,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #f 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALEX&RA ,KOLLONTAI 

,TEXT 3 

 ,! TRA9 WAS TO >RIVE 9 ! MORN+4 ,& ,VASSILISSA WAS UP ) ! 
FIR/ PALE LI<T ( DAWN HAD TO COLLECT H] ?+S1 & DRESS1 TO PLEASE H] 
BELOV$ ,VOLODYA4 ,!Y HAD BE5 H>D1 ?OSE SEV5 MON?S ( SEP>ATION4  

,VASSILISSA WAS HAPPY1 GAY1 JOYFUL4 ,%E FELT ! SPR+ 9 ! AIR4 

,! ,NEP-GIRL WAS /ILL 9 B$1 LY+ ON H] BACK1 & GAZ+ AT H] REFLECTION 9 A H& MIRROR4 ,BUT ,VASYA HAD ALREADY WA%$ H]SELF1 C>EFULLY BRU%$ H] CURLS1 & PUT ON ! NEW DRESS ,GRU%A HAD MADE = H]4 ,VASSILISSA LOOK$ 9TO ! MIRROR ON ! WALL4 ,%E SAW ONLY H] EYES4 ,!Y SP>KL$ SO ?AT H] 5TIRE FACE LOOK$ BEAUTIFUL4 

,EV]Y?+ SEEM$ TO BE ALLRI<T4 ,?IS TIME ,VOLODYA W\LDN'T LECTURE H] = RUNN+ >\ND 9 0RAGS4 0 

,A /ATION4 ,VASSILISSA LOOK$ \T ! W9D[4 ,IT WAS E>LY 9 ! MORN+1 ! SUN WAS %9+4 ,9 ! ,NOR? ONE C\LD H>DLY SEE ?AT IT WAS ,SPR+1 BUT H]E EV]Y?+ WAS 9 BLOOM4 ,! TREES1 TOO1 W]E FULL ( FL[]S4 ,/RANGE1 V]Y ODD TREES4 ,LEAVES LIKE ?OSE ( ! BLACK ALD]1 BUT MORE DELICATE 9 COLOR2 & ! B\<S COV]$ ) :ITE BLOSSOMS1 RESEMBL+ LILAC BLOSSOMS2 BUT !Y W]E NOT LILACS4 ,!IR P]FUME1 SWEET & V]Y /RONG1 WAS P\R+ 9 ?R\< ! W9D[4 

0,:AT SORT ( TREE IS ?AT80 ,VASYA ASK$ ! CONDUCTOR4 0,WE DON'T HAVE !M 9 \R C\NTRY40 

0,:ITE ACACIAS40 

0,:ITE ACACIAS8 ,!Y'RE PRETTY40 ,! CONDUCTOR BROKE (F A FEW BRAN*ES & GAVE !M TO ,VASYA4 

,H[ SWEET !IR SC5T WAS4 ,& ,VASYA WAS SO HAPPY ?AT %E WAS ALMO/ 9 TE>S4 ,EV]Y?+ AB\T H] WAS SO BEAUTIFUL1 SO FASC9AT+4 ,BUT ! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+3 0,9 ANO!R H\R1 ,I'LL SEE ,VOLODYA40 

0,WILL WE BE !RE SOON80 ,AGA9 ,VASYA TURN$ TO ! CONDUCTOR4 ,TO H] IT SEEM$ ?AT ! TRA9 WASN'T MOV+ AT ALL4 ,IT HAD /OPP$ AGA91 AT A SID+4 ,AT LA/ IT MOV$ ON4 

,N[ ! CITY WAS 9 SI<T4 ,! CA!DRALS4 ,! B>RACKS4 ,! SUBURBS4 ,! PLAT=M ( ! /ATION4 ,BUT :]E WAS ,VOLODYA8 ,:]E8 

,VASYA LOOK$ \T ( ! OP5 W9D[4 ,VOLODYA1 H[EV]1 HAD COME 9 ?R\< ! O!R 5D ( ! C>1 & TOOK H] 9TO HIS >MS4 

0,!RE Y\ >E1 ,VOLODYA4 ,H[ Y\ FRI<T5$ ME40 

,!Y KISS$4 

0,QUICK1 LET ME HAVE Y\R ?+S4 ,?IS IS \R SECRET>Y4 ,PLEASE TAKE ! ?+S1 ,IVAN ,IVANOVIT*4 ,WE'RE GO+ TO ! AUTO4 ,I HAVE A C\PLE ( HORSES N[1 ,VASYA1 A C[ & A C>4 ,& ,I AM 9T5D+ TO GET SOME LITTLE PIGS4 ,WE HAVE A LOT ( ROOM2 IT'S A REGUL> F>M4 ,Y\'LL SEE = Y\RSELF4 ,Y\'LL LIVE LIKE ! LADY ( ! MANOR4 ,?+S >E GETT+ ALONG WELL4 ,NOT LONG AGO WE OP5$ A BRAN* 9 ,MOSC[40 

,VLADIMIR TALK$ ON & ON4 ,HE C\LD NOT TELL H] QUICKLY 5\< ( ! ?+S HE WAS BUSY )1 :I* FILL$ HIS ?\<TS4 ,SITT+ 9 ! AUTO1 ,VASYA LI/5$4 ,& AL?\< %E WAS V]Y MU* 9T]E/$ 9 :AT ,VOLODYA HAD TO SAY %E W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO TALK AB\T H] [N AFFAIRS1 TO F9D \T H[ HE HAD GOT ALONG )\T H]4 ,HAD HE LONG$ = H] V]Y MU*8 ,HAD HE WAIT$ V]Y ANXI\SLY = H]8 

,!Y DREW UP BE=E ! H\SE4 ,A ONE-FAMILY H\SE ) A G>D54 ,A HALF-GR[N Y\?1 AN ]R&-BOY 9 A GALLOON$ CAP1 WAS /&+ GU>D AT ! DOOR4 ,HE HELP$ !M \T ( ! C>4 

0,N[1 ,VASYA1 WE'LL SEE H[ Y\ LIKE \R H\SE4 ,:E!R Y\'LL F9D IT BETT] ?AN Y\R CAGE UND] ! RO(40 

,C>PET ON ! /AIRS4 ,A MIRROR4 ,A RECEPTION HALL4 ,VASYA TOOK (F H] HAT1 DROPP$ H] COAT4 ,!Y W5T 9TO ! LIV+-ROOM4 ,S(AS1 RUGS4 ,A HUGE CLOCK 9 ! D9+ ROOM4 ,SOME /ILL LIFE'S 9 GILD$ FRAMES4 ,ANTL]S ON ! WALL4 

0,WELL1 H[ DO Y\ LIKE IT80 ,VLADIMIR WAS RADIANT ) PRIDE4 

0,I LIKE IT10 ,VASYA REPLI$ UNC]TA9LY1 LOOK+ AB\T4 ,%E DIDN'T KN[ H]SELF :E!R %E C>$ = IT1 ,EV]Y?+ WAS SO /RANGE1 SO UNFAMILI>4 

