"
I then considered that, if in this decisive moment I did not oblige this
obstinate old man to obey me, it would be difficult for me in future to
free myself from his tutelage.
I then considered that, if in this decisive moment I did not oblige this
obstinate old man to obey me, it would be difficult for me in future to
free myself from his tutelage.
Pushkin - Daughter of the Commandant
What do you think?
"
At this moment a little boy came in, who brought me a note from Zourine.
I unfolded it and read as follows:--
"DEAR PETR' ANDREJITCH,
"Oblige me by sending by bearer the hundred roubles you lost to me
yesterday. I want money dreadfully.
"Your devoted
"IVAN ZOURINE. "
There was nothing for it. I assumed a look of indifference, and,
addressing myself to Saveliitch, I bid him hand over a hundred roubles
to the little boy.
"What--why? " he asked me in great surprise.
"I owe them to him," I answered as coldly as possible.
"You owe them to him! " retorted Saveliitch, whose surprise became
greater. "When had you the time to run up such a debt? It is
impossible. Do what you please, excellency, but I will not give this
money.
"
I then considered that, if in this decisive moment I did not oblige this
obstinate old man to obey me, it would be difficult for me in future to
free myself from his tutelage. Glancing at him haughtily, I said to
him--
"I am your master; you are my servant. The money is mine; I lost it
because I chose to lose it. I advise you not to be headstrong, and to
obey your orders. "
My words made such an impression on Saveliitch that he clasped his hands
and remained dumb and motionless.
"What are you standing there for like a stock? " I exclaimed, angrily.
Saveliitch began to weep.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," sobbed he, in a trembling voice; "do
not make me die of sorrow. Oh! my light, hearken to me who am old;
write to this robber that you were only joking, that we never had so
much money. A hundred roubles! Good heavens! Tell him your parents have
strictly forbidden you to play for anything but nuts. "
"Will you hold your tongue?
At this moment a little boy came in, who brought me a note from Zourine.
I unfolded it and read as follows:--
"DEAR PETR' ANDREJITCH,
"Oblige me by sending by bearer the hundred roubles you lost to me
yesterday. I want money dreadfully.
"Your devoted
"IVAN ZOURINE. "
There was nothing for it. I assumed a look of indifference, and,
addressing myself to Saveliitch, I bid him hand over a hundred roubles
to the little boy.
"What--why? " he asked me in great surprise.
"I owe them to him," I answered as coldly as possible.
"You owe them to him! " retorted Saveliitch, whose surprise became
greater. "When had you the time to run up such a debt? It is
impossible. Do what you please, excellency, but I will not give this
money.
"
I then considered that, if in this decisive moment I did not oblige this
obstinate old man to obey me, it would be difficult for me in future to
free myself from his tutelage. Glancing at him haughtily, I said to
him--
"I am your master; you are my servant. The money is mine; I lost it
because I chose to lose it. I advise you not to be headstrong, and to
obey your orders. "
My words made such an impression on Saveliitch that he clasped his hands
and remained dumb and motionless.
"What are you standing there for like a stock? " I exclaimed, angrily.
Saveliitch began to weep.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," sobbed he, in a trembling voice; "do
not make me die of sorrow. Oh! my light, hearken to me who am old;
write to this robber that you were only joking, that we never had so
much money. A hundred roubles! Good heavens! Tell him your parents have
strictly forbidden you to play for anything but nuts. "
"Will you hold your tongue?
