Part 21 (1/2)
It must be easy for you to begin a romance with her.”
Raisky made an angry gesture, to which Mark replied by a burst of laughter.
”Call the ancient wisdom to your help,” he said. ”Show outward coldness when you are inwardly consumed, indifference of manner, pride, contempt--every little helps. Parade yourself before her as suits your calling.”
”My calling?”
”Isn't it your calling to be eccentric?”
”Perhaps,” remarked Raisky indifferently.
”I, for instance,” said Mark, ”should make direct for my goal, and should be sure of victory. You may do the same, but you would do so penetrated by the conviction that you stood on the heights and had drawn her up to you, you idealist. Show that you understand your calling, and you may succeed. It's no use to wear yourself out with sighs, to be sleepless, to watch for the raising of the lilac curtain by a white hand, to wait a week for a kindly glance.”
Raisky rose, furious.
”Ah, I have hit the bull's eye.”
Raisky put compulsion on himself to restrain his rage, for every involuntary expression or gesture of anger would have meant nothing less than acquiescence.
”I should very well like to fall in love, but I cannot,” he yawned, counterfeiting indifference. ”It is unsuited to my years and doesn't cure my boredom.”
”Try it,” teased Mark. ”Let us have a wager that in a week you will be as enamoured as a young cat. And within two months, or perhaps one, you will have perpetrated so many follies that you will not know how to get away from here.”
”If I am, with what will you pay?” asked Raisky in a tone bordering on contempt.
”I will give you my trousers or my gun. I possess only two pairs of trousers. The tailor has recovered a third pair for debt. Wait, I will try on your coat. Why, it fits as if I were poured into a mould. Try mine.”
”Why?”
”I should like to see whether it suits you. Please try it on, do.”
Raisky was indulgent enough to allow himself to be persuaded, and put on Mark's worn, dirty coat.
”Well, does it suit?”
”It fits!”
”Wear it then. You don't wear a coat long, while for me it lasts for two years. Besides, whether you are contented or not I shan't take yours off my shoulders. You would have to steal it from me.”
Raisky shrugged his shoulders.
”Does the wager hold!” asked Mark.
”What put you on to that--you will excuse me--ridiculous idea?”
”Don't excuse yourself. Does it hold?”
”The wager is not equal. You have no possessions.”
”Don't be disturbed on that account. I shall not have to pay. If my prophecy comes true, then you will pay me three hundred roubles, which would come in very conveniently.”
”What nonsense,” said Raisky, as he stood up and reached for his cap and stick.