Chapter 8

           Gettingupfromthetable,LevinwalkedwithGaginthroughtheloftyroomtothebilliardroom,feelinghisarmsswingashewalkedwithapeculiarlightnessandease.Ashecrossedthebigroom,hecameuponhisfather-in-law.

           “Well,howdoyoulikeourTempleofIndolence?”saidtheprince,takinghisarm.“Comealong,comealong!”

           “Yes,Iwantedtowalkaboutandlookateverything.It’sinteresting.”

           “Yes,it’sinterestingforyou.Butitsinterestformeisquitedifferent.Youlookatthoselittleoldmennow,”hesaid,pointingtoaclubmemberwithbentbackandprojectinglip,shufflingtowardstheminhissoftboots,“andimaginethattheywereshlupikslikethatfromtheirbirthup.”

           “Howshlupiks?”

           “Iseeyoudon’tknowthatname.That’sourclubdesignation.Youknowthegameofrollingeggs:whenone’srolledalongwhileitbecomesashlupik.Soitiswithus;onegoesoncomingandcomingtotheclub,andendsbybecomingashlupik.Ah,youlaugh!butwelookout,forfearofdroppingintoitourselves.YouknowPrinceTchetchensky?”inquiredtheprince;andLevinsawbyhisfacethathewasjustgoingtorelatesomethingfunny.

           “No,Idon’tknowhim.”

           “Youdon’tsayso!Well,PrinceTchetchenskyisawell-knownfigure.Nomatter,though.He’salwaysplayingbilliardshere.Onlythreeyearsagohewasnotashlupikandkeptuphisspiritsandevenusedtocallotherpeopleshlupiks.Butonedayheturnsup,andourporter...youknowVassily?Why,thatfatone;he’sfamousforhisbonmots.