0,& ?IS IS \R B$ROOM40 ,VLADIMIR OP5$ ! DOOR WIDE4 ,!RE W]E TWO W9D[S OP5+ ON ! G>D54 ,?IS PLEAS$ ,VASYA AT ONCE4 

0,TREES10 %E CRI$1 DELI<T$4 0,:ITE ACACIAS40 ,%E HURRI$ TO ! W9D[4 

0,LOOK >\ND ! ROOM FIR/2 Y\'LL HAVE PL5TY ( TIME TO RUN >\ND ! G>D54 ,ISN'T IT NICE1 :AT ,I'VE PREP>$ = Y\8 ,I PICK$ \T & >RANG$ EV]Y?+ MYSELF4 ,I'VE WAIT$ = Y\ S9CE ! MOM5T ,I MOV$ 940 

0,?ANKS1 D>L+40 ,VASYA /RET*$ TO KISS ,VOLODYA4 ,BUT HE SEEM$ NOT TO SEE IT1 TOOK HOLD ( H] %\LD]S & TURN$ H] SO ?AT %E FAC$ ! LONG MIRROR 9 ! W>DROBE4 

0,SEE H[ CONV5I5T IT IS4 ,:5 Y\ DRESS Y\ CAN SEE Y\RSELF FROM TOP TO TOE 9 ! MIRROR4 ,!RE >E %ELVES 9SIDE3 = Y\R UND]WE>1 = Y\R HATS1 = ALL SORTS ( GEWGAWS44440 

0,:Y1 H[ MANY HATS & GEWGAWS DO Y\ ?9K ,I HAVE8 ,Y\'VE HIT ! NAIL ON ! HEAD40 ,VASYA LAU<$4 

,BUT ,VOLODYA W5T ON3 0,WILL Y\ LOOK AT ! B$8 ,A SILK QUILT - ,I HAD A H>D TIME F9D+ IT4 ,IT BELONGS TO ME2 ,I DIDN'T GET IT AMONG MY SUPPLIES4 ,& H]E'S A P9K LAMP TO LI<T AT NI<T40 

,VLADIMIR %[$ ,VASYA >\ND1 PO9T+ \T EV]Y TRIFLE1 DELI<T$ AS A *ILD4 

0,DIDN'T ,I FEA!R A COZY LITTLE NE/ = MY LITTLE GIRL80 ,VASYA LI/5$1 SMIL+ AT HIS HAPP9ESS1 BUT /ILL NOT QUITE AT EASE4 ,%E C\LDN'T D5Y IT1 ! ROOMS W]E NICE1 SPL5DID4 ,RUGS1 CURTA9S1 MIRRORS6 ,BUT NOT FAMILI>4 ,AS IF %E HAD COME 9TO SOMEBODY ELSE'S H\SE4 ,! ?+S W]E NOT :AT ,VASYA NE$$4 ,!RE W]E NO TABLES :]E %E C\LD SPREAD H] BOOKS & PAP]S4 ,ONLY ONE ?+ REALLY PLEAS$ H]4 ,?AT %E C\LD SEE :ITE ACACIAS FROM ! W9D[S FAC+ ! G>D54 

0,GET READY1 N[1 & WA% UP2 !N WE'LL HAVE SOME BREAKFA/10 SAID ,VLADIMIR1 GO+ OV] TO ! W9D[ TO LET D[N ! %ADES4 

0,:AT >E Y\ DO+ ?AT =80 OBJECT$ ,VASYA4 0,IT'S SO NICE TO LOOK \T 9TO ! G>D540 

0,BUT IT WON'T DO4 ,! %ADES HAVE TO BE D[N BY DAY1 OR ! UPHOL/]Y WILL FADE40 

,D[N SANK ! GRAY %ADES2 LIKE HEAVY EYELIDS !Y HID ! GRE5 ( ! G>D5 %9+ 9 ?R\< ! W9D[4 ,& ! ROOM BECAME GRAY1 MONOTON\S1 EV5 LESS FAMILI>4 ,VASYA WA%$ H] H&S1 & COMB$ H] CURLS BE=E ! MIRROR4 

0,:AT'S ?AT Y\ HAVE !RE8 ,DID Y\ HAVE A DRESS MADE ( ! MAT]IAL ,I S5T Y\80 

0,:Y1 YES44410 EXPECT+ A WORD ( PRAISE1 ,VASYA LOOK$ UP AT ,VOLODYA 9QUIR+LY4 

0,LET'S HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT Y\40 ,HE TURN$ H] AB\T4 ,%E C\LD TELL FROM HIS EXPRESSION ?AT HE WASN'T PLEAS$4 

0,:]E 9 ! WORLD DID Y\ GET ! IDEA ( PIL+ ALL ?AT /UFF ON Y\R HIPS8 ,Y\'VE A N>R[ FIGURE1 JU/ ! ?+ = ! NEW FA%IONS4 ,:Y DID Y\ GET ?IS MON/ROSITY80 

,VASYA WAS CONFUS$1 FLU%$ TO ! ROOTS ( H] HAIR4 ,%E FELT GUILTY4 

0,:Y A MON/ROSITY8 ,GRU%A SAYS ?AT'S /YLI% N[4 

0,:AT DOES Y\R ,GRU%A KN[ AB\T IT8 ,%E MADE A MESS ( ! MAT]IAL4 ,Y\ LOOK LIKE ! WIFE ( A POPE4 ,Y\'D DO BETT] TO TAKE (F ?AT DRESS & PUT ON Y\R EV]YDAY SKIRT4 ,Y\'D LOOK MORE LIKE Y\RSELF4 ,?IS WAY Y\'RE NEI!R FI%1 FLE%1 NOR F[L40 

,VOLODYA DID NOT SEE ! DISAPPO9TM5T 9 ,VASYA'S FACE4 ,HE W5T \T 9TO ! D9+ ROOM TO SEE AB\T BREAKFA/4 

,) A HEAVY HE>T ,VASYA PULL$ (F ,GRU%A'S H&IWORK1 & HA/5$ TO PUT ON H] OLD SKIRT & ! BL\SE ) ! LEA!R BELT4 

,%E WAS NOT AT ALL HAPPY4 ,TWO LITTLE TE>S DROPP$ ON ! OLD BL\SE4 ,!Y DRI$ QUICKLY4 ,& !RE WAS AN UNPLEASANT COLDNESS 9 ,VASYA'S EYES4 

,! 0MANAG]'S H\SEKEEP]0 CAME TO PAY H] RESPECTS DUR+ BREAKFA/4 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA4 ,A ROBU/ WOMAN ( MIDDLE AGE & RESPECTABLE APPE>ANCE4 

,VASYA %OOK H&S ) H]4 

0,?AT WASN'T NECESS>Y10 SAID ,VLADIMIR AFT] ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA HAD LEFT ! D9+ ROOM4 0,IF Y\ DON'T 
ACT LIKE ! LADY ( ! H\SE Y\'LL HAVE !M ALL ON Y\R NECK40 

,VASYA LOOK$ AT HIM 9 AMAZEM5T4 0,?AT'S SOME?+ ,I SIMPLY CAN'T UND]/&40 

,VLADIMIR S]V$ ,VASYA4 ,BUT %E HAD NO APPETITE1 
FELT ILL AT EASE4 

0,H]E1 LOOK AT ! TABLECLO?1 ,MOROSOV L954 ,! 
NAPK9S HAVE ! SAME DESIGN1 TOO4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T HAVE 
!M PUT \T1 IT CO/S TOO MU* TO WA% !M40 

