Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com 1‘Don’t be afraid, apothecary, my dog won’t bite you,’
Kolya rapped out loudly, noticing the doctor’s rather un-
easy glance at Perezvon, who was standing in the doorway.
There was a wrathful note in Kolya’s voice. He used the
word apothecary instead of doctor on purpose, and, as he
explained afterwards, used it ‘to insult him.’
‘What’s that?’ The doctor flung up his head, staring with
surprise at Kolya. ‘Who’s this?’ he addressed Alyosha, as
though asking him to explain.
‘It’s Perezvon’s master, don’t worry about me,’ Kolya said
incisively again.
‘Perezvon?’* repeated the doctor, perplexed.
- i.e. a chime of bells.
‘He hears the bell, but where it is he cannot tell. Good-
bye, we shall meet in Syracuse.’
‘Who’s this? Who’s this?’ The doctor flew into a terrible
rage.
‘He is a schoolboy, doctor, he is a mischievous boy; take
no notice of him,’ said Alyosha, frowning and speaking
quickly. ‘Kolya, hold your tongue!’ he cried to Krassotkin.
‘Take no notice of him, doctor,’ he repeated, rather impa-
tiently.
‘He wants a thrashing, a good thrashing!’ The doctor
stamped in a perfect fury.
‘And you know, apothecary, my Perezvon might bite!’
said Kolya, turning pale, with quivering voice and flashing
eyes. ‘Ici, Perezvon!’
‘Kolya, if you say another word, I’ll have nothing more to
do with you,’ Alyosha cried peremptorily.