Идиот

           Youshudderandtrembleso.We’llpassthenightheretogether.Therearenootherbedsbesidesthatone;butI’vethoughthowwe’llmanage.I’lltakethecushionsoffallthesofas,andlaythemdownonthefloor,upagainstthecurtainhere—foryouandme—sothatweshallbetogether.Foriftheycomeinandlookaboutnow,youknow,they’llfindher,andcarryheraway,andthey’llbeaskingmequestions,andIshallsayIdidit,andthenthey’lltakemeaway,too,don’tyousee?Soletherlieclosetous—closetoyouandme.”

           “Yes,yes,”agreedtheprince,warmly.

           “Sowewillnotsayanythingaboutit,orletthemtakeheraway?”

           “Notforanything!”criedtheother;“no,no,no!”

           “SoIhaddecided,myfriend;nottogiveheruptoanyone,”continuedRogojin.“We’llbeveryquiet.Ihaveonlybeenoutofthehouseonehourallday,alltherestofthetimeIhavebeenwithher.Idaresaytheairisverybadhere.Itissohot.Doyoufinditbad?”

           “Idon’tknow—perhaps—bymorningitwillbe.”

           “I’vecoveredherwithoilcloth—bestAmericanoilcloth,andputthesheetoverthat,andfourjarsofdisinfectant,onaccountofthesmell—astheydidatMoscow—youremember?Andshe’slyingsostill;youshallsee,inthemorning,whenit’slight.What!can’tyougetup?”askedRogojin,seeingtheotherwastremblingsothathecouldnotrisefromhisseat.