Read Books Online, for Free |
The Gambler | Fyodor Dostoevsky | |
Chapter X |
Page 6 of 9 |
At first the old lady did no more than watch the gamblers, and ply me, in a half-whisper, with sharp-broken questions as to who was so-and-so. Especially did her favour light upon a very young man who was plunging heavily, and had won (so it was whispered) as much as 40,000 francs, which were lying before him on the table in a heap of gold and bank-notes. His eyes kept flashing, and his hands shaking; yet all the while he staked without any sort of calculation--just what came to his hand, as he kept winning and winning, and raking and raking in his gains. Around him lacqueys fussed--placing chairs just behind where he was standing-- and clearing the spectators from his vicinity, so that he should have more room, and not be crowded--the whole done, of course, in expectation of a generous largesse. From time to time other gamblers would hand him part of their winnings--being glad to let him stake for them as much as his hand could grasp; while beside him stood a Pole in a state of violent, but respectful, agitation, who, also in expectation of a generous largesse, kept whispering to him at intervals (probably telling him what to stake, and advising and directing his play). Yet never once did the player throw him a glance as he staked and staked, and raked in his winnings. Evidently, the player in question was dead to all besides. For a few minutes the Grandmother watched him. "Go and tell him," suddenly she exclaimed with a nudge at my elbow, "--go and tell him to stop, and to take his money with him, and go home. Presently he will be losing--yes, losing everything that he has now won." She seemed almost breathless with excitement. |
Who's On Your Reading List? Read Classic Books Online for Free at Page by Page Books.TM |
The Gambler Fyodor Dostoevsky |
Home | More Books | About Us | Copyright 2004