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Oh! the Public
by
“Look here, ticket-collector!” the engineer begins, addressing Podtyagin.”Your behaviour to that invalid passenger has revolted all who witnessed it. My name is Puzitsky; I am an engineer, and this gentleman is a colonel. If you do not apologize to the passenger, we shall make a complaint to the traffic manager, who is a friend of ours.”
“Gentlemen! Why of course I … why of course you …” Podtyagin is panic-stricken.
“We don’t want explanations. But we warn you, if you don’t apologize, we shall see justice done to him.”
Certainly I … I’ll apologize, of course… To be sure….”
Half an hour later, Podtyagin having thought of an apologetic phrase which would satisfy the passenger without lowering his own dignity, walks into the carriage.”Sir,” he addresses the invalid.”Listen, sir….”
The invalid starts and leaps up: “What?”
“I … what was it? … You mustn’t be offended….”
“Och! Water …” gasps the invalid, clutching at his heart.”I’d just taken a third dose of morphia, dropped asleep, and … again! Good God! when will this torture cease!”
“I only … you must excuse …”
“Oh! … Put me out at the next station! I can’t stand any more…. I … I am dying….”
“This is mean, disgusting!” cry the “public,” revolted.”Go away! You shall pay for such persecution. Get away!”
Podtyagin waves his hand in despair, sighs, and walks out of the carriage. He goes to the attendants’ compartment, sits down at the table, exhausted, and complains:
“Oh, the public! There’s no satisfying them! It’s no use working and doing one’s best! One’s driven to drinking and cursing it all…. If you do nothing — they’re angry; if you begin doing your duty, they’re angry too. There’s nothing for it but drink!”
Podtyagin empties a bottle straight off and thinks no more of work, duty, and honesty!