"Wait and you'll see," replied Peredonov with his usual gruffness. "What are you taking away there, Ardalyon Borisitch?" asked Prepolovensky. "Most strictly forbidden books," answered Peredonov from the door. "I should be reported if they were found here." Peredonov sat on his heels before the brick stove in the parlour. He threw down the books on the iron hearth and Volodin did the same. Peredonov began with difficulty to force book after book into the small opening. Volodin sat on his heels just behind Peredonov and handed him the books, preserving at the same time an air of profound comprehension on his sheepish face, his protruded lips and heavy forehead expressing his sense of importance. Varvara looked at them through the door. She said laughing: "They've got a new joke!" But Grushina interrupted her: "No, dearest Varvara Dmitrievna, you shouldn't say that. Things might be very unpleasant if they found out. Especially if it happens to be an instructor. The authorities are dreadfully afraid that the instructors will teach the boys to rebel." After tea they sat down to play Stoukolka [_a card game_], all seven of them around the card-table in the parlour. Peredonov played irritatedly and badly. After every twenty points, he had to pay out to the other players, especially to Prepolovensky, who received for himself and his wife. The Prepolovenskys won more frequently than anyone. They had certain signs, like knocks and coughs, by which they told each other what cards they held. That night Peredonov had no luck. He made haste to win back his money, but Volodin was slow in dealing and spent too much time in shuffling. "Pavloushka, hurry up and deal," shouted Peredonov impatiently. Volodin, feeling himself the equal of anybody in the game, looked important and asked: "What do you mean by 'Pavloushka'? Is it in friendship? Or how?" "Of course, in friendship," replied Peredonov carelessly. "Only deal quicker." "Well, if you say it in friendship then I'm glad, very glad," said Volodin, laughing happily and stupidly as he dealt the cards. "You're a good fellow, Ardasha, and I'm very fond of you. But if it weren't in friendship it would be another matter, but as it is in friendship I'm glad. I've given you an ace for it," said Volodin and turned up trumps. Peredonov actually had an ace, but it wasn't the ace of trumps and he had to sacrifice it.