Page:Dostoevsky - The Idiot, Collected Edition, 1916.djvu/35

tion in Switzerland in the canton of Valais, where he had patients suffering even from idiocy and insanity, and treated them on his own method with cold water and gymnastics, training them also, and superintending their mental development generally. Pavlishtchev had sent him to Switzerland to this doctor nearly five years ago, and had died suddenly two years ago, making no provision for him. Schneider had kept him and continued his treatment for those two years, and although he had not completely cured him, he had greatly improved his condition. Finally, at his own wish, and in consequence of something that had happened, he had sent him now to Russia.

The general was very much surprised. "And you have no one in Russia, absolutely no one?" he asked.

"At the moment no one, but I hope... I have received a letter..."

"Have you, anyway," the general broke in not hearing the last phrase, "have you at least been trained for something, and would your affliction not prevent your taking, for instance, some easy post?"

"Oh, it would certainly not prevent me. And I should be very glad of a post, for I want to see what I am fit for. I have been studying for the last four years without a break, though on his special system, not quite on the regular plan. And I managed to read a great deal of Russian, too."

"Russian? Then you know the Russian grammar and can write without mistakes?"

"Oh, yes, perfectly."

"That's good; and your handwriting?"

"My writing is excellent. Perhaps I may call that a talent, I am quite a calligraphist. Let me write you something as a specimen," said Myshkin warmly.

"By all means. It's quite essential, in fact.... And I like your readiness, prince; you are very nice, I must say."

"You've got such splendid writing materials, and what numbers of pens and pencils, and what splendid thick paper.... And what a jolly study! I know that landscape, it's a view in Switzerland. I am sure the artist painted it from nature, and I am certain I've seen the place--it's in the canton of Uri..."

"Very probably, though it was bought here. Ganya, give the prince some paper; there are pens and paper, write at that little table. What's that?" asked the general, turning to Ganya, who had meanwhile taken from his portfolio and handed