"Yes; that'strue.I'mnotaking, and, wouldyoubelieveit, PyotrAlexandrovitch, , there! ," hecried, withsuddenpathos, "youbeholdbeforeyouabuffooninearnest! 'sanoldhabit, alas! AndifIsometimestalknonsenseoutofplaceit'swithanobject, , mustn'tone? IwassevenyearsagoinalittletownwhereIhadbusiness, , , fat, fair, sulkyman, ', andwiththeeaseofamanoftheworld, youknow, ',' saidI, 'beourNapravnik.' 'WhatdoyoumeanbyNapravnik?' , atthefirsthalf-second, .'Iwantedtomakeajoke,' saidI, 'forthegeneraldiversion, .' AndIexplainedmycomparisonveryreasonably, didn'tI? 'Excuseme,' saidhe, 'IamanIspravnik, andIdonotallowpunstobemadeonmycalling.' , shouting, 'Yes, yes, youareanIspravnik, notaNapravnik.' 'No,' hesaid, 'sinceyoucalledmeaNapravnikIamone.' Andwouldyoubelieveit, itruinedourbusiness! AndI'malwayslikethat, , manyyearsago, Isaidtoaninfluentialperson: 'Yourwifeisaticklishlady,' inanhonorablesense, ofthemoralqualities, , 'Why, haveyoutickledher?' IthoughtI'dbepolite, soIcouldn'thelpsaying, 'Yes,' , soI'mnotashamedtotellthestory.I'malwaysinjuringmyselflikethat."
"You'redoingitnow," mutteredMiüsov, withdisgust.
FatherZossimascrutinizedthembothinsilence.
