“In Petersburg,” he began, “I talked freely of most things, but there were things⁠—this, for instance” (he tapped the “Noble Personality” with his finger) “about which I held my tongue⁠—in the first place, because it wasn’t worth talking about, and secondly, because I only answered questions. I don’t care to put myself forward in such matters; in that I see the distinction between a rogue and an honest man forced by circumstances. Well, in short, we’ll dismiss that. But now⁠ ⁠… now that these fools⁠ ⁠… now that this has come to the surface and is in your hands, and I see that you’ll find out all about it⁠—for you are a man with eyes and one can’t tell beforehand what you’ll do⁠—and these fools are still going on, I⁠ ⁠… I⁠ ⁠… well, the fact is, I’ve come to ask you to save one man, a fool too, most likely mad, for the sake of his youth, his misfortunes, in the name of your humanity.⁠ ⁠… You can’t be so humane only in the novels you manufacture!” he said, breaking off with coarse sarcasm and impatience.