BUBNOFF. Aren’t men fools!
ALYOSHKA [stretches out on the floor] Here, eat me up alive—and I don’t want anything. I’m a desperate man. Show me one better! Why am I worse than others? There! Medyakin said: “If you show yourself on the streets I smash your face!” And yet I shall go out—I’ll go—and stretch out in the middle of the street—let them choke me—I don’t want a thing!
NASTYA. Poor fellow—only a boy—and he’s already putting on such airs—
ALYOSHKA [kneeling before her] Lady! Mademoiselle! Parlez français—? Prix courrant? I’m on a spree—
NASTYA [in a loud whisper] Vassilisa!
VASSILISA [opens door quickly; to Alyoshka] You here again?
ALYOSHKA. How do you do—? Come in—you’re welcome—
VASSILISA. I told you, young puppy, that not a shadow of you should stick around here—and you’re back—eh?
ALYOSHKA. Vassilisa Karpovna . . . shall I tune up a funeral march for you?
VASSILISA [seizing him by the shoulders] Get out!