Some of the working men joined these unions for material reasons, others from ignorance. The Black Hundred had but a few members from among the working class by conviction. The Union of Active Combat attracted people who served now one side, now the other, people like Yakov Poltinin, and even two or three confirmed revolutionaries. They accepted the Brownings and handed them over to members of revolutionary organizations. Members of the union did not find this out until quite late. Kerbakh and Zherbenev were the most frequent guests at Glafira Pavlovna’s cosy, hospitable house. Evil tongues made slander of this, and associated her name now with Kerbakh, now with Zherbenev. But this was a calumny. Her heart had only a place for a young official who served as a private secretary to the Governor. Once after dinner at Konopatskaya’s, Kerbakh and Zherbenev were telling Glafira Pavlovna about Ostrov. Kerbakh was the first to broach the subject: “I have in view a man whom I should like to call to your attention.” “I too know a lively chap,” said Zherbenev. Kerbakh, annoyed at the interruption, looked none too amiably at Zherbenev, and went on: “He didn’t at all please me at first.” “My friend also did not appeal to me at the beginning,” said Zherbenev, who would not stay repressed. “To look at him you might think that he’s a cut-throat,” said Kerbakh. “That describes my man too,” announced Zherbenev, as if he were announcing something gay and pleasant. “But at heart,” went on Kerbakh, “he is an ingenuous infant and an enthusiastic patriot.” “Well, well, and mine’s like that too,” chimed in Zherbenev. Glafira Pavlovna smiled graciously at both of them. “Whom are you talking about?” asked Kerbakh at last, rather annoyed at his companion. Zherbenev replied: “There is a chap here--what’s his name? You remember we met him at the pier some time ago. He was rather interested in Trirodov.” “You mean Ostrov?” ventured Kerbakh. “That’s the fellow,” said Zherbenev. “I also meant him,” said Kerbakh. “Excellent!” exclaimed Zherbenev. “We seem to agree about him. So you see, Glafira Pavlovna, we ought to invite him into our union. He would be a most useful man. Once mention Jews to him and he begins to howl like a dog on a chain.” “Of course we ought to have him,” decided Glafira Pavlovna. “It is just such people that we want.” That was how Ostrov came to be admitted into the union. He worked very zealously on its behalf. One of the chief functions of the Black Hundred was to lodge information against certain people. They informed the Governor and the head of the District Schools that Trirodov’s wards had been at the funeral of the working men killed in the woods.