"I could walk over dozens of them." Razumov, with an impatient wave of
his hand, went on headlong, "But, really, I must claim the right to be
done once for all with that man. And in order to accomplish this I shall
take the liberty...."
Razumov on his side of the table bowed slightly to the seated
bureaucrat.
"... To retire--simply to retire," he finished with great resolution.
He walked to the door, thinking, "Now he must show his hand. He must
ring and have me arrested before I am out of the building, or he must
let me go. And either way...."
An unhurried voice said--
"Kirylo Sidorovitch." Razumov at the door turned his head.
"To retire," he repeated.
"Where to?" asked Councillor Mikulin softly.
PART SECOND
I
In the conduct of an invented story there are, no doubt, certain
proprieties to be observed for the sake of clearness and effect. A man
of imagination, however inexperienced in the art of narrative, has his
instinct to guide him in the choice of his words, and in the development
of the action. A grain of talent excuses many mistakes. But this is not
a work of imagination; I have no talent; my excuse for this undertaking
lies not in its art, but in its artlessness. Aware of my limitations and
strong in the sincerity of my purpose, I would not try (were I able) to
invent anything.
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