would
finally pass away. 'Why should it not?' I thought to myself. So I had
got things ready, and on the following day, a Friday, set out for here.
I occupied a special compartment in the train, and where ever I had to
change I found at the station bearers who were ready to carry me for a
few coppers. You have nice quarters here," she went on as she glanced
around the room. "But where on earth did you get the money for them, my
good sir? I thought that everything of yours had been mortgaged? This
Frenchman alone must be your creditor for a good deal. Oh, I know all
about it, all about it."

"I-I am surprised at you, my dearest mother," said the General in some
confusion. "I-I am greatly surprised. But I do not need any extraneous
control of my finances. Moreover, my expenses do not exceed my income,
and we--"

"They do not exceed it? Fie! Why, you are robbing your children of
their last kopeck--you, their guardian!"

"After this," said the General, completely taken aback, "--after what
you have just said, I do not know whether--"

"You do not know what? By heavens, are you never going to drop that
roulette of yours? Are you going to whistle all your property away?"

This made such an impression upon the General that he almost choked
with fury.

"Roulette, indeed? I play roulette? Really, in view of my
position--Recollect what you are saying, my dearest mother. You must
still be unwell."

"Rubbish, rubbish!" she retorted. "The truth is that you CANNOT be got
away from that roulette. You are simply telling lies. This very day I
mean to go and see for myself what roulette is like. Prascovia, tell me
what there is to be seen here; and do you, Alexis Ivanovitch, show me
everything; and do you, Potapitch, make me a list of excursions. What
IS there to be seen?" again she inquired of Polina.

"There is a ruined castle, and the Shlangenberg."

"The Shlangenberg? What is it? A forest?"

"No, a mountain on the summit of which there is a place fenced off.
From it you can get a most beautiful view."

"Could a chair be carried up that mountain of yours?"

"Doubtless we could find bearers for the purpose," I interposed.

At this moment Theodosia, the nursemaid, approached the old lady with
the General's children.

"No, I DON'T want to see them," said the Grandmother. "I hate kissing
children, for their noses are always wet. How are you getting on,
Theodosia?"

"I am very well, thank you, Madame," replied the nurse