Chapter 28 twenty eight

A week later I knew the answer.On this day, I had dinner out alone, and returned to my residence after dinner.At about ten o'clock, I was sitting in the living room reading a book, when suddenly the doorbell rang hoarsely.I went out into the passage, opened the door, and in front of me was Stroeve. Can I come in?he asks. The light at the stairs was so dark that I couldn't see him clearly, but his voice surprised me.I knew he never drank to excess, otherwise I would have thought he was drunk.I led him into the drawing room and told him to sit down. Thank goodness I finally found you.He said.

what happened?I asked; I was very surprised at his agitation. Once inside the room, I could see him clearly.Usually he was always dressed clean and tidy, but this time he was disheveled, giving off a sloppy look.I have no doubts anymore, he must be drunk.I smiled at him, ready to make fun of him. I don't know where to go, he said abruptly, I came here just now, you are not here. I'm late for dinner today.I said. My mind changed; he obviously wasn't drunk to be in such a dismay.His face is usually flushed red, but now it has one patch of red, one patch of white, and spots, which looks very strange.His hands were shaking all the time.

What happened? My wife left me. It took him a lot of effort to say those words.He sobbed, and tears trickled down his chubby cheeks.I do not know what to say.My first thought was that her husband's bewildered love for Strickland was too much for her to bear, and that, together with Strickland's constant sneering, she insisted on drive him away.I know that although Blanche is dignified and calm on the surface, if his temper comes up, he can be stubborn.If Stroeve still refused her request, she would probably leave the family in a fit of rage, vowing never to return.But no matter what the truth is, I just can't bear to laugh at this little fat man when he sees his suffering.

Dear friend, don't be sad.she will be back.Don't take the angry words of women too seriously. You do not get it.She fell in love with Strickland. What!I was taken aback; but before I had time to think about it, the incident seemed absurd.How can you be so stupid?Do you mean you're jealous of Strickland?I almost laughed, you know, Strickland was just too much for her to bear. You do not get it.he groaned. You're a hysterical ass, I said impatiently, let me give you a whiskey and soda and you'll be better. I guess, for some reason and God knows how people go out of their way to torture themselves, Dirk suspects for no reason that his wife is in love with Strickland because he's the worst at handling things and probably annoys her .In order to anger him, his wife deliberately tried her best to increase his doubts.

Listen to me, I said to him, let's go back to your studio together.If you messed things up yourself, now you have to go and apologize.I don't think your wife is the type to hold a grudge. How can I go back to the studio?There they are, he said feebly.I gave them the house. In this way, it is not your wife who left you, but you who lost her. For heaven's sake, don't talk to me like that. I still can't take his words seriously.I don't believe what he tells me at all, but his pain is real. Well, since you've come here to talk to me about it, tell me from beginning to end.

I can't take it anymore this afternoon.I went up to Strickland, and told him that I thought he was quite well enough to return to his lodgings.I will use my studio myself. Only Strickland needs to be told plainly, I say, what did he say? He smiled.You know the way he laughs, it doesn't look like he thinks anything is funny, it makes you feel like a big fool.He said he would leave right away, and began to pack his things as he spoke.You remember I brought some things from his place that I thought he might use.He asked Blanche to find him a piece of paper and a piece of string, to be bundled into a bundle.

Stroeve stopped, panting, and I thought he was going to faint.That was not at all the story I wanted him to tell me. Her face was pale, but she still brought the paper and string.Strickland said nothing, and whistled while he baked, and paid no attention to either of us.There was a mocking smile in the corner of his eye.My heart is as heavy as a block of lead.I feared that something must happen, and regretted very much that I had just proposed to let him go.He looked around for his hat.Then Blanche spoke: I'm going with Strickland, Dirk, she said, I can't live with you. I wanted to say something, but I couldn't utter a single word.Strickland also said nothing.He went on whistling as if all this had nothing to do with him.

Stroeve stopped again and began to wipe his sweat.I am silent.I believe him now, and I'm amazed.But I still can't understand. At this time, his face was full of tears, and his voice tremblingly told me how he came to her and wanted to hold her in his arms, and how she avoided her body so that he would not touch her.He begged her not to leave, told her how much he loved her, and told her to think about how much he really felt for her.He talked about their happy life.He wasn't mad at her at all.He didn't blame her in the slightest. Please let me go quietly, Dirk, she said at last, don't you know that I love Strickland?Wherever he goes, I will go with him.

