The Wish That Stood Trial
Mitya races to Volovya on Samsonov's tip, walks three versts in the night, and finds Gorstkin passed out drunk in an overheated hut. Only after nearly suffocating on charcoal fumes does he see the errand for what it is: a joke that kept him away from town while Grushenka might be moving.
Key Insight
When you are already owing a wish, every delay looks like fate and every creditor looks like rescue. Vicarious guilt is racing toward a file while someone else counts the hours.
