excuse me, it was a misunderstanding, nothing but a misunderstanding.' And when the offended man remained resentful and cried out, he observed to him, with extreme annoyance: 'Why, I tell you it was a misunderstanding.

What are you crying out about ?'" "That's...

that's very amusing, of course"-- Lembke gave a wry smile--"but...

but can't you see how unhappy I am myself ?" He almost screamed, and seemed about to hide his face in his hands.
This unexpected and piteous exclamation, almost a sob, was almost more than one could bear.

It was probably the first moment since the previous day that he had full, vivid consciousness of all that had happened--and it was followed by complete, humiliating despair that could not be disguised--who knows, in another minute he might have sobbed aloud.
For the first moment Stepan Trofimovitch looked wildly at him; then he suddenly bowed his head and in a voice pregnant with feeling pronounced: "Your Excellency, don't trouble yourself with my petulant complaint, and only give orders for my books and letters to be restored to me...." He was interrupted.