Life is too short for a long story. Why not sit down and enjoy a short tale? The story is narrated by an awkward outcast attending a Christmas party. The man, although invited, knows only the host and talks to no one. He observes the party's guest of honour and takes special interest in one of the children...时间太少，小说太长，不如读一篇短故事。
五年前的殷勤，五年后的泪水，而这些都无关风月。陀思妥耶夫斯基用他惯有的辛辣讽刺告诉你，所谓贵族阶级的婚姻，只不过是一场阴谋与算计。