“We’re not all here, but deuce take the others!” cried a burly, good- looking student. His loud tradesman’s voice made one feel that he was used to ordering others about. Soloveitchik sprang forward to the table and rang a little bell. He smiled once more, and this time for sheer satisfaction at having thought of using a bell. “Oh! none of that!” growled the student. “You’ve always got some silly nonsense of that sort. It’s not necessary in the least.” “Well … I thought … that….” stammered Soloveitchik, as, looking embarrassed, he put the bell in his pocket. “I think that the table should be placed in the middle of the room,” said the student. “Yes, yes, I am going to move it directly!” replied Soloveitchik, as he hurriedly caught hold of the edge of the table. “Mind the lamp!” cried Dubova. “That’s not the way to move it!” exclaimed the student, slapping his knee. “Let me help you,” said Sanine. “Thank you! Please!” replied Soloveitchik eagerly. Sanine set the table in the middle of the room, and as he did so, the eyes of all were fixed on his strong back and muscular shoulders which showed through his thin shirt. “Now, Goschienko, as the initiator of this meeting, it is for you to make the opening speech,” said the pale-faced Dubova, and from the expression in her eyes it was hard to say if she were in earnest, or only laughing at the student. “Ladies and gentlemen,” began Goschienko, raising his voice, “everybody knows why we have met here to-night, and so we can dispense with any introductory speech.” “As a matter of fact,” said Sanine, “I don’t know why I came here, but,” he added, laughing, “it may have been because I was told that there would be some beer.” Goschienko glanced contemptuously at him over the lamp, and continued: “Our association is formed for the purpose of self-education by means of mutual readings, and debates, and independent discussions—” “Mutual readings? I don’t understand,” interrupted Dubova in a tone of voice that might have been thought ironical. Goschienko blushed slightly. “I meant to say readings in which all take part. Thus, the aim of our association is for the development of individual opinion which shall lead to the formation in town of a league in sympathy with the social democratic party….” “Aha!” drawled Ivanoff, as he scratched the back of his head. “But with that we shall deal later on. At the commencement we shall not set ourselves to solve such great—” “Or small …” prompted Dubova. “Problems,” continued Goschienko, affecting not to hear. “We shall begin by making out a programme of such works as we intend to read, and I propose to devote the present evening to this purpose.” “Soloveitchik, are your workmen coming?” asked Dubova. “Yes, of course they are!” replied Soloveitchik, jumping up as if he had been stung. “We have already sent to fetch them.” “Soloveitchik, don’t shout like that!” exclaimed Goschienko.