A man who gets
drunk is good for nothing. Do take a little pickled cucumber with honey
or half a glass of brandy to sober you. What do you think?"
At this moment a little boy came in, who brought me a note from Zourine.
I unfolded it and read as follows:--
"DEAR PETR' ANDREJITCH,
"Oblige me by sending by bearer the hundred roubles you lost to me
yesterday. I want money dreadfully.
"Your devoted
"IVAN ZOURINE."
There was nothing for it. I assumed a look of indifference, and,
addressing myself to Saveliitch, I bid him hand over a hundred roubles
to the little boy.
"What--why?" he asked me in great surprise.
"I owe them to him," I answered as coldly as possible.
"You owe them to him!" retorted Saveliitch, whose surprise became
greater. "When had you the time to run up such a debt? It is
impossible. Do what you please, excellency, but I will not give this
money."
I then considered that, if in this decisive moment I did not oblige this
obstinate old man to obey me, it would be difficult for me in future to
free myself from his tutelage. Glancing at him haughtily, I said to
him--
"I am your master; you are my servant. The money is mine; I lost it
because I chose to lose it. I advise you not to be headstrong, and to
obey your orders.
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