The Signal 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. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... in the studio. Bezsonow was very pale. You apparently did not sleep last night? I asked. No, I slept; but I got up very early and worked. Tell them to give us tea, and we will talk. By the way, show me your picture. Not worth while now, Serge Vassilivich. But wait a bit; I shall soon finish it in its corrected and proper form. Perhaps it is displeasing that I have gone contrary to your wishes, but you would not believe how glad I am that I shall finish it, and that this has happened. Anyone better than Nadejda Nicolaievna I could not wish for. I shall not allow you to paint her, said he dully. Serge Vassilivich, you have apparently come here to quarrel with me. I will not allow her to be with you every day, to spend whole hours with you.... I will not allow her. Have you such power? How can you forbid her? How can you forbid me? I asked, feeling my temper rising. Power... power.... A few words will be sufficient. I will remind her what she is. I will tell her what sort of person you are; I will tell her of your cousin, Sophy Michailovna.... I will not allow you to make mention of my cousin.... If you have any right to this woman--even if it is true what you have told me of her; even if she has fallen; if tens of others have the same right as you to her--you may have a right to her, but you have no right to my cousin.! forbid you to mention anything about my cousin to her! Do you hear me? I felt that there was a threatening ring in my voice. He was beginning to exasperate me. Oho! you are showing your claws! I did not know you had any. Very well; you are right. I have no rights whatever to Sophy Michailovna. I will not dare to take her name in vain. But this other... this... In his excitement he several times paced...