“Why, what an idea!” he said. “I didn’t mean to ask you any of these questions; I was thinking of something quite different! But my head is heavy, and I seem so absentminded nowadays! Well, goodbye⁠—I can’t remember what I wanted to say⁠—goodbye!”

“Not that way,” said Rogojin.

“There, I’ve forgotten that too!”

“This way⁠—come along⁠—I’ll show you.”