Atlength,onmymostsacred,sacredwordofhonourtorepay(awordtowhich,asIcouldseefromhisface,hedidnotaltogethertrust),BasilsofaryieldedtohisfondnessformeandhisremembranceofthemanyservicesIhaddonehimastopaythecabman。Thusallmybeautifulfeelingsendedinsmoke。WhenI
wentupstairstodressforchurchandgotoCommunionwiththerestIfoundthatmynewclotheshadnotyetcomehome,andsoI
couldnotwearthem。ThenIsinnedheadlong。Donningmyothersuit,IwenttoCommunioninasadstateofmentalperturbation,andfilledwithcompletedistrustofallmyfinerimpulses。
IX
HOWIPREPAREDMYSELFFORTHEEXAMINATIONS
OntheThursdayinEasterweekPapa,mysister,Katenka,andMimiwentawayintothecountry,andnooneremainedinmygrandmother’sgreathousebutWoloda,St。Jerome,andmyself。TheframeofmindwhichIhadexperiencedonthedayofmyconfessionandduringmysubsequentexpeditiontothemonasteryhadnowcompletelypassedaway,andleftbehinditonlyadim,thoughpleasing,memorywhichdailybecamemoreandmoresubmergedbytheimpressionsofthisemancipatedexistence。
Thefolioendorsed\"RulesofMyLife\"layconcealedbeneathapileofschool-books。Althoughtheideaofthepossibilityofframingrules,foreveryoccasioninmylifeandalwayslettingmyselfbeguidedbythemstillpleasedme(sinceitappearedanideaatoncesimpleandmagnificent,andIwasdeterminedtomakepracticalapplicationofit),Iseemedsomehowtohaveforgottentoputitintopracticeatonce,andkeptdeferringdoingsountilsuchandsuchamoment。Atthesametime,Itookpleasureinthethoughtthateveryideawhichnowenteredmyheadcouldbeallottedpreciselytooneorotherofmythreesectionsoftasksandduties——thoseforortoGod,thoseforortomyneighbour,andthoseforortomyself。\"Icanalwaysrefereverythingtothem,\"
Isaidtomyself,\"aswellasthemany,manyotherideaswhichoccurtomeononesubjectoranother。\"YetatthisperiodI
oftenaskedmyself,\"WasIbetterandmoretruthfulwhenIonlybelievedinthepowerofthehumanintellect,oramImoresonow,whenIamlosingthefacultyofdevelopingthatpower,andamindoubtbothastoitspotencyandastoitsimportance?\"TothisIcouldreturnnopositiveanswer。
Thesenseoffreedom,combinedwiththespring-likefeelingofvagueexpectationtowhichIhavereferredalready,sounsettledmethatIcouldnotkeepmyselfinhand——couldmakenonebutthesorriestofpreparationsformyUniversityordeal。ThusIwasbusyintheschoolroomonemorning,andfullyawarethatImustworkhard,seeingthatto-morrowwasthedayofmyexaminationinasubjectofwhichIhadthetwowholequestionsstilltoreadup;yetnosoonerhadabreathofspringcomewaftedthroughthewindowthanIfeltasthoughthereweresomethingquitedifferentthatIwishedtorecalltomymemory。Myhandslaiddownmybook,myfeetbegantomoveofthemselves,andtosetmewalkingupanddowntheroom,andmyheadfeltasthoughsomeonehadsuddenlytouchedinitalittlespringandsetsomemachineinmotion——soeasilyandswiftlyandnaturallydidallsortsofpleasingfanciesofwhichIcouldcatchnomorethantheradiancybegincoursingthroughit。Thusonehour,twohours,elapsedunperceived。EvenifIsatdowndeterminedlytomybook,andmanagedtoconcentratemywholeattentionuponwhatIwasreading,suddenlytherewouldsoundinthecorridorthefootstepsofawomanandtherustleofherdress。Instantlyeverythingwouldescapemymind,andIwouldfinditimpossibletoremainstillanylonger,howevermuchIknewthatthewomancouldonlybeeitherGashaormygrandmother’soldsewing-maidmovingaboutinthecorridor。\"YetsupposeitshouldbeSHEallatonce?\"I
wouldsaytomyself。\"SupposeITisbeginningnow,andIweretoloseit?\"and,dartingoutintothecorridor,Iwouldfind,eachtime,thatitwasonlyGasha。YetforlongenoughafterwardsI
couldnotrecallmyattentiontomystudies。Alittlespringhadbeentouchedinmyhead,andastrangementalfermentstartedafresh。Again,thateveningIwassittingalonebesideatallowcandleinmyroom。SuddenlyIlookedupforamoment——tosnuffthecandle,ortostraightenmyselfinmychair——andatoncebecameawareofnothingbutthedarknessinthecornersandtheblankoftheopendoorway。Then,Ialsobecameconscioushowstillthehousewas,andfeltasthoughIcoulddonothingelsethangoonlisteningtothatstillness,andgazingintotheblacksquareofthatopendoorway,andgraduallysinkingintoabrownstudyasIsattherewithoutmoving。Atintervals,however,Iwouldgetup,andgodownstairs,andbeginwanderingthroughtheemptyrooms。OnceIsatalongwhileinthesmalldrawing-roomasI
listenedtoGashaplaying\"TheNightingale\"(withtwofingers)onthepianointhelargedrawing-room,whereasolitarycandleburned。Later,whenthemoonwasbright,Ifeltobligedtogetoutofbedandtoleanoutofthewindow,sothatImightgazeintothegarden,andatthelightedroofoftheShaposnikoffmansion,thestraighttowerofourparishchurch,andthedarkshadowsofthefenceandthelilac-bushwheretheylayblackuponthepath。SolongdidIremaintherethat,whenIatlengthreturnedtobed,itwasteno’clockinthemorningbeforeIcouldopenmyeyesagain。
