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Chapter 6

Precocity

‘W

HAT do you think the doctor will say to him?’

Kolya asked quickly. ‘What a repulsive mug, though,

hasn’t he? I can’t endure medicine!’

‘Ilusha is dying. I think that’s certain,’ answered Alyosha,

mournfully.

‘They are rogues! Medicine’s a fraud! I am glad to have

made your acquaintance, though, Karamazov. I wanted to

know you for a long time. I am only sorry we meet in such

sad circumstances.’

Kolya had a great inclination to say something even

warmer and more demonstrative, but he felt ill at ease. Aly-

osha noticed this, smiled, and pressed his hand.

‘I’ve long learned to respect you as a rare person,’ Kolya

muttered again, faltering and uncertain. ‘I have heard you

are a mystic and have been in the monastery. I know you are

a mystic, but... that hasn’t put me off. Contact with real life

will cure you.... It’s always so with characters like yours.’

‘What do you mean by mystic? Cure me of what?’ Alyo-

sha was rather astonished.

‘Oh, God and all the rest of it.’