0,:]E DID Y\ GET ALL !SE ?+S8 ,DID Y\ REALLY 
BUY EV]Y?+80 ,VASYA LOOK$ SE>*+LY AT 
,VLADIMIR4 

0,SU* AN IDEA6 ,:Y1 DO Y\ KN[ :AT !SE 
FURNI%+S W\LD CO/ N[ADAYS8 ,BILLIONS6 ,DO Y\ 
REALLY ?9K ?AT MY MANAG]'S SAL>Y 5ABLES ME TO 
BUY SU* LUXURIES8 ,ALL !SE ?+S W]E SUPPLI$ TO 
ME4 ,I WAS LUCKY 5\< TO COME AT ! TIME :5 IT 
WAS POSSIBLE1 ) ! ASSI/ANCE ( SOME FRI5DS TO 
OBTA9 SU* FURNI%+S FROM ! AU?ORITIES4 ,N[ 
!Y'VE PUT A /OP TO ALL ?IS4 ,NO ONE CAN HAVE HIS 
H\SE FURNI%$ LIKE ?IS TODAY4 ,NOT UNLESS HE PAYS 
CA%4 ,BESIDES1 ,I B\<T SEV]AL ?+S ON MY [N 
ACC\NT DUR+ ! W9T]2 ! W>DROBE ) ! 
MIRROR1 9 ! B$ROOM1 ! SILK QUILT1 ! DRAW+ 
ROOM LAMP44440 ,VLADIMIR 5UM]AT$ EV]Y?+1 
HAPPILY1 CONT5T$LY4 

,VASYA'S EYES GREW COLD] & COLD]1 %ONE ) WRA?4 ,!Y NO LONG] SEEM$ BR[N1 BUT GRE51 LIKE A CAT'S EYES4 

0,& H[ MU* DID ALL !SE SPL5DID ?+S CO/ Y\80 ,VASYA'S VOICE TREMBL$4 ,VLADIMIR DID NOT NOTICE1 BUT CONT9U$ EAT+ HIS *OP & DR9K+ HIS BE]4 

0,WELL1 IF Y\ CALCULAT$ ! TOTAL1 9CLUD+ :AT ,I'VE TAK5 ON CR$IT1 ON ! 9/ALLM5T PLAN1 IT AM\NTS TO44440 

,SL[LY1 SO AS TO IMPRESS ,VASYA1 ,VLADIMIR M5TION$ A V]Y CONSID]ABLE SUM4 ,RAIS+ HIS LAU<+ EYES TO H] FACE1 HE SEEM$ TO SAY3 N[ DO Y\ SEE :AT A F9E FELL[ ,I AM8 

0,:Y1 ,VASYA1 :AT'S ! MATT] ) Y\8 

,%E HAD JUMP$ TO H] FEET1 WAS /&+ OV] HIM ) ANGRY GRE5 EYES4 

0,:]E DID Y\ GET ! MONEY8 ,TELL ME AT ONCE - :]E80 

0,:AT'S ! MATT]1 ,VASYA8 ,CALM Y\RSELF4 ,Y\ SURELY DON'T BELIEVE ?AT ,I GOT IT DI%ONE/LY8 ,OR DON'T Y\ KN[ ANY?+ AB\T MONEY VALUES8 ,COMP>E IT ) MY SAL>Y1 & Y\'LL SEE40 ,HE TOLD H] ! AM\NT ( HIS MON?LY DRAW+ ACC\NT & BONUS4 

0,?AT'S Y\R SAL>Y8 ,Y\R MON?LY SAL>Y8 ,BUT H[ D>E Y\1 A ,COMMUNI/1 SP5D IT = SU* TRA%1 = SU* NONS5SE8 ,POV]TY'S 9CREAS+6 ,MIS]Y & FAM9E >E R\ND AB\T6 ,& ! UNEMPLOY$8 ,HAVE Y\ =GOTT5 !M8 ,WAS !RE NO?+ IRREGUL> AB\T Y\R BECOM+ ! MANAG]80 

,! FURI\S GRE5 EYES CAME CLOS] TO ,VLADIMIR4 0,WELL1 ,SIR ,MANAG]1 WILL Y\ BE GOOD 5\< TO ANSW]80 

,VLADIMIR DID NOT GIVE UP1 BUT WANT$ TO BR+ ,VASYA TO REASON1 TO CONV9CE H] GOOD-NATUR$LY4 ,HE LAU<$ AT H]4 0,Y\ LIVE LIKE A SP>R[ UND] ! GABLES1 & HAVE NO IDEA ( :AT MONEY IS WOR?4 ,O!RS >E E>N+ EV5 MORE1 & LIVE QUITE DIFF]5TLY4 ,!Y MAKE A REALLY ELEGANT APPE>ANCE40 

,BUT ,VASYA WAS NOT ! SORT TO BE DEFEAT$ ) WORDS4 ,%E HAD MADE UP H] M9D TO DEM& AN ACC\NT4 ,:Y DIDN'T HE LIVE AS A ,COMMUNI/8 ,:Y DID HE ?R[ AWAY HIS MONEY ON FOOLI% TRIFLES :ILE POV]TY & FAM9E HELD SWAY R\ND AB\T HIM8 

,VLADIMIR REALIZ$ ?AT HE C\LDN'T GET AT H] BY ?IS MEANS4 ,HE W\LD HAVE TO TRY ANO!R WAY4 ,HE W\LD HAVE TO ATTEMPT A POLITICAL EXPLANATION4 ,?AT IT WAS ALL A P>T ( ! MANAG]'S TASK4 ,9/RUCTIONS FROM HEADQU>T]S4 ,! MA9 ?+ WAS TO DO ALL HE C\LD TO MAKE ! UND]TAK+ FL\RI%1 TO 9CREASE ! E>N+S ( HIS COMPANY4 ,& ?IS WAS HIS /RONGE/ PO9T4 ,VASYA MU/ WAIT UNTIL %E SAW :AT HE HAD ACCOMPLI%$ 9 A YE>4 ,HE HAD BUILT UP EV]Y?+ 9 A DES]T$ PLACE1 HAD 9CREAS$ ! \TPUT1 SO ?AT N[ ! 5TIRE TRU/ WAS DEP5D5T ON HIS SUP]VISION4 ,%E W\LD SEE = H]SELF4 ,?\< HE LIV$ 0LIKE A HUMAN BE+0 HE WAS NONE ! LESS CONC]N$ ) EV]Y ONE ( HIS EMPLOYES1 ) ! MO/ HUMBLE %IPP+ CL]K4 ,LET H] ONLY GET AN 9SI<T 9TO ! MATT]1 !N %E W\LD ?9K DIFF]5TLY4 ,BUT HE HAD NOT EXPECT$ ?AT HIS FRI5D1 ,VASYA1 HIS WIFE1 HIS COMRADE1 W\LD COME !RE TO JO9 9 ! *ORUS ( HIS 5EMIES4 ,IT WAS SO H>D TO WORK ?AT WAY4 ,HE GAVE ALL HIS 5]GY TO ! CAUSE1 & !SE W]E HIS ?ANKS4 ,EV5 HIS WIFE WAS AGA9/ HIM1 WANT$ TO CONDEMN HIM4 

