champion the hopes, the principles, the ideals of the younger generation. Kallomyetsev at once answered in a high pipe indignation in him was always expressed by falsetto and began to be abusive.
Sipyagin majestically took Nezhdanov's part; Valentina Mihalovna, too, agreed with her husband; Anna Zaharovna tried to distract Kolya's attention, and cast looks of fury in all directions from under her cap; Marianna sat as though turned to stone.
But suddenly, on hearing the name of Ladislas uttered for the twentieth time, Nezhdanov fired up, and with a blow on the table he cried: 'A fine authority! As though we didn't know what kind of a creature this Ladislas is! He, a hired puppet from his birth up, and nothing more!'
'Ah─a─a─so that─that's', whined Kallomyetsev, stuttering with fury.. . . 'Is that how you allow yourself to refer to a man who enjoys the respect of persons of position like Count Blazenkrampf and Prince Kovrizhkin!'
Nezhdanov shrugged his shoulders. A great recommendation truly; Prince Kovrizhkin, the flunkey enthusiast———'
'Ladislas is my friend,' shrieked Kallomyetsev; 'he's my comrade . . . and I———'
'So much the worse for you,' interrupted
162
