It's rather an interesting little incident, Praskovya Ivanovna, and I am sure that Lizaveta Nikolaevna will be interested to hear it, because there are a great many things in it that are odd if not wonderful.

Five years ago, in Petersburg, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch made the acquaintance of this gentleman, this very Mr.Lebyadkin who's standing here with his mouth open, anxious, I think, to slip away at once.

Excuse me, Varvara Petrovna.

I don't advise you to make your escape though, you discharged clerk in the former commissariat department; you see, I remember you very well.

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch and I know very well what you've been up to here, and, don't forget, you'll have to answer for it.