"Why?" Pavel interrupted.
The mother heard the Little Russian stop, and she felt that he smiled.
"Yes, you see, I consider that if you love a girl you must tell her
about it; else there'll be no sense to it!"
Pavel clapped the book shut with a bang.
"And what sense do you expect?"
Both were silent for a long while.
"Well?" asked the Little Russian.
"You must be clear in your mind, Andrey, as to what you want to do,"
said Pavel slowly. "Let us assume that she loves you, too--I do
not think so, but let us assume it. Well, you get married. An
interesting union--the intellectual with the workingman! Children
come along; you will have to work all by yourself and very hard.
Your life will become the ordinary life of a struggle for a piece
of bread and a shelter for yourself and children. For the cause,
you will become nonexistent, both of you!"
Silence ensued. Then Pavel began to speak again in a voice that
sounded softer:
"You had better drop all this, Andrey. Keep quiet, and don't worry
her. That's the more honest way."
"And do you remember what Alexey Ivanovich said about the necessity
for a man to live a complete life--with all the power of his soul
and body--do you remember?"
"That's not for us! How can you attain completion? It does not
exist for you.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84