ced them to each
other, explaining who each was, where he lived, his profession, and so
on.

"Splendid!" Paklin exclaimed. "And now let me lead you all far from the
crowd, though there is not much of it here, certainly, to a secluded
seat, where I sit in hours of contemplation enjoying nature. We will get
a magnificent view of the governor's house, two striped sentry boxes,
three gendarmes, and not a single dog! Don't be too much surprised at
the volubility of my remarks with which I am trying so hard to amuse
you. According to my friends, I am the representative of Russian wit...
probably that is why I am lame."

Paklin conducted the friends to the "secluded seat" and made them sit
down, after having first got rid of two beggar women installed on it.
Then the young people proceeded to "exchange ideas," a rather dull
occupation mostly, particularly at the beginning, and a fruitless one
generally.

"Stop a moment!" Paklin exclaimed, turning to Nejdanov, "I must first
tell you why I've come here. You know that I usually take my sister away
somewhere every summer, and when I heard that you were coming to this
neighbourhood I remembered there were two wonderful creatures living in
this very town, husband and wife, distant relations of ours... on our
mother's side. My father came from the lower middle class and my mother
was of noble blood." (Nejdanov knew this, but Paklin mentioned the fact
for the benefit of the others.) "These people have for a long time been
asking us to come and see them. Why not? I thought. It's just what I
want. They're the kindest creatures and it will do my sister no end of
good. What could be better? And so here we are. And really I can't
tell you how jolly it is for us here! They're such dears! Such original
types! You must certainly get to know them! What are you doing here?
Where are you going to dine? And why did you come here of all places?"

"We are going to dine with a certain Golushkin--a merchant here,"
Nejdanov replied.

"At what time?"

"At three o'clock."

"Are you going to see him on account... on account--"

Paklin looked at Solomin who was smiling and at Markelov who sat
enveloped in his gloom.

"Come, Aliosha, tell them--make some sort of Masonic sign.. tell them
not to be on ceremony with me... I am one of you--of your party."

"Golushkin is also one of us," Nejdanov observed.

"Why, that's splendid! It is still a long way off from three o'clock.
Suppose we go and se