Inshort,haditnotbeenforthetutorswhocametogivemelessons,aswellasforSt。Jerome(whoatintervals,andverygrudgingly,appliedaspurtomyself-conceit)and,mostofall,forthedesiretofigureas\"clever\"intheeyesofmyfriendNechludoff(wholookedupondistinctionsinUniversityexaminationsasamatteroffirst-rateimportance)——haditnotbeenforallthesethings,Isay,thespringandmynewfreedomwouldhavecombinedtomakemeforgeteverythingIhadeverlearnt,andsotogothroughtheexaminationstonopurposewhatsoever。
X
THEEXAMINATIONINHISTORY
ONthe16thofAprilIentered,forthefirsttime,andunderthewingofSt。Jerome,thegreathalloftheUniversity。IhaddriventherewithSt。Jeromeinoursmartphaetonandwearingthefirstfrockcoatofmylife,whilethewholeofmyotherclothes——
evendowntomysocksandlinen——werenewandofagrandersort。
WhenaSwisswaiterrelievedmeofmygreatcoat,andIstoodbeforehiminallthebeautyofmyattire,Ifeltalmostsorrytodazzlehimso。YetIhadnosoonerenteredthebright,carpeted,crowdedhall,andcaughtsightofhundredsofotheryoungmeningymnasium[TheRussiangymnasium=theEnglishgrammarorsecondaryschool。]uniformsorfrockcoats(ofwhombutafewthrewmeanindifferentglance),aswellas,atthefarend,ofsomesolemn-lookingprofessorswhowereseatedonchairsorwalkingcarelesslyaboutamongsometables,thanIatoncebecamedisabusedofthenotionthatIshouldattractthegeneralattention,whiletheexpressionofmyface,whichathome,andeveninthevestibuleoftheUniversitybuildings,haddenotedonlyakindofvagueregretthatIshouldhavetopresentsoimportantanddistinguishedanappearance,becameexchangedforanexpressionofthemostacutenervousnessanddejection。
However,IsoonpickedupagainwhenIperceivedsittingatoneofthedesksaverybadly,untidilydressedgentlemanwho,thoughnotreallyold,wasalmostentirelygrey。Hewasoccupyingaseatquiteatthebackofthehallandalittleapartfromtherest,soIhastenedtositdownbesidehim,andthenfelltolookingatthecandidatesforexamination,andtoformingconclusionsaboutthem。Manydifferentfiguresandfacesweretheretobeseenthere;yet,inmyopinion,theyallseemedtodividethemselvesintothreeclasses。Firstofall,therewereyouthslikemyself,attendingforexaminationinthecompanyoftheirparentsortutors。AmongsuchIcouldseetheyoungestIwin(accompaniedbyFrost)andIlinkaGrap(accompaniedbyhisoldfather)。Allyouthsofthisclassworetheearlybeginningsofbeards,sportedprominentlinen,satquietlyintheirplaces,andneveropenedthebooksandnotebookswhichtheyhadbroughtwiththem,butgazedattheprofessorsandexaminationtableswithill-concealednervousness。Thesecondclassofcandidateswereyoungmeningymnasiumuniforms。Severalofthemhadattainedtothedignityofshaving,andmostofthemknewoneanother。Theytalkedloudly,calledtheprofessorsbytheirnamesandsurnames,occupiedthemselvesingettingtheirsubjectsready,exchangednotebooks,climbedoverdesks,fetchedthemselvespiesandsandwichesfromthevestibule,andatethemthenandtheremerelyloweringtheirheadstothelevelofadeskforpropriety’ssake。
Lastly,thethirdclassofcandidates(whichseemedasmallone)
consistedofoldishmen——someoftheminfrockcoats,butthemajorityinjackets,andwithnolinentobeseen。Thesepreservedaseriousdemeanour,satbythemselves,andhadaverydingylook。Themanwhohadaffordedmeconsolationbybeingworsedressedthanmyselfbelongedtothisclass。Leaningforwarduponhiselbows,andrunninghisfingersthroughhisgrey,dishevelledhairashereadsomebookoranother,hehadthrownmeonlyamomentaryglance——andthatnotaveryfriendlyone——
fromapairofglitteringeyes。Then,asIsatdown,hehadfrownedgrimly,andstuckashinyelbowouttopreventmefromcominganynearer。Ontheotherhand,thegymnasiummenwereover-sociable,andIfeltratherafraidoftheirproximity。Oneofthemdidnothesitatetothrustabookintomyhands,saying,\"Givethattothatfellowoverthere,willyou?\"whileanotherofthemexclaimedashepushedpastme,\"Byyourleave,youngfellow!\"andathirdmadeuseofmyshoulderasapropwhenhewantedtoscrambleoveradesk。Allthisseemedtomealittleroughandunpleasant,forIlookeduponmyselfasimmenselysuperiortosuchfellows,andconsideredthattheyoughtnottotreatmewithsuchfamiliarity。Atlength,thenamesbegantobecalledout。Thegymnasiummenwalkedoutboldly,answeredtheirquestions(apparently)well,andcamebacklookingcheerful。Myownclassofcandidatesweremuchmorediffident,aswellasappearedtoanswerworse。Oftheoldishmen,someansweredwell,andsomeverypoorly。Whenthename\"Semenoff\"wascalledoutmyneighbourwiththegreyhairandglitteringeyesjostledmeroughly,steppedovermylegs,andwentuptooneoftheexaminers’tables。Itwasplainfromtheaspectoftheprofessorsthatheansweredwellandwithassurance,yet,onreturningtohisplace,hedidnotwaittoseewherehewasplacedonthelist,butquietlycollectedhisnotebooksanddeparted。SeveraltimesIshudderedatthesoundofthevoicecallingoutthenames,butmyturndidnotcomeinexactalphabeticalorder,thoughalreadynameshadbeguntobecalledbeginningwith\"I。\"
\"IkoninandTenieff!\"suddenlyshoutedsomeonefromtheprofessors’endofthehall。
\"Goon,Ikonin!Youarebeingcalled,\"saidatall,red-facedgymnasiumstudentnearme。\"ButwhoisthisBARteniefforMORteniefforsomebody?Idon’tknowhim。\"
