strength of the service rendered him, Sipyagin might, if need arose, speak a word for him. For as a fact, he too—say what he would—was implicated; he had listened . . . and even gone chattering about himself.
'I think your idea's not a bad one,' observed Solomin at last, 'though I put little confidence in its success. Any way, you can try. You will do no harm.'
'Of course not. Come, supposing the very worst; suppose they kick me out.. . . What harm will that do?'
'There'll certainly be no harm in that.. . .' ('Merci!' thought Paklin.) While Solomin went on: 'What o'clock is it? Five o'clock. No time to waste. You shall have the horses directly. Pavel!'
But instead of Pavel, on the threshold they saw Nezhdanov. He staggered, steadying himself on the doorpost, and opening his mouth feebly, stared with bewildered eyes, comprehending nothing.
Paklin was the first to approach him.
'Alyosha! ' he cried, 'you know me, don't you?'
Nezhdanov gazed at him, blinking slowly.
'Paklin?' he said at last.
'Yes, yes; it's I. You are not well?'
'Yes . . . I'm not well. But . . . why are you here?'
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