable of

ce, and pointed to his

You will find yourself in the highest society, will come in contact with those wonderful beauties one hears about, women with velvety bodies on steel springs, as it says in “Letters on Spain

to earn my living. And to get away

smell this gentleman has left behind him!” Paklin sniffed the air. “The

ejdanov remarked dejectedly. “I sup

ason for his wanting to engage you. You will be able to hold your own with the best of them. You are an aristocrat yourself by

e door, but stopp

l not be short of money now; but, all the same, do allow me to sacrifice just a little for the cause. I can

say anything. “Silence means consent! Th

o the narrow, gloomy court, unpenetrated by the sun

severe pedagogue, after which he entered the university. His great ambition was to study law, but his father, who had a violent hatred for nihilists, made him go in for history and philology, or for “aesthetics” as Nejdanov put it with a bitter smile. His father used to see him about four

e and pure-minded, bold and timid at the same time, and, like a repentant sinner, ashamed of his sins; he was ashamed alike of his timidity and his purity, and considered it his duty to scoff at all idealism. He had an affectionate heart, but held himself aloof from everybody, was easily exasperated, but never bore ill-will. He was furious with his father for having made him take up “aesthetics,” openly interested himself in politics and social questions, professed the most extreme views (which meant more to him than mere words), but secretly took a delight in art, poetry, beauty in all its manifestations, and in his inspired moments wrote verses. It is true that he carefully hid the copy-book in which they were written, and none of hi

change that was coming into his life. He had no regrets at the thought of leaving St. Petersburg, as he would leave nothing behind that was especially d

t, children grew readily fond of him and he of them. His depression was due to that feeling which takes possession of one before any change of place, a feeling experienced by all melancholy, dreaming people and unknown to those of energetic, sanguine temperaments, who always rejoice

mself and turned away from the window. He caught sight of Paklin’s ten-r

. a hundred from my brothers — their excellencies. . . . I want fifty to pay my debts, fifty or seventy for the journey — and t

ile his hands involuntarily found their way to the table drawer, from which he pulled out a much- used copy-book. He dropped into a chair with the same fixe

. Mashurina stood looking at him intently for some time, shook her head, and drew it back again. Nejdanov sat up straight, and s

into the room w

me to come,” she b

have the money. If you could get it

Nejdanov said with a fro

hat t

o’c

y we

for a while and the

en . . . I am going away . . . who knows if we shall

today,” he began. “I have come to terms with him, and am going with him

lit up Mash

ther again perhaps. They might send us there

it?” Nejd

a looked

hing.” She squeezed Nejdanov’s

me as this eccentric person,” he thought. “ I wish she had no

, piled up with all sorts of useless papers, arrayed in the strictest order, and numerous ivory paper-knives, which had never been known to cut anything. During the space of an hour Nejdanov listened to the wise, courteous, patronising speeches of his host, recei