,VLADIMIR WAS (F5D$ & FURI\S4 ,HIS EYES W]E ?OSE ( AN ANGRY WOLF4 ,!Y FLA%$ FIRE AT ,VASYA1 AS ?\< TO BURN H]4 ,BECAUSE ( H] SUSPICION & CONDEMNATION4 

,VASYA LI/5$ ?\<TFULLY4 ,HE MI<T BE RI<T4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS DIFF]5T N[4 ,! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+ WAS ?AT HIS ACC\NTS W]E /RAI<T & ! WORK DONE4 ,! NATIONAL WEAL? MU/ BE 9CREAS$4 ,%E WAS NOT DISPUT+ ?AT4 

0,BECAUSE ,I GET SOME ?+S1 E/ABLI% MY [N H\SEHOLD8 ,AM ,I TO LIVE 9 COMMUNITY H\SES =EV]8 ,&4 :Y >E WE WORSE ?AN ,AM]ICAN LABOR]S8 ,Y\ %\LD SEE H[ !Y LIVE !RE4 ,!Y HAVE !IR [N PIANO1 !IR [N ,=D1 !IR [N MOTORCYCLE40 

,9 ! MEANTIME ! WOR?Y ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA HAD LOOK$ 9TO ! D9+ ROOM SEV]AL TIMES4 ,%E WANT$ TO S]VE ! FRITT]S2 & %E SAW ?AT !SE TWO QU>REL$ ! MOM5T !Y MET4 ,?AT'S H[ IT HAD BE5 ) ! 0REAL G5TLEFOLK0 :OM %E HAD S]V$ BE=E ! ,REVOLUTION4 ,!Y1 OR ! ,COMMUNI/S - !Y W]E ALL ALIKE4 ,ONLY1 IT WAS TOO BAD AB\T ! FRITT]S1 !Y W\LD SPOIL ) ! /&+4 

,VLADIMIR TOOK ,VASYA EV]Y:]E1 %[$ H] ! 
(FICES1 ! W>EH\SES & ! HOMES4 ,HE TOOK H] 
TO ! BOOKKEEP+ DEP>TM5T1 TOO4 0,JU/ TAKE A LOOK 
AT \R BOOKS1 Y\ WON'T F9D SU* A SY/EM ( ACC\NTANCY ANY:]E ELSE4 ,SEE H[ WOND]FULLY ,I'VE >RANG$ ?+S1 & !N TELL ME ?AT ,I'M WA/EFUL40 

,HE ASK$ ! BOOKKEEP]S TO EXPLA9 TO ,VASYA ! 
PR9CIPLE ( !IR SY/EM1 :I* WAS SIMPLIFI$1 BUT 
ACCURATE4 ,IT HAD RECEIV$ SPECIAL COMM5DATION FROM 
HEADQU>T]S4 

,VASYA LI/5$ C>EFULLY4 ,AL?\< %E C\LDN'T 
UND]/& EV]Y?+ %E SAW ?AT !Y W]E TRY+ 
H>D & LOV$ !IR WORK4 ,VOLODYA1 TOO1 WAS 9 IT 
) ALL HIS HE>T & S\L4 ,HE TOOK H] TO ! HOMES 
( ! EMPLOYES1 PURPOSELY ASK$ !IR WIVES :E!R 
!Y W]E SATISFI$4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,VASYA TRIUMPHANTLY4 
,EV]YONE SAID ! SAME ?+3 ,W]E !Y SATISFI$8 
,N[ADAYS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE BETT] (F 0,WE 
[E \R LIVES TO Y\R PROVID5CE1 ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT*40 

0,!RE6 ,& Y\ SAY ,I'M A SP5D?RIFT6 ,BELIEVE 
ME1 ,I TOOK C>E ( \R EMPLOYES FIR/4 ,I GOT AS MU* 
AS ,I C\LD = !M4 ,& ONLY !N DID ,I ?9K ( MYSELF4 ,Y\ SEE H[ !Y LIVE4 ,! WORK+M5 >E 
JU/ AS WELL (F AS ! (FICE =CE4 ,I MADE SPECIAL 
EF=TS 9 !IR BEHALF4 ,REALLY1 ,I DID EV]Y?+ ,I POSSIBLY C\LD40 

0,V]Y WELL1 Y\ DID ALL ?AT4 ,BUT :AT AB\T !M8 
,:AT DID !Y DO = !MSELVES80 

0,:AT PECULI> IDEAS Y\ HAVE1 ,VASYA4 ,DON'T WE HAVE ! SAME 9T]E/S1 !Y & ,I8 ,BE=E1 ( C\RSE1 ! MANAG] /OOD ON ONE SIDE1 & ! WORK]S ON ! O!R4 ,BUT NOT N[1 NOT H]E4 ,Y\'VE BECOME MOSS-GR[N 9 Y\R LITTLE BOG40 

,HE WAS JOK+1 YET ,VASYA FELT ?AT ,VLADIMIR WASN'T PLEAS$1 ?AT %E HAD (F5D$ HIM4 ,HE SP5T ! 5TIRE DAY TAK+ H] AB\T ! V>I\S BUILD+S ( ! WORKS4 ,VASYA GREW TIR$4 ,H] TEMPLES BEGAN TO ?ROB2 %E HAD A /IT* 9 H] SIDE1 A BACKA*E4 ,IF ONLY %E C\LD GO HOME1 LIE D[N & GO TO SLEEP4 ,H] HEAD WAS /ILL BUZZ+ ) ! NOISE ( ! TRA9-:EELS4 ,BUT ,VOLODYA HAD JU/ TOLD H] ?AT !RE W\LD BE GUE/S = D9N]4 ,%E WAS TO RECEIVE !M4 

,!Y CAME HOME1 5T]$ ! HALL4 ,! ]R&-BOY OP5$ ! DOOR1 & REMA9$ /&+1 AS ?\< EXPECT+ A COMM&4 ,LOOK+ AT HIM1 ,VLADIMIR TOOK A NOTEBOOK FROM HIS POCKET1 SCRIBBL$ A FEW WORDS1 & GAVE ! NOTE TO ! BOY4 

0,N[ HURRY1 ,VASSYA1 SO !RE'LL BE NO DELAY4 ,Y\'LL BR+ ! ANSW] TO ME P]SONALLY4 ,UND]/&80 

,HE TURN$ TO ,VASYA AGA91 LOOK$ AT H] ) AN ODD EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE1 HALF GUILTY1 HALF 9QUIR+4 

0,:AT'S ! MATT] ) Y\1 ,VASYUK8 ,:Y DO Y\ />E AT ME SO80 ,HIS VOICE S\ND$ UNC]TA94 

0,NO?+'S ! MATT]4 ,BUT - ! ]R&-BOY'S NAME IS ,VASSYA1 TOO80 

0,YES2 DON'T Y\ LIKE ! IDEA ( !RE BE+ TWO ,VASYA'S 9 MY H\SE8 ,CAN Y\ IMAG9E6 ,%E'S JEAL\S 6 ,BUT Y\ NE$N'T WORRY4 ,!RE'S NOT ANO!R ,VASYA LIKE Y\ 9 ! WORLD40 

