Sanine

Goschienko glanced contemptuously at him over the lamp, and continued: "Our association is formed for the purpose of self-education by means

of mutual readings, and debates, and independent discussions--"

"Mutual readings? I don't understand," interrupted Dubova in a tone of

voice that might have been thought ironical.

Goschienko blushed slightly.

"I meant to say readings in which all take part. Thus, the aim of our

association is for the development of individual opinion which shall

lead to the formation in town of a league in sympathy with the social

democratic party...."

"Aha!" drawled Ivanoff, as he scratched the back of his head.

"But with that we shall deal later on. At the commencement we shall not

set ourselves to solve such great--"

"Or small ..." prompted Dubova.

"Problems," continued Goschienko, affecting not to hear. "We shall

begin by making out a programme of such works as we intend to read, and

I propose to devote the present evening to this purpose."

"Soloveitchik, are your workmen coming?" asked Dubova.

"Yes, of course they are!" replied Soloveitchik, jumping up as if he

had been stung. "We have already sent to fetch them."

"Soloveitchik, don't shout like that!" exclaimed Goschienko.

"Here they are!" said Schafroff, who was listening to Goschienko's

words with almost reverent attention.

Outside, the gate creaked, and again the dog's gruff bark was heard.

"They've come!" cried Soloveitchik as he rushed out of the room.

"Lie down, Sultan!" he shouted from the house-door.

There was a sound of heavy footseps of coughing, and of men's voices.

Then a young student from the Polytechnic School entered, very like

Goschienko, except that he was dark and plain. With him, looking

awkward and shy, came two workmen, with grimy hands, and wearing short

jackets over their dirty red shirts. One of them was very tall and

gaunt, whose clean-shaven, sallow face bore the mark of years of semi-

starvation, perpetual care and suppressed hatred. The other had the

appearance of an athlete, being broad-shouldered and comely, with curly

hair. He looked about him as a young peasant might do when first coming

to a town. Pushing past them, Soloveitchik began solemnly, "Gentlemen,

these are--"

"Oh! that'll do!" cried Goschienko, interrupting him, as usual. "Good

evening, comrades."

"Pistzoff and Koudriavji," said the Polytechnic student.

The men strode cautiously into the room, stiffly grasping the hands

held out to give them a singularly courteous welcome. Pistzoff smiled

confusedly, and Koudriavji moved his long neck about as if the collar

of his shirt were throttling him. Then they sat down by the window,

near Sina.