God
exists undoubtedly, and so we must make up our minds about Him. We must
establish some relationship--what it is does not matter--that is our
individual 'case'--but only the English establish no relationship and
then call it a religion.... And so in this affair of my family. What
does it matter what they do? That is the only thing of which you think,
that they should die or disgrace their name or be unhappy or quarrel....
Pooh! What are all those things compared with the idea behind them? If
they wish to sacrifice happiness for an idea, that is their good luck,
and no Russian would think of preventing them. But you come in with your
English morality and sentiment, and scream and cry.... No, Ivan
Andreievitch, go home! go home!"
I waited to be quite sure that he had finished, and then I said,
"That's all as it may be, Alexei Petrovitch. It may be as you say. The
point is, that I remain here."
He got up from his chair. "You are determined on that?"
"I am determined," I answered.
"Nothing will change you?"
"Nothing."
"Then it is a battle between us?"
"If you like."
"So be it.
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