"You just told me you raved about it."
"Oh, of course, if it is a lady harpist. But to see a man sprawling over the strings! pas si bête! It is for all the world like listening to some street player. I could make your excuses to the Czar for you in form if you preferred to stay at home."
"Now what the devil does it matter to you whether I go or not? What has made you such an affectionate son, so solicitous for your father's health? Have you entered upon the climacteric years which alter a man's nature?"
Jevgen broke into a laugh.
"Not exactly, father. Your son is the same as before. But I want you to stay at home to-night, because then you could lend me your diamond Vladimir order. I can't find mine anywhere."
"Because you have not searched at the pawnbroker's for it."
"With clear conscience I can say it is not at the pawnbroker's. If it were I could have easily redeemed it with the cash in my pocket, and need not have come to you. I have searched everywhere, and cannot set eyes upon it."
"Just think, my boy; you'll remember what you've done with it."
"Well, then, I will confess. It is no disgrace; a thing that happens to many of us officers. After playing I came across a demoniacal little girl."
"Ah, you found time for that, too, during inspection?"