Fathers and Children Volume 6 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ... XXIV Two hours later he knocked at Bazaroff's door. "I must make my excuses for disturbing you in your learned occupations," he began, as he seated himself on a chair near the window and rested both hands on a handsome cane with an ivory handle--(he generally walked without a cane), --" but I am compelled to request that you will bestow upon me five minutes of your time--no more." "All my time is at your disposal,"--replied Bazaroff, over whose face something had flitted as soon as Pavel Petrovitch crossed the threshold of the door. "Five minutes will suffice for me. I have come to propound one question to you." "A question? What is it about?" "Be so good as to hear me out. At the beginning of your sojourn in my brother's house, when as yet I had not denied myself the pleasure of conversing with you, I chanced to hear you express your views on many subjects; but so far as my memory serves me, neither between us nor in my presence did the conversation turn upon the subject of duels or of duelling in general. Permit me to inquire, what is your opinion on that point?" Bazaroff, who had risen at Pavel Petrovitch's entrance, seated himself on the edge of a chair and folded his arms. "This is my opinion,"--said he: --" From the theoretical point of view a duel is a piece of folly; but from the practical point of view, --it is quite another matter." "That is, you mean to say, if I have understood you aright, that whatever may be your theoretical views as to duelling in practice, you would not allow yourself to be insulted without demanding satisfaction." "You have perfectly divined my thought." "Very good, sir. I am very much pleased to hear this from you. Your words free me from uncertainty...." "From indecision, you mean to say." "That is the...