\"Itmustbeyou,\"whisperedSt。Jeromeloudlyinmyear。
\"MYnameisIRtenieff,\"Isaidtothered-facedstudent。\"Doyouthinkthatwasthenametheywerecallingout?\"
\"Yes。Whyonearthdon’tyougoup?\"hereplied。\"Lord,whatadandy!\"headdedunderhisbreath,yetnotsoquietlybutthatI
failedtohearthewordsastheycamewaftedtomefrombelowthedesk。InfrontofmewalkedIkonin——atallyoungmanofabouttwenty-five,whowasoneofthosewhomIhadclassedasoldishmen。Heworeatightbrownfrockcoatandabluesatintie,andhadwispsofflaxenhaircarefullybrushedoverhiscollarinthepeasantstyle。Hisappearancehadalreadycaughtmyattentionwhenweweresittingamongthedesks,andhadgivenmeanimpressionthathewasnotbad-looking。AlsoIhadnoticedthathewasverytalkative。Yetwhatstruckmemostabouthisphysiognomywasatuft,ofqueerredhairswhichhehadunderhischin,aswellas,stillmore,astrangehabitofcontinuallyunbuttoninghiswaistcoatandscratchinghischestunderhisshirt。
BehindthetabletowhichweweresummonedsatthreeProfessors,noneofwhomacknowledgedoursalutations。Ayoungishprofessorwasshufflingabundleofticketslikeapackofcards;anotherone,withastaronhisfrockcoat,wasgazinghardatagymnasiumstudent,whowasrepeatingsomethingatgreatspeedaboutCharlestheGreat,andaddingtoeachofhissentencesthewordnakonetz[=theEnglishcolloquialism\"youknow。\"]whileathirdone——anoldmaninspectacles——proceededtobendhisheaddownasweapproached,and,peeringatusthroughhisglasses,pointedsilentlytothetickets。IfelthisglancegooverbothmyselfandIkonin,andalsofeltsurethatsomethingaboutushaddispleasedhim(perhapsitwasIkonin’sredhairs),for,aftertakinganotherlookatthepairofus,hemotionedimpatientlytoustobequickintakingourtickets。Ifeltvexedandoffended——
firstly,becausenoneoftheprofessorshadrespondedtoourbows,and,secondly,becausetheyevidentlycoupledmewithIkoninundertheonedenominationof\"candidates,\"andsowerecondemningmeinadvanceonaccountofIkonin’sredhairs。Itookmyticketboldlyandmadereadytoanswer,buttheprofessor’seyepassedovermyheadandalighteduponIkonin。Accordingly,I
occupiedmyselfinreadingmyticket。Thequestionsprintedonitwereallfamiliartome,so,asIsilentlyawaitedmyturn,I
gazedatwhatwaspassingnearme,Ikoninseemedinnowaydiffident——ratherthereverse,for,inreachingforhisticket,hethrewhisbodyhalf-wayacrossthetable。Thenhegavehislonghairashake,andrapidlyconnedoverwhatwaswrittenonhisticket。Ithinkhehadjustopenedhismouthtoanswerwhentheprofessorwiththestardismissedthegymnasiumstudentwithawordofcommendation,andthenturnedandlookedatIkonin。Atoncethelatterseemedtakenback,andstoppedshort。Forabouttwominutestherewasadeadsilence。
\"Well?\"saidtheprofessorinthespectacles。
OncemoreIkoninopenedhismouth,andoncemoreremainedsilent。
\"Come!Youarenottheonlyonetobeexamined。Doyoumeantoanswerordoyounot?\"saidtheyoungishprofessor,butIkonindidnotevenlookathim。Hewasgazingfixedlyathisticketandutterednotasingleword。Theprofessorinthespectaclesscannedhimthroughhisglasses,thenoverthem,thenwithoutthem(for,indeed,hehadtimetotakethemoff,towipetheirlensescarefully,andtoreplacethem)。StillnotawordfromIkonin。Allatonce,however,asmilespreaditselfoverhisface,andhegavehislonghairanothershake。Nexthereachedacrossthetable,laiddownhisticket,lookedateachoftheprofessorsinturnandthenatmyself,andfinally,wheelingroundonhisheels,madeagesturewithhishandandreturnedtothedesks。Theprofessorsstaredblanklyatoneanother。
\"Blessthefellow!\"saidtheyoungishprofessor。\"Whatanoriginal!\"
Itwasnowmyturntomovetowardsthetable,buttheprofessorswentontalkinginundertonesamongthemselves,asthoughtheywereunawareofmypresence。Atthemoment,IfeltfirmlypersuadedthatthethreeofthemwereengrossedsolelywiththequestionofwhetherIshouldmerelyPASStheexaminationorwhetherIshouldpassitWELL,andthatitwasonlyswaggerwhichmadethempretendthattheydidnotcareeitherway,andbehaveasthoughtheyhadnotseenme。
Whenatlengththeprofessorinthespectaclesturnedtomewithanairofindifference,andinvitedmetoanswer,Ifelthurt,asIlookedathim,tothinkthatheshouldhavesoundeceivedme:
whereforeIansweredbrokenlyatfirst。Intime,however,thingscameeasiertomytongue,and,inasmuchasallthequestionsboreuponRussianhistory(whichIknewthoroughly),Iendedwitheclat,andevenwentsofar,inmydesiretoconvincetheprofessorsthatIwasnotIkoninandthattheymustnotinanywayconfoundmewithhim,astooffertodrawasecondticket。Theprofessorinthespectacles,however,merelynoddedhishead,said\"Thatwilldo,\"andmarkedsomethinginhisregister。Onreturningtothedesks,Iatoncelearntfromthegymnasiummen(whosomehowseemedtoknoweverything)thatIhadbeenplacedfifth。
XI
MYEXAMINATIONINMATHEMATICS