,G5TLY HE PUT HIS >M AB\T H]1 GAZ$ 9TO H] EYES1 & KISS$ H]4 ,IT WAS ! FIR/ TIME HE HAD C>ESS$ H] ALL DAY4 ,!Y W5T 9TO ! B$ROOM >M 9 
>M4 

,! D9N]-GUE/S >RIV$3 ,SAVELYEV & ,IVAN ,IVANOVIT*1 ! SECRET>Y ( ! ADM9I/RATION4 ,SAVELYEV WAS A TALL1 LEAN MAN1 9 A LI<T GRAY SUIT4 ,HIS ?9 HAIR WAS NEATLY COMB$1 & HE WORE A SEAL-R+ ON HIS 9DEX-F+]4 ,CLEV]1 RA!R CRAFTY EYES1 AN UNPLEASANT SMILE ON HIS SMOO?-%AV5 FACE4 ,AS ?\< HE W]E WAT*+ EV]Y?+1 & AS IF EV]Y?+ W]E ! SAME TO HIM AS LONG AS HE WAS WELL (F4 ,?AT'S H[ IT SEEM$ TO ,VASYA4 

,:5 HE MET ,VASYA HE RAIS$ H] H& TO HIS LIPS4 ,%E PULL$ IT AWAY4 

0,I'M NOT US$ TO ?AT40 

0,AS Y\ SAY4 ,BUT ,I NEV] OBJECT TO KISS+ ! H& ( A Y\NG WOMAN4 ,IT'S PLEASANT1 & ! HUSB& CAN'T BE JEAL\S4 ,Y\ MU/ BE V]Y JEAL\S1 ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT*8 ,CONFESS60 

,AS HE SPOKE HE SLAPP$ ,VOLODYA'S BACK4 ,VLADIMIR LAU<$4 

0,VASYA IS A MODEL WIFE1 !RE'S NO NE$ ( BE+ JEAL\S ( H]40 

0,SO %E DOESN'T FOLL[ H] HUSB&'S EXAMPLE80 

,SAVELYEV W9K$ AT ,VLADIMIR4 ,& ,VLADIMIR'S EYES SUDD5LY GREW BIG & FRI<T5$4 

0,I DON'T ?9K ,I'VE EV] DONE ANY?+ TO 44 

,SAVELYEV 9T]RUPT$4 0,NEV] M9D4 ,WE KN[ H[ Y\ >E1 Y\ M>RI$ M54 ,I'VE BE5 ?R\< IT MYSELF4 ,BUT N[ ,I'M LEAD+ A BA*ELOR'S LIFE40 

,VASYA DIDN'T LIKE ,SAVELYEV4 ,DIDN'T LIKE HIM AT ALL4 ,BUT ,VOLODYA TALK$ ) HIM AS ) A FRI5D4 ,AB\T BUS9ESS1 AB\T POLITICS4 ,VASYA W\LDN'T HAVE DISCUSS$ POLITICS ) ?IS 0SPECULATOR10 W\LDN'T HAVE LAU<$ ) HIM AT ! ,*AIRMAN ( ! ,EXECUTIVE ,COMMITTEE4 ,%E W\LD HAVE TO REASON ) ,VOLODYA1 P]SUADE HIM TO DROP ?IS FRI5D%IP4 

,!Y HAD W9E = D9N]4 ,! SECRET>Y1 ,IVAN ,IVANOVIT*1 HAD BR\<T IT 9 A BASKET4 ,!Y W]E WORRI$ AB\T SOME L>GE %IPM5TS ?AT HAD FAIL$ TO >RIVE1 & :I* !Y W]E AFRAID W\LD COME TOO LATE = ! FAIR4 

,VASYA LI/5$1 TRY+ TO GRASP ! MEAN+ ( IT ALL4 ,BUT IT SEEM$ TO H] ?AT !SE ?+S W]5'T SO V]Y IMPORTANT1 AS IF ! MA9 PO9T W]E NOT BE+ M5TION$4 ,! ?ROBB+ & HAMM]+ ( H] TEMPLES BO!R$ H]1 & H] EYES HURT4 ,IF ONLY ! MEAL W]E OV]4 

,VLADIMIR ORD]$ ! AUTO RI<T AFT] D9N]4 ,HE HAD TO ATT5D AN IMPORTANT MEET+ CONC]N+ ! %IPM5T4 
0,>E Y\ REALLY GO+ TO ! MEET+ TODAY8 ,! DAY Y\R WIFE CAME8 ,Y\ \<T TO /AY ) H]4 
,IT'S NOT NICE ( Y\1 ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT*40 ,SAVELYEV LOOK$ AT ,VLADIMIR ) A CROOK$ SMILE4 

0,IMPOSSIBLE10 9T]RUPT$ ,VLADIMIR1 C>EFULLY LI<T+ A CIG>ETTE4 ,HE W\LD HAVE BE5 GLAD TO /AY - BUS9ESS1 Y\ KN[4 

,SAVELYEV C\LD NOT REFRA9 FROM SAY+1 0,!RE >E TWO SIDES TO EV]Y?+40 

,& AGA9 ,VASYA ?\<T HE WAS W9K+ AT ,VLADIMIR1 LAU<+ AT HIM4 ,A DISGU/+ SPECULATOR4 

0,IF ,I W]E 9 Y\R PLACE ,I'D DROP EV]Y?+ ELSE TODAY1 & SP5D ! FIR/ EV5+ ) Y\R WIFE4 ,Y\R BUS9ESS WON'T RUN AWAY40 

,VLADIMIR DIDN'T ANSW]1 BUT PICK$ UP HIS CAP ANGRILY4 

0,WELL1 ,NIKANOR ,PLATONOVIT*1 >E WE READY TO GO80 

,!Y DROVE (F1 ,IVAN ,IVANOVIT* GO+ ) !M4 ,VASYA WAS LEFT ALONE4 ,ALONE1 9 ! GREAT EMPTY H\SE ?AT WAS SO /RANGE TO H]4 ,%E W5T ?R\< ! ROOMS4 ,DRE>Y1 LONELY1 COLD4 ,%E /OOD BESIDE ! W9D[4 ,!N %E LAY D[N ON ! B$ ) ! SILK QUILT1 & FELL ASLEEP AT ONCE4 

,%E AWOKE ) A />T4 ,IT WAS D>K4 ,LI<T+ ! LAMP1 %E GLANC$ AT ! CLOCK4 ,A QU>T] PA/ TWELVE4 ,HAD %E REALLY SLEPT SO LONG8 ,PA/ MIDNI<T4 ,VLADIMIR HAD NOT COME 94 

,GETT+ UP1 ,VASYA BA!D H] FACE & W5T 9TO ! D9+ ROOM4 

,! SUPP]-TABLE WAS SET1 ! LI<T WAS BURN+4 ,! ROOM WAS EMPTY & /ILL1 ! RE/ ( ! H\SE D>K4 ,%E W5T 9TO ! KIT*51 :]E ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA WAS /RAI<T5+ ?+S4 

0,HASN'T ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT* RETURN$80 

0,NO4 ,NOT YET40 

0,DOES HE ALWAYS COME BACK SO LATE FROM HIS MEET+S80 

0,IT DEP5DS40 

,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA WAS SULL51 & SP>+ ) H] WORDS4 