But you must know that he will never make you happy.For your own sake, don't go.You don't know what awaits you. It was your fault that you insisted on calling him. Stroeve turned to Strickland. Have pity on her, he begged, you can't make her do such crazy things. She can do as she pleases, said Strickland, and I am not forcing her to follow me. I have decided.she said in a dull tone. Strickland's infuriating composure made Stroeve no longer able to control himself.A fit of rage seized him; and without knowing what he had done, he flung himself upon Strickland.Strickland, not expecting this move, was taken aback and staggered back a step, but in spite of his long illness he was still much stronger than Stroeve.In less than a minute, Stroeve found himself lying on the ground without realizing what had happened.

You clown.Strickland cursed. Stroeve struggled to his feet.He found his wife standing there impassive, and he was even more humiliated by this ugliness in her presence.During the fight with Strickland his spectacles had slipped to the ground, and for a moment he could not see where they had landed.Blanche picked it up and handed it to him without a word.He seemed to realize his misfortune suddenly, although he also knew that this would only make him more ashamed, so he began to cry.He covered his face with his hands.The other two looked at him without saying a word, and stood aside without moving a footstep.

Ah, my dear, he groaned at last, how can you be so cruel? I can't help myself, Dirk.she answered. I adore you like no other woman in the world has been so adored by people.If I did something to displease you, why didn't you tell me?As long as you say it, I will definitely change it.For you, I did everything I could. She didn't answer.There was no expression on her face, and he saw that he was only annoying her.She put on a coat and hat, and went to the door.Knowing that he would not see her again in another minute, he went quickly in front of her, fell on his knees, and took her by both hands; he did not care what face he had. Ah, don't go, dear.I can't live without you, I'll kill myself.If I have done anything to annoy you, I beg you to forgive me.Give me another chance.I will work harder to make you happy. Stand up, Dirk.You're just plain ugly. He stood up unsteadily, but still wouldn't let her go. Where are you going?he asked hastily, you don't know what kind of place Strickland lives in.You cannot live in that place.terrible. If I don't care about myself, what does it matter to you? You wait a while, let me finish my sentence.Anyway, you can still let me do this. What good is that?I have made up my mind.Nothing you say will change my mind. He gasped and pressed a hand to his chest, for his heart was beating so hard he couldn't bear it. I'm not asking you to change your mind, I'm just begging you to listen to me a few more words.This is the last thing I ask of you.Don't reject me. She stopped, and looked at him for a moment with her pensive eyes, now so cold and unfeeling.She walked back into the studio and leaned against the table. Speak! Stroeve managed to calm himself down a little. You must calm down.You can't live on air.Strickland has no money, you know. I know. If you don't eat enough or drink enough, you will suffer a lot.Do you know why it took him so long to recover?He has been living a half-starved life! I can earn money to support him. How to make money? I have no idea.I will find a way. A horrific thought crossed the Dutch painter's mind, and he shuddered. I think you must be crazy.I don't know what you're fascinated by. She shrugged. can i go now Wait another second. He looked wearily around his studio; he loved it, because of her presence, the room looked so beautiful, so full of family atmosphere.He closed his eyes for a moment, and then his eyes lingered on her for a while, as if trying to imprint her image forever in his mind.He stood up and took up his hat. No, let me go. you? She was taken aback.She didn't understand what he meant. I can't bear the thought of you living in that filthy, horrible attic.After all, this place is as much my home as it is yours.You'll be more comfortable here.At least you won't have to suffer the worst of it. He went to the money drawer and took out some bills. I'll give you half of the little money I have here. He puts money on the table.Neither Strickland nor his wife said anything. Then he remembered another thing. Would you please straighten my clothes and leave them with the porter down below?I'll pick it up tomorrow.He smiled wryly, goodbye, my dear.You have given me so much happiness in the past and I thank you. He went out and closed the door behind him.In my imagination I saw Strickland throwing his hat on the table, sitting down, and smoking a cigarette.