He began to talk, and talked with great volubility, showing that once embarked upon this theme, he felt himself in his proper element. Now and then he paused to buttonhole me or press me against the rocks. When he had said something he thought very convincing, he swiftly screwed his eyeglass into his eye and scrutinized my face to see what impression he had made upon me. This, added to his voice, which was like the sound of creaking hinges, and the reiteration of his "what, what," was very trying to my nerves, but I must render him justice; he did not try to deceive me. He told me substantially the same things that I had heard from Chwastowski. The affair stood thus: Great capital had already been invested in material, the purveying of which was solely in Kromitzki's hands. The danger of the business consisted in the fact that the capital already sunk came back to him only after passing through various official forms, therefore very slowly; and also in the fact that Kromitzki had to deal with purveyors whose interest it was to supply him with the very worst materials, for which he was held responsible. This last point put him more or less at the mercy of the agency, which besides had the most complete right to accept only good material. Who knows what complications might arise from that? After having listened to his statement, which lasted an hour, I replied:-- "My good fellow, considering all you have told me, neither my aunt nor I can have anything to do with the partnership." His countenance fell, and he turned very yellow. "Tell me why," he said. "If you, in spite of cautiousness and care, are in danger of lawsuits, we will not be mixed up in your affairs." "Looking at things in that way, nobody would embark in any business at all." "There is no necessity for us to do so. But supposing we entered into any partnership, how much would you want us to put into the business?" "It is of no use to speak of that now; but if you could have come into it, let us say with seventy-five thousand roubles--" "No, we will not put anything into the business; we do not think it advisable to do so. But as you are connected with our family, we will help you in another way. In brief, I will lend you the sum you mentioned upon a note of hand." Kromitzki stopped, looked at me, and blinked as one who is not fully awake. But this lasted only a moment. He evidently thought it would not be wise to show too great a delight,--a mercantile caution not at all necessary, and ridiculous under present circumstances. He only pressed my hand and said: "Thank you,--at what rate of interest?" "We will talk of that later on. I must go back now and talk with my aunt."