frowning and looking down. "Setting aside the question of payment-

forgive me for referring to it (he turned to Zossimov)- I really don't

know what I have done to deserve such special attention from you! I

simply don't understand it... and... and... it weighs upon me, indeed,

because I don't understand it. I tell you so candidly."

"Don't be irritated." Zossimov forced himself to laugh. "Assume that

you are my first patient- well- we fellows just beginning to

practise love our first patients as if they were our children, and