Just then they heard in the next room the bleating of an almost sheep-like voice. "Don't make such a noise," said Peredonov. "There's someone coming." "It's only Pavloushka," answered Varvara. Pavel Vassilyevitch Volodin entered with a loud, gay laugh. He was a young man who, face, manners and all, strangely resembled a young ram; his hair, like a ram's, was curly; his eyes, protruding and dull; everything, about him, in fact, suggested a lively ram--a stupid young man. He was a carpenter by trade. He had first studied in a Manual Training School, but now was an instructor of the trade in the local school. "How are you, old friend?" he said gaily. "You're at home, drinking coffee, and here am I! Here we are together again!" "Natashka, bring a third spoon," shouted Varvara. "Eat, Pavloushka," said Peredonov, and it was evident that he was anxious to be hospitable to Volodin. "You know, old chap, I shall soon get an inspector's billet--the Princess has promised Vara." Volodin seemed pleased and laughed. "And the future inspector is drinking coffee," he exclaimed, slapping Peredonov on the back. "And you think it's easy to get an inspector's job," said Peredonov. "Once you're reported, that's the end of you." "And who's going to report you?" asked Varvara. "There are plenty to do that," said Peredonov. "They might say I'd been reading Pisarev.[1] And there you are!" "But, Ardalyon Borisitch, you ought to put Pisarev behind your other books," advised Volodin, sniggering. Peredonov glanced cautiously at Volodin and said: "Perhaps I've never even had Pisarev. Won't you have a drink, Pavloushka?" Volodin stuck out his lower lip and made a significant face, like a man who was conscious of his own value, and bent his head rather like a ram: "I'm always ready to drink in company," he said, "but not on my lonesome!" And Peredonov was also always ready to drink. They drank their vodka and ate the jam tarts afterwards. Suddenly Peredonov splashed the dregs of his coffee-cup on the wall-paper. Volodin goggled his sheepish eyes, and gazed in astonishment. The wall-paper was soiled and torn. Volodin asked: "What are you doing to your wall-paper?" Peredonov and Varvara laughed. "It's to spite the landlady," said Varvara. "We're leaving soon. Only don't you chatter." "Splendid!" shouted Volodin, and joined in the laughter. Peredonov walked up to the wall and began to wipe the soles of his boots on it. Volodin followed his example. Peredonov said: "We always dirty the walls after every meal, so that they'll remember us when we've gone!" "What a mess you've made!" exclaimed Volodin, delightedly. "Won't Irishka be surprised," said Varvara, with a dry, malicious laugh. And all three, standing before the wall, began to spit at it, to tear the paper, and to smear it with their boots. Afterwards, tired but pleased, they ceased.