‘I am collecting materials,’ replied Gubaryov, knitting his brows; and, turning to Litvinov, whose head began to swim from the medley of unfamiliar names, and the frenzy of backbiting, he asked him what subjects he was interested in. Litvinov satisfied his curiosity. ‘Ah! to be sure, the natural sciences. That is useful, as training; as training, not as an end in itself. The end at present should be ... mm ... should be ... different. Allow me to ask what views do you hold?’ ‘What views?’ ‘Yes, that is, more accurately speaking, what are your political views?’ Litvinov smiled. ‘Strictly speaking, I have no political views.’ The broad-shouldered man sitting in the corner raised his head quickly at these words and looked attentively at Litvinov. ‘How is that?’ observed Gubaryov with peculiar gentleness. ‘Have you not yet reflected on the subject, or have you grown weary of it?’ ‘How shall I say? It seems to me that for us Russians, it is too early yet to have political views or to imagine that we have them. Observe that I attribute to the word “political” the meaning which belongs to it by right, and that----’ ‘Aha! he belongs to the undeveloped,’ Gubaryov interrupted him, with the same gentleness, and going up to Voroshilov, he asked him: ‘Had he read the pamphlet he had given him?’ Voroshilov, to Litvinov’s astonishment, had not uttered a word ever since his entrance, but had only knitted his brows and rolled his eyes (as a rule he was either speechifying or else perfectly dumb). He now expanded his chest in soldierly fashion, and with a tap of his heels, nodded assent. ‘Well, and how was it? Did you like it?’ ‘As regards the fundamental principles, I liked it; but I did not agree with the inferences.’ ‘Mmm ... Andrei Ivanitch praised that pamphlet, however. You must expand your doubts to me later.’ ‘You desire it in writing?’ Gubaryov was obviously surprised; he had not expected this; however, after a moment’s thought, he replied: ‘Yes, in writing. By the way, I will ask you to explain to me your views also ... in regard to ... in regard to associations.’ ‘Associations on Lassalle’s system, do you desire, or on the system of Schulze-Delitzsch?’ ‘Mmm ... on both. For us Russians, you understand, the financial aspect of the matter is specially important. Yes, and the _artel_ ... as the germ.... All that, one must take note of. One must go deeply into it. And the question, too, of the land to be apportioned to the peasants....’ ‘And you, Stepan Nikolaitch, what is your view as to the number of acres suitable?’ inquired Voroshilov, with reverential delicacy in his voice.