Fyodor Dostoevsky: The Idiot

PART IV 2. CHAPTER II. (continued)

"Oh, come--nonsense!" cried Gania; "if you did not go shaming us all over the town, things might be better for all parties."

"What--shame you? I?--what do you mean, you young calf? I shame you? I can only do you honour, sir; I cannot shame you."

He jumped up from his chair in a fit of uncontrollable rage. Gania was very angry too.

"Honour, indeed!" said the latter, with contempt.

"What do you say, sir?" growled the general, taking a step towards him.

"I say that I have but to open my mouth, and you--"

Gania began, but did not finish. The two--father and son--stood before one another, both unspeakably agitated, especially Gania.

"Gania, Gania, reflect!" cried his mother, hurriedly.

"It's all nonsense on both sides," snapped out Varia. "Let them alone, mother."

"It's only for mother's sake that I spare him," said Gania, tragically.

"Speak!" said the general, beside himself with rage and excitement; "speak--under the penalty of a father's curse

"Oh, father's curse be hanged--you don't frighten me that way!" said Gania. "Whose fault is it that you have been as mad as a March hare all this week? It is just a week--you see, I count the days. Take care now; don't provoke me too much, or I'll tell all. Why did you go to the Epanchins' yesterday--tell me that? And you call yourself an old man, too, with grey hair, and father of a family! H'm--nice sort of a father."

"Be quiet, Gania," cried Colia. "Shut up, you fool!"