"I don't know a thing, my friend. I never played cards, except with mother, when I play fool to amuse the old woman. And please don't drag me into this dirty business, and let's go and have tea. We'll have tea and sit around, maybe we'll talk about something, but, for the Lord's sake, not about that." Yudushka started to make for the door and into the dining-room, but Petenka stopped him. "Look here," he said, "I have to get out of this predicament somehow." Yudushka grinned and stared at Petenka. "Yes, my dear, you have to," he agreed. "Then help me." "Ah, that's a different matter. You have to get out of the difficulty somehow, to be sure, but how to get out of it--well, that's none of my business." "But why don't you want to help me?" "First, because I have no money to cover up your dastardly deeds, and secondly because the entire matter does not concern me in the least. You knew how to get in, then know how to get out. The cat likes fish, then let her wet her feet. You see, my boy, that's just what I said at the start, that if your request is a proper one----" "I know. You've got a lot of words on the tip of your tongue." "Wait, save your impudent remarks, and let me say what I wish to say. That they are not mere words I'll prove to you in a minute. So, as I said a while ago, if your request is a proper, a sensible one, all right, my boy. I am always ready to satisfy you. But if you come to me with an unreasonable request, I am very sorry, I have no money for stuff and nonsense. No sir, never. And you won't get any--you may as well be sure of it. And don't dare tell me I use mere words. My words are mighty near deeds." "But think what will become of me." "Whatever pleases God, that will happen," answered Yudushka, slightly lifting up his arms and looking sideways at the ikon. Father and son again made a few turns across the room. Yudushka paced reluctantly, as if in complaint that his son was holding him in captivity. Petenka, his arms akimbo, followed him, biting his moustache and smiling nervously. "I am your last son," he said. "Don't forget that." "My boy, God bereft Job of everything, and Job did not complain, but only said: 'God hath given and God hath taken away--may thy will be done, oh, Lord!' So, my boy." "In the Bible it was God that took, and here you take away from yourself. Volodya----" "Oh, well, you are talking nonsense." "No, it isn't nonsense, it's the truth. Everybody knows that Volodya----" "No, no, no! I don't want to listen to your preposterous remarks. Enough! You've said everything necessary. I have given you my answer. And now let's go and have tea. We'll chat a while, then we'll have a bite, then a drink before you go--and then God speed you! You see how good the Lord is to you? The weather has abated and the road become smoother. Little by little, bit by bit, one, two, and you'll hardly notice when you get to the station." "Now, listen, I implore you. If you have a drop of feeling----"