Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com ‘What do you mean? Answered whom? Has someone
suggested your going to America already?’
‘I must own, they’ve been at me to go, but I declined.
That’s between ourselves, of course, Karamazov; do you
hear, not a word to anyone. I say this only to you. I am not
at all anxious to fall into the clutches of the secret police
and take lessons at the Chain bridge.
Long will you remember
The house at the Chain bridge.
Do you remember? It’s splendid. Why are you laugh-
ing? You don’t suppose I am fibbing, do you?’ (“What if he
should find out that I’ve only that one number of The Bell in
father’s book case, and haven’t read any more of it?’ Kolya
thought with a shudder.)
‘Oh no, I am not laughing and don’t suppose for a mo-
ment that you are lying. No, indeed, I can’t suppose so, for
all this, alas! is perfectly true. But tell me, have you read
Pushkin — Onyegin, for instance?... You spoke just now of
Tatyana.’
‘No, I haven’t read it yet, but I want to read it. I have no
prejudices, Karamazov; I want to hear both sides. What
makes you ask?’
‘Oh, nothing.’
‘Tell me, Karamazov, have you an awful contempt for
me?’ Kolya rapped out suddenly and drew himself up be-
fore Alyosha, as though he were on drill. ‘Be so kind as to
tell me, without beating about the bush.’
‘I have a contempt for you?’ Alyosha looked at him won-
dering. ‘What for? I am only sad that a charming nature