“Yes, but with him resolution consists in stupidity alone. When he has time, and is not eating, he is sleeping. It is an astonishing thing, which you will not believe; but once he slept forty-eight hours in the barracks, and yawned when they dragged him from the plank bed.”
“This officer pleases me greatly,” said Zagloba, “for I always like to know with whom I have to do.”
When he had said this he turned to Kovalski. “But come this way, please!” cried he, in a patronizing tone.
“What is it?” asked Kovalski, turning his horse.
“Have you gorailka?”
“I have.”
“Give it!”
“How give it?”
“You know, gracious Kovalski, if it were not permitted you would have had an order not to give it; but since you have not an order, give it.”
“Ah,” said Kovalski, astonished, “as I live! but that is like forcing.”