ATthesubsequentexaminations,ImadeseveralnewacquaintancesinadditiontotheGraps(whomIconsideredunworthyofmynotice)andIwin(whoforsomereasonorotheravoidedme)。WithsomeofthesenewfriendsIgrewquiteintimate,andevenIkoninpluckedupsufficientcouragetoinformme,whenwenextmet,thathewouldhavetoundergore-examinationinhistory——thereasonforhisfailurethistimebeingthattheprofessorofthatfacultyhadneverforgivenhimforlastyear’sexamination,andhad,indeed,\"almostkilled\"himforit。Semenoff(whowasdestinedforthesamefacultyasmyself——thefacultyofmathematics)avoidedeveryoneuptotheverycloseoftheexaminations。Alwaysleaningforwarduponhiselbowsandrunninghisfingersthroughhisgreyhair,hesatsilentandalone。Nevertheless,whencalledupforexaminationinmathematics(hehadnocompaniontoaccompanyhim),hecameoutsecond。Thefirstplacewastakenbyastudentfromthefirstgymnasium——atall,dark,lanky,pale-facedfellowwhoworeablackfoldedcravatandhadhischeeksandforeheaddottedalloverwithpimples。Hishandswereshapelyandslender,buttheirnailsweresobittentothequickthatthefinger-endslookedasthoughtheyhadbeentiedroundwithstripsofthread。Allthisseemedtomesplendid,andwhollybecomingtoastudentofthefirstgymnasium。Hespoketoeveryone,andweallmadefriendswithhim。Tomeinparticularhiswalk,hiseverymovement,hislips,hisdarkeyes,allseemedtohaveinthemsomethingextraordinaryandmagnetic。
OnthedayofthemathematicalexaminationIarrivedearlierthanusualatthehall。Iknewthesyllabuswell,yetthereweretwoquestionsinthealgebrawhichmytutorhadmanagedtopassover,andwhichwerethereforequiteunknowntome。IfIrememberrightly,theyweretheTheoryofCombinationsandNewton’sBinomial。Iseatedmyselfononeofthebackbenchesandporedoverthetwoquestions,but,inasmuchasIwasnotaccustomedtoworkinginanoisyroom,andhadevenlesstimeforpreparationthanIhadanticipated,IsoonfounditdifficulttotakeinallthatIwasreading。
\"Hereheis。Thisway,Nechludoff,\"saidWoloda’sfamiliarvoicebehindme。
IturnedandsawmybrotherandDimitri——theirgownsunbuttoned,andtheirhandswavingagreetingtome——threadingtheirwaythroughthedesks。Amoment’sglancewouldhavesufficedtoshowanyonethattheyweresecond-coursestudents——personstowhomtheUniversitywasasasecondhome。Themerelookoftheiropengownsexpressedatoncedisdainforthe\"merecandidate\"andaknowledgethatthe\"merecandidate’s\"soulwasfilledwithenvyandadmirationofthem。IwascharmedtothinkthateveryonenearmecouldnowseethatIknewtworealsecond-coursestudents:whereforeIhastenedtomeetthemhalf-way。
Woloda,ofcourse,couldnothelpvauntinghissuperiorityalittle。
\"Hullo,yousmug!\"hesaid。\"Haven’tyoubeenexaminedyet?\"
\"No。\"
\"Well,whatareyoureading?Aren’tyousufficientlyprimed?\"
\"Yes,exceptintwoquestions。Idon’tunderstandthematall。\"
\"Eh,what?\"——andWolodastraightwaybegantoexpoundtomeNewton’sBinomial,butsorapidlyandunintelligiblythat,suddenlyreadinginmyeyescertainmisgivingsastothesoundnessofhisknowledge,heglancedalsoatDimitri’sface。
Clearly,hesawthesamemisgivingsthere,forheblushedhotly,thoughstillcontinuinghisinvolvedexplanations。
\"No;holdon,Woloda,andletmetryanddoit,\"putinDimitriatlength,withaglanceattheprofessors’cornerasheseatedhimselfbesideme。
Icouldseethatmyfriendwasinthebestofhumours。Thiswasalwaysthecasewithhimwhenhewassatisfiedwithhimself,andwasoneofthethingsinhimwhichIlikedbest。Inasmuchasheknewmathematicswellandcouldspeakclearly,hehammeredthequestionsothoroughlyintomyheadthatIcanrememberittothisday。HardlyhadhefinishedwhenSt。Jeromesaidtomeinaloudwhisper,\"Avous,Nicolas,\"andIfollowedIkoninoutfromamongthedeskswithouthavinghadanopportunityofgoingthroughtheOTHERquestionofwhichIwasignorant。Atthetablewhichwenowapproachedwereseatedtwoprofessors,whilebeforetheblackboardstoodagymnasiumstudent,whowasworkingsomeformulaaloud,andknockingbitsofftheendofthechalkwithhistoovigorousstrokes。HeevencontinuedwritingafteroneoftheProfessorshadsaidtohim\"Enough!\"andbiddenusdrawourtickets。\"SupposeIgettheTheoryofCombinations?\"Ithoughttomyselfasmytremulousfingerstookaticketfromamongabundlewrappedintornpaper。Ikonin,forhispart,reachedacrossthetablewiththesameassurance,andthesamesidelongmovementofhiswholebody,ashehaddoneatthepreviousexamination。
Takingthetopmostticketwithouttroublingtomakefurtherselection,hejustglancedatit,andthenfrownedangrily。
\"Ialwaysdrawthiskindofthing,\"hemuttered。
Ilookedatmine。Horrors!ItwastheTheoryofCombinations!
\"Whathaveyougot?\"whisperedIkoninatthispoint。
Ishowedhim。
\"Oh,Iknowthat,\"hesaid。
\"Willyoumakeanexchange,then?\"
\"No。Besides,itwouldbeallthesameformeifIdid,\"hecontrivedtowhisperjustastheprofessorcalledusuptotheblackboard。\"Idon’tfeeluptoanythingto-day。\"
\"Theneverythingislost!\"Ithoughttomyself。InsteadofthebrilliantresultwhichIhadanticipatedIshouldbeforevercoveredwithshame——moresoeventhanIkonin!Suddenly,undertheveryeyesoftheprofessor,Ikoninturnedtome,snatchedmyticketoutofmyhands,andhandedmehisown。Ilookedathisticket。ItwasNewton’sBinomial!
