I have time enough.' "I put the revolver back on the table, and hid it under my newspaper.

I went to the door and drew back the bolt.
"It was my wife's sister,--a good and stupid widow.
"'Basile, what does this mean ?' said she, and her tears, always ready, began to flow.
"'What do you want ?' I asked roughly.
"I saw clearly that there was no necessity of being rough with her, but I could not speak in any other tone.
"'Basile, she is dying.

Ivan Fedorowitch says so.' "Ivan Fedorowitch was the doctor, HER doctor, her counsellor.
"'Is he here ?' I inquired.
"And all my hatred of her arose anew.
"Well, what?
"'Basile, go to her! Ah! how terrible it is!' said she.
"'Go to her ?' I asked myself; and immediately I made answer to myself that I ought to go, that probably that was the thing that is usually done when a husband like myself kills his wife, that it was absolutely necessary that I should go and see her.
"'If that is the proper thing, I must go,' I repeated to myself.

'Yes, if it is necessary, I shall still have time,' said I to myself, thinking of my intention of blowing my brains out.
"And I followed my sister-in-law.

'Now there are going to be phrases and grimaces, but I will not yield,' I declared to myself.
"'Wait,' said I to my sister-in-law, 'it is stupid to be without boots.
Let me at least put on my slippers.'".