Now that Peredonov was hoping to become an inspector the Head-Master's attitude towards him seemed particularly unpleasant. Let it be admitted that if the Princess should so desire, her protection would override the Head-Master's unfriendliness, still it was not without its dangers. And there were other people in the town--as Peredonov had lately noticed--who were hostile to him and wanted to hinder his appointment to the inspectorship. There was Volodin; it was not for nothing that he continually repeated the words, "The future inspector." There have been occasions when people have assumed another man's name with great profit to themselves. Of course, Volodin would find it difficult to impersonate Peredonov, but after all even such a fool as Volodin might have the idea that he could. It is certain that we ought to fear every evil man. And there were still the Routilovs, Vershina with her Marta, and his envious colleagues--all equally ready to do him harm. And how could they harm him? It was perfectly clear they could vilify him to the authorities and make him out to be an unreliable man. So that Peredonov had two anxieties: one, to prove his reliableness and the other to secure himself from Volodin--by marrying him to a rich girl. Peredonov once asked Volodin: "If you like, I'll get you engaged to the Adamenko girl, or are you still pining for Marta? Isn't a month long enough for you to get consoled?" "Why should I pine for Marta?" replied Volodin, "I've done her a great honour by proposing to her, and if she doesn't want me, what's that to me? I'll easily find someone else--there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it." "Well, but Marta's pulled your nose for you nicely," said Peredonov tauntingly. "I've no notion what sort of a husband they're looking for," said Volodin with an offended air. "They haven't even any dowry to speak of. She's after you, Ardalyon Borisitch." Peredonov advised him: "If I were in your place I should smear her gates with tar." Volodin grinned and calmed down at once. He said: "But if they catch me it might be unpleasant." "Hire somebody; why should you do it yourself?" said Peredonov. "And she deserves it--honest to God!" said Volodin animatedly. "A girl who won't get married and yet lets young fellows in through the window! That means that human beings have no shame or conscience!" [1] "Piatachek" means a "five kopek piece" and also a "pig's snout." Routilov puns on the word. [2] _Durman_, the thorn apple or datura, a very poisonous plant. The Russians have a verb "durmanised," meaning bewitched or stupefied by the durman. [3] Zakouska, savoury salt eatables, rather like _hors d'oeuvres,_ eaten with vodka. [4] A journal of revolutionary tendencies, suppressed in 1881. CHAPTER VI