0,H[ AB\T Y\8 ,>E Y\ WAIT+ UP = HIM8 ,>5'T Y\ GO+ TO B$80 

0,VASSYA & ,I TAKE TURNS4 ,ONE DAY HE /AYS UP1 ! NEXT DAY ,I DO40 

0,WILL ,VLADIMIR HAVE SUPP] :5 HE COMES80 

0,IF HE BR+S ANY GUE/S ,I GUESS HE'LL HAVE SOME4 ,O!RWISE HE GOES /RAI<T TO HIS ROOM40 

,VASYA /AY$ A LITTLE :ILE LONG]1 SIL5T4 ,%E SAW ?AT ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA WAS BUSY ) H] [N AFFAIRS1 & PAID NO ATT5TION TO H]4 

,GO+ BACK TO ! B$ROOM1 ,VASYA OP5$ ! W9D[4 ,A COOL1 QUIET SPR+ NI<T4 ,! AIR WAS FILL$ ) ! /RONG P]FUME ( ! ACACIAS4 ,! FROGS CROAK$ L\DLY1 CURI\SLY4 ,AT FIR/ ,VASYA ?\<T !Y W]E NI<T BIRDS4 

,! SKY WAS D>K1 & DOTT$ ) MANY1 MANY TW9KL+ />S4 ,VASYA GAZ$ 9TO ! D>K G>D51 LOOK$ UP AT ! SKY & />S4 ,H] HE>T BECAME CALM]4 ,%E =GOT ! SPECULATOR1 ,SAVELYEV1 =GOT ! PA9 ,VLADIMIR HAD 9VOLUNT>ILY CAUS$ H] DUR+ ! DAY4 ,N[ %E FELT ) ALL H] S\L ?AT %E HAD COME TO HIM1 TO H] BELOV$1 TO HELP & GUIDE HIM4 ,ONE :O ASSOCIATES ) ,NEP-PEOPLE CANNOT HELP LEAV+ ! RI<T ROAD4 ,?AT WAS :Y HE HAD SUMMON$ H]1 HIS FRI5D & WIFE4 

,REMEMB]+ H[ ,VLADIMIR HAD >RANG$ EV]Y?+1 ,VASYA WAS PR\D ( HIM4 ,H[ 5]GETIC HE WAS4 ,N[ %E SAW ?+S 9 A DIFF]5T LI<T4 ,EV]Y?+ SEEM$ CLE>]1 MORE 9TELLIGIBLE1 MORE *E]FUL ?AN DUR+ ! DAY4 

,VASYA WAS SO ABSORB$ ) H] ?\<TS ?AT %E FAIL$ TO HE> EI!R ! C> DRAW+ UP OR ,VLADIMIR WALK+ OV] ! RUGS & C>PETS TO H]4 ,! S\ND ( HIS VOICE MADE H] />T4 

0,:AT W]E WE ?9K+ AB\T SO H>D1 LITTLE ,VASYUK ( M9E80 

,AS ,VLADIMIR B5T OV] H]1 HIS EYES SEEM$ ANXI\S & LOV+4 

0,HAVE Y\ REALLY COME1 DE>8 ,I'VE BE5 WAIT+ SO LONG40 

,%E ?REW H] >MS AB\T HIS NECK4 

,VLADIMIR PICK$ H] UP AS 9 ! FIR/ MON?S ( !IR LOVE1 & C>RI$ H] ?R\< ! ROOM LIKE AN ADOR$ *ILD4 

,VASYA FELT HAPPY & GAY4 ,VOLODYA LOV$ H]1 LOV$ H] AS ALWAYS6 ,H[ SILLY %E HAD BE56 ,:Y HAD %E FELT HURT 9 ! MORN+8 

,!Y DRANK TEA TOGE!R1 HAD AN 9TIMATE & AFFECTIONATE TALK4 ,VASYA PRON\NC$ H] OP9ION ( ,SAVELYEV4 0,IT'S BETT] NOT TO BE A FRI5D ( HIS40 

,VLADIMIR DID NOT D5Y IT4 ,HE ADMITT$ ?AT HE1 TOO1 HAD NO RESPECT = HIM2 BUT HE WAS USEFUL2 ! :OLE BUS9ESS W\LD HAVE BE5 IMPOSSIBLE )\T HIM4 ,HE HAD MANY CONNECTIONS FROM BE=E1 & 5JOY$ ! CONFID5CE ( ! M]*ANTS2 IT WAS POSSIBLE TO COME 9 CONTACT ) !M ?R\< HIM4 ,VOLODYA1 TOO1 HAD LE>N$ MU* FROM HIM4 ,FRANKLY SPEAK+1 HE WAS NOT WOR? MU* AS A MAN4 ,A G5U9E BUR%UI2 BUT 9 BUS9ESS HE WAS 9DISP5SABLE4 ,?AT WAS :Y ,VOLODYA HAD DEF5D$ HIM :5 ! HI<E/ AU?ORITIES1 ! 0SUP]-CLEV] FELL[S10 HAD >RE/$ ,SAVELYEV4 ,& HE WAS HI<LY E/EEM$ 9 ,MOSC[4 ,! LOCAL AU?ORITIES HAD BE5 GIV5 A GOOD CALL+-D[N ON HIS ACC\NT4 

0,YES1 BUT DIDN'T Y\ WRITE ME ?AT HIS H&S >5'T CLEAN80 

0,H[ CAN ,I MAKE IT CLE> TO Y\8 ,HE'S \R REPRES5TATIVE4 ,( C\RSE HE DOESN'T NEGLECT HIMSELF4 ,BUT HE'S NO WORSE ?AN ! O!RS4 ,BESIDES1 ! O!R FELL[S DAWDLE AB\T & DO NO?+1 :ILE HE WORKS CONSCI5TI\SLY4 ,& HE KN[S HIS WORK1 LIKES IT40 

,ALL ?IS NOT)/&+1 H[EV]1 ,VLADIMIR PROMIS$ TO SEE LESS ( HIM4 ,BUS9ESS WAS BUS9ESS1 BUT IT DIDN'T NECESSITATE A FRI5D%IP4 

,HAV+ F9I%$ !IR TEA1 !Y RETURN$ TO ! B$ROOM >M 9 >M4 ,VLADIMIR PRESS$ ,VASYA'S HEAD TO HIS BREA/1 KISS$ H] CURLS1 & SPOKE ?\<TFULLY1 T5D]LY4 0,SU* A DE> LITTLE HEAD4 ,IT'LL ALWAYS BE M9E1 WON'T IT8 ,ANO!R FRI5D LIKE Y\1 ,VASYA1 DOESN'T EXI/4 ,I LOVE ONLY Y\1 MY ,VASYA1 MY LITTLE TOMBOY40 

,VASYA WOKE UP LATE4 ,VLADIMIR HAD GONE TO WORK LONG BE=E4 

,%E DIDN'T FEEL WELL4 ,%E HAD %OOT+ PA9S 9 H] SIDE1 FELT FEV]I%1 & WAS BEG9N+ TO C\<4 ,HAD %E CAU<T COLD ON ! TRIP8 ,AL?\< IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY %E WRAPP$ A %AWL AB\T H]4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE1 & DIDN'T WANT TO GET UP4 ,M>YA ,SEMONOVNA CAME 9TO ! ROOM1 /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY1 FOLD$ H] H&S BE=E H]1 & LOOK$ AT ,VASYA AS ?\< %E W]E EXPECT+ SOME?+4 

