Sanine

"You're right! And there's no more beer!" added Ivanoff, as he moved

towards the ante-room.

"We shan't get along like this; that's very clear," said Dubova.

"Walk back with me, Yourii Nicolaijevitch," cried Sina.

Then, turning to Sanine, she said "Au revoir!"

For a moment their eyes met. Sina felt pleasurably alarmed.

"Alas!" cried Dubova, as she went out, "our little club has collapsed

before it has even been properly started."

"But why is that?" said a mournful voice, as Soloveitchik, who was

getting in every one's way, stumbled forward.

Until this moment his existence had been ignored, and many were struck

by the forlorn expression of his countenance.

"I say, Soloveitchik," said Sanine pensively, "one day I must come and

see you, and we'll have a chat," "By all means! Pray do so!" said Soloveitchik, bowing effusively.

On coming out of the lighted room, the darkness seemed so intense that

nobody was able to see anybody else, and only voices were recognizable.

The two workmen kept aloof from the others, and, when they were at some

distance, Pistzoff laughed and said: "It's always like that, with them. They meet together, and are going to

do such wonders, and then each wants to have it his own way. That big

chap was the only one I liked."

"A lot you understand when clever folk of that sort talk together!"

replied Koudriavji testily, twisting his neck about as if he were being

throttled.

Pistzoff whistled mockingly in lieu of answer.