Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/151



(tries to look sober). Father, don't be angry with me! You think that I am drunk. I can do everything I can drink without losing my senses. I can talk with you, father, as though nothing had happened. I remember everything. You told me about the money: you said that the horse has died,—I remember it all. That can be done. It is all in our hands. If an immense sum were asked I would have to put it off for some time, but this I can do. Here it is.

(still busy with his rags). Oh, my son, a spring path is, so to speak, not a road—

. What do you mean by it? You can't talk well with a drunken man. Never mind! We will have some tea together. I can do everything, positively I can.

(shaking his head). Oh, oh, oh!

. Here is the money. (Puts his hand into his pocket, gets the pocketbook, flourishes the money and pulls out a ten-rouble bill.) Take this for your horse! Take it for the horse! I cannot forget a father. I will positively not abandon you. Here, take it! I do not begrudge you the money. (Comes up and pushes the money into Akím's hand, but Akim does not want to take it.) Take it, I say! I give it with pleasure.

. I cannot take it, so to speak. I cannot speak with you, so to speak, because there is no decency about you, so to speak.

. I will not let you go. Take it! (Pushes the money into Akím's hand.)

(enters and stops). You had better take it, for he will give you no rest.