Strona 165 z 1294

She is wearing out the lives of others; the other day she bit

Lizaveta's finger out of spite; it almost had to be amputated."

"Of course she does not deserve to live," remarked the officer,

"but there it is, it's nature."

"Oh, well, brother, but we have to correct and direct nature,

and, but for that, we should drown in an ocean of prejudice. But

for that, there would never have been a single great man. They

talk of duty, conscience--I don't want to say anything against

duty and conscience;--but the point is, what do we mean by them?

Stay, I have another question to ask you. Listen!"

"No, you stay, I'll ask you a question. Listen!"

"Well?"

"You are talking and speechifying away, but tell me, would you

kill the old woman yourself?"

"Of course not! I was only arguing the justice of it.... It's

nothing to do with me...."

"But I think, if you would not do it yourself, there's no justice

about it.... Let us have another game."