Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/284

. That's what I say,—we ought not to misuse it. A hypnotizer had suggested to a friend of mine, Vyérochka Konshín,—you know her,—to stop smoking, and her spine began to ache.

(wants to begin speaking). The measurement of the temperature and of the pulse show obviously—

. Just a minute, excuse me. So I told her it would be better to smoke than to suffer from the nerves. Of course, smoking is harmful, and I should like to give it up, but do what you please, I can't. I once stopped for two weeks, but I could not stand it any longer.

(again makes an attempt to speak). Show conclusively—

. No, just let me finish. I have only two words more to say. You say it is a loss of strength? I wanted to tell you that when I travelled post— The roads were dreadful then,—you can't remember that, but I have noticed that all our nervousness comes from the railroads. For example, I can't sleep on the road,—kill me, but I can't fall asleep.

(begins again, but the Stout Lady gives him no chance to speak). The loss of strength—

(smiling). Yes, yes.

. Though I have been without sleep, one, two, three nights, I cannot fall asleep.

. Please, tell Fédor to prepare everything for the séance and call Semén here,—Semén, the peasant of the pantry,—do you hear?

. Yes, sir! (Exit.)