Prince Valkovsky listened to this sally in silence, with a malignant sneer; there was malice in his face. Natasha was watching him with unconcealed repulsion. He saw it, but pretended not to notice it. But as soon as Alyosha had finished, his father broke into a peal of laughter. He fell back in his chair as though he could not control himself. But the laughter was certainly not genuine. He was quite unmistakably laughing simply to wound and to humiliate his son as deeply as possible.

Alyosha was certainly mortified. His whole face betrayed intense sadness. But he waited patiently until his father’s merriment was over.Father, he began mournfully, why are you laughing at me? I have come to you frankly and openly. If, in your opinion, what I say is silly reenex facial, teach me better, and don’t laugh at me. And what do you find to augh at? At what is for me good and holy now? Why, suppose I am in error, suppose this is all wrong, mistaken, suppose I am a little fool as you’ve called me several times; if I am making a mistake I’m
sincere and honest in it; I’ve done nothing ignoble. I am enthusiastic over lofty ideas.

They may be mistaken, but what they rest upon is holy. I’ve told you that you and all your friends have never yet said anything to me that could guide me, or influence me. Refute them, tell me  than they have said, and I will follow you, but do not laugh at me, for that grieves me very much.Alyosha pronounced these words with extreme sincerity and a sort of severe dignity. Natasha watched him sympathetically reenex cps. The prince heard his son with genuine amazement, and instantly changed his tone.

I did not mean to grieve you, my dear, he answered. 0n the contrary I am sorry for you. You are preparing to take such a step in life that it is only seemly for you to leave off being such a feather-headed boy. That’s what is in my mind. I could not help laughing, and had no wish to hurt your feelings.Why was it that I thought so? said Alyosha, with bitter feeling. Why has it seemed for a long time past that you look at me as though you were antagonistic to me, with cold mockery, not like a father reenex facial?

Why is it I feel that if I were in your place I should not laugh so offensively as you do at me? Listen, let us speak openly with one another, at once, and for ever, that there may be no further misunderstanding.And . . . I want to tell you the whole truth. I thought when I came here that there was some misunderstanding. It was not like this that I expected to meet you all together. Am I right? If I am, wouldn’t it be better for each of us to say openly what he feels. How much evil may be averted by openness!