Theprofessorwasayoungishman,withapleasant,cleverexpressionofface——aneffectchieflyduetotheprominenceofthelowerpartofhisforehead。
\"What?Areyouexchangingtickets,gentlemen?\"hesaid。
\"No。Heonlygavemehistolookat,professor,\"answeredIkonin——
and,sureenough,theword\"professor\"wasthelastwordthatheutteredthere。Onceagain,hesteppedbackwardstowardsmefromthetable,onceagainhelookedateachoftheprofessorsinturnandthenatmyself,onceagainhesmiledfaintly,andonceagainheshruggedhisshouldersasmuchastosay,\"Itisnouse,mygoodsirs。\"Thenhereturnedtothedesks。Subsequently,Ilearntthatthiswasthethirdyearhehadvainlyattemptedtomatriculate。
Iansweredmyquestionwell,forIhadjustreaditup;andtheprofessor,kindlyinformingmethatIhaddoneevenbetterthanwasrequired,placedmefifth。
XII
MYEXAMINATIONINLATIN
AllwentwelluntilmyexaminationinLatin。Sofar,agymnasiumstudentstoodfirstonthelist,Semenoffsecond,andmyselfthird。OnthestrengthofitIhadbeguntoswaggeralittle,andtothinkthat,forallmyyouth,Iwasnottobedespised。
Fromthefirstdayoftheexaminations,IhadheardeveryonespeakwithaweoftheProfessorofLatin,whoappearedtobesomesortofawildbeastwhobattenedonthefinancialruinofyoungmen(ofthose,thatistosay,whopaidtheirownfees)andspokeonlyintheGreekandLatintongues。However,St。Jerome,whohadcoachedmeinLatin,spokeencouragingly,andImyselfthoughtthat,sinceIcouldtranslateCiceroandcertainpartsofHoracewithouttheaidofalexicon,Ishoulddonoworsethantherest。
Yetthingsprovedotherwise。Allthemorningtheairhadbeenfullofrumoursconcerningthetribulationsofcandidateswhohadgoneupbeforeme:rumoursofhowoneyoungfellowhadbeenaccordedanought,anotheroneasinglemarkonly,athirdonegreetedwithabuseandthreatenedwithexpulsion,andsoforth。
OnlySemenoffandthefirstgymnasiumstudenthad,asusual,goneupquietly,andreturnedtotheirseatswithfivemarkscreditedtotheirnames。AlreadyIfeltaprescienceofdisasterwhenIkoninandmyselffoundourselvessummonedtothelittletableatwhichtheterribleprofessorsatinsolitarygrandeur。
Theterribleprofessorturnedouttobealittlethin,bilious-
lookingmanwithhairlongandgreasyandafaceexpressiveofextraordinarysullenness。HandingIkoninacopyofCicero’sOrations,hebidhimtranslate。TomygreatastonishmentIkoninnotonlyreadoffsomeoftheLatin,butevenmanagedtoconstrueafewlinestotheprofessor’sprompting。Atthesametime,consciousofmysuperiorityoversuchafeeblecompanion,Icouldnothelpsmilingalittle,andevenlookingrathercontemptuous,whenitcametoaquestionofanalysis,andIkonin,asonpreviousoccasions,plungedintoasilencewhichpromisednevertoend。Ihadhopedtopleasetheprofessorbythatknowing,slightlysarcasticsmileofmine,but,asamatteroffact,I
contrivedtodoquitethecontrary。
\"Evidentlyyouknowbetterthanhe,sinceyouarelaughing,\"hesaidtomeinbadRussian。\"Well,weshallsee。Tellmetheanswer,then。\"
LaterIlearntthattheprofessorwasIkonin’sguardian,andthatIkoninactuallylivedwithhim。IlostnotimeinansweringthequestioninsyntaxwhichhadbeenputtoIkonin,buttheprofessoronlypulledalongfaceandturnedawayfromme。
\"Well,yourturnwillcomepresently,andthenweshallseehowmuchyouknow,\"heremarked,withoutlookingatme,butproceedingtoexplaintoIkoninthepointonwhichhehadquestionedhim。
\"Thatwilldo,\"headded,andIsawhimputdownfourmarkstoIkonininhisregister。\"Come!\"Ithoughttomyself。\"Hecannotbesostrictafterall。\"
WhenIkoninhadtakenhisdeparturetheprofessorspentfullyfiveminutes——fiveminuteswhichseemedtomefivehours——insettinghisbooksandticketsinorder,inblowinghisnose,inadjustingandsprawlingaboutonhischair,ingazingdownthehall,andinlookinghere,there,andeverywhere——indoingeverything,infact,exceptoncelettinghiseyerestuponme。
Yeteventhatamountofdissimulationdidnotseemtosatisfyhim,forhenextopenedabook,andpretendedtoreadit,foralltheworldasthoughIwerenotthereatall。Imovedalittlenearerhim,andgaveacough。
\"Ah,yes!Youtoo,ofcourse!Well,translatemesomething,\"heremarked,handingmeabookofsomekind。\"Butno;youhadbettertakethis,\"and,turningovertheleavesofaHorace,heindicatedtomeapassagewhichIshouldneverhaveimaginedpossibleoftranslation。
\"Ihavenotpreparedthis,\"Isaid。
\"Oh!Thenyouonlywishtoanswerthingswhichyouhavegotbyheart,doyou?Indeed?No,no;translatemethat。\"
Istartedtogropeforthemeaningofthepassage,buteachquestioninglookwhichIthrewattheprofessorwasmetbyashakeofthehead,aprofoundsigh,andanexclamationof\"No,no!\"Finallyhebangedthebooktowithsuchasnapthathecaughthisfingerbetweenthecovers。Angrilyreleasingit,hehandedmeaticketcontainingquestionsingrammar,and,flinginghimselfbackinhischair,maintainedamenacingsilence。I
shouldhavetriedtoanswerthequestionshadnottheexpressionofhisfacesocloggedmytonguethatnothingseemedtocomefromitright。
