I know why you won't come! I know all about it, Praskovya. That Frenchman will bring you no good."
Polina flushed crimson. I positively shuddered. (Everyone knows all about it. I am the only one to know nothing!)
"Come, come, don't frown. I am not going to say anything more. Only take care no harm comes of it, understand. You are a clever wench; I shall be sorry for you. Well, that's enough. I should not like to look on you as on the others! Go along, good-bye!"
"I'll come to see you off," said Polina.
"There's no need, don't you interfere; I am sick of you all."
Polina was kissing Granny's hand, but the latter pulled it away and kissed her on the cheek.
As she passed me, Polina looked at me quickly and immediately turned away her eyes.
"Well, good-bye to you, too, Alexey Ivanovitch, there's only an hour before the train starts, and I think you must be tired out with me. Here, take these fifty pieces of gold."
"I thank you very much, Granny; I'm ashamed…"
"Come, come!" cried Granny, but so vigorously and angrily that I dared say no more and took it.
"When you are running about Moscow without a job come to me: I will give you some introductions. Now, get along with you!"
I went to my room and lay down on my bed. I lay there for half an hour on my back, with my hands clasped behind my head. The catastrophe had come at last, I had something to think about. I made up my mind to talk earnestly to Polina. The nasty Frenchman! So it was true then! But what could there be at the bottom of it? Polina and De Grieux! Heavens! what a pair!
It was all simply incredible. I suddenly jumped up, beside myself, to look for Mr. Astley, and at all costs to make him speak out. No doubt in this matter, too, he knew more than I did. Mr. Astley? He was another riddle to me!
But suddenly there was a tap at my door. I looked up. It was Potapitch.
"Alexey Ivanovitch, you are wanted to come to my lady!"
"What's the matter? Is she setting off? The train does not start for twenty minutes."
"She's uneasy, she can't sit still. 'Make haste, make haste!' she says, meaning to fetch you, sir. For Christ's sake, don't delay."
