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you like. I understand you! They wish to humiliate you, and you will
show them the sort of man you are! You will kill yourself with a
revolver, and them with magnanimity. I understand you. I understand
everything, because I am a genius.
FÉDYA. Of course--of course. Only ... [Enter waiter with paper and ink].
FÉDYA [covers the revolver with a napkin] Uncork it--let's have a drink.
[
They drink. Fédya writes] Wait a bit!
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Here's to your ... great journey! You know I'm above all
this. I'm not going to restrain you! Life and death are alike to
Genius. I die in life, and live in death. You will kill yourself that
two people should pity you; and I--I shall kill myself that the whole
world may understand what it has lost. I won't hesitate, or think about
it! I seize it [snatches revolver]--now! And all is over. But it is too
soon yet. [Lays down revolver] Nor shall I write anything; they must
understand it themselves.... Oh, you ...
FÉDYA [writing] Wait a bit.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Pitiful people! They fuss, they bustle, and don't
understand--don't understand anything at all.... I'm not talking to you,
I am only expressing my thoughts. And, after all, what does humanity
need? Very little--only to value its geniuses. But they always are
executed, persecuted, tortured.... No! I'm not going to be your toy! I
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