"Consumption has never threatened you. Before Pani Elzen asked you to teach, she questioned the doctor about your health--and you should not wonder at that, for she was anxious about her children. The doctor assured her that there was no danger." "Of course not. I have discovered a certain remedy against microbes." "What is the remedy?" "It will be announced in the papers. Such discoveries as that are never hidden under a bushel." Svirski glanced at Kresovich, as if to convince himself that the man was not speaking in a fever; meanwhile they reached the station, which was swarming with people. The visitors at Nice were going as usual in the morning to Monte Carlo. At the moment when Svirski was buying a ticket, Vyadrovski saw him. "Good-morning," said he, coming up; "you are going to the Mountain?" "Yes. Have you a ticket?" "I have a monthly one. The train will be crowded." "We can stand in a passage." "This is a genuine Exodus, is it not? And each one carries his mite to the widow. Good-morning, Pan Kresovich! What say you of life in this place? Make some remark from the point of view of your party." Kresovich blinked as if unable to understand what was asked of him, then answered,-- "I enroll myself in the party of the silent." "I know, I know!--a strong party: it is either silent or explosive," and he laughed. Meanwhile the bell rang, and there was need of haste. From the platform came the call, "En voiture! en voiture!" The next moment Svirski, Kresovich, Vyadrovski, and the two boys were in the passage of a car. "With my sciatica this is pleasant!" said Vyadrovski. "See what is going on. Useless to think of a seat. A regular migration of nations!"