\"No,no!That’snotitatall!\"hesuddenlyexclaimedinhishorribleaccentashealteredhisposturetooneofleaningforwarduponthetableandplayingwiththegoldsignet-ringwhichwasnearlyslippingfromthelittlefingerofhislefthand。\"Thatisnotthewaytoprepareforseriousstudy,mygoodsir。Fellowslikeyourselfthinkthat,oncetheyhaveagownandabluecollartotheirbacks,theyhavereachedthesummitofallthingsandbecomestudents。No,no,mydearsir。AsubjectneedstobestudiedFUNDAMENTALLY,\"andsoon,andsoon。
Duringthisspeech(whichwasutteredwithaclippedsortofintonation)Iwentonstaringdullyathisloweredeyelids。
BeginningwithafearlestIshouldlosemyplaceasthirdonthelist,IwentontofearlestIshouldpassatall。Next,thesefeelingsbecamereinforcedbyasenseofinjustice,injuredself-
respect,andunmeritedhumiliation,whilethecontemptwhichI
feltfortheprofessorassomeonenotquite(accordingtomyideas)\"commeilfaut\"——afactwhichIdeducedfromtheshortness,strength,androundnessofhisnails——flaredupinmemoreandmoreandturnedallmyotherfeelingstosheeranimosity。Happening,presently,toglanceatme,andtonotemyquiveringlipsandtear-filledeyes,heseemedtointerpretmyagitationasadesiretobeaccordedmymarksanddismissed:
wherefore,withanairofrelenting,hesaid(inthepresenceofanotherprofessorwhohadjustapproached):
\"Verywell;Iwillaccordyoua’pass’\"(whichsignifiedtwomarks),\"althoughyoudonotdeserveit。Idososimplyoutofconsiderationforyouryouth,andinthehopethat,whenyoubeginyourUniversitycareer,youwilllearntobelesslight-
minded。\"
Theconcludingphrase,utteredinthehearingoftheotherprofessor(whoatonceturnedhiseyesuponme,asthoughremarking,\"There!Yousee,youngman!\")completedmydiscomfiture。Foramoment,amistswambeforemyeyes——amistinwhichtheterribleprofessorseemedtobefaraway,ashesatathistablewhileforaninstantawildideadancedthroughmybrain。\"WhatifIDIDdosuchathing?\"Ithoughttomyself。
\"Whatwouldcomeofit?\"However,Ididnotdothethinginquestion,but,onthecontrary,madeabowofpeculiarreverencetoeachoftheprofessors,andwithaslightsmileonmyface——
presumablythesamesmileasthatwithwhichIhadderidedIkonin——turnedawayfromthetable。
Thispieceofunfairnessaffectedmesopowerfullyatthetimethat,hadIbeenafreeagent,Ishouldhaveattendedfornomoreexaminations。Myambitionwasgone(sincenowIcouldnotpossiblybethird),andIthereforelettheotherexaminationspasswithoutanyexertion,orevenagitation,onmypart。InthegenerallistIstillstoodfourth,butthatfailedtointerestme,sinceIhadreasonedthingsouttomyself,andcometotheconclusionthattotryforfirstplacewasstupid——even\"badform:\"that,infact,itwasbettertopassneitherverywellnorverybadly,asWolodahaddone。ThisattitudeIdecidedtomaintainthroughoutthewholeofmyUniversitycareer,notwithstandingthatitwasthefirstpointonwhichmyopinionhaddifferedfromthatofmyfriendDimitri。
Yet,totellthetruth,mythoughtswerealreadyturningtowardsauniform,a\"mortar-board,\"andthepossessionofadrozhkiofmyown,aroomofmyown,and,aboveall,freedomofmyown。Andcertainlytheprospecthaditscharm。
XIII
IBECOMEGROWN-UP
When,onMay8th,Ireturnedhomefromthefinal,thedivinity,examination,Ifoundmyacquaintance,theforemanfromRozonoff’s,awaitingme。Hehadcalledoncebeforetofitmeformygown,aswellasforatunicofglossyblackcloth(thelapelsofwhichwere,onthatoccasion,onlysketchedinchalk),butto-
dayhehadcometobringmetheclothesintheirfinishedstate,withtheirgiltbuttonswrappedintissuepaper。
Donningthegarments,andfindingthemsplendid(notwithstandingthatSt。Jeromeassuredmethatthebackofthetunicwrinkledbadly),IwentdownstairswithacomplacentsmilewhichIwaspowerlesstobanishfrommyface,andsoughtWoloda,tryingthewhiletoaffectunconsciousnessoftheadmiringlooksoftheservants,whocamedartingoutofthehallandcorridortogazeuponmewithravishedeyes。Gabriel,thebutler,overtookmeinthesalle,and,aftercongratulatingmewithmuchempressement,handedme,accordingtoinstructionsfrommyfather,fourbank-
notes,aswellasinformedmethatPapahadalsogivenordersthat,fromthatdayforth,thegroomKuzma,thephaeton,andthebayhorseKrassavchikweretobeentirelyatmydisposal。Iwassooverjoyedatthisnotaltogetherexpectedgood-fortunethatI
couldnolongerfeignindifferenceinGabriel’spresence,but,flusteredandpanting,saidthefirstthingwhichcameintomyhead(\"Krassavchikisasplendidtrotter,\"Ithinkitwas)。Then,catchingsightofthevariousheadsprotrudingfromthedoorsofthehallandcorridor,IfeltthatIcouldbearnomore,andsetoffrunningatfullspeedacrossthesalle,dressedasIwasinthenewtunic,withitsshininggiltbuttons。JustasIburstintoWoloda’sroom,IheardbehindmethevoicesofDubkoffandNechludoff,whohadcometocongratulateme,aswellastoproposeadinnersomewhereandthedrinkingofmuchchampagneinhonourofmymatriculation。Dimitriinformedmethat,thoughhedidnotcareforchampagne,hewouldneverthelessjoinusthateveninganddrinkmyhealth,whileDubkoffremarkedthatIlookedalmostlikeacolonel,andWolodaomittedtocongratulatemeatall,merelysayinginanacidwaythathesupposedweshouldnow——
