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Creatures That Once Were Men | Maxim Gorky | |
Part I |
Page 6 of 21 |
"It is enough. I am going back into the bosom of culture. Another week's hard work and I shall dress respectably, and then Addio, mio caro!" "Very exemplary! As I heartily sympathize with your decision, Philip, I shall not give you another glass all this week," the Captain warned him sternly. "I shall be thankful! . . . You will not give me one drop?" The Captain beard in his voice a beseeching note to which he turned a deaf ear. "Even though you roar, I shall not give it you!" "As you like, then," sighed the teacher, and went away to continue his reporting. But after a day or two he would return tired and thirsty, and would look at the Captain with a beseeching glance out of the corners of his eyes, hoping that his friend's heart would soften. The Captain in such cases put on a serious face and began speaking with killing irony on the theme of weakness of character, of the animal delight of intoxication, and on such subjects as suited the occasion. One must do him justice: he was captivated by his role of mentor and moralist, but the lodgers dogged him, and, listening sceptically to his exhortations to repentance, would whisper aside to each other: "Cunning, skilful, shifty rogue! I told you so, but you would not listen. It's your own fault!" "His honor is really a good soldier. He goes first and examines the road behind him!" |
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Creatures That Once Were Men Maxim Gorky |
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