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constitutes the whole of life; but it is impossible. It only results in
torturing myself and you. I not only torment myself, but spoil the work
I try to accomplish. Everybody, including that very Alexander Petróvich,
has the right to tell me that I am a hypocrite; that I talk but do not
act! That I preach the Gospel of poverty while I live in luxury,
pretending that I have given up everything to my wife!
MARY IVÁNOVNA. So you are ashamed of what people say? Really, can't you
rise above that?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It's not that I am ashamed (though I am ashamed),
but that I am spoiling God's work.
MARY IVÁNOVNA. You yourself often say that it fulfils itself despite
man's opposition; but that's not the point. Tell me, what do you want of
me?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Haven't I told you?
MARY IVÁNOVNA. But, Nicholas, you know that that is impossible. Only
think, Lyúba is now getting married; Ványa is entering the university;
Missy and Kátya are studying. How can I break all that off?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Then what am I to do?
MARY IVÁNOVNA. Do as you say one should do: have patience, love. Is it
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