i。e。intwodaystime——beoffintothecountry。ThetruthwasthatWoloda,thoughpleasedatmymatriculation,didnotaltogetherlikemybecomingasgrown-upashimself。St。Jerome,whoalsojoinedusatthismoment,saidinaverypompousmannerthathisdutieswerenowended,andthat,althoughhedidnotknowwhethertheyhadbeenwelldoneorill,atleasthehaddonehisbest,andmustdepartto-morrowtohisCount’s。InreplyingtotheirvariousremarksIcouldfeel,inspiteofmyself,apleased,agreeable,faintlyself-sufficientsmileplayingovermycountenance,aswellascouldremarkthatthatsmile,communicateditselftothosetowhomIwasspeaking。
SoherewasIwithoutatutor,yetwithmyownprivatedrozhki,mynameprintedonthelistofstudents,aswordandbeltofmyown,andachanceofanoccasionalsalutefromofficials!Inshort,Iwasgrownupand,Isuppose,happy。
Finally,wearrangedtogooutanddineatfiveo’clock,butsinceWolodapresentlywentofftoDubkoff’s,andDimitridisappearedinhisusualfashion(sayingthattherewassomethingheMUSTdobeforedinner),Iwasleftwithtwowholehoursstillatmydisposal。ForatimeIwalkedthroughtheroomsofthehouse,andlookedatmyselfinallthemirrors——firstlywiththetunicbuttoned,thenwithitunbuttoned,andlastlywithonlythetopbuttonfastened。Eachtimeitlookedsplendid。Eventually,thoughanxiousnottoshowanyexcessofdelight,Ifoundmyselfunabletorefrainfromcrossingovertothecoach-houseandstablestogazeatKrassovchik,Kuzma,andthedrozhki。ThenIreturnedandoncemorebeganmytouroftherooms,whereIlookedatmyselfinallthemirrorsasbefore,andcountedmymoneyoverinmypocket——myfacesmilinghappilythewhile。YetnotanhourhadelapsedbeforeIbegantofeelslightlyennuye——tofeelashadeofregretthatnoonewaspresenttoseemeinmysplendidposition。Ibegantolongforlifeandmovement,andsosentoutordersforthedrozhkitobegotready,sinceIhadmadeupmymindtodrivetotheKuznetskiBridgeandmakesomepurchases。
InthisconnectionIrecalledhow,aftermatriculating,WolodahadgoneandboughthimselfalithographofhorsesbyVictorAdamandsomepipesandtobacco:whereforeIfeltthatItoomustdothesame。Amidglancesshowereduponmefromeveryside,andwiththesunlightreflectedfrommybuttons,cap-badge,andsword,I
drovetotheKuznetskiBridge,where,haltingataPictureshop,Ientereditwithmyeyeslookingtoeveryside。ItwasnotpreciselyhorsesbyAdamwhichImeanttobuy,sinceIdidnotwishtobeaccusedoftoocloselyimitatingWoloda;wherefore,outofshameforcausingtheobsequiousshopmensuchagitationasIappearedtodo,Imadeahastyselection,andpitcheduponawater-colourofawoman’sheadwhichIsawdisplayedinthewindow——pricetwentyroubles。YetnosoonerhadIpaidthetwentyroublesoverthecounterthanmyheartsmotemeforhavingputtwosuchbeautifullydressedshop-assistantstosomuchtroubleforsuchatrifle。Moreover,Ifanciedthattheywereregardingmewithsomedisdain。Accordingly,inmydesiretoshowthemwhatmannerofmanIwas,IturnedmyattentiontoasilvertriflewhichIsawdisplayedinashow-case,and,recognisingthatitwasaporte-crayon(priceeighteenroubles),requestedthatitshouldforthwithbewrappedinpaperforme。Next,themoneypaid,andtheinformationacquiredthatsplendidpipesandtobaccoweretobeobtainedinanadjacentemporium,Ibowedtothetwoshopmenpolitely,andissuedintothestreetwiththepictureundermyarm。Attheshopnextdoor(whichhadpaintedonitssign-boardanegrosmokingacigar)Ibought(likewiseoutofadesiretoimitatenoone)someTurkishtobacco,aStamboulhookah,andtwopipes。Oncomingoutoftheshop,IhadjustenteredthedrozhkiwhenIcaughtsightofSemenoff,whowaswalkinghurriedlyalongthepavementwithhisheadbentdown。
Vexedthatheshouldnothaverecognisedme,Icalledouttohimprettyloudly,\"Holdonaminute!\"and,whippingupthedrozhki,soonovertookhim。
\"Howdoyoudo?\"Isaid。
\"Myrespectstoyou,\"hereplied,butwithoutstopping。
\"WhyareyounotinyourUniversityuniform?\"Inextinquired。
Atthishestoppedshortwithafrown,andpartedhiswhiteteethasthoughthesunwerehurtinghiseyes。Thenextmoment,however,hethrewaglanceofstudiedindifferenceatmydrozhkianduniform,andcontinuedonhisway。
FromtheKuznetskiBridge,Idrovetoaconfectioner’sinTverskaiaStreet,and,muchasIshouldhavelikedittobesupposedthatitwasthenewspaperswhichmostinterestedme,I
hadnochoicebuttobeginfallingupontartletaftertartlet。Infact,forallmybashfulnessbeforeagentlemanwhokeptregardingmewithsomecuriosityfrombehindanewspaper,Iatewithgreatswiftnessatartletofeachoftheeightdifferentsortswhichtheconfectionerkept。
Onreachinghome,Iexperiencedaslighttouchofstomach-ache,butpaidnoattentiontoit,andsettoworktoinspectmypurchases。Ofthese,thepicturesomuchdispleasedmethat,insteadofhavingitframedandhunginmyroom,asWolodahaddonewithhis,Itookpainstohideitbehindachestofdrawers,wherenoonecouldseeit。Likewise,thoughIalsofoundtheporte-crayondistasteful,Iwasable,asIlaiditonmytable,tocomfortmyselfwiththethoughtthatitwasatleastaSILVER
article——somuchcapital,asitwere——andlikelytobeveryusefultoastudent。Asforthesmokingthings,Idecidedtoputthemintouseatonce,andtrytheircapabilities。
