Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com me like Dmitri capable of shedding Aesop’s blood, murder-
ing him, eh?’
‘What are you saying, Ivan? Such an idea never crossed
my mind. I don’t think Dmitri is capable of it, either.’
‘Thanks, if only for that,’ smiled Ivan. ‘Be sure, I should
always defend him. But in my wishes I reserve myself full
latitude in this case. Good-bye till to-morrow. Don’t con-
demn me, and don’t look on me as a villain,’ he added with
a smile.
They shook hands warmly as they had never done before.
Alyosha felt that his brother had taken the first step towards
him, and that he had certainly done this with some definite
motive.