The Novels and Stories of IV N Turg Nieff Volume 14; The Brigadier, and Other Stories

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 Excerpt: ... Fustoff entered the room, and giving a hand to each of us, asked us whether we were acquainted with each other. No, sir! --thundered Ivan Demyanitch, instantly, -- the veteran of the year '12 has not that honour! Fustoff first mentioned my name, then, pointing at the veteran of the year '12, he said: Ivan Demyanitch Ratsch, instructor in--various subjects. Precisely, precisely, in various subjects,--chimed in Mr. Ratsch. When you come to think of it, what all have I not taught, what all am not I teaching now? Mathematics, and geography, and statistics, and Italian bookkeeping, ha-ha-ha-ha! and music! Do you doubt it, my dear sir? --he suddenly attacked me.--Ask Alexander Daviditch how I distinguish myself on the bassoon? What sort of a Bohemian, that is to say, a Czech, should I be otherwise? Yes, sir, I 'm a Czech, and my native place is ancient Prague! By the way, Alexander Daviditch, why have n't I seen you this long time past? We might have played a duet.... ha-ha! Really! I was at your house day before yesterday, Ivan Demyanitch,--replied Fustoff. Why, I call that a long time ago, ha-ha! When Mr. Ratsch laughed, his white eyes rolled from side to side in a strange and uneasy way. I see, young man, that you are surprised at my behaviour,--he again addressed himself to me.-- But that arises from the fact that you do not yet know my constitution. Do you make inquiries about me from our good Alexander Daviditch. What will he tell you? He will tell you that old Ratsch is a simpleton. Russian, if not by birth, at least in spirit, ha-ha! I was named in baptism Johann Dietrich, but my appellation is Ivan Demyanoff! What I think, that I say; I wear my heart on my sleeve, as the saying is; I won't have anything to do with these diverse cerem...