"Iquiteunderstandthat, sir," thegentlemansnappedoutatoncetoassurehimthatheknewwhohewasalready."IamCaptainSnegiryov, sir, butIamstilldesiroustoknowpreciselywhathasledyou—"
"Oh, I'—ifonlyyouallowme."
"Inthatcase, hereisachair, sir; 'swhattheyusedtosayintheoldcomedies, 'kindlybeseated,' " andwitharapidgestureheseizedanemptychair (itwasaroughwoodenchair, notupholstered) andsetitforhimalmostinthemiddleoftheroom; then, takinganothersimilarchairforhimself, hesatdownfacingAlyosha, soclosetohimthattheirkneesalmosttouched.
"NikolayIlyitchSnegiryov, sir, formerlyacaptainintheRussianinfantry, puttoshameforhisvices, ; forthelasthalfofmylifeI'velearnttosay 'sir.' It'sawordyouusewhenyou'vecomedownintheworld."
"That'sverytrue," smiledAlyosha."Butisitusedinvoluntarilyoronpurpose?"
"AsGod'sabove, it'sinvoluntary, andIusen'ttouseit! Ididn'tusetheword 'sir' allmylife, butassoonasIsankintolowwaterIbegantosay 'sir.' It', buthowcanIhaveexcitedyourcuriosity, livingasIdoinsurroundingsimpossiblefortheexerciseofhospitality?"
"I'vecome—aboutthatbusiness."
"Aboutwhatbusiness?" thecaptaininterruptedimpatiently.
"AboutyourmeetingwithmybrotherDmitriFyodorovitch," Alyoshablurtedoutawkwardly.
"Whatmeeting, sir? Youdon'tmeanthatmeeting? Aboutmy 'wispoftow,' then?" .
"Whatwispoftow?" mutteredAlyosha.
