That's his central
ambition. He don't talk English much, but when you ask him, 'Pitzela, how
do you feel today?' he says to you right back, 'Oi, me? I'm full o' pep.'
Then if you ask him, 'How old are you, Pitzela?' he says: 'Old? What does
it matter how old I am? I am just beginning to enjoy myself. And when you
talk about my dying don't laugh too much. Because, you know, I will attend
all your funerals. When I am 300 years old I will be burying your
grandchildren.' And he will laugh. Do you like the story?"
"Yes, Feodor. But it isn't long enough. I will have to go out and see
Pitzela and describe him and that will make the story long enough."
"It isn't long enough? What do you mean? I just begun. The story ain't
about Pitzela at all. So why should you go see Pitzela?"
"But I thought it was about Pitzela."
"You thought! Hm! Well, you see what good it does you to think. For
according to your thinking the story is already finished. Whereas
according to me the story is only just beginning."
"But you said it was about Pitzela, Feodor. So I believed you."
"I said nothing of the sort. I merely asked you if you knew Pitzela. The
story is entirely about Pitzela's son."
"Aha! This Pitzela has a son.
Pages:
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338