Sanine

"Why do you ask me that?"

"Oh! well, I don't know ..."

They said no more.

"You are on the committee, aren't you?" asked Sina eagerly.

"Yes," replied Yourii curtly, as if unwilling to admit the fact, but in

reality pleased to do so, because he thought that to this charming girl

he would appear weirdly interesting. He then walked back with them to

their house, and on the way they laughed and talked much. All

depression had vanished.

"How nice he is!" said Sina, when Yourii had gone.

Dubova shook her finger threateningly: "Mind that you don't fall in love with him."

"What an idea!" laughed Sina, though secretly afraid.

Yourii reached home in a brighter, more hopeful mood. He went to look

at the picture that he had begun. It produced no impression upon him,

and he lay down contentedly to sleep. That night in dreams he had

visions of fair women, radiant and alluring.