They had all heard these words, but no one moved; and for a moment the

sorrowful expression vanished from the priest's fat, moist face. He

looked about him anxiously, but encountered no one's glance. Only

Sanine smiled.

Semenoff again moved his lips, yet no sound escaped from them, while

one side drooped of his thin, fair moustache. Once more he stretched

his limbs, and became longer and more terrible. There was no sound, nor

the slightest movement whatever. Nobody wept now. The approach of death

had been more grievous, more appalling than its actual advent; and it

seemed strange that so harrowing a scene should have ended so simply

and swiftly. For a few moments they stood beside the bed and looked at

the dead, peaked features, as if they expected something else to

happen. Wishful to rouse within themselves a sense of horror and pity,

they watched Novikoff intently as he closed the dead man's eyes and

crossed his hands on his breast. Then they went out quietly and

cautiously. In the passages lamps were now lighted, and all seemed so

familiar and simple that every one breathed more freely. The priest

went first, tripping along with short steps. Desiring to say a few

words of consolation to the young people, he sighed, and then began

softly: "Dear, dear! It is very sad. Such a young man, too. Alas! it is plain

that he died unrepentant. But God is merciful, you know--"

"Yes, yes, of course," replied Schafroff, who walked next to him and

wished to be polite.

"Does his family know?" asked the priest.

"I really can't tell you," said Schafroff.

They all looked at each other in astonishment, as it seemed odd and not

altogether decent to be unable to say who Semenoff's people were.

"His sister is at the high school, I believe," observed Sine.

"Ah! I see! Well, good-bye!" said the priest, slightly raising his hat

with his plump fingers.

"Good-bye!" they replied in unison.

On reaching the street, they sighed, as if relieved.

"Where shall we go now?" asked Schafroff.

After brief hesitation, they all took leave of each other, and went

their different ways.




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