0,GOOD MORN+1 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA40 

0,GOOD MORN+10 WAS ! DRY RESPONSE4 0,:AT WILL Y\ ORD] = D9N]8 ,:5 HE LEFT1 ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT* SAID Y\'D ATT5D TO EV]Y?+4 ,Y\'RE HAV+ GUE/S40 

,VASYA WAS AT A LOSS4 ,%E HAD NO IDEA :AT %E %\LD ORD]4 ,AT HOME1 9 ! COMMUNITY H\SE1 %E HAD HAD ONLY SU* FOOD AS ! ,/ATE SUPPLI$4 

,SEE+ ?AT ,VASYA KNEW NO?+ :ATEV] AB\T SU* MATT]S1 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA SUGGE/$ V>I\S DI%ES4 ,VASYA AGRE$ TO EV]Y?+4 ,BUT %E 9QUIR$ AS TO ! CO/4 ,W\LDN'T IT BE V]Y DE>8 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA'S M\? SNAPP$ %UT4 

0,WELL1 IF Y\ WANT A GOOD D9N]1 Y\ CAN'T SAVE ON IT4 ,Y\ CAN'T HAVE ANY?+ )\T MONEY4 ,! ,COMMUNI/S HAVE DONE AWAY ) ! PAYOKS40 

0,DO Y\ HAVE ANY MONEY80 

0,!RE'S A LITTLE LEFT FROM YE/]DAY1 BUT NOT 5\< = TODAY4 ,MEAT IS EXP5SIVE1 & WE'LL HAVE TO BUY BUTT]1 TOO40 

0,SO ,VLADIMIR LEFT Y\ NO MONEY80 

0,HE LEFT ME NO?+4 ,HE ONLY SAID3 ',GO TO ,VASSILISSA ,DEM5TYEVNA & DISCUSS EV]Y?+ ) H]4' 0 

,:AT %\LD %E DO N[8 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA /OOD !RE1 WAIT+ = ! MONEY1 & W\LD NOT GO4 ,VASYA HAD A LITTLE MONEY LEFT1 BUT ! H\SEHOLD W\LD SOON EAT IT UP2 & %E W\LD BE LEFT )\T A KOPECK4 ,%E DIDN'T LIKE ?AT IDEA4 

0,:Y DON'T Y\ ADVANCE SOME ( Y\R MONEY TO ME1 & !N HAVE ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT* GIVE IT BACK TO Y\80 SUGGE/$ ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA4 

0,REALLY1 ?AT NEV] OCCURR$ TO ME60 

,& ! MATT] WAS SETTL$4 

,:5 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA HAD GONE ,VASYA W5T \T 9TO ! G>D54 ,%E WALK$ UP & D[N ! PA?S = A LONG TIME1 UNTIL %E WAS TIR$4 ,%E FELT SO EXHAU/$4 ,LY+ D[N1 %E TOOK UP A BOOK1 & FELL ASLEEP OV] IT4 

,VASYA LAY /RET*$ ON ! B$4 ,H] *EEKS W]E 
BURN+1 H] SLEEP WAS DI/URB$ BY DISMAL1 TORM5T+ DREAMS4 ,WAK+1 %E LOOK$ AB\T FRETFULLY4 ,:Y HAD %E GONE TO SLEEP8 ,IT W\LD HAVE BE5 BETT] TO SEE ! SI<TS ( ! CITY4 ,%E HADN'T COME TO ,VLADIMIR TO BE SICK4 ,YET %E HADN'T ! SLI<TE/ DESIRE TO RAISE H] HEAD4 ,%E CLOS$ H] EYES1 & H] ?\<TS IMM$IATELY BECAME CONFUS$4 ,IT WAS NO PROP] SLEEP1 
NOT EV5 A DOZE4 ,BUT %E WASN'T FULLY CONSCI\S1 EI!R4 

0,VASSILISSA ,DEM5TYEVNA1 ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT* WILL COME 9 = D9N] ANY MOM5T2 Y\ %\LD GET DRESS$4 ,!N ,I C\LD MAKE ! B$4 ,HE HATES TO SEE DISORD] 9 ! H\SE40 

,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA WAS B5D+ OV] ,VASYA AS ?\<1 BE+ ! ELD]1 %E WANT$ TO CORRECT H]4 

0,IS IT ?AT LATE80 

0,ALMO/ FIVE4 ,& Y\ HAV5'T EV5 HAD BREAKFA/4 ,I WANT$ TO WAKE Y\ BE=E1 BUT Y\ W]E S\ND ASLEEP4 ,?AT'S FROM ! TRIP4 ,Y\ HAV5'T GOTT5 OV] IT YET40 

0,IT MI<T BE ! TRIP1 OR ,I MAY HAVE CAU<T COLD4 ,I FEEL *ILL$40 

0,Y\ %\LD PUT ON Y\R WOOL5 DRESS2 IT'LL BY W>M]4 ,! LITTLE RAG Y\'RE WE>+ ISN'T ANY GOOD40 

0,MY SUIT TURN$ \T BADLY4 ,MY HUSB& DIDN'T LIKE IT AT ALL40 

0,:Y DO Y\ SAY ?AT8 ,IT'S NOT SO BAD4 ,!RE MAY 
BE TOO MANY PLEATS ON ! HIPS1 & ! WAI/L9E ISN'T 
JU/ :]E IT %\LD BE4 ,N[ADAYS !Y'RE WE>+ 
! WAI/L9E444 ,I'VE BE5 A DRESSMAK]1 TOO4 ,I KN[ ALL AB\T CLO!S4 ,JU/ Y\ LET ME REMODEL ! SKIRT4 ,WE'LL *ANGE ?AT DRESS SO ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT* WON'T RECOGNIZE IT40 

0,WILL IT BE READY BY D9N]-TIME80 

0,?AT'S ASK+ A LITTLE TOO MU*4 ,NO1 WE'LL DO IT SL[LY2 WE WON'T RU% IT4 ,N[ Y\ PUT ON Y\R BLACK SKIRT & WE> ! COAT ( Y\R SUIT OV] IT4 ,?AT'LL LOOK V]Y WELL40 

,NEV] BE=E HAD ,VASYA SP5T SO MU* TIME BE=E ! MIRROR4 ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA WAS =EV] F9D+ SOME?+ TO *ANGE4 ,H]E %E FA/5$ SOME?+ ) P9S1 !RE %E MADE SOME LONG /IT*ES4 ,%E F\ND A LACE COLL>1 TOO4 ,! EFFECT WAS QUITE GOOD4 ,SIMPLE1 YET ELEGANT4 ,EV5 ,VASYA LIK$ IT4 ,:AT W\LD ,VLADIMIR SAY AB\T IT8 

,ALMO/ AS SOON AS %E WAS F9I%$ ,VLADIMIR CAME ) HIS GUE/S3 AN EMPLOYEE ( ! ,G4 ,P4 ,U4 7:AT HAD BE5 ! ,*EKA7 & HIS WIFE4 ,! 5DS ( HIS MU/A*E HAD BE5 WAX$ TO NE$LE PO9TS2 HE WAS FOPPI%LY DRESS$1 ) TAN BOOTS ?AT REA*$ TO HIS KNEES4 ,& ?AT CALL$ HIMSELF A ,COMMUNI/6 

