KLESHTCH [trembling with excitement] They say: there’s truth! You, old man, try to console every one . . . I tell you—I hate every one! And there’s your truth—God curse it—understand? I tell you—God curse it!
[Rushes away round the corner, turning as he goes.]
LUKA. Ah—how excited he got! Where did he run off to?
NATASHA. He’s off his head . . .
BUBNOFF. God—didn’t he say a whole lot, though? As if he was playing drama—he gets those fits often . . . he isn’t used to life yet . . .
PEPEL [comes slowly round the corner] Peace on all this honest gathering! Well, Luka, you wily old fellow—still telling them stories?
LUKA. You should have heard how that fellow carried on!
PEPEL. Kleshtch—wasn’t it? What’s wrong with him? He was running like one possessed!
LUKA. You’d do the same if your own heart were breaking!