The Torrents Of Spring
The Torrents Of Spring
The Torrents Of Spring
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‘Oh, you told me, you know, that you were in love, wanting to get<br />
married. Well, then, describe that.’<br />
Sanin was offended. ‘What do you find laughable in that?’<br />
Polozov only rolled his eyes. <strong>The</strong> juice from the orange was trickling<br />
down his chin.<br />
‘Was it your wife sent you to Frankfort to shop for her?’ asked Sanin<br />
after a short time.<br />
‘Yes, it was she.’<br />
‘What are the purchases?’<br />
‘Toys, of course.’<br />
‘Toys? have you any children?’<br />
Polozov positively moved away from Sanin.<br />
‘That’s likely! What do I want with children? Feminine fallals …<br />
finery. For the toilet.’<br />
‘Do you mean to say you understand such things?’<br />
‘To be sure I do.’<br />
‘But didn’t you tell me you didn’t interfere in any of your wife’s<br />
affairs?’<br />
‘I don’t in any other. But this … is no consequence. To pass the time –<br />
one may do it. And my wife has confidence in my taste. And I’m a firstrate<br />
hand at bargaining.’<br />
Polozov began to speak by jerks; he was exhausted already. ‘And is<br />
your wife very rich?’<br />
‘Rich; yes, rather! Only she keeps the most of it for herself.’<br />
‘But I expect you can’t complain either?’<br />
‘Well, I’m her husband. I’m hardly likely not to get some benefit from<br />
it! And I’m of use to her. With me she can do just as she likes! I’m easygoing!’<br />
Polozov wiped his face with a silk handkerchief and puffed painfully,<br />
as though to say, ‘Have mercy on me; don’t force me to utter another<br />
word. You see how hard it is for me.’<br />
Sanin left him in peace, and again sank into meditation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hotel in Wiesbaden, before which the carriage stopped, was exactly<br />
like a palace. Bells were promptly set ringing in its inmost recesses;<br />
a fuss and bustle arose; men of good appearance in black frock-coats<br />
skipped out at the principal entrance; a door-keeper who was a blaze of<br />
gold opened the carriage doors with a flourish.<br />
Like some triumphant general Polozov alighted and began to ascend a<br />
staircase strewn with rugs and smelling of agreeable perfumes. To him<br />
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