"Because I am going to-morrow."
"Why so?" asked Svirski, with astonishment. "I knew nothing of this; no one mentioned it. I am sorry!"
"They are not sorry," answered Kresovich.
"Perhaps they do not understand."
"They will never understand. Neither to-day, nor at any time in their lives! Never!"
"I hope that you are mistaken," said Svirski, dryly; "but in every case it is unpleasant for me to hear this."
"Yes!" continued the student, as if speaking to himself. "A pity, but a pity for time lost. What do they care for me, or I for them? It is even better that they should be as they will be. A man who wishes to sow wheat must plough in the grass; and the weaker it is, the easier it is to plough it in. Much might be said of this matter; but it is not worth while, especially not for me. The microbes are eating me, anyhow."
"Consumption has never threatened you. Before Pani Elzen asked you to teach, she questioned the doctor about your health—and you should not wonder at that, for she was anxious about her children. The doctor assured her that there was no danger."
"Of course not. I have discovered a certain remedy against microbes."
"What is the remedy?"