Under Western Eyes. Joseph Conrad

I don’t touch the soul. The Russian soul has a mission, I tell you—or else why should I have done this like a butcher—I, I—who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

      Razumov

      Not so loud!

      (Haldin bursts into tears.)

      Razumov

      Try to control yourself.

      Haldin

      Yes, men like me have no posterity. I have a sister, though. Not a bad little girl, my sister. She will marry soon, I hope. Look at me: my father was a government official.— A true Russian in his way. But, I am not like him. More like my grandfather—a Decembrist. They shot him in Twenty-Eight. This is war, but God of Justice! It’s weary work.

      Razumov

      You believe in God, Haldin?

      Haldin

      What does it matter? When your day comes, you don’t forget what’s divine in our Russian soul. Respect it! I am speaking to you now like a man with a rope around his neck. Don’t spoil its message to the world!— I am one of the doomed. When the necessity of this heavy work came to me, and I understood it really had to be done—I said “God’s will be done.” That’s all.

      (Haldin stretches out silently on Razumov’s bed.)

      Razumov (after a pause)

      Heldin?

      Haldin

      Yes?

      Razumov

      Hadn’t I better start?

      Haldin

      Yes, brother. The time has come to put your faith to the test.

      Razumov (displaying a key)

      I am going to lock you in.

      Haldin

      Go with God.

      BLACKOUT