Unsealingthefourpackages,andcarefullyfillingtheStamboulpipewithsomefine-cut,reddish-yellowTurkishtobacco,I
appliedahotcindertoit,and,takingthemouthpiecebetweenmyfirstandsecondfingers(apositionofthehandwhichgreatlycaughtmyfancy),startedtoinhalethesmoke。
Thesmellofthetobaccoseemeddelightful,yetsomethingburntmymouthandcaughtmebythebreath。Nevertheless,Ihardenedmyheart,andcontinuedtodrawabundantfumesintomyinterior。
ThenItriedblowingringsandretainingthesmoke。Soontheroombecamefilledwithbluevapours,whilethepipestartedtocrackleandthetobaccotoflyoutinsparks。Presently,also,I
begantofeelasmartinginmymouthandagiddinessinmyhead。
Accordingly,Iwasonthepointofstoppingandgoingtolookatmyselfandmypipeinthemirror,when,tomysurprise,Ifoundmyselfstaggeringabout。Theroomwaswhirlingroundandround,andasIpeeredintothemirror(whichIreachedonlywithsomedifficulty)Iperceivedthatmyfacewasaswhiteasasheet。
HardlyhadIthrownmyselfdownuponasofawhensuchnauseaandfaintnesssweptovermethat,makingupmymindthatthepipehadprovedmydeath,Iexpectedeverymomenttoexpire。Terriblyfrightened,Itriedtocalloutforsomeonetocomeandhelpme,andtosendforthedoctor。
However,thispanicofminedidnotlastlong,forIsoonunderstoodwhatthematterwithmewas,andremainedlyingonthesofawitharackingheadacheandmylimbsrelaxedasIstareddullyatthestamponthepackageoftobacco,thePipe-tubecoiledonthefloor,andtheoddsandendsoftobaccoandconfectioner’startletswhichwerelitteredabout。\"Truly,\"I
thoughttomyselfinmydejectionanddisillusionment,\"Icannotbequitegrown-upifIcannotsmokeasotherfellowsdo,andshouldbefatednevertoholdachiboukbetweenmyfirstandsecondfingers,ortoinhaleandpuffsmokethroughaflaxenmoustache!\"
WhenDimitricalledformeatfiveo’clock,hefoundmeinthisunpleasantpredicament。Afterdrinkingaglassofwater,however,Ifeltnearlyrecovered,andreadytogowithhim。
\"Somuchforyourtryingtosmoke!\"saidheashegazedattheremnantsofmydebauch。\"Itisasillythingtodo,andwasteofmoneyaswell。Ilongagopromisedmyselfnevertosmoke。Butcomealong;wehavetocallforDubkoff。\"
XIV
HOWWOLODAANDDUBKOFFAMUSEDTHEMSELVES
THEmomentthatDimitrienteredmyroomIperceivedfromhisface,mannerofwalking,andthesignswhich,inhim,denotedill-humour——ablinkingoftheeyesandagrimholdingofhisheadtooneside,asthoughtostraightenhiscollar——thathewasinthecoldly-correctframeofmindwhichwashiswhenhefeltdissatisfiedwithhimself。Itwasaframeofmind,too,whichalwaysproducedachillingeffectuponmyfeelingstowardshim。
OflateIhadbeguntoobserveandappraisemyfriend’scharacteralittlemore,butourfriendshiphadinnowaysufferedfromthat,sinceitwasstilltooyoungandstrongformetobeabletolookuponDimitriasanythingbutperfect,nomatterinwhatlightIregardedhim。Inhimthereweretwopersonalities,bothofwhichIthoughtbeautiful。One,whichIloveddevotedly,waskind,mild,forgiving,gay,andconsciousofbeingthosevariousthings。Whenhewasinthisframeofmindhiswholeexterior,theverytoneofhisvoice,hiseverymovement,appearedtosay:\"I
amkindandgood-natured,andrejoiceinbeingso,andeveryonecanseethatIsorejoice。\"Theotherofhistwopersonalities——
onewhichIhadonlyjustbeguntoapprehend,andbeforethemajestyofwhichIbowedinspirit——wasthatofamanwhowascold,sterntohimselfandtoothers,proud,religioustothepointoffanaticism,andpedanticallymoral。Atthepresentmomenthewas,asIsay,thissecondpersonality。
WiththatfranknesswhichconstitutedanecessaryconditionofourrelationsItoldhim,assoonasweenteredthedrozhki,howmuchitdepressedandhurtmetoseehim,onthismyfete-dayinaframeofmindsoirksomeanddisagreeabletome。
\"Whathasupsetyouso?\"Iaskedhim。\"Willyounottellme?\"
\"MydearNicolas,\"washisslowreplyashegavehisheadanervoustwitchtoonesideandblinkedhiseyes,\"sinceIhavegivenyoumywordnevertoconcealanythingfromyou,youhavenoreasontosuspectmeofsecretiveness。Onecannotalwaysbeinexactlythesamemood,andifIseematallputout,thatisallthereistosayaboutit。\"
\"Whatamarvellouslyopen,honourablecharacterhisis!\"I
thoughttomyself,anddroppedthesubject。
WedrovetherestofthewaytoDubkoff’sinsilence。Dubkoff’sflatwasanunusuallyfineone——or,atallevents,soitseemedtome。Everywherewererugs,pictures,gardenias,stripedhangings,photographs,andcurvedsettees,whileonthewallshungguns,pistols,pouches,andthemountedheadsofwildbeasts。Itwastheappearanceofthisapartmentwhichmademeawarewhom,itwasthatWolodahadimitatedintheschemeofhisownsitting-room。WefoundDubkoffandWolodaengagedincards,whileseatedalsoatthetable,andwatchingthegamewithcloseattention,wasagentlemanwhomIdidnotknow,butwhoappearedtobeofnogreatimportance,judgingbythemodestyofhisattitude。Dubkoffhimselfwasinasilkdressing-gownandsoftslippers,whileWoloda——seatedoppositehimonadivan——wasinhisshirtsleeves,aswellas(tojudgebyhisflushedfaceandtheimpatient,cursoryglancewhichhegaveusforasecondashelookedupfromthecards)muchtakenupwiththegame。Onseeingme,hereddenedstillmore。