,VASYA DIDN'T LIKE HIM AT ALL4 ,& HIS WIFE DRESS$ UP LIKE A /REET-WALK]6 ,%E WORE A ?9 DRESS1 :ITE %OES & A FUR SC>F ACROSS H] %\LD]S2 H] F+]S W]E GLITT]+ ) R+S4 ,VLADIMIR KISS$ H] H&1 JE/$ ) H]4 ,:AT W]E !Y TALK+ AB\T8 ,%E C\LDN'T UND]/& IT4 ,IT WAS ALL NONS5SE4 ,VLADIMIR WAS B5D+ OV] H] GALLANTLY1 HIS EYES FLIRT+ ) H]S4 

,VASYA SAT BESIDE ! MAN FROM ! ,G4 ,P4 ,U4 ,HE WAS A ,COMMUNI/4 ,BUT %E HAD NO IDEA ( :AT TO SAY TO HIM4 

,!Y HAD W9E AGA94 ,VLADIMIR T\*$ GLASSES ) ! LADY2 %E :ISP]$ SOME?+ TO HIM1 & BO? LAU<$4 ,IT ANNOY$ ,VASYA4 ,BUT HE PAID NO ATT5TION TO H]4 ,AS IF %E DIDN'T BELONG TO HIM4 ,QUE]6 ,%E DIDN'T LIKE IT4 

,JOK+LY !Y M5TION$ ! FA/S4 ,! LADY SAID ?AT %E WAS RELIGI\S & W5T TO CONFESSION1 EV5 ?\< %E DID NOT FA/4 ,H[ C\LD ?AT BE8 ,A ,COMRADE ( ! ,G4 ,P4 ,U4 M>RI$ TO A BELIEV]8 ,VASYA SC[L$4 ,%E WAS \T ( HUMOR4 ,BECAUSE ( ,VLADIMIR1 TOO4 ,:AT SORT ( FRI5DS DID HE HAVE8 ,T[>D ! 5D ( ! MEAL1 ,IVAN ,IVANOVIT* CAME 9 TO TELL !M ?AT ,SAVELYEV HAD TAK5 A BOX 9 ! !AT]1 & HAD 9VIT$ !M4 

0,WE'LL GO1 WON'T WE1 ,VASYA80 ASK$ ,VLADIMIR4 

0,) ,SAVELYEV80 ,VASYA TRI$ TO CAT* HIS EYES2 BUT HE PRET5D$ NOT TO UND]/&4 

0,YES1 ( C\RSE1 ) ,NIKANOR ,PLATONOVIT*4 ,) ! :OLE CR[D4 ,!Y'RE GIV+ A NEW OP]ETTA4 ,IT'LL AMUSE Y\40 

0,NO1 ,I WON'T GO40 

0,:Y NOT80 

0,I DON'T FEEL QUITE WELL4 ,I MU/ HAVE CAU<T COLD ON ! TRIP40 

,VLADIMIR LOOK$ CLOSELY AT H]4 

0,REALLY1 Y\ DON'T LOOK WELL1 ,VASYA4 ,Y\R EYES >E QUITE SUNK54 ,LET ME HAVE Y\R H&4 ,:Y1 IT'S T]RIBLY HOT4 ,( C\RSE Y\ CAN'T GO4 ,& ,I WON'T GO EI!R40 

0,BUT :Y NOT8 ,DO GO60 

,! GUE/S1 TOO1 P]SUAD$ ,VLADIMIR1 & HE GAVE 94 

,9 ! HALL ,VLADIMIR EMBRAC$ ,VASYA 9 ! PRES5CE ( ! O!RS1 & :ISP]$ 9 H] E>3 0,Y\ LOOK UNUSUALLY PRETTY TODAY1 ,VASYA40 

,HE ASK$ ,M>YA ,SEMYONOVNA TO TAKE C>E ( ,VASSILISSA ,DEM5TYEVNA4 

0,GO TO B$ RI<T AWAY1 ,VASYA4 ,I'LL BE BACK SOON4 ,I WON'T /AY TO ! 5D40 

,!Y DROVE (F4 

,VASYA W&]$ AB\T ! ROOMS1 QUITE =LORN4 

,%E DIDN'T LIKE ?IS LIFE4 ,%E C\LDN'T SAY JU/ :AT WAS WRONG ) IT4 ,BUT EV]Y?+ WAS NEW & UNFAMILI>4 ,& %E WAS A /RANG] H]E2 NO ONE HAD NE$ ( H]4 ,VLADIMIR MI<T LOVE H]1 BUT HE ?\<T ( H] SO LITTLE4 ,HE HAD PUT HIS >MS >\ND H]1 KISS$ H] & GONE AWAY4 ,IT WAS DIFF]5T :5 HE HAD TO GO TO A MEET+1 TO WORK4 ,BUT ?IS TIME IT WAS ! !AT]6 ,:Y HAD HE GONE )\T H]8 ,HADN'T HE SE5 5\< ( ! !AT] DUR+ ! W9T]8 ,SOME?+ WAS TR\BL+ ,VASYA1 HAUNT+ H]4 ,%E C\LDN'T EXPRESS IT4 ,%E FELT ILL AT EASE4 

0,I'LL /AY H]E A WEEK10 %E DECID$4 0,I'LL SEE H[ ?+S /& ) ,VOLODYA1 & !N ,I'LL GO40 

,BUT !RE WAS ! RUB4 ,:]E W\LD %E GO8 ,BACK TO ! COMMUNITY H\SE8 ,H] ROOM !RE1 H] ATTIC UND] ! RO( WAS GONE4 ,H] FRI5D1 ,GRU%A ! SEAM/RESS1 WAS LIV+ 9 IT4 ,BESIDES1 ! ,F$OSSEYEVS W]E !RE2 !RE W\LD BE GOSSIP & WORRY4 ,ONCE MORE %E W\LD HAVE TO FI<T EV]YBODY = ! H\SE4 ,& %E FELT TOO WORN \T = ?AT4 ,BESIDES1 %E HAD LO/ FAI? 9 ! S\NDNESS ( ! PROPOSITION4 ,& ?AT WAS ! MO/ IMPORTANT PO9T4 

,NO1 %E HAD NO PLACE :]E %E C\LD GO4 

,?IS ?\<T MADE H] HE>T EV5 HEAVI]1 /ABB$ IT AS ) A /EEL BLADE4 

,VASYA WAS COLD4 ,%IV]+1 %E DREW H] H&S 9TO H] SLEEVES4 ,%E W&]$ ?R\< ! D>K EMPTY ROOMS4 

,%E FELT AS IF ?IS /RANGE H\SE W]E PREP>+ SORR[ = H]4 ,A LURK+ DISA/]4 

,A PREMONITION8 

,C\LD A ,COMMUNI/ BELIEVE 9 PREMONITIONS8 ,BUT IT MU/ BE ?AT4 ,ELSE1 :Y ?IS MELAN*OLY8 ,?IS 9F9ITE1 NAMELESS1 FRUITLESS MELAN*OLY8 

